Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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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 (?

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Kinky Thoughts:

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

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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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—!!!

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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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 || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

---

Chapter 181: A Frank Confession

Nurse Cai stood frozen in shock.

Back when he was attacked and suffered massive blood loss, Fang Xiu’s brain was irreversibly damaged. Given his brainwave levels, the idea of him waking up again was nothing short of a fantasy.

But Fang Xiu woke up.

Not only did he wake, he was clear-headed—he could only move his eyes and twitch his fingers for now, but these were undeniably signs of excellent recovery.

…There was only one word for this: a miracle.

But Fang Xiu knew this wasn’t a medical miracle.

The heavenly laws couldn’t be defied. His physical body had already been forged into an Immortal E, a real and tangible “object”. Even if he begged the Jade Emperor himself, his soul could no longer return to a normal human body.

The only reason he could now move his body was because of the magic of the Disaster Relief Tower. Essentially, this wasn’t much different from using a ritual magic weapon to move a body. After all, an Immortal E was considered a kind of magic weapon too. It just barely worked.

Compared to a human, the current “Fang Xiu” was more like a “special Immortal E inhabited by a soul”, a new type of evil spirit.

…He wasn’t even sure if he counted as dead or alive anymore.

Fang Xiu felt the urge to laugh, then realized the muscles on his face were stiff as a mask.

Bad news: the artifact-body of the Disaster Relief Tower was excellent in quality, but his original flesh was terribly weak and stiff. His soul couldn’t fully adapt to it yet, and for now he could only manage simple movements.

Good news: after being turned into an Immortal E, Fang Xiu had gained genuine yin-yang eyes—the moment he opened his eyes with great effort, he saw a circle of ghosts hovering around his bed.

These ghosts cared nothing for the heavenly courts or the hell bureaucracy. With pure, stubborn persistence, they eagerly showed off their materials, practically ready to wave banners urging Boss Fang to hurry and take on their cases.

Fang Xiu: “…” They were packed so tightly he couldn’t even see Officer Yuan.

With a single sweep of Bai Shuangying’s gaze, the ghosts literally trembled, then whooshed to the corners of the room.

Finally, Fang Xiu could see Yuan Ye rushing to his bedside.

Over the years, he had grown used to the wrinkles and white hair of the officer. But he had never seen Yuan Ye like this—his eyes red, lips trembling, his gaze filled with emotion and disbelief.

How long had it been since his uncle had looked this happy? When was the last time he had truly relaxed?

Fang Xiu looked hopefully at that familiar yet distant face, but Yuan Ye was too stunned to even call his name. His expression flickered between confusion and suspicion. Though he had rushed over the moment Fang Xiu moved, now he dared not do anything, as if afraid this was just a dream.

“We need to run a full examination on Fang Xiu.” Nurse Cai finally came to her senses, pinching herself several times to confirm that Fang Xiu was still awake. “Lao Yuan, on your side—”

“I’ll wait here,” Officer Yuan finally forced out in a shaky voice. “I’ll wait right here.”

……

During the exam, Bai Shuangying never left Fang Xiu’s side.

He didn’t understand what all those strange machines were for, nor could he make sense of the bizarre graphs and numbers. He just stuck closely to Fang Xiu, meticulously repairing his physical body.

“You’re my Immortal E now. I could instantly restore your body to peak condition,” Bai Shuangying said, pressing a hand to Fang Xiu’s chest. “…But that might raise too many questions among the humans.”

He paused modestly, waiting for Fang Xiu to give him a smiling, approving look.

“I just healed your internal organs. You’re now able to eat. That tube up your nose looks uncomfortable. Make sure to eat properly from now on.”

He had always thought Fang Xiu was too thin and would benefit from eating more fresh meat. Pity there weren’t any mountains nearby, or he’d have hunted some wild animals himself.

Fang Xiu blinked.

What a hassle. Bai Shuangying looked a little annoyed.

Now that Fang Xiu’s mouth was covered with a transparent mask and he couldn’t speak, Bai Shuangying even felt like he had gone deaf. He missed the sound of his human’s voice. Since Fang Xiu couldn’t speak, he had to fill the silence himself.

“How do you plan to explain everything to Yuan Ye?”

Bai Shuangying circled the busy medical staff, pacing from one side of the bed to the other.

“You’ll handle the explaining. I’ll handle the proper formalities. There’s plenty of gold inside Xushan. I’ll use it for the betrothal gifts.”

A thousand years ago, people loved gold and silver. A thousand years later, they still did. Such consistency was admirable.

Fang Xiu shook his head weakly, looking a little helpless.

Bai Shuangying instantly grew alert. “You’re not planning to pretend nothing happened and not introduce me, are you?”

“I’ve already said, we are to be formally wedded. Don’t go giving me some ambiguous status.”

In his impression as the God of Xushan, humans only kept concubines or secret lovers hidden from the world. He had no intention of being one of those.

Wait—who was supposed to give the dowry again? Never mind. What mattered was that Fang Xiu must not try to hide him.

Fang Xiu eventually laughed out loud, only to start coughing.

Bai Shuangying watched his human with a look of disapproval, continuing to pace by the bedside. But since Fang Xiu couldn’t answer him, Bai Shuangying only grew more agitated, every inch of him uncomfortable.

If it weren’t for the pesky human staff, he would have grown Fang Xiu a second mouth by now.

Absolutely infuriating.

Then he realized something worse. Fang Xiu was stuck under the eyes of human staff, with his mouth covered, meaning he couldn’t eat. He couldn’t even sneak a bite of dessert.

Absolutely, infuriatingly awful.

The Great God of Xushan floated up to the ceiling and hovered there, staring pitifully at Fang Xiu’s smiling eyes.

…When Fang Xiu was wheeled back to his room, Yuan Ye was still waiting anxiously at the door.

Seeing that Fang Xiu was still awake, he once again wore that strange expression, torn between laughing and crying. But under Fang Xiu’s full attention, Yuan Ye looked completely at a loss.

“Xiao Fang is in even better condition than we expected,” Nurse Cai said cheerfully. “His mental state is good too. He should be able to speak very soon.”

“We’ll keep observing for a while. If he remains stable, we’ll start removing some of the tubes. As his family, your companionship will help his recovery.”

Officer Yuan nodded vaguely, eyes never leaving Fang Xiu. After a long moment, he finally forced out his first question.

“Do… Do you recognize me?”

As soon as he asked it, he looked guilty, as if he had said something terribly wrong. “No rush, no rush. Rest up first. We can talk later.”

Fang Xiu stared earnestly at Yuan Ye, then slowly nodded. He tried moving his lips and whispered something.

Nurse Cai gestured for Yuan Ye to come closer. He cautiously bent down, like Fang Xiu might turn to ash if he breathed too hard.

Fang Xiu, struggling to adjust to a body unused for more than a decade, spoke his first syllable.

“…Dad.”

At that moment, Yuan Ye’s tears finally fell.

He squatted down and sobbed with his head in his hands, crying like he had back on the day his family was torn apart.

No, Fang Xiu thought, perhaps this cry was nothing like that day.

Because this was the moment a new family was born.

……

One week later.

Fang Xiu sat propped up in bed. With special permission from Nurse Cai, he had traded his hospital gown for a red T-shirt.

