Chapter 105

Chapter 105

"Dr. Wu has finally returned. Even though it's just over the internet, seeing him back makes me feel much more at ease."

"?? Why have all those fierce ghosts suddenly turned so tame? Is it because they're afraid of Dr. Wu?"

"Probably not. These fierce ghosts are now acting like scaredy-cats. If they were truly afraid of Dr. Wu, they wouldn't have attacked earlier. Is there a ghost hanging around Dr. Wu? It's a blurry black mist, hard to make out clearly."

Shi Xuan's gaze was icy. Faced with absolute power, there was no need to even take action. Just his presence was enough.

"Those who participated in this rebellion shall be sent to the Flaming Ghost Mountain to serve for a hundred years. Those who have taken lives shall be punished according to the laws of the underworld, with additional sentences. As for those who stubbornly resist," Shi Xuan coldly issued the command, "they shall be wiped out!"

The ghost general who followed him nodded, "Yes, Your Excellency."

The New Year's Eve live broadcast from Chengde Medical Hall had an online viewership in the hundreds of millions, and even several official media outlets had rebroadcast it.

The moment Yanjun issued the decree through the ghost network, it spread to every corner within a minute.

The fierce ghosts in various places were completely floored. This wasn't what their leader had said. Wasn't the Underworld Lord dead, and a new lord needed to be established? They were the new lord's loyalists.

One fierce ghost, who had just snatched a paper effigy from an old man at the South Gate, now cowered with his family in a corner. The old ghost, though terrified, still hovered protectively in front of his family.

The old man, now without his only weapon, the paper effigy, looked up to the heavens and bellowed in rage, "You monsters! If you want to harm my family tonight, you'll have to devour me first."

The fierce ghost glanced at the live broadcast on the TV, gulped nervously, and suddenly charged at them.

Amidst the screams of the onlookers, the fierce ghost dropped to his knees in front of the old ghost, holding the paper effigy high with both hands, and said with a sycophantic grin, "Old man, you've misunderstood! I'm one of the good guys. I was just testing your ghost-fighting skills! Not bad, you've got some strength. Here, your effigy back."

The old ghost: "..."

Really? I don't believe it.

Another fierce ghost, still perched on someone's windowsill, watched the ghost network news where Yanjun personally announced the new decree and felt like the sky was crashing down.

Seeing the family inside the window staring at it in terror, the fierce ghost grinned and began robotically wiping the glass, "Uh, uh, New Year's cleaning. I... I'm here to help clean high windows. Totally free, no strings attached."

As the family remained frozen in silence, the ferocious ghost, wearing a strained smile, clumsily scribbled the character "福" (fortune) in blood on the glass. "The fortune ghost brings luck to your home. Happy New Year's Eve!"

The family silently watched as blood dripped down the glass from the character, a scene that was both festive and unnerving, leaving them speechless.

Another fierce ghost, who had just emerged from a sewer, came face to face with a family. The lady of the house screamed in terror upon seeing the ghost in the toilet.

The ghost, after glancing at the live broadcast, awkwardly said, "Don't misunderstand. I'm here to unclog your sewer. It's a bit blocked, so I came to fix it."

With that, it immediately demonstrated its sewer-unclogging skills!

Across the country, countless "smart" fierce ghosts like this instantly became docile the moment Yanjun's decree was issued.

They understood the underworld better than the living. Yanjun, who held the greatest ghostly power in the underworld, always meant what he said. Even the ancestor could only attempt a coup, let alone these small fierce ghosts.

Surrendering their weapons took only a few minutes!

Wu Heng looked at the person beside him with great admiration.

Indeed, he hadn't been wrong. Sending Shi Xuan back to the underworld early was the right decision.

A peaceful resolution, one that spared as many ordinary lives as possible on New Year's Eve, was the best outcome.

"I saw the fierce ghosts in my neighborhood all run away."

"The fierce ghost that had already broken into my house is now crying and helping us mop the floor. What the hell is going on? Just a moment ago, it looked like it was going to devour my entire family."

