The Exorcist

Book 8: Chapter 40: The Perfect Ending (END)

The mirror’s surfaced flashed and the two figures inside collapsed to the floor, hands over their ears. They could clearly hear Xiao Xia, and her shout had stunned them both. Xiao Xia quickly fell silent, a plan forming in her mind.

“Hong Hao Hao, you look really ugly like this.” She whispered softly. She sensed Hong Hao Hao glaring at the world outside the mirror before pouncing over. Not only had she heard her, she was extremely pissed. Hong Hao Hao’s face grew larger and larger, but before she could pass through the mirror, she shrunk again, seemingly pulled back by someone.

Xiao Xia knew it was Ah Bai. When she looked closely, she indeed saw the two little figures in the mirror fighting again. However, due to her fit of anger, Hong Hao Hao’s attacks were disorganized, while Ah Bai was no longer dodging clumsily and had the opportunity to reposition herself. Xiao Xia could only hope Ah Bai understood her intentions. If she drew closer to the mirror’s surface, it would make carrying out their plan easier.

Ah Bai had seen that their situation was unfavorable. They would eventually fall to Hong Hao Hao at this rate. Seeing Xiao Xia’s bone necklace possessed strong spell power, her plan was to lure Hong Hao Hao into the mirror and engage her within the smaller space. Then, she would try to leave the mirror first and have the bone chain seal Hong Hao Hao within before she could follow her out.

The mirror was hers while she had been alive, and had some spiritual power. She was able to control it, and thus she set this trap up.

“What else do you have apart from your looks? Do men love anything about you outside of your appearance?” Xiao Xia continued speaking. “Unfortunately, you died and your body vanished along with you. Si Ma Nan also died, so no one is left to teach you how to live again by possessing someone else. You no longer have the beauty you value most. You’re just a corpse. Can your charms cover up the stench of decay?”

“You’re seeking death!” A tiny voice rang out. Although it was quiet, it pierced Xiao Xia’s eardrums. She held back her discomfort and continued speaking. “Although you try your best to maintain your appearance, when you use your spiritual power, your appearance will change. Have you ever looked in the mirror while battling? Your face is completely black. Your wrinkles can be scene a mile away. Also, also, your eye sockets are gone and only your eyeballs remain. Gosh, a beauty ended up in such a state! Oh dear, your chest has deflated, and where’s your waist? Why are all your teeth exposed?”

Xiao Xia was talking nonsense. In reality, Hong Hao Hao’s illusion was well maintained. When she used her power elsewhere, her appearance did change a little, but it was just her face darkening and looking more sinister. However, Hong Hao Hao was too concerned about her beauty. It was her strongest obsession in life and death because, whether it was the mortal world she coveted or the underworld she tried to escape, it was her only weapon. She never thought about being independent and self-reliant. She only cared about her appearance, only thought about how to remain attractive to men, so every word of Xiao Xia’s pierced her heart.

She reminded herself not to be fooled, not to pay attention, but she couldn’t help but get distracted, and at that moment, Ah Bai slowly shifted changed positions. They were initially standing parallel in the mirror. Now, the two figures gradually overlapped. Ah Bai was facing away from the mirror, while Hong Hao Hao was facing it. Ah Bai was approaching the edge of the mirror while Hong Hao Hao actually felt her face while battling.

“Ah Bai, it’s time.” Xiao Xia let out a soft cry.

Before the words fell, Ah Bai suddenly struck the small drum at her waist, made a seal with her other hand towards Hong Hao Hao, and simultaneously flew backwards. Hong Hao Hao was greatly startled and suddenly realized that Ah Bai wanted to trap her in the ancient mirror. She also understood Xiao Xia’s purpose of constantly disturbing her mind, and quickly started to chase after her.

Ah Bai’s entire body turned into a ray of pure white light and leaped out of the mirror. However, her strength had weakened significantly, and after struggling for a long time, she was already exhausted. Hong Hao Hao, seeing the opportunity, acted quickly. So, while more than half of the white light had exited the mirror, the tail end was caught by the pursuing Hong Hao Hao.

