Human adaptability can be terrifying sometimes. Without realizing it, one becomes completely accustomed to a new life. Half a year ago, Lan Yin despised Hades Village, but now, he has learned much from Lan Miu.
"Aren't you going to see Judy off?"
Lan Miu asked, but Lan Yin shook his head. He seemed in a foul mood today. Judy Luo was pregnant and had to go to Hades Village; only after the child was a month old could she return.
It was a boy. At first, Lan Yin was happy, but gradually he grew more and more withdrawn, barely speaking a word all day, not even to Judy Luo. They used to talk about things, but now there was no communication between husband and wife—Lan Yin's heart was cold.
He had tried many times, hoping to accept his wife in his heart, but no matter what, Lan Yin could never do it. This marriage, devoid of any feelings, existed only for the sake of continuing the bloodline. It was meaningless. Judy Luo was gentle, never complaining about Lan Yin, always looking at him with soft, watery eyes.
But he couldn't respond—Lan Yin was unable to answer any of it, especially now that his son was about to be born. Lan Yin knew all too well: a new cycle was beginning, and this cruel fate would be passed on to the newborn. From the moment he was born, he would have to bear everything of Hades Village, and everything of the Lan Family.
"It'd be better if he never came into this world at all."
He couldn't hold it in anymore; the words burst out. Lan Yin blurted it, and Lan Miu frowned.
"Shouldn't you wake up by now? Knowing your own death date isn't pleasant, but the advantages far outweigh the drawbacks. Besides, once you officially take my place, until you find the next Guide, your time will be practically unlimited. When you finally climb to the top as the Guide, maybe you'll have a chance to change things!"
"Stop trying to trick me, Lan Miu. I know all your tricks by now."
Lan Yin muttered angrily, while Lan Miu chuckled, set down his book, and sat in front of Lan Yin.
"Changing fate isn't something that happens overnight. Why not trust me one more time? Wait until you're in that position—then see for yourself whether I'm right or wrong."
Lan Yin blinked and shook his head.
"You're probably the strongest in Hades Village now, as the previous Guide. Your power should be more than enough, so why haven't you tried to change Hades Village?"
"I'm not like you. I don't think Hades Village is all that bad. So what if your fate is decided the moment you're born? Why do you think some people live out such miserable lives?"
Lan Yin shook his head.
"For example, if you were born into a poor family instead of Hades Village, what do you think your life would be like?"
Lan Yin thought quietly for a moment before answering.
"It'd probably be better than now."
"Heh. First of all, you'd be born poor. In today's world, if you want to get ahead, you need money—even affording books would be impossible. You'd spend your life farming or hustling small trades, supporting a wife and kids, caring for elderly parents, being the backbone of your family. But all that's only if you don't offend the powerful, and you can't afford to get sick."
"There's no such thing as 'what if.'"
Lan Miu smiled calmly and continued speaking.
"Let go of all those pointless thoughts. Focus—there's not much time left. Even if you're nothing but dead wood, so what? Maybe one day, a bud will sprout from it."
"How can something that's already dead grow new buds?"
Three months passed quickly. Lan Yin saw his son for the first time—a chubby, pale little boy, his limbs like lotus roots, sleeping soundly in his mother Judy Luo's arms.
"Hold him, look at him, husband—this is your son. Have you thought of a name yet?"
Lan Yin reached out, inching toward his son, but suddenly stopped. The scene before him was heartwarming: a gentle wife, a precious child. But Lan Yin refused to touch these things—the child's fate had already begun, from the moment he was born.
"Let's name him Leonard Lane."
Days went by. Lan Yin watched his son grow, his heart filled with both joy and sorrow. He had never held his son, not even once, and his wife never mentioned it—she smiled every day.
In just one year, Lan Yin had learned most of what there was to know about Hades Village. But now, Lan Miu's teaching abruptly stopped. Lan Yin was furious, feeling as if all his effort had been meaningless.
Lan Yin had no faith in the Four Guardians at all. Their power is the source of Hades Village’s strength—an essential link. But Lan Yin could only use their power by forcibly channeling it through Hades Village as a medium. No matter how hard he trained, he’d never be strong; in Hades Village, he was only third-rate.
