Chapter Eight: The Register of Departed Souls (Part Two)

Shi Jun was fully aware that this incident had inevitably ignited a grudge between Motuo and Duanyue. However, since Motuo was not from the Underworld, as long as he didn’t come here alone in the future and Shi Jun kept an eye on things, nothing too serious would likely happen. He quickly shifted his focus back to the main issue—finding his father. Long ago, Hu Hai had already described to him in detail the ugly demeanor of the various underworld officials at the Warden Division. Now, hearing Mistree's inquiry, Shi Jun thought: If he handles this by the book, he’ll probably just use the rules of the Underworld as a pretext. It’d be better to fabricate a reason to intimidate him a little and get this matter settled as soon as possible. Resolving himself, he said sternly, “I am currently investigating a case that involves the whereabouts of a certain person, so I require your assistance. Since your department specializes in managing the records of reincarnation and annihilation, you must have archives stored here, correct?”

“Naturally!” Mistree’s expression turned serious the moment he heard it was related to the Warden’s investigation. “May I ask, who is it you wish to look for, sir? What is his background? Do you have details such as the date of birth and death?”

Shi Jun hadn’t expected this question and was momentarily taken aback. In truth, he knew little about his father’s details; his mother had only ever told him that his father’s name was Shi Li. As for his birthdate, appearance, height, or education, he had no idea. After a brief pause, he replied, “This case is of great importance, and many details are not convenient to disclose. I hope you understand. The person I’m searching for is named Shi Li. If he were still alive, he’d be about forty years old, but as far as I know, he should have passed away eighteen years ago...”

Mistree couldn’t fathom what sort of person could be so enigmatic, but since the Warden himself was making this inquiry, there must be a reason. Besides, after years as an official, he understood well that ‘the more you know, the more trouble you invite.’ He didn’t press further and promptly called out, “Quickly, go to the Register of Reincarnation, and bring out all records for any man named Shi Li from the past hundred years. I will conduct the search personally!”

“That’s not necessary,” Shi Jun interjected hurriedly. “Fifty years will suffice.”

Mistree smiled, “Better to be thorough! The Warden works so tirelessly to keep the Underworld safe. It is only right that I do my utmost to ensure nothing is overlooked.”

Hu Hai quietly tugged at Shi Jun and made a face as if he were about to be sick. Shi Jun caught his meaning, smiled, and said nothing.

Soon, Mistree’s subordinates hauled out a great pile of files from the storage room, filled with the records of Shi-surnamed males’ reincarnation and annihilation spanning nearly a century. To be sure, Mistree even pulled out all records of similar-sounding names such as Shi Li and Shi Li (with different characters), and began to examine them with his team.

Shi Jun longed to join in the search himself, but restrained himself from being too obvious. His mood was tense, his brow furrowed, and his fists clenched unconsciously.

Hu Hai, who had previously known nothing about this Shi Li whom Shi Jun was searching for, now guessed from Shi Jun’s expression that this person was likely a relative. Otherwise, with Shi Jun’s usual indifferent attitude, how could he be so anxious? With a thought, he turned to Motuo. “Hey, since we’re just standing around, why not help search too?”

Motuo nodded indifferently and didn’t ask further. The two of them joined the effort to sift through the records.

* * *

Before long, the stacks of files had been combed through repeatedly. Although they found many named Shi Li, none matched the life details of the man Shi Jun sought. Left with no alternative, Mistree returned to Shi Jun with a pained expression. “Sir, the person you’re searching for does not appear in our records.”

Shi Jun looked instinctively at Hu Hai, who shook his head. Suddenly, Shi Jun felt bewildered—his earlier hope was doused like a bucket of cold water, his heart sinking.

Seeing the Warden’s long silence, Mistree quickly tried to console him, “Please don’t worry, sir. Perhaps the person you seek is still among the living. If so, there would be no record here.”

“Still alive?” Shi Jun repeated unconsciously, then slowly shook his head. “Impossible…” he thought. If his father were alive, there’s no way he would have vanished without a trace for eighteen years.

Hu Hai, seeing Shi Jun so distraught, turned to Mistree. “Hey, is your Register of Reincarnation really so flawless? With so many wandering souls in the human realm, are all of them recorded here?”

Shi Jun was startled by the question, a flicker of hope rekindled in his heart as he looked to Mistree for an answer.

Mistree gave a wry smile. “To be frank, those stray souls wandering the human realm are not recorded in the register…”

“There you go!” Hu Hai exclaimed, crossing over to Shi Jun and patting him on the shoulder. “So maybe this Shi Li’s records just got lost!”

“That’s not it,” Mistree quickly protested. “The Register only records souls who have already reported to the Underworld. The Shi Li you seek may still be alive, may have died but not yet been escorted here, or may not have been a human being at all. In these three cases, our Soul Registry can’t track him.”

Hearing these three possibilities, Shi Jun immediately asked, “Then is there no place where more detailed records can be found?”

Mistree shook his head. “That’s not entirely so. As far as I know, the Ancestor of Yellow Springs in the Nether Abyss would know. However…”

“Ancestor of Yellow Springs?” Shi Jun’s eyes lit up, as if grasping a lifeline. “However, what? Speak!”

* * *

“In truth, the one who truly controls the cycle of reincarnation and annihilation in the Underworld is the Ancestor of Yellow Springs, deep within the Nether Abyss. He is the true master behind the Great Reincarnation Array. Even the soul guides who escort the dead were created by him. Our role here is simply to channel spiritual power and maintain the array, recording only the souls delivered by the guides in the Register. As for the intricate workings of the array, we know nothing. Whether Shi Li is alive, dead, demon, immortal, or spirit, the Ancestor would know for certain. The only problem is, I have no idea where he resides.” Mistree finished all at once, stealing a glance at Shi Jun’s face and sighing helplessly.

Shi Jun’s hope, just rekindled, was snuffed out again by the sudden introduction of the mysterious Ancestor of Yellow Springs, whose whereabouts even Mistree did not know.

* * *

“I know where the Ancestor of Yellow Springs is!” Rakshasa, who had been standing aside bored out of her mind—paying little attention to Duanyue’s apology or Mistree’s search—suddenly spoke up. She had only intended to watch the commotion at first, but seeing Shi Jun genuinely anxious, she interjected, “I’ll take you there, Warden.”

“Really? Three-Eyes, don’t joke about things like this.” Hu Hai thought, if we hit another dead end, Shi Jun would be devastated.

Rakshasa glared fiercely at Hu Hai. “Who do you think I am? There’s nowhere in the Underworld I don’t know! I haven’t been to the Nether Abyss myself, but my foster father mentioned its location before, so I have a good idea where it is. Well? Are you coming or not?”

Shi Jun, never having found Rakshasa so agreeable before, was almost moved to praise her as Hu Hai did his beloved mushrooms. He nodded eagerly, “Thank you, little sister! I’ll have to trouble you again!”

Rakshasa grinned with pride. “That’s hardly necessary. But you must promise me one thing…” Her face flushed red. “Forget it, I’ll tell you after I take you there. I’m not afraid you’ll go back on your word!” With that, she didn’t even bother to bid Mistree farewell, but dashed off briskly.

Shi Jun and the others could only hastily thank Mistree and take their leave.