Xiao Xia was startled and reached out to grab it, but how could her hand hold onto a beam of light.

“Use the necklace, trap us both inside.” Ah Bai sensed Hong Hao Hao had become enraged and was afraid it would turn out badly for Xiao Xia. However, Xiao Xia ignored her. She couldn’t do it. Not only would it sacrifice Ah Bai, there would also be no way to save Ruan Zhan. If Hong Hao Hao couldn’t be subdued, she would die alongside Ah Bai. She couldn’t escape alone!

“Xiao Xia, listen to me!”

“Absolutely not!” Xiao Xia responded, carefully striking the mirror with the necklace, trying to force Hong Hao Hao back while not hurting Ah Bai. But Hong Hao Hao was incomparably crafty at this critical moment. She hid beneath Ah Bai’s feet, preventing Xiao Xia from reaching her.

Seeing that Ah Bai was being dragged down more and more, with most of the white light returning to the mirror, Xiao Xia was so anxious that she didn’t know what to do. At that moment, a small ray of silver light suddenly shot out from the white light. It flew into the mirror and struck Hong Hao Hao in the face. Hong Hao Hao screamed in pain, covering her face with one hand, and could no longer hold onto Ah Bai with the other.

“Ah Bai, come out quickly!” Xiao Xia called out. But Ah Bai suddenly darted back, pouncing to the deepest part of the mirror, almost out of Xiao Xia’s sight, and snatched the small strand of silver light that had been knocked aside by Hong Hao Hao.

In the blink of an eye, Hong Hao Hao regained her senses and tried to jump out of the mirror, but was blocked by Xiao Xia with the bone necklace. She turned to catch Ah Bai, but Ah Bai slipped away like a fish and flew towards the surface. Hong Hao Hao reached out to grab her again, but this time, Ah Bai had learned her lesson. The transformed ball of white light gathered together, slipped past Hong Hao Hao’s fingertips, and suddenly rushed out of the mirror.

Xiao Xia hurriedly placed the bone necklace on the mirror surface. She was a moment too late. Hong Hao Hao had already reached her hand out. In a moment of desperation, Xiao Xia grabbed that only remaining unique talisman and forcefully stuck it onto the pair of withered hands that had turned into ghostly claws!

Hong Hao Hao let out a long, miserable scream. Her hands turned to flying ash, and only then did Xiao Xia hurriedly put the necklace in place. Despite this, the mirror continued shaking continuously along with screams and knocking. Xiao Xia hurriedly stuck the talisman that had just repelled the ghost hands onto the mirror surface. At the same time, she also placed the small leaf that Ah Bai had drawn strange patterns on behind the mirror. Only then did it calm down.

“Is it over?” She stared at the mirror, not turning her head as she asked Ah Bai. However, she heard the sound of Ah Bai sobbing. Turning to look, she saw Ah Bai holding the silver strand of light, crying her heart out.

“What’s wrong?” Xiao Xia was very shocked at seeing Ah Bai’s appearance.

“He saved me tonight. He knows me. He’s conscious.” Ah Bai rubbed her cheek against the silver light. Although there were no tears, Xiao Xia felt her heart turn sour. That silver light was the only trace of Si Ma Nan left in the world. When Ah Bai had been captured by Hong Hao Hao earlier, it was indeed he who suddenly intervened and saved her. And for his sake, Ah Bai risked getting trapped and went back inside to face Hong Hao Hao by herself, determined to bring him back out.

“He knows me, he knows me! It turns out he really has been accompanying me all this time!” Ah Bai was both sad and excited. “But I almost lost him tonight. How would I pass the days without him? That scared me to death. What should I do? What should I do?”

“Isn’t he still here? Don’t be scared.” Xiao Xia comforted Ah Bai. She suddenly recalled Ruan Zhan and tears started falling. “Therefore, you have to think of a way to save my Ah Zhan. Otherwise, I…” She wasn’t able to continue.