"Breaking news! It seems those fierce ghosts watched the live broadcast from Chengde Medical Hall and heard about the new decree from the King of Hell, so they’ve all calmed down. So, that faint gray shadow next to Dr. Wu is...!!"

"Holy crap, this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, I actually saw the shadow of the King of Hell? This New Year’s Eve is something I’ll brag about for the rest of my life."

"Your Majesty, King of Hell, I bow to you. My Dr. Wu is amazing, even the King of Hell is dragged up to work."

Shi Zongguang was so shocked that his mouth hung open, staring in disbelief at the flood of comments.

The King of Hell...

His son, Shi Xuan, is the King of Hell?

Not the demon child the spirits warned would wreak havoc on the world, but the King of Hell who could subdue countless ghosts and demons?

Shi Zongguang’s phone suddenly fell to the ground, his breathing rapid and his mind in chaos. If Shi Xuan is the King of Hell, then what has he been doing these past eighteen years? Holding back the King of Hell’s growth, trapping him in a confined life.

Could he actually be the reason behind the global surge in supernatural activity?

If he hadn’t restricted Shi Xuan, or hadn’t taken the collar from the butler’s son and given it to Shi Xuan, perhaps Shi Xuan would have become the King of Hell long ago, instead of waiting until he was eighteen?

He never considered himself a saint, but he never wanted to see ghosts and demons slaughtering the living everywhere, yet... yet...

He was the sinner, the one who caused all this?

Shi Zongguang’s worldview seemed to be shattered, his blood surging wildly. Unable to accept it, he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood and fainted on the spot.

The police officers present were startled.

This guy should’ve called an ambulance for himself, not the cops!

-

Wu Heng watched as Shi Xuan lightly waved his sleeve, and all the yin energy was sucked into it.

The sky was still pitch black, but a few sparkling stars dotted the night.

A legion of ghost generals rose from the earth, and without the help of Taoist priests, special forces, or soldiers, they apprehended all the wailing fierce ghosts.

These fierce ghosts would be the backbone of the underworld’s labor force for decades to come.

"Great, great, great. With the King of Hell’s plans, we’re in good hands. It’s getting late, we should return to the Ghost Gate," a middle-aged couple said, looking fondly at their children.

Unlike the Ghost Festival, on New Year’s Eve, after returning home for the reunion dinner, they should leave, as the Ghost Gate would close at midnight. If they didn’t leave early, they might not make it.

The younger daughter couldn’t help but rush forward to grab her parents: "Mom and Dad, don’t go. The Year of the Snake hasn’t arrived yet, we haven’t celebrated the New Year together."

The couple smiled at each other. Just being able to come back for the holiday and see their kids was a blessing in itself. How could they ask for more?

However, in the black-and-white live broadcast on TV, the young King of Hell, crowned and commanding, issued a new decree: "Tonight, the four Ghost Gates will remain open until the rooster crows."

Every ghost in every home was floored by this new decree. Open until the rooster crows?

The rooster’s crow signals the divide between yin and yang. Here, the rooster crows at 5 a.m., so there were still several hours left.

They could stick around for a few more hours...

In many households, someone laughed loudly: "We haven’t even had the reunion dinner yet! Mom and Dad, let’s have the reunion dinner together before you leave."

As she spoke, the bubbly little granddaughter tiptoed to flip on the main light, filling the house with warmth and light.

The little grandson was hopping around, begging his grandparents to turn on the TV for him and his sister, who hadn’t watched it all day.

The matriarch of the house grabbed the apron hanging nearby, tied it on, and smiled at her husband, who was tearing up: "The supermarket outside must’ve heard the news and will probably open. Honey, run out and grab some more veggies. I’ll start preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner in the kitchen."

"Alright!" The man didn’t mind that it was already 11 PM and pitch-black outside. He grabbed his coat and mask and headed out.

The grandparents and great-grandparents, now ghosts, weren’t just sitting around. They turned on the TV for the grandkids, then washed some fruit and brought out tangerines and candies, and even went into the kitchen to lend a hand to the lady of the house.

The holiday spirit was in full swing right then.

