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墨書 Inktalez
Wang Lin has probably had a crush on Lin Miaomiao for a long time, but it seems that Lin Miaomiao has never shown any interest in him. However, it's understandable; only underage girls tend to like boys with a bit of a bad boy vibe.
"First of all, my relationship with Lin Miaomiao is a legitimate landlord-tenant relationship," I said, patting Wang Lin on the shoulder (this name seems to have a connection with me, Wang Lin, the spirit; it feels like I'm somehow linked to him). "So, brother, you still have plenty of chances, but you should really change your style."
If he continues with this style, he’s definitely going to fail...
"Really?" Wang Lin looked up at me, his eyes full of hope.
I slapped my forehead; this guy is doomed if he wants to pursue Lin Miaomiao. From what I know about Lin Miaomiao, she is a vibrant girl with a strong personality who enjoys new experiences. I still remember the first time I met her; she thought I was also a suitor and hit me with the line "You're too ugly," leaving me with lasting trauma...
"How about this: you should take her to that 'Red Bean Noodle Shop' for noodles. But honestly, Lin Miaomiao isn't suited for you."
"Really?" Wang Lin clearly didn't pay attention to the second half of my sentence. "Miao Miao likes noodles?"
Seriously? My emotional intelligence is already low enough, and now there's someone even worse than me. Life is tough.
"You should just take care of yourself," I said as I pulled Red Boy away quickly. If Red Boy gets infected by Wang Lin's cluelessness, that would be a huge loss.
This was just a minor episode, but when I returned home, I realized that I might have some trouble.
Seeing Black Wuchang is quite an ominous sign, but as a temporary worker for the Heavenly Bureau of Human Affairs (I haven't used that title in a while), I've seen this guy often, whether it's day or night. And let me clarify: why is it considered unlucky to see Black Wuchang during the day? Is it lucky to see him at night? Not necessarily! Every time I see him, nothing good happens.
There are some people who always bring bad news when they smile at you; I know two such people: one is my master, and the other is Black Wuchang...
Black Wuchang was standing at the entrance of the underground parking garage, seemingly waiting specifically for me. (Black Wuchang usually leaves the Execution Office—where they handle meal card replacements—without letting ordinary people see him. However, because I possess Spiritual Sight, even when it's not activated, I can vaguely see him; he just appears as a shadow.)
"Old Black, are you so free?" I greeted him. "Aren't you supposed to be guarding your Execution Office?"
"Hey, we get off work at one-thirty," Black Wuchang replied casually. "What about you? Do you have anything planned for tonight?"
"What's going on? Is there a mission?" No, if there was a mission, Jin should have notified me. Why would Black Wuchang come to find me personally?
"No, someone wants to see you."
"Who?"
"Yama King."
"......"
Yama King is looking for me? What good could come from that? Could it be that my Lifespan is up? No way, I'm still young.
"This old man is looking for me? What's the matter?" I asked anxiously. "Is it that the King of Hell wants me to die at Midnight?"
"Why so much nonsense?" Old Black swung the iron chain toward my head. "It's daytime now."
I became even more flustered; this felt like being taken for soul collection.
"Hong, take care of Yin Zheng'an's body," Black Wuchang instructed Red Boy. Then he yanked the chain around my neck hard. I felt my body go limp and involuntarily followed Old Black's movements, as if being pulled out of somewhere.
Looking back, I was nearly scared out of my wits. There was another me in the spot where I had just stood, but now it was lying limp in Red Boy's arms.
"Old Black, this isn't how you joke around. What are you trying to do?" I panicked; Old Black was pulling my soul out!
"To meet Yama King, of course. Do you think you can take your body down there?" Old Black laughed casually...
"Out!" Old Black made a salute gesture to Red Boy and then led me into a tunnel.
This should be the tunnel used by Old Black, specifically for Ghost Messengers, connecting the Underworld to the human realm.
"In the human world, some still refer to this road as Yellow Springs Road. In reality, the road from Fengdu to the Underworld is the one called Yellow Springs Road. But it doesn't matter; its function is the same," Old Black explained to me like a diligent tour guide. "Also, there isn't actually any water in the Yellow Springs; it's just piled with various bones."