His ventilator and feeding tube had been removed, and he could now eat simple food. Most importantly, his mouth had fully recovered, and he couldn’t stop talking.

Yuan Ye had taken a long leave and moved into the room.

The past week had been too wonderful. Every morning, he pinched himself to make sure it wasn’t a dream.

It was only over the past few days that he began to accept Fang Xiu’s recovery as real and stopped bruising his own arms from disbelief.

…Then he had to face another fact—Fang Xiu’s awakening came with a whole bag of mysteries.

He was thirteen when he fell into a coma, and now he had woken in an adult body. Given everything he had been through, Fang Xiu should be confused and terrified.

But his mood was eerily calm, and his gaze didn’t resemble a child’s at all. In fact, Yuan Ye sometimes felt that Fang Xiu’s eyes reminded him of the suspects he had interrogated over the years.

It made no sense.

Worse, Fang Xiu kept glancing at empty corners and smiling to himself. Yuan Ye privately mentioned this to Nurse Cai, but she told him all the psychological tests had come back normal.

Yuan Ye felt completely lost.

Was he overthinking? Would such thoughts hurt Fang Xiu?

Now he was having wild thoughts again. He felt that Fang Xiu was hesitant to speak to him about something… Perhaps it was he who was the one who needed a therapist.

“Dad,” Fang Xiu leaned forward, glancing around the room, and whispered, “Can you close the door to the room?”

Yuan Ye flinched. “Oh, right. Xiao Fang, if you don’t feel comfortable with my help, I can bring the nurse assistant back…”

“No, it’s fine. I just want to talk to you alone.”

Fang Xiu cleared his throat and tried to make himself sound weak.

Here it is. Yuan Ye braced himself.

He had known Fang Xiu was strong and clever. He had probably been forcing himself to stay calm all week. Now he needed to show his best side and soothe Fang Xiu’s emotions.

“There’s someone… I want to introduce to you.”

Before Yuan Ye could react, Fang Xiu took a deep breath. “Bai Shuangying, come out.”

The moment he spoke, Bai Shuangying dropped his concealment and calmly sat beside Fang Xiu’s bed.

Officer Yuan: “…”

A long-haired man in ancient costume suddenly appeared…

A ghost? A male ghost?

Everything about this man’s appearance and arrival broke Yuan Ye’s understanding of the world.

Ah, he understood now.

Everything after Fang Xiu’s awakening had been just a dream… Yuan Ye silently, tearfully pinched his arm.

“It’s not a dream.”

Bai Shuangying ghosted behind him and gently pushed his hand away. He preemptively cast a soul-calming spell so the aging officer wouldn’t die of shock.

“Dad, calm down.”

Fang Xiu knew the words were pointless but said them anyway.

“After I fell into a coma, my soul left my body. I spent years drifting in a strange place. This… immortal saved me. If not for him, I’d be dead.”

Officer Yuan: “…………”

Fang Xiu decided to just go all in. “Anyways, we fell in love over time and got married. He brought me back personally. You’re my only family, so I don’t want to hide this from you.”

Officer Yuan: “………………”

Seconds later, Nurse Cai heard the emergency bell and rushed into the room like a sprinter.

“What happened, Lao Yuan? Did Fang Xiu lose consciousness—”

“No.”

Fang Xiu raised his hand with a complicated expression.

“It was my dad who fainted.”

---

The author has something to say:

Officer Yuan: ?

Officer Yuan: ???

---

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

---

Chapter 180: The One Who Returns

At the top of the Disaster Relief Tower.

Dian’er paced nervously inside the room, gnawing on its fingertips and spitting out shredded paper bits. 

Ever since A’Shou and Fang Xiu entered the ritual, there had been no contact. No matter how hard it tried, it couldn’t reach them. The ritual seemed to have gone wrong, and the Tower had completely sealed itself. Even as a ghost envoy, it couldn’t open the entrance.

It’s over. Their collaboration must have been discovered by the immortals.

What should it do now? Pretend to know nothing? Tell the truth? Should it just turn itself in? 

But Lady A’Shou hates traitors more than anything. What if… If she returned successfully, Dian’er would be torn into pulp and repurposed into something like napkins.

Terrified by this thought, Dian’er crouched down, clutching its head in silent despair.

Just as the paper figure was putting on an imaginary tragedy performance, a smoky portal suddenly appeared at the top of the Tower. Before Dian’er could even get up, A’Shou shot through it like a cannonball.

“I knew it!” she yelled in despair.

Dian’er turned around, trembling. “My-My Lady …”

“Oh please, it’s really not that big of a wish.”

Fang Xiu and Bai Shuangying followed closely behind, strolling into the room. Fang Xiu wore a contented smile, looking like a cat that had just stolen a sausage.

Wait, they both came back completely intact? Dian’er couldn’t hide its shock.

“Be nice to her,” Fang Xiu whispered to it. “Just cleaning up the ritual site’s aftermath took ages. A’Shou Jie worked really hard today.”

“That’s because I fought you first, then helped you negotiate with the immortals, then tallied up all the wishes from the sacrifices, and then helped that guy Lu Yang restore all the patient corpses… And those corpses weren’t satisfied with just being restored. They demanded cosmetic touch-ups one by one.”

A’Shou spoke in a chilling tone. “Cleaning up the site was the easiest part, you know?”

Fang Xiu looked innocently at her. Bai Shuangying innocently tightened his hold around Fang Xiu.

Dian’er: “…?”

The immortals actually came? These two just came back unscathed???

It didn’t really want to know how they pulled it off.

“For us military types, physical exhaustion is one thing, but mental fatigue is the real torture.”

Looking at the two innocent faces across from her, A’Shou fumed. “What wore me out the most were your two damn wishes.”

Karma wishes? The ritual didn’t just end smoothly, but somehow, even the wishes were granted? 

Dian’er swallowed nonexistent spit and turned to Fang Xiu.

Fang Xiu said, “I followed the rules properly. Even those immortals didn’t object.”

A’Shou glanced at Bai Shuangying beside Fang Xiu and snorted with laughter. “Of course they didn’t. They were all afraid you two would directly start a war.”

The first wish Fang Xiu made was for the immortals to enter diplomatic talks with the Underworld representatives of Country A and grant him full control over fugitive Zhuang Chongyue and others who had fled there.

Obviously, Underworld diplomacy is a bureaucratic nightmare. The immortals would have to painstakingly collect information on Country A’s citizens in their domain, arrange exchanges, and consider drafting new rules. From Fang Xiu’s tone, he didn’t just want to “round them up” but wanted a “sustainable judgment mechanism”.

Starting off with a nation-level wish, and the kicker—it still fell within his scope of karma.

At the time, A’Shou thought of the boy from years ago who had wished for the fall of the Guishan Sect, still with a youthful face. She could understand his obsession. That first wish, though bold, was acceptable.

Then came the second wish.

“No matter what happens to me in the future, as long as the Disaster Relief Tower exists, all the souls and yin energy gathered from the rituals must belong to Bai Shuangying. Put it in black and white. Seal it with a contract.”

Fang Xiu wrapped an arm around his ghost. “Even if you apologize publicly, it won’t make up for the harm you’ve done to him. I want the most tangible compensation.”

