Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?
Chapter 59: Two Strands of Merit

Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Two Strands of Merit

Zhu Guangfa’s considerations had not escaped Shen Siyuan. Despite having stumbled upon an incredible opportunity, he was still merely an ordinary person, not strong enough to single-handedly take on a nation. A mere peanut could end up sending him to the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. Hence, there was nothing to show off about in wild arrogance.

For now, it was necessary to lay low, slowly develop, and maintain the status quo.

One might display some capabilities, but never so much as to stand out excessively.

As for wealth, it was indeed within Shen Siyuan’s easy reach; he had countless ways to grow extremely rich. But then what? To enjoy life? He was already enjoying life as it was. Why make a big loop only to come back to enjoy life again?

Of course, this was also tied to Shen Siyuan’s personality and his family situation. The older members of his family were in good health, his parents had some assets, and aside from the pressure to marry, there was no need for him to shoulder any real responsibility. This was precisely why he wasn’t ambitious and was merely biding his time at Guanghui Animation.

If he had even a shred of ambition, he would have likely quit already, perhaps even joined his father in raising chickens at home, likely earning more and with better prospects than his salary at Guanghui Animation.

But he hadn’t.

As for whether he had ever considered the future or experienced confusion and panic, surely he had, but not frequently.

But now, those feelings were completely gone. The Ten Thousand Soul Banner had become his strongest confidence and, for the moment, the deepest influence on him.

This was like a wealthy person who has several "small goals" lying in the bank, who returns to the countryside to live a modest life. That’s called enjoying life.

Whereas a person without a penny to their name, returning to the countryside to live a modest life is not enjoying life, but simply living for survival.

Simply put, one has the right to choose, and the other does not.

One can say no to life, while the other is trampled upon by life.

Before the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, Shen Siyuan in fact already possessed the right to choose, but this right was given to him by his parents, so he was fortunate.

And with the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, that confidence was just a bit stronger.

There was no need to make himself so tired, to fight, to snatch, to climb upwards; he would no longer be himself if he did.

Shen Siyuan was very clear-headed. Life was bland, but this was the very essence of life.

If he wanted to change, he could at any moment, because he had the right to choose.

Perhaps some say life is but a brief century and naturally one should live a dazzling, splendid life. But for Shen Siyuan, what he least lacked now was time.

Perhaps one day when he grows tired, he might make a change and try out a different life.

Though he only drank one bottle of wine, the meal was very fulfilling, at least that’s what Shen Siyuan believed.

Zhu Guangfa’s culinary skills were quite impressive, certainly much better than Shen Siyuan’s own cooking.

So Shen Siyuan was in a splendid mood, but Zhu Guangfa and his daughter felt otherwise.

Because Du Xiuzhi began to fade from their view, her body becoming translucent.

They knew that Du Xiuzhi was about to "leave."

Of course, in their eyes, "leaving" meant that Du Xiuzhi had fulfilled her wishes and would reenter reincarnation. Perhaps there would be a day of reunion where they wouldn’t recognize each other, but it was still something to look forward to.

However, for Du Xiuzhi, her leaving meant she would dissipate into the cosmos, never to be seen again.

Her wishes had been fulfilled, and everything she needed to arrange had already been explained that afternoon. She would no longer play a part in the father and daughter’s future lives.

"Mom, are you leaving?" Zhu Tingting asked pitifully, tears swirling in her eyes.

Du Xiuzhi held her in her arms, kissed her forehead, and comforted, "Every departure is the beginning of an anticipated reunion."

"You said you wanted Mom to be your baby in the future, right? So, we’ll meet again," Du Xiuzhi said.

Her voice, however, choked up unintentionally, because she knew this would be impossible.

Zhu Guangfa, standing beside them, was already tear-stained and sobbing. He never thought a grown man could cry so much; no wonder Du Xiuzhi called him a crybaby—he probably just had richer emotions and more active tear glands than others.

He looked at Du Xiuzhi, seeming to sense something.

Then he turned to Shen Siyuan, asking sorrowfully, "After one dies, do they really reenter reincarnation?"

Zhu Tingting, in her mother’s embrace, also looked at Shen Siyuan with tear-filled, pleading eyes.

Shen Siyuan nodded and said, "Of course, your mom will definitely re-enter the cycle of reincarnation and become your baby in the next life, I assure you."

Since Du Xiuzhi was unwilling to speak, Shen Siyuan went along with her wishes, comforting Zhu Tingting.

But as soon as his words fell, two strands of merit descended from the sky, entering his body through his forehead.

"Ah?" Shen Siyuan exclaimed in surprise.

He had helped Dou Dou fulfill her wish and obtained only a strand of merit, so why did helping Du Xiuzhi yield two strands?

However, he quickly understood that one of the strands was indeed for helping Du Xiuzhi fulfill her wish.

The other strand was for promising Zhu Tingting to help her mother re-enter the cycle of reincarnation.

This could also merit a reward, and it just so happens to prove the existence of the Underworld.

But the Underworld has been closed for hundreds of years, and the dead souls have no gateway to enter, so how could he enter the Underworld and send Du Xiuzhi on to reincarnation?

At this thought, he subconsciously reached for his waist, where a soul-hooking chain was wrapped around, which might provide him with some clues.

"Honey."

"Mommy~"

Just then, in front of the father and daughter, Du Xiuzhi completely vanished from sight.

Du Xiuzhi released her embrace of her daughter and stood up, looking deeply at her husband and daughter.

Having fulfilled her wish, she seemed to have no further attachments and turned to bow slightly to Shen Siyuan, saying, "Mr. Shen, thank you."

Then her body seemed ready to dissipate.

Seeing this, Shen Siyuan flipped his palm, and the Ten Thousand Soul Banner appeared at the center of his palm. With a flick of his finger, he immediately captured her within the Ten Thousand Soul Banner.

She couldn’t dissipate just yet, as Shen Siyuan had promised Zhu Tingting and had received the reward of merit, he was going to try and see if he could send her on the path of reincarnation to re-enter the cycle of life. Before that, he would let her sleep within the Ten Thousand Soul Banner.

Naturally, Zhu Guangfa and his daughter could not see any of this happening before them.

They were now very sad, crying intermittently and inconsolably.

Shen Siyuan stood up and poured a glass of water for each of them.

Zhu Guangfa seemed to come back to his senses, choking up as he got up, intending to help Shen Siyuan clean up the dishes.

But Shen Siyuan stopped him.

"You leave the rest to me, you take your child home."

"Thank you, I will come back in a few days to express my gratitude," he said, picking up his daughter.

"There’s no need, haven’t you already thanked me?" Shen Siyuan pointed to the mess on the table.

"How could I not? This..."

Shen Siyuan waved his hand, telling him not to say any more.

Offhandedly he said, "Helping you is a good deed that yields good fruit. If you come repeatedly to thank me, wouldn’t my good deed be in vain?"

Shen Siyuan said this only because he feared being disturbed repeatedly.

Helping one Zhu Guangfa was already like this, so what about helping more people in the future? He would be endlessly pestered.

However, Zhu Guangfa clearly believed Shen Siyuan’s words, leaving with his daughter while profusely thanking him.

"Goodbye, brother."

The teary-eyed Zhu Tingting still did not forget to wave goodbye to Shen Siyuan.

"Goodbye~"

Shen Siyuan also waved his hand, suddenly feeling a faint sense of loss in his heart.

Perhaps this is life, life is a series of departures.