Supernatural Brokers Rampaging in the Human World - Chapter 175 - Redemption

If I am guilty, then I am beyond redemption, even if I die a thousand deaths.

Xia Ku’s death was so resolute, it left no time for anyone to react. Su Yang was momentarily stunned, instinctively extinguishing Xia Ku’s lingering soul with Xuan Chi’s power.

With Shang Zhong’s leverage gone, the armies quickly fell apart, leaving only Shang Shu, who, with Su Yang’s support, secured the ultimate royal authority.

“The matter is settled. Since that’s the case, I’ll be leaving now. Remember our agreement,” Su Yang said, seemingly unaffected by Xia Ku’s death. Her part of the deal with Shang Shu was complete; all that remained was for Shang Shu to hand over his soul to her upon his death.

Shang Shu was the embodiment of the Human Realm, destined to guide humanity back on track. Upon his death, the Human Realm would attach itself to something else. Thus, Su Yang had made an agreement with him to claim his soul.

Xuanran once told him they were a bunch of hypocrites, insisting on cloaking their plunder in a guise of willing consent, merely accelerating their descent and claiming their souls for themselves.

As Su Yang was about to leave, she saw Shang Zhong at the entrance to Huangquan. The living cannot enter Huangquan, and for Shang Zhong, a mere mortal, the only way in was through death.

“If I want to find Xia Ku, can I?” Shang Zhong asked, gazing at the people crossing Naihe Bridge, lost in silence.

“If you refuse to drink Meng Po Soup and don’t want to cross Naihe Bridge, you can jump into Wangchuan. The waters of Wangchuan are tears and blood of the living; your soul will endure a thousand years of torment for a chance to see your beloved. Are you willing?” The speaker was not Su Yang, but a woman in a black robe standing by Naihe Bridge.

The woman’s voice was hoarse, her appearance haggard, aged. She stood by Homeward Gazing Tower, a large pot beside her. Shang Zhong paused, recognizing her as Meng Po.

Shang Zhong opened his mouth, unsure of what to say, then slowly crossed the fiery red path and leapt from Naihe Bridge. His body felt ensnared by a swamp, gradually sinking, his senses blocked by the viscous river water, unable to break free.

Su Yang watched indifferently, after a while saying, “He should be coming up, shouldn’t he?”

“What does it matter if he does or doesn’t?” Meng Po shook her head, continuing to serve soup to the next soul destined for reincarnation.

As his senses faded, Shang Xuan awoke in silence. When he opened his eyes, he was dazed, realizing he was surrounded by a crowd.

“You’re finally awake,” Yuan Ying exaggeratedly sighed in relief. “If you didn’t wake up soon, my dad would’ve beaten me.”

Waking up in the human world felt surreal, as if he had been transported across time. Shang Xuan blinked, dryly asking, “Where am I?”

“You’re in the hospital, of course! Where else would you be? You were willing to risk your life for a woman,” Yuan Ying rolled his eyes, searching for a doctor.

Shang Xuan had been in a coma for a whole week. After initially calling out “Shang Yue,” he showed no further response. All tests indicated his physical condition was normal, yet he remained unconscious. Shang Yue’s friend, Tushan Le, suggested he was experiencing trials from his past life, and once overcome, he would awaken. Naturally, they couldn’t rest easy.

That single call for “Shang Yue” raised many questions. Yuan Yan’s expression was complex, her lips moved but she ultimately said nothing. Now wasn’t the time to discuss this, as they still didn’t know why Shang Xuan had been unconscious for so long.

“I want to find… Lin Zhaonuan,” Shang Xuan almost said “Su Yang” in his daze, but suddenly caught himself.

“Ma’am is not in the Human Realm. If you have something to discuss, you can talk to me,” Tushan Le entered the hospital room, stating his purpose.

The waters of Huan Mountain Lake had similarities to those of Wangchuan. Shang Xuan had drowned in Wangchuan, leading to his coma, suggesting his past life had connections to Wangchuan. Those linked to Wangchuan were either regretful about love or deeply passionate.