Lights gradually flickered on in every household. Some families started whipping up lavish New Year’s Eve feasts, while others just gathered to make dumplings. The living room TV was tuned to the Spring Festival Gala.

At the younger folks’ places, friends gathered to play script games and cards, winning stacks of hell money off each other, laughing their heads off.

Meanwhile, Shi Xuan grabbed Wu Heng’s hand: "Let’s head back for New Year’s. It’s almost countdown time."

Wu Heng gave a firm nod, smiling at the live camera: "Happy New Year’s Eve, everyone! I’m signing off now—gotta rush back for the reunion dinner."

After ending the broadcast, Wu Heng saw Shi Xuan about to drag him back to Nan Nuo Village and quickly said, "Wait, I need to grab my grandpa first."

Wu Tai probably still had some loose ends to tie up, but he could still make it for the reunion dinner.

Shi Xuan tugged Wu Heng along, skipping the well and taking the underworld shortcut to Nan Nuo Village. "Don’t worry, I’ve got ghost generals fetching Grandpa Wu."

In a flash, they popped out from underground in Nan Nuo Village, greeted by a sky full of fireworks.

The night sky was ablaze with fireworks from every household, each one trying to outshine the others, lighting up the darkness.

Shi Xuan swapped into casual wear—a simple black puffer jacket—and strolled with Wu Heng under the fireworks.

Shi Xuan gazed ahead at the stone path, the cool night breeze brushing his face, and said, "Wu Heng, there’s something I need to tell you."

Wu Heng’s heart skipped a beat under Shi Xuan’s intense gaze, but just as he was about to speak, a firecracker exploded, sending paper scraps flying everywhere.

"Ha ha ha, Happy New Year’s Eve! Welcome home, my boys!" Wu Su, clutching fireworks, burst out.

Wu Heng stared at Wu Su, dumbfounded: "Dad, did you even start the reunion dinner?"

Wu Su replied, "I did! Didn’t we grab those pre-made dishes? Just pop ’em in the microwave, and they’re good to go."

Wu Su laughed, "Of course not pre-made! There’s a whole crew cooking at home. They were scared I’d ruin it, so they sent me out to fetch you two."

Wu Su wedged himself between them, grabbing each by the wrist, and cheered, "Let’s go home—it’s New Year’s Eve!"

The kitchen at Chengde Medical Hall was huge. He Yunxiao, Li Hao, and their parents were all pitching in, with a bunch of young guys helping out. The kitchen was alive with the smell of food.

The deceased elders of these friends also showed up at Chengde Medical Hall to collect their dues. A bunch of old ghosts huddled together, swapping stories, and some even wanted to check out Nan Nuo Village.

"Wu Heng and Shi Xuan are back!"

The house immediately became lively.

Wu Heng and Shi Xuan exchanged glances. Shi Xuan stepped forward to help Wu Heng roll up his sleeves, revealing his long arms, and together they went to help.

Plates of piping-hot dishes were carried to the table, and Wu Su even brought down homemade wine from the attic to pour for the deceased elders.

Ghosts and demons don't eat like humans; they feed by absorbing energy.

After the events of New Year's Eve and with it being their own family, why would they fear sitting at the same table with ghosts?

Several tables were set up in the clinic, and Wu Heng and the others, being young, were all sent to the kids' table.

A knock came at the door, and there stood a refined old man smiling warmly in the doorway.

You Jin dropped his chopsticks in surprise and was the first to shout, "Master, you're back?"

Wu Heng and Shi Xuan stood up simultaneously. Wu Heng stepped forward to take Wu Tai's hand, saying, "Grandpa, we've been waiting for you to join us for a long time."

Wu Tai, dusty from his journey, first used the clinic's disinfectant spray before gently ruffling Wu Heng's hair, his wrinkled eyes glistening with tears. "Our little Heng has really grown up. Let's sit down and eat."

Wu Tai then turned to Shi Xuan beside him and smiled, "You must be Shi Xuan, right? Thanks for arranging someone to pick me up."

Shi Xuan glanced at the ghost generals, signaling them to leave, and smiled faintly, "Hi, Grandpa. I'm Shi Xuan. No need to thank me; we're all family."

