It's been a long time since I truly laughed. I remember the last time I laughed wholeheartedly, when I was genuinely happy, but the memory is blurry now. Maybe the most recent time was after seeing Rachel Lan's rebirth—whenever I felt at ease, even in the face of crisis, I could hold her hand and get through anything.
That was my state of mind back then. But now, everything is different. My peace of mind has been completely destroyed by the Immortality Society.
"Not everything in this world must be endured. Joy and suffering do not inherently conflict. We live in this world, experiencing countless partings and reunions. Mr. Zhang, we are but a grain of sand in this vast ocean—why belittle yourself? Your current state is the result of long-term suffering, which has left you numb. Though you have not lost your heart, if this continues, it will eventually break you."
I nodded, took a sip of tea, and sighed. More and more things kept piling up in my mind—things I had to accomplish.
"Mr. Zhang, listen to this old monk. In this world, there is nothing you must accomplish. As I said, a person's temperament determines much of what happens. Right now, your heart is burdened with sorrow and your karma is too deep, making it impossible for you to let go or act freely."
Surprised, I looked at Master Richard Ming, then sighed and clenched my fists. I could never forget that moment—when Rachel Lan vanished before my eyes.
"And yet, you have not fallen into deep karma. Alas, it's a pity—perhaps that Lady Lan still lives on in your heart."
I nodded. Countless times, I remembered the last words Rachel Lan said to me before she died. In just a few days, the Immortality Society had struck a blow to my spirit, making me lose control. I couldn't manage the endless darkness in my heart—a darkness always threatening to consume me.
"Mr. Zhang, why not set these things aside for a while?"
I immediately shook my head. Not even for a moment—right now, I can't wait even a second. I need to find out what happened to the Ghost Burial Squad.
"As I said before, there is nothing in this world you must do. If there is, it's just a so-called responsibility imposed on you by the world. Mr. Zhang, if a person abandons even the most basic simplicity, he will never accomplish anything."
Master Richard Ming spoke as he stood up and opened the window. The moonlight poured in, bathing him. I looked over, and the moonlight draped across Master Richard Ming’s body, his whole being radiating a gentle, restrained aura. All I could see in him was tranquility.
"Then what should I do, Master?"
I finally spoke, the bitterness in my heart something I’d always tried to suppress—the so-called strength I showed on the surface.
"When you’re sad, cry your heart out. When you’re happy, laugh freely. Everything in this world is decided by your nature—hard as stone, soft as water. Mr. Zhang, living freely is just that. Why fear sorrow?"
I quietly pondered Master Richard Ming’s words. He slowly raised his left hand, extending his fingertip. I stared in surprise as a harmonious aura radiated from him. Standing there, he was like a solid stone, yet he also exuded gentle energy.
At that moment, tiny dots of light began to glow. Fireflies gathered around Master Richard Ming’s fingertip, more and more of them appearing until a strong, luminous green light shone. It was beautiful, and Master Richard Ming smiled.
"Only with focus comes gathering, Mr. Zhang. Sorrow must not be suppressed, but released. Empty yourself, swallow the light, bear the darkness. The mystery of this may take you a lifetime to understand. I will say no more."
I seemed to understand what Master Richard Ming meant. I stood, bowed to him, and thanked him.
"Heh, Mr. Zhang, forgive my rambling. The haze in your eyes has cleared quite a bit. I suppose I’ve done something worthwhile today."
Master Richard Ming gently withdrew his hand, performing a Buddhist gesture. Suddenly, the fireflies scattered, and in an instant, starlight dotted the air. All around the small building, countless fireflies rose up, dazzlingly beautiful. I couldn't help but smile.
We sat down again, and Master Richard Ming began to speak.
"Mr. Zhang, during Ms. Li's stay at the temple, I accidentally discovered that she was missing a part of herself. That's why I performed the consecration ritual for her and sensed something unusual."
I tensed up, but quickly relaxed again.
"That woman's memory has had a piece taken away, so her soul is missing a fragment. Memory connects the body, and the body connects the soul. Once the memory is incomplete, naturally, the soul will be missing a part."
I nodded immediately. I had felt this sensation many times before—it was strange. I had met several people whose memories were missing pieces. In their minds, there were dark, shadowy places, and those memories couldn't be seen.
I brought up the matter of Lu Er, and Master Richard Ming smiled.
"A person's soul belongs to the yang, and is naturally bright. Where there is yang, there must be yin. Once the soul is missing a piece, a shadow forms. Although my abilities are limited and my perception of soul loss is not as keen as those from the underworld, I still noticed it. This small amount of soul loss usually poses no threat, but what I sensed was that a fragment of Ms. Li's soul was forcibly torn away."
"Was it done by a ghost?"
I asked immediately, and Master Richard Ming nodded.
"Among all under heaven, the only one capable of this in the living world is probably Dream."
"Mona Ouyang?"
I looked at Master Richard Ming in surprise; for a moment, my heart was complicated. Previously, she had worked with the Immortality Society only to get back her Nightmare Stone. Yet, the Nightmare Stone was hidden by Ouyang Yi in his own home, who is Ouyang Wei's father.
Could Mona Ouyang still be secretly collaborating with the Immortality Society? The thought shocked me, but on reflection, it seemed impossible.
"As for the details, Mr. Zhang, I suggest you ask the Dream Sovereign yourself."
I nodded happily, then spoke to Master Richard Ming about Lu Er's forced memory transfer.
"In that case, someone must have taken another person's memory and forcibly implanted it. Mr. Zhang, with your current abilities, you should be able to sense it. Tomorrow, send those two down the mountain; there's no need for them to come up again."
I nodded, and then Master Richard Ming stood up.
Having learned all this, it might be related to Mona Ouyang. As for Lu Er's memory, it was implanted every night in his dreams. So I decided to go back and find Mona Ouyang directly.