Chapter Twenty: Brothers Reunited (Part One)

Chiyang and Shi Jun searched every corner of the periphery of the Heart-Searing Hell, but there was no sign of Hu Hai. Though Shi Jun kept silent, his heart was in turmoil, plagued by the fear that something terrible might have happened to his friend. He silently blamed himself for his recklessness, dragging his loyal brother into peril. What if misfortune truly befell them—what then? Little did he know that Hu Hai was not only unharmed, but was living it up under his name, enjoying life to the fullest!

Noticing Shi Jun’s increasingly somber expression, Chiyang tried to console him: “Don’t worry. Let’s go to the Warden’s Office in a while. Perhaps your friend was spotted by a patrol of ghost guards.”

On the way, Chiyang had explained that the Warden’s Office functioned much like the police, prosecutors, and courts in the human world—responsible for local security, defense, and justice. Shi Jun mused, “That makes sense—maybe Hu Hai really was caught by the ghost guards. As an ordinary mortal, he’s bound to suffer a bit, but that’s still better than wandering aimlessly through those perilous places.” He quickly asked, “If the Warden’s Office does find Hu Hai and discovers he’s an outsider, will that put him in danger?”

“Not at all,” Chiyang replied, though he wasn’t entirely sure. In truth, Shi Jun’s concern wasn’t unfounded. Generally, as the local authority responsible for order, the Warden’s Office would arrest any intruder like Hu Hai without a second thought. Moreover, they held autonomous power over such offenders. As the saying goes, “It’s easier to deal with the king than the petty officials.” If handled by routine procedure, things might be fine—but if the case fell into the hands of a corrupt or cruel official, an ordinary man with no connections or skills like Hu Hai could be in real trouble…

With this in mind, Chiyang quickened his pace, pulling Shi Jun along. Soon, the two arrived at the Security Court under the Warden’s Office, which was specifically tasked with maintaining public order.

*

By chance, the deputy warden was out on business that day. With the boss away, the other civil and military officers took the opportunity to steal a few idle hours—some boasting, others slacking off. The vast Security Court was eerily deserted; even the two little ghost guards usually stationed at the gate had vanished to relax.

Chiyang frowned at this and thought, “How undisciplined are Shura King’s subordinates! Though the Shura King holds the highest rank among the Three Lords of the Underworld, he’s far less adept at keeping his men in line than the Vedic King.” Yet, as a commander of the underworld army, Chiyang knew well enough that the military and local officials had always been at odds. With the military and administration separate, he had no reason to help Shura King discipline his useless subordinates. So, he and Shi Jun simply strode into the Security Court.

After waiting a long while, they finally saw a tipsy official amble in, hat askew and eyes half-closed. Chiyang immediately stopped him to inquire.

The official was startled at first—he recognized Chiyang, though the underworld army rarely involved itself in local matters. Why had they come knocking now? As he puzzled over this, Chiyang beckoned him over, so he hurriedly bowed and greeted, “Commander Chi! Is there something you wish to instruct me?”

Chiyang smiled faintly and asked, “Where is Bai Lun?”

Bai Lun was the deputy warden. The official, seeing Chiyang seek his superior, bowed again. “The deputy went to the Refinery Office today, sir. I’ll go fetch him at once!”

“No need,” Chiyang waved him off. “I need your assistance with a matter.”

“I wouldn’t dare refuse, Commander! Please, give your orders!”

*

“What orders could you possibly give these blockheads? I brought the people you’re looking for!” Before Chiyang could reply, a clear, ringing female voice suddenly called out from the doorway.

“Miss!” The official turned at once, trembling with fear.

Shi Jun and Chiyang both looked toward the entrance—marching in was a young woman clad in armor, a long braid reaching her waist. Wasn’t this the very Rakshasa who had just quarreled fiercely with Chiyang? She strode in, tossed a huge sack off her back onto the ground, clapped her hands, and grinned at Shi Jun. “Ghost-catcher brother, how will you thank me?”

Shi Jun, bewildered, asked, “Thank you for what?”

Rakshasa pouted. “Trying to deny it? I saw you worried and went through all the trouble to find your friend for you. Won’t you thank me?” She pointed at the enormous sack, which was now wriggling on the floor.

The black ribbon tied around the sack’s mouth suddenly came loose. From inside the bag came a jumble of cries—“Ouch!”, “Mother!”—and then two disheveled figures crawled out, one after the other. One was a young man, mouth and hands still stuffed with food, looking somewhat familiar; the other was burly, with large, glaring eyes, who, as soon as he emerged, began cursing Rakshasa loudly. Who else could it be but Hu Hai?

*

Hu Hai was furious. Truly, disaster had come knocking while he sat at home.

A short while earlier, he and Motuo had been enjoying themselves at the Soul Hunter’s house—Motuo gesticulating wildly as he sampled the delicacies of the underworld, while Hu Hai idly probed the Soul Hunter for information about treasures in the netherworld. The conversation soon turned to the realm’s fabled artifacts.

“What kind of treasures do you have here? Tell me, so my friend can see for himself!”

