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墨書 Inktalez
The words of the King of the Underworld made me feel uncomfortable, yet I couldn't find a reasonable argument to refute him. He claimed to be Jun Chong's older brother and the ruler of the Underworld, so his lineage was unquestionable.
Being born into such a family, it was rare for siblings to genuinely get along. There was always some truth to what was portrayed on television and in novels.
I never imagined that Jun Chong would actually be the former King of the Underworld.
Little Bugs had mentioned before that since the former King abdicated, Shizui had also retreated from the world. Given that he had been following Jun Chong all along, this point was indeed accurate.
Feeling somewhat heavy-hearted, I had speculated many things about Jun Chong's identity, but I never thought he would turn out to be the former King of the Underworld—a being who controlled life and death, a man living at the pinnacle of power, and merely the soul of my husband.
“How can you—”
As I spoke, I found myself at a loss for words.
“How can I what?” The King looked at me with a smile, his earlier mockery fading away, replaced by a hint of weariness at the corners of his lips. “Do you think I shouldn’t or couldn’t do this? Just because I dislike him, I should not take what belongs to him? Like a child?”
I lowered my gaze to the tea in front of me, which was gradually cooling down, and finally shook my head. “You were born into this family; you have many inherent responsibilities and an inescapable fate. I am just an outsider and have no right to judge. I just wonder if you truly feel happy inside when you strip others of their possessions.”
Sometimes, I felt that the Human Skin Mask was an excellent disguise; at least it could cover most expressions. Yet sometimes, even slight reveals could prove much.
The King blinked, his dense eyelashes slightly drooping, concealing a fleeting moment of surprise.
“Since I can remember, I have never been happy. Those two words are too far from me.”
A long silence began to spread. I sat quietly as a gentle breeze brushed my face, stirring up waves of floral fragrance. I didn't know how much time had passed when a reaper approached to announce, “Your Majesty, East City Fragrant Flower Pavilion's Courtesan Stunning requests an audience with you along with her maid Little Bugs.”
As soon as I heard "Stunning" and "Little Bugs," my heart leaped with joy. I looked up at the King of the Underworld, who was gazing at me intently. When he caught the lingering delight in my eyes, he smiled.
"Do you really want to see them?"
"I—" I pinched my hand under the table, reminding myself to stay calm. Taking a deep breath, I replied, "I just think she is beautiful; it gives me a feeling of great fondness."
"If my memory serves me right, this 'Stunning' has been an Earthbound Spirit for quite some time, meant to be a Vengeful Spirit, yet she suddenly vanished!" He looked at me with a beaming smile. "Do you know why?"
I smiled back. "Do you think I know?"
The King of the Underworld remained silent, pursing his lips as he stared at me for a long while. Suddenly, he stood up. "Now I understand why Jun Chong has taken a liking to you. Send word down; prepare a boat on the Dead Water River in North City. Today, I shall take 'Stunning' for a tour of North City."
I felt elated, but before I could rise from my seat, he pressed a hand on my shoulder, pushing me back down. "You should stay here and rest well."
He leaned down close to my ear, and an unbearable chill coursed through my body. "The Dead Water River connects the Four Cities and is filled with lingering Yin energy year-round. Even weaker spirits find it hard to endure; how much more so for a human? I've recently received news that a human has infiltrated the Underworld, but I know that person is not you because you are already dead! Rest well until I return."
With that, the King of the Underworld left, taking his innate frost with him. Yet even long after he had gone, I remained enveloped in an intense cold. Outside the pavilion, the sunlight was bright and abundant, but I still felt an icy chill creeping in.
It wasn't fear; it was terror.
From the moment he revealed that Jun Chong was his brother and that I was Jun Chong's wife, I should have realized that the King of the Underworld must know about Jun Chong's Ghost Marriage. Ghost Marriage has historically been a union between ghosts and humans; thus, he would certainly understand that I am human and not a ghost. He must also have guessed Jun Chong's reason for bringing me to the Underworld.
He is the King of the Underworld; he controls the Book of Life and Death. He knows who lives and who dies, so if a human has entered the Underworld, he must have some awareness of it.
But when he said that person was not me and that I was already dead—what did that mean?
"I must be being deceived," I shook my head, still tangled in my thoughts. "In his eyes, Jun Chong's plan is nothing more than a piece of scrap paper."
The origins of Stunning, my existence, as well as Molin and Qin Ling.
I suddenly felt so powerless. Jun Chong had prepared for so long, yet it was all like flowing water; once it was tainted, no one wanted it anymore.
"I have to find a way to notify Jun Chong."
I immediately got up, determined to find a way out. As long as I could locate Little Bugs, I could inform Jun Chong, so I had to follow the flow.
But with Death standing guard all around, how could I possibly get out?
Sometimes, the more anxious you are, the harder it is to come up with a good plan. I stood in the courtyard, gazing at the sky and sighed helplessly.
At that moment, a commotion arose ahead. I stretched my neck to look forward, and at the end of the corridor, Lianchi and Qin Ling appeared together. Lianchi seemed to be distributing a lot of alcohol to them. Judging by the respectful attitude of Grim Reaper towards Lianchi, it was easy to imagine how well Lianchi was doing.
