Chapter 1499: Miss, I'm Blind

The young woman didn't care about propriety at all. She grabbed Fang Chen by the wrist and pulled him deep into the alley.

Neighbors who saw them began whispering among themselves. One man even teased, "Lady Xu! Where did you find such a handsome husband?"

"Go on, you lot, always wagging your tongues!" she barked back, her voice several times louder than theirs. "I accidentally splashed this young man with my water! I'm taking him to my home so he can clean up! What do you know!"

Her bold retort left the onlookers speechless.

Before long, she dragged Fang Chen into a shabby courtyard and immediately started tugging at his drenched sleeves.

"Wait, I can do it myself."

Fang Chen quickly removed his wet outer robe. The young woman was already lighting a fire, preparing to dry the clothes.

She handed him a small towel. "Quick, wipe your head. You're soaked."

He smiled faintly. "Young lady, you're not worried about what people might say?"

"What's there to say? Idle gossip can't hurt me."

Without even looking back, she grabbed the bellows and fanned the flame higher until the stove roared.

"What about you?" she asked over her shoulder. "What brings you to Fenghua Alley? Visiting family? Friends?"

"I was just passing by, taking a stroll."

"Just a stroll? So you're an idler then."

With that, she neatly labeled him.

Fang Chen studied her movements carefully. She looked exactly like Abbess Qinghe, and her name also happened to be Xu Qinghe.

What a coincidence, she looks just like Abbess Qinghe, and her full name is also Xu Qinghe.

Abbess Qinghe also possesses the Yin Yang Eyes, allowing her to see souls, a power deeply tied to the Underworld.

And this woman should be the Ghost Mother of Self Transformation, a Ghost Buddha of the Underworld!

"Hey! It's rude to stare like that. What dirty thoughts are you thinking?"

The young woman turned and glared at him.

"Miss, I'm blind," Fang Chen replied.

𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Eh?"

The woman froze slightly, then hurried over to examine his eyes. She immediately noticed that his eyes were a clouded grey-white.

"So you really are blind. Oh dear, I'm terribly sorry! No wonder you didn't dodge just now." She gave an awkward laugh. "Still, a blind man shouldn't wander around alone. You ought to stay home, or at least bring someone with you! If you have no servant, at least use a cane."

"I've been blind for a long time. I'm used to it. Walking isn't much trouble," Fang Chen replied.

"Well then, fine. I'll get your clothes dried, and then I'll see you home."

She turned back to her work.

Fang Chen chatted idly with her while she moved about, asking her name and giving his own. She didn't seem to care much, perhaps thinking a blind man posed no threat, and readily told him.

"By the way, I am Xu Qinghe," she said.

"A fine, elegant name," Fang Chen remarked.

"Don't flatter me. It's an ordinary name, just as plain as yours."

"How long have you lived here, Miss Xu?" he asked.

"How long? Not that long. Why are you asking? I'm not that old, how long could I have stayed?" said the woman. "Even counting from my birth, 25 or 26 years, that's all."

Her face suddenly darkened. "Oh, are you wondering why I am already 26 and still not married?"

"No, you misunderstand."

"

Hmph

."

When the clothes were finally dry, she handed them over and told him to put them back on, then escorted him toward the alley's entrance.

"Which way is your home?"

"I can manage on my own. No need to trouble you further."

"Suit yourself, but hurry along. A blind man wandering the streets, what a sight!"

With that, Xu Qinghe turned and disappeared back into the alley.

***

Fang Chen rejoined Xie Aman and Little Immortal Honglian, who immediately questioned him about the encounter.

"Ninth Brother, let me ask you a few questions. I need to confirm if your memory's intact."

Xie Aman then tested him with a dozen questions. When all his answers were consistent, she nodded in satisfaction.

"Good. No sign of memory loss. So, how was she? Is she easy to deal with? Does she know who she is?"

"She doesn't," replied Fang Chen. "She doesn't even realize she's immortal, or that everyone here is. Normally, in the Underworld, wandering souls rely on Yin Lifespan to live longer, but their memories aren't affected. They are no different from the living."

"So you're saying their ability to live without Yin Lifespan is somehow tied to their memory loss?"

"Yes. I think it's directly related. The price of eternal life here may be that none of them know they ever died, including the Ghost Mother herself."

"In other words," murmured Little Immortal Honglian, "everything in this realm is under her unconscious influence. No wonder that Daoist said only she can release us."

"Then we'll all go see her together, and tell her who we are, see if that triggers her memories," said Xie Aman.

"Senior Sister, that's unwise," Fang Chen said softly. "We can't be sure Yun Que's claim that the Ghost Mother is compassionate wasn't a lie. People are complex, and their thoughts change. Rather than revealing everything outright, it's better to wait and observe her. If we're able to awaken her memories, our acquaintance might prove beneficial later."

Xie Aman thought for a moment and then nodded. "Agreed. We've been trapped for decades already. A little more time won't hurt. In the meantime, I'll dig into that Yun Que's past and see whether he's setting us up."

The three settled in.

Xie Aman decided Fang Chen would continue interacting with Xu Qinghe, while she and Little Immortal Honglian explored the city and occasionally visited Yun Que outside for a chat.

***

"Dinner's ready!"

Xu Qinghe, dressed neatly and full of energy, carried a large bucket of rice into a dilapidated temple. The smell immediately drew a group of ragged beggars, bowls in hand.

"Miss Xu, the rice smells amazing today! I think I could eat two bowls!" one joked.

"One's plenty. If you take two, what'll the rest eat? Flattery won't get you extra."

She stood with her hands on her hips, overseeing them like a stern elder sister.

The beggar gave a sheepish grin, filled his bowl, and crouched in a corner to eat. The others lined up, quietly gulping. However, they didn't crowd around or make a fuss. They were clearly used to this routine.

Outside the temple, Fang Chen watched the scene in silence.

When everyone had eaten and Xu Qinghe came out carrying the empty bucket, she noticed him.

"Oh, it's you again! How did you wander over here?" She frowned slightly. "A blind man shouldn't be hanging about this part of town. What if someone cuts your money purse and you don't even notice?"