Green Door's expression changed for a moment but quickly returned to normal.
"So, what if I´ve sealed a few wrong spirits among so many? Besides, those useless little ghosts make no difference whether they´re sealed or not; they are all worthless."
"No, what you see as worthless may be the most precious treasure in someone else's heart."
The Young Master, upon realizing this truth, showed no sign of agitation, as if he had expected it all along. Perhaps he had known her background for some time, or maybe he had already come to Green Door to plead for Shū er´s release, only to receive such a cold refusal.
"When Shū´er was alive, she never harmed anyone. Even in death, she shouldn´t be sealed with the Ghost-Suppressing Talisman. She may seem useless, but she is also harmless; everyone who lives in this world has their reasons, let alone her. Just because you wield the power over the lives and deaths of evil spirits, it doesn´t mean you can treat the innocent ones like this."
The young master was visibly agitated, having completely forgotten that in front of Green Door, he was like an ant—easily brushed away and vanishing into thin air.
Green Door's expression seemed to waver slightly but quickly turned to one of resignation.
"It´s useless. Even if I'm wrong, I can´t change it now. Do you really think you are capable of breaking the sealing of the Ghost-Suppressing Talisman?"
Lǐ Dàlù stepped forward and said, "We have to try, whether we can break it or not. If we don't escape from your grasp, not only Shū er but even Luò Wǎn will be sealed. We must find a way to survive."
Suddenly, Green Door replied, "Fine, I´m tired of killing. If you really want to escape from my grasp, there´s only one way; you must become the next Green Door."
Everyone was taken aback. "What?"
Green Door held out a silver-white bracelet before Lǐ Dàlù. "Come, inherit the sealing of the Ghost-Suppressing Talisman! From now on, you will guard all the evil spirits in the eight directions of heaven and earth, as well as the realms of yin and yang, in my place."
Lǐ Dàlù nonchalantly reached for the bracelet and said, "What's so special about being a Green Door? It's just about guarding the sealing of the Ghost-Suppressing Talisman, right?"
The goddess-like woman retracted the bracelet, saying, "Do you think it's that easy? From now on, you will live the most dangerous life. You will face the revenge of evil spirits, using all your spiritual power to seal the most malevolent ghosts and capture those who violate celestial laws. You will be the key piece maintaining the balance of the spiritual realm. Any misstep could lead to grave mistakes. If the sealing of the Ghost-Suppressing Talisman is broken, all your loved ones in the underworld and the living world will be killed. You won’t be able to love again or be with those you care about, because doing so would put them in danger. Do you still want to proceed?"
The woman´s gaze grew more enigmatic. "So, do you still want to become Green Door? Do you still wish to inherit the sealing of the Ghost-Suppressing Talisman?"
Luò Wǎn pulled Lǐ Dàlù back and said, "What kind of ridiculous job is this? Who would want to take on such a dangerous task?"
"Haha, being a police officer is dangerous, right? Being an undercover agent is dangerous, too! Even being a firefighter is risky! But someone has to do it; that´s just responsibility. Our duty as Tiānmù is to seal ghosts and eliminate evil. No one can escape their responsibility," the woman said, her voice softening.
Luò Wǎn pulled on Lǐ Dàlù, trying to take the bracelet from him, and exclaimed loudly, "No, you can´t!"
The woman's gaze shifted, and a strong force gripped Luò Wǎn's throat. "I can devote my entire life´s energy to guarding the sealing of the Ghost-Suppressing Talisman, and I can also kill you to protect it, ensuring that you do not become a threat that disrupts it."
Luò Wǎn immediately found herself unable to speak, her feet gradually leaving the ground. However, her eyes still urged Lǐ Dàlù not to take the bracelet, as she understood that once he accepted it, they would only become strangers and would never meet again
Everyone wanted to save Luo Wan, but they quickly realized they were completely immobilized. It dawned on them that the woman's words were true; their strength was utterly insignificant in her presence.
Luò Wǎn's face had turned purple, and she looked like she might not hold on much longer. Suddenly, Lǐ Dàlù shouted, "I´m willing! I´m willing! Just let her go!"
As the woman's gaze softened, Luò Wǎn fell to the ground, gasping for breath Lǐ Dàlù rushed over to help her, but he received a sharp slap across the face—loud and heavy.
"Why did you agree to her? Why would you inherit that cursed thing?" Luò Wǎn lifted her head, tears streaming down her face.
Lǐ Dàlù remained silent as Luò Wǎn struck him repeatedly, her voice breaking with emotion. "Why? Why? Why choose to leave me? Why become Green Door? The damned Green Door keeper, the living nightmare of Green Door! We all agreed that if we were to die, we would die together. Why did you choose to abandon us? You traitor, you coward!"
Shàngguān Liúyún stepped forward and grabbed Luò Wǎn, who turned and collapsed into his embrace, sobbing uncontrollably.
Lǐ Dàlù stood to the side, unable to explain or find the right words. In his heart, he whispered, "'Luò Wǎn, Liúyún, I´m sorry. Your lives are still long; you can´t die here."
The bracelet slowly floated into Lǐ Dàlù's palm, and suddenly, the veil of the elegant woman flew away, revealing an incredibly aged face.
The woman said, "I have guarded this place for so many years. I came here back then to save my own loved one and willingly became the inheritor of the sealing of the Ghost-Suppressing Talisman. Now, I must leave, Tiānmù; I am giving you all my spiritual power. Once you become Green Door, you will naturally gain great strength. However, if you want to break the sealing of the Ghost-Suppressing Talisman and save the little ghost whose voice is the same as your loved ones, your power will still be insufficient. You will have to exchange your life for hers, and then she can escape."
Luò Wǎn suddenly recalled what Grandpa Shànqīng had once said: those who sought to free themselves from Green Door would inevitably be cast into the abyss. She hadn´t expected that day to arrive so soon.
The woman transformed into a beam of white light, soaring into the air before disappearing completely.
Lǐ Dàlù held the bracelet and suddenly shouted, "Unlock!"
The bracelet emitted a bright white light.
Luò Wǎn rushed over and grabbed his hand, asking, "What are you going to do?"
"Nothing much—just saving that little ghost." Lǐ Dàlù replied
"You didn't hear her say your power is insufficient," Luò Wǎn urged.
"How will I know if I don´t try?" Lǐ Dàlù replied.
"You can´t! You mustn't open the sealing of the Ghost-Suppressing Talisman charm!"
Lǐ Dàlù pushed Luo Wan aside forcefully and shouted at Shàngguān Liúyún, "Hold this madwoman back! If I don´t unlock the seal, do you want her to die?"
Shàngguān Liúyún was momentarily stunned but quickly reacted, grabbing Luò Wǎn tightly. Luò Wǎn kicked and bit Shàngguān Liúyún, but it was of no use.
