Chapter 24: Muxue's Commission

Lu Ziji could actually communicate privately with the group spirits—or rather, the system. Yunzhi silently noted this fact without asking further questions. Although Lu Ziji lacked administrative authority over the chat group, the group’s very creation was inextricably linked to him; it was only natural that the system might grant him certain minor privileges. As for the system’s suspected ability to communicate with the world’s consciousness, that was certainly not something she could pry into at this stage.

Yunzhi relayed the information she had gathered from Lu Ziji to Mu Xue, who felt a mixture of joy and sorrow. She had originally intended to accept this final gift from Tao Qi, which Yunzhi was delivering, and then cut off all contact. Being able to see him occasionally in her dreams was enough for her. As time passed, he would surely think of her less and less. People must always look forward; Tao Qi would meet many new people, and she was merely the unattainable longing of his youth. Once he grew indifferent and found peace, he would likely find someone else to marry and start a family with. They were separated by the boundary between the living and the dead—what future could they possibly have? She must make a clean break, she told herself.

Little did she know that her momentary greed in accepting that single gift would trigger a "ghostly romance" scenario.

"Sister Mu Xue," Yunzhi said, "what you think is best for Tao Qi might not be what he wants. Let him see the various dangers of the supernatural world for himself. If he decides he no longer wants to dream of these things, we can find a solution then. If he still wishes to stay in touch... well, a cross-dimensional long-distance relationship isn't the end of the world, is it? Not all online relationships lead to meeting in person, yet many people still find them addictive. Perhaps once he’s actually 'dated' you, the filter of 'unrequited longing' will vanish, making it easier for both of you to let go."

Yunzhi had never been in a relationship, but she had seen plenty of examples in novels and television. Mu Xue was simply caught in the "observer’s dilemma," and lacking friends to confide in, Yunzhi offered a few more words of advice.

Mu Xue agreed, "You're right, Yunzhi! Let everything take its natural course. If the day comes when he no longer wants to be involved with me, I will destroy the ghostly artifact created from his paper doll. That should prevent him from dreaming about this side." She paused, then asked, "By the way, destroying that artifact won't affect his physical body in reality, will it?"

Yunzhi checked with Lu Ziji and received the reply: "He will feel weak for a few days, like having a bad cold, but there will be no lasting harm."

After discussing Tao Qi, Yunzhi brought up Mu Xue’s requested task. She knew it involved the cheating husband and the treacherous best friend. If the task wasn't too difficult, she could finish it before leaving Z City.

Mu Xue explained, "I cleared an S-rank dungeon with an SS-rank rating, and the system rewarded me with a rare S-rank material I needed. With the one million ghost coins Tao Qi sent, I don't need to farm specific dungeons for the other two A-rank materials; I can just trade with other players. In two days, at most by the day after tomorrow, I will have the 'Ghost-Seeing Talismans' ready. Then, I’ll need you to use them to send my cheating husband and my 'best friend' here. I want to deal with them myself."

"They cheated on me and conspired to steal my family’s assets. My father and Tao Qi have already retaliated, leaving them with nothing. After receiving an anonymous tip, I rushed to the hospital on my wedding night to catch them, only to die in a car accident. While it was caused by them, I couldn't entirely blame them for my death, as they hadn't directly killed me. I had planned to let it go, but Xun Zhanpeng and Yu Yue hold a grudge against my father and Tao Qi. They are currently plotting to kill them and have already taken action."

Because their lives were miserable, they constantly cursed Mu Xue, and she could see their actions through her dreams.

"Yu Yue disguised herself and was hired as a temporary cleaner in my villa complex. She tried to release venomous snakes into our home. Fortunately, she couldn't get into my father's room, and the gardener caught the snakes. She was careful enough to avoid the security cameras, but the property management fired all temporary staff as a precaution. Yu Yue then went into the mountains to catch poisonous insects, but ended up getting bitten herself. Her leg swelled up, though it wasn't fatal; she’s recovering at home now and will be mobile in a few days."

"Xun Zhanpeng bought concentrated sulfuric acid and a butcher's knife. He’s looking for an opportunity to get close to Tao Qi to kill or ruin him. However, before he could act, he was arrested for prostitution and drug use. He’s expected to be released at 10:00 AM the day after tomorrow. Once he’s out, he’ll likely make his move."

"I was going to ask you to warn Tao Qi and my father to stay home, but since the talismans are almost ready, that won't be necessary."

This was why Mu Xue wanted to use the Ghost-Seeing Talismans to drag them into the supernatural world. Since they indirectly caused her death and were now targeting the people she cared about most, she wanted to tear them to shreds. Yunzhi felt a surge of indignation; Xun Zhanpeng and Yu Yue truly deserved it.

