All around, the air buzzed with voices. The week-long Buddhist assembly had ended, and throngs of tourists were preparing to leave. Cars gathered at the town’s exit, horns blaring in waves, and the narrow road was quickly becoming congested.
Many people waited anxiously, restless and irritable.
"Tell me, Heavenly Soul, isn’t this too much? That Earthly Soul jerk left me here alone. I’m furious! When he gets back, I’m definitely going to punish him."
001 pouted, fuming in the passenger seat as she complained angrily. I sat in the back of the car. Agent Seven and I had come to pick up 001. After Earthly Soul headed to the Underworld, I got his message asking me to collect 001.
"Maybe so," I muttered.
I murmured, watching the endless stream of people. Everywhere I went, there were people. I’ve always been suspicious of humanity—no matter how many years have passed, I feel nothing for them. Even though I, as the Heavenly Soul in Ethan Zhang’s body, spent a long time without consciousness.
But I possess all of Ethan Zhang’s memories, from childhood onward. All kinds of people. In this world, humanity dominates. Looking at them, I can’t help but find them ridiculous. So-called devotees, followers of Buddhism—shouldn’t they always maintain inner peace? Yet I’ve already witnessed several believers quarreling over trivial matters.
Most come here to burn incense and pray for a little peace of mind, as if just going through the motions. In just one week, the town’s garbage output probably exceeds the total from recent years. Trash bins are overflowing, litter dances on the wind through the streets, ignored by all.
Still, some people are more conscientious, taking up cleaning tools and busying themselves with the mess. Even the monks from the temple come out to help. Maybe these are the truly faithful; most others are just tourists.
Many are just here for the excitement. I smile helplessly.
"Hey, hey, Heavenly Soul, are you even listening to me?"
001 turned angrily, now sprawled across the seat, her head leaning close. I knew she wanted to vent her frustrations and hear me say bad things about Earthly Soul, hoping it would make her feel better. I gave a noncommittal hum.
"He really is pretty awful," I agreed.
"See? You must know him best, Heavenly Soul. He’s so mean—he left me alone at the foot of the mountain, didn’t even say a word before leaving. What do you think I should do to punish him when I get back?"
Faced with 001’s words, I felt nothing. Maybe I know Earthly Soul and Ethan Zhang, the Human Soul, very well—or do I? Lately, I keep asking myself that.
"Maybe you should let her keep you company for a few days when you get back."
As I spoke, 001’s face lit up with a smile. She finally settled back into her seat, still chattering away, though I tuned her out completely. I turned my head to look out the window. In the crowded parking lot, people were packing up their belongings, and some families were quarreling over lost items.
Other families rushed to get home, moving in a hurry, but there was so much stuff to organize that it was a hassle. Weariness showed on every face. I’ve seen countless people, all kinds, but they all share one thing: exhaustion.
Maybe that’s what living is—just being tired. I couldn’t help but think about it. From birth to death, in just a few decades, people always seem so worn out. Not just people—even after death, as ghosts, they’re still tired. But me?
I don’t know what the point is in continuing to exist in this world. At first, I just wanted to watch over Human Soul and Earthly Soul, but now we’ve split apart completely. There’s still some connection, but it’s not like before—we’re no longer the same person.
Just as I was about to leave, to vanish completely from the worlds of Yin and Yang, Ethan Zhang stopped me. Whether I left or stayed probably didn’t matter much to him—or maybe it did.
I smiled. The car finally started, 001 drifted off to sleep, and Agent Seven let out a sigh of relief.
"It’s a four-hour drive back. If you get bored, you can head inside and rest if you want."
I shook my head and replied.
"No need, this is fine. I’ll go back with you both."
I don’t plan to leave these two, not with things so unsettled lately—and Earthly Soul has warned me seriously. The Immortality Society will never give up on someone like 001, who possesses such unique powers and comes from a special family. There’s no doubt about it.
Speaking of the Immortality Society, maybe their lives are even more exhausting. I really don’t understand—after all these years, is the goal of immortality really that important?
I can’t quite grasp the Immortality Society’s business. They’re so evil, yet for many, they’re still worth cooperating with.
