Chapter Three: The Illusion Incident

“Major news from the Underworld, major news from the Underworld! The Wuchang Office has been established, the Wuchang Office has been established! Catching ghosts, fulfilling wishes, matchmaking—every service imaginable, every service imaginable! Guaranteed to solve all your worries—come burdened, leave relieved.”

“Major news from the Underworld, major news from the Underworld! The Wuchang Office is open for business—special prices, don’t miss this opportunity!”

“Hey, dear guest, this way please!”

...

Guideng could only smile wryly as he watched the bustling scene in front of the Asura Hall. Because of the so-called pressure issue, he had thought that after speaking with Obsidian, the latter would obediently stay put. Who could have guessed that Obsidian would set up several tents outside the hall? His carefully selected staff were now busy handling the so-called business, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

This Obsidian was truly something else.

Guideng lifted the tent flap and entered. At the sight of him, Obsidian’s eyes sparkled, and he immediately said, “Have you brought more staff for me?”

Guideng nodded, waving to the person outside. “This one is mainly responsible for your safety.”

“For my safety?” Obsidian eyed the person behind Guideng suspiciously—the newcomer kept his head bowed so low that his face could not be seen.

“Is he trustworthy?” Obsidian pointed at the man and asked.

Guideng chuckled and assured him, “Don’t worry, there’s no one in the Underworld more reliable than him now.”

Obsidian finally nodded, his eyes darting as he turned to the newcomer. “Do you have any other skills?”

The man shook his head, then nodded.

Obsidian pressed on, “Can you shout slogans and hand out flyers like the people outside?”

The man, his voice hoarse to the extreme, replied, “No.”

Obsidian made a sound of acknowledgment and continued, “Can you handle business like those inside?”

The man paused, then replied, “No.”

Obsidian sighed, utterly exasperated, shooting a resentful glance at Guideng. “So you’re... basically useless? Why keep you here, just to freeload?”

Sensing Obsidian’s intention, the man spoke slowly, “I can cook.”

At those words, Obsidian’s eyes immediately lit up. By noon, after tasting the man's cooking, Obsidian contentedly patted his round belly, thinking that at last he could once again savor the feeling of eating his fill.

Without a second thought, Obsidian kept the man, as if afraid someone might snatch him away.

Dressed up and cleaned, Black Servant could only look at Obsidian helplessly, thinking to himself that his master’s instructions were truly extraordinary.

The Hall of Yama.

“Reporting to Lord Yama, someone from the Celestial Realm requests an audience.”

The Celestial Realm? That was quick. “Let them in,” Yama replied, raising his head.

The Celestial Realm had sent an emissary—just one. He was gentle and courteous, the picture of a refined gentleman, with a faint smile at his lips that made him even more approachable.

“Wen Chen of the Celestial Realm greets Lord Yama.”

Wen Chen—the Celestial Prince. What was he here for? Sightseeing?

Yama was puzzled; after a moment’s thought, perhaps he had come for “him.” “What business brings you here?”

Wen Chen wasted no time, “I’ve come regarding Elder Yue. As you surely know, the last person Elder Yue met before disappearing was him. I want to understand the circumstances.”

Since Elder Yue’s disappearance, human relationships had become a tangled mess—yin and yang reversed, those lost in love suffering endlessly with no happy endings. The Celestial Realm had considered finding someone to take Elder Yue’s place, but among the thousands of red threads on the Tree of Fate, only Elder Yue could recall with certainty which was which and how each would unfold.

Helpless, the Celestial Realm had to keep searching for Elder Yue’s whereabouts in secret.

But after all these years, not a single clue had surfaced. With Elder Yue gone, the number of people dying for love had skyrocketed, increasing the Underworld’s workload. Truly, finding Elder Yue would resolve a major issue for both realms.

Yama sighed wordlessly. “You may return.”

Wen Chen was confused. “Why?” Could something have happened?

Yama explained, “He’s suffered memory loss and wouldn’t recall those old matters.”

