Part 6: An Accidental Bath

As a seductively charming being, it was clear that Yan Yunqing possessed significant assets; otherwise, how could he have hooked someone for so long without them ever growing weary of him? Even while bathing, Yan Yunqing’s exquisite, painting-like features remained untouched by any worldly aura, as cold and frosty as ever.

The hot spring pool in this courtyard was specially prepared by the old King Yama for Yan Yunqing. Yan Yunqing had a unique constitution, yet even this pool could not fully withstand it. As soon as he entered, a thin layer of ice would form on the surface. Yan Yunqing remained expressionless, as if long accustomed to the phenomenon.

Yan Yunqing’s gaze was drawn to the peach tree where the Ghost Venerable was hiding. The ice in the pool instantly spread toward the tree. The Ghost Venerable slowly revealed his form, leaning against the trunk without the slightest fear of the encroaching ice.

Even after spotting the Ghost Venerable, the ice did not stop—though it eventually had to. The Ghost Venerable cast a sidelong glance at Yan Yunqing, his charming eyes darkening slightly, while he mocked, "As men, you little King Yama are truly more pretentious than most!"

The Ghost Venerable lowered his gaze, shed his garments, and walked slowly toward Yan Yunqing. With every step, the ice retreated, until he entered the spring. The ice melted, everything returned to normal, and the temperature began to rise. The Ghost Venerable did not approach further, merely leaning against the edge of the pool, enjoying the warmth.

Yan Yunqing, feeling the long-absent heat, shifted his gaze away from the man he had been staring at. His heart rate remained steady, unchanged, yet he could not fathom why he had found it impossible to look away. This person’s skin was abnormally fair, and his appearance was top-tier, but Yan Yunqing harbored the strange illusion that if he touched him, the man might vanish. Moreover, it was clear he had misunderstood; the man had simply wanted to bathe.

Yan Yunqing closed his eyes, savoring the warmth. Hearing the sound of water splashing nearby, his body stiffened, not daring to move. He heard a low, soft chuckle, and then a pair of scorching hands suddenly pulled him close.

Yan Yunqing froze for a moment before a flicker of intent transported him to the side hall. The heat on his face rose steadily, his earlobes turning an abnormal shade of red. He took a deep breath, trying to banish the lingering sensuality of the hot spring, when a sudden gust of wind chilled his body. *Oh no,* he thought, *I forgot to bring my clothes back.*

The Ghost Venerable twitched at the corner of his mouth, nearly falling into the pool. *This man has no sense of atmosphere,* he sighed, rubbing his forehead. *Forget it, there is always tomorrow.* With that thought, he leaned back against the pool edge.

The Ghost Venerable narrowed his eyes, feeling restless. He scanned the room, suddenly spotting the pitch-black clothes Yan Yunqing had left behind. He gave a playful smile; he had long disliked that black attire. It was time for a change.

Refreshed, the Ghost Venerable rose, dressed, and left the courtyard. However, he did not head toward the main Yama Hall, but toward the side hall where Yan Yunqing resided.

The Ghost Venerable busied himself all night, leaving the side hall only as dawn approached.

By broad daylight, the Ghost Venerable lay on the bed, silently waiting for Yan Nianqing to wake. As the boy opened his eyes and saw the Ghost Venerable’s soft gaze, he looked dazed for a moment before happily wrapping his arms around the man’s neck. The Ghost Venerable lifted him, only for Yan Nianqing to plant a loud, enthusiastic kiss on his cheek. "Mother, good morning!"

The Ghost Venerable snapped out of his thoughts, his heart warming. He allowed himself a rare moment of indulgence, rubbing his forehead against the boy’s and kissing him back. "Little Nian, good morning!" he whispered with a smile.

After washing up, the father and son walked harmoniously out of the main hall, running straight into Yan Yunqing. Yan Yunqing was wearing moon-white robes identical to theirs, patterned with light blue lotus flowers. The attire made him look more vibrant, handsome, and approachable, stripping away some of his usual cold detachment.

Yan Nianqing noticed this and whispered secretly in the Ghost Venerable’s ear, "Mother, why is he wearing something just like ours?"

The Ghost Venerable suppressed a laugh. Seeing Yan Yunqing’s slightly aggrieved expression, he had to admit he was in a pleasant mood, though he remained outwardly indifferent. "Who knows? A coincidence, perhaps."

It was quite a coincidence indeed. Yan Yunqing stared at the Ghost Venerable with a rare, deep-seated resentment in his eyes. In just one night, all his clothes—even his bedding—had been turned to white.

Yan Yunqing ultimately said nothing and walked ahead in silence. The three of them went to breakfast together. The subordinates passing by stood frozen in place. *Wait—are those three not a family?* No matter how they looked at it, it was hard to believe otherwise!

