Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

---

Chapter 189: Date (Part Three)

Fang Xiu had property nearby? Gao Shan was surprised.

But it made sense. Xushan was dangerous, sure, but from afar, the view was beautiful. It wasn’t uncommon for the wealthy to buy vacation villas nearby to enjoy the scenery.

The old Taoist responded slowly, seemingly unwilling to appear too eager.

Forget it. There’s no point in overthinking it, Gao Shan told himself.

He didn’t have any talent in cultivation anyway and could only work as a middleman in the field. The old Taoist offered generous commissions, so what did he care about the man’s deeper intentions?

He stepped on the gas pedal of his luxury car, taking the old Taoist, Fang Xiu, and Bai Shuangying away from the scene. As for the other three black Taoists, they would have to rely on their own skills.

Their destination was a small villa community they had passed earlier.

It was early spring, and the chill still lingered. The mountain vegetation was a mix of green and brown, making it a poor season for sightseeing. Most of the villas were unoccupied.

Fang Xiu led the way confidently and brought the group to a secluded villa.

Just as they arrived, the other three black Taoists also rushed over, covered in dust. Their speed was impressive.

The old Taoist didn’t seem concerned. He carefully observed the villa’s layout and the valuable landscaping in the courtyard, gently twirling his beard with his fingers.

Fang Xiu showed a look of amateurish awe.

Knock knock knock.

He smiled and exchanged a glance with Bai Shuangying, then slowly knocked three times on the door. At the same time, Bai Shuangying flicked his fingers, and illusions rose like mist.

Creak.

The door slowly slid open, revealing a beautifully maintained courtyard. The trees and arrangements looked exactly as seen from the outside. The yard was clean and elegant, with a classical charm that showed it was regularly maintained.

“Please, Masters.” Fang Xiu respectfully gestured.

“Oh, Mr. Fang…”

A short “old man” scurried out from inside. His skin was deathly pale, and his cheeks were unnaturally red, giving him a somewhat eerie appearance.

Just as he was about to speak, he caught sight of Gao Shan and the four Taoists. The old man paused, glanced at his wrinkled hands, then exaggeratedly changed his tone, “…Young Master Fang, what brings you here? We didn’t get any notice and didn’t prepare food!”

“I brought guests at the last minute. It’s not your fault.”

Fang Xiu said generously, “Dian’er, go brew some tea for the Masters.”

“Right away!”

The odd little old man grinned wide, revealing ghostly pale teeth.

Inside, the villa was decorated in a traditional style, with three or four ink paintings hanging on the walls. Gao Shan took a closer look and felt they could be genuine. There were a few orchids and some porcelain pieces around the room, all seemingly high-end antiques.

This silly kid’s family really was rich.

“Please warm yourselves with some tea before we begin the spirit cleansing.”

Fang Xiu sat on the couch beside Bai Shuangying, openly holding his hand. “If possible, please also cleanse my lover. I’m fine with paying for it.”

Just then, the little old man walked back in with a tea tray.

As he approached, a rich fragrance wafted from the teapot. He poured seven cups of tea with practiced care. The tea was amber-colored and crystal clear, very inviting.

The old Taoist picked up a cup and looked pleased. “Hm, not bad.”

“We’ll do the spirit cleansing for your partner afterward. No charge this time. Once you’ve experienced the benefits yourself, you’ll understand.”

Dian’er: “Pfft.”

Realizing that might be inappropriate, he quickly added two coughs and pretended his throat was acting up.

The old Taoist gave him a cold side-eye.

Fang Xiu raised his cup like a toast and downed it in one go.

“Thank you, Master. I’m not sure if the tea suits your tastes. To be honest, my father knows more about this stuff. I can’t really tell good from bad.”

Seeing Fang Xiu drink, the old Taoist finally took a sip himself. “Not bad.”

The other three Taoists followed suit and all expressed approval.

Gao Shan quickly took a sip too…then nearly spat it out. It was sour and bitter, like crushed medicine tablets. What part of that was “not bad”? Were the others taste-blind?

As Gao Shan spit out the tea, the old man Dian’er gave him a creepy grin.

…And then turned his head one hundred eighty degrees to look at him.

An evil spirit, in broad daylight!

Gao Shan jumped up in fright, pointing at the strange old man. “You, you, you…”

The black Taoists also sensed something wrong and gathered together cautiously. The old Taoist stared at Dian’er, trying to feel his spiritual energy, but sensed nothing.

“Weren’t you all enjoying the tea?”

Fang Xiu sat there innocently, his hand still covering Bai Shuangying’s.

“Gao Shan didn’t like it, but he didn’t faint either,” Bai Shuangying said mentally. “Which means his karmic debt isn’t deep, though he has no merit either. His exact status should be judged by the living.”

Fang Xiu shook his teacup with his other hand. “Looks like the ‘tea’ needs more tweaking.”

Dian’er’s grin vanished instantly. Its face scrunched up. “You want to tweak it again, Master Fang?”

“There’s always room for improvement,” Fang Xiu replied. “Do it right and I’ll raise your salary.”

The grin immediately returned to Dian’er’s face. “You said it!”

Meanwhile, Gao Shan was slowly edging toward the door. He quickly pulled it open when the others weren’t looking, only to find pitch-black darkness behind it.

The darkness was bottomless and instinctively chilling. Gao Shan fell to the ground, lips trembling.

Big cities had stronger yang energy. In all his years as a middleman, the most he’d seen was someone possessed by a minor spirit. He’d never even experienced being lost in ghostly illusions, let alone this level of horror.

What was going on? Weren’t those two just naive rich kids?

He had received the deposit and confirmed Fang Xiu was a real person. So how was this so terrifying?

Even the slow old Taoist realized something was wrong now. “What did you give us?!”

“Well, my Bai Shuangying can see karmic threads, but I didn’t want him to waste his time identifying garbage like you,” Fang Xiu said with the same respectful tone, though against the backdrop of darkness, it carried a subtle note of mockery.

“I came up with the concept. He cast the spell. Together we created this product—people with merit faint after drinking it and forget everything. People without merit remain conscious. The more blood debt you carry, the better it tastes.”

“I’ve tried it myself. That aroma is indescribable. I drink a cup every day.”

The old Taoist sneered. “Tricks and gimmicks!”

He pulled out a talisman, ready to attack—but his wrist suddenly froze.

Somehow, the little old man had gotten close and now held his wrist in a grip like iron. The Taoist couldn’t move at all.

The other three Taoists were similarly immobilized, only able to move their eyes.

Dian’er’s smile widened as he revealed his paper-doll appearance.

The old Taoist shuddered. “An Underworld enforcer?”

“That’s right. At least you have eyes.” Dian’er grinned, snapping his fingers. “You were far too rude to our Lord. How lucky you are to be invited by him in person.”

In a flash, the luxurious living room vanished. The eerie doorway disappeared as well.

The eight “people” were now standing in a small courtyard, surrounded by swaying red lanterns, gently moving even without wind.

The old Taoist’s pupils darted frantically, and his face finally showed fear.

At this point, he couldn’t tell who Fang Xiu really was or what he had done. He had no idea where this place was.

He couldn’t give up. He had to find a way out.

Seeing his three disciples restrained, he had a powerful gut feeling—if he didn’t act now, he would die here.

That paper figure enforcer was definitely dangerous.

That strange young man in red… His acting was terrifyingly good, and he was being addressed as “Lord” by the enforcer, so clearly, he was someone important.

…The only one who hadn’t acted yet was the man in white.

For some reason, the enforcer never looked his way. Combined with Fang Xiu’s affectionate behavior along the way, he was likely just a pretty boy being kept.

Still, the old Taoist was confident he could hurt the pretty boy.

If he could escape, he’d book an international flight immediately and leave all this nonsense behind.

His Adam’s apple bobbed. His beard trembled.

Yes, he would risk everything to take that man hostage.

The old man pretended to panic and inhaled deeply. Suddenly, fierce winds swirled around him. Veins bulged beneath his shriveled skin.

At the same moment, he bit down hard and swallowed a hidden pill from his fake tooth.

He shook off Dian’er and moved faster than ever, pulling out a ritual dagger and lunging toward Bai Shuangying—

Clink!

The blade tip lightly touched Bai Shuangying’s extended finger. The impact rang with an unnatural metallic sound. The dagger bent out of shape instantly.

Bai Shuangying looked genuinely puzzled. He couldn’t understand why he was the target.

Still lost in thought, he flicked his finger. The old Taoist flew back like a slingshot pellet, slamming into the courtyard wall.

If Dian’er hadn’t quickly thrown up a protective ward, the man’s soul might have shattered on the spot.

Fang Xiu, who had been watching: “…Wow.”

Bai Shuangying turned and looked at him with mild confusion.

“I think I get what he was trying to do. I’ll explain later,” Fang Xiu said gently. “What matters is, you looked really cool just now.”

“Mm.” Bai Shuangying forgot his confusion and looked entirely pleased.

Then he turned toward the three immobilized Taoists, clearly eager to try something.

“Wait, wait, wait, let us handle it. No need to get your hands dirty,”

Dian’er jumped in quickly. “We don’t know how to handle the one with light karmic debt. Lord Fang, what do you say?”

Fang Xiu nodded and took hold of Bai Shuangying’s wrist.

In the corner, Gao Shan was frantically slapping himself in the face, trying to wake from what had to be a nightmare.

Unfortunately, even after drawing blood and swelling his cheeks, he was still stuck in this terrifying place.

“Hey, Master.”

Fang Xiu stood before him, smiling as he pulled out the custom contract.

“…Can I collect my goods now?”

---

The author has something to say:

True criminal-on-criminal robbery be like ↑

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

---

Chapter 188: Date (Part Two)

Gao Shan was overjoyed.

He had been watching the two young men for a while. Both had smooth skin and trendy outfits, and one of them wore his hair long like an artsy intellectual. At first glance, they looked like pampered rich kids.

When the pair wandered over to the most expensive jewelry counter and started browsing, it confirmed his guess.

What a perfect pair of suckers.

Gao Shan hurried over and spun a few vague and mysterious lines. Sure enough, the one in red took the bait right away.

Now all he had to do was pick out a magic ring to sell them.

