PWE – Chapter 181 (2)

“…and that guy is following them.”

Zhan Zeyan: “……” He froze for a moment. That guy? Could it be a powerful monster?

Meanwhile, Second Elder and Tang Huaishuang and Tang Huailan, seeing Xiao Wange return completely unharmed, all widened their eyes in disbelief.

How did this woman come back? What happened? Could it be that the Elders didn’t find her?

Xiao Wange, noticing the shock and disappointment in their eyes, lifted an eyebrow and let a trace of mocking smile appear at the corner of her mouth.

Seeing her expression, Tang Huaishuang and the others grew even more frustrated. They gritted their teeth, wishing they could rush up and fight her immediately.

Xiao Wange scanned the surroundings. The fog was too dense—so thick it impaired visibility. She wasn’t affected, but the soldiers around her were.

She paused for two seconds, then lightly raised her wrist and cast a spell, dispersing the surrounding fog.

The soldiers watched in astonishment as the dense fog withdrew like a tide. Their eyes went wide in surprise, staring at the surroundings. How did the fog vanish all of a sudden?

They hadn’t seen Xiao Wange cast the spell and assumed it was some sudden phenomenon.

Tang Huaishuang and the others, however, saw her in action. With just a simple flick of her wrist, the thick fog dissipated. They frowned, a look of astonishment on their faces.

This fog wasn’t ordinary—it was rich in spiritual energy, and someone with weak magical power couldn’t disperse it. They had tried to clear it while climbing the mountain but lacked the strength.

Yet now, Xiao Wange did it so effortlessly. They were both shocked and fearful.

Who exactly is Xiao Wange? Why is her power so formidable? They had always thought that no matter how strong she was, she couldn’t surpass the Tang Sect elders. But now, seeing her cast a spell firsthand, they realized they had underestimated her.

…

Six or seven minutes later, a captain named Fu Guosheng approached Zhan Zeyan. Xiao Wange had met this captain back in the village.

Fu Guosheng looked at Zhan Zeyan solemnly: “Captain, we’ve rested enough. We can continue our mission. Should we start searching for supplies now? The main reason we came up the mountain was to retrieve supplies, not to rest.”

Fu Guosheng glanced at Xiao Wange as he spoke.

Though he liked his sister-in-law’s cooking, he wasn’t happy that the Captain brought her along this time. This was a mission, after all—why bring her along and complicate things?

Zhan Zeyan frowned at Fu Guosheng’s displeased expression, about to speak, when the voices of the Elders rang out:

“Run! Run for your lives!”

Everyone: “……” Run? What’s going on with the Tang Sect? Is someone chasing them?

Then they saw the reason: behind the Elders was a massive two-headed tiger, baring its fangs—a truly terrifying sight.

The soldiers, though experienced, had never witnessed such a scene. Many froze, forgetting to react.

Xiao Wange waved her hand lightly at the tiger, and the tiger’s roar echoed to the soldiers below. Besides the roar, they could hear the ground shake as it stomped.

Xiao Wange had cast a spell on the tiger while on the mountaintop, so those halfway up the mountain hadn’t heard it before.

Hou Dayong glanced at the tiger and immediately hid behind Xiao Wange. “Sister-in-law, this tiger… is it… sentient?”

So huge, and with two heads—he had never seen such a thing in a movie.

Fu Guosheng and Deputy Captain Zhao Yi frowned at Hou Dayong hiding behind Xiao Wange, silently criticizing him. Was the deputy captain scared stupid? Hiding behind his sister-in-law as if she could protect him?

Fu Guosheng, serious, was about to order everyone to attack the tiger when he saw Xiao Wange take flight.

The soldiers: “……” Did they just imagine it? Or were they seeing their Captain’s wife flying?

And the next scene made their eyes widen even more.

Xiao Wange flew onto the tiger’s back and reached out to stroke its head.

The tiger nuzzled her hand affectionately, as if it were her pet.

The soldiers: “……” What the hell? The sister-in-law seems to have a close bond with that tiger! Look at the tiger—it’s trying to please her!