"Do you talk this much when you capture others?" I asked curiously.
I tend to accept my fate; since I've been brought down here, I might as well make peace with it. I refuse to believe that I can't return.
"No, I'm just more familiar with you," Black Wuchang replied.
I don't know if it was because the tunnel was short or if we were moving quickly, but soon enough, we emerged from it.
"We're here." Black Wuchang stepped out of the tunnel and unlocked my chains. "Don't take it personally; I had to restrain you to bring you here."
This was my first time in the Underworld. It wasn't as terrifying as described in legends; it was just dark, without wind or any sounds of wailing ghosts. It was quite peaceful.
People occasionally walked by; they were likely souls from Rebirth. This was quite different from my imagined version of the Underworld.
Black Wuchang seemed to guess my thoughts and said, "The Underworld isn't much different from the human realm. It's merely a place where the deceased reside. The gloomy place described in legends is actually hell, which is quite distinct from the Underworld. The so-called Yama are just your civil servants."
"The Underworld has Ten Halls of Yama: First Hall of King Qin Guang, Second Hall of Chujiang King, Three Halls of the King of Hell, Four Kings of the Underworld, Fifth Hall of Yama, Sixth Hall of Yan Wang, Seven Halls of Taishan King, Eighth Hall of Urban Kings, Equal King of the Ninth Hall, and Ten Kings of Hell. You will meet with the Fifth Hall of Yama this time."
As Black Wuchang walked, he introduced me to the situation in the Underworld.
"What about the Eighteen Layers of Hell?" I asked.
"That place is much more terrifying; it's where those who commit evil deeds in life are punished. Suffering in hell is a dreadful experience that can leave deep scars. Even Meng Po Soup can only erase memories from there but not fear, which is why there are some rumors about hell in the human world. The Eighteen Layers of Hell include Hanging Muscle Prison, Ghostly Prison, Fire Pit Prison, Fengdu Yards, Tongue-Pulling Prison, Skinning Hell, Grinding Prison, Mortar Punishment, Car Crash Hell, Frost Prison, Shelling Hell, Intestine Extraction Hell, Dark Prison, Blade Mountain Hell, Blood Pool Hell, Oil Pot Hell, Avici, and Scale Rod Prison." (The Eighteen Layers of Hell have other variations; I'm using those recorded in Journey to the West.)
"Hey, do you want to hear how they operate?"
"Uh..." I gagged lightly and covered my mouth. "No thanks, it might affect my appetite later."
As we spoke, we arrived in front of a grand building. How should I describe the feeling of this structure? That's right!
"There’s a Bao Qing in Kaifeng, who distinguishes loyalty from treachery without bias..."
This melody suddenly popped into my head. Yes, this building reminded me of the Kaifeng Prefecture. Look, there are various side knives displayed at the entrance. Dragon-headed, tiger-headed, dog-headed, and even turtle... well, I can't count that one...
"Old Black, what does Yama King want with me?"
"How would I know?" Old Black replied nonchalantly. "Anyway, I'm just responsible for bringing you here."
Upon entering the Kaifeng Prefecture, four Vajra statues greeted us, two on each side, holding Vajra staves. They exuded an imposing presence without anger, their eyes wide open as they glared at those entering the Kaifeng Prefecture. Further inside were the statues of Black and White Impermanence and Ox-Head and Horse-Face. To be honest, I had never seen Ox-Head before, but Black and White Impermanence and Horse-Face really didn’t look alike, especially Old Black. However, if the eerie and terrifying expressions on the statues were changed to lewdness and greed for money, they would have a certain charm.
Next, a row of Judges stood on either side, one hand holding a brush and the other holding a Death Register, as if recording something.
At the very back of the Kaifeng Prefecture hung the four large characters 'Upright and Just.' Below them was a table with Judgment Wood on it, along with a large seal and four signing tubes. Behind the table was an Armchair flanked by two plaques—one reading 'Justice' and the other 'Strict Discipline.'
"Hey, Old Horse, is there someone named Wang Chao and another called Ma Han coming later?"
"And there's also Zhang Long and Zhao Hu—do you believe it?" Old Black chuckled.
"I believe..."
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