Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?-Chapter 866 - 863: Grandmother’s Passing
"Granny, why did you say those things just now? I was so embarrassed."
As soon as she stepped out the door, Huang Lancai couldn’t help but complain.
Lady Huang heard this, pulled her hand, and said earnestly, "Silly girl, it’s all for your own good. The world is changing now, who knows what will happen in the future? Naturally, I want to find you a stronger support."
"I don’t need that, having you is enough for me."
"What silly talk is that? What will you do if I’m not around? Can you manage on your own?"
"Isn’t Granny still here?" Huang Lancai replied nonchalantly.
Though she referred to her as a granddaughter, she actually raised her as a daughter. She grew up by her side and was very dependent on her.
"What if one day I’m not here anymore?"
"Not here, why not here? Where are you going?"
"You silly girl, I’m old, one day I will die." Lady Huang was amused by her remark.
"It’s okay, just like Grandpa, I’ll keep you by my side." Huang Lancai said matter-of-factly.
Lady Huang: ...
"You wouldn’t let go even after Granny dies?"
"Isn’t Grandpa the same? I think it’s fine this way," Huang Lancai said.
"You little girl..." Lady Huang felt a mix of emotions and didn’t know what to say.
Huang Lancai quietly glanced at her Granny, a faint sense of unease creeping up in her heart.
She wasn’t stupid; she could hear the implication in her words. But she didn’t like to listen, so she decided to change the subject on purpose.
Then, early the next morning, Shen Siyuan received a call from Huang Lancai.
"Mr. Shen, my Granny has passed away." On the phone, Huang Lancai seemed very upset.
Hearing this, Shen Siyuan was also taken aback, then remembered the words Lady Huang said yesterday and felt a sense of realization.
Maybe Lady Huang sensed something. Was she worried about Grandpa Liu? Or did she think this was an opportunity not to be missed? Or was it all just a coincidence?
But none of that mattered. He just wanted some "people" to help him work; as long as they were human, they couldn’t be without self-interest.
"Mr. Shen, did you see my Granny? I... I couldn’t find her..." Huang Lancai sobbed quietly on the phone.
"You go prepare for your Granny’s funeral first; I’ll call you back later," Shen Siyuan said. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
"Thank you." Huang Lancai hurriedly thanked him before hanging up.
Lady Huang wasn’t just an ordinary old woman without status. She not only had significant connections officially but also held a crucial position within the Li Clan. Her passing was definitely a big deal, and the funeral would surely be very grand.
"What happened?"
Seeing Shen Siyuan lost in thought, Ruan Hongzhuang asked curiously.
"Lady Huang has passed away," Shen Siyuan said.
"Passed away?"
Both Ruan Hongzhuang and Taozi showed signs of shock. They had just met her yesterday, and now she was gone. It was all too sudden.
"Why the surprise? Isn’t dying of old age quite normal?" Shen Siyuan replied indifferently.
He turned to look at Tang Tang, who was having breakfast.
"Don’t you think?"
"Oh~han~"
Both of them looked at him speechlessly. This isn’t normal, is it?
When they saw her yesterday, Lady Huang was full of spirit and didn’t look like she was about to die of old age.
"Are you going to the funeral?" Ruan Hongzhuang asked.
"I’m not going; why don’t you take me there," Shen Siyuan thought for a moment and said.
Ruan Hongzhuang nodded upon hearing this, then seeing Taozi’s relaxed demeanor beside her, suddenly said, "Let Taozi go instead."
Taozi was taken aback when she heard this, wondering how this became her responsibility.
But Shen Siyuan had already nodded and smiled, saying, "That’s a good idea. Let Taozi make the trip."
The Huang Family’s influence in Bin Hai is significant, and Taozi representing her and the Jiang Family in maintaining good relations with the Huang Family wouldn’t hurt.
After breakfast, Shen Siyuan descended into the Netherworld again. As expected, he saw the ghost of Lady Huang standing quietly at the steps below the governing hall, with Grandpa Liu accompanying her earnestly.