The Tang Sect members were even more stunned, staring at Xiao Wange and the tiger, forgetting to blink.

After a few seconds on the tiger’s back, Xiao Wange jumped down, spun her wrist, and cast a spell. The tiger transformed into a handsome, dazzling young man.

The young man bowed slightly to Xiao Wange, his voice pleasant and respectful: “Thank you, Madam, for helping me. For years I was constrained by a spell, unable to take human form.”

Over a thousand years ago, the tiger had encountered a powerful evil cultivator who cursed it, forcing it to remain in a deformed two-headed form. The second head was just an illusion.

Xiao Wange smiled: “You’re welcome. I only helped because I sensed no bloodshed on you.”

The young man bowed again.

The astonished soldiers: “……” Now they understood why she had come along. Their sister-in-law was a powerful magician?

After another bow, the young man’s expression turned grave: “Madam, there’s another monster on this mountain, with a cultivation level of 100,000 years. It’s halfway up the mountain.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wange furrowed her brows.

She scanned the surroundings. She hadn’t sensed this monster before—its power was immense. A 100,000-year cultivation… just hearing it was intimidating.

If her powers weren’t mostly sealed, she wouldn’t fear such a monster. But now, with her abilities largely sealed, she couldn’t handle it alone.

Zhan Zeyan’s expression also darkened.

He looked at Xiao Wange: “As long as we don’t disturb it, we should be safe, right? We can quietly ascend to the summit and descend lightly…”

“Whoosh~” Before he finished, a terrifying sound came from the ground—like wind rustling treetops, or a monster’s sigh.

Zhan Zeyan’s expression turned grim; he clenched his hand.

Xiao Wange: “It’s too late. That monster has already targeted us.”

The Tang Sect members stared down, panic spreading across their faces.

A 100,000-year monster… how could they possibly fight it? They could only wait helplessly!

Hou Dayong looked at Xiao Wange and Zhan Zeyan: “We should run now. Quickly!”

Xiao Wange clenched her hand: “Do you really think you could outrun that monster?”

Hou Dayong: “……”

Fu Guosheng and Zhao Yi turned pale, glancing at their soldiers. “What do we do now? Are we just waiting to die?”

Zhan Zeyan pursed his lips, clenched his hand, and said to Xiao Wange: “You lead the others down. I’ll hold that thing off.”

Xiao Wange: “……” She glanced at him, frowning slightly. Though he had abilities, they weren’t enough against that monster. It could kill him in less than a second.

After a moment’s thought, she said: “You take them down. I’ll hold the monster. Only I can stop it right now.”

“But Wange…”

“This is decided. You protect your soldiers—they followed you because they trust you,” Xiao Wange said calmly.

Zhan Zeyan was speechless. Of course—his priority was to save the soldiers. He couldn’t let them die here.

Though his heart ached, he wished he had powers too—then he could fight alongside his wife.

His gaze lingered on Xiao Wange, filled with reluctance, before he turned to the soldiers: “We move down the mountain. Immediately!”

They charged down with Hou Dayong leading them.

The Tang Sect members, wanting only to escape, took flight after them. Luckily, they could fly—otherwise, descending on foot would take forever.

But…

As they ascended slightly, a powerful force pulled them down.

The force was so strong they couldn’t resist.

Dragged to the ground, they were yanked fiercely into the earth.

Tang Huaishuang’s eyes widened, filled with terror: “Help! Somebody help!”

She saw Xiao Wange not far away and cried for help: “Comrade Xiao, save me! Please save me!”

Tang Huailan also cried: “Comrade Xiao, please… save us!”

Before she could finish, her lower body was completely dragged into the soil.

Xiao Wange watched them coldly. These people carried karmic debts. They had killed adults and children, turning those children into little ghosts.

People like this aren’t worth saving. If she saved them, what about the innocent dead? Some might call her heartless, claiming she shouldn’t let anyone die. But she isn’t a saint—she only saves those worth saving. These people? They deserve no mercy. Perhaps this was heaven’s judgment—they did evil and disregarded life, and now the monster collected them as retribution.