Selling shoddy fakes was out of the question. If they found out and got angry, they might come after him. A low-grade magical item would be just right—something that had a little calming effect. That way, he could charge whatever price he wanted. After all, laymen wouldn’t know the difference. 

A trinket that cost just over ten thousand could easily be sold for over a million. If this deal went through, he could take half a year off.

While lost in these pleasant fantasies, Gao Shan maintained an aura of spiritual authority and led the two into the shop where he worked.

It was located not far from the jewelry store and had a refined, antique-style decor that exuded taste. A light incense filled the air in the hall, and the display cases were filled with aged trinkets and various jade and gemstone items.

Fang Xiu quietly scanned the room, raising an eyebrow.

This con wasn’t a solo act. The setup was surprisingly thorough. Rent on a place like this couldn’t be cheap, and the items on display were all genuine. Wealthy clients with an eye for antiques would be more inclined to trust them.

Bai Shuangying took a look around and clearly showed his boredom. He had plenty of similar items piled up in the mountains. These trinkets looked just like the junk heap back home. At least the jewelry from earlier had some modern flair.

“No need to look around. The first floor’s full of common stuff. Nothing truly powerful here,” Gao Shan said mysteriously. “Come on, follow me upstairs.”

He opened a nondescript door, revealing a dim staircase that led to the second floor. The hallway had a subdued luxury to it, like a secret room in a mansion.

Fang Xiu appeared both nervous and amazed. He took a deep breath and obediently followed behind.

The second floor was about the same size as the first, but the shelves here were filled with magical tools. There weren’t even any clerks by the display stands. The space was empty and cold, with a slow, eerie energy seeping up from the floor, making it hard to move forward.

Before, Fang Xiu might not have been able to tell. But now he was the All Phenomena E, essentially the king of magic weapons. Even without understanding the principles behind them, he could sense their strength.

…Most of the tools here were trash.

Not to mention ordinary E’s, some didn’t even match up to ritual talismans.

Still, Fang Xiu stayed in character. He hugged his arms and rubbed at one. “Why is it so cold all of a sudden? It’s spring—are they running the AC?”

Gao Shan laughed heartily. “That’s the aura of these treasures. You’ll feel it for yourself once you touch them.”

He walked to the corner of the room and took out a white jade ring. The stone had a soft, smooth glow, but was icy to the touch.

“This is top-grade white jade. It’s over a hundred years old,” Gao Shan explained. “Its previous owner was a Taoist I know. This ring can clear the mind and calm the spirit. Give it a try.”

Fang Xiu took the ring and looked at Bai Shuangying. “……”

The expression on his face said it all. Other than the color, this ring really didn’t suit him.

“Amazing, my head feels instantly clearer.” Fang Xiu turned back to Gao Shan, putting on a naive smile. “Simple things can be nice too. How much is this?”

Gao Shan clenched his fist in front of him. “One million. Non-negotiable.”

So this was daylight robbery. Bai Shuangying glanced back and forth between Gao Shan and the ring, his expression growing colder.

Fang Xiu coughed twice to change the subject. “Do you have anything else? I’m kind of clumsy. I’m afraid I’ll break it.”

Gao Shan couldn’t tell if Fang Xiu thought it was too expensive, too plain, or just didn’t like the style, so he stuck to the script. “Of course. If you don’t like this one, I can find you a gemstone and have a master craftsman customize it.”

“Custom orders are a bit pricier, depending on your needs.”

Fang Xiu agreed readily. He took the chance to step away from Gao Shan and wandered around the second floor with Bai Shuangying.

Truth be told, Fang Xiu had hoped to see what kind of elaborate scam Gao Shan might pull. But the con was so bland it was almost boring.

And this shop didn’t have anything worth looking at. Bai Shuangying was probably getting impatient, so it might be time to slip away… Huh?

Bai Shuangying had stopped in front of a pendant.

It was fairly new, with a distinctly modern design. A fine gold chain held a pendant inlaid with multicolored gems. At the center of the pendant was a pea-sized white stone. It didn’t look quite like a pearl but more like…

“Porcelain?” Fang Xiu muttered.

The aura was faint, barely noticeable. Given the history of the God of Xushan, could it be that Bai Shuangying had a soft spot for porcelain?

“You two have good taste,” Gao Shan said as he approached. “That’s our specially made multigem pendant. It wards off evil and attracts blessings.”

“All the materials come from our store. If there’s a gem you like, we probably have it.”

Bai Shuangying stared at the white stone in the center of the pendant, then lowered his eyes and said nothing.

Fang Xiu glanced sideways at him. “The white one in the middle.”

Gao Shan launched into his pitch. “That one has quite the origin. It’s not cheaper than diamonds. It’s actually a fragment of a sacred statue excavated near Xushan…”

Fang Xiu’s breath caught. “How much of it do you still have?”

Gao Shan smiled but didn’t answer directly. “It’s not easy to process. You have to refine it and remove the impurities. A special master has to consecrate it before it can be taken.”

Fang Xiu repeated firmly, “How much do you have left?”

“Other than this one, just one more piece. The statue fragments were stolen and resold years ago. We only recovered a few remnants.”

“I’ll take them all,” Fang Xiu said. “Please let us see the other piece.”

Perfect.

Gao Shan’s eyes lit up. This kid had money and was easy to fool. That porcelain shard might have some power, but it also carried a faint, lingering malicious energy. It needed to be paired with plenty of gems to balance it out.

Once the rich kid bought the porcelain, he could sell him more gemstones to neutralize it. Clients like this were rare. He had to play it carefully.

“Of course. If you have time, I’ll take you there right away.”

“But before we go, I’ll need a deposit.” Gao Shan smoothly pulled out a contract. “One piece is 3.6 million. Both together, 6.8 million. For a custom order, we ask for a 20% deposit.”

[No need to buy those.]

Bai Shuangying grabbed Fang Xiu’s wrist. Something cool and silky slipped into his skin. Soon, Bai Shuangying’s voice sounded in his mind.

[That’s just a clay idol humans once used for worship. It absorbed some of my karmic aura and divine faith. But now that it’s shattered, its power is almost gone. Buying it would be a waste of money.]

Fang Xiu gently patted Bai Shuangying’s fingers and nervously said to Gao Shan, “I definitely want both pieces, but with that much money, my family will ask questions.”

“Master, could you add a clause guaranteeing it will expel any evil spirit attached to me?”

Gao Shan wanted to laugh. This rich kid was beyond gullible.

There were no spirits clinging to him anyway. Signing meant nothing. The clause had no legal effect. It was pure placebo.

He cheerfully picked up a vermilion brush and added a small line in tiny script:

[If the seller’s item fails to dispel the buyer’s possessing evil spirit, a full refund will be issued.]

After writing it, he solemnly dipped his finger in cinnabar and stamped it.

Only then did Fang Xiu sign his name and transfer 20% of the deposit.

Bai Shuangying looked at Fang Xiu in puzzlement.

“I’ve figured out what to get you,” Fang Xiu whispered.

……

Three days later, Gao Shan personally drove a luxury car and brought them to the outskirts of Xushan.

The place was no longer the village mentioned in the records of the Immortal Encounter E. Centuries of wind and rain had altered the terrain. They were several miles from the site of the old temple to the God of Xushan, surrounded now by wilderness.

In that wilderness stood a formation marked out with talismans. Eight peach branches were strung together with neat red threads, covered in yellow paper charms. Despite the cold wind, the papers didn’t move at all.

Four Taoist priests were stationed at the cardinal points, burning some unknown substance that gave off faintly red smoke. One of them, an old man with a long beard, stood chanting continuously.

Looking at his posture, it was clear he was a black Taoist.

The setup looked impressive—definitely worth the price they had paid.

Fang Xiu stepped closer and saw that the center of the formation held a shard of white porcelain, about the size of a bottle cap.

“Master, these are Mr. Fang and Mr. Bai,” Gao Shan introduced them with a smile. “They’ve purchased the two sacred porcelain shards and want to have them made into rings.”

The old Taoist gave them a glance and grunted noncommittally.

He looked even less respectable than Gao Shan, with slanted, pale, three-white eyes and a naturally hostile look.

“The consecration will be completed today. Mr. Fang and Mr. Bai can take them home with more blessings.”

Gao Shan tried to keep the mood light. “Later, if you all have time, please help Mr. Fang with a spirit cleansing.”

“Spirit cleansing?” the old Taoist raised his eyes.

“Aren’t you the best at that? Let’s not charge this time. Consider it a free service for our valued clients.”

“Sure. You said they’re important clients,” the old man clicked his tongue, giving Fang Xiu a look like he was a product on display.

“All right, everyone. Rest for half a stick of incense. We’ll do the spirit cleansing afterward.”

As he finished, he pulled out a talisman and began to write complex symbols. Bai Shuangying’s eyes followed the tip of the brush, and the corner of his eye twitched.

Part of his true form slid into Fang Xiu’s mind.

[That charm won’t dispel evil. It only clouds the mind.]

[If a normal person drinks the charm water, they’ll be tricked into feeling awe and trust for the caster.]

Of course Fang Xiu wouldn’t be affected, but Bai Shuangying still didn’t want his human drinking something so suspicious.

Fang Xiu’s mouth twitched.

So that was their game. These charlatans wanted him dazed and worshipping the master, ready to hand over his fortune.

Judging by the old man’s practiced skill, this probably wasn’t his first time.

“Oh, I couldn’t trouble you,” Fang Xiu blinked and said politely. “There’s a villa near my home. Let’s have some tea there and perform the ritual indoors.”

“Please follow me.”

---

The author has something to say:

This was the boss’s direct capture attempt (?

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

---

Chapter 187: Date (Part One)

After understanding what Fang Xiu’s “job” really entailed, Officer Yuan finally gave up staying in the old apartment full of memories. Of course, he had no intention of selling it. He simply stopped guarding it.

His long wait had come to an end and so had his career as a criminal investigator.

Within a week, a mortal-world agency approached Yuan Ye and offered him a brand-new government post.

In the days that followed, Officer Yuan observed his son, now exuding a strange and dangerous aura, and his son-in-law, whose taste in recipes was… intense. His son-in-law? Male wife? Son’s husband*?