The car finally reached the edge of town. I glanced back at the now-deserted road leading up to Universal Temple. I know roughly what’s happened these past few days—Earthly Soul told me everything before he left.
I’m not interested in anything happening in this world—whether it’s destruction or continued existence, it’s no longer my concern. The only reason I’ve stayed is what Ethan Zhang said that day: he needed me. I smiled helplessly.
It’s a pity I couldn’t do much to help the day Ethan Zhang died. As the Heavenly Soul, I was powerless against the force of Divine Law. But now, I feel that its restraint over me has vanished. I don’t know why—maybe it’s because the main forces now are the Buddhist and Daoist Orders.
The car finally merged onto the wide highway, picking up speed. Still, the road was narrow with too many vehicles, so we had to drive steadily—overtaking anyone was a hassle.
This chapter isn’t finished yet~.~ Please click next page to continue reading the rest!
"It’s actually nice that you two don’t need sleep. We humans are different—if we don’t rest, we get exhausted."
Agent Seven yawned as he spoke. We arrived two days ago, but couldn’t find a place to stay. I suggested we camp in the deserted village in the mountains near Universal Temple, but 001 refused outright—she’d rather sleep in the car.
So for the past two days, both of them have been sleeping in the car. We waited for the Buddhist assembly to end, hoping Earthly Soul would return. But now it’s over, and he still hasn’t come back.
We’ll just have to go back to that place by the sea and keep waiting. I don’t know why, but today I’m feeling uneasy, restless for no reason, so my thoughts keep wandering.
"You don’t seem to like talking to people much."
Agent Seven remarked, and I just hummed in response.
"Yeah, I really don’t like talking to people. Honestly, there’s nothing worth saying."
Agent Seven smiled, but just then I felt a tightness in my chest, as if something was wrong. My expression grew serious. I closed my eyes to sense it, then suddenly snapped them open.
"It seems we’re not completely separated yet."
In an instant, I understood what was happening to my body. I raised a hand and looked around.
"Could you please find a place to stop where it’s open?"
I said seriously. Agent Seven nodded right away, and when he saw a fork leading into the woods on the right, he quickly turned onto the dirt road. The jolt woke 001, who looked around in surprise before exclaiming.
"Huh? Where are we going?"
"Heavenly Soul’s condition isn’t looking good."
As soon as Agent Seven finished speaking, I saw a vast stretch of wasteland. Instantly, I flew out of the car and landed on the ground, half-kneeling, clutching my left hand—the Law of Karma was eroding me.
I know these things well—I can see them, and as the Heavenly Soul, I can sense them completely. All this time, I thought the three souls were fully separated, but I didn’t expect that a single incident would reconnect us.
Back when Juchen tried to eliminate Ethan Zhang, we came together again, giving Ethan Zhang immense power. Now, the Law of Karma has descended, and all three of us will be affected by its erosion. I understand—Earthly Soul probably can’t come back soon, but I have to find a way to contact him. They probably can’t sense the Law of Karma, so I need to tell them how.
Suddenly, a white root grew out from my left hand, wrapping around something black and slowly pulling it out. Two of my fingers had already been devoured.
A wet, smacking sound echoed, and 001 gasped in shock behind me.
"What is that thing? It’s so gross!"
Smiling, I yanked the Law of Karma out of my body and threw it far away. Instantly, white roots stretched out toward it, transforming into trees that enveloped the struggling Law of Karma. It took the shape of a black humanoid figure—faceless, with a white mouth still chewing on my two fingers.
My left index and pinky fingers were now useless—eaten by that thing.
"What is that thing, really?"
"The Law of Karma," I replied.
Agent Seven looked thoughtful as I stood up, smiling helplessly.
"It’s complicated to explain. For now, we’ll just have to keep an eye on it. If we kill it, things will get messy later. I just hope the other two are smart enough not to destroy the Law of Karma, or it’ll only get worse."
I spoke, but soon sighed and smiled helplessly.
"One of them is a bit too straightforward—it's a problem. That Human Soul guy."