Wen Chen was astonished, then understood. “In that case, I’ll take my leave. If he remembers anything, notify me and I’ll return.”

Yama nodded. Wen Chen turned and departed quietly.

Asura Hall.

Obsidian stared hungrily at Black Servant, who was cooking, and couldn’t help swallowing. “Smells amazing—how much longer?”

Black Servant secretly rolled his eyes. “Almost done, just a moment.” He thought, if only you’d stop staring, I could finish even faster.

Little Chubby bounced into the kitchen and, seeing the somewhat shifty Obsidian, asked, “Daddy, what are you doing?”

Obsidian didn’t even look back. “Waiting for food.”

Yan Nianqing finally caught the tantalizing aroma in the air. He sniffed, walked over to Obsidian, and joined him in staring.

Black Servant felt as if two wolves were watching him, so his hands moved even faster.

Obsidian and Yan Nianqing sat at the table, blissfully cradling their bowls.

Truth be told, this fellow’s culinary skills were superb!

Obsidian looked up, seriously admiring Black Servant, and realized he seemed familiar. “Hey, have we met before?”

Black Servant’s mouth twitched. Indeed, the way he looked after his transformation was nothing like the scruffy figure he’d been. No wonder Obsidian didn’t recognize him. Yan Nianqing, hearing this, scrutinized Black Servant carefully—yes, he also felt a sense of déjà vu.

Originally, Black Servant’s hair was caked with dust and grime, but now it had been properly cleaned, he’d bought a few sets of well-fitted clothes, tidied his face, taken a bath—the effect was nothing short of miraculous.

Before, he looked like a hideous old beggar; now, he was a handsome young gentleman.

Recalling his ghastly reflection in the mirror yesterday, Black Servant was startled—even he couldn’t recognize himself, so how could others? He replied in a deep voice, “I’m a staff member of the Underworld. Perhaps we crossed paths somewhere.”

Oh, I see. Satisfied, Obsidian went back to eating heartily. In all his days here, only Black Servant’s cooking reminded him of the flavors of home. In his heart, a tiny version of himself was weeping—so far from home, it truly wasn’t easy!

After the meal, Obsidian volunteered to wash the dishes. Just then, the little ghost Ding Ning came looking for him, “Lord Wuchang, Lord Wuchang, we’ve got an order, we’ve got an order!”

Obsidian had just finished washing and dried his hands. “What’s the order?” He’d made his requirements clear: nothing life-threatening, nothing too troublesome, nothing too far—conditions and more conditions.

He was embarrassed, having set so many conditions, yet still there was a suitable commission. Fate truly worked in mysterious ways!

Resigned, Obsidian wiped his face and said, “Go on, what is it?”

Ding Ning smiled reassuringly, “Lord Wuchang, don’t worry, it’s a simple matter. Recently, on the other side of the river, the staff on duty have been seeing strange visions. But whenever they approach, the visions vanish. Lately, the frequency of these sightings has increased dramatically. They can’t take it anymore, but have no office to handle it. Since we just opened, they came to commission us. Lord Wuchang, will you take this order?”

Obsidian stroked his chin thoughtfully, then slapped the table decisively. “I’ll take it. Absolutely.”

Yan Nianqing was startled by the sound, looked up at Obsidian, and asked, “Daddy, doesn’t your hand hurt?” That was loud...

Obsidian, eyes brimming with tears, quietly withdrew his hand. Why was this table so solid?

Since Yan Nianqing had asked, he stubbornly replied, “It doesn’t hurt—not at all.”

Ding Ning glanced upward and sighed, suddenly feeling reluctant to acknowledge Obsidian as his master. Was it too late to change his mind...?

Meanwhile, Black Servant was puzzled. When they first met, he clearly sensed his master’s aura from Obsidian, but now, there was no trace of it—Obsidian was just an ordinary mortal, nothing but his appearance remained, and even his nature was far different.

Had he mistaken him? Yet his master had ordered him to stay by Obsidian’s side. Why? What was the connection between them...?

Black Servant silently watched Obsidian, lost in his own thoughts.