*Clarity: He first used the term [nuxu] (女婿) which means “son-in-law” but as “man who is married to your daughter”. Then he uses the term for basically “daughter-in-law” but added “male” to it. Finally, he used the term [erxu] (儿婿) which is also “son-in-law” but as “man who is married to your son”.

Anyway, he was tasked with staying close to Fang Xiu and providing weekly reports.

For that, the mortal realm gave him generous compensation. After all, Fang Xiu and Bai Shuangying had rejected all cooperation offers from official channels. Yuan Ye was the only one who could still interact with them up close.

Fang Xiu, of course, knew about Officer Yuan’s new position. He had even been the one to suggest it to the relevant agency.

Yuan Ye was getting on in years anyway. This job wasn’t much different from early retirement.

The bloodstained wheels that had once wobbled off course were now rolling straight ahead, racing toward a sunlit path.

They now lived in a spacious two-level apartment provided by the mortal institution. Yuan Ye lived downstairs, while Fang Xiu and Bai Shuangying occupied the entire second floor.

Given Bai Shuangying’s nightly dining habits, the upstairs bedroom had excellent soundproofing, and the bed was especially comfortable.

At the moment, sunlight slipped through the cracks in the curtains, casting a golden line across the messy bedding. Fang Xiu stretched lazily, holding tight to his cool-skinned lover.

Bai Shuangying was roused from sleep by the embrace—he had recently begun practicing how to sleep, but he still couldn’t dream. So every night, he snuck into Fang Xiu’s dreamscape to wander and borrow a dream.

However, the God of Xushan wasn’t used to multitasking. Upon waking, he found all his facial features had slid to one side of his cheek and hurried to realign them.

Thankfully, Fang Xiu didn’t mind such details. Before Bai Shuangying could even get his mouth back in place, Fang Xiu leaned in and gave him a good-morning kiss.

The soft mattress dipped under them. Fang Xiu melted into the cool kiss, fingers sliding through the sleek black hair. Bai Shuangying skillfully wrapped his arms around Fang Xiu’s waist, absorbing the warmth radiating from his human.

Fang Xiu only pulled away when his head was spinning. “We’re not going to the Tower today. Taking the day off.”

Bai Shuangying looked at him with confusion. “What about Zhuang Chongyue?”

“Oh, he won’t die today.” Fang Xiu wrinkled his nose. “After how bloody it was yesterday, the other sacrifices will definitely be hiding in safe spots today. Zhuang Chongyue’s not reckless.”

They would slack off for a day, then tomorrow Bai Shuangying could use karmic pollution to confuse any memory gaps.

Now that only true criminals and cultists were left in the Tower—some of them teenage murderers or manipulators who drove others to suicide—Fang Xiu wasn’t worried about anything going wrong. If anything, he’d hate to miss a good show.

But today he had something else in mind—

“Let’s go on a date!” Fang Xiu bounced out of bed enthusiastically. “We’ve been busy since I got out of the hospital and haven’t gone on a single date!”

Bai Shuangying thought for a moment. That was true.

These past days, Fang Xiu had been managing Tower affairs and moving homes, with no time to see the outside world.

Last time they had a day off from the Underworld, Fang Xiu had been thrilled. Now, with a date added in, he would definitely be even happier.

“Okay.” Bai Shuangying nodded seriously.

Fang Xiu hummed a cheerful tune as he threw on his red T-shirt and layered a thick coat on top. It was still cold in early spring.

Once dressed, he grabbed a comb and silently approached Bai Shuangying.

Bai Shuangying eyed both Fang Xiu and the comb suspiciously. “I don’t need my hair combed.”

His hair was part of his true form. Even if he never combed it, it wouldn’t tangle.

“But I want to comb it.” Fang Xiu sounded disappointed, and even the tips of his hair drooped a little. “Men with long hair already stand out. You’re so tall too. Even if I put a mask on you, people are still going to stare.”

He lowered his voice. “That makes it harder for me to kiss you.”

Bai Shuangying plopped back down on the bed. “Fine. Comb it.”

Fang Xiu held back a laugh and sat cross-legged behind him.

Bai Shuangying’s hair was impossibly smooth, like flowing water. It slipped out of Fang Xiu’s hands on its own. The comb had fine teeth, but glided through without resistance, making a gentle, soothing sound.

Fang Xiu held the silky strands in his hands and combed with careful precision, like an artist sketching a portrait.

“This is the first time I’ve combed someone’s hair,” Fang Xiu said.

“Mm.” Bai Shuangying sat perfectly still, unmoving like a statue.

“When I was little, not many kids had siblings. I used to envy a classmate with a younger sister. He would braid her hair… That feeling of being able to help your family, I thought it was so cool.”

Fang Xiu quietly separated three strands and made a small braid. As soon as he let go, the hair slipped back into place.

“When I got older, I saw people watching romance films in the hospital. I used to think, if I had a long-haired girlfriend one day, I’d want to do her hair for her.”

Bai Shuangying’s hair rustled slightly. A single eye emerged from the back of his head. Pale and faintly glowing, it peered through the strands.

Fang Xiu paused and stuck out his tongue at the eye.

“Come on, it was just a thought. You know my situation. There was no way it could’ve been real.”

The eye kept staring at him.

“The point wasn’t ‘girlfriend’. The point was that I wanted to do something for the person I love.”

Fang Xiu kissed the hair softly. “What I mean is, I really, really like you, Bai Shuangying.”

The eye slowly closed and vanished into the hair. Fang Xiu took out a hair tie he had prepared and styled Bai Shuangying’s hair into a neat, clean bun.

Bai Shuangying reached back to feel the new hairstyle and paused.

“From now on, you can comb it whenever you want. As long as you want.”

Fang Xiu hugged him from behind and nuzzled his cheek. “You said it.”

……

Two hours later, Bai Shuangying, now in modern attire, stood silently in front of a jewelry counter.

Even for Fang Xiu, this was the first time visiting such an enormous jewelry store.

Gems sparkled in every color, gold and jade were sculpted into intricate designs, and some stones were so rare even the Mountain God himself didn’t recognize them—Xushan didn’t produce those kinds of things.

Honestly, Bai Shuangying didn’t understand why humans gave these metals and rocks such absurd prices.

Fang Xiu had dragged him straight to the most expensive counter, and the prices even made the Corner of Heaven’s Will raise an eyebrow.

One ring could buy enough cotton candy to last him ten thousand years…

Meanwhile, Fang Xiu rarely looked this conflicted, eyes sweeping back and forth across the display.

He looked at the rings, then at Bai Shuangying, then back at the rings again, and sighed in dissatisfaction.

The salesclerk’s expression was a bit strained. Bai Shuangying could sense her irritation. But after catching a proper glimpse of Fang Xiu’s handsome face, her annoyance vanished quickly.

“Hello, are you picking something out for your girlfriend?” the clerk asked with a smile. “We have some new styles this month. They’re very popular.”

She naturally assumed the masked and silent Bai Shuangying was just a friend tagging along.

“Oh, it’s for my boyfriend.” Fang Xiu rubbed his chin. “These are pretty, but… kind of… tacky?”

The clerk’s eyebrow twitched. Her gaze flickered with disapproval. These were top-tier designer rings. There was no way the aesthetic was off. Was this guy some spoiled rich kid?

As if reading her thoughts, Fang Xiu pulled Bai Shuangying over and briefly lowered his mask.

The clerk: “—!!!”

Her voice turned decisive. “Yes, the rings are definitely a bit tacky.”

That kind of face wearing these rings… It was like splashing mud on flower petals.

Boyfriend or not, with that face, anyone would understand. She understood.

“I’m afraid we probably don’t have anything suitable here,” she said sincerely. “Even custom orders might not meet your standards.”

Fang Xiu looked crushed. “But I have to give him a ring. I can’t exactly conjure one from thin air…”

He still wore the black hair ring Bai Shuangying had given him. It had the texture of black jade and was simple and elegant.

The strand of soul energy Fang Xiu had once tied to Bai Shuangying disappeared after they left the Tower.

But he still wanted to give Bai Shuangying a ring—a truly meaningful one. His ghost really cared about ritual!

While Fang Xiu was racking his brain, a beady-eyed, monkey-faced man strolled over with his hands behind his back.

He looked to be in his forties, balding, and clearly trying to present himself as some kind of “master”. But his features betrayed his small-minded nature—shifty-eyed and sketchy.

Fang Xiu noticed him from the corner of his eye.

Ever since they had approached the high-end counter, this guy had been secretly watching. From an outsider’s perspective, Fang Xiu had just acted like a rich, naive idiot.

Now that this man was getting closer, it didn’t take a genius to guess what he wanted.

“Young man, I couldn’t just watch in silence, so I came over to offer a word of advice,” the man said with an exaggerated cough. “I can see dark energy all over you. Your forehead is clouded. You’ve probably got an evil spirit attached.”

“Things haven’t been going your way lately, have they? If you don’t handle this soon, blood may be shed!”

Bai Shuangying: “…”

He turned to Fang Xiu and pointed at himself in confusion: “?”

His ghost was too cute. Fang Xiu had to bite his lips a few times to keep from bursting out laughing.

Fine, since they hadn’t found a suitable ring, they might as well have a little fun with this second-rate scammer. It would spice up the date.

“Master, how did you know?”

Fang Xiu instantly changed expressions, mixing panic and worry perfectly.

The man smiled smugly. “The secrets of the heavens cannot be revealed.”

“If you’re looking for a ring, why not come with me? I can show you a collection of antique rings that drive off evil and bring good luck. Guaranteed to satisfy.”

Fang Xiu grabbed Bai Shuangying’s hand. “Alright, alright. Can I bring my boyfriend?”

The man glanced at Bai Shuangying who was well-dressed, clearly wealthy, exuding an air of power, and couldn’t hide his glee.

“Of course. Please follow me.”

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

---

Chapter 186: A Sliver of Hope

Dian’er returned to the familiar yet unfamiliar top floor of the Disaster Relief Tower.

None of the room’s furnishings had changed. Even A’Shou sat in her usual spot. The number of reports on her desk had decreased, though each scroll had visibly grown thicker.

