Chapter 24: Return to Life

I had already anticipated the attitude of the underworld emissaries. To them, I was merely a nobody, and they could have easily disposed of me without a second thought. However, my background was far from as simple as they imagined.

I curled the corner of my mouth slightly and spoke calmly to the short ghost official before me: "My mentor is Chen Tiande. I wonder if the face of that old gentleman is worth at least a bowl of rice soup?"

I did not claim to be Chen Tiande's grandson, only his disciple. Firstly, I did not wish to reveal too much information to the outside world. Secondly, I wanted to gauge the extent of my grandfather's prestige and see just how much fear these underworld emissaries held for him.

I clearly felt the short ghost official take a large step back the moment I mentioned my grandfather's name. A glimmer of terror flickered in his turbid eyes. They seemed to fear my grandfather immensely. After hearing me, the short official immediately turned to his taller companion and began to whisper, the two seemingly deliberating on how to proceed.

Witnessing this, I could not help but click my tongue in surprise. My grandfather's reputation was even more formidable than I had imagined. These spirits serving in the underworld bureaucracy were clearly unwilling to provoke him. Yet, my grandfather had already passed away—logically, these officials should have known that. Why, then, were they so nervous? This exceeded my expectations. Perhaps, despite his death, my grandfather had not entered the cycle of reincarnation. It is possible that such powerful figures do not need to reincarnate and can choose to remain in the underworld to serve.

Though I did not know if my conjecture was true, I could feel that their attitude toward me had changed significantly after I spoke his name. Soon, the short official removed the chains from Xiaojun and brought his soul before me.

"The descendant of the Qingma Physiognomy lineage must be shown respect. Take him and let him drink his rice soup!"

Hearing this, I felt a surge of joy, but I dared not show it. I grabbed Xiaojun’s wrist and pulled him into the courtyard. Once inside, I smashed a water vat filled with glutinous rice water, sending the liquid splashing everywhere.

"Hu Jun! Hu Jun! Come back quickly! Your father is waiting for you, come home now..."

Hearing the sound of the shattering vat, Uncle Hu immediately followed my instructions, lighting the soul-guiding lamp beside Xiaojun while calling out his son's name loudly. Xiaojun’s consciousness was not yet clear, but upon seeing the lamp lit in the room and hearing his father’s voice, he began to walk slowly toward the house. This was exactly what I had hoped to see.

"Soul of Hu Jun, return to me at once! Do you want your spirit to scatter into nothingness?" The short ghost official, realizing something was amiss, shouted sternly.

I pushed Xiaojun’s soul toward the room where his body lay. This was a debt I owed Uncle Hu, and I had to settle it.

"You brat, you dare to play me?" The short official, now enraged, raised his chains and threw them toward Xiaojun’s soul, attempting to drag him back.

But a bizarre scene unfolded. As the chains flew into the courtyard, a surge of celestial energy erupted, rebounding the chains back. This action triggered the "Soul-Startling Formation" I had prepared in advance. The two mace-like weapons at the courtyard gate began to rattle, emitting a low, booming roar. The ashes of the spirit money I had burned earlier drifted into the air, and as they landed on the ghost officials, their bodies began to tremble violently.

"You bastard! You dared to deceive me! You can set up formations? It seems I underestimated you." The short official finally reacted, glaring at me with fury.

I did not take his threats to heart. I smiled thinly: "Hu Jun’s lifespan is not yet exhausted; he should not have been taken to the underworld."

"Insolence! How dare you question the decrees of the underworld! Return the soul immediately, and this matter can still be discussed. Otherwise, do not blame me for being ruthless!" The short official said, brandishing his chains as he stepped toward the courtyard.

I spoke in a deep voice: "This formation is called the Soul-Startling Formation! If you step into this courtyard, there is no way back—your soul will be scattered to the winds!"

Upon hearing the name "Soul-Startling Formation," the short official retreated a large step, his expression filled with dread.

"Fine, kid. You are indeed ruthless." The short official stopped, looked up at me, his expression laced with malice. Realizing that Xiaojun had already returned to his body and knowing that the Soul-Startling Formation was a one-way path, he decided to withdraw.

"I, Chen Qiyue, owe you ghost officials a favor. If the opportunity arises in the future, I will certainly repay you," I said, bowing solemnly to the departing officials.

"Very well, we shall wait for that day."

After the short official left, the group of spirits gradually vanished from Uncle Hu’s courtyard. Once they were completely gone, I let out a long breath, my palms slick with sweat. It had been too close; the short official’s power was not to be trifled with. If he had forced his way through the formation, I would have been severely injured, even if I had survived.

Ultimately, the reputation of the Soul-Startling Formation had intimidated them, preventing them from risking their own annihilation to fight me. Fortunately, everything had gone smoothly, and Xiaojun’s soul had successfully returned.

Seeing the officials gone, I rushed into the room. Xiaojun had returned to his body but had not yet fully awakened. Uncle Hu held him on the bed, watching as his breathing gradually steadied. I knew Hu Jun had been saved; he would wake up once the rooster crowed three times at dawn.

Uncle Hu sat quietly by the bedside, his large blade resting to the side. He gazed at his son with a gentle, loving expression. At this moment, he was not the infamous "Hu the Iron Hand," but merely a devoted father.

"Uncle Hu, it’s over. Everything is in the past now," I said softly as I approached him.

Uncle Hu stood up and bowed solemnly to me. "Qiyue, years ago I owed your grandfather a debt of life. Now, my son owes you one. If you ever need anything, just ask. Even if it means walking through fire or over a mountain of blades, I, Hu the Iron Hand, will do it for you."

I quickly helped him up and smiled. "Uncle Hu, that is too formal. We are family, and we are both students of the Qingma Physiognomy. There is no need for such courtesy between us."

Uncle Hu nodded and continued, "It’s late, Qiyue. Go get some rest. I will stay here with Xiaojun, and tomorrow morning we can discuss seeking revenge!"

I shook my head, not yet wanting to sleep. There was one more thing I needed Uncle Hu’s help with.

"Uncle Hu, I’m not tired yet. There is one more matter I need your assistance with."