Ah Bai was excited for a while, kissing the strand of silver light again and again. Then pinned it back in her beautiful hair, and said to the tearful Xiao Xia. “Because of Ah Nan, I’ve thought of a solution. However, I don’t know if it’ll work. Anyway, we’ll head out tomorrow. No, let’s go right now. But we have to bring Hong Hao Hao. This ancient mirror can only trap her for a few days. Leaving her will harm others in the future.”

Of course, Xiao Xia agreed. She also didn’t want to let Hong Hao Hao out, so Ah Bai first sent a dream to the village chief, then attached himself to Xiao Xia’s stone. They descended the mountain overnight.

The journey was long and difficult. Xiao Xia rushed back almost without stopping, on foot whenever no car was available. Finally, they were about to arrive at Jingshi Town but the mirror could no longer contain Hong Hao Hao. Perhaps it was her survival instinct, or perhaps she was provoked by Si Ma Nan’s broken soul saving Ah Bai. She broke the restrictions on the mirror and emerged earlier than Ah Bai’s expectations.

It happened to be midnight which was when her powers were at their strongest. The mirror shattered into several pieces on the outskirts of Jingshi Town. Hong Hao Hao was determined to kill Xiao Xia and Ah Bai. In fact, she had long wanted to get rid of these two women, but never had she been so reckless as this moment, even willing to perish together.

Ah Bai emerged from the Philosopher’s Stone, but since her mind had been on ways to treat Ruan Zhan, her powers were weak. Xiao Xia was only left with one protective talisman that had drifted away when the mirror broke. She wasn’t able to reach it.

“Who dies first!” Hong Hao Hao roared. Even her voice had changed.

“Ah Bai, go. Hurry and save Ruan Zhan.” Xiao Xia no longer hid anything, wanting nothing more than for Ah Bai to disappear immediately. They had almost made it to Ironhead Mountain. Her beloved’s cold body was lying in the equally cold cave. Just a little bit further and she could save him.

“Xiao Xia, you won’t be able to hold for long by yourself. I won’t get far.” Ah Bai was still rather calm. Ever since she found out Si Ma Nan was still by her side, and that it wasn’t just her imagination, she wanted for nothing else. This life, including the many years after death, was all worth it. Now, she only wanted to help her friend. She looked around and grabbed at the air, seizing the bone necklace and handing it to Xiao Xia.

“Still quite skilled in the end. That was rather clever.” Hong Hao Hao laughed angrily. “That thing is already useless. I’ve completely worn out the spellpower within. Now, the two of you can die together!” She flew over as she spoke, like a demonic bird.

“Throw the necklace.” Ah Bai suddenly said.

Xiao Xia hurriedly threw the bone necklace into the air. Ah Bai swung one hand at the air while blocking Hong Hao Hao’s attack with the other. In mid-air, the bone necklace and Ah Bai’s palm collided, unexpectedly bursting into a dazzling sparks! However, Ah Bai was blown back a long way and her figure almost dispersed.

“Calling for help? What good will that do?” Hong Hao Hao snorted coldly and pounced again. This time Ah Bai was too far away. Only Xiao Xia stood there, completely defenseless against Hong Hao Hao’s thunderous strike. She could only close her eyes and wait for death.

But at that moment, a figure shot over from the side. Right as Hong Hao Hao reached Xiao Xia, a rusty sword flashing with rainbow light sent her flying. Although she didn’t fly back that far, the sword wielder threw out several talismans in succession. Those talismans flew into the sky, transforming into threads that formed a net, binding Hong Hao Hao tightly. Amidst her screams, the net shrank smaller and smaller until she was the size of a tennis ball, and was then collected into a cloth bag by Bao Da Tong.

The talismans were similar to Uncle Bao’s Bindings of Heaven and Earth Talisman. The bag was something Uncle Bao often carried. Clearly, the Bao family had some heirlooms.

“What’s wrong? You were fine a few days ago, why’s your face all messed up?” Bao Da Tong turned and was startled to see Xiao Xia’s haggard appearance.