Her veil still covered her face, but the way it puffed up over and over clearly showed she had been sighing a lot.

Dian’er didn’t dare make a sound.

Aside from newly captured criminals and cultists, all previous rituals had been suspended.

The Underworld envoys had been busy hiring legal experts and official advisors from the mortal world to screen each current sacrifice for karmic blood debts.

Those found to be innocent had to be sent back to the mortal world immediately, along with a form of compensation. The workload was enormous, and following Fang Xiu’s standards, the paperwork would only increase in the future.

Even though Fang Xiu had provided a clear reform direction, the additional tasks of ritual planning and compensation for ghost immortals made Dian’er’s head throb just thinking about it.

Endure it, just for a while longer. Once this period passed and the number of sacrifices dropped, things would ease up. At least the Tower’s performance pressure had dropped significantly. Times had changed. If they encountered a truly unsolvable E, Fang Xiu would personally step in.

“Lady A’Shou, the cultists corrupted by ‘Uncle Hou’s’ persona show no signs of recovery for now,” Dian’er reported honestly. “Fang Xiu’s taboo power is extremely strong. We can’t undo its effects.”

“That brat did it on purpose. If he wanted to, and combined with Bai Shuangying’s abilities, it would be easy to undo.”

A’Shou stopped writing. “Fang Xiu’s planting a trap in those Guishan cultists—Uncle Hou is slick and selfish, you know that as well as I do.”

“Now the core followers are full of Uncle Hou’s influence. When they run into unsuspecting believers during the rituals… ha.”

That would be quite the scene.

Still, speaking of lively scenes… Fang Xiu was personally following Zhuang Chongyue into the rituals and had even brought a mortal along. That, A’Shou hadn’t expected at all.

Fang Xiu, Bai Shuangying, and Yuan Ye, strictly speaking, weren’t sacrifices.

Yuan Ye was protected by the All Phenomena E and the Corner of Heaven’s Will. In a sense, he was an outsider, immune to taboo effects. But A’Shou wasn’t sure what kind of mental state the veteran detective was in.

Recalling her last conversation with Fang Xiu, A’Shou still felt a chill—

She had thought she was being harsh when she suggested, “The international negotiations are done. You can bring Zhuang Chongyue’s soul here and subject him to some of the Underworld’s harsher punishments. Or just let Bai Shuangying have a taste.”

Fang Xiu had replied with innocent eyes. “But I’d rather watch him go through the rituals.”

So that was it. He wanted to play before he killed.

A’Shou said, “But death-related taboos aren’t always painful. Want me to pick a more difficult ritual for you?”

Fang Xiu smiled, his eyes glowing brightly. “A’Shou Jie, can you guess what emotion is the most tormenting during a ritual?”

“Despair?” A’Shou frowned.

“Thanks to Bai Shuangying, I remember all 108 ritual entries.”

Fang Xiu tapped his temple, his voice soft. “In my opinion, the most painful thing during a ritual is having ‘hope’.”

“Even when it hurts so much you want to die, you think, maybe I can make it through this round.”

“If I push through just this one, maybe I’ll be one step closer to my goal.”

“When you’re at the brink of collapse, you still keep going, or else what was the point of holding on all this time?”

“…To be honest, that feeling is just like death by a thousand cuts. Hope you can’t let go of—that’s the most terrifying thing in utter despair. You know this too, don’t you?”

A’Shou had no answer.

A thousand years ago, if she had fully given up on the imperial court, at least she could have died with dignity on the battlefield.

But she had clung to a ridiculous fantasy, thinking that the arranged marriage was a noble sacrifice, that the emperor and his ministers had a master plan, working to save the faltering Kui Dynasty.

Unfortunately, only after reaching enemy territory did she realize it had all been cowardice and the incompetence of a king of a fallen country.

Fang Xiu had then pulled out the “Guishan Divine Words” and happily waved it. “Here. The Immortal Encounter E—their greatest hope.”

“I’m going to make full use of it. If needed, I can even imitate Zhuang Guiqu. I’ll push Zhuang Chongyue to the brink, then ‘bless’ him just enough to let him barely survive each ritual.”

“…Until he completely breaks and gives up everything by his own hand.”

The pages rustled as Fang Xiu smiled brightly, so bright it was almost blinding.

A mortal body made by the Underworld allowed clearance so long as one breath remained. Endless repetition without escape. How was this different from the eighteenth level of hell?

And with Bai Shuangying by his side, the God of Xushan could perfectly erase Zhuang Chongyue’s memories. That meant, in every ritual, Fang Xiu would appear to Zhuang Chongyue as a new teammate. An eternal companion.

A’Shou thought, the upcoming ritual reports would probably be very bloody.

……

Taiyi City Police Department, Gui Province

Officer Yuan sat upright at his desk, staring blankly at his computer screen for a full ten minutes.

Last night’s experience was still spinning in his mind. His emotions were twisted into knots, and nothing felt quite right.

What shook him the most wasn’t the Underworld or the ghosts and souls coming and going, but the child he had raised for over a decade.

Not long after entering the ritual, two of Zhuang Chongyue’s teammates had died tragically.

They had been torn apart, their limbs and heads ripped clean off.

Even knowing those people deserved death, that kind of brutal, old-school execution scene still unsettled Officer Yuan.

…But Fang Xiu had been smiling.

He had watched it all like a movie, deeply focused, appreciating the panic and fear.

Bai Shuangying had shown no emotion at all. He held Fang Xiu calmly, as if the corpses before them were no more than fallen fruit.

By the end of the day, Officer Yuan could hardly take it anymore. Bai Shuangying casually used an illusion to make him “disappear”, and the two returned him to the living world.

Back among the living, Yuan Ye didn’t know whether to feel worried, relieved, or just… free.

He realized that, with how cunning Fang Xiu had proven himself to be, he could easily have hidden everything and lived a double life between the two realms.

The fact that he had brought Yuan Ye to the Underworld likely wasn’t just to show him a cult leader’s downfall.

Yuan Ye rubbed his face hard and let out a deep breath.

“What’s up, Lao Yuan?” a colleague asked. “I heard your kid woke up. Why the long face?”

“Lao Zhou, your son’s been living out of town, right? Just got married recently?”

Yuan Ye carefully picked his words. “Do you ever feel like your own child is kind of… a stranger?”

“Oh, I get it. You don’t know how to talk to your son,” Lao Zhou said bluntly.

“I was planning to retire early, take care of him for the rest of my life.”

“But he doesn’t seem to need me. And… he’s not quite how I remember.”

“I don’t know about your kid, but mine turned out like that too.” Lao Zhou sipped his tea. “If he’s not hiding things to please you and instead shows you his true thoughts—”

Yuan Ye held his breath.

“Either he’s rebelling against you, or he really wants to share everything in his life and doesn’t want you to worry.”

“Is that so.”

“I’m telling you, a kid who shares is a blessing. The ones who only tell you the good stuff—that’s trouble.”

Lao Zhou joked, “Lao Yuan, you’ve stared down all kinds of criminals, but you can’t read your own family. Careful not to lose your edge.”

Officer Yuan hesitated. “What if what he shares is, uh, kind of unusual?”

Living with a thousand-year-old male ghost, turning the living into mosaics—that didn’t seem like a trendy Gen Z thing.

“That’s even more valuable.” Lao Zhou took another sip. “It means he really trusts you and doesn’t want to hide a thing.”

Then he lowered his voice, as if realizing something. “After being in a coma that long, he still talks to you? Wait… Is your kid into men?”

“Don’t overthink it, Lao Yuan. As long as Xiao Fang’s happy, that’s all that matters.”

Officer Yuan: “………………Yeah.”

True enough. Whatever Fang Xiu wanted to do, whoever he was deep down, whoever he chose to spend his life with, he hadn’t hidden a single bit.

That child had buried the past completely and now offered him his entire future.

…And yes, his son really did like men.

The sun still rose as usual. Life still moved forward. All he had to do was adjust his mindset.

After work, Yuan Ye instinctively walked toward the hospital. He was halfway there before realizing it.

He smiled and shook his head, then went to the market to buy some meat and drinks, planning to have an honest conversation with Fang Xiu that night.

But when he opened the front door—

“Woof woof!” A small black dog bounced over and snatched the marinated chicken leg poking out of his plastic bag.

Bai Shuangying expressionlessly grabbed the dog, wrestled the chicken leg back from the dog’s mouth, and stuffed it into the police officer’s bag. “It’s a ghost immortal. Technically, a celestial being, so it’s not dirty.”

Police Officer Yuan: “…”

“That’s not an offering for you. Don’t eat random stuff.” Bai Shuangying picked up the dog and scolded it seriously.

The dog licked its nose and just wagged its tail like a fan.

“Dad, you’re back!” Fang Xiu called out enthusiastically from the kitchen, holding a spatula. “Zhuang Chongyue and his team are resting. We came back for dinner.”

Two pots sat on the table. One was filled with ordinary-looking stewed meat, the other contained… something more questionable. There seemed to be fragments resembling human hands.

Police Officer Yuan: “…………”

He had never so deeply regretted his experience as a homicide detective.

“I followed the recipe. Give it a try.” Fang Xiu scratched his head. “Ours is pork. Bai Shuangying’s is foreign evil spirits. We didn’t mix cutting boards or knives.”

“If it bothers you, Bai Shuangying and I can eat in the living room…”

Under the table, the little black dog whined, staring longingly at Bai Shuangying’s pot, licking its lips.

Police Officer Yuan: “………………”

Setting aside the details, this could have been such a warm and harmonious dinner scene.

After a while, he let out a sigh, torn between tears and laughter.

“Let’s eat together,” Officer Yuan said. “Tell me more about your ghost intelligence department in the mortal world?”

“Okay!”

---

The author has something to say:

Looks like it’s almost time to wrap this arc—

Officer Yuan’s wonderfully bizarre domestic life (?

---

Kinky Thoughts:

Zhong Chongyue’s punishment reminds me of the Black Mirror episode White Bear.

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

---

Chapter 185: The Ritual Begins

Zhuang Chongyue opened his eyes and saw the ground standing upright.

It took him a few seconds to realize he was lying on the ground, his right cheek pressed against the dirt.