That set off a storm. The immortals broke into an uproar.

A’Shou: “…”

This time, it really was too much. A wish for a treaty on the scale of the Three Realms.

The rituals would continue, and the Disaster Relief Tower would keep harvesting souls and yin energy from sinners. If Bai Shuangying became tied to the Tower, he would never starve again, and his cultivation would skyrocket. He’d become an even greater threat.

A’Shou couldn’t hold back. “Are you sure? …Even if you break up? Even if the God of Xushan loses control?”

“That’s a separate issue.”

Fang Xiu replied calmly, “If Bai Shuangying truly wanted to harm the mortal world, you could all work together to destroy the Tower. I’ve left you that option.”

As he spoke, he looked up and respectfully bowed to King Yan.

“I’m just worried that some fools might try to eliminate me to sever the Underworld’s link with Bai Shuangying.”

King Yan remained silent and gestured for him to continue.

“As long as this contract exists, even if something happens to me, Bai Shuangying can still feed from the Tower… You understand.”

The Disaster Relief Tower requires diligent ghost envoys to keep the rituals running. In return, as long as the Tower continues operating and no one offends Bai Shuangying, the Underworld gets a formidable ally.

In doing this, Fang Xiu effectively linked Bai Shuangying to the Underworld, but from a position of absolute advantage.

Here it comes, A’Shou thought. Classic Fang Xiu negotiation—his proposal is ridiculous, but too difficult to reject.

Sure enough, King Yan replied in a deep voice, “The Disaster Relief Tower is an Underworld institution. I will sign the contract with you.”

“Once this becomes public, many ignorant fools will try to challenge you. To show our sincerity, we will assign you strong bodyguards.”

A’Shou suddenly had a bad feeling.

King Yan: “Ghost Immortal A’Shou has managed the Disaster Relief Tower for many years and is one of the strongest ghost immortals. She will act as your assistant and support all Tower-related matters.”

“Oh wow, you’re too kind.”

Fang Xiu exclaimed in mock surprise, though his face showed none. His gaze carried a hint of silent understanding. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure A’Shou Jie gets a raise.”

A’Shou: “……”

She knew it! She knew there was no escape! Fang Xiu’s devious schemes were about to burst like a dam!

After the memory faded, A’Shou was still dizzy and disoriented.

“Anyway, we just came back to show our faces,” Fang Xiu said cheerfully. “We’re heading out now. Explaining everything to the ghost envoys is up to you, A’Shou Jie.”

“Heading out? You’re coming with me to explain—”

“I have to go see Uncle Yuan,” Fang Xiu said. “I need to introduce Bai Shuangying to him.”

Hearing that, A’Shou thought of the figure in Fang Xiu’s memory and fell silent.

“…Fine, go ahead.”

After a long pause, she let out a heavy sigh.

……

Taiyi City, Gui Province — First People’s Hospital.

“…Vital signs are stable.”

Amid a series of sharp beeping alarms, Nurse Cai wiped sweat from her brow. “It’s okay, Lao Yuan. Fang Xiu is fine.”

Officer Yuan’s tense shoulders finally relaxed.

Moments earlier, the hospital had experienced a series of strange disturbances.

First, a large number of bodies went missing from the morgue, prompting family members to call the police immediately. The officers ran up and down the hospital all day, completely bewildered. Then, inexplicably, the bodies reappeared—calmly laid out in their refrigerated drawers.

What was weirder was how they looked.

To put it bluntly, it was as if the bodies had melted and been reshaped. All signs of illness and deformity had vanished. Some even looked like they were in better shape than when they were alive.

The most terrifying thing was every single one of them had a faint smile.

The garden wasn’t spared either. Many plants had collapsed for no apparent reason. The shrubs were clearly trampled by a large crowd, except everyone knew that no one had been in the central garden moments earlier. Even more eerie, the plants remained intact, with a burnt smell lingering in the air.

As for all the hospital’s doors—except for certain sensitive areas—they all suddenly swung open. That, by comparison, almost seemed normal.

It was a real-life horror story in broad daylight. The staff’s nerves were stretched to their limit. From this day forward, the First People’s Hospital would have three major entries in its growing list of urban legends.

Fortunately, no one had been seriously hurt during these anomalies. However, there were quite a few bumps and bruises from the patients crowding to record short videos.

Across the entire hospital, only Fang Xiu’s condition had worsened suddenly.

His body temperature spiked without warning. His entire body convulsed. His heart thudded at a completely abnormal rhythm, and faint traces of blood appeared around his nose and mouth.

Officer Yuan stayed by his bedside, watching as cold sweat drenched Fang Xiu’s pale face.

For over a decade, Fang Xiu had received top-tier care. Physical therapists regularly worked his joints and muscles, so his body hadn’t wasted away. It had just grown thin and lean. His nutrition was always maintained. Though he fell into a coma as a child, he had grown into a tall young man. Unfortunately, Officer Yuan had bought red T-shirts year after year, but Fang Xiu still showed no sign of waking.

“Xiao Fang.”

With Nurse Cai’s permission, Officer Yuan reached out his wrinkled hand and brushed back the damp hair on Fang Xiu’s forehead.

“Uncle’s retiring in a few years. I can finally take care of you. But if you don’t wake up… what’ll happen when I’m gone?”

He touched the deep wrinkles at the corner of his eye and went on talking, like always.

“Uncle tells you, this is a good age to wake up. You’re smart. You’ll catch up in no time. I’ll help with your rehab and even help plan your future…”

Nurse Cai sighed quietly from a few steps away.

Every day, Officer Yuan would talk to Fang Xiu for half an hour. He had done so for over a decade.

Many at the hospital found it tragic. When the accident happened, Officer Yuan had been in his prime. He had the chance to start a new life. But he chose to care personally for the long-comatose Fang Xiu. That decision alone had cut him off from ever building a new family.

“I have to protect him,” Yuan Ye said firmly. “The Guishan Sect is still stirring up trouble overseas. Who knows if some lunatic might come here looking for him?”

In the early years, the medical staff had tried to talk him out of it. But eventually they gave up. The nurses rotated in and out. Yuan Ye’s hair turned white bit by bit. The older staff could only look on, feeling a quiet sadness.

Medically speaking, Fang Xiu had no chance of waking up. Officer Yuan was doomed to spend his life trapped in a tragedy, never able to move on.

“Alright. We still need to run a few checks.”

Nurse Cai gently patted Yuan Ye. “Go take a break.”

“Okay.” Yuan Ye never hesitated.

Just as well. He needed to go check the security footage around the hospital. Some of those faces looked awfully familiar…

Just as he turned toward the door, the clatter of medical equipment crashing to the floor rang out behind him. Yuan Ye jolted and spun around in a defensive stance—

He saw a pair of pitch-black eyes.

---

The author has something to say:

Damn, didn’t even get a chance for some sugar yet.

And now it’s straight to meeting the parents. Great!

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

---

Chapter 179: Wish-Making Scene

“Everyone be careful!”

In the hallway, Lu Yang shouted. He ordered the corpses to charge, relying on a very non-metaphysical form of physical assault—like football players, the corpses crashed forward and piled up, pinning the Cen Ling zombie at the bottom.