Wu Tai chuckled, his eyes lingering on the two of them, understanding something, but he didn't say more and took his seat.

"Ahhh, did I make it back in time?" A small white snake slithered through the door—it was the little white snake.

After confirming communication with the other Dragon Kings of the well, the little white snake thought of the family's New Year's feast and hurried back to Nan Nuo Village. Seeing everyone already at the table, the little white snake got anxious.

"Big Brother Bai, sit here," Xi Xi called out, leaning towards the little white snake.

The little white snake crawled over and, upon seeing Xi Xi, almost cried, babbling about how tough his business trip had been, how nasty the fierce ghosts were, blocking the well and trying to escape, and how one fierce ghost had even bitten his tail!

But he bravely turned and fiercely confronted the ghost, which was scared off by the Dragon King's aura and actually ran away.

The little white snake then looked at the voluptuous beauty beside him and asked in surprise, "Who are you?"

Not a family member, friend, or lover of Wu Heng's, huh? Who is this woman?

Su Dayi, her eyes coveting the chicken on the table, glanced sideways at the little white snake, "Have you gone nearsighted from your trip? Don't you recognize your fox spirit grandma?"

The little white snake took a step back in shock, staring incredulously at the young woman draped in white fox fur, looking exceptionally dignified and elegant. "That gas tank fox spirit?"

Could she only be described as voluptuous?

Su Dayi's face darkened instantly. She leaned in, baring her teeth threateningly, "Little snake, be careful your grandma eats you, just in time for a New Year's treat."

Knowing Su Dayi was just joking, the two snakes weren't afraid of her, figuring she'd suffer enough later, and she couldn't eat them, hehe.

He Yunxiao walked over to pour them some juice and asked the little white snake, "Little Bai, do you want soda or soy milk?"

The little white snake, flattered, quickly responded, "Uncle He, I'll have whatever Xi Xi is having. Whatever she drinks, I'll drink."

He Yunxiao smiled at this, first pouring a cup of soy milk for Xi Xi, then another for the little white snake.

The little white snake felt an indescribable joy. Uncle He actually asked him first what juice he wanted to drink, haha.

When He Yunxiao turned to Su Dayi, she raised an eyebrow, "Of course, I'll have red wine, or white is fine too."

Su Dayi didn't let He Yunxiao pour for her; she went to the wine cabinet herself, muttering to herself, drinking wine shouldn't make her fat, right?

She hated gatherings! So much delicious food she didn't dare eat for fear of gaining weight, so she could only eat Xiangshan.

Su Dayi's eyes darted around, her heart itching with temptation. Should she just eat? After all, her voluptuous figure was quite attractive, and she was super proud of how He Yunxiao and the others were stunned by her.

"Go ahead, eat whatever you like," came the gentle voice of Wu Heng beside her. Su Dayi turned her head abruptly, looking at Wu Heng with some confusion. Wasn’t Dr. Wu the one who told her to watch what she eats and stay active?

Wu Heng was also selecting wine; there were many homemade wines in the house, each with varying alcohol content.

While pouring the wine, Wu Heng said, "Once you understand that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, you won’t balloon up even from drinking water. This is the heavens' test for you."

Su Dayi’s eyes lit up immediately, "Really?"

Not waiting for Wu Heng’s reply, Su Dayi raised her glass of red wine and rushed back to their table, grabbed her chopsticks and dug in.

The little white snake was still amazed that Xi Xi had no trace of demonic energy left, when it turned to see the fox spirit devouring food while still holding chopsticks to keep up appearances.

Xi Xi was a demon snake created by the snake spirit through dark magic, relying on He Yunxiao's seven emotions and six desires. Originally, Wu Heng had erased the demonic energy from her body, and since then, she had been following Wu Heng, so the demonic energy was not very noticeable. However, the little white snake could occasionally smell it. Now, upon returning, it found that Xi Xi's demonic energy was completely gone, and the little snake was now brimming with natural spiritual energy.

This was no longer a demonic creature, but a true spirit snake, the true guardian spirit of the He family.