A blurred suona melody drifted past his ears, cutting in and out. It was impossible to tell clearly whether it was joyful or mournful.

It was dark and cold all around, and not far off, a circle of large red lanterns swayed gently.

…The aura of the Underworld.

Zhuang Chongyue instantly came to his senses and quickly got up.

What was going on?

Though over sixty years old, Zhuang Chongyue’s health was excellent thanks to top-grade elixirs. His physique rivaled that of a middle-aged man. And right before he had fallen asleep, he had clearly been lying in his villa bed in Country A. Everything had been perfectly normal.

He didn’t believe he had died of a sudden illness or an accident… and even if he had, his soul wouldn’t be handled by the Underworld.

None of this made sense.

“Welcome.”

A shrill, unpleasant voice said. Zhuang Chongyue looked down and saw a paper figure. It was grinning eerily, its two eyes misaligned, one high and one low, together forming the character for “two”.

Zhuang Chongyue frowned. “An Underworld envoy?”

“That’s right, that’s right. I’m Dian’er, here to receive you.” The paper figure grinned wider. “We know you. You’re the descendant of Zhuang Guiqu… the one who designed the Disaster Relief Tower. You ought to know about the rituals.”

“Everyone who comes here is a living sacrifice, helping to dispel disasters and resolve calamities. This is a great act of merit!”

While Dian’er rambled on, Zhuang Chongyue quickly calculated his odds.

Not long ago, he had received word that Cen Ling had died back in the homeland. Not only had no Immortal E’s spread across the mortal realm, but every elite follower sent to assist had vanished without a trace. They had all been devoured by the ritual. A total wipeout.

The so-called “Apocalypse Project” where the Guishan Sect steals all the Immortal E’s and sowed chaos had failed.

Zhuang Chongyue had raged at the news, but he hadn’t panicked.

Cen Ling’s death was unfortunate, but he had never been fixated on bloodline inheritance.

He was in good health and could live for decades more. He had cultivated many promising young people both at home and abroad. It was simply a matter of choosing a new candidate.

He was aware that earthquakes had been reported around Xushan and that public awareness of the Mountain God was returning.

Thankfully, the immortals had remained silent. No major news had shaken the mortal realm. No grand formations had been heard of. That meant the rumored Corner of Heaven’s Will hadn’t fully awakened. It was probably starved and mad, struggling wildly, with no rationality left to contaminate karmic threads.

Most likely, the Disaster Relief Tower had uncovered their plan.

The Underworld had sensed their attempt to steal Immortal E’s and had dragged him here to teach him a lesson. Even if the Guishan Sect knew about the Disaster Relief Tower, those who entered and left the ritual had their memories wiped, so no one could clearly recall what happened.

Too bad the Underworld’s plan was going to fail. Since he dared to make such a plan in the first place, he had prepared for a way out.

He adjusted his Taoist robe and followed Dian’er calmly to the ritual courtyard.

…Huh?

To his surprise, he wasn’t alone. Seven others were present.

All seven were senior members of the Guishan Sect stationed in Country A. One of them had even been born there and had never set foot in the homeland. His name shouldn’t have appeared in any Underworld records.

Something was off.

If the Underworld had only summoned him, negotiations with Country A’s metaphysical community might still be possible. But bringing this many people at once…

“Master!”

The group rushed over upon seeing Zhuang Chongyue, their faces marked with varying degrees of anxiety.

Having reached this level, they all understood how strange this situation was.

“Relax,” Zhuang Chongyue said with a calm smile. “I’ll handle it.”

He stepped in front of the watching Dian’er and bowed. “I understand the situation. Please allow me to meet the Tower’s warden.”

Dian’er’s grin widened. “But he doesn’t want to see you. I can’t help it.”

“I have important matters to discuss.”

Zhuang Chongyue’s tone turned cold. “I’ve heard about Cen Ling’s actions. The boy was arrogant and made mistakes. He and his followers have paid the price… I haven’t returned to the homeland in over ten years and couldn’t control the actions of domestic members. Punishing all of us for this… Don’t you think that’s excessive?”

Dian’er waved its hand. “Hey now, I’m just a little errand-runner. Orders come from the top. Complaining to me won’t change anything.”

“We have deep ties with Country A’s metaphysical community, bound by many contracts. If the Underworld overreaches and harms my people, it will create serious diplomatic fallout.”

Zhuang Chongyue’s voice grew heavy.

Dian’er: “That’s above my pay grade…”

“So the Underworld breaks protocol by abducting foreign souls, offers no restitution, and calls it even? That’s an act of war.”

Zhuang Chongyue smiled faintly and flicked out a scroll covered in foreign runes. In front of Dian’er, he slowly tore the contract to pieces.

This was no joke. He wasn’t a proper cultivator bound by conventions. If he was dragged into the Underworld, he had naturally arranged for backup.

He had long considered the possibility of being abducted alone.

This contract was with a powerful foreign evil spirit, capable of instantly pulling his soul back to his body. Technically, it didn’t have jurisdiction across national borders—but since the Underworld had broken the rules first, he was justified in retaliating.

That thing could easily take out a few Underworld minions. Only the Tower’s warden might pose a challenge to it.

The shredded contract ignited in flames. Zhuang Chongyue tilted his head and waited… but nothing happened.

Zhuang Chongyue: “?”

He had clearly felt the contract activate!

Seeing that Dian’er was completely unmoved, a creeping dread welled up inside him.

Zhuang Chongyue quickly pulled out several more contracts and tore them all. Flames surged—but the surrounding Underworld aura didn’t waver in the slightest.

Zhuang Chongyue: “???”

Was the Tower’s warden really that powerful? Something had to have gone wrong…

On the pitch-black second floor, Officer Yuan stared down at Zhuang Chongyue with mixed emotions.

He had only seen the man’s face on a wanted poster before. To have the real culprit so close now felt unreal.

If not for the eerie crunching noises beside him, this scene might have felt dreamlike.

A few steps away, Fang Xiu leaned against the railing, gently asking Bai Shuangying, “That’s a rare imported ingredient. How does it taste?”

Bai Shuangying was chewing on a pale finger, making it bob up and down. He stopped chewing to answer solemnly, “It’s quite unique, but still nowhere near as delicious as you.”

They now shared three passionate kisses a day, with a late-night snack as a bonus. Bai Shuangying had never eaten so happily in his life, and Fang Xiu clearly enjoyed it too.

“I told you I’m the tastiest.”

Fang Xiu beamed. “Still, variety now and then isn’t bad. If there’s too much, just store the rest. Not sure if the fridge can handle it…”

Yuan Ye: “…”

He had to summon every ounce of willpower not to look at Bai Shuangying. The creature that had just attacked them had vaguely resembled a human. Before it could even strike, Bai Shuangying had casually torn it apart like picking vegetables.

Then came the unceasing crunching noises. It chilled him to the bone.

Was this really how gods exorcised evil? And what did Fang Xiu mean by “tasty”… He was curious but also had a gut feeling he didn’t want to know.

Downstairs, the noise from above didn’t reach them. Zhuang Chongyue stood still, his face dark.

He couldn’t find anyone. No one would answer him. And now that his soul was in the homeland, even if he escaped, he couldn’t cross the ocean to retrieve his body.

Not knowing what this Tower truly was, he had no choice but to wait.

…Fine. Even if they were forced to participate, it wasn’t the end.

So what if it was an E ritual? His cultivation was the real deal.

The Guishan Sect had long studied E’s in depth. Dealing with taboos wouldn’t be a problem. His followers were also top-notch. They could face even ghost immortals, let alone ordinary evil spirits.

Dian’er clapped its hands. “Now that you’re done with all that, let’s move on.”

“You all know what an ‘E’ is, so no need for more explanations. All you have to do in this ritual is survive.”

Zhuang Chongyue: “…That’s it?”

Dian’er beamed. “That’s it.”

Zhuang Chongyue’s tone turned cold. “I know that surviving the rituals allows the soul to return. If we play by your rules, how many rounds must we pass?”

“Once your merits are complete, your soul will naturally return.”

Dian’er’s sharp voice echoed. “Isn’t that your sect’s doctrine?”

That ominous feeling intensified. Zhuang Chongyue felt a chill run down his spine. Something up in the pitch-black ceiling seemed to be watching him.

If this was the Underworld’s punishment for the “Apocalypse Project”, why wasn’t it handled through formal channels? Why was even the punishment so ambiguous?

And if it wasn’t official policy, then whose will was this?

“Until your ‘merits are fulfilled’, the rituals won’t stop. You can return to the mortal world whenever our Lord deems it appropriate.”

Dian’er cheerfully drove the point home.

“You all seem quite energetic. Why not take a look at the first round? It gets easier the second time around.”

“…Fine.” Zhuang Chongyue thought for a moment and nodded.

Dian’er bowed to the group and skipped away.

“Master, this seems strange,” one of the core members said carefully. “At this rate, we’ll be trapped in the Tower.”

“No matter. As long as the ritual takes place in the mortal world, we’re fine.”

Zhuang Chongyue sneered. “Cen Ling may have failed, but he did one thing right.”

“He thought he could turn things around using Immortal E’s and left the Hierarch’s ‘Guishan Divine Words’ untouched.”

The core members perked up, hope igniting in their eyes. “You mean the sect’s Immortal Encounter E?”

“The Corner of Heaven’s Will is weakened beyond recognition. The Underworld has no reason to let it recover.”

“This is our best chance to harness its power, just like our Hierarch did.”

“If we can quietly cast the right spells in the mortal realm, awaken the Hierarch, and borrow strength from the Corner of Heaven’s Will…”

The group grew excited, whispering eagerly.

“My contracts are still intact—they’re carved into my soul. Even if they don’t work here, they may work outside.” Zhuang Chongyue reassured them. “There are many ways to break the deadlock. Let things unfold naturally.”

They still had hope!

……

Near Xushan, in a small village.

In the deserted settlement, Zhuang Chongyue brushed grass off his robe.

He looked at the outline of Xushan in the distance and couldn’t help but smile.

The Hierarch was watching over them. The Immortal Encounter E was right nearby. Casting spells here would be twice as effective!

However, they weren’t the only team present.

Three people stood not far away.

