Chapter Twenty-Two: The Ginseng Fruit

Zhen Yuanzi asked, “What about that unruly monkey?”
A young Taoist, trembling, replied, “He picked a ginseng fruit and ran off.”
Zhen Yuanzi calculated with his fingers, frowned, but said nothing and returned to his residence. The little Taoist at the door was left bewildered, unsure whether to follow him inside or remain outside.

When Wang Zixuan awoke, it was already dark. He sat up and rubbed his temples. Reaching for his phone, his hand brushed against something strange. Turning to look, he found a fruit shaped like a doll, beneath it lay a letter. He took out the letter and opened it, but the handwriting was difficult to bear.

The letter was from Sun Wukong, written simply. External wounds were nothing for Wang Zixuan, but injuries to the soul were not easily healed. The pills of the Supreme Lord were too hard to obtain, so he had no choice but to acquire something from Zhen Yuanzi. Wang Zixuan smiled wryly and shook his head, feeling perplexed—he had little connection with Sun Wukong, so why send such a precious gift?

At that moment, someone pushed the door open.

The King of the Underworld entered, “Oh, you’re awake. How are you feeling, any better?”
Wang Zixuan replied, “Much better. Why are you here, Chief?”
The King of the Underworld said, “You were injured, how could I not come to see you? By the way, did you get the gift?”
Wang Zixuan asked, “What gift?”
The King of the Underworld explained, “The ginseng fruit! Didn’t Sun Wukong bring it to you? I’ll go find him.”
Wang Zixuan said, “Yes, I received it. You had him deliver it? That explains it—I wondered why he’d send me such an expensive thing since we hardly know each other.”
The King of the Underworld replied, “I originally asked him to get two celestial pills, but the Supreme Lord guards them too strictly, so he had to settle for a ginseng fruit. It’ll still help with your injuries.”
Wang Zixuan said, “Thank you, Chief. When I’m out, I’ll treat you to dinner.”
The King of the Underworld waved it off, “Come now, we’re close enough. Once you’re out, I’ll have a task for you!”
Wang Zixuan protested, “Chief, I’m in this state and you still want to give me assignments? That’s too much.”

One sat, the other lay down, and they chatted for a long time. It wasn’t until wisps of black smoke appeared outside the window that the King of the Underworld glanced over, saying nothing.

The King of the Underworld said, “Zixuan, it’s late. You should get some rest. I won’t disturb you further. I’ll visit again when I can. Remember to eat the ginseng fruit.”

With a flash of purple light, she vanished. Wang Zixuan didn’t mind; the King of the Underworld was always mysterious. Still, he picked up the ginseng fruit and examined it.

Meanwhile, twenty kilometers away from the hospital, in a desolate mountain—

The King of the Underworld called out, “Come out. No need to hide. Luring me here isn’t just a game of hide-and-seek, is it?”

A shadowy figure emerged from behind a tree, shrouded in dark mist, its form vague and elusive.

The King of the Underworld said, “If you want to meet, why conceal yourself?”

The shadow replied, “No need to provoke me. Even if I didn’t show myself, you’d know who I am. I didn’t come to banter. I simply want to know why you keep protecting Wang Zixuan. If she regains her memories, wouldn’t she threaten your position? Don’t you want to keep your place? If you can’t bring yourself to act, I can help you handle it.”

The King of the Underworld retorted, “Don’t pretend to be impartial. If you ever had the chance, you’d be the first to try to take my place. Your motives are clear to me. I warn you: stay away from Wang Zixuan, or I’ll destroy your lair. Try me if you don’t believe it.”

Without another word, she walked away. The shadow trembled, stood for a long moment, then disappeared as if nothing had ever happened there.