"The Lord Governor has returned."
At the moment Shen Siyuan appeared, Grandpa Liu, as a Ghost Messenger, sensed it instantly, lifting his head to look toward the steps.
"Come on up," Shen Siyuan’s voice came from above.
Grandpa Liu immediately led Lady Huang up the steps.
"Greetings, Lord Governor."
Although she already knew Shen Siyuan’s identity, seeing it in person felt different.
Lady Huang knelt down to greet him earnestly.
"Get up; no need for that. But do you think this was worth it?" Shen Siyuan said somewhat helplessly.
"Replying to Lord Governor, it’s worth it." Lady Huang replied.
Seeing Shen Siyuan remain silent, seemingly listening to her explanation, Lady Huang continued, "I’m old, and my health has never been good. Living is a suffering, and moreover..."
She turned her head to look at Grandpa Liu, standing on the side.
"I’m a bit worried about him too. Although I’ve long found it tiresome, over the years, I’ve gotten used to him being by my side. Without him, I can’t do it..."
Meanwhile, Grandpa Liu stood beside her, always smiling wordlessly, yet looking completely content.
Shen Siyuan: ...
Even in death, it felt like dog food was being stuffed down his throat.
"Alright then, you go ahead and help Grandpa Liu handle some things." Shen Siyuan said.
Lady Huang thanked him again before taking Grandpa Liu happily along.
Shen Siyuan had thought she would inquire about Huang Lancai’s situation, but she never mentioned it.
This left Shen Siyuan admiring Lady Huang’s decisiveness—when it’s time to cut ties, she did so without hesitation.
Watching them descend the steps, Shen Siyuan turned and saw Xiao Yue standing quietly nearby, he said, "Would you like to come back with me?"
Xiao Yue shook her head and replied, "There’s a lot to do here; I can help Grandpa with some things."
Indeed, it was busy; so many ghosts entering all at once made it impossible not to be. Fortunately, Grandpa Liu had a broad network among ghosts, and some of these ghosts from this batch were assisting him. Without their help, he might not have been able to manage on his own.
"Alright then, I’ll be heading back." Shen Siyuan said.
"Brother..." At this moment, Shen Siyuan called out to him.
"What’s up?"
Xiao Yue pointed to the sky, where the massive Ten Thousand Soul Banner was hidden beneath the vault of heaven.
"Aren’t you going to let them out too? They could assist you with your work," Xiao Yue suggested.
Shen Siyuan shook his head.
"Let’s wait until everything here stabilizes. Your tasks will continue, and I’ll let Dou Dou and Duoduo in later," Shen Siyuan replied.
He had considered this issue but decided against it for now. The ghosts he had gathered in the Ten Thousand Soul Banner consisted of the old, weak, sick, and disabled. For the moment, they were safer within the banner.
In addition, he wanted to test Grandpa Liu’s abilities to see if he could take on greater responsibilities.
"I’ll wait for them here," Xiao Yue promptly said after hearing this.
Shen Siyuan patted her head and smiled, saying, "In a few days, I’ll bestow you all with a divine position, so you’ll all become ghost gods, no longer just ghosts."
"Is there any difference?" Xiao Yue asked curiously.
"There’s a big difference. A ghost god may still be a ghost, but they are also a god. So you can walk among mortals, eat grain, and enjoy the flavor of human life..."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yue didn’t show much joy because her death wasn’t an accident—it was her choice.
So she merely said blandly, "It’s actually quite good like this, though Duoduo and Dou Dou will surely be pleased."
Hearing this, Shen Siyuan felt a bit deflated, as if all his efforts felt unrewarded.
"I’m leaving."
With a flick of his sleeve, he vanished from the governance hall.
After he disappeared, a faint smile graced Xiao Yue’s lips.
PS: Left home at eight in the morning, just got back, had dinner, and still have to pick up the kids later. Busy to death over the weekend.