A strong man with graying temples, a mysterious figure with long hair and a mask wearing a white T-shirt.

…And a handsome young man in a red T-shirt, smiling with a hint of shyness.

“Hello there.”

The young man in red greeted them with a smile.

“You all look new here. Need help? I know this village. My grandma used to live here.”

“Rituals go better when we all work together. Let’s clear this round together!”

---

The author has something to say:

Time for the cat to play with the mice—!!!

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

---

Chapter 184: Workplace Visit

Ever since waking up, Fang Xiu had been recovering at remarkable speed.

His figure remained thin, but his complexion had improved drastically, and his rehabilitation was progressing at an astonishing pace. The medical staff had no explanation and could only attribute it to “well-maintained joints and muscles”.

As for the real reason, only the ghosts knew—during each mealtime kiss, Bai Shuangying would discreetly use magic to nourish Fang Xiu’s body. While he couldn’t conjure up muscle or fat from nothing, he could certainly reawaken the vitality in flesh.

Before long, Fang Xiu was discharged from the hospital.

These recent days felt like a dream. Fang Xiu had assumed the only way he’d leave the hospital was as a corpse. Nowhere in his life plan was there ever a “go home.”

Yet here he was, seated in the back of a taxi, going home with Bai Shuangying.

He reached for the soft fabric of his ghost’s sleeve and couldn’t help but lean against Bai Shuangying’s shoulder, then quickly straightened up under the puzzled look of the taxi driver. Bai Shuangying was currently in stealth mode, after all, and the whole scene might have seemed strange.

Fang Xiu looked outside and noticed an oddly familiar view. When they arrived at their destination, the sense of déjà vu peaked—

Officer Yuan hadn’t moved. He was still living in the same old residential complex where the original crime had taken place.

The building’s outer walls had been redone with new colors and materials. Landscaping inside the complex was more orderly, and elevators had been added to the buildings. The neighbors had replaced their old security doors with smart fingerprint locks, except for the Yuan family, who still had a model from over a decade ago.

The interior hadn’t been renovated either. It kept the old minimalist style with just a few new appliances. Stepping through the doorway, Fang Xiu felt a jolt of disorientation.

It was as if nothing had ever happened; as if Auntie Qin and Yuan Yongan would come running out to greet them any moment.

But his taller perspective constantly reminded him that everything was in the past.

There were very few signs of daily life inside. The living room sofa had basically become Officer Yuan’s bed. Understandable, since he spent most of his time at work or in the hospital with Fang Xiu. At most he would come back here only for a quick sleep.

Noticing Fang Xiu’s prolonged silence, Officer Yuan looked a bit disheartened. “If it bothers you…”

“It doesn’t,” Fang Xiu replied softly. “This is my home.”

“This place is old, and after everything that happened, I just stayed,” Yuan Ye said, picking up the family photo from the cabinet and gazing at it for a long time.

Bai Shuangying immediately moved closer—the photo actually included Fang Xiu. He stood awkwardly beside the Yuan family of three, his young face tinged with cynicism and detachment.

That bristling posture wasn’t so different from how Guan He had looked at the start of the rituals.

Uncle Yuan put the photo down and started his usual rambling. “Don’t worry about the mess in the living room. I’ve saved quite a bit since I don’t really spend much. It’s more than enough to take care of you.”

“Keep the money your parents left you safe. It’ll come in handy down the line…”

Fang Xiu sat on the couch and asked instead, “Dad, are you staying here because it’s hard to sell, or because of them?”

Officer Yuan gave a strained smile. “Sometimes I miss your auntie and your little brother. It’s more comfortable being here.”

Fang Xiu paused. “But now that you know ghosts exist, you’ve never once asked me about them.”

“Oh, that.”

Yuan Ye sighed. “Last time I went to a temple, the priest explained some basics. A violent death combined with obsession is what creates a ghost.”

“Your auntie and your brother didn’t have that kind of obsession. They did their best, and they knew I was still alive. So they…”

He pressed his lips together. “They believed the culprit wouldn’t escape.”

Fang Xiu said nothing.

When Auntie Qin and Yuan Yongan died, their hearts were full of concern for the living. Fear, worry, courage, love—they might have felt many things, but they hadn’t developed the kind of twisted obsession that turns into a grudge.

Just like his parents.

The air grew heavier. Yuan Ye quickly changed the subject. “That criminal was executed a long time ago. There’s no need to worry.”

“Now that you’re home, and brought back, um, family, why don’t we start looking for a new, bigger place? I don’t know what you like. We can ask Xiao Bai… Lao Bai… Xiao Bai* to help pick.”

*Clarity: Xiao is normally used to addressed someone much younger, while Lao is more appropriate of someone of similar age, older, or similar status… In Bai Shuangying case though… both can be applicable but not really.

Fang Xiu didn’t respond.

He stood and touched the old, scratched-up, fragile metal security door.

“Dad, you’re not staying here just because it’s hard to sell, or because you miss them.”

Fang Xiu curled his fingers and tapped the door lightly twice.

“If anyone looked into it, they’d see you’ve been taking care of me with everything you’ve got. I’m guessing you’re waiting for someone to knock on this door—to see if any foolish Guishan cultists try to get revenge, since it’s hard to enter my hospital room.”

“If someone shows up…”

Then you could justifiably, and legally, beat the attacker to a pulp and make up for the helplessness of that time.

Officer Yuan didn’t confirm, but he didn’t deny it either. He stared silently in the direction of the family photo with eyes that had yellowed with age.

Of course. Hatred isn’t something that fades easily.

But Fang Xiu knew this approach was no different from drinking poison to quench thirst.

Even if he bathed in the blood of the Guishan cultists, that regret would never vanish. It would only grow heavier.

There was only one way to cure this curse-like torment—

Knock, knock, knock.

Fang Xiu smiled, rapped the door three times, and opened it.

“Dad, let me show you our workplace.”

Yuan Ye turned around in confusion. The moment he saw what lay beyond the door, all his worries were swept away by shock—the hallway outside was gone, replaced by a spacious, modern residence.

The living room alone was bigger than his entire apartment.

The space was still empty, with only the essential furniture, clearly waiting for its new owner to furnish it. At the moment, the thing most present in the room was… ghosts.

These beings had pale faces, missing limbs, and one even had half a head. Some were restlessly drifting about. Even the most materialist observer would have guessed their identities.

Officer Yuan: “???”

“Well, if it isn’t Lao Yuan!”

The ghosts rushed over as soon as they saw him. “Wow, Lao Yuan, you can actually see us?”

“Well, we are in the Underworld. Of course he can see.”

“We’ve been in the same ward for so long, and this is his first time seeing us…”

“Lao Yuan, do you know who took that pen from your office? I do!”

Officer Yuan quietly swallowed a heart pill and followed Fang Xiu forward. But after just two steps, Bai Shuangying placed two fingers on his shoulder. “The living may not enter the Underworld.”

Then he brushed his fingers along the shoulder. “…Now you can.”

“Thank you.” Fang Xiu turned in place and gave Bai Shuangying a big hug.

Bai Shuangying narrowed his eyes in satisfaction. “I will always protect him.”

As he drew near, the ghosts scattered like birds, falling silent.

Yuan Ye had grown used to the two of them being attached at the hip, but not this. He moved his shoulder and felt a chill. “What was that just now…?”

“I left my aura on you. Forget minor ghosts—even King Yan won’t lay a finger on you.” Bai Shuangying sounded very confident.

Officer Yuan shut his eyes and gave up on trying to understand this ghost’s place in the divine hierarchy.

As long as Fang Xiu wasn’t being taken advantage of, it was fine.

……

“From now on, you don’t have to wait for me to get lucky.”

In the massive living room, Fang Xiu leaned against his ghost and gave instructions to the ghosts present. “The First People’s Hospital will have Disaster Relief Tower envoys stationed there long-term. Just sort your reports as usual and give them the data.”

“They’ll verify whether your targets have blood debts. If it’s something the living can handle, it goes to the mortal world. If not, I’ll handle it. I’ll guarantee that no one gets away.”

The ghosts looked thrilled, their bloodstains even turning brighter.

Fang Xiu: “In exchange, I want intel on the Guishan cultists and other villains on the loose.”

“If you provide valuable information, we also offer custom death methods for those targets.”

Beside him, the paper servant Dian’er scribbled furiously on a notepad, glancing fearfully at Fang Xiu from time to time. Its deformed eyes were full of dread.

“Th-there were ghost immortals earlier, demanding an explanation,” it whispered. “You destroyed their Immortal E’s, and Lady A’Shou said she’s not dealing with it…”

“Oh, I’ll properly investigate their background,” Fang Xiu said cheerfully.

The Disaster Relief Tower collected Immortal E’s mostly out of necessity, but sometimes they kept them on purpose to suppress overly violent ghost immortals.

If it was someone like Old Man Fu, good riddance. The fewer threats, the better. But if it was a ghost immortal like A’Shou—

“I’ll arrange suitable rituals for ghost immortals who deserve compensation. They’ll receive new Immortal E’s, plus extra rewards in the form of the souls of sinners.”

Of course, if the rejected ones caused trouble, Fang Xiu wouldn’t mind stewing them up for his boyfriend’s next meal.

It was true he had destroyed the E’s, but the real blame belonged to the gods. He trusted those millennia-old schemers would know better than to pick a fight.

“Excellent, excellent.” Dian’er patted its chest in relief and nodded repeatedly. “I’ll go inform Lady A’Shou right away.”

Fang Xiu gave a nod. “Thank you for your hard work.”

Yuan Ye: “…”

Where had this boy’s soul been floating all this time? Fang Xiu didn’t have the air of a helpless human soul at all. He gave off the aura of someone in charge. He had once assumed the evil spirits only feared Bai Shuangying. But clearly, they feared Fang Xiu just as much.

The red and the white—the two of them didn’t seem made for a peaceful redemption arc, but more like a duo that had clawed their way through bloodshed to stand side by side.

And more and more, he couldn’t figure out what Fang Xiu was trying to show him.

A dozen minutes passed. The ghosts dispersed in high spirits, and Dian’er vanished like the wind. The room fell quiet again, save for a small black dog dashing happily about, nose twitching as it sniffed everything.