Xiao Xia felt that Bao Da Tong was the most beautiful sight, and all the strength drained from her body as she collapsed. She pointed towards Ah Bai. “Quick, go save Ah Bai.”

Her voice was so hoarse that it was inaudible, but Bao Da Tong immediately understood her meaning and quickly ran towards Ah Bai. He had met Ah Bai once before and heard that she was a very good but very tragic woman. At this moment, seeing that her soul was unstable, he hurriedly chanted a soul stabilizing spell to heal the damage.

“Ah Bai, how did you know Bao Da Tong was here?” Xiao Xia asked.

“Although my powers are gone, my sect was known for being sensitive. Don’t you remember that prophecies were my specialty? Therefore, I sensed a righteous aura the moment we got close. While your bone necklace’s powers were exhausted, it still shares a common origin with your fire spells. Therefore, I wanted to contact…this friend of yours. I was just giving it a shot, but didn’t expect him to arrive so quickly.”

Xiao Xia then remembered that Bao Da Tong should have been on the mountain with Ruan Zhan, so why was he here?

“It’s your fate to find great fortune within misfortune.” Bao Da Tong addressed Xiao Xia’s confusion. “I was originally guarding your beloved. Rest assured, he is doing very well apart from his stopped heart. But Wan Li had woken up. That fellow was as lively as a dragon, and was completely fine. I started feeling uneasy this morning and feared something had happened to you. Therefore, I had him guard the cave with the tattered banner while I came down to fetch you.”

Xiao Xia understood the whole story and couldn’t stay any longer. She insisted on going up the mountain overnight. Seeing that she was struggling to even walk, Bao Da Tong had no choice but to carry her on his back.

“Ah Zhan’s heart is in pretty bad shape.” Ah Bai’s brows were furrowed, but seeing Xiao Xia about to die from fright, she hurriedly added, “But it’s not as if it’s hopeless. As you know, my witchcraft inherently contains healing properties. In the mountains, apart from being a shaman, I was also the witch doctor. Xiao Xia, don’t worry. I will definitely do my best.”

“Is there a way?” Wan Li asked. He had noticed Xiao Xia’s haggard appearance right away and his heart ached a lot. However, he knew what she wanted most was to resurrect Ruan Zhan, so he didn’t make a fuss. If Ruan Zhan came back to life, it was better he be the one to check on her. After all, it was for his sake Xiao Xia almost lost her life.

“Initially there wouldn’t have been, but Ah Nan gave me some inspiration. This philosopher’s stone is supposed to be used for love seeking, but it also has great benefits to cultivators. Back then, Ah Nan…” Ah Bai sighed, wrapped up in her own grief before continuing, “The stone was originally formless. I petrified it and gifted it to Xiao Xia. Now, we must turn it formless again if we are to use it to mend Ah Zhan’s heart.”

“How?” Xiao Xia asked anxiously.

“To use this stone requires true love, without the slightest bit of deceit. There’s no need to test this part, I trust the two of you are truly in love. However, melting this spiritual stone also requires a soul.” Ah Bai said with difficulty. “It has to be done with part of your soul.”

“That’s fine, take it.” Xiao Xia didn’t even stop to think. “Take it now.”

“Will there be any consequences? I mean for Xiao Xia.” Wan Li asked calmly.

“Theoretically, she won’t die. There are people out there missing part of their soul from birth.” Bao Da Tong said. “But those people are born either with mental problems, or end up dying young. Xiao Xia won’t turn out like that, right?”

Ah Bai shook her head. “I won’t let that happen. When extracting her soul, I will use spirit power to ensure the remaining parts of her soul remain stable. However, big bro Bao will have to help me.”

“He’s your junior, so just call him Bao Da Tong.” Wan Li said. “What do you need me to do?”

“What can you do? Just watch the cave and don’t let anyone interrupt us. I have to astral project myself to help stabilize her soul. Your job is like that of the animal with a keen sense of smell and a strong sense of loyalty.”

Xiao Xia rolled her eyes, but did not interrupt the two who were constantly bickering. Bao Da Tong had lost his father and Wan Li had a brush with death. Maybe this would help them let off some steam.

