Chapter 222: Deep Love Without Regret

“Mom, Dad, by the time you read this letter, your son will likely be dead. Forgive your son for his lack of filial piety; I can no longer fulfill my duties to you.”

“In the fourth month after I came here to study, I suddenly felt unwell. After an examination, the doctor said I had an incurable disease. I am not afraid of death, but I cannot rest easy knowing you and my younger siblings are left behind. You exhausted yourselves to raise me, yet I am about to abandon you. Please forgive my unfilial behavior.”

“Aside from the family, the person I am most worried about is Luoluo. Luoluo is a stubborn girl; she once promised me she would wait for my return, but I am destined to break that promise. Therefore, I have ceased all contact with her these past few days, and I have already entrusted my close friend, Wang Ping, to go back and see you after I pass away.”

“He will hide the news of my death from Luoluo and tell her that I have changed my heart and gone abroad with a wealthy girl. I think that this way, although Luoluo will hate me, she should be able to let go quickly and live a better life, right? Please, Mom and Dad, also keep this from Luoluo. Luoluo is the best girl in the whole world; it is simply my lack of fortune that I did not marry her as my wife...”

The contents of the letter ended abruptly there, and a dried bloodstain on one corner of the envelope was jarring to the eyes.

Ma Chulong could no longer describe how he felt at this moment.

He had originally thought Liu Zhensheng was a man devoid of affection and loyalty, but he hadn't expected that he was simply powerless to change his fate.

He finally understood the kindness of Mother Liu; the old woman had long known she wouldn't be able to wait for her son's return, and she didn't want herself and the two children to continue being a burden to Zhou Luoluo, so she chose to take the children with her into death.

Whether it was Zhou Luoluo or the Liu family, they were truly too much suffering.

Zhou Luoluo's weeping had never stopped. If she had seen this letter when Mother Liu died, the scene now would have been entirely different.

“Brother Zhensheng did not betray me... Brother Zhensheng did not break his promise, he just... he just can't come back...”

Zhou Luoluo sobbed uncontrollably, snatching the letter from Ma Chulong's hands once more and clutching it to her chest, letting the heart-wrenching pain spread.

“It is I who is living a hollow life. Brother Zhensheng, if I go to find you now, is it... is it already too late...”

She was damned; she should have died long ago.

If she had died decades ago, could she have reunited with Brother Zhensheng, her Uncle, and her Aunt?

“Su Yan, can we help her?”

As an exorcist, Ma Chulong had experienced all sorts of situations, but this was the first time he felt such deep sympathy for a person and a matter.

Yet, he was helpless.

Furthermore, both he and Su Yan knew very well that the current Zhou Luoluo was actually in even more pain and danger than before.

Zhou Luoluo clearly no longer wanted to continue living, but after consuming that little Taoist's pill, her appearance had not changed even after decades; it would likely be impossible for her to die easily.

Under the catalysis of such extreme emotions, it was also the easiest state for a person to completely lose their sanity and turn into a demon.

Therefore, if they wanted to exit this tunnel and ensure that a situation like tonight would never happen again, they had to let Zhou Luoluo completely release her mental knot.

Su Yan eventually let out a sigh. “Zhou Luoluo, perhaps I can help you see Liu Zhensheng.”

After these words were spoken, both Zhou Luoluo and Ma Chulong were stunned.

However, Zhou Luoluo reacted faster than Ma Chulong; with a *thud*, she knelt before Su Yan, clutching the hem of her clothes tightly.

“I beg you to help me! As long as I can see Brother Zhensheng again, even if I have to become a vengeful ghost, I am willing!”

“Tell me Liu Zhensheng's birth details. I can only try my best; you must be mentally prepared.” As Su Yan spoke, she helped Zhou Luoluo up.

She indeed wasn't very confident. After all, Liu Zhensheng had been dead for over fifty years; if he had already been reincarnated, even a god would be unable to help.

Ma Chulong understood her plan, and his expression turned shocked.

“Su Yan, are you going to perform a soul-summoning ritual?”

The Ma family naturally knew soul-summoning as well. However, the requirements were extremely strict; not only were there restrictions on the time since the deceased's passing, but it was also best done in a place the deceased cared about most during their lifetime.

But clearly, neither condition was met here.

And most importantly, how could Liu Zhensheng have been a wandering lonely ghost for over fifty years?

“Let's try.” Su Yan looked directly at Zhou Luoluo.

Zhou Luoluo wiped the tears from her face forcefully and, trembling, recited Liu Zhensheng's birth details.

“I will protect the ritual for you.” Ma Chulong stood about a meter away from Su Yan, carefully watching the surroundings for any movement.

Zhou Luoluo was trembling with nervousness.

Su Yan began to perform the soul-summoning ritual, murmuring Liu Zhensheng's name and birth details.

The light of the technique flickered. Ma Chulong knew that if it succeeded, Liu Zhensheng's soul would appear, so he didn't even dare to blink.

But when that light completely dimmed, there was still no movement.

“Did it fail?”

He was also somewhat disappointed, though it was understandable.

Tears constantly welled in Zhou Luoluo's eyes; all her hope was pinned on Su Yan.

Su Yan did not end it there; she began a second attempt.

Ma Chulong's facial muscles tightened. Performing a soul-summoning ritual was extremely taxing on the practitioner's mental energy; in the past, even a single use required several hours to fully recover.

But since Su Yan chose not to give up, he naturally supported her.

When the second soul-summoning failed to recall Liu Zhensheng's soul, and Su Yan actually began a third attempt, Ma Chulong could no longer remain calm.

“Su Yan, do you not value your life? Stop quickly, Liu Zhensheng has definitely already reincarnated!”

He could understand her desire to help Zhou Luoluo, but she absolutely could not be this reckless.

“I know what I'm doing.” After Su Yan spoke, she continued with the third attempt.

Ma Chulong's heart tightened; he was prepared that if this time failed as well, he would have to use force to stop Su Yan from persisting.

A dazzling light flickered for the third time. Zhou Luoluo prayed to the heavens and cried out again and again.

A few seconds later, the light slowly descended.

A fine layer of cold sweat broke out on Su Yan's forehead. Was it still not working?

Just as Ma Chulong was about to "take action" against her forcefully, a shadow suddenly began to slowly emerge within the light.

Su Yan's eyes lit up, and a faint smile appeared on her face. She indeed hadn't been wrong; that little Taoist had clearly said Zhou Luoluo could see Liu Zhensheng.

It succeeded.

Ma Chulong stared at the shadow in disbelief until it gradually became clear; it was exactly the Liu Zhensheng they had seen in Zhou Luoluo's memories.

This man actually really hadn't gone to reincarnate!!

Zhou Luoluo's tears flowed like a spring, and her blurred vision made it difficult to even see Liu Zhensheng's face clearly.

But at this moment, she was incomparably lucid. That was her... Brother Zhensheng.

(End of Chapter)