"Xi Xi, eat quickly!" The little white snake didn’t hesitate and dove into the feast.

Both the little white snake and Xi Xi could transform into human forms, but the little white snake wasn't very good at using chopsticks in human form. It preferred eating in its animal form, which let it be more carefree, unlike the fox spirit who had to eat voraciously while maintaining a beautiful image.

The little white snake opened its mouth and gobbled up the feast on the table, from chicken to duck to fish, all going into its stomach.

While eating, it didn't forget Xi Xi, using chopsticks to grab some chicken for her, which both the fox and the snake liked. Just as the chicken was placed into Xi Xi's bowl, the little white snake suddenly felt something was off.

"?"

Hands? Where did its original form have hands?

The little white snake glanced down, puzzled, as moonlight from outside the window poured in, falling directly onto the little white snake.

Everyone at the table turned their gaze, surprised to see the little white snake bathed in the soft, ethereal moonlight.

The little white snake's silver scales shimmered with spiritual light, and its original form gradually changed. The small horns on its forehead grew thicker and stronger, and a pair of sharp claws emerged from its serpentine body, giving it a majestic and powerful appearance.

"This... this..."

He Yunxiao and the others were stunned. What was happening?

Wu Heng put down his chopsticks, a look of admiration in his eyes, and said, "The snake has leaped over the dragon gate and transformed into a flood dragon."

As soon as Wu Heng finished speaking, the little white snake soared into the air, flying through the window into the night sky filled with fireworks, spotted by countless tourists who had come to Nanluo Village for the New Year.

A tourist pointed at the sky in excitement and shouted, "Ahhh, look at the sky, there's a dragon! I saw a dragon during the New Year! Oh my god!"

"Is that really a dragon? Do dragons still exist these days?"

Zheng Feiran and his family were also celebrating the New Year in Nanluo Village. At this moment, he couldn't care about the New Year's Eve dinner, he grabbed his paintbrush and dashed into the courtyard to watch the little dragon soaring amidst the fireworks, muttering to himself, "I must paint this, add it to my ghost market artwork."

The little white snake descended from the sky and flew back, looking at its transformed body in disbelief, "I... I actually became a flood dragon?"

It had truly become the Dragon King of the well.

The little white snake was somewhat bewildered. It had never dared to imagine that one day it could transform into a flood dragon. Had it reached enlightenment?

Wu Heng patted the little white snake's head and said, "Congratulations on passing the heavens' test. From now on, you won't need my witch power leaves to easily traverse the water systems."

A spirit snake that was once so timid, it had managed to claim an unoccupied well along the water system and united with the Dragon Kings of wells across the country to seal the well entrances. The heavens are always fair.

The little white snake looked at Wu Heng in a daze. It knew that without Wu Heng, it would never have gone.

The little white snake paused for a moment, then suddenly zipped in front of He Yunxiao and exclaimed excitedly, "Uncle He, Uncle He, I've become a jiaolong, the only jiaolong in the country now!"

He Yunxiao suppressed a smile and adopted a dignified elder's demeanor, saying, "Hmm, that's awesome, keep it up."

Beside them, Li Hao and Wang Dong were in tears, thinking about how they had a spirit snake and now even a jiaolong in their family. They decided to make a New Year's wish, hoping to have a child next year.

They weren't picky; any snake, dragon, or monkey would do.

The little white snake rubbed against He Yunxiao, then rubbed against Wu Heng, and immediately turned back to join the feast at the dining table.

Su Dayi, mid-bite, shouted, "You've grown hands, you should use your claws to eat in your true form, ahhh you're forcing me to show my true self!"

Su Dayi's table was buzzing, and the other tables were just as lively.

Some were discussing underworld politics, others were talking about their kids' college plans after the exams, and some were planning to set off firecrackers after dinner.

The ghosts and demons watched the younger generation, savoring the aroma of the food and liquor, their eyes filled with joy.

Since their deaths, it had been many years since they had a reunion like this.

As the clinic clock's second hand crept towards midnight, everyone stood up and raised their glasses in unison, shouting, "Happy New Year!"