“How do we extract it? Let’s get started.” She rolled up her sleeves.

“Idiot, you think we’re drawing blood? Just sit still. But Witch Doctor Ah Bai, will there be side effects for Xiao Xia?” Bao Da Tong asked.

A Bai sighed, “Her body will become frailer, and she will get sick if she is not careful. Moreover, she will be particularly prone to attracting evil. Other than that, I can guarantee that her life will not be shortened, nor will there be any harm. I will be using the part of her soul that represents energy and vitality to smelt the stone.”

“So she’ll basically be a delicate princess.” Wan Li said. “It’ll be fine if we make Ah Zhan take care of her properly. Besides, she has always been prone to attracting evil. Doing it more often isn’t a big deal. Ah Zhan is so powerful, who would dare harm his wife?”

“Then what are we waiting for, let’s do it!” Xiao Xia reached her hand out once again.

She only felt cold and extremely weary, but there was no pain or feeling of something being extracted.

Wan Li guarded the entrance. Bao Da Tong sat cross-legged beside her while his astral projected soul stood behind her. When Ah Bai’s hand left Xiao Xia’s head, she was carefully cupping a glistening red orb. She knelt next to Ruan Zhan and Bao Da Tong immediately pressed his hand against Xiao Xia’s head, chanting a few lines under his breath.

She never knew that souls were colorful orbs. She was amazed to realize that these things made up who she was. They were her thoughts, her spirit, and her emotions!

Ah Bai held the philsopher’s stone in her left hand while her right hand held the partial soul. She silently chanted strange spells, and then pushed her palms together. A strange hissing sound came from her delicate hands, as if there was some resistance. Ah Bai struggled to hold her hands in place and chanted louder. Things remained stuck like that for a long while, until Ah Bai almost turned so blurry so as to be translucent. She seemed about to disperse when she finally opened her hands.

A faint pink bubble rested on her palm. The stone and Xiao Xia’s partial soul was completely gone. Ah Bai let out a breath. She found the spot where Ruan Zhan’s heart was and solemnly placed the bubble upon it.

“Come and give me a hand.” She whispered, as if even speaking was difficult.

Seeing that Xiao Xia’s soul had stabilized, Bao Da Tong quickly ran over, imitating Ah Bai’s actions. He held Ruan Zhan’s pulse with one hand, gently placed the other on his chest, and then closed his eyes to chant another spell.

Xiao Xia knew this was the most critical moment. Although she wanted to move closer, she ultimately held back and peeked from behind. The bubble rolled around as if alive on Ruan Zhan’s bare chest. It kept revolving around the horrifying wound there, speeding up as time passed. Then, it shattered with a pop, seeping into Ruan Zhan’s body like water into dried soil.

It was extremely quiet in the cave. Xiao Xia held her breath nervously, afraid that an extra breath would ruin the entire healing process. She watched as the soul forms of Ah Bai and Bao Da Tong began to tremble violently, as if they were struggling, and even their figures gradually became transparent. After a long time, a hint of heavy breathing could be heard in the cave!

Tears welled up in Xiao Xia’s eyes. It seemed as if she could hear Ruan Zhan’s heart start beating again. Looking at Ah Bai and Bao Da Tong’s relieved smiles and hearing Wan Li running over in excitement, she fainted happily. “Finally!” was her last conscious thought. “Finally got him back!”

Her eyelids were extremely heavy when she awoke, but remembering Ruan Zhan’s condition, Xiao Xia forced them open. A man’s face grew steadily larger within her vision. She blinked hard, and realized it was her beloved.

What happened? How was he here? He was seriously injured and lost a lot of blood. It was impossible for him to be so lively so quickly. Could they have failed to save him in the end? Was he here to play out a ghostly romance?

She wanted to speak but her throat was so dry it hurt. After struggling for a while, she forced out one word. “You…”

“It’s me.” The gentle male voice rang in Xiao Xia’s ears. “You saved me. I’m alive. See for yourself.” He bent down and kissed her, letting her feel the warmth and moisture of his lips, “It’s not that I recovered quickly. You’re the one whose been out for almost a week. You slept non-stop, and almost scared me to death.”