Seeing Xiao Wange unmoved, Tang Huaishuang was both terrified and furious. She shouted hoarsely: “Xiao Wange, you heartless bitch! You let people die! You despicable… dead despicable woman!”

Xiao Wange: “……” As expected, people like this aren’t worth saving. Even if she survived, she wouldn’t be grateful—she’d try to kill you.

Tang Huailan shouted: “Xiao Wange, save us! If you don’t, you’re not a good person! You don’t deserve to be a soldier’s spouse!”

Xiao Wange: “……” At this point, they were trying moral blackmail. Ridiculous!

She stood expressionless, her gaze full of scorn.

Fu Guosheng and Zhao Yi turned to look and, seeing the Tang Sect members dragged into the earth, gasped, increasing their pace.

Too terrifying. What kind of monsters lurk underground? Were they going to eat them?

They wanted to get to the foot of the mountain instantly, but being mortals, they couldn’t teleport. They had to run as fast as they could.

But…

After running another five or six meters, a powerful force suddenly struck them. It enveloped their bodies and dragged them into the ground.

Fu Guosheng and the nearby soldiers couldn’t help but shout: “Help… help!” They tried to struggle free, but even putting all their strength into it, they couldn’t budge an inch.

Seeing the monster attacking the soldiers, Xiao Wange’s eyes darkened. She flipped her wrist, gathering a surge of power in her hand, and slammed it into the ground.

In an instant, the earth seemed to shake violently. Immediately afterward, the force dragging everyone dissipated.

Xiao Wange lifted her eyes and shouted to everyone: “Move! Faster!”

She couldn’t hold out for long. With her current strength, she couldn’t hope to match the underground monster.

Fu Guosheng glanced at Xiao Wange, feeling utterly awed. Fortunately, his sister-in-law had come along—without her, they’d all have been dragged into the earth.

Without hesitation, he grabbed a stunned soldier nearby and hurried down the mountain.

The others quickly followed suit, running as fast as they could.

Zhan Zeyan looked toward Xiao Wange. Seeing her eyes red and her struggling with all her strength, he clenched his teeth, heart aching with pain.

He tightly clenched his fist, grabbed two soldiers beside him, and dashed forward like the wind.

The two soldiers felt the world blur around them, as if everything was retreating rapidly. They gawked in shock, temporarily forgetting how to react.

Zhan Zeyan thought to get these two safely down the mountain first, then return for the others. For now, saving one at a time was all they could do.

Meanwhile, the Tang Sect members dragged into the ground were now clawing their way out.

Tang Huaishuang glared furiously in Xiao Wange’s direction, muttering: “Bitch… die today! I hope this monster tears you apart and leaves nothing behind!”

Xiao Wange naturally heard her. She looked at Tang Huaishuang: “……” She had no energy to respond. These Tang Sect people were truly heartless and ungrateful.

Suddenly, a force rose from the ground, colliding with Xiao Wange’s own power, forcing her to lean back, almost falling.

She gritted her teeth, stabilized herself, gathered her power, and slammed it into the ground again.

But…

Even now, her strength was too weak against the monster. Within two minutes, she was thrown back by its force.

The tiger demon, transformed into the handsome young man, quickly flew to catch her.

The tiger demon said: “Madam, perhaps you should retreat. This monster seems angry. If you stay, it will kill you.”

Centuries ago, it had witnessed the monster’s wrath. Many cultivators had tried to establish homes and train here—but the monster didn’t allow it. All were devoured, their souls consumed.

Xiao Wange: “……” She glanced at the tiger demon, calmly saying: “If I leave now, my husband and his soldiers will all die.”

Tiger demon: “……” At a time like this, why worry about others? Survival is what matters most.

But he didn’t speak—he could see how deeply she cared for her husband. She couldn’t bear to see him die.

Before he could react, the underground monster struck again, pulling soldiers into the ground.

Xiao Wange landed steadily, looked up at the sky, and said: “This time, I’ll break my promise. I cannot stand by and watch so many lives be lost. They are good men, defenders of their country. So please allow me this one breach of my vow.”