Jiao Jiao didn’t hesitate to strike again, dumping a large bag of medicinal powder onto the bodies.

With a bone-chilling sizzle, their flesh melted and then re-congealed. It turned into a massive, indescribable mountain of meat jelly, tightly binding the zombie in place.

As for those formless blood shadows…

The mushroom trio stood inside the ship, fully supporting the wooden monk’s protective spell.

With the shield in place, Yan Yan reverted to his fox form. He stood not-so-dramatically at the bow, hurling fireballs at the blood shadows who didn’t know better.

Guan He’s attacks were the most straightforward.

He took the peachwood paddle from Xiao Li and activated his wall-phasing technique to the fullest. He and the paddle phased through directly into the blood shadows, then reappeared in place. Before the blood shadows could harm him, they were pierced through by the paddle and vanished on the spot.

Even against endless waves of blood shadows, the group held their ground without faltering.

Inside the ward.

Occasionally, a few blood shadows slipped into the room, only to be ripped apart by the ghosts waiting inside.

Even so, Cheng Songyun kept the vengeful ghost shield up without pause, constantly protecting herself and Fang Xiu.

The prolonged duration took its toll. Even with the calming prayer beads she wore, under the pressure of countless horrific illusions, blood slowly trickled from her nose.

Cheng Songyun focused all her attention on Fang Xiu. Just moments ago, his physical body had been convulsing nonstop, with countless trigram symbols surfacing on his skin. Now he was back to normal, seemingly just asleep.

Only his sweat-drenched hair and messy bedsheets were proof something had happened earlier. Something must’ve happened outside, but Fang Xiu and the others had pulled things back on track.

They had agreed that if things went wrong outside, Xiao Guan would return to warn them.

Since the others were still holding on, she could too.

Cheng Songyun wiped the blood beneath her nose and took a few breaths. In a daze, she suddenly noticed a familiar golden glow lighting up around her. At the same time, the ghosts queued in the ward instinctively backed away.

…Huh?

This was clearly the effect of “protection from all evil”. Did this mean the ritual was over?

But Fang Xiu’s physical body was still here, unharmed. Could it be that Fang Xiu had become an Immortal E? She couldn’t make sense of it.

Even with the “protection from all evil” active, Cheng Songyun didn’t dare lower her guard. She kept shielding Fang Xiu’s body with the ghost shield, until—

Creak.

The door didn’t knock. It opened directly, and Fang Xiu poked his head in. “Cheng Jie, I’m back!”

Fang Xiu looked different from before. His mismatched eyes were curved with a smile, long black hair draped at his sides, and his red T-shirt had turned into a red robe identical to Bai Shuangying’s.

But it was definitely Fang Xiu.

Cheng Songyun staggered slightly, finally able to breathe a sigh of relief as she retracted the ghost shield. In front of her, the fierce ghosts parted into two rows on their own, making way for Fang Xiu.

Behind him was A’Shou. Even with the veil, Cheng Songyun could still sense the oppressive aura she carried.

“What’s going on?” Cheng Songyun asked anxiously.

“The ritual is over.” A’Shou announced, “It’s just that this place is sealed by layers upon layers of divine barriers. It’ll take time to unlock them. And since this place is connected to the mortal world, some follow-up details need handling… In short, I’ll send you back to the Tower in one hour.”

When she said, “back to the Tower”, her tone was odd.

“As for the rest of it, it’s more ‘appropriate’ for this guy to tell you.”

She casually pointed at Fang Xiu.

Fang Xiu let out a sheepish laugh. “It’s actually simple. I wanted everyone to hear it together…”

A short while ago.

As one of the strongest forces in the Underworld, A’Shou had perfectly demonstrated the futility of both swarming tactics and elite strategies.

Anyone with eyes could tell, if Fang Xiu and Bai Shuangying bore any ill will toward A’Shou, she wouldn’t be walking away intact.

Even with every possible advantage, the immortals still couldn’t suppress them. No matter their concern for the mortal world, the gods could only consider another path. But before they could agree on a new strategy, A’Shou brought in Fang Xiu’s proposal.

“What, they want to join us and take control of the Disaster Relief Tower?”

The Fortune Immortal frowned. “The God of Xushan’s seal is broken. The Temple of All E’s has lost all its Immortal E’s. The Tower exists in name only. What would he want it for?”

King Yan turned to A’Shou, his thunderous voice rising at the end. “You’re saying they want to pledge allegiance to the Underworld?”

“First of all, not ‘they’. Just Fang Xiu.”

A’Shou clasped her hands together and cautiously corrected, “Although the God of Xushan ascended unusually, he still doesn’t wish to be tied to Heaven or the Underworld. He just doesn’t want to be separated from Fang Xiu.”

“Second, this isn’t ‘submission’. It’s ‘cooperation’.” A’Shou continued with a bitter look, “As long as the Underworld agrees to hand over control of the Disaster Relief Tower, Fang Xiu is willing to sign a contract—ahem, a formal agreement—to ensure peace in the mortal realm.”

…Though in her opinion, this was a textbook case of getting something for nothing. Fang Xiu and Bai Shuangying hadn’t caused any destruction after ascending, clearly showing they didn’t want to harm the human world.

With that, she turned to the Fortune Immortal and bowed again, properly and respectfully.

“In my view, Fang Xiu isn’t scheming against the heavens or the Underworld. He’s simply interested in the Tower’s ritual system.”

“To keep the system running properly, it will still need the help of many Underworld agents and current support from the Underworld itself… That’s why he said he wants to ‘join’.”

She took a breath and continued slowly, “Even without suppressing the God of Xushan, there are still E’s scattered throughout the world. If left unchecked, they will continue to threaten humanity… To us, these ‘rituals’ are still necessary.”

“Besides, without the need to suppress to God of Xushan, there’s no need for the Underworld to deliberately produce more Immortal E’s. The number of sacrifices can be reduced, and karmic debts can be more precisely tracked… With these improvements, the living world won’t object.”

“In short, Fang Xiu wants the rituals to continue. It’s a win-win.”

King Yan: “Hm. I have no objection.”

Fortune Immortal: “But…”

“He said you’d probably ask, ‘But even if Fang Xiu signs a contract with us, it won’t restrict the God of Xushan,’ right?”

A’Shou’s mouth twitched. “His reply was, ‘That’s true, but you really can’t restrict him, so you’d better hope we don’t break up.’”

The immortals: “…”

A’Shou closed her eyes, recalling that annoying human smile.

Fang Xiu’s grin was dazzling. “Tell them, reality is reality. Instead of going against the tide, maybe think about peaceful coexistence.”

“At the very least, the two of us happily living together beats your cursed seal by a million times.”

“…A’Shou Jie, repeat my words to them exactly. If they agree, then we’ll talk about the details.”

……

“In short, the Disaster Relief Tower is mine now!” Fang Xiu announced to the bewildered sacrifices. “Don’t worry, even though the company changed ownership, your two wishes are still valid.”

“There’s still time before we go back, so why don’t you all think about what you want to wish for?”

Jiao Jiao, Yan Yan: “…?!?!”

Wait, what is this? Isn’t the Tower an important Underworld institution? And they’re giving it to a human???

