Chapter 163: God’s Favor (12)

Chapter 163: Divine Favor (Part Twelve)

The scene transitions.

They entered through a towering gate, its top engulfed by dark, rolling clouds, haunted with eerie shadows and adorned with two strings of white paper lanterns.

Numerous intricate blood-red flowers bloomed beside the gate, which opened slowly to reveal a street engulfed in thick, dark fog, reminiscent of a bustling human world night market on the other side.

However, compared to the mortal world, the Underworld's market primarily dealt in offerings like incense, candles, and paper money.

Once inside, Jie Fangcheng first surveyed his surroundings cautiously before letting out a sigh of relief.

"Let's go."

Leading the way, Liu Yechun transformed into a wisp of dark smoke, settling upon the hilt of his sword.

Along the way, stall owners with peculiar appearances enthusiastically greeted him from all sides.

"Officer Jie, heading out for another field task?"

"Officer Jie, have you eaten yet? We have newly arrived Wutai Mountain incense sticks, they have a truly distinctive fragrance! How about trying some?"

"Officer Jie, a gentleman with the surname Zhou mentioned yesterday that he was about to depart. He asked me to pass this paper money to you; it's still warm from his grandson's offering..."

Jie Fangcheng proceeded, fending off their enthusiastic advances, emerging from the street with items in hand, in his pockets, and even tucked under his arm.

The smoky form of Liu Yechun couldn't help but gawk.

In the face of a new spirit who had not witnessed such a scene before, Officer Jie couldn't help but feel somewhat embarrassed with all the receiving and accepting.

Casually, he stuffed a bundle of incense sticks and paper money into Liu Yechun's hands.

"Enjoy these now; you won't be able to in the future."

Liu Yechun paused momentarily, understanding the harsh reality in his words.

With heavy sins and no merit to protect her, the scattering of her spirit was an inevitable fate.

After distributing the items to her, Jie Fangcheng pulled out a paper from his pocket with something resembling an Underworld duty roster faintly written on it.

After reading, he hesitated for a moment.

"Why is it him today?"

The smoky form of Liu Yechun seemed to tremble, subtly understanding that Officer Jie might be facing some difficulties.

Though she was a malevolent spirit, it was true that Jie Fangcheng's sword genuinely protected her; otherwise, Liu Yechun would have dispersed long ago.

"Sir..."

Jie Fangcheng glanced at the smoke-formed Liu Yechun on the sword hilt and smiled, "Don't worry, even if he realizes, he can't beat me."

Saying this, Jie Fangcheng walked forward confidently with a swagger.

Zong Daoan followed by his side, observing the legendary Underworld which he had never witnessed before.

A majestic, dark palace, its height impossible to discern, stood at the center of the Underworld, surrounded by a dark aura with countless layers, red lanterns danced without wind beneath the eaves, and a massive archway stood before the palace.

As they walked, ghostly officials occasionally led spirits in and out. When they reached the palace entrance, Jie Fangcheng paused momentarily before his eyes lit up, and he quickly approached a ghostly official.

"Little Zhou, is Lord Zhong in?"

The official, upon being addressed, turned around to see him, initially stepping back in alarm before hesitantly bowing in respect.

"Our lord is currently attending to affairs in the hall."

"Oh, I see." Jie Fangcheng nodded in acknowledgment.

Xiao Zhou looked at him nervously, "Officer Jie, are you looking for our lord?"

"Let me inquire."

Without further ado, Jie Fangcheng thrust the heap of items in his hands into Xiao Zhou's arms.

"Here, these are for you. I have other matters to attend to."

Xiao Zhou hastily attempted to return the items.

"Unacceptable! As a ghost envoy, how could I possibly accept bribes?"

But Jie Fangcheng had already vanished in a puff of smoke.

He weaved through various paths, calculating the time, "Theoretically, they should still be on the Yellow Springs Road, where new spirits roam. You are a vengeful ghost, wait until I lure them here to reminisce, don't appear, lest you harm others."

Liu Yechun responded, crying.

In the blink of an eye, Jie Fangcheng arrived at the location.

The Yellow Springs Road stretched on endlessly, with no end in sight.

Jie Fangcheng had never met Liu Yechun's husband and child, so he could only proceed slowