Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?-Chapter 1051 - 1047: Reward

In his lifetime, Wu Yugu has seen countless ancient artifacts, from oracle bones and bronze ware to bamboo slips and silk books, nearly every rare treasure of renown he has personally handled.

But the miraculous sight before him now was a shock unlike any other in his over eighty years of life.

The sun, moon, and stars in the void seemed to be infused with life, with their flowing radiance gently casting over his face, bringing a rare flush to his wrinkle-covered, aged visage.

Unable to resist, he stepped forward two steps, his withered fingers trembling slightly, attempting to touch the floating lights and shadows.

Yet, the moment his fingertips reached out, they only encountered a cool breeze, with the magnificent heavenly phenomena still unfolding slowly before him, beyond reach.

Wu Yugu’s clouded eyes were filled with disbelief, "What is this? What on earth is this?"

He kept mumbling to himself, for everything displayed by this copper mirror completely shattered the worldview he had adhered to for decades.

In his understanding, ancient relics were merely carriers of history, yet this mirror could seal the heavens and earth, manifest the starry river; it was a miracle beyond imagination.

Shen Siyuan’s mind was also greatly stirred.

The sight when Tang Tang activated the copper mirror that day was indeed strange but nowhere near as clear and magnificent as this moment.

He could clearly sense that every inch of light and shadow in the void contained an immense and boundless power.

That power seemed to originate from the primordial years when heaven and earth first opened, carrying a vast majesty that inspired awe.

Amid the lights and shadows, the sun wheel became increasingly fervent, its golden-red light covering the sky as if to ignite the entire study.

The moon wheel scattered its clear radiance, interweaving with the sunlight, showing no sign of dimness.

The starry river turned slowly, the pointer of the Big Dipper subtly shifted, mountains rose and trembled along, and rivers altered their courses, flowing with new momentum. Birds and beasts ran and shuttled in accordance with some mysterious trajectory, as though enacting a silent evolution of heaven and earth.

"Xiao Shen...what is this?"

Wu Yugu clenched his fist, his voice slightly quivering with excitement, asking again.

Just as Shen Siyuan was about to respond, the humming of the copper mirror suddenly intensified, akin to the cries of dragons and phoenixes, sending slight tremors through the eardrums.

The lights and shadows in the void abruptly contracted, with the sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, birds, and beasts all surging back toward the mirror as rapidly as a tide, leaving one momentarily dazzled.

The study’s light dimmed suddenly, leaving only a faint halo flowing over the surface of the copper mirror, as if nothing had happened.

Shen Siyuan slowly reached out, grasping the copper mirror on the table.

The moment his fingertips touched the cold copper casing, a warm stream surged into his body, causing every meridian within him to tremble slightly.

He also knew the name of this mirror.

He looked down at the sixteen-character inscription on the back of the mirror, and at that moment, the ancient characters seemed to come alive, glowing brilliantly in his eyes.

"The heavens hang with a round sun, earth carries all phenomena, stars move, and the Big Dipper turns, engulfing the Great Wilderness..."

Shen Siyuan silently recited these sixteen words, his heart comprehending that this copper mirror was probably more mysterious and powerful than he had imagined.

"Mr. Shen, from where did you acquire this item? Do you know its origin?"

Wu Yugu’s voice suddenly rang out, filled with urgency.

At this moment, he no longer dared to address Shen Siyuan as "Xiao Shen," but respectfully called him "Mr." instead.

This form of reverence was due not only to the divine copper mirror but also to Shen Siyuan’s profound and unfathomable demeanor.

Upon hearing this, Shen Siyuan looked up at him, with a faint smile on his lips.

Yet, this smile caused Wu Yugu’s heart to tense abruptly, and a chill swept over him.

Having lived most of his life, brimming with experience, he immediately thought of a terrifying possibility—silencing by murder.

The copper mirror, with its astounding mystery, was indeed a treasure capable of overturning conventional knowledge.

Since Shen Siyuan dared to reveal it in his presence, how could he allow such an informed person to remain alive in the world?

Not to mention himself; even Aunt Cai, the maid in the neighboring kitchen, might not escape this fate.

"I...I will pretend you never came today!"

Wu Yugu hurriedly waved his hand, his voice bearing a barely detectable tremor, "I won’t tell anyone, I’ve lived long enough, with one foot in the grave...it’s not like I have many years left..."

Hearing this, Shen Siyuan was momentarily stunned, but then he reacted, unable to help bursting into hearty laughter: "Old man, you’re overthinking it. Even if you were to tell others, do you think they would believe you?"

At these words, Wu Yugu was also taken aback, then suddenly enlightened.

Indeed, the matter was so fantastically absurd that if told to others, it would likely be dismissed as the ramblings of a senile old man.

After all, at the age of eighty-six, it was the age when he would easily be suspected of having "senile dementia."

At this moment, Shen Siyuan stood up, took out a jade bottle from his bosom, and poured out a wholly jade-green elixir pill, handing it to Wu Yugu.

"This is..." Wu Yugu stared at the greenish pill, his eyes full of bewilderment.

"To thank you for your help today, this is your reward," Shen Siyuan said calmly.

"No need, no need!" Wu Yugu hastily waved his hand, "I’m just repaying a favor to a friend; it hardly counts as help."

"Let’s settle this matter separately." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Shen Siyuan would not allow him to refuse, directly placing an Elixir Pill on the table in front of him.

Seeing the brightly glowing green Elixir Pill, Wu Yugu’s heart skipped a beat, only feeling that this thing seemed strange, fearing it might be poison.

He couldn’t help but feel a wave of fear and anxiety, a layer of cold sweat seeping from his back.

"The medicine’s efficacy will dissipate over time, you’d better take it soon," Shen Siyuan reminded.

Wu Yugu looked up at Shen Siyuan, seeing his solemn expression, not seeming to be deceitful, he couldn’t help but sigh heavily in his heart.

So be it, either way is a death, rather than live in constant fear, it’s better to be straightforward.

He lifted his head, looking sincerely at Shen Siyuan: "Aunt Cai is just a maid at home, she knows nothing, please... spare her."

Shen Siyuan was taken aback by his words, just about to explain, when he saw Wu Yugu pick up the Elixir Pill from the table, close his eyes, steeling his heart, and swallow it directly.

Seeing him swallow the Elixir Pill, Shen Siyuan swallowed back the words he was about to say.

Because the effect of the Elixir will provide him the perfect explanation.

After swallowing the Elixir Pill, Wu Yugu quietly sat in the chair, waiting for death to arrive.

He even prepared himself mentally, imagining the agony after the poison enters his stomach, would it be like knives tearing at his abdomen, or like his organs burning?

But the anticipated pain did not arrive.

Instead, a cool sensation quickly spread from his Dantian, instantly permeating his entire body.

He only felt his Spirit suddenly lift, his body, heavy with age, unexpectedly became much lighter.

The mind, often muddled and chaotic before, seemed to be washed by clear water, becoming lucid and transparent.

"Hmm?"

Wu Yugu raised his hand in surprise, seeing the dark brown age spots on the back of his hand, actually fading away considerably, his skin also revealing a hint of ruddy color.

He clenched his fists tightly, feeling as if his arms had gained a bit of long-lost strength.

"This... this..."

Wu Yugu looked at his hands, once again shocked to the point of incoherence, his eyes filled with astonishment.

"Alright, that’s all for today. Old sir, I’ll take my leave now, till we meet again."

Shen Siyuan put away the copper mirror, spoke, and then turned to walk towards the door.

"Wait! Wait!"

Wu Yugu suddenly came to his senses, hurriedly got up to stop Shen Siyuan, moving swiftly, unlike a typical elderly man.

At this moment he understood that he had judged the gentleman with a narrow mind. Not only did the other party have no malicious intent, but he also bestowed upon him a tremendous gift.

"Is there anything else?" Shen Siyuan stopped his steps, turned back, and asked.

"You... who exactly are you?" Wu Yugu gazed at his back, couldn’t help being curious and asked.

Shen Siyuan smiled at him slightly but did not respond.

"Alright, it was rude of me."

Wu Yugu gave an awkward smile, then recalled something, eyes filled with intense hope.

"Then... can you tell me the origin of this copper mirror? Where did you discover it?"

He had long speculated in his heart, that Shen Siyuan could find such an extraordinary copper mirror, the place of discovery must be hiding a huge ancient relic.

The rubbings Shen Siyuan had previously presented, just looking at those ancient characters and patterns, it could be inferred that it must have been printed from a stone etched with runes.

If the archaeological world could excavate and study that relic, it would surely rewrite existing human history.

Wu Yugu pursued with a glimmer of hope, but his heart did not harbor much expectation.

Such an extraordinary relic, how could it be easily told to others?

But Shen Siyuan turned around, looked at him, and slowly uttered two words.

"Netherworld."

The moment his words fell, Shen Siyuan’s figure seemed to integrate into the air, vanishing into thin air in the study.

"Nether... Netherworld?"

Wu Yugu stared wide-eyed, blankly at the empty doorway, as if turned to stone.

After a long time, his legs softened, and he plopped back into the chair, clutching his wildly pounding chest, breathing heavily.

It was quite a while before he slowly lowered his head, looking at his palm and arms.

The vigorous energy still flowed through his entire body, causing his old, frail body to regain its vibrant life force.