Which one was Shang Xuan? Tushan Le looked at the bewildered crowd and continued, “Since Mr. Shang Xuan’s incident occurred at Huan Mountain Lake, I naturally have some authority to speak. Ma’am won’t return anytime soon. If you’re willing, you can talk to me. I’m not particularly talented, but I do have some understanding of netherworld affairs.”

When Tushan Le referred to Lin Zhaonuan as “Ma’am,” Shang Xuan knew he was aware of the past life. He knew Lin Zhaonuan had another identity as Lord of the Netherworld, Su Yang. Shang Xuan was desperate to understand what had happened in his past life, so he asked everyone else to leave the room, requesting to speak with Tushan Le alone.

Yuan Yan gave her son a deep look before leaving the room. Seeing Yuan Yan leave, the others naturally followed suit.

Once they were gone, Shang Xuan immediately shared the scenes he “dreamed” of during his coma with Tushan Le.

“Your suspicions are correct; that was indeed your past life,” Tushan Le confirmed Shang Xuan’s suspicions and continued, “If Shang Yue was Xia Ku in the past life, she was likely a maid by Ma’am’s side. However, it was a long time ago, and Ma’am was still young then, so it’s understandable she’s forgotten these things.

When I was by Ma’am’s side, she no longer had a maid, but I heard there was one who died while Ma’am was on a mission in the Human Realm. The exact cause of death is unknown.

The royal conflict suggests Xia Ku died in that struggle.

Based on your description, Shang Zhong jumped into Wangchuan River. Wangchuan River torments souls, offering a chance to reunite with a loved one as a price. Your soul endured a thousand years in Wangchuan, now reborn-meeting Shang Yue again.”

Shang Xuan was bewildered, unsure how to face his feelings or his past self. He only saw fragments of memory, not a complete restoration of past life memories.

“If you want to fully restore them, it’s possible,” Tushan Le seemed to notice Shang Xuan’s confusion and continued, “You just need to jump into Wangchuan again, and you should be able to recall past events. However, a journey to Wangchuan is extremely perilous, and no one can guarantee you’ll return alive.”

Shang Xuan was stunned, then fell into endless silence. What significance did knowing the past hold? Shang Yue had already forgotten past pains, but he couldn’t. He needed to remember what he did in his past life, clearly, to atone for his sins.

This was his guilt, beyond redemption, even if it meant jumping into Wangchuan…

“I want to go,” Shang Xuan’s silence didn’t last long before he broke it.

“Won’t you discuss it with your family?”

“No… Inform them, but whether they allow it or not, I’ll go. I must,” Shang Xuan said softly. Shang Yue could forget past pains, but he couldn’t. He needed to remember what he did in his past life, clearly, to atone for his sins.

Tushan Le nodded. The alluring man seemed to tempt people into ruin, like the serpent in Eden enticing Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, even using retreat to advance, luring Shang Xuan into danger.

Tushan Le left, and Shang Xuan’s family entered the hospital room, eager to know what was happening.

“Actually, there’s nothing new,” Shang Xuan’s voice was calm, speaking of his past life as if discussing mundane matters, yet his words were earth-shattering.

From Xia Ku being Shang Yue, to him as Shang Zhong using Xia Ku, leading to Xia Ku’s death, to his feelings for Xia Ku and Shang Yue, his words left everyone present in shock.

“Shang Xuan, do you know what you’re saying?” Shang Quan spoke up, unable to fathom his son’s disregard for human ethics.

“I know.” Shang Xuan’s expression was calm, almost indisputable.

“You two are committing incest…” Yuan Qun whispered, igniting a fuse that exploded the room’s atmosphere.

“Shang Xuan, I won’t let you go,” Shang Quan said, then slammed the door as he left.

Yuan Yan sighed, shook her head, and left too.

“Second brother… are you really going?” Shang Man hesitated, but heard Shang Xuan’s firm, unwavering response: “I will.”