She cast a spell, quickly unsealing her power.

Immediately, her body underwent drastic changes: her skin became even fairer and smoother, her facial features more refined, her hair darker and shinier, and her figure perfect in an instant.

She now looked like a goddess descending from the heavens, radiant and untouchable.

Tiger demon: “……” So Madam’s powers had been sealed? Now that they’re restored, even her appearance changes?

Xiao Wange had no time to notice her transformation. Her eyes hardened, and she cast a spell, striking at the ground.

But as she attacked the underground monster, heavenly lightning suddenly struck from above—fast and fierce, as if to kill her instantly.

Xiao Wange looked at the lightning, curling her lips into a bitter smile.

So the lightning still came… Heaven was punishing her for breaking her vow.

Many gods had once said she was Heaven’s own daughter, treated favorably.

But in reality, it wasn’t so. Heaven had sealed her powers, demanding she never unseal them—if she did, divine punishment would fall.

She had also lost many memories, likely Heaven’s doing.

Now, in such a dire moment, Heaven struck her again.

Heaven was not kind to her; it was harsher than anyone else.

Yet she endured the punishment and fiercely attacked the underground monster.

She needed to defeat it before succumbing to divine punishment.

…

Zhan Zeyan, with two soldiers, reached the foot of the mountain.

The soldiers stared blankly at their Captain. Who was he? Could he also use magic? His speed was incredible—faster than a car. They were speechless.

Zhan Zeyan turned, preparing to return for more soldiers, when the thunder above sounded even more terrifying.

Earlier he had heard it but hadn’t looked up.

Now, the sound was even more fearsome. He looked up—the mountain was struck by dense, massive bolts of lightning, thick enough to kill instantly.

Seeing it, his breath caught. His chest felt like it was splitting in pain.

He clenched his fists and dashed toward the mountain.

Suddenly, a sharp, pained scream rang out.

It sounded like someone undergoing terrible torment.

Zhan Zeyan realized it was Xiao Wange’s voice—she was in pain.

As the scream echoed, the lightning struck even more violently and densely.

Zhan Zeyan frowned—it seemed the lightning was targeting her. His Xiao Wange was being tortured.

He held his chest, pain making it hard to breathe.

Suddenly, his head throbbed as if something were gnawing at his brain.

He clutched his forehead, feeling rooted to the spot, unable to move.

He closed his eyes, enduring the agony.

Seconds later, he opened them—bloodshot and fierce.

He looked at the lightning, leaped, and vanished from sight.

The two soldiers: “……” Stunned, frozen, unable to comprehend. Could their Captain really use magic?

…

Xiao Wange was struck repeatedly by lightning. She tried to avoid it, but divine punishment cannot be avoided. All she could do was endure.

She fought the monster while taking the lightning.

The monster was already injured, with less than 20% of its power remaining. She aimed to finish it, but then another brutal lightning bolt struck, hitting her directly, making her spit blood.

She collapsed to the ground with a “crash,” gritting her teeth as she struggled to rise and attack again.

The previous lightning had injured her severely. She felt as if her body might explode, the pain so sharp she dared not even breathe.

The monster, seeing her injured, counterattacked. It emerged from the ground as a black mist, hurtling toward her.

Xiao Wange frowned, flipping her wrist to cast a spell against it—but another lightning bolt descended from above.

Xiao Wange: “……” Today, it’s not only the monster trying to kill me, Heaven wants me dead too. Hah, this is what it means to be Heaven’s ‘beloved daughter’—how pitiful she is.

At this critical moment, suddenly a figure lunged at her.

The figure enveloped her body, shielding her from the lightning.

The lightning struck the figure instead, sparing her.

Xiao Wange was momentarily stunned.

She slightly lifted her head and looked at the person holding her.

When she saw Zhan Zeyan’s face, her pupils contracted, and she whispered, “Zeyan?”

Zhan Zeyan had taken the strike of the heavenly lightning. He furrowed his brows, a trace of pain flickering across his face.

He glanced at Xiao Wange and said, “Don’t be afraid,” then lifted her, dodging the monster’s attacks.

