Painting Enchantment - chapter 7

I recall the words spoken by the Prefect on the banks of the Yellow Springs.

The Prefect allowed me to return, but indeed, he demanded something in exchange.

And that thing, the Prefect said, would be found on my Husband.

A Chess Piece.

The Prefect said he once played a game with Yan Gong and dropped a Chess Piece in the Yellow Springs.

That Chess Piece was carved from jade mined from Kunshan, a spiritual object born of heaven and earth. After being washed by the waters of the Yellow Springs for a thousand years, it developed a spirit and took on human form.

Later, when the Prefect underwent tribulation and descended to the mortal realm, it seized the opportunity to steal his Yang Soul.

…Thus, it could take on his appearance.

Therefore, he let me return to retrieve that Chess Piece.

But-

“…Husband, you must be joking. With a thousand years of cultivation, how could I possibly be your match?”

I truly was no match for Lu Yanzhi. I didn’t even have time to dodge before my wrist was easily seized.

A Talisman slipped from my hand-

“Is that so? Then what is this?”

I fell silent.

This was the Talisman given to me by the Yellow Springs Lord, capable of returning him to his original form. If I stuck it on him, he would lose all his powers and his human form would dissipate.

The Yellow Springs Lord said that in this way, I would both help him retrieve what was his and avenge myself against Lu Yanzhi for killing me.

His gaze withdrew from the yellow Talisman, and he sneered, “Zhou Yan, you truly are heartless.”

…I’m heartless?

I lifted my head and sneered back, “Didn’t you kill me too, Husband?”

Lu Yanzhi’s expression froze instantly.

His face darkened, his eyes cold:

“That was what you owed me.”

I was stunned, a surge of anger rising in my chest.

“What did I ever owe you?”

“All I did was eat your rice and sleep in your bed. Are you really so petty as to kill me for revenge?”

“No matter how humble a wife I am, am I not better than a worthless painting? You’re so obsessed with that painting, but you’re not even the same kind!”

Tears streamed down my face, and all my grievances poured out at once.

This time, it was Lu Yanzhi who was stunned. His expression grew odd, as if he was lost in thought.

Then, he flung my hand away.

“If you want to stick it on me, then go ahead.”

Footnote:
1. Yang(阳): In Taoism and ghost culture, yang symbolizes life, light, deities, day, and movement.