Exorcist Master - Chapter 74 - Sacred Mountain in Myanmar (Part XXVIII)

Thomas fell to his knees, stunned after listening to Chen Shaoxian. He gazed at the pitch-black sky, his jaw trembling as if he had aged ten years.

Chen Shaoxian waited patiently, not rushing him, knowing how difficult this decision was. The others remained silent, looking sympathetically at the three of them, the only sound in the entire space being their breathing.

“I agree,” Howard said, standing there with no expression on his face.

Thomas stared blankly at Howard, who spoke calmly, “Uncle, tell Elena to take good care of Father and Mother.” Then, with a smile of impending relief, he added, “I really wish I could be friends with all of you. Chen Shaoxian, send me off.”

Hearing these words made everyone’s eyes well up. Chen Shaoxian nodded with red-rimmed eyes and stepped forward.

Before he could reach Howard, a putrid stench hit his nose. Howard’s entire body was swollen with blisters, unrecognizable from his original form. His exposed skin was bumpy, leaking corpse fluid.

Howard smiled wryly, “Those fish in the river are really annoying.”

“They really are,” Chen Shaoxian agreed.

Howard looked at Chen Shaoxian as he approached and asked, “What should I do?”

Chen Shaoxian replied, “Please lie down.”

Their conversation was calm, almost like that between a doctor and a patient.

Howard lay flat on the ground, eyes gazing upwards, muttering, “I hope I go to heaven.”

Chen Shaoxian squatted beside Howard, retrieving something from his bag as he said, “You will. I’m quite familiar with your God. On my account, you’ll definitely get in.”

Howard continued to look at the sky, “Then I must thank you. It’s a pity I can’t buy you a drink.”

Chen Shaoxian took out a paper package, saying to Howard, “Why not? You can open a bar up there, and in a few decades, I’ll join you.”

Howard chuckled, “You’re really humorous.”

As Chen Shaoxian took out the paper package, he unexpectedly noticed there was some liquor left in a plastic bottle. He casually took it out and handed it to Howard, “Let me buy you a drink first.”

Howard took the bottle without getting up, twisted the cap off, and took a swig, making a pained expression, “So strong, Chinese liquor sure is potent.” Then he chuckled, “My bar will definitely stock a lot of this.”

Chen Shaoxian opened the paper package, looking somewhat grave, “Is there anything else you want to say?”

Howard gazed at the sky, took a deep breath, and before he could speak, Thomas rushed over, grabbing Howard’s hand and crying, “Little George, Uncle is sorry.”

“Uncle, tell Father, Mother, and Elena that I love them, I love this family,” Howard told Thomas.

Thomas was crying too hard to speak and could only nod firmly.

Howard turned his head to Chen Shaoxian and said, “Send me off.”

Chen Shaoxian sprinkled the Incense ash from Howard’s chest to his abdomen, then from his left shoulder to his right shoulder, forming a cross. He closed his eyes, crossed his hands, pressed his index and middle fingers together, and placed his thumbs against Howard’s forehead, softly reciting, “Break the spirit, return to fate, no form, reincarnation.” Then he hummed softly.

Thomas, being the closest, could see the air above Howard’s forehead twisting with countless streams of air surging before all of them dove into Howard’s body.

Howard’s consciousness began to blur, an indescribable peace filling his heart. A circle of light emerged before him, growing larger, drawing him in. Suddenly, his body felt weightless, as if floating. He turned back to see Chen Shaoxian pressing his head and his uncle crying at the side. Just as he was about to speak, he merged with the circle of light.

But it wasn’t the same for the others. They clearly saw a blue figure emerge from Howard’s body, the Incense ash on him glowing white. Soon, the blue figure and the white cross became one and disappeared.

Chen Shaoxian opened his eyes, looking exhausted as he gazed at the now departed Howard, softly saying, “Rest in peace.” Then he stood up, helping the still-crying Thomas to his feet.

Chen Shaoxian turned to the group, saying, “The departed have passed on; as for the living, everyone has their own path. Ours is to return home.”

Song Yumu nodded, “Yes, we should go home.” Then he helped Chen Shaoxian make a simple stretcher.

Chen Shaoxian took the lead with Song Yumu close behind, guiding the group on the path home.