After a silent breakfast, both parties went to attend to their official duties.

With his task completed, the Ghost Venerable felt that as an Impermanence Official of the Underworld, he should report in. Unexpectedly, as soon as he and Yan Nianqing entered the door, before he could even offer a greeting, a subordinate shouted as if he had seen a ghost: "Ah! A ghost! A ghost!"

The Ghost Venerable looked at the subordinate with a mix of surprise and amusement; the man was still alive, so he must have been scared senseless last night.

The subordinate continued to retreat, pointing at the Ghost Venerable. "He—he died last night! He was clearly dead! How can he be standing here?" Cold sweat beaded on the subordinate’s face, his eyes full of terror. When another guard tried to approach, he roared, "Don't come over here! Don't come! Hahaha! You’re all dead! Everyone is dead!"

The subordinate laughed toward the heavens, the laughter turning into sobs as he descended into madness. The others looked at the Ghost Venerable, who wore an expression of confusion. The child beside him kept his head down in silence. The Ghost Venerable looked sorrowful. "It’s all my fault! I didn't consider his courage. When that starving ghost lunged at him, I had no choice but to kill it to save him. I didn't expect him to run off. I was with my child and couldn't catch up. It’s all my fault!"

The subordinate stared blankly at the Ghost Venerable, then suddenly shouted, "You're lying! If not for my own luck, I would have been dead. You let that ghost attack me!"

The Ghost Venerable stepped back, startled. "You... well, it is true I failed in my duty to protect you properly. It is my fault!"

Upon hearing this, the subordinate looked at the surrounding guards. "You all heard him! He did it on purpose!" His voice grew smaller.

The other guards looked at him coldly. One stepped forward and bowed to the Ghost Venerable. "Lord Impermanence, please forgive us for the shock. It is our dereliction of duty to have allowed such a coward to serve in the Underworld." Two guards stepped out to drag the hysterical subordinate away. "We will handle this man. Please rest, Lord Impermanence, and we will report back to you."

The Ghost Venerable offered a pale smile. "I leave it to you."

The subordinate felt a chill run through his entire body; it was too late for anything he said now. As the Ghost Venerable watched him being hauled away, the other guards returned to their work, and he decided to take Yan Nianqing to explore other parts of the Underworld.

In the side hall of the Yama Palace, Yan Yunqing was processing official documents.

Guiji arrived uninvited, tapping on the door symbolically. "My, what wind blew you in? You’re wearing white? Haven't you hated white since you were a child?"

Yan Yunqing thought of this and replied coldly, "All my clothes were changed to white by someone." A hint of resentment leaked through his icy tone.

Guiji raised an eyebrow, unable to stop the schadenfreude. "Is there anyone in the Underworld who would dare to mess with King Yama..." He paused, an annoying face flashing through his mind. There was indeed someone who dared to target the King of Hell: that Ghost Venerable!

Guiji tested the waters. "Could it be the Ghost Venerable?" Seeing the resentment in Yan Yunqing’s eyes, Guiji couldn't help but laugh. "Then I can't help you. Neither of us can control him. He’s clearly targeting you, and I shouldn't interfere."

Yan Yunqing’s expressionless face furrowed. Why was he being targeted? As Yan Yunqing pondered this, he recalled the events of the previous night. He froze for an instant—last night, he hadn't had time to react, but that person... that person had actually been able to touch him!

Guiji watched Yan Yunqing’s face shift from red to white. It was rare to see such rich expressions from him, so he decided not to interrupt; he should enjoy the show.

The air remained quiet for a moment. Yan Yunqing looked up and asked, "Is there anyone in this world who is unaffected by my constitution?"

Guiji stroked his chin. "I truly don't know. Could someone actually touch you without harm?" He smiled lewdly. "Then you should seize the opportunity."

Having grown up with Yan Yunqing, he had mastered the skill of reading information from his icy face. Seeing his expression, Guiji’s smile stiffened, and he said helplessly, "It’s that old ghost?" It seemed so.

Guiji shook his head, sighing inwardly. *What exactly is the Ghost Venerable’s background?* He certainly wouldn't admit he was still finding this amusing. What would happen between the eternal frost of Yunqing and that troublesome Ghost Venerable? He would just have to wait and see.

Outside in the Underworld, the Ghost Venerable sneezed; was someone talking about him, or perhaps speaking behind his back?

Guiji pondered this, but still offered a word of advice. "It’s nothing major, let it be. You are the Lord of the Underworld after all; everything should be for the sake of the Underworld."

Yan Yunqing’s heart, which had been slightly turbulent, calmed instantly. He lowered his gaze to the documents and said, "I know." No one knew better than he did; the very meaning of his birth was for the sake of the Underworld. That was the reason for his existence.

As for anything else, Yan Yunqing had no fortune to enjoy it.