The monster, failing to strike, lunged again at the two of them. But Zhan Zeyan frowned, forming a hand seal with both hands, radiating immense energy. He directed the seal at the monster and struck viciously.

Xiao Wange saw the seal hit the monster, instantly scattering the black mist it had become.

Zhan Zeyan formed another hand seal; this one finished the monster completely. Its presence vanished entirely from the air.

Xiao Wange blinked, staring blankly in the direction the monster had disappeared.

She couldn’t quite process it—Zhan Zeyan had killed the monster.

The heavenly punishment from above continued, but Zhan Zeyan took it all. Each bolt of lightning struck him, yet he barely flinched, only slightly moving his brows.

Xiao Wange looked up at him. He was Zhan Zeyan—but at the same time, he wasn’t.

She knew that this version of him was from his past life.

She noticed a glowing totem on the back of his neck. It was exquisitely crafted yet emanated a familiar aura.

Xiao Wange stared at the totem for a moment, and suddenly her head throbbed as memories flooded back into her mind.

After about two minutes, the divine punishment vanished.

Zhan Zeyan, struck by multiple bolts, looked visibly pale.

Xiao Wange opened her eyes slightly and gazed at him, tears welling as a bittersweet smile appeared on her lips. “Long time no see~”

She had finally remembered—the memories she had lost.

She and Zhan Zeyan had known each other long ago, over hundreds of thousands of years.

Back then, they had loved each other and planned to live together like immortal lovers in a scenic place.

But Heaven did not allow it. Heaven struck him with lightning, nearly shattering his soul, and forced him into reincarnation. She, in turn, had her memories and powers sealed.

Later, her true self met him in the 1980s. He was on a mission in a rainforest on the southern border of Yunnan, and she encountered him there. She had just awakened from a long slumber, her powers unstable, and fell victim to a schemer’s plot. There, in the rainforest, they experienced a deeply shameful situation.

Later, she came to the military with a child, leaving the child in his care, then sealed her memories and lived quietly in a small coastal village.

In the 21st century, she unexpectedly traveled back in time to the 1980s and met him again.

Even more coincidentally, in this life, she was his wife and the stepmother of his child.

She suddenly felt that everything was fated, as if Heaven had arranged it all.

Zhan Zeyan looked at her tenderly, his voice as gentle as his gaze: “Yes… long time no see.”

Xiao Wange remembered the days of their love hundreds of thousands of years ago, the carefree life they shared, and the punishments he endured for her, even being trapped in reincarnation.

Tears flowed again from her eyes. She reached out to touch his face and said, “I’m sorry… If it weren’t for me back then, you wouldn’t have been trapped in reincarnation. You wouldn’t have had to endure all of this.”

He had originally been one of the most powerful gods in existence, born of Heaven itself, free from mortal rules. But for her, he willingly endured Heaven’s punishments and descended into reincarnation.

She felt like an executioner, like a devil who had harmed him.

The man wiped her tears gently, smiling softly: “Don’t apologize. You have never wronged me. I chose this willingly. For you… I am willing to do anything.”

He paused, kissed her forehead, and continued: “This time, my awakened soul took the punishment for you, probably angering Heaven further. For a long while, my soul may not awaken again. Wange, take care of yourself from now on… protect yourself.”

Xiao Wange’s tears streamed more fiercely. She nodded, her voice choked: “I know… I know everything.”

He suddenly cut his palm, and blood flowed. Using the blood, he created a special talisman and pressed it into her palm: “This talisman can deal with Long Yan. If he misbehaves, you can seal him.”

Xiao Wange hurriedly healed him, her lips curling into a bitter smile: “You don’t need to do that. I know how to handle Long Yan. He wouldn’t harm me—even if he did terrible things, he wouldn’t hurt me.”

After all, Long Yan was his shadow, sharing his emotions.

The man smiled, gently caressing her face: “No matter what, you must put yourself first. I believe we will reunite someday. That beautiful day will come.”

Heaven had once said that after 200,000 years of reincarnation, he could be permanently with Wange. He had already spent over a hundred thousand years; only tens of thousands remained before they could truly be together.