“Reporting to the lord, our underworld is vast and rich in treasures. Aside from the Heart-Purifying Nectar I just mentioned, there’s Spirit-Cleaving Grass, Frost Berries, Crimson Essence, Wind-Stilling Mist, Bloodstone, and more. For example, Crimson Essence is a prized possession for fire cultivators, and Bloodstone is sought after by earth cultivators. Spirit-Cleaving Grass and Frost Berries are coveted by all who tread the path of cultivation. But the most famous of all is the Nether River Ice Crystal, unique to our realm…” Eager to please, the Soul Hunter left nothing unsaid.

Hu Hai’s curiosity was thoroughly piqued. “So how does one find these treasures?”

“Hurry! Where can we get these Nether River Ice Crystals? Fetch me a dozen at once!” Motuo, hearing mention of the tribulation-crossing treasure he sought, couldn’t even finish his meal before butting in impatiently.

“As for the Nether River Ice Crystal…” The Soul Hunter, startled by Motuo, quickly replied with a nervous smile, “I’m afraid that’s beyond my ability. It’s an extraordinary treasure, essential for crossing tribulations in the immortal, demon, or spirit realms, formed over eons from the netherworld’s coldest energies. Most are hidden in the Blissful Hell, with a few scattered in the remote corners of the Heart-Searing Hell. Even if I knew their exact location, I’d never have the power to acquire them!”

Motuo spat in annoyance. “So what’s the point of your talk?” He buried his head back in his food. Truth be told, he understood—if Nether River Ice Crystals were so easy to obtain, the demon realm’s people wouldn’t be so cautious about their tribulation quests. Still, he harbored a sliver of hope, which was why he asked.

The Soul Hunter, seeing Hu Hai’s disappointment, thought, “Today, I must curry favor with this new lord, even if it costs me dearly. Otherwise, not only will my dreams of promotion be dashed, but I might even offend him—then my days would truly be numbered!” Gritting his teeth, he sidled up to Hu Hai and whispered, “I truly have no way to procure Nether River Ice Crystals, but I do have one or two other treasures. If you don’t mind, I would be honored to offer them to you.”

Hu Hai was overjoyed, nearly leaping from his seat in triumph, but he reined in his excitement, maintaining the dignity of a ghost-catcher lord. “Is that so? Who knows if your treasures are genuine? Well then, bring them here so I can appraise them.”

“Please wait a moment, my lord,” the Soul Hunter replied, delighted that Hu Hai had not refused. His hopes for promotion seemed half-fulfilled already. He bustled off to the back courtyard and soon returned, bearing a small, exquisitely wrapped brocade box.

Hu Hai, seeing the little box wrapped so tightly, was almost itching to snatch it and see what lay within. Yet he managed to sit upright, feigning indifference, waiting for the Soul Hunter to offer the treasure with both hands. Just then, his vision blurred—a sharp female voice exploded by his ear, “Are you Hu Hai? Why are you running about everywhere?”

*

How could I be running around? Hu Hai was bewildered to hear someone call his name. Before he could grasp what was happening, a slim-browed, bright-eyed young woman in military garb appeared before him, scepter in hand. Instinctively, he asked, “Who are you, shouting like that?”

“Miss!” The Soul Hunter, recognizing her, was so terrified he nearly dropped the box and fell to the floor.

The so-called “Miss” ignored the Soul Hunter, instead sizing up Hu Hai with a bored air. “Are you or are you not Hu Hai? Speak up!”

“So what if I am? What do you want?” Hu Hai was baffled, unable to make sense of the situation.

“Then come with me.” Seeing Hu Hai admit his identity, the girl’s expression brightened. She stepped forward and, without so much as a by-your-leave, grabbed his arm to drag him out.

Hu Hai’s arm was squeezed painfully. He struggled free and scolded, “What’s wrong with you? I don’t even know you—why should I go anywhere with you?”

“Yeah, you three-eyed brat, who are you?” Motuo, noticing the pretty but brash girl barging in, paused mid-bite—mouth and hands sticky with food—and swaggered over.

“You don’t even know who I am?” The girl rolled her eyes at Motuo, then turned to Hu Hai. “I promised someone I’d help find you, so come with me!”

“Wait a minute,” said Hu Hai, perplexed and increasingly annoyed by her overbearing attitude. “Who said they were looking for me?”

“M-Miss…” The Soul Hunter, though terrified of this notoriously fierce and willful girl—feared by all in the Heart-Searing Hell—was also afraid of offending the ghost-catcher lord. If the lord was somehow wronged in his house, he’d be doomed! “This… this is Lord Ghost-Catcher, Miss. Is that who you’re seeking?”

“Ghost-Catcher lord?” The girl looked Hu Hai up and down with a sneer. “You’re a ghost-catcher too?”

Hu Hai grew uneasy, but puffed out his chest. “Why should I tell you who I am? You still haven’t said who’s looking for me.”

“Hmph.” The girl huffed, “Isn’t it that fellow Shi Jun, who’s always hanging around that shrew Chiyang?”