The two of them exchanged looks and saw terror in each other’s eyes.

The non-professionals weren’t as shocked. After all, this wasn’t the first magical event they’d seen.

To them, “Fang Xiu controls the Tower” was like “commercial nuclear fusion exists”—it sounded impressive, but they had no idea how impressive.

They cared more about “going home” and “making a wish”.

Especially Lu Yang, who hadn’t yet completed eight rituals. Once he confirmed he could go home after this, his eyes instantly welled with tears.

Guan He and Cheng Songyun had the calmest reactions—for some reason, even though it sounded dreamlike, the fact that Fang Xiu had pulled it off made it feel that nothing was impossible.

The room fell into a strange silence for over ten seconds.

“I want a job that ensures I live comfortably and worry-free for the rest of my life. I’ve figured it out. I’m not cut out for riches. I can’t handle sudden wealth.” Lu Yang was the first to speak, announcing excitedly, “Then I want my whole family to be healthy and safe… Are these two wishes okay?”

Fang Xiu looked at A’Shou. She nodded. “Easily done.”

Lu Yang clenched his fists and let out a low, joyful cheer.

Xiao Tian thought it over. “First, I’ll go with everyone being healthy. For my second wish… I hope my future husband is gentle, loyal, kind, and incredibly handsome.”

A’Shou: “…”

A’Shou nodded silently.

Xiao Li: “I also want my family to be healthy.”

Then he clicked his tongue. “And I want to become ridiculously handsome.”

Xiao Tian: “Don’t stress about your appearance. That’s not good.”

Xiao Li: “Stay out of it.”

Song Zheng: “My family’s all gone. Hmm… I’ll wish for a life free of illness or disaster. As for money, I’ll take whatever comes. Riches creep me out.”

After a moment, he took a breath and looked at Fang Xiu. “Can I make a wish to you?”

Fang Xiu blinked. “Go ahead.”

“Our team got dragged into this because of an accident.” Song Zheng pressed his lips together. “I hope you can release any sacrifices with a similar background to ours.”

A’Shou: “Strictly speaking, that’s unrelated to karma. It’s a bit difficult.”

“I was planning to do that anyway,” Fang Xiu interrupted casually. “Song Ge, don’t waste your wish.”

Song Zheng froze.

After a while, he sighed. “Then I wish to keep my memories of the Disaster Relief Tower.”

Hearing this, the smiles on Xiao Li and Xiao Tian’s faces dimmed slightly, tinged with sadness.

Soon after, Jiao Jiao also requested to keep her memories. Her second wish was to become immune to all poisons.

Yan Yan’s wishes were more practical—he wished for smooth cultivation for his father’s side of the family, and he hoped his fox form could look a bit more normal.

“As for Mom, we’ll all wish her happiness and peace for a lifetime,” he said pitifully. “If I could turn into a beautiful big fox, she’d be even happier.”

These were all ordinary people, making ordinary wishes. A’Shou recorded each one.

“What about you two?”

Fang Xiu turned to his companions.

“I want to live happily ever after with my daughter,” Cheng Songyun answered without hesitation.

“I want my mom and me to live better lives, so she doesn’t have to suffer anymore,” Guan He lowered his eyes.

“That’s just one wish,” Fang Xiu scratched his face.

“Keep our memories.” “Definitely keep our memories,” they said in unison, both looking at Fang Xiu.

“You’ll return to the mortal world, right? Then we’ll see you again.”

“Yeah.” Fang Xiu’s smile softened.

“What about you?” A’Shou asked suddenly, “The Tower was part of the negotiation. It doesn’t count as a wish.”

“Even if you now own the Tower, by Underworld rules, you still have two wishes.”

She wasn’t being kind. She was worried. A’Shou didn’t believe Fang Xiu would overlook such a major windfall. He must be plotting something.

Sure enough, when Fang Xiu looked at her, his gentle smile instantly turned sly.

“Well then—”

---

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

---

Chapter 178: His Wish

Facing A’Shou, Fang Xiu handed over full control of his body to Bai Shuangying—

…Except for his consciousness.

Fang Xiu was delighted to discover that his voice could easily reach Bai Shuangying’s mind, soft and clear like a whisper.

“Yes. Keep up the pollution of the headless spirits. Make them look just like us.”

“Use wide-area spells whenever possible. Make it impossible for the other immortals to find a target.”

“…As for us, it’s best we disappear completely.”

Now that the two were one, Bai Shuangying didn’t need to speak aloud. He pressed his finger lightly to Fang Xiu’s lips, treating it as a response.

The next moment, he completely erased his presence and tracks.

Floating in the garden sky, only the headless spirits that were identical in appearance to Fang Xiu remained. Using Bai Shuangying’s wide-area spells, they surged toward the surrounding immortals, making it impossible for them to form a proper battle formation.

Bai Shuangying tilted his head as he watched, then flicked the Peach Bone Evil and released a chain of trigram symbols.

“Let gods and spirits collide, let yin and yang reverse.”

Things grew even more chaotic—as soon as a “Fang Xiu” spirit touched an immortal, the two would instantly swap appearances.

Karma shifted. The spirit took on the immortal’s form, while the immortal turned into “Fang Xiu”.

After several clashes, the battlefield was in complete disarray. Even the immortals in the sky could no longer tell who was who. Worse yet, these headless spirits were top-tier evil spirits, so they were hard to kill and maddening to track. No one knew how long this confusion would last.

Concealed among them, Bai Shuangying drifted like a falling leaf, gracefully avoiding both gods and spirits locked in chaos.

Fang Xiu could feel Bai Shuangying’s mood clearly—his ghost held no thoughts of good or evil, grievance or resentment. Faced with the near-limitless power of the “All Phenomena E”, Bai Shuangying only felt curiosity and delight.

It was like a thousand years ago, when the spirit of the mountains first laid eyes on a little porcelain figure.

…This is something born because of me. How beautiful it is.

…I want to keep it, hidden in the arms of Xushan, the safest place in the world.

His ghost was still that pure.

Possession had one particular drawback, Fang Xiu thought. When he felt soft and tender inside, wanting to kiss Bai Shuangying, he couldn’t touch him no matter what.

“What a troublesome taboo. The Corner of Heaven’s Will really is something else.” A’Shou clicked her tongue, clearly unimpressed.

How sneaky. That naïve God of Xushan was long gone. Bai Shuangying had been thoroughly corrupted by someone named Fang Xiu.

This fight couldn’t drag on too long.

Never mind Fang Xiu and Bai Shuangying’s patience… As Bai Shuangying deepened his understanding of the “All Phenomena E”, the powers he could display would only grow more terrifying.

Immortals still needed to meditate and deduce karmic manifestations. But for the Corner of Heaven’s Will, that was instinct, like a fish knowing how to swim.

Keeping the gods subdued was useful. But too much of anything was harmful. The longer things dragged on, the more unpredictable it would become.

A’Shou gave a wry smile and pressed her palms together with a sharp clap.

Though the central garden of the hospital had been exceptionally clean, a sandstorm suddenly surged.

From within the dust came the clash of blades and a chorus of chaotic shouts. The swirling sand shaped itself into outlines of warhorses that galloped and neighed beside A’Shou.

