Changsun Changlin’s life had been extremely difficult this year. Stripped of his former status and powers, he was worse off than an ordinary person.
He possessed no special skills or talents. Initially, he acted in a film crew, but it was a poverty-stricken production that he disdained.
However, after leaving, he found he had nowhere else to go and could only return sheepishly.
His face was still attractive, and before he had even left this crew, another one took notice. Yet, he lacked an ID card, making many things impossible.
Without connections, he couldn't get one for himself. Moreover, given his identity as the Ghost King, he dared not act too conspicuously.
Thus, he could only stay in small inns that didn’t require ID cards and worked as an extra in various film crews.
As time passed, he noticed changes in himself. He began to feel fatigue, a weariness that could only be relieved by sleep.
He also started to feel hunger. Ghosts, after all, did not need to eat, yet he was experiencing this sensation of hunger.
He was becoming more and more like an ordinary person, which meant he needed to earn money to sustain his life.
Changsun Changlin’s body was, in fact, still a soul form, not a true physical body. He understood that all his current sensations were false.
However, the hunger and fatigue were simulated so realistically that he could barely endure them. He hadn't suffered such hardship even during the years of war in the Ghost Realm.
It wasn't that he didn't want to find other ways to make his life more comfortable, but with his Yin energy sealed, his other abilities seemed to be sealed as well.
He tried to read fortunes and tell people’s fates, but he found he couldn't discern their life trajectories or predict their fortunes.
Every time his life showed a glimmer of improvement, something would happen.
Changsun Changlin had heard of shortcuts he could take, but none were offered to him. He also wanted to use his looks to trick someone into supporting him, but he was always exposed.
When Lin Yan, along with people from the Underworld, finally appeared before him, he felt a sense of relief.
“I’ll go with you,” he said, with no regrets. He finally realized that his era had passed.
Over the past year, he had worked many jobs that didn’t require an ID card, truly experiencing the lives of people at the bottom. Especially after being caught in collateral damage, it made him intensely resentful of those in high positions.
The physical and emotional exhaustion had made him forget his past glories for a long time. Being able to eat his fill and have a place to live each day consumed all his energy.
He had also met many people in this year, both good and bad. He had been helped by many, and had been moved.
This was also the first time he had witnessed the lives of people he would have previously disdained.
He dared not imagine if he had truly become the Emperor of the Ghost Realm, the master of this society; would those people still be able to live as busily yet happily as they did now?
Likely not. This was probably why he hadn’t become emperor, but a National Teacher. His heart truly held no regard for the world or its people.
Changsun Changlin was taken back to the Underworld, where countless years of punishment awaited him. Although he hadn't caused modern human casualties, the countless souls he had trapped over the years were debts he had to repay.
Shi Man’s biggest headache now was why she still had to learn simple characters. She could recite the *Daojing* and recognized so many words, so why did she have to learn with those little brats?
She didn't know that the Ghost King, who was supposed to become her husband, now had nothing to do with her.
The red thread between them had flickered in and out of existence when her master appeared before her. When Lin Yan sealed the Ghost King, the red thread on her hand completely vanished.
Now, Shi Man, as the successor of the Lin family, continued her master's legend.
Wei Wanru chose to leave after dealing with those mysterious individuals.
Because Lin Yan and her group had greatly assisted the Underworld, the Underworld treated Lin Yan and the Lin family with utmost politeness.
Wei Wanru pondered for a long time before finally deciding to inquire about the person she had been waiting for.
The Judge, knowing she was Lin Yan's ghost envoy and sensing the power of merit on her, helped her check the Book of Life and Death.
"He died many years ago. However, because he died relatively early and did not witness the extermination of his entire family, his attachment was shallow, and he was reincarnated very quickly.
He was reborn into a wealthy family and lived a happy and fulfilling life until the age of 83. He entered the Underworld last year and is currently awaiting his next reincarnation. Do you wish to see him?"
The Judge briefly recounted the man’s life to Wei Wanru. Wei Wanru held a high status in Lin Yan's heart, and if she wanted to see him, he could arrange it.
"Happy and fulfilling? Then I won't see him. Thank you for your trouble, Your Honor Judge." Wei Wanru bowed to the Judge.
After this bow, the Judge felt that the aura of the vengeful spirit before him had become more peaceful, with all resentment gone. Her attachment seemed to have completely dissipated at that moment.
Knowing that he was well, Wei Wanru felt a sense of great relief. He wasn't like her, burdened by resentment and attachment, existing in a daze for so long. He had managed to have such a happy and fulfilling life.
In this era, how wonderful it was to be alive!
The one who remained was truly the most tormented. Wei Wanru had experienced it herself. Though there was some reluctance, she didn't want him to go through it as well.
"The Underworld is short-handed lately. If you don't wish to reincarnate, you can take the exam." The Judge felt that such a powerful ghost could certainly qualify for a position in the Underworld civil service.
"Thank you, Your Honor Judge. I will consider it carefully."
Upon her return, Wei Wanru did not tell Lin Yan that she had inquired about that person.
Lin Yan noticed the change in her but did not ask. They shared such an understanding.
Lin Yan was waiting for Wei Wanru to tell her about her departure. All good things must come to an end. Wei Wanru had accompanied her for a long time, and it was time for her to have her own life.
She loved everything in this world so much. Now, she could experience it firsthand.
Lin Yan was informed of Wei Wanru's departure on a bright spring day.
Although the Judge had said she could apply for a position in the Underworld, Wei Wanru had thought about it for a long time and finally decided to reincarnate.
She loved this world dearly, like this spring day, like this warm sunshine. She wanted to experience it firsthand.
While Underworld staff could retain their memories and abilities, they could not come into contact with sunlight.
Wei Wanru had been constrained by etiquette and societal norms throughout her life and had never truly run freely. This time, she wanted to live again, to enjoy the freedom that belonged to women of this era.