Noticing Officer Yuan’s gaze, the little dog wagged its tail cheerfully.

Oh god, they were really settling down. They even had a dog now.

Officer Yuan chuckled. “Xiao Fang, looks like you’ve got your work all sorted out. That puts me at ease. Why don’t we head ba—”

“No.”

Bai Shuangying cut him off.

He looked toward Fang Xiu, who was petting the dog, with a faint, unreadable smile.

“Our real work hasn’t even started yet.”

---

The author has something to say:

Next chapter: the Guishan cult is in for a treat—!

Husband and wife tag team combo (×

Damn it, why haven’t I found a chance to get them to seriously cuddle yet? Work is truly the enemy of romance!

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

---

Chapter 183: Daytime Gathering

It was the weekend. Winter was nearly over, but the weather was still cold.

Guan He tightened his scarf and looked at the traffic on the road. His classmates chatted and laughed nearby, while the smell of steaming food rose from the roadside shops. Compared to the ritual-filled months before, this life felt unbelievably peaceful.

He had once taken such happiness for granted.

“You dropped out last semester because of your illness. Are you doing okay?” A guy he got along with came up and clapped him on the back. “Man, your timing was lucky. You skipped the exams. Last year’s finals were brutal. The English paper had me ready to puke.”

Guan He briefly recalled the eight nerve-racking rituals he had gone through. “…I’m fine.”

Just a little trip through the Underworld, capped off with a brawl against the heir to a cult.

“We’re in our final year now. Just one more year to freedom.” The guy slung an arm around his shoulders. “Hey, by the way, have you figured out what you want to do next? You always said you wanted to study far away from home, but you never said where exactly.”

Guan He couldn’t help but stop walking.

“I want to apply to the police academy in Gui Province,” he said. “I remember it ranks among the top nationwide.”

“Police academy? With your grades, you could shoot for one of the top two universities. Why not something in business, chips, or computer science? Why become a police officer?”

“And Gui Province is so close. Didn’t you say you wanted to get away from your mom and be independent?”

“I’ve changed my mind.” Guan He pressed his lips together.

“Come on, man, don’t make decisions on impulse…”

Guan He: “I’m serious. I talked things through with my mom.”

On his first day back to reality, Guan He withdrew some of the funds from his “Underworld-to-Mortal Realm Day Tour”. He bought a bouquet of carnations, a well-known brand of hand cream, and went straight to the store where his mother worked.

After eight rituals, that mountain of sin that once suffocated him and those complicated, unshakable feelings, had all turned to dust.

Maybe his mother had made a lot of mistakes, but she had never given up on him or hated him. Looking back, she had worked nearly nonstop the whole year, never delayed his tuition, and always gave him enough living expenses.

His mom wasn’t some flawless model parent. She was just an awkward, ordinary person—scared, in pain, often overwhelmed by reality, sometimes at a loss.

They simply didn’t know how to forgive themselves.

So he would take the first step.

In fact, before seeing her, Guan He had carefully written down what he wanted to say, even made a mental list of bullet points. But when he saw his surprised and anxious mother at the shop, all those prepared lines vanished from his mind.

In the end, he only managed to squeeze out two sentences.

“Mom, I came to see you.”

“I’m sorry, it was my fault…”

That day, for the first time, he saw his mother cry like that. She didn’t cry like a mother, but like a child. He hugged her frail body and heard a stream of muffled apologies.

Looking down at the top of her bowed head, Guan He suddenly noticed how much thinner her hair had gotten, strands of white running through it. They had barely made eye contact these past months, and he had never noticed before.

It was good. He was still young. There was still time to make things right.

He had made a wonderful wish. They still had many years ahead.

“…He, Guan He, what are you zoning out for?” His classmate gave him a hard tug. “I swear, for a second there, your shadow split into two!”

“Oh, yeah.” Guan He grinned. “That’s a gift from a friend.”

“What?”

“A secret. Anyway, maybe I’m more suited to being a police officer than you think.”

He smiled at the little ghost child hiding in his shadow.

Guan He had kept his memories. The ghost child was extra clingy, refusing to terminate their contract. So Fang Xiu made the decision for them—let the child continue protecting Guan He until it was satisfied.

This meant Guan He would retain powers like his yin-yang eyes, wall-phasing, and the Five-Ghost Relocation Technique.

In return, he had to regularly renew the ghost contract, ensure the ghost child’s powers were used righteously, and keep all matters of the Disaster Relief Tower strictly confidential.

“Xiao Guan, think carefully about your future.”

Before they parted, Fang Xiu had said with a smile, “I’m not an ‘Official’. But maybe you could become one, in the truest sense.”

“We’re here. I’ll head out. See you Monday.” Guan He waved to his classmate.

“Oh right, you going to the hospital… for a follow-up?”

“No, to see a friend.”

……

In the hospital room, the old trio reunited at last.

Cheng Songyun wore light makeup and stylish clothes, with a bottle of milk and some fruit by her side. Her calm smile made her look like she was in a good mood.

On the bed, Fang Xiu leaned against the headboard. He was still alarmingly thin, but his face had regained some color. The ventilator and feeding tube were gone.

“Fang Ge, Auntie Cheng!” Guan He grinned wide.

“Looks like you talked to your mom.” Fang Xiu winked.

“Yeah, though it’s still a bit awkward between us…”

“One bite at a time. Take it slow,” Fang Xiu said, pointing at his own face. “Look at me. I’ve got to gain weight bit by bit too.”

“This is important. I made free-range chicken soup. Xiao Fang, can you have chicken broth?” Cheng Songyun asked, digging out a thermos. “If Bai Shuangying were here, he could reheat it.”

“It’s fine like this. He’s not around. I sent him to follow my dad.” Fang Xiu reached out longingly for the soup.

At present, only Underworld envoys and fierce ghosts were guarding him here. All they could do was make the soup colder.

Cheng Songyun, Guan He: “……”

He let that man follow an ordinary person?!

“It’s okay. I know what you’re thinking.”

With the nurse’s permission, Fang Xiu slurped his soup. “Actually, this is for the best. My dad will really like Bai Shuangying.”

Cheng Songyun and Guan He tacitly chose not to comment.

Bai Shuangying’s appearance was indeed exceptional. But truthfully, seeing a face so far from human norms would more likely cause fear than attraction in a rational adult.

Moreover, his personality… gentle in understanding memories, ruthless in eliminating people. Would an ordinary cop really like that?

“My dad doesn’t believe in ghosts or gods. Unless Bai Shuangying introduces himself as the God of Wealth, he won’t care.”

Fang Xiu held up a hand, speaking softly. “Besides, he’ll definitely see how simple-minded Bai Shuangying is. If anything, I’m the one more likely to trick him than the other way around.”

“He’s worried about me for now… but give it time, he might start worrying about Bai Shuangying instead.”

“But Officer Yuan doesn’t really know you. You were only thirteen when you fell into a coma…” Cheng Songyun trailed off.

Fang Xiu stirred his soup calmly. “Even if he compares me to the thirteen-year-old version, the result is the same.”

Fair enough. Both Cheng Songyun and Guan He nodded.

“Cheng Jie, this soup is amazing…”

“My daughter really loves my soups too.”

“Fang Ge, your digestion’s probably still weak. Uh… can I have a drumstick?”

That night, after seven days, Yuan Ye returned to Fang Xiu’s hospital room.

“The issue’s basically settled. We saw a Taoist during the day.”

Bai Shuangying slipped onto the bed, nestled between Fang Xiu and the headboard, and expertly wrapped him in a sleeve.

Officer Yuan: “……”

This sly bastard really didn’t treat him like an elder… the younger elder!

Fine. Business first.

He rubbed his temples and forced a smile. “Kid, have you thought about your future?”

“Uncle… Dad will take good care of you. Even after I’m gone, your parents left enough money to support you for life.”

“If you want a normal job, we can hire a tutor and help you earn a degree. You’ve always been smart. You’ll be fine.”

“Just, uh, try not to rely too much on…” Yuan Ye glanced at Bai Shuangying. “…outside forces.”

He still didn’t get what exactly this God of Xushan was in charge of. But the phrase “Mountain God” sounded too wild and ungrounded. People should depend on themselves.

“Dad, you can relax. I’ve already found a job, and it even comes with a government post.” Fang Xiu thumped his chest. “I even have my own office. Not sure if I can bring you to visit, though.”

Yuan Ye’s eyes lit up. “Is it a special national department? One of those super-classified ones?”

“Something like that.” Fang Xiu smiled shyly. “The secrecy part is manageable. It’s just… the office is in the Underworld. I need to get clearance from them first…”

Officer Yuan: “………………”

……

Disaster-Resolving Tower

A’Shou: “………………”

A’Shou: “This was Fang Xiu’s idea?”

Dian’er nodded and bowed. “Yes. Lord Fang Xiu said he doesn’t want to touch your room. He only needs the top-floor attic.”

That attic was only about 200 square meters and had previously been used for storage. In Dian’er’s opinion, it was nowhere near as luxurious as the master of the Disaster Relief Tower’s room. He had no idea what Lord Fang Xiu was thinking.

These days, the Underworld envoys had been cleaning the abandoned attic, renovating it into a modern earthly style, and using spells to supply water and electricity. They even built a gate in the attic that connects directly to the human world, with Fang Xiu in charge of the exit.

Everything was nearly ready. They were just waiting for King Yan to approve the express route to the mortal world.

“So thoughtful. That little brat really won’t lift a finger, huh.”

A’Shou gritted her teeth. Even if her pay had doubled, Fang Xiu’s blatant refusal to handle documentation and reports was still… hard to tolerate.

Nobody likes their boss living on the second floor of the office. Not even ghosts. If she didn’t know how scheming he was, she might think he came to the Underworld just to scam some real estate.

Dian’er wouldn’t dare curse the new boss. He laughed foolishly and pretended he heard nothing.

“Right, the negotiation with Country A is finished.”

He rubbed his hands and changed the subject. “As long as we’re willing to exchange criminal souls, they agreed to let Fang Xiu capture people remotely.”

“Their only conditions are—he can only target people with our bloodline, and he has to notify them in advance.”

“Pretty reasonable.” A’Shou clicked her tongue.