“Mount up, everyone!” A’Shou shouted.

Freed from the visual chaos of close combat, the gap in intelligence between immortals and headless spirits quickly became apparent. They didn’t care what form they had taken—whoever was nearest jumped onto the spectral horsebacks.

With sides now clearly divided, the immortals quickly identified their targets. They switched to long-range attacks and began systematically wiping out the remaining headless spirits.

With the interference gone, the immortals quickly re-formed their formation and encircled the garden.

“He’s using a taboo. The Heaven-Breaking Technique is useless!” A’Shou shouted. “Everyone, switch to defensive magic and push toward the center!”

“All aerial units, cover me!”

The moment she finished, a divine whip that was glowing gold descended from the sky, radiating dense and righteous energy. It worked similarly to a soft sword, and A’Shou instinctively caught its handle.

[Be careful,] Fang Xiu warned at once. [She’s sealed off all chances of triggering a death taboo.]

Everyone knew that a death taboo could only be activated by an E.

Since they were near Fang Xiu’s physical body, only his living soul could control the death taboo.

Even someone as strong as Bai Shuangying couldn’t create a new death taboo at will.

[If I’m right, A’Shou’s next move will be…]

A wave of yellow sand burst into the air.

Around them, heavy magical shields lit up before every immortal. The encirclement tightened quickly. Beside A’Shou, the sand formed into armored corpses.

These sand spirits charged wildly within the confined space, attacking at random.

Amid the swarm of dead soldiers, A’Shou charged and struck, her powered blows hidden among the erratic paths of the undead.

As expected, Bai Shuangying didn’t enjoy being chased around.

In the heart of the storm, he calmly revealed himself. His white sleeve covered his nose and mouth. No matter how the wind raged around him, his long black hair didn’t sway.

A’Shou rushed forward without hesitation.

At her side, the sand condensed into an army.

Blessings and protections from the sky poured down like rain, making the sand-phantoms nearly solid. Martial force exploded in a whirlwind, leaving hundreds of cuts on Bai Shuangying’s sleeves.

Around them, the magic barrier continued to close in.

Outside, seals had severed his link to Xushan. Inside, the defensive web was sealing off the heavens and earth.

In this suffocating space, the army of the dead, blessed by the immortals, charged like a tsunami under A’Shou’s command.

From above, the immortals quickened their chants. Even a fool could see that this was the perfect setup, the best opportunity they would ever have.

Behind his sleeve, Bai Shuangying narrowed his mismatched eyes.

In his mind, Fang Xiu hummed, “With this much buildup, we need something spectacular.”

“Bai Shuangying, I have a fun idea. Want to try it?”

Fang Xiu didn’t ask whether he could do it.

He already knew he could.

Bai Shuangying smiled and listened as his human whispered the request. Then—

“In the vast desert, lonely smoke rises. In the ocean of time, the land turns over.”

The trigram symbols around the Peach Bone Evil flared into a blood-red arc.

The sandstorm froze in front of him. Roots burst forth from the soil, spreading like a green plague. The divine wind only nourished the plants, and though golden light still glowed, the roots locked the yellow sand in place.

“Let all things flourish, until they blot out the sky.”

After a moment’s thought, Bai Shuangying waved again.

Creaking sounds echoed. A vine shot up and snared A’Shou’s whip. The plants rooted her army in place and surged toward the sky, spearing upward like arrows. Soon, they wrapped around the clouds and feet of the airborne immortals.

Then, without warning, the trigram symbols around the Peach Bone Evil went dark.

The gods assumed Bai Shuangying had spent his energy and immediately focused on breaking the vines.

A’Shou sensed something wrong and shouted, “No! Defend yourselves!”

She had been too focused on spectacle that she almost forgot the pair had more than just new tricks up their sleeves.

But her warning came a moment too late.

As the immortals lowered their guard, the white robe turned crimson. Fang Xiu raised his hand and released his ghost fire.

Once again, brilliant red fireworks-like flames exploded in the sky. But this time, enhanced by the power of the God of Xushan, the flames set the plants ablaze instantly.

The fire raced up the vines, reaching the immortals above. Flame-dragons danced across the heavens.

Fang Xiu stuck out his tongue at the sky, pushed off the barrier behind him, and dove toward A’Shou. She abandoned her whip and stepped back, bracing against the shield behind her.

Not good. The space was too tight.

“Shield up!” she yelled.

Several immortals rushed in with shields, but Fang Xiu simply smiled and opened a door in the middle of them.

On the door was a sticker: “Emergency Exit”. The frame almost hit A’Shou’s face, and the immortals who had rushed in literally became the background.

Damn it. She had underestimated him. Fang Xiu could play with his death taboo however he liked.

These two bastards kept switching roles—one slippery, one infuriating. She wanted to file a complaint.

…No. Calm down. Fang Xiu was bad at close combat. He was definitely about to switch to Bai Shuangying.

A’Shou roared, her blood-red wedding dress billowing with a bloody mist.

Using the mist for cover, she charged him in fury, eyes fixed on his right hand, trying to seize the Peach Bone Evil.

But something cool and damp pressed against her cheek through the veil.

Fang Xiu’s robes hadn’t turned white. The Peach Bone Evil was nowhere in sight. He had stopped abruptly, braced his right hand against the doorframe, and placed his foot nimbly on the threshold.

His body tilted slightly forward. With his left hand, he extended… a can of Wangzai soda.

“I don’t want you to get hurt either, A’Shou Jie.”

Amid the blazing firelight, Fang Xiu smiled. “Do I really need to show more cards?”

Then he looked up at the sky.

“I think they understand. If it had been Bai Shuangying who set those vines off with Samadhi True Fire and not me, there would’ve been casualties.”

He shrugged with an expression that said, “We’re such good people.”

“You see? Even with their Heaven-Breaking Technique, they still can’t beat us or hold us. So what now?”

“…Fine. Everyone stand down.”

Looking at the silly drink label, A’Shou finally let go of her last bit of battle will.

She dispersed her blood aura and, under everyone’s watchful gaze, cracked open the can without hesitation.

“You all saw it. There’s no point in continuing this fight.”

Fang Xiu nodded contentedly.

As they spoke, the edge of his sleeve quietly turned white. He gently pinched it back. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle the negotiations.”

A’Shou studied the can, unable to think of a dignified way to drink from it. So she conjured a teacup and poured it out properly.

“We don’t have much time for a private talk, so let’s get to the point.”

She spoke decisively. “I can more or less guess what Bai Shuangying wants. The question is you. What exactly do you want?”

She needed to know Fang Xiu’s desire to facilitate any formal negotiations.

So what would Fang Xiu want?

As a mortal, he had cultivated the All Phenomena E. With the power he and Bai Shuangying now held, even if they killed every Guishan Sect believer in the country, neither Heaven nor the Underworld would interfere. As long as they didn’t destroy the mortal world, the gods would turn a blind eye.

If Fang Xiu still wanted something from the gods, A’Shou could only think of one thing: the high-ranking sect members exiled abroad.

No matter how strong Fang Xiu and Bai Shuangying were, they wouldn’t casually shatter the peace between domestic and foreign forces.