Outside, the howling wind blended with the growing roar of fireworks, welcoming the new year.

Wu Heng knew this long night would eventually end, and the sun would rise again tomorrow.

All the troubles and dangers of the old year would fade, and the new year would bring endless hope.

Wu Heng raised his wine glass and looked at Shi Xuan, saying, "Happy New Year, Shi Xuan."

Shi Xuan lowered his head and sipped the wine from Wu Heng's glass, his lips stained red, his Adam's apple bobbing in the soft clinic light, as he whispered, "Wu Heng, Happy New Year."

Everyone stared at them in silence.

Wu Su chimed in, "You kids, after you eat, go out and play. I bought a bunch of firecrackers, go have fun."

Shi Xuan led Wu Heng out first, found the fireworks Wu Su had bought in the yard, struck a match to light the sparklers, and handed them to Wu Heng.

Inside, Wu Su felt a secret thrill. Seizing the moment with the kids outside, he whipped out his phone and called Shi Zongguang.

As soon as the call connected, he proudly declared, "Old Shi, I've got news for you—your son is now my son, my son-in-law! Hahaha, thanks for footing the bill to raise him for eighteen years."

There was silence on the other end.

"Hello?"

Then the assistant butler's voice came through, "Butler Wu, Shi Zongguang has passed out and is in the hospital. He hasn't woken up yet, and we're not sure what's going on. It could be serious."

Wu Su: "Ah?"

He's already out? Wu Su felt a mix of emotions, muttered a few good wishes, and hung up.

Wu Su watched the young men and little snakes playing with fireworks outside, raised his glass, and shouted to the middle-aged crowd, "Drink up, everyone, Happy New Year! Wishing you all safety and happiness in the new year."

-

Outside, a group of young men were enthusiastically playing with fireworks.

He Yunxiao was battling Li Hao and the others in a firecracker toss. Even though He Yunxiao was solo, he had a snake and a jiaolong on his side, not just holding his own but nearly winning. Li Hao and the others were yelling for the fox spirit to lend a hand.

You Jin was playing with the safest sparklers, always reminding them to be careful.

In the distance, Lai Yin Chai, who was still frantically searching for the fugitive fierce ghosts, glanced at them. After a moment of hesitation, he decided not to get involved and floated away with his heavy paper lantern, continuing his relentless pursuit! If he succeeded, he would become a judge of the underworld!

Shi Xuan led Wu Heng towards a quiet, desolate area for a walk. Wu Heng still held the nearly burnt-out sparkler in his hand, the silvery sparks making his face appear even paler.

As the fireworks gradually extinguished, a hint of regret flickered in Wu Heng's expression.

Shi Xuan reached out, his slender fingers sweeping through the air where the fireworks had been, and the sparkler reignited with a silver-white glow, eternal.

"Wu Heng, I really like you, I’ve liked you since our first meeting in the ancient era," Shi Xuan said softly, his eyelids drooping as he looked at the young man before him, his tone serious yet tinged with reverence. "Please, be with me."

"Okay?"

Wu Heng tightly gripped the eternal sparkler, watching Shi Xuan's handsome face through the fireworks. He could even clearly see the trembling shadows of his eyelashes. Wu Heng nodded heavily: "Okay."

Shi Xuan exhaled in relief as if a weight had been lifted. He reached out and embraced Wu Heng, lowering his head to gently brush against Wu Heng's face and hair, chilled by the cold wind.

Tentatively, he leaned closer to Wu Heng's face and softly kissed him.

The warmth and moisture between their lips erased the last remnants of reason. Shi Xuan held him tighter, his slender fingers gripping Wu Heng's slightly reddened neck. Wu Heng melted softly into his embrace, allowing him to invade his lips and teeth, letting their breaths completely intertwine.

Shi Xuan's warm fingertips gently caressed the blushing face of the person in his arms. "Happy New Year, my dear Wu Heng."

-

The Ancestor of the Mystic Sect led a group of fierce ghosts to incite conflict between the two realms. The Ancestor was captured and taken to the peak of the Mystic Sect Mountain, imprisoned within a dark, massive stone, where he was scorched by the sun for forty-nine days.