“The Xushan range is massive. I bet they’re wary of Lord Bai Shuangying.”

A’Shou clicked louder. “Then they’re wary of the wrong guy.”

It’s fine. After dealing with Fang Xiu once, they’ll understand.

“…Anyway, the formal contract is signed. The express route to the human world should be approved today, and the mortal side is already on standby.”

“I want to see how that brat plans to manage the Disaster Relief Tower.”

---

The author has something to say:

A’Shou: (Looks up—three feet above, there’s the boss and his husband).

A’Shou: …crap.

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

---

Chapter 182: Between Family

Yuan Ye staggered into a noodle shop near the hospital, ordering a large bowl of fried noodles and a chilled soda.

After Fang Xiu woke up, Yuan left the hospital immediately without even saying goodbye. It wasn’t out of fear. Rather, he worried that his emotions were too unstable, that he might be mentally unwell. If he stayed, he feared he might hurt Fang Xiu.

As a police officer, Yuan Ye didn’t believe in the supernatural. His superstitions were limited to not drinking Wangzai soda or eating mangoes. 

When he investigated the Guishan Sect, he had heard plenty of ghost stories, but he believed those were just tricks used by the sect leaders to fool the public. There were so many sleight-of-hand tricks that looked like magic, and many he couldn’t see through.

Over the years, Yuan had cracked countless gruesome cases. He had never encountered anything truly supernatural, let alone seen a ghost.

…Could he have contracted some bacteria at the hospital that messed with his brain?

He decided he should get a checkup. Fang Xiu had just woken up and needed care. If Yuan collapsed now, it would truly be right before the dawn.

He took a few gulps of soda and distractedly slurped some noodles.

No, he needed to think of something cheerful. Fang Xiu had always refused to call him “Dad”, and now, the first thing he did upon waking was to call him that. He was practically…

“I won’t call you ‘Dad’,” a voice said.

Yuan Ye looked up with noodles in his mouth and saw the man in white robes sitting across from him. The shock nearly sent the noodles down the wrong pipe.

In the down-to-earth setting of a small noodle shop, that face looked even more unreal. 

Yet the sunlight fell directly on the figure, casting a long shadow. This entity seemed to have a physical body, yet the other diners paid it no mind, as if they couldn’t see him.

“I’ll be following you for the next few days.” Bai Shuangying did his best to sound less cold. “Fang Xiu said you’re too stubborn to handle being forced into anything, so I should let you adjust at your own pace.”

Yuan Ye swallowed the noodles in his mouth with a gulp. “Xiao Fang, he…”

“He knows you don’t believe in ghosts and gods,” Bai Shuangying said calmly. “But you’re a good officer. You’ve surely noticed the changes in his behavior. These aren’t things that can be explained by common sense. If he tried to brush it all off, it would only make you worry more. It’s better to tell you the ‘most reasonable truth’.”

“…That’s what he said.”

It sounded reasonable. Too reasonable to be a hallucination.

To be honest, every time Yuan Ye saw Bai Shuangying, he questioned whether he was imagining things. But he didn’t think he was capable of imagining a face like that, nor did he believe any human could look like that.

At this point, Yuan Ye didn’t know what to be shocked by anymore. He numbly picked up a few strands of noodles and chewed them slowly.

What if… What if all this was real?

Then his mentally thirteen-year-old son had suddenly become a stranger.

Fang Xiu had experienced soul separation and ended up in some unknown place.

This person across from him might be a real immortal and had even married Fang Xiu… and he was a man, at that.

……

It was too much. This had to be a hallucination.

Yuan Ye lost his appetite. He put down his chopsticks, paid the bill like a walking corpse, and left the shop.

Bai Shuangying followed him out, never more than a step behind.

In the past week, the immortals had been busy fulfilling Fang Xiu’s wishes and negotiating with gods from other realms. The Disaster Relief Tower was also adjusting its processes and dealing with Guishan Sect believers who had barged into the hospital.

Once things settled, Fang Xiu would need to return to take charge again. The sooner Yuan Ye accepted reality, the sooner he could take Fang Xiu home. Then they could enjoy their time together.

On the first day after leaving the hospital, Yuan Ye got himself some psychiatric medication, but he still kept running into Bai Shuangying.

On the second day, he went to the largest temple in the city to pray, only to see Bai Shuangying casually walking into the main hall and fiddling with the incense.

……

On the seventh day, Yuan Ye got the address of a supposedly very reputable Taoist temple from an old colleague and drove straight up the mountain.

“Lately I keep seeing strange things. Please take a look.”

Officer Yuan found an esteem Taoist priest. He spoke to him with a tone of resignation.

The priest had white hair and a long beard, looking like an immortal. He studied Officer Yuan for a long time. “You have strong fortune and righteous energy. There is no evil aura around you.”

So even this priest couldn’t see “Bai Shuangying”?

Officer Yuan’s heart sank. But then Bai Shuangying stepped forward and waved his hand in front of the priest.

In the next instant, the priest’s eyes sharpened. He didn’t panic like Yuan Ye had. Instead, he grew serious.

Over the past few days, Bai Shuangying had been having sporadic conversations with him. Officer Yuan had been respectful and even seemed to appreciate Bai Shuangying’s bluntness. But he kept struggling to accept the “reality”, which wore down Bai Shuangying’s patience.

Yuan Ye wasn’t blood-related to Fang Xiu, but his stubbornness was just as fierce. If Yuan Ye weren’t so important to Fang Xiu, Bai Shuangying would have already altered his cognition and ended it.

He had endured this long. Finally, Officer Yuan had sought help from the metaphysical world.

Bai Shuangying said coldly, “No matter how busy the gods are, they still know how to communicate with the human world. Judging by your cultivation, you are more or less a person of importance, so you should have heard about us.”

“You’re no longer young. There’s no need to kneel. Just explain things to him clearly.”

The old Taoist respectfully adjusted his robe, lowered his gaze, and gave a deep bow.

“Greetings, God of Xushan,” the old man said with utmost reverence. “I will explain everything properly.”

Bai Shuangying gave a nonchalant hum and leaned against the wall in disinterest.

Mortals were as boring as he remembered. Fang Xiu was far more interesting. No matter who he faced, his human always met their eyes directly, as if the words “deference” didn’t exist in his dictionary.

In the past, seven days would barely be a nap to him. Now, being away from Fang Xiu for seven days felt like seven centuries.

A few steps away, Yuan Ye held his head. “What is all this? No matter what you say, I…”

The priest looked at the gray-haired Officer Yuan and said earnestly, “I understand. I’ve seen many cases like yours. I won’t preach to you.”

“You’re a police officer, right? My people will contact your superiors. Soon, you’ll receive official documents identifying the God of Xushan… uh, Mr. Bai.” 

“Once Mr. Bai takes on a physical form, your colleagues will also come into contact with this case. Your superiors will have a private conversation with you. With all that evidence, you can judge for yourself whether this is a hallucination.”

Yuan Ye: “…”

This was really happening?

He glanced at Bai Shuangying, who looked a little impatient, and lowered his voice. “What exactly does this God of Xushan govern? I’ve never heard of such a god.”

The priest’s beard trembled as he replied in a similarly low voice, “No one is entirely sure what powers he holds, but the gods have certain speculations.”

“It’s probably… involves the karmic laws of the heavens and all worldly phenomena.”

He tactfully omitted the part about the “worldly phenomena” referring specifically to Fang Xiu.

Officer Yuan gave a vague hum of understanding. He didn’t understand the esoteric terms, but he did understand one thing clearly: ghosts and gods existed, and Bai Shuangying was real.

After leaving the Taoist temple, Officer Yuan drove in silence.

He gripped on the steering wheel tightly as the car drove on quietly. Through the rearview mirror, he saw Bai Shuangying reclining in the back seat, lazily watching the scenery outside.

“Can I ask you something?” After a while, Officer Yuan took the initiative to speak.

Bai Shuangying: “Go ahead.”

Yuan Ye thought for a long time before voicing the question he considered most important.

“Did Xiao Fang suffer a lot?” Officer Yuan asked hesitantly. “That’s the look of someone who’s been through hardship. I can see it.”

Bai Shuangying was surprised. He had imagined many kinds of interrogation, but not this one.

For some reason, the stubborn mortal in front of him suddenly seemed more agreeable.

“In a thousand years, he is the most tormented mortal I have ever met,” Bai Shuangying answered honestly. “But he is also the most brilliant persuader, the most persistent warrior. If not for him, I would not be here.”

“Tormented?”

Bai Shuangying: “Fang Xiu doesn’t want me to tell you. He only wants to say that it’s all over.”

Clearly, his child had suffered greatly.

Yuan Ye tightened his grip on the steering wheel and let out a long sigh. 

Halfway through, he realized something felt very wrong. His eyes widened as he looked at Bai Shuangying in disbelief.

“A thousand years… You’re over a thousand years old?”

Bai Shuangying was nonchalant. “More than ten thousand, probably. I’ve lost track,” 

Ever since the Xushan ranges were formed, he had possessed some form of awareness. But there was no human civilization then to keep records, and he often slept for decades at a time. It was hard to keep count.

Yuan Ye “……………………”

More than ten thousand years? Fang Xiu wasn’t even thirty!

He silently pulled out a heart pill from the glovebox and took one.

“Thank you,” after calming down for a few seconds, Yuan Ye replied.

Bai Shuangying blinked.

“Ever since… everything, Xiao Fang has been distant and slow to trust. But I know that deep down, he can’t stand being alone. Thank you for staying with him.”

“He really likes you. As an elder, I can see that.”

“Indeed. And I like him very much too,” Bai Shuangying replied with satisfaction.

Yuan Ye nodded but didn’t turn around.

“I don’t know what you are, and I don’t care. As long as you keep him safe and happy, I could thank you a thousand times and it still wouldn’t be enough.”

Bai Shuangying couldn’t help but laugh.

“What?”

“Fang Xiu also loves to say thank you all the time. You really are alike.”

“He is my son.”

“I won’t call you ‘Dad’.”

“……”

---

The author has something to say:

This round: Xiao Bai vs. Officer Yuan.

Officer Yuan, it’s time to accept reality…

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>