Chapter 2060

Chapter 2060: A Troubled Autumn

Yan Aohan’s mood soured the moment he saw the incense. Someone had crafted it using human flesh and blood—a defiance of heaven. Worse, the scent carried traces of soul energy, meaning the incense was made while the victims were still alive.

"Master, the child has been brought here," the masked man said after offering the incense.

The incense burned steadily, releasing thin wisps of smoke. About ten minutes later, a black rift appeared in the air above the altar.

"Stay here. Do not move. I will go check," Yan Aohan said. He stepped forward. As a hand emerged from the black rift, Yan Aohan suddenly grabbed it and pulled hard, dragging the person out. He then tapped the air casually, and the black rift vanished instantly.

"I wondered who was so bold. It seems a spatial rift appeared here," Yan Aohan said, turning to look at the two figures.

The masked man looked panicked. The person Yan Aohan had dragged out was wrapped in black mist, clearly an evil demon.

"Just an evil demon," Yan Aohan said without hesitation. He slapped the demon’s head with one palm, and the creature vanished instantly. Yan Aohan then turned his gaze back to the masked man.

"Take off your mask. I want to see who you are," Yan Aohan said directly. He had no intention of wasting time.

"Who are you?" the masked man asked, looking at Yan Aohan, then glancing around as if searching for an escape.

"It is none of your concern who I am. But I am curious about who you are," Yan Aohan said, staring at the masked man. "From the mountain shrine where Yata no Kagami was, you abducted so many children. Along the way, you appeared as a scavenging old woman, then a strong man carrying goods, and now you wear the skin of a monk. I wonder which one is your true form."

The masked man could not believe his actions had been watched by Yan Aohan. "You have been tracking me?"

Yan Aohan replied calmly, "Do you think your petty skills could allow you to take people and things right under my nose? I only let you come to see where you originated. Unfortunately, you disappointed me. You are merely an evil demon. The true mastermind is likely someone you do not even know."

Yan Aohan pointed his finger. The masked man’s monk appearance instantly faded, revealing an ordinary-looking man. Clearly, he was not Japanese.

"So, he has the appearance of a person from Huaxia," Yan Aohan sighed. "Since you refuse to answer my questions, I will find out for myself."

Soul searching was simple for Yan Aohan, so dealing with this man was effortless. Within moments, he knew everything he needed to know.

"Ani, how should we dispose of this person?" Yan Aohan called out.

Zhu Yanyi entered from outside and glanced at Yan Aohan. "If you want me to handle it, just say so directly. No need to beat around the bush." She pulled out a bottle and tossed it to Yan Aohan. "You do it."

Yan Aohan nodded. He opened the bottle casually and poured its contents into the masked man’s mouth. Soon, the man turned into a pool of yellow water, which seeped into the ground and disappeared completely.

"Has something happened in Huaxia?" Zhu Yanyi asked.

"Yes," Yan Aohan nodded. "Some minor players used spatial rifts to enter this plane. They exploited the characteristics of Eastern people, finding bodies without souls but still alive in countries like Japan and Korea. They impersonated these people, created Huaxia identities, and many have already infiltrated Huaxia."

"If they have a conspiracy, why choose Huaxia?" Zhu Yanyi asked, puzzled.

"Because Huaxia is the origin of all true Eastern gods. And you forgot, Kunlun Mountain is in Huaxia. To go to other planes, one must enter Kunlun. Similarly, to come from other planes, one must enter Kunlun. Therefore, they must become Huaxia citizens to better understand everything about Kunlun," Yan Aohan explained seriously.

Zhu Yanyi sighed. "A troubled autumn indeed."

"Do not worry. I already know most of who they are. We can handle them once we return. This plane will not be harmed," Yan Aohan comforted Zhu Yanyi.

"Then let us return first to handle those souls. After that, we will rush back. Since those people want to cause trouble through Kunlun, they will likely go there sooner or later," Zhu Yanyi said.

"Good," Yan Aohan agreed. This was indeed the best approach.

Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan did not dwell on where the masked puppet came from. They returned to the Yata no Kagami Mountain Shrine.

Except for Yu Qingyun, all other souls trapped in the book needed to be processed.

The eighteen male souls could not be reborn. Their souls had been damaged by long-term separation from their bodies. They were lucky to have met Zhu Yanyi and received the Soul Attachment Pill, which had repaired their souls. Yan Aohan summoned local underworld messengers to send these souls to the Underworld for registration. Those eligible would enter the cycle of reincarnation.

Although Zhu Yanyi possessed the Book of People, Yan Aohan the Book of Earth, and Ouyang Tianyun the Book of Heaven, making it easy to guide these souls, Zhu Yanyi had a negative impression of people from this country. Thus, she would not help them cross over. Having Yan Aohan handle the matter was already her best attitude.

After processing the eighteen souls, the last ones to handle were the souls of Ming Chuanyunzi and Ming Chuanyangzi. As agreed, Yan Aohan sent them to the third layer of hell to atone for their sins. Once their sins from this life were redeemed, they would be reincarnated into a special plane. That was a matter for the future.

With all matters here settled, Yan Aohan led Zhu Yanyi and the others back along the same route, returning to Huaxia by water.

As promised to Zhu Yanyi upon their arrival, they traveled through the seabed. When Zhu Yanyi encountered things she liked, such as beautiful pearl oysters, Yan Aohan naturally collected them.

Although they were in a hurry to deal with certain people, the journey remained leisurely. At least they gathered many treasures from the seabed, such as ten-thousand-year-old water plants, ten-thousand-year-old sea mud, and several ships that had sunk for countless years, containing numerous jewels.

Women generally like jewels, and Zhu Yanyi, being a girl, liked them too. So, they collected everything, which could be gifted to others later. Along the way, Zhu Yanyi also guided some souls that had drowned in the sea, accumulating some karmic merit, large and small.