Finally, in that spring, his soul disintegrated at the peak of the Mystic Sect Mountain.

The remaining involved fierce ghosts were all sentenced according to the severity of their crimes. For the next few decades, the underworld would rely on these laborers to match the development of the mortal world.

One fierce ghost angrily said, 'If you’re going to arrest us, then arrest everyone! I want to expose the accounting department of the rebellion. There’s a part-timer named Yang Xing who also committed crimes. Why isn’t he being arrested?'

The leading ghost general looked at the fierce ghost as if he were an idiot. 'Yang Xing is an undercover agent, you idiot.'

Where do you think Yang Xing got the money for his inventions underground?

He sold the birthday gift Lai Yin Chai gave to Wu Heng cheaply. It was indeed his personal property, but so many ghosts at the South Gate received white gift bags. How could he manage it without money?

Yang Xing had only intended to be a teacher. Who knew the underground network was so underdeveloped, and there were too few students in the learning apps? To make a decent living in the underworld, Yang Xing had to find a part-time job.

The families of those whose lives were bought by Li Juan enjoyed watching videos of the Shoe King Yang Xing being punished, but that wasn’t a long-term solution. So, by chance, he found himself working in the accounting department.

Originally, Yang Xing really just intended to earn some extra money for living expenses. Who knew he was so sharp and discovered that something wasn’t quite right?

Yang Xing consulted with Wu Heng, feeling quite conflicted. Was this... really embezzlement?

Wu Heng told him to go ahead with confidence, so he did. Not only did he do it, but he also persuaded a few talented ghosts from the accounting department to join him, dragging them all into the plot.

The white gift bags given to ordinary ghosts were all funded by the Ancestor of the Mystic Sect’s initial capital. To be precise, it was the hard-earned money of the Ancestor’s disciples and followers, which also helped the Mystic Sect accumulate merit.

Yang Xing’s actions were undoubtedly meritorious, and coupled with his exceptional academic background, Yanjun extended an olive branch to him. Would he be interested in trying out the role of a judge?

Among the current four judges, one was on the verge of soul dispersion, and the other three were about to retire.

Yang Xing wasn’t interested in being a judge; he preferred reading and inventing.

He realized there was a reason the underworld wasn’t developing. Once high-tech talents from the mortal world descended to the underworld, they were treated like stars, all given priority to reincarnate.

This caused the technological gap below to widen.

He was more interested in focusing on scientific research.

Yanjun also gave his approval, and in order to quickly catch up with the development progress of the mortal world, he established the Underworld Research Institute, with Yang Xing as the dean, allowing him to recruit students himself and apply for funds from the underworld.

Yang Xing even specifically sent dreams to the president of Jing City University of Science and Technology and Professor Zhao Qingyun, bringing them together in a dream meeting, earnestly hoping to secure more teaching materials.

The next day, the president of Jing City University of Science and Technology called all the professors in the university for a secret meeting, agreed to the matter, and after approval from above, specially sent many confidential documents to Yang Xing by burning them.

Professor Zhao Qingyun stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "It seems we’ll have a place to work even after we pass away."

His cancer had completely healed, and he was in very good health, likely to live another thirteen years.

Professor Zhao was a dedicated workaholic, and the thought of being able to contribute after death made him extremely happy.

The president nodded and said, "Isn't that right? Our outstanding alumnus has built a research institute down there, and we will have a place to go in the future."

"By the way, I have decided to issue a graduation certificate to Yang Xing."

Those who work hard in their studies will eventually be rewarded.

Meanwhile, in Nan Nuo Village, Lai Yin Chai hurriedly entered Chengde Medical Hall, and upon entering, he saw Wu Heng sitting in front of a dressing table, using bright pigments to paint his face. He placed a paper lantern on Wu Heng's table, his pale face beaming with pride.

Wu Heng glanced at the code on the lantern and clicked his tongue, "Impressive, Lai Yin Chai—oh, I mean, Underworld Officer."

The code on the lantern read "001."

After the Spring Festival, Lai Jun directly became the number one yin emissary in Hezi Slope Town.

