Volume One, Chapter 139: Cross-Examination

Chi Xingwan opened the Gate of Hell, and the bronze soul lamp drifted out, coming to a halt before Dong Xuezhi.

Dong Xuezhi bowed solemnly to the three of them. "Thank you. At the very end, I finally received the truth that came so late."

Chi Xingwan said, "You have never done anything wrong in your life, and you held fast to your conscience even after death. You will surely have a wonderful start in your next life."

"I look forward to it." Dong Xuezhi waved with a smile. "Sisters, I am leaving now."

She followed the bronze soul lamp into the gate, which slowly closed and vanished. From that moment on, Dong Xuezhi no longer existed in this world.

Chu Fangfei could hold it in no longer; she covered her mouth and sobbed.

Michelle patted her shoulder in a daze, attempting to offer comfort, but she remained silent. Her mind was in chaos, and the complex emotions she felt were enough to crush her heart.

Chi Xingwan said, "Let’s go. We should head back; we still have to go to the school tomorrow."

"We still have to go to the school? Hasn't the matter already been resolved?" Michelle asked.

"Has it?" Chi Xingwan countered.

Chu Fangfei immediately chimed in, "The matter is not over yet. They still don't know the truth."

Michelle was lost in thought for a moment. Chi Xingwan added, "Dong Xuezhi has already departed, so technically the task is complete. You don't have to come tomorrow if you don't want to."

"No," Michelle blurted out. "I will go to the school tomorrow as well."

Finally, Chi Xingwan said, "I have some things to take care of. You two go on ahead."

After they left, Chi Xingwan summoned the King of Hell, who appeared languidly. "My dear lady, what is it now?"

"I want to bring a soul back to the human world for a short while."

The King of Hell was immediately on guard. "What are you planning? Once a soul has entered the underworld, it is theoretically forbidden from appearing in the human world again."

"You said it yourself—'theoretically.' Surely there are loopholes to exploit," Chi Xingwan replied.

The King of Hell refused. "Who do you take me for? I won't exploit my own loopholes."

"I'm not doing anything, really," Chi Xingwan promised. "I just need him to come up and tell the truth about what happened."

The King of Hell looked at her skeptically.

Chi Xingwan softened her tone again. "You can have a ghost messenger escort him. I promise I’ll only use words, not force. I’ve worked under you for so many years; don’t you understand my character by now?"

"It’s precisely because I understand you that I’m worried," the King of Hell sighed helplessly. "Half an hour at most."

Chi Xingwan beamed. "That’s enough. The address is the Principal’s Office at the Yanjing University Affiliated High School. As for the time, I’ll notify you later."

The King of Hell waved his hand. "Understood. Honestly, is there any other leader in this world as accommodating as I am? You’ve already resigned, and yet I’m still being bossed around by you."

"Yes, yes, there isn't a second leader in the world as good as you," Chi Xingwan said, never stingy with her praise.

The King of Hell didn't care to listen to her flattery. "I’m off."

"Oh, right. For the soul that just went down, make sure she gets a good next life."

"A soul without a single stain, and one who died an unjust death—you don't need to tell me to treat her well. I’m leaving."

After the King of Hell departed, Chi Xingwan did not call for a driver. Instead, she walked back to the school, wanting to let the wind blow over her.

The next day, Chu Fangfei picked up Michelle and met Chi Xingwan, and the three of them returned to the Yanjing University Affiliated High School.

They met in the principal's office again. The principal asked, "Is there anything else we can assist you with?"

Chi Xingwan said, "The matter was concluded yesterday. Dong Xuezhi has let go of her grievances and moved on."

The principal and Teacher Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. Teacher Yuan asked, "How is she?"

"You were right; she really was a wonderful child. She will certainly be happy in her next life," Chi Xingwan replied.

Teacher Yuan’s expression was complex, a bitter sorrow welling up in her heart. She fought back tears and finally said, "It is I, her teacher, who failed to protect her."

"We came here today to tell you the truth."

The principal and Teacher Yuan looked up at Chi Xingwan simultaneously. Chi Xingwan added, "But everyone isn't here yet. We must wait a little longer."

Just then, a call came from the security booth. The principal answered, looking confused.

Chi Xingwan asked, "Have Dong Xuezhi’s parents and Xu Fangliang arrived?"

The principal hurriedly said, "Yes, it is them. They are holding a letter, claiming it was sent to them by the school."

"That was sent by me. Let them in."

The principal ordered the security guards to let them through and had them escorted to the office.

When Dong Xuezhi’s parents and Xu Fangliang arrived, everyone noticed that their gazes seemed vacant.

"What is happening?" the principal asked, feeling a bit panicked.

Chi Xingwan said, "It’s nothing. I just used a small method to ensure they would come on their own."

She snapped her fingers, and the three of them shuddered, their eyes gradually clearing.

"Where is this place?" Dong’s mother asked.

Teacher Yuan said, "Dong’s mother, I don’t know if you remember me; I am Xuezhi’s homeroom teacher, my surname is Yuan."

Dong’s mother panicked and hid behind her husband. She said coldly, "Why did you bring us here?"

Chi Xingwan stepped forward. "I brought you here. The truth about Dong Xuezhi has been uncovered. I called you here today because you are her parents, and you have the right to know the truth."

Dong’s father looked at his wife and asked, "Are they the people you mentioned, the ones investigating Xuezhi’s case?"

Dong’s mother nodded. Dong’s father said, "So many years have passed; we have long since moved on. I don’t think there is any need to keep dragging this out. What you are doing now is causing us secondary trauma."

"So, even now, you still think Xuezhi was at fault? Since that’s the case, let me be perfectly clear," Chi Xingwan replied, her voice cold. "You have no right to refuse. You must stay here. After the truth is revealed, you can do whatever you like."

"And you," Chi Xingwan added, turning to Xu Fangliang.

Only then did the parents notice that Xu Fangliang was there. Dong’s mother pointed at him excitedly: "It was him, wasn't it? I knew it all along! He is the one who killed Xuezhi; he’s nothing but a hoodlum!"

Xu Fangliang stood motionless, fists clenched, his eyes cast downward; his expression was unreadable.

Chi Xingwan said directly, "He is not the killer. The killer is someone else."

Xu Fangliang finally looked up, asking urgently, "Who is it?"

Chi Xingwan signaled for Chu Fangfei and Michelle to draw the curtains. She then raised her hand to release her spiritual energy, allowing ordinary people in the room to perceive the world of Spirit Masters.

Only then did she say, "The killer’s name is Pan Jun. He died of cancer a short while ago."

"So, there is no proof?" Dong’s father glanced at Xu Fangliang. "It’s hard for me not to suspect that you are plants he hired just to clear his own name."

Xu Fangliang immediately retorted, "You have no evidence! You cannot frame me!"

As the atmosphere between the two sides grew tense, Chi Xingwan clapped her hands.

"Did I say there was no proof?"