I saw him glance this way for a moment; a chill ran down my spine, and he turned to leave.
As he rounded the corner, he accidentally bumped into a hurried Grim Reaper. The Grim Reaper said to his companion behind him, "I have an upset stomach; can you help me hold my clothes?"
"Hey—wait a minute! I still have things to do!" The one who seemed to be his friend chased after him. Upon seeing me standing aside, he bowed slightly and said, "Miss Anxin, sorry for bumping into you."
"It’s no trouble," I replied. Looking at his anxious expression and then at the clothes he held along with the waist badge he had taken off with his belt, I thought about how the previous Grim Reaper had a build similar to mine—Little. His clothes would definitely fit me. With a glint in my eye, I smiled brightly at the Grim Reaper in front of me and said, "You just mentioned you still have things to do? Aren't you leaving?"
"But these clothes—" he hesitated. "That guy is just like this; every time he goes to the restroom, he likes to take off his clothes."
"How about this? You give me the clothes, and I'll pass them to him later. I have nothing to do anyway, so you can go about your business. What do you think?"
"Isn't that a bit inappropriate? After all, you are the king's woman, and we shouldn't trouble you."
"It's just a small favor. Hurry up! You look quite anxious; it wouldn't be good if you get delayed."
He scratched his head, smiled slightly at me, and handed over the clothes. "Then I’ll trouble you with this."
"Go on."
I cheerfully took the clothes and watched him leave. Then, taking advantage of the distraction caused by Lianchi attracting the attention of several grim reapers, I casually entered a room, changed into the outfit, and boldly walked out through the back door.
Lianchi was patting one of the grim reapers on the shoulder, grinning as he said, "Thanks, brother."
The man seemed taken aback by Lianchi's cheerful demeanor, looking somewhat entranced. However, Lianchi didn't notice and kept his gaze fixed ahead. "Sigh, is it destined to be this way? Anxin."
I felt as if someone was speaking to me from behind, but when I turned around, there was no one there. Wearing the grim reaper's outfit and pulling the wide-brimmed hat down to cover part of my face, I decided that since I was already out and still in North City, it would be best to go find Jun Chong.
Grim reapers are essentially like constables; they are similar to ordinary people. Unless they are on official business, you can usually see one or a few wandering around on the streets without raising any eyebrows among regular ghosts.
Relying on my memory, I returned to my previous residence. Taking advantage of an opening, I walked inside and found that there weren't many people around. It made sense; at this hour, Fragrant Blossom Pavilion was usually quiet and only came alive at night.
I lifted the hem of my oversized clothes as I went upstairs. When I reached the bedroom from before and was about to push the door open, I noticed that it was slightly ajar. From within came the sound of muffled sobs. I paused for a moment and peered through the crack in the door.
A woman bent over, her fragrant shoulders exposed, as Jun Chong tightly grasped her arm, locking eyes with her. The wide sleeves of his garment were pulled apart, revealing the elegance beneath. A slight smile played on his lips as he reached out to touch her neck.
"Do you like me?"
She parted her lips slightly, staring at him, wanting to speak but unable to. From my angle, I couldn't see her expression clearly; it felt familiar, as if she were one of the girls from the Fragrant Blossom Pavilion.
Jun Chong pulled her neck closer to him, his alluring face leaning down. She struggled for a moment before wrapping her arms around his waist and nodding, though a cold glint flashed in her palm.
"Then fine, I will yield to you."
With a flick of his wrist, Jun Chong revealed more of the woman's clothing.
I shuddered involuntarily, accidentally making a sound.
"Who?"
Jun Chong suddenly turned his gaze toward me. As he spoke, his palm faced the door, and a black sphere of energy swiftly gathered in his hand, launching toward me with ferocity.
I was completely unprepared; even if I had been ready at that moment, I wouldn't have been able to react in time!
The black fireball ignited the fabric of death itself, and the immense force propelled me backward at high speed. Pain erupted in my back as I crashed through countless railings and furniture, finally breaking through a wall.
A piercing pain radiated throughout my body, so intense that I couldn't even make a sound.
I felt as if my bones were shattered; blood flowed from many places—my head, my mouth, my hands—as the taste of blood quickly filled the air.
I lay back against the crumbling stone wall, the wind rustling the wide brim of my hat, casting a shadow over my face.
A familiar figure leaped down from the stairs, not wearing a Human Skin Mask. His handsome features, reflected in the sunlight, appeared almost blinding.
I wanted to call out to him, but I found he was approaching me with his sword drawn. "Tell me, who sent you?"
We?
I tried to raise my hand to show him who I was, but I lacked even the strength to lift it, let alone speak. My throat felt as if it were bound, unable to produce a sound.
I lay there like a corpse, hoping he would recognize me, but he did not.
Jun Chong squinted his eyes and without hesitation, raised his sword to strike. My heart tightened, and in the midst of extreme shock, I ended up laughing.
It is said that in the end of a Ghost Marriage, humans die at the hands of spirits.
Could I be one of them?
Only Jun Chong; even in death, I hold no resentment towards you. Because of love, I have no regrets, even if I am battered and bruised. I just wish I could accompany you until the end. I hope you will remember me.
A lifetime is not necessary; just one life of Reincarnation is enough.
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