Xiao Wange wanted to speak but was too overwhelmed; her voice caught in her throat.

Suddenly, Zhan Zeyan straightened, formed a hand seal, and cast a spell down the mountain. The energy hit the soldiers and Tang Sect members.

“The memories of these people must be erased. Some things are better left unknown.”

Xiao Wange rose, tears streaming as she watched him.

“Wange… I’m leaving. Goodbye.” He looked at her, smiling gently and helplessly, then closed his eyes, as if drifting into sleep.

Three seconds later, the glowing totem on his back disappeared. His soul sank back into slumber.

Xiao Wange wiped her tears. She knew he had returned to being Zhan Zeyan, the man now asleep.

She hooked her arm around his, smiling softly: “Let’s go. Let’s head down the mountain.”

Zhan Zeyan: “……” He touched his forehead, a conflicted look in his eyes. “It seems… a lot happened just now, but I can’t remember.”

Xiao Wange lowered her eyelashes and spoke slowly: “Nothing much. Your soldiers ran into trouble and fled down the mountain. We need to call them back now—the supplies are still at the peak.”

Zhan Zeyan paused: “Really? All at the top?”

“Yes,” she nodded. “Everything’s at the peak.”

He looked toward the mountain top, brow furrowed: “Then I’ll call the soldiers to bring all the supplies back.”

Xiao Wange glanced at him: “Yes… why don’t you go call them? I’ll wait here.”

He hesitated, not wanting her alone on the mountain, but knowing her strength, she could protect herself. “Alright. You stay here. I’ll call them back,” he said, running down the mountain.

After a few steps, he frowned again: “Why were they running down the mountain after arriving? Did something happen?”

…

Xiao Wange watched his retreating figure, smiling bitterly as tears fell again.

They had been apart for hundreds of thousands of years. She had forgotten how she survived all that time.

Heaven had said that after 200,000 years of reincarnation, he would finally be free. Only tens of thousands remained. Tens of thousands sounds long, but she had waited through far more, so she could wait for the rest.

She looked at the sky above, smiled faintly. Did Heaven still want her to seal her powers again? Was the previous punishment enough?

Heaven remained silent. She chuckled softly, lowered her head, and found a stone to sit on.

After Zhan Zeyan recovered, she had returned to her original form. If he had seen her transformation, he would have been shocked.

She sat on the stone, thinking lazily about how she would spend the next tens of thousands of years.

Without Zhan Zeyan and Zhaozhao before, she might have felt lonely. But now, with them, she wouldn’t be lonely for decades.

Decades later, Zhan Zeyan would enter reincarnation again—whether Zhaozhao would remain safe, she did not know.

She rested her chin on her hand, leaning against the tree behind her.

…

The Tang Sect members returned together.

They were puzzled why they had come down the mountain after going up.

But upon seeing Xiao Wange, their brows furrowed, and their eyes filled with murderous intent. Today, they were determined to kill her. She had to die!

In the end, they failed to kill her and instead were gravely injured. Their cultivation was ruined, leaving them utterly powerless.

Tang Sect members: “……” Totally fruitless; if they had known, they wouldn’t have come.

…

Xiao Wange and Zhan Zeyan brought the supplies back to the military base.

Commander He beamed, delighted that the supplies had been recovered.

He thanked Xiao Wange profusely, as if wanting to worship her as a goddess.

However, Madam He told Xiao Wange something when leaving Zhaozhao in her care.

Madam He said Qiu Haiyang had conspired with the Tang Sect to seize the child—but the plan failed. Thankfully, the talisman Xiao Wange had left worked, or the child’s fate would have been uncertain.

Commander He had already punished Qiu Haiyang, expelling him from the military.

Hearing this, Xiao Wange couldn’t help but smile wryly. Qiu Haiyang’s love for Bai Caixuan was deep—he was willing to do anything to avenge her. But despite his abilities, he had fallen for a worthless woman.

After retrieving the child, the child quietly told her something: that the Tang Sect had tried to capture… Banxia (from the novel), which brought her much joy.