Chapter Fifteen: Reunion with a Familiar Face (Part One)

Shi Jun staggered from the blow, nearly collapsing to the ground. Glancing up, he saw Chiyang storming over, her face flushed with anger.

“Shi Jun! You’re far too reckless!” Chiyang, usually calm and composed, now seethed with barely contained fury.

Though Shi Jun had just taken a punch from her, instead of being upset, he actually grinned, saying, “I’m glad you’re here!”

“Glad? Glad for what?” Chiyang shouted, her anger unrestrained. “Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to barge into the Netherworld so carelessly?”

Truth be told, Shi Jun often called Chiyang a “shrew” behind her back, but seeing her so flustered and out of sorts unexpectedly warmed his heart and steadied his nerves. He smiled gently. “I’m fine, see? No need to worry.”

The young girl wouldn’t have it. Watching the two quarrel as soon as they met, leaving her ignored at the side, she suddenly bristled with inexplicable frustration. Leaping up, she pointed at Chiyang and scolded, “Hey! Who gave you the right to hit people?” Then she turned to Shi Jun. “So you’re the new Nether Marshal Shi Jun? What’s wrong with you? You won’t fight me but let someone else hit you and just smile about it!”

Chiyang was already brimming with anger, but seeing Shi Jun’s calm and cheerful face made it hard to keep scolding him. Luckily, someone else had come along at just the right moment to be her lightning rod. She sneered, “Oh, so it’s you, Three-Eyed Rakshasa. Are you talking to me?”

“That’s right, I’m scolding you! What, want to fight?” The girl rolled up her sleeves, fists clenched and ready.

Sensing the tension, Shi Jun hurried to mediate. “Ladies, can we calm down for a moment? Why are we acting like enemies when we first meet? We’re all friends here…”

“Shut up! Who’s friends with her?” Both girls interrupted him in unison, then spat in disgust, each displaying the same look of disdain for the other.

Shi Jun was left speechless by their synchronized hostility, but he still tried to smooth things over, this time addressing each separately. Turning to Chiyang, he asked gently, “How did you find me?”

Chiyang, seeing Shi Jun so composed, could only glare resentfully at Rakshasa before answering, “You dare ask? Do you remember what I told you before I left?” She then recounted what had happened: She’d been on duty at the Marshal’s Mansion when a patrol reported a violent surge in the River of Souls. Investigating personally, she found fragments of mortal-world objects destroyed by the dark currents—clear evidence that Shi Jun must be involved. She’d scoured the river, searching everywhere in vain, her worry mounting, until she happened upon Shi Jun chatting idly with another girl. That was when she’d lost her temper and punched him.

* * *

While Chiyang explained the situation, Rakshasa grew even more irritated. She had already disliked seeing the two so familiar, and now, as they chatted away, seemingly oblivious to her presence, her anger boiled over. She snapped, “Hey! I found him first! Why are you clinging to him? And you—getting hit and just smiling—useless!”

Before Shi Jun could respond, Chiyang snapped back, “Three-Eyed Rakshasa, why aren’t you on Xunfeng Cliff where you belong? If you’re not careful, I’ll tell your godfather!” She tugged lightly on Shi Jun’s arm, signaling him to follow her.

“Mind your own business!” Rakshasa shot up, eyebrows furrowed. “Others may fear you, Chiyang of the Nether Marshals, but I don’t! If you want to leave, go by yourself—why are you dragging him?”

Chiyang, about to turn away, just laughed coldly at this and, without a word, took Shi Jun’s hand in hers.

Shi Jun felt her slender, warm hand wrap around his, and his heart thudded wildly—eighteen years of life, and aside from his mother, he’d never held hands with any other girl. The sensation was strange and wonderful, as if a fine needle had gently pricked the softest part of his soul—a little ticklish, a little painful, but quietly joyful. He dared not reflect too deeply for fear it would vanish, nor did he dare squeeze her hand in return, worried that the magic would break if he did.