So it made sense—Fang Xiu probably wanted Heaven, the Underworld, and the foreign gods to hold serious talks and allow him to intervene in matters of life and death beyond national borders…

Fang Xiu snapped his fingers, interrupting her thoughts.

The red ghost fire in the sky vanished instantly, leaving only trails of blue smoke.

To A’Shou’s surprise, Fang Xiu’s reply was very short, and even crazier than she expected.

The human in red smiled shyly, then raised his eyes.

“I want to join you,” Fang Xiu said calmly. “To be precise, I want to replace you and take control of the entire Disaster Relief Tower.”

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The author has something to say:

Two thousand years later, I’ve finally recovered the pitch…

Now it’s time for the fun part: reward settlement!

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 177: The All Phenomena E 

As the door creaked open, everyone drew in a sharp breath at the sight of the hospital room. Then they looked at all the other doors standing wide open, and the chill spread to the soles of their feet.

This taboo…

“No wonder Fang Xiu was so at ease,” Song Zheng murmured. “He said it was fine even if we didn’t help.”

Still, just in case, he added, “Let’s not go inside for now.”

They had seen Fang Xiu use countless doors to defend himself. His only warning was “don’t act against me.”

But that instruction was too vague. People’s minds tend to drift toward reckless thoughts.

Earlier, they had all gone all-out to stop Cen Ling, yet he still made it into the room. If someone as powerful as him died instantly, it was probably best not to take chances.

As expected, everyone except Guan He nodded vigorously. Yes, yes, staying in the hallway was fine. Great spot to watch from.

The wooden ferryman relaxed when things calmed down, and the boat stopped rocking. Curious, he leaned beside the bed, watching the window like it was a stage.

The mushroom trio followed him, crowding in. Yan Yan returned to human form and even started spitting to clear his mouth.

Guan He, on the other hand, decided to continue guarding the room.

Together with Cheng Songyun, he closed the door again, pushing Cen Ling’s lifeless corpse out into the corridor, where it slumped crookedly to the floor.

Standing guard at attention, Guan He noticed Jiao Jiao elegantly smoothing her skirt before crouching beside the body.

“Miss, aren’t you going to take a look?” Guan He asked curiously.

“Something feels off.” Jiao Jiao rubbed her dark lipstick. “Cen Ling was still a major figure. Dying just like that, without a sound?”

“I even had to take a potion before the ritual began—if I died, there’d at least be a corpse-poison explosion.”

Guan He was speechless. “What about Yan Yan?”

“He’ll drink the antidote before the ritual begins.”

Jiao Jiao smiled. “Anyway, I just don’t think it’s that simple.”

“Let me take a look.” Lu Yang crawled out of the boat.

Whether it was the earlier garden battle or the fight against Cen Ling, he hadn’t been able to help at all; his corpse-army tactics had no use here. Unleashing corpses would’ve only created chaos, so he had curled up in the core boat’s cabin, making himself as harmless as possible.

…Finally, his turn had come.

Lu Yang squatted next to Cen Ling and pressed a finger to his brow.

His relaxed expression quickly vanished, and a deep frown appeared.

“Stop watching and get ready to defend!” Lu Yang stood up sharply and waved his hand.

All the corpses that had been wandering around the hospital rushed to surround him from both ends of the corridor, then turned and formed a defensive formation.

“But I didn’t sense any yin aura,” Yan Yan said. “And Song Ge didn’t detect any killing intent either.”

As someone trained in the metaphysical arts, Yan Yan was well aware that corpses could hide all sorts of tricks. He had even sniffed around in spite of the stench.

“I don’t understand any of that. I have no idea what Fang Ge’s up to either.”

Lu Yang’s tone was firm. “But I’m sure of one thing: my corpse-controlling spell doesn’t work on him.”

“In other words, there’s still magic flowing inside this body. It hasn’t fully ‘ended’ yet!”

Jiao Jiao’s face sharpened. “Everyone on the boat!”

Lu Yang quickly retreated to the cabin. The mushroom trio didn’t dawdle, hopping back onto the deck and even dragging the overly engrossed ferryman with them. The boat floated to Guan He’s side, and the air went still.

“Maybe we’re overthinking it?” Xiao Li muttered awkwardly.

“No way!” Lu Yang shouted from the cabin. “I’ve got a really bad feeling. Believe in the weak!”

Xiao Li: “……”

Before he had time to open his mouth to retort, a gust of yin wind rose out of nowhere.

Cen Ling’s chest wound split open, and black-red blood squirmed out like a living thing, crawling in every direction.

Each droplet of blood emitted heavy yin energy, floating into the air and forming fine talisman-like patterns.

Using those droplets as cores, countless blood-shadows with no faces and rough outlines began to appear in the corridor.

Among the swarm of shadows, Cen Ling’s twisted body stood upright.

His eyes remained closed, his skin waxy and lifeless like a corpse, with not a hint of color.

Song Zheng’s Murder-Intent Seismograph went berserk. The bronze balls fell with a clatter in every direction.

“Typical of a cultist.” Jiao Jiao sighed. “Cen Ling clearly wanted to take some of us with him.”

“So what now?” Lu Yang poked his head out of the cabin, directing his corpses to quickly encircle the Cen Ling zombie.

Unfortunately, his corpses could block the zombie, but not the blood-shadows.

“What else can we do? Outlast him.” Xiao Li cracked his knuckles.

Guan He moved to the hospital room’s door, taking several deep breaths.

“We just have to hold on,” he said. “Until Fang Ge wins.”

As if answering his words, a burst of dazzling golden light exploded outside the corridor windows.

Central Garden of the Hospital

“There’s strange yin energy over there,” Bai Shuangying said, floating through the air with Fang Xiu in his arms. “Cen Ling’s aura vanished. His corpse must’ve been set up with a revenge-triggered grand spell.”

“It’s fine.”

Fang Xiu’s eyes were locked on the immortals. “If it’s just Guan He, he can phase through the walls. If others help, they can probably handle it.”

“Our job is to win and win fast.”

Bai Shuangying replied with a soft hum. “Just mentioning it.”

He didn’t really care whether those humans lived or died, but he felt obligated to inform his human.

Fang Xiu patted his hair. “I know.”

Since Cen Ling had left, the immortals had intensified their attacks. Just as Fang Xiu had predicted, the Heaven-Breaking Technique had been incorporated into the seals, severing Bai Shuangying’s link to his true body in Xushan.

And just as he expected, the battle wasn’t going well.

The immortals had swiftly adapted, shifting to intangible curses that bypassed the door defenses. Several immortals specialized in karmic manipulation stepped forward to unravel Bai Shuangying’s karmic chains.

Without support from Xushan’s power, Bai Shuangying’s spell strength had plummeted. The overwhelming advantage turned into a fifty-fifty struggle. All he could do now was cling to his human and dodge through the air.

The immortals pressed the attack with rapid spells, trying to deny him any chance to counter.

“Don’t rush.”

Fang Xiu clung to Bai Shuangying’s neck, his voice calm and gentle, like a hypnotic narrator. “You’re just too used to how you fought before. This isn’t your fault.”

Bai Shuangying swerved through hundreds of flying dagger-like celestial artifacts.

“We’re still fighting separately. There must be a better way to work together.”