Really? Well it made sense. She went almost a week without sleep to save him.

“You swear you…”

“I swear I’m completely fine now.” Hearing her hoarse voice and seeing her struggle to speak, Ruan Zhan didn’t wait for her questions before responding. “I know, I know. I guess I owe you and I’ll spend my life slowly repaying this debt. Don’t worry, I won’t try to get out of it.” He joked, suppressing the ache in his heart.

After regaining consciousness, he learned about the circumstances of his death and resurrection. His heart was filled with complex feelings regarding his father’s last minute redemption, Uncle Bao’s sacrifice, his friends’ unwavering loyalty and Xiao Xia’s desperate efforts to save him. He wasn’t even sure what he was feeling. Great kindness needed no thanks. He just secretly vowed to live up to the deceased, to be equally loyal to his friends, and to love Xiao Xia for this lifetime and the next.

But when he woke up, Xiao Xia passed out. He only relaxed a little after Ah Bai promised she wouldn’t die, and only needed heavy sleep for several days due to exhaustion and losing part of her soul. Looking at her extremely haggard, sleepy face, seeing the blisters on her lips caused by stress cracking and bleeding, and seeing her covered in scars made his heart clench.

That spirit stone had an incredible effect. He fully recovered after three days, and his spiritual power also increased significantly. He had personally refined Hong Hao Hao into a soul crystal and gave it to Ah Bai for cultivation purposes. Ah Bai couldn’t stay long, so Bao Da Tong took her back before Xiao Xia woke up. Ruan Zhan and Wan Li took the still unconscious Xiao Xia home. He watched over her by the bedside, not eating or sleeping until she awoke.

Xiao Xia reached out. Ruan Zhan smiled and gently pulled her up in an embrace. He felt her small hand touching and pinching him, confirming he was real and not an illusion before shedding tears in excitement.

Ruan Zhan let her cry, and after she had cried enough, he carefully fed her food and water. He knew that she was struggling to speak at the moment and didn’t want to talk much, but Xiao Xia was impatient and kept talking even through a hoarse voice.

She had almost lost him, and was still in a dreamy daze. She had to use this sort of method to prove she wasn’t dreaming.

“Did you know? I’m really talented at doing business.” Her voice sounded like an old man’s, but she didn’t care at all, “I got the most precious thing in the world at a very small cost.”

“Oh? What is it?” Ruan Zhan played along with her.

“It’s easy to get priceless treasures but hard to get a loving partner. Haven’t you heard this saying before?” Xiao Xia proudly said, “I used a useless stone and a partial soul in exchange for your lifelong loyalty. Isn’t that a huge profit? Now my soul is imprinted within your heart, so it will never turn elsewhere.” Afraid that Ruan Zhan would feel guilty for taking away one a part of her soul, Xiao Xia comforted him seamlessly.

“But your body won’t be as healthy as it used to be.” Ruan Zhan felt heartache at the thought of this.

“I’ll be like a delicate princess. That way you’ll cherish me more. That’s still a win for me.” Xiao Xia said nonchalantly, but immediately frowned again, “But this clown-like face of mine will probably take a while to heal. Splotches take a while to fade on me, so these mosquito bites won’t disappear for several months. You’d best leave now. I shouldn’t let you me ugly.”

“It is a bit ugly.” Ruan Zhan said. Seeing Xiao Xia’s anxious and flustered appearance, he hurriedly stroked her face, “But do you know what happens when a man truly loves a woman? It’s not about being romantic or whispering sweet nothings. It’s not about doing things for her or dying for her. It’s wanting to hug her and kiss her while at her most ugly moments, just like what I’m doing now.” As he spoke, he kissed her again, tender and affectionate.

“I don’t want you to die for me. I want you to live and love me properly.” Xiao Xia spoke against Ruan Zhan’s lips.

That was the shortest distance to his heart and it is said that words spoken thus will always remain there, forever.