"Do not be rude. This is Brother Taro's teleportation gate."
With Madame Ping's words falling, two figures stepped through the glowing rift one after another.
It was Taro and Zhongli, arriving straight from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"We pay respects to the Geo Archon."
"Greetings, Brother Taro!"
The gathered adepti all cupped their hands.
"Well now, everyone's here already?"
Taro raised a brow at the sight of the hall. He had expected just a handful, not the entire host of adepti.
Aside from Madame Ping, Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, Water Strider, and Xiao, there was another, a crimson flame among them.
"This one is the yaksha among the adepti—the Fire Rat General, Yingda."
Zhongli explained softly to Taro:
"With the Resurrection Scepter you entrusted me, I had Xiao bring him back."
Ah. Understood.
So the staff Zhongli purchased from him had been used for this.
"Yingda thanks the Lord for his great kindness."
Yingda stepped forward, face solemn and full of sincerity.
"No need for thanks," Taro waved it off. "Business is business. The one you owe is Zhongli."
As agreed, trades were trades, favors were favors. The two must not be muddled.
The staff had been sold. Gratitude belonged to Zhongli. The same would hold for Guizhong's revival.
"But—"
Yingda wanted to say more, but Cloud Retainer cut him short.
"Enough. Gratitude can be given later. What matters now…"
The adepti turned as one to the sealed remains of Guizhong.
"Brother Taro."
Madame Ping drew a deep breath, extending a round piece of jade:
"The payment is prepared. Please, work your miracle."
"…."
Accepting the jade, Taro probed it with his spirit sense before glancing at Zhongli.
Zhongli gave a small nod.
That was the side payment. The true price rested with him.
"The payment is here." Taro's voice was calm. "Then let us begin."
"As Brother Taro commands."
The adepti answered in unison, floating aloft to each take a place around the seal.
"Begin!"
With Water Strider leading, colored radiances from each palm streamed into the ancient barrier.
Once, this array had been forged by the Five Yakshas with the rest in support. Now only two Yakshas remained, so the gaps were filled by the others.
Still, all were adepti—no impediment there.
Power surged. The seal around Guizhong's body weakened, its golden glow breaking into drifting motes of light.
"All, prepare to cleanse the karmic miasma," Water Strider warned. "This place has been shut for over two millennia. Be cautious."
"Proceed," Zhongli's steady voice rang, his golden radiance blooming. "Leave the rest to me."
"Yes, Lord."
The adepti nodded, focusing all their might.
The golden barrier unraveled.
Black vapors hissed free, lashing toward them.
Karmic miasma.
Whenever a god died, whether bitter or willing, this taint formed at the instant of death. Even gentle Huulia had released some upon her passing.
Guizhong was strong. Sealed at death, her full miasma had been preserved all these ages. Now released, it struck like a flood.
"Hmph."
Zhongli lifted his hand, golden might engulfing the miasma. His grip tightened.
The blackness was crushed, burning away into nothing. But as his light dimmed, a pallor touched his face.
The taint could not simply vanish—it had to be ground away by divine power, at cost.
This was why in the war's late years, Zhongli had sealed foes instead of slaying them. Gods could be killed. Their miasma endured.
"Zhongli," Taro said quietly, "once we return, give me that miasma to study. I'll see if there's a better way."
"Brother Taro believes he can?"
Zhongli did not agree at once. The thing was dangerous. If Taro was harmed—
"No matter. I'll prepare before touching it. I value my life too much to throw it away."
…
Zhongli studied him, then nodded. If he could truly find a solution, it would be a blessing.
"Lord, the array is undone."
The adepti fell back as the last lights faded.
"Brother Taro."
All eyes turned to him. Madame Ping's gaze in particular trembled with hope.
"Hold a moment."
Taro rose into the air, summoning the Book of the Holy Angel. He examined carefully, then put it away again.
"…"
Zhongli's heart clenched. The adepti held their breath.
"For safety… let's use something greater."
Guizhong was not Huulia. She had fallen to a god stronger than herself. The divine imprint still lingered on her bones. To use the same tool as before would be disrespect.
"Then it's you."
Taro raised his hand.
"Show yourself—Mjölnir!"
BOOOOOM—
Thunder roared, lightning blinded.
Bolts raged through the cavern, all converging on Taro's palm.
A silver warhammer emerged from the storm.
The weight of its presence shook the air.
A World-Class Item: Mjölnir, the Hammer of Thor.
Revival was but one of its many functions.
Not one of the famed Twenty, but still—far beyond the "merely adequate."
This would do.
(End of Chapter)
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