Chapter 536: New Friends

Chapter 536: New Friends

Hui stood there smiling until the reaper faded away. The second she faded away, the smile dropped off his face. No time to waste. While shes away, time to find out what happened to all the other reapers before me!

He hurried off into the town, looking around for a clerk with some free time. All the clerks rushed by, eyes dead ahead, clutching records and scrolls to their chests. After a few minutes, Hui frowned. Narrowing his eyes, he leaned against a wall and watched the rushing clerks. Theres no way all of you are that busy all the time. I know your tricks. Someones using the old clipboard tactic Id bet my life on it!

If I was in the habit of betting. Or betting my life. Or if I was alive.

A few moments later, Hui stepped forward, into the way of a bookish-looking male clerk in formal robes, a court hat, and glasses. The clerk drew to a halt, startled. He glanced left and right, glasses reflecting light, then went to step around Hui.

Hui moved to the side, blocking his path. Good evening, Elder Brother.

Im busy, the man said, adjusting his glasses.

So busy that youve had to take three circuits of the main street with the same four scrolls? Hui asked politely, smiling.

The mans eyes widened behind his glasses. He coughed and went to push by Hui more forcefully. Excuse me.

Elder Brother, no, no. Please. I dont want to give you more work. I just want to chat, Hui said, backing away in pace with the man.

We shouldnt chat with the reapers, the man said.

Says who? Hui asked, still smiling.

The man hesitated. He drew to a halt, momentarily giving up on leaving Hui behind. Stiffly, he bowed. Please let me pass.

Was it Elder Sister Reaper? Hui asked.

The man jolted.

Hui grinned. He nodded at the man and turned, walking alongside him. Elder Brother, Im also a reaper. Do I not have equal standing?

Er The man coughed awkwardly.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Ah! Ive been impolite. Im not allowed to give my name, but what about Elder Brother?

Yun Qianfan, the man said shortly. He swerved hard down a side alley.

Yun Qianfan hurried out of the alley, leaving Hui behind.

Hui snorted. He shook his head after Yun Qianfan. If you arent working, why are you in such a hurry to run off? Elder Brother, if youre being lazy, then commit to being lazy! Besides, whats the harm in stopping to chat with me? I didnt even ask a hard question.

Dusting off his robes, he paused to consider his next course of action. Ive got a free pass to do what I like for a time, but what should I do? I could go back to the mortal realm, but I havent done much down here. Once I inevitably break free of the Underworld, itll be difficult to reenter this space. I know Han Qins beloved is down here somewhere, but I havent seen her prison yet. Now that the reapers away and Zhu Diyu is distracted, as usual, I should take this opportunity to go search for her. After all, its relatively easy for me to visit the mortal realm, and for now, Zhubi should be sufficient to train up and watch over my children. If I have time afterward, Ill stop by the mortal realm, obviously, but first, lets go find that phoenix lady!

Although Im easily suppressing the phoenix flames right now, I wont be able to rely on the Sanzus waters forever. If anyone knows how to remove it or snuff it out, its the lady who developed the phoenix flame in the first place! Maybe theres some mystery Han Qin isnt aware of.

So decided, Hui nodded. He leaped into the sky and flew up, ascending toward the roof of the Underworld. From on high, I should be able to get a better feel for where Han Qins beloved is. For where the prisons in general are! Surely the Underworld has prisons. Im sure of it!

Stone stretched in all directions. The small city of clerks appeared even smaller from above, little more than a blemish on the stone floor. Zhu Diyus court and throne stood out more clearly, along with the long line of souls slowly approaching the Lord of the Underworld. He spun slowly, searching the extremities of the world.

Well, Ive already done this. I cant be surprised if it doesnt add anything more.

But instead Hui focused, reaching out to his soul and circulating his death qi. The third eye on his souls forehead opened.

The world didnt turn black and white this time, but instead, the scenery below changed. Immediately, a cloying scent of iron and rot suffused his nose. Hui clapped his hand over his nose instinctively. What?

A sea of white bones carpeted the floor, occasionally pitting away to reveal deep pools of boiling blood. Larger bones jutted out of the ground, curling toward the sky. The throne Zhu Diyu sat upon suddenly appeared fleshy and raw, like rotten flesh. Instead of hair, a constant stream of bright crimson blood ran down over his shoulders from atop his bare skull.

Hui jerked back. Is this what the Underworld truly looks like?

Zhu Diyu looked up. Nothing sat in the depths of his eye sockets but shadow, shadow so deep as to have no depth. Although he had no face, Hui got the impression that the man smiled at him. Zhu Diyus bony jaw moved up and down.

Somehow, Hui found himself understanding the mans words. I already gave it to you long ago.

Hui frowned. Gave what to me?

Ah! Wait! My talismansthat is, Zhu Diyus talisman! The one with the waves. Is that what he means? But what does that mean? I already gave but what for?

Wait. Hui tore off a bit of his sleeve and bit his thumb. Dark Sanzu river water marked the cloth, and he stared at the formula, thumb to his lips. Waves vibrations dimensions I never fully understood this attack. Is there some further mystery to it, that I havent yet comprehended?

His third eye closed. The Underworld returned to its usual appearance. Down below him, Zhu Diyu turned back to the approaching souls. All returned to normal.

Hui looked at his talisman again. You know what? Lets go use this at the borders of the Underworld, not right in the middle. Im not sure what its going to do, or if itll even work, but I dont want to launch an attack right over Zhu Diyu and have the reaper and all the clerks jump me for attacking the Lord of the Underworld. No, no. I must avoid such misunderstandings at all cost!

Nodding to himself, he tucked the talisman into his robes and flew away, hurtling toward the edges of the Underworld.