* * *

“You’re not allowed to go!” Rakshasa, seeing Chiyang holding Shi Jun’s hand, was suddenly overcome with inexplicable jealousy and seized Shi Jun herself. “Why are you going with her? We’re supposed to be looking for your friend!”

Rakshasa had always been headstrong and willful in the Netherworld, getting whatever she pleased. Her temper was notorious—capricious and childish, yet her nature wasn’t malicious. Unlike others who captured creatures to enhance their own power, she only kept them as pets for fun, never harming them. Because of her status and childlike antics, those beneath her would flatter and fawn, while those above indulged her. Over time, she grew bold and spoiled, always insisting on having her way. Today was supposed to be a day of training on Xunfeng Cliff, but she’d grown restless and sneaked out. First, Lanpo destroyed her “Beast Trap” and her painstakingly crafted immobilizing treasure, the “Wish Arrow.” Then she was mobbed by her own pets, and finally, to top it off, Chiyang—whom she’d never gotten along with—came to scold her. Unable to swallow her anger, she rushed over to confront them.

“Your friend?” Chiyang paused. “You didn’t come alone?”

“Hmph! Ignore her, come with me!” Rakshasa pulled at Shi Jun’s sleeve. “Aren’t you in a hurry to find your friend?”

Shi Jun, caught between the two girls, each tugging at him and bombarding him with questions, didn’t know who to answer first. He gently freed himself from Rakshasa’s grasp and said kindly, “Little sister, I have urgent matters to attend to. I appreciate your kindness!” Turning to Chiyang, he explained, “I came with Hu Hai, but we got separated on the way…”

Before he could finish, Rakshasa latched onto him again. “No, you can’t go! We agreed—you help me spar, and I help you find your friend!”

Still thinking of fighting? Shi Jun protested, “I really don’t want to fight you!”

“See? Stop causing trouble and go back to Xunfeng Cliff, or your godfather will scold you again!” Chiyang interjected coldly.

“Chiyang, keep your mouth shut!” Rakshasa had never liked Chiyang’s cold, condescending air—everyone else treated her politely, but only Chiyang looked down her nose at her. Already annoyed, Rakshasa’s anger flared at Chiyang’s superior tone. “What I do is none of your business!”

With that, she swept her Green Wish Scepter, sending several points of white light flying toward Chiyang like cold stars.

Chiyang merely sneered, flicked the projectiles away with a casual gesture, and drew a golden hunting bow from her back, aiming it straight at Rakshasa.

Rakshasa’s expression shifted, and she reached into her robe for more magical treasures, ready for battle.

Seeing a fight about to erupt with himself caught in the middle, Shi Jun acted on instinct. With a single thought, a swarm of Blue Spirits suddenly flew over, forming a barrier that separated everyone and blocked the oncoming attacks just in time.

The little creatures that had been trapped, now freed by the Blue Spirits, immediately scattered with shrill cries, disappearing in all directions.

“My pets!” Rakshasa, seeing her beloved creatures fleeing, panicked. Forgetting her quarrel with Chiyang, she darted after them to recapture her pets. But the little monsters were too swift, her “Beast Trap” destroyed, and despite her desperate efforts she couldn’t catch a single one. Frustrated, she turned her wrath on Shi Jun. “This is all your fault! Why did you let them go? I worked so hard to catch them—you owe me!”

Shi Jun, thinking quickly, smiled at her. “How about this—if you don’t pester me and Chiyang right now, I’ll catch you some even better ones next time, agreed?”

Childlike as she was, the promise of better pets instantly wiped away Rakshasa’s annoyance. She started counting on her fingers, “You have to keep your word! I want a little Nether Snake, two Soul-Eating Flowers, four Alchemy Beasts, and two Man-Eating Grasses…”

Shi Jun nodded at everything she demanded, glancing at Chiyang to signal her not to bother with this troublesome girl.

“Very well, let’s go,” Chiyang said, allowing Shi Jun to save face. Her demeanor softened as she shot Rakshasa a sidelong glance and smiled faintly, then took Shi Jun’s hand and walked away.