'This is just the start. Do you know I have even bigger news?' Lai Yin Chai said mysteriously, wanting Wu Heng to guess.

Wu Heng said, "Is it that you’ve become a trainee judge?"

Lai Yin Chai was startled, 'How did you know? Oh... I almost forgot you and Yanjun are a couple. You didn’t whisper about me to Yanjun, did you?'

Wu Heng glanced sideways, "Do you think that's possible?"

Lai Yin Chai also thought it was unlikely. Wu Heng and Shi Xuan were together, but they kept their lives separate. Wu Heng never interfered with the underworld's operations; this was Yanjun's decision.

Seeing Lai Yin Chai's excitement, Wu Heng said bluntly, "Don't get too happy too soon. This trainee judge was selected from yin emissaries across the country who fought fiercely against fierce ghosts on New Year's Eve. There are hundreds of trainee judges, and the competition for the four judge positions is not that easy."

But the more Wu Heng said this, the more excited Lai Yin Chai became.

Wu Heng almost forgot, this guy thrives on competition, so let him have at it.

Fine, let him have at it.

'Wu Heng, what are you doing? Practicing the god dance or joining the village Nuo festival?' Lai Yin Chai looked at Wu Heng, having been busy dealing with the little ghosts up and down, he hadn't returned to Nan Nuo Village for a long time and didn't know the situation.

In Nan Nuo Village, the village Nuo festival had been held for half a month during the first month of the lunar calendar. Now that the first month had passed and it was already spring, the peach blossoms outside had bloomed, so the village Nuo festival shouldn't be held anymore.

"Ready?" Shi Xuan came upstairs and stood at the door asking Wu Heng.

Shi Xuan glanced at Lai Yin Chai, who immediately raised his hand and disappeared into the ground, deciding not to casually enter Wu Heng's bedroom anymore.

Wu Heng nodded, "Let's go."

Shi Xuan stepped forward and took Wu Heng's hand. Ever since getting together with Shi Xuan, Wu Heng no longer needed to borrow the scales of the little white dragon to travel through the well. Wu Heng could now traverse the underworld directly and easily travel to other places.

In spring, after the demise of the Xuanmen Ancestor, a grand national Nuo festival was set to take place, publicly billed as a grand artistic performance.

Attendees at this national Nuo festival included the Master Liu and Taoist priests who fought fiercely on New Year's Eve, as well as many Taoist priests from the folk, and... members of Xuanmen.

The sect master once thought they would no longer have the opportunity to participate, but despite the limited spots, many more were added for them.

Because all the fierce ghosts had been captured and returned to the underworld, the living world was now much more peaceful, and the grand national ritual had become more like a large-scale free blessing performance.

Wu Heng also received an invitation to perform.

They attended in ceremonial attire, walking along the main roads while ringing bells and beating gongs. With so many Master Liu and Taoist masters participating, the scene was grander than ever. Drones filled the sky, and excited onlookers surrounded them, taking photos.

Wu Heng was once again the lead performer. There wasn’t much rehearsal, as the national ritual to ward off evil didn’t require a uniform performance but the most sincere prayers from the Master Liu.

Various Nuo ritual dances unfolded as they walked. Wu Heng’s tower of people from the village Nuo festival reappeared, with even more layers, astonishing the spectators and creating a spectacular sight.

Wu Heng and his group arrived at the mountain peak of the sect. At the summit, besides the guardian stone of the mountain, stood a thousand-year-old bell.

Wu Heng stood at the peak, a light sweat beaded on his temples. He gazed at the continuous green mountains below, where wildflowers bloomed, and the spring breeze brought renewed energy.

In the distance, Wu Heng saw Shi Xuan nestled in the mountains, smiling softly as he watched him.

Wu Heng stood in the sunlight, raised his hand to grasp the bell striker, and solemnly struck the ancient bell. The deep, resonant sound immediately spread across the land.

Three strikes of the ancient bell represented the devout wishes of countless people.

First wish: peace and prosperity for the nation.

Second wish: happiness for the family.

Third wish: success in all undertakings.

[End of text]

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