"You stubborn brat—if you could just believe, even a little, wouldn't that be enough?"
Faced with Lan Miu’s angry questioning, Lan Yin only sneered and replied.
"Believe? Maybe once. All these years, everything my parents and elders taught me—the Four Guardians protect people, protect us in Hades Village. But they never showed up, not once, not even when I needed them most. No miracle ever happened. And now you want me to believe in them?"
Lan Miu fell silent. Everything else could be taught to Lan Yin little by little, but faith was different—it was deeply rooted in the heart, hard to change. Once a conviction formed, it was nearly impossible to reverse.
But now, Lan Miu had no time to think—he had at most two years left. He had to turn Lan Yin into a qualified Guide.
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Though frustrated, Lan Miu tirelessly kept teaching Lan Yin. He knew hope was slim—changing Lan Yin’s mind was nearly impossible. Yet, by using Hades Village as a medium, Lan Yin could still wield great power, thanks to his two instincts: hope and despair.
Lan Miu began poring over countless texts, spending months seeking out experts in the arts, even ghosts. He had to customize Lan Yin’s power development around his instincts—this was the only way. To be a Guide, you needed real strength.
Everything was moving along. Leonard Lane grew day by day, and Judy Luo bore Lan Yin a son and a daughter. Lan Miu was overjoyed, often helping care for his great-grandchildren. Leonard Lane, the eldest, could already walk and babble—he adored his great-grandfather, but was afraid of his silent father.
The day of the Guide’s test arrived. Lan Yin had to undergo the trial of the strongest current Guide in Hades Village. Winning wasn’t required, but he at least had to earn the recognition of the other Guides.
Full of confidence, Lan Miu took Lan Yin to Hades Village. Lan Yin still couldn’t wield the true power of the Four Guardians, but relying on his two instincts, he probably wouldn’t lose too badly—he should pass. As long as he passed, Lan Miu could finally let go and enjoy his family.
But unexpectedly, Lan Yin lost—and lost completely. Against Su Yuanjie, he didn’t last even the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn. He lost miserably, and the power he used wasn’t even second-rate.
All of Hades Village was in an uproar, questioning Lan Miu’s teaching methods and even doubting the Will of Hades itself.
Lan Yin was at the center of the storm, the target of all criticism. Everyone in Hades Village who knew about it called Lan Yin a useless failure, said the Lan Family was finished. Some even suggested letting a branch family take over, but the idea was quickly rejected.
Only the pure Lan Family bloodline could earn Yama’s recognition and the approval of the Will of Hades.
Lan Miu promised to try again for three more years, and things gradually settled down. Back home, Lan Yin was physically and mentally exhausted, lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He didn’t feel angry, or even sad—instead, he felt relieved.
"Husband, shall I make you some dishes? I'll keep you company for a drink."
His wife quietly waited by his side. Lan Yin nodded.
"Aren't you going to ask? About what happened in Hades Village?"
Judy Luo rested her chin in her hand and shook her head with a bright smile. She poured Lan Yin a drink. In Lan Yin’s memory, after these three years together, his wife had been wonderful in every way—a wise, gentle, tireless wife and mother. She disciplined the children when they misbehaved and always found ways to comfort him when he was weary.
But Lan Yin’s heart remained cold toward such a wife.
"I don’t mind, husband. Just be yourself."
For a moment, Lan Yin stared wide-eyed at his wife, surprised. He forced a smile and started drinking.
As he drank himself into a haze, Lan Yin began to laugh. He didn’t know why, but he couldn’t stop laughing—as if his whole life had ended, as if he could see all that lay ahead, even his own death.
"Husband, if there’s anything on your mind, you can tell me. I’ll listen—I always do."
But Lan Yin still didn’t say a word to his wife—he just buried his head and slept. Judy Luo quietly tidied up, covered Lan Yin with a quilt, blew out the candle, and lay down beside him, falling asleep with a look of happiness.
But early the next morning, news spread throughout Hades Village: the Will of Hades had chosen a new Guide from the Lan Family—Leonard Lane. The news left Lan Miu at a loss; he began to worry deeply, unsure whether what he had done was right or wrong.