The Netherworld

Netherworld.

“Judge Black, Judge Lu.”

The King of Hell called out, seated at his official desk.

“Your Majesty,” replied Judge Black and Judge Lu in unison, fists clasped in salute.

“Go to the Jiang family’s outer estate at once and apprehend the wandering spirits. Who among you will undertake this task?” The King of Hell had already learned the cause of Young Master Zhang’s death.

“Your Majesty, apprehending vagrant ghosts is my duty as Judge Black. Allow me to handle it,” Judge Black said, bowing.

“Very well. Judge Lu, you will go as well. The other is also at the Jiang family’s outer estate. If he tries to interfere, lend Judge Black your aid,” the King of Hell instructed, nodding.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” they both replied, then departed from the Netherworld.

Jiang Family Outer Estate.

“It seems we have distinguished guests.” Li Xintian, having discovered the Jiang family’s secret, also sensed the arrival of Judge Black and Judge Lu in the estate’s main hall.

“Shall I invite you out, or will you come forth of your own accord?” Judge Black looked around and called out.

“Younger Li Xintian greets Judge Black and Judge Lu,” Li Xintian saluted.

“So it’s you who destroyed my Netherworld’s ghost officer?” Judge Lu scrutinized Li Xintian from head to toe. “And there’s even a fox spirit at your side.”

“It was I who destroyed the ghost officer,” Li Xintian admitted. “That ghost officer, right before my eyes, tried to forcibly seize an innocent ghost to make her his concubine.” He knew now was not the time to say much; he could only explain the ghost officer’s intentions.

The twelve other female ghosts, upon hearing that Li Xintian had dared kill a ghost officer, were deeply shocked and stared at him in astonishment.

“Enough. Now that it’s clear, kindly step aside. I, Judge Black, must apprehend these wandering spirits,” Judge Black said, producing a ghostly pouch.

“Why must you capture them? Is it because of Young Master Zhang who died here before?” Li Xintian immediately guessed the reason for the judges’ arrival: Zhang’s death and his complaint in the Netherworld.

“It is my duty. If you intend to hinder me in capturing these spirits, do not blame me for being merciless,” Judge Black said fiercely.

“What’s gotten into you, speaking to him like that? Calm yourself,” Judge Lu whispered, tugging at Judge Black, then addressed Li Xintian in a louder voice.

“Let’s all take a step back and discuss this.”

“I’m willing to step back. It’s simple: I wish to help Qiurong with one matter. The rest you may take back to fulfill your duty. Is that acceptable?” Li Xintian still wished to help Qiurong.

“Master Li, please help us. Don’t let Judge Black capture us,” Xiao Xie pleaded anxiously.

“Whatever happens, it’s up to the King of Hell to judge, not you,” Judge Black retorted, surprised that Li Xintian would protect a female ghost.

“I will return her to the Netherworld as soon as I’ve helped her—there’s no question of shielding her,” Li Xintian replied. “Is that acceptable?”

“Judge Black, you must give him some respect,” Judge Lu said. “You know very well, these vagrant spirits’ fates are always decided by the King of Hell and the Book of Life and Death.”

“Judge Black, must you be so inflexible? What he wants to do, the Book of Life and Death cannot prevent, it only hastens the outcome.”

Judge Black and Judge Lu cast a boundary with their spectral energy to discuss quietly.

“Very well,” Judge Black said after a moment’s thought.

“You may go of your own accord. For the sake of Judge Black and Judge Lu, I will agree,” Li Xintian said, seeing that Judge Black had consented.

The other female ghosts moved to stand beside Judge Black—except for Xiao Xie, who did not follow.

“Sister Qiurong, I truly don’t want to leave,” Xiao Xie sobbed, clinging to Qiurong.

“You foolish ghost! With Master Li vouching for you, you still refuse to go?” Judge Black, angered, struck out. A beam of black light shot toward her so swiftly that even Judge Lu was caught by surprise, not expecting Judge Black’s temper to flare so violently.

The display terrified the other ghosts into trembling.

Li Xintian instantly dispersed the black beam with his righteous energy, shattering it into scattered light on the floor.

Xiao Xie, thinking she was doomed, was stunned to find herself saved by Li Xintian.

“Judge Black, I know you are strict and impartial, but you cannot execute punishment without due authority,” Li Xintian said. “Let us do this: she has only recently died. Once I have handled her affairs, I’ll deliver her to the Netherworld myself. She still harbors mortal feelings, unlike the other ghosts who have lingered for centuries and only wish to reincarnate rather than endure this dim existence.”

Li Xintian, surprised by Judge Black’s explosive temper, chose not to be offended; after all, there were other ghosts who needed the judges’ help, and he could not afford to sour their relationship.

“You—” Judge Black began, but Judge Lu pulled him aside.

“Very well, we’ll take the others first,” Judge Lu said, seizing Judge Black’s hand. He swept the other female ghosts into his sleeve, then departed with Judge Black in tow.

“Thank you. Had you not intervened just now, Xiao Xie would not have survived,” Qiurong said gratefully, bowing with Xiao Xie at her side.

“It was nothing,” Li Xintian replied.

“You wished to visit the Jiang estate just now, did you not? I can help you,” he said, waving his hand.

He gathered them into his own sleeve and left the outer estate.

Jiang Family Ancestral Hall.

Firecrackers exploded, lions danced—festivities abounded.

“Excellent, excellent.” Jiang Ziyun and Jiang Qianqian were among the crowd.

“Master, all is prepared,” the steward reported to Jiang Ziyun.

“Very good,” Jiang Ziyun nodded. The steward hurried into the ancestral hall, holding a red cord. A plaque hung, shrouded in red cloth.

“Master, if you would,” the steward said, handing him the cord.

Jiang Ziyun pulled the cord, unveiling a golden plaque inscribed with the words “House of Virtue” in black, bearing the imperial seal of the Great Yan Emperor—a bitter irony.

“House of Virtue,” Jiang Ziyun recited, as many in the ancestral hall applauded enthusiastically.

“Father, today is truly glorious. The plaques bestowed upon us by His Majesty nearly cover every inch of our ancestral hall’s walls,” Jiang Qianqian said, holding her father’s arm.

“This is the Emperor’s favor to our Jiang family. When I am gone, I will have no regrets before our ancestors,” Jiang Ziyun said, clasping his hands.

“Father, you earned all this through a lifetime of toil,” Jiang Qianqian replied with a radiant smile.

“That is why I must double my efforts to protect it. I will allow no one to defile or slander its honor. Do you understand, Qianqian?” Jiang Ziyun said sternly to the plaque, and Jiang Qianqian nodded gravely beside him.

“Honored elders and villagers, today I, Jiang, host a banquet to thank you all for your longstanding support. I hope you will grace us with your presence,” Jiang Ziyun declared, clasping his hands in thanks. The crowd echoed their approval.

“Congratulations, Lord Jiang,” Li Xintian arrived at the ancestral hall, saluting.

“Thank you, Scholar Li,” Jiang Ziyun replied, though not without reluctance.

“‘House of Virtue’—I fear the name is somewhat undeserved,” Li Xintian remarked, regarding the plaque and the imperial seal, the irony bitter in his heart.

“Scholar Li, you are right. ‘House of Virtue’ is a title not everyone can bear. Alas, His Majesty has mistaken me for a worthy man,” Jiang Ziyun replied. “Scholar Li, you speak truth. You must have deep understanding of the rites. Why not, then, exchange a few lessons with me?”

Rather than take offense, Jiang Ziyun extended an invitation to spar in scholarly debate.