Fang Xiu whispered softly into Bai Shuangying’s ear. “I’ve destroyed so many immortal E’s, I’m saturated with karma.”

“And you control karma. Think about that.”

A glittering golden net descended from the sky, followed by four armored, grim-faced immortals. Bai Shuangying dove down ten meters, narrowly avoiding the trap.

The four immortals saw their opportunity and gave chase.

“In metaphysical arts, I can’t help you.”

Fang Xiu smiled even under the rain of attacks, as if it were fireworks exploding around him.

“But I believe in you completely.”

He said, “Take your time, Bai Shuangying.”

There was something magical in his tone. Bai Shuangying’s panic quickly faded. He looked at the smiling human in his arms.

Fang Xiu’s body and soul were soaked in karma, yet he had no knowledge of metaphysical techniques.

At the moment, all he could do was use his taboo to fight back. He could manipulate karma at will and intuitively grasp metaphysical principles, but the immortals had severely weakened him.

Think, Bai Shuangying. Think carefully.

Think like Fang Xiu.

“…You really trust me?” Bai Shuangying mumbled after a pause. “Then I’m going to take everything you have.”

Fang Xiu froze slightly, but his smile didn’t fade.

“Go ahead,” he said solemnly, exhaling deeply.

Before he could even close his mouth, Bai Shuangying suddenly transformed into his true form and plunged roughly into Fang Xiu’s mouth and nose.

Before Fang Xiu could feel any pain, his consciousness began to drift.

He realized he had lost all control of his limbs. His body straightened on its own, floating in midair.

Possession.

But it was entirely unlike before. Fang Xiu felt no swelling, no pain creeping through his nerves and veins. He had become a pure observer, only able to watch the world through his own eyes.

And what he saw was a flash of white cloth.

The body was still his, but the red T-shirt had turned into Bai Shuangying’s white robes. Black hair cascaded down his shoulders, flowing with the white fabric.

With a flick of his right hand, Bai Shuangying firmly gripped the Peach Bone Evil.

…So that was it. They had completed the possession, and Bai Shuangying had taken control of the body.

Across from them floated four sword-bearing immortals, backed by golden light and wrapped in layers of protective spells. Their faces showed surprise, but more than that, wariness.

The torrential assault from the heavens hadn’t stopped, but Bai Shuangying no longer needed to carry Fang Xiu and moved with astonishing lightness. He decisively retracted the karmic red threads and muttered something under his breath.

It was the first time Fang Xiu had heard Bai Shuangying mumble in his voice, and he found it strangely fascinating.

“From Taiji arises two forms, from two forms come four images… From four images, the eight trigrams…”

“Endless trigram signs, entangled karma—within them all things of the world manifest…”

Bai Shuangying raised the Peach Bone Evil, and white peach blossoms trembled gently in the air. This time, what he released wasn’t one of Fang Xiu’s anomaly skills. Several red-glowing trigram symbols appeared around the weapon, slowly swirling through the air.

“Let the blades that strike me and break upon the sands,” Bai Shuangying said.

The trigram symbols froze midair, arranged themselves neatly on the peach branch, then faded into nothing.

At the same moment, the celestial swords held by the four immortals trembled violently, and in an instant became rusted. Before they could react, the brittle blades shattered and clattered to the ground.

Bai Shuangying couldn’t help but laugh. “How interesting.”

Enraged, the four immortals charged at him.

[I’ll take over,] Fang Xiu said.

Bai Shuangying gave a slight smile and vanished in a blink.

White clothes turned to red; the long hair and heterochromatic eyes remained unchanged. Fang Xiu’s gaze sharpened, and four doors opened right in front of the immortals. Inside, pitch-black darkness awaited.

The immortals tried to retreat, only to bump into yet another open door behind them. They were sandwiched tightly between both sides, unable to move.

When they tried breaking out in other directions, they found that every path had already been accounted for. In just moments, Fang Xiu had calculated every possible action they might take.

“No wonder you’re immortals. You have great instincts.”

Fang Xiu smiled. “But a death taboo is still a death taboo. If you harbor malicious intent toward us, you really shouldn’t walk through doors.”

As he spoke, his red robes turned white again.

At the exact moment the doors vanished, the Peach Bone Evil swung down. The arranged trigram signs lit up, and the four immortals, like nails suspended midair, were slammed into the ground.

The entire process was smooth and uninterrupted.

Ever since Bai Shuangying had given up his karmic kite tactics, the immortals’ fast attacks could no longer keep up with his casting speed.

“What’s going on?!”

The immortals in the sky hesitated in their attacks and turned to A’Shou for answers.

“Taboos are born from obsessions. Obsessions are bound to karma, and karma determines the trigram attributes of an E.”

A’Shou quietly sheathed her soft sword and cleared her throat.

“Fang Xiu carries countless strands of karma, filled with endless trigram patterns. The Corner of Heaven’s Will is currently extracting specific karmas and trigram patterns to create a new kind of ‘taboo’…”

Normally, ghost immortals could only use the taboos tied to their Immortal E.

But Bai Shuangying wasn’t a normal ghost immortal, and Fang Xiu wasn’t a normal Immortal E—

The God of Xushan born knowing how to weave karma, paired with a living E who actively gathers all phenomena under heaven.

“If that Immortal E needed a name, I think the ‘All Phenomena E’ would suit best.”

A’Shou sighed. “It’s true he can skillfully control his own taboos. But if the Corner of Heaven’s Will uses them… they’ll have as many taboos as they want.”

King Yan said nothing, but his silence was agreement.

“So the Underworld is saying we can’t even suppress the Corner of Heaven’s Will’s body?”

The blessed immortal had lost his smile.

A’Shou: “It’s not what the Underworld is saying. It’s what those two down below are saying.”

With that, she led a charge of ghost immortals toward the white-robed figure. Several other gods followed, though their momentum was noticeably weaker than before.

“A’Shou Jie!”

As A’Shou landed, white turned to red. Fang Xiu greeted her enthusiastically. “I knew you’d come. After all, my death taboo doesn’t work on you.”

Fang Xiu knew A’Shou didn’t harbor any true malice toward them. At most, she just wanted to beat him up to let off steam.

In a way, A’Shou was the most troublesome opponent in the entire group.

A’Shou patted her treasured soft sword at her waist and raised her hands. “Let’s get this straight. Don’t mess with my sword, or I won’t let you two off the hook.”

Fang Xiu beamed. “Of course!”

He reached behind him and pulled out the Earth Knocking Cauldron meal card, releasing the accumulated Immortal E’s yin energy inside.

The cauldron spewed it out like projectile vomit, launching several hundred full-power headless evil spirits.

Fang Xiu’s red sleeves lifted and fell as white sleeves. With a flick of the Peach Bone Evil, hundreds of headless spirits turned into hundreds of white-robed Fang Xius, surging toward the immortals behind A’Shou.

[Let’s end this farce, A’Shou Jie.]

Fang Xiu murmured from deep within the shared body.

Bai Shuangying, ever more direct, simply said, “Time’s about up. I want to go home.”

He paused, then corrected himself.

“We want to go home.”

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The author has something to say:

The most compatible fusion pair. Fusion to fight by day, and… fusing again by night (?

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