Chapter One: A Difficult Choice (Part One)

“That's wonderful! If you are willing to lend a hand, then we will be even more confident!” Yasha’s eyes lit up, a faint smile breaking across his dark face. After a moment’s thought, he handed the token back to Shijun and clasped his fists with both hands. “I’ll return immediately to make preparations. At the very least, I need to visit the Alchemy Department to gather more talismans and medicines. I will meet you again at this time tomorrow!”

A cold snort interrupted them—it came from Lie Jin, who had been sitting quietly to the side all along.

Yasha seemed to notice Lie Jin’s presence for the first time. Sensing the powerful demonic aura radiating from him, his brow furrowed as he regarded him warily, remaining silent.

Lie Jin cast a cold glance at them before focusing on his meal, slowly and deliberately eating with no regard for the others.

The atmosphere immediately grew awkward.

Yasha could not fathom why Lord Mingbu’s household had suddenly acquired such a formidable figure from the demon realm. He turned his head to look at Shijun, seeking answers.

Shijun forced a smile and glanced furtively at his mother and uncle’s expressions, thinking, “This is bad… I don’t even know how to explain this to them.” Hastily, he said, “Brother Yasha, you should go back first. Come find me when you’re ready.”

Seeing that Shijun was reluctant to say more, Yasha refrained from pressing further, regretting having returned the token so hastily. He nodded reluctantly. “Alright, I’ll head back then.”

With that, he led his band of ghost soldiers and little troublemakers and hurried away.

Shijun exhaled deeply but couldn’t help feeling uneasy. How was Chiyang doing now? Given her cultivation level, encountering danger in the demon world meant the situation must be dire. Was she injured? How much longer could she hold on?

“What was all that about just now, Xiao Jun?” Qin Xiaoya’s voice trembled slightly, though her expression remained relatively composed.

“Ah?” Shijun was startled, unsure how to respond.

“Let them handle the matters of the Underworld themselves,” Lie Jin said grimly. “Why do you have to interfere? The demon world isn't easy to enter!”

“What Underworld, what demon world! Xiao Jun, what exactly is going on? What are you hiding from me?” Qin Xiaoya suddenly raised her voice in anger.

Shijun hesitated, his head spinning. How to explain? Yasha had appeared openly in the mortal world during the day without any caution. Now, with his mother and uncle clearly disapproving of his recent actions, how could he explain it all? Forget it—there was no point in hiding the truth anymore. Better to be honest than to continue the exhausting cycle of lies.

Taking a deep breath, Shijun recounted the entire story of the night he turned eighteen—his encounters with Qing, the little troublemaker, Chiyang, and the events that followed—skipping only his meeting with the Underworld Patriarch and the token ghost spirit incident. The former was a secret sworn to the Patriarch; the latter was too gruesome, and he feared his mother would only embellish the horrors.

He even painted a vivid picture of the Underworld’s scenery, the little troublemaker’s playful charm, and Motuo’s steadfast loyalty. His mother’s face remained icy, showing no reaction. Only when he mentioned Hu Hai’s flattery of the fat mushroom did a faint glimmer of amusement flash in her eyes. Unable to read her mood, he forced a smile and said, “Mom, I agreed to join the Underworld as a spirit catcher because we will inevitably have dealings with them. It’s better to understand them ahead of time—maybe it will make things easier when the time comes.”

“What do you mean, ‘make things easier’?” Qin Xiaoya was momentarily confused.

“I mean, we all have to die someday. If we get along with them now, it’ll be much easier when we go to the Underworld after death,” Shijun joked boldly, seeing her expression soften a bit.

“Nonsense!” Qin Xiaoya snapped. “How can you say such unlucky things?” Her delicate face darkened as painful memories of his birth resurfaced. She could never accept such casual explanations and scolded, “You’re so reckless! Keeping such major things from me! Don’t you know how dangerous it is to deal with demons and ghosts? Aren’t you scared at all? I don’t care—resign immediately! No more spirit catching!”

Resign? Shijun thought bitterly. He was forced into this role in the first place. Where was he supposed to submit his resignation? This wasn’t a child’s game that could be ended on a whim.

He glanced at Lie Jin, who wore a sullen expression, lost in thought. Clearly, his uncle wouldn’t speak in his defense. Shijun reluctantly said, “Mom, now that I’m in it, I haven’t encountered any real danger yet. Honestly, it’s kind of fun…”

“Fun?” Qin Xiaoya’s face darkened further. “Is this something to be taken lightly? Just because you haven’t faced danger yet doesn’t mean you won’t! I absolutely forbid you from getting involved in these matters anymore!”

“Mom!”

Qin Xiaoya’s eyes widened. “If you won’t listen, then don’t call me Mom anymore!”

Shijun sighed inwardly—he should have expected this reaction. Any mother in the world would fiercely oppose such things. Who would be thrilled like that pervert Hu Hai? But…

Hesitating, he stole a glance at his mother’s face and murmured in a low voice, “Actually, the main reason I agreed to help them catch ghosts is… I wanted to check the Underworld for any news about Dad.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Xiaoya’s ears seemed to be struck by a thunderclap. Her hands trembled uncontrollably as she stood up abruptly, knocking her chair to the floor with a crash, seemingly unaware. Her eyes widened, staring fixedly at Shijun’s handsome face, which suddenly went deathly pale, lips trembling but unable to speak.

Startled by her reaction, Shijun quickly steadied her arm, asking gently, “Mom, are you alright?”

Qin Xiaoya composed herself and took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions, though her voice still trembled uncontrollably. “Really? Is there… any clue?” Though just a few words, they were spoken with great difficulty.

“…No,” Shijun said softly. “There is a Soul Soothing Department in the Underworld that records the names of all who report there. I checked, but I couldn’t find him.”

Hearing this, a trace of disappointment flickered across Qin Xiaoya’s face. She murmured, “No sign of him?” She stood in a daze for a moment, eyes wandering aimlessly before settling on Shijun. “Is this Underworld you speak of the legendary place that governs life and death?”

Shijun found the question strange but answered, “Not exactly. But generally, when people die, that’s where they go.” He bent down to pick up the chair.

“Is that so?” Qin Xiaoya sat down slowly with Shijun’s support, deep in thought.

“Xiaoya, are you feeling alright?” Lie Jin asked with concern, noticing her pale complexion.

“…I’m fine.” Qin Xiaoya tried to force a smile but failed. Seeing the concern in Shijun and Lie Jin’s eyes, her nose tingled, tears threatening to spill. She bit her lip, holding back the flood of emotions.

For eighteen years, Qin Xiaoya had almost given up hope of finding Shili. But in the quiet of midnight, especially in moments of loneliness and despair, she couldn’t help but recall her husband’s strong arms and gentle, handsome smile. Hearing her son mention him suddenly unleashed eighteen years of pent-up longing and pain like an erupting volcano, tearing her heart apart with unbearable anguish.

Those in the Underworld must be powerful, right? Surely through them, they could find some trace of Shili. If that were true… perhaps fate would be merciful, and she could reunite with Shili in this lifetime.

At the thought, her heart pounded wildly, breath quickened, and a flush appeared on her pale face. Emotions surged like a tide, uncertain whether they were joy or sorrow.

Seeing her mother’s shifting expression, Shijun called anxiously, “Mom? Mom!”