***

It was no wonder Mu Xue wanted to drag them into the supernatural realm. In reality, while Tao Qi and Mu Qingsong could pursue legal action, as long as the men hadn't succeeded, it would be classified as "attempted assault," leading to at most a three-year sentence. If Mu Qingsong or Tao Qi were actually harmed... killing them afterward would be too little, too late.

However, despite her anger, Yunzhi needed to clarify the mechanics and consequences of using the talismans. She was willing to help, but not at the cost of implicating herself.

Mu Xue explained, "The Ghost-Seeing Talisman is the most powerful and difficult to craft among all ghost curses. It drags a living person's soul into the supernatural world, specifically into the 'Self-Judgment' dungeon—a place known for being both the hardest and the easiest for newcomers."

As Mu Xue described it, Yunzhi learned more about the dungeon. It would read the new players' memories and then seal them. If they had done something unconscionable, their new identity in the dungeon would be that of the victim. For instance, Xun Zhanpeng and Yu Yue would forget everything and be implanted with the identity and memories of "Mu Xue," experiencing the betrayal and the fatal car accident. The dungeon would then manifest "Mu Xue" as a vengeful spirit. If they used the spirit’s power to kill the NPCs playing "Xun Zhanpeng" and "Yu Yue," they would suffer the same fate in reality.

"It's called 'Self-Judgment' because the outcome depends entirely on the extent of the evil they’ve committed and their capacity for vengeance. If they successfully clear it, their souls return to reality, and they forget everything about the supernatural world. But if they kill their 'selves' in the dungeon, they naturally never return."

Given that Xun Zhanpeng and Yu Yue were already desperate enough to kill over their lost status and stolen wealth, Yunzhi could already foresee that they would likely never return.

The usage was simple: Yunzhi just needed to get within a hundred meters of them, and the talisman would automatically fuse into their bodies. Mu Xue had even added a psychological suggestion so that once cursed, Xun Zhanpeng would immediately go to find Yu Yue at their rental apartment. When they were in the same space, the talisman would take effect. Even if they died in that room, the police would simply assume the disgruntled couple had turned on each other. Since Yunzhi would only be passing by from a distance, she would never be a suspect.

As for the payment, Mu Xue offered a "Substitute Doll." She sent a photo: an exquisite, porcelain-like doll with a bun hairstyle and a white dress, about 10 centimeters tall.

"Smear a drop of your blood on its forehead to bind it. It lives in your personal space. When the doll opens its eyes, it means danger or murderous intent is near. If it develops a wound, it has blocked an injury for you. If it shatters, it has saved your life from a fatal blow. It’s an S-rank artifact that doesn't leak spiritual energy, so even living people can use it. I've only managed to make two; one is already bound to me, and this one is yours."

It was a priceless treasure. Yunzhi asked, "Why not keep it for your father or Tao Qi?"

Mu Xue replied, "Once those two are dealt with, my father and Tao Qi should be safe. But you are different; you take on dangerous tasks constantly. Besides, it would be strange for two grown men to carry dolls around, and it would be hard for you to explain where you got them."

Yunzhi accepted the task. She knew that sending those two to their doom carried a heavy psychological burden, but she also knew she needed that protection. While she had her safe-house space, she couldn't just vanish into it while others were watching.

***

Two days later, at 8:00 AM, Yunzhi received the formal contract and the items: the Substitute Doll and two Ghost-Seeing Talismans inscribed with the names and birth dates of the targets. She bound the doll, feeling a faint, intuitive link to it as a complex red pattern bloomed on its forehead. She tucked it into a dedicated slot in her personal space.

She placed the talismans into a paper bag, wearing gloves to handle them, and headed out. Everything was ready.

However, just as she reached the gate of the complex, she ran into a familiar, handsome face she had seen three days ago.

Lu Ziji... or rather, Ziji.

He was wearing a purple-black tracksuit, looking like a vibrant college student. He walked up to Yunzhi and said coldly, "Where is the thing that idiot Lu Ziji told you to give me?"

Yunzhi was speechless. *Aren't you Lu Ziji? You're even insulting yourself! And can't you manage a polite greeting before asking for things?*

"When you were out in the cultivation world," Yunzhi asked, "did a lot of people want to beat you up?"

Ziji looked surprised. "How did you know?" He then added with a touch of pride, "But none of them could ever beat me!"

*A perfectly handsome man, ruined by his own mouth and a stubborn reliance on brute force!*

Yunzhi sighed. It wasn't Ziji or Lu Ziji who needed to overcome a "love tribulation"—it was any brave soul who dared to fall in love with him!