Chapter 243 — Glad Tidings

The changes in the Nether King's expression could not escape Mr. Ghost's eyes, but Mr. Ghost seemed not to care at all. He said only mildly, "Give me a little more time. You have waited so long already—what does it matter to wait a while longer?"

The Nether King's body gave a start, as though he had been jolted. After a while, he seemed to regain his composure and nodded slowly. "You are right." Then he hesitated a moment, as though aware that his manner had been excessive, and forced a smile. "These past days I have been trying to heal Bi Li with Ming Li, but it is always the same. My mood has been wretched. Pay it no mind."

Mr. Ghost shook his head and said, "The bond between father and daughter—I understand." He paused, then slowly turned, his gaze returning to the Coiling Dragon Cauldron suspended in midair, and especially to the mysterious pillar of light within it, while he went on casually, "Miss Bi Li still shows no improvement? Truly, every method has been tried these years."

The Nether King sighed and said, "Just so. That boy Ming Li and I do not get along well, but his devotion to Bi Li is beyond reproach. Recently he found some curious treasure somewhere and brought it to try to heal Bi Li. The first time, it even seemed to have some effect—it could resonate somewhat with the Aeon Bell. But then, at the crucial moment that day, the divine power of the blood array beneath the ground suddenly stirred, and with that upheaval it lost all efficacy..."

The Nether King spoke carelessly, lost in his own thoughts, remembering again his daughter lying on the ice platform, a dull ache in his heart—so much so that he never noticed how, at his later words, Mr. Ghost's body suddenly jolted, as though the man had gone rigid.

After a moment, Mr. Ghost's voice was as flat as before as he said quietly, "Oh? And what manner of thing was this treasure Ming Li brought?"

The Nether King's heart was still heavy, and he answered offhandedly, "It looked like a jade disc, seemingly quite warm and smooth, carved with several strange patterns. Strangest of all, at its center were many small jade pieces, which not only bore strange characters but slid about of their own accord without ever colliding..."

Here the Nether King suddenly frowned and said to Mr. Ghost, "Why have you suddenly taken an interest in this?"

Mr. Ghost, his back to him, still wore the pose of one gazing up at the Coiling Dragon Cauldron suspended in midair. After a long silence, he said quietly, "Nothing. I was merely asking."