it and slept until morning. My colleague from the company woke me up and told me that the body didn't need to be sewn up anymore, as the family had already taken it away for cremation.""What the heck,...Ouch...

A barely audible sound, and my force was pushed back.

The temperature on my chest instantly returned to normal. I raised my hand and touched it; it was Jiang Qiyun's seal.

This small seal, hasn't been seen in action for a long time.

In recent years, both my cultivation and magical techniques have made significant progress. Often, malevolent spirits and demons don't get a chance to attack me.

So this tiny seal would rarely have any reaction.

And I think, the power of Mingzhang is actually the power of Jiang Qiyun. When he is not around, the power of Mingzhang is often even stronger.

It seems he's quite busy in the underworld, so he can only let Mingzhang protect me.

"Who are you" I asked tentatively.

That darkness gave no response, and the alley was silent.

I had no time to spare, I immediately ran quickly out of the alley.

Finally, I saw the original fork in the road. I couldn't believe my eyes—was this real or just an illusion

Ah Da and Ah Meng didn't come back. I couldn't just stand there, so I chose a small alley on the right and walked into it.

Hum hum hum...

That faint, almost imperceptible sneer hovered, neither close nor far, but did not dare to strike me again.

I tucked the charm into my underwear. Though it was a bit uncomfortable, I was afraid of losing it or having it torn off—it was my lucky charm after all.

"Brother..." I called out softly, but the alley was empty and silent.

Suddenly, a light appeared deep within the darkness. It seemed like the entrance to a tunnel, but as I ran closer, I realized it was just a window.

Most of these alleys were lined with low, cramped houses. The windows were covered with yellowed paper, and you could only glimpse inside through the holes.

This area was previously under Jiang Qiyun's barrier, but that barrier only served to prevent the negative energy from spreading. Unexpectedly, the people from the Demon Realm learned their lesson and didn't immediately rush to expand their territory.

With lockdowns everywhere these days, we can't just move about freely. I never imagined this place would turn out like this.

I have a vague sense of time passing in the mountains. My knowledge of the outside world comes solely from news on my phone. All I know is that areas affected by the epidemic are in chaos, as many people are struggling on the brink of death. The sudden surge in mortality has even caught the underworld off guard.

Jiang Qiyun had no time to look at this small patch of land. He wasn't even aware of this marginal area, despite the societal lockdown.

I approached the window glowing with light and peered inside through the crack.

The lights were on in the house, but no one was there.

The wall facing the window was mottled, and water dripped from a crack in the ceiling.

The color was very dark, I don't know if it was blood.

I took a few steps back, and there were no other lights down this alley. I didn't dare to squeeze through any of the other narrow gaps, afraid of getting lost.

"Ah Meng…" I whispered, softly chanting incantations, preparing to recite a spell.

As soon as I made a gesture, a gust of cold wind swept around my feet. I dodged to the side, and Amo's semi-transparent head popped out from under the manhole cover.

"...You're still hiding underground!" I crouched down and asked in a hushed voice.

Amy raised her hand and made a "hush" gesture, leaning closer to whisper, "It's safer underground... Little Empress, have you felt the monsters that occasionally appear in this area"

"It's more than just feeling! I just encountered——"

The unseen and intangible force that just controlled me must have come from this "monster"!

Ameng's eyes widened: "Then, are you alright!"

I shook my head, not wanting to dwell on this issue. We'll just have to take things as they come. It's definitely not safe here, so the priority is finding my brother.

"This house is weird, the lights are on but I can't get in," Ameng pointed to the window. "I tried checking from the basement, or the roof, or the back...but it wouldn't budge."

"I peered out the window, but there was no one there... It's just that it looks like blood is dripping from the ceiling..." I frowned.

"This kind of mirror image, the Underworld has it too," A Meng shook her head.

What does this mean

Ameng simply explained, "There must be points of intersection and integration between the two worlds. For example, there are some places in the world where the yin energy is very heavy, making it easy to open a ghostly path. In such places, you will often encounter illusions, such as seeing an empty space that is actually a reflection of another world."

I still don't quite understand. Ameng whispered again: "For example, if you stand on the attic in Linshui, the water reflects the attic, but is there you in the water"

"No."

That's it then.

I seem to understand a little. Reflections can show the outside, but not the inside, which means there's probably more to this than meets the eye.

If this place were the gateway to the Demon Realm, there should be more than just one place with lights.

"Yes, but we are outnumbered. With the enemy lurking in wait, it's best not to recklessly break through the barrier…"

But I have to find my brother. What if he goes into one of these houses with the lights on

Of course, I wouldn't want to clash with demons. If they were to establish themselves in this world, I would go pay them a visit at their mountain gate and respectfully inquire!

The problem is that demons don't see it that way, I don't know why I've incurred so much animosity.

I and Ameng looked at each other, what to do Try to break the boundary But what if we die trying

"Try... it" Ameng was also struggling: "We've run so far, we're almost lost, and we still haven't seen any sign of our elder brother. I'm worried too. Why don't you try, Your Highness I'll go back to the Underworld to report!"

I nodded, took out a talisman for warding off evil spirits, and Ah Meng turned into a gust of yin wind and drifted away.

The talisman was a commonly used magic-breaking charm by the Shen family. Just as I was about to slap it on the window pane, my vision suddenly blurred, and it seemed like countless demons were desperately squeezing out from the window!

There were also wisps of black air, like seaweed, swirling around my wrist. Those demons had strange shapes, with pointed heads and big bellies, like little goblins.

I suddenly closed my eyes, gathering myself from the shock.

Cultivating immortality and attaining enlightenment, to save all sentient beings from their suffering.

For all beings, eliminate calamities.

Heaven-shaking, aiding Shun, the True Martial——

Before the incantation was finished, the talisman in his hand began to react, emitting a faint glow.

Those illusory little demons, as if sensing the fear, retreated in a tidelike rush, and even the black mist vanished.

I was stunned, my mouth slightly open, and for a moment I forgot to continue the recitation.

This is the first time I have ever asked the Northern Pole Holy True Monarch to lend me Qi to subdue demons. This Dharma Proclamation has not even reached halfway, how... is its power so great

This slight pause made me freeze, my hand hovering an inch from the windowpane.

A sudden chill ran down my spine. My first thought was that Jiang Qiyun had arrived, no wonder these little monsters had fled so quickly.

I turned back and said, "Qiyun, I..."

What's behind me Is there a river rising up in the clouds! My whole body shuddered — it was that unseen, intangible "ghost"!!

I strained to reach the window, but fell just short. The talisman hung half an inch from the frame! I couldn't move any closer.

"...." I held my breath, afraid to swallow.

The icy breath behind me didn't snatch me up this time, but instead cleverly started controlling my limbs.

That ethereal, voice, from behind my head, brushing against my ear, whispered softly —

“You’re pretty impressive… Mu Xia Qiao… Seeing how reckless you are, you actually know which deity is more useful to ask…”eft... This is why the Shaman clan doesn't marry outsiders.” The old woman whispered hoarsely.I was taken aback. What's the point of telling me this now“We didn't expect the one waiting for the Xi Nü...