Transmigrated into a book? A vicious female supporting character? A senior sister? Tsk tsk!

"After death, there is no reincarnation, but instead, I've come here..." Tang Xinyan pondered these words, unable to contain her curiosity, and interrupted:

"Shopkeeper, are you saying that people come directly here after they die?"

As soon as the question left her mouth, Tang Xinyan regretted it. All her hard work in concealing the truth had been exposed by just one sentence.

However, seeing that the proprietress's smile remained unchanged and her kindness was still as strong as ever, the anxiety I felt at that moment dissipated considerably.

Seeing this, the proprietress didn't expose her, but simply smiled and replied:

"Young lady, are you here looking for someone?"

Since everyone already knows but hasn't called them out, and things have come to this point, it would be pointless for me to keep pretending.

He simply nodded and admitted it:

"That's right, it's a long story. She was an old woman who was kind to me..."

Tang Xinyan carefully selected what she wanted to say, briefly explained her mother-in-law's situation, and finally stated her own plans:

"Ever since I learned of the underworld, I've wanted to come and see if my grandmother had any fortuitous encounters and become a ghost cultivator. I want to do my part to repay her for saving my life and raising me."

If she has been reincarnated, I want to see if there's any way to find out where she was reincarnated, to see how she's doing, and whether she needs any help.

The proprietress was, at heart, a person of deep affection and loyalty; it was only due to the influence of her past death and the hardships she endured in the underworld that she changed.

Although she now appears more warm and kind, it's all just a facade; she no longer treats people with genuine sincerity.

However, after hearing that Tang Xinyan had already avenged the old woman and had even risked traveling to the underworld just to repay this debt of gratitude,

His fondness for Tang Xinyan grew even stronger. He had only intended to treat it as a transaction, sharing some experiences that outsiders already knew, as if he were telling this girl a story privately.

Now I'm actually willing to talk about the underworld:

"I see. I truly admire your deep affection and filial piety..."

At that moment, the protective shield above the private room was activated, followed by a knock on the door, and a little girl's voice came from outside:

"Shopkeeper, a customer has come downstairs and has taken a fancy to two sets of jewelry. They need your help to set a price."

Although business is a good thing, the proprietress frowned slightly, and couldn't help but wonder how it could be such a coincidence.

Despite her doubts, the proprietress composed herself, stood up, and said to Tang Xinyan:

"If you're not in a hurry, young lady, let's talk after I'm done with my work."

Tang Xinyan smiled and readily agreed:

"You can go ahead and do your work without worry. This long night has only just begun, so I'm not in a hurry."

After the proprietress left, Tang Xinyan sat by the window, drinking tea and pondering what she might be asked later. However, before she could finish her cup of tea, the proprietress returned.

Without mentioning anything further, the proprietress sat down, took a sip of tea, and then continued:

"Actually, although this is the realm of the underworld, it can't be considered the true underworld. It feels more appropriate to call it the Ghost Realm."

Those who had cultivated themselves in life, whose souls had undergone cultivation, and who did not have too much karmic debt on their bodies, will have their souls guided to the ghost realm after death.

Only ordinary mortals, whose souls are incapable of cultivation, or those burdened with karmic debts, are allowed to enter the true underworld.

There lies between us and the River of Oblivion. It is said that everything on the River of Oblivion sinks, and only one ferry boat guides the souls of the dead across it.

After the dead are guided across the river, those burdened with sins will be cast into the appropriate hell according to the severity of their transgressions.

As for the souls of the mortal dead, their merits and demerits throughout their lives will be revealed through the Mirror of Sin. Those who have committed wrongdoings will be punished, and those who have not will be arranged for reincarnation.

So that's how it is... But thinking about it, it makes sense. If people could go to the Land of Reincarnation at will, wouldn't that be chaos?

Tang Xinyan understood, but still confirmed:

"So, outsiders like me can only go to this so-called ghost realm? Grandma was an ordinary person, so she probably went to the underworld. I have no way of knowing about Grandma's situation, is that right?"

The proprietress nodded, then shook her head, and explained:

"The former is true, but the latter... is not entirely true."

Tang Xinyan's eyes lit up, and she said excitedly:

"Shopkeeper, what do you mean by that?"

The proprietress hesitated for a moment, but seeing the pleading look in Tang Xinyan's eyes, she ultimately softened and said:

"In the east of Fengji City, there is a courtyard with black and white soul banners hanging there, called Wanshitang. One of the businesses Wanshitang does is buy and sell information."

It is said that the person in charge there is on good terms with Meng Po and the judges of the underworld, so there is nothing in the entire underworld that the Hall of Ten Thousand Affairs cannot find out.

However... you and your mother-in-law are not related by blood, and you don't know any details about her, such as her birth date and time. It will probably be difficult for you to find out more about her."

Tang Xinyan nodded unconsciously, quite helplessly. In the original owner's memories, her mother-in-law was just that—her mother-in-law. Aside from her appearance, she knew nothing else about her.

Even in the book, it's only mentioned in passing, after all, the original owner was just a supporting female character, essentially a tool. The reason for mentioning the mother-in-law is...

It was all just to clearly describe the original owner's tragic experiences. Thinking of this, Tang Xinyan sighed and lamented:

"Yes, I was too young then, and before I could understand anything, my grandmother passed away... I can only try my best to recall what she said."

Seeing Tang Xinyan's complicated expression, the proprietress quickly offered words of comfort:

"Don't overthink it. Just give it a try. What may seem difficult to us is just commonplace for them."

"Uh-huh."

Tang Xinyan smiled gratefully:

"Thank you so much, shopkeeper. Otherwise, it would have taken me a long time to investigate on my own."

Tang Xinyan was genuinely grateful to the proprietress. She knew that although Wan Shi Tang did have a business of buying and selling information, Tang Xinyan didn't believe it.

Anyone could know the relationship between the person in charge and Meng Po, so how is that any different from open favoritism in the underworld?

Seeing that she understood, the proprietress didn't say much, only smiled and reminded her:

"No need to thank me. You bought my jewelry, so it's only right that I chat with you for a while. There's no need for thanks."

Tang Xinyan understood and didn't say anything more. They chatted about the ghost realm for a while, then packed up the jewelry and left the shop.

After leaving the jewelry shop, Tang Xinyan followed the proprietress's instructions and went straight to the east of the city, where she found a shop called Wan Shi Tang.

Sure enough, this Wan Shi Tang was ostensibly a study, and there were quite a few people reading inside. Tang Xinyan wasn't in a hurry to ask any questions.

I first took a stroll around the store to see what kind of books they had. To my surprise, the bookstore had all sorts of basic exercises, miscellaneous essays and anecdotes, and storybooks.

Tang Xinyan picked up a book of anecdotes and flipped through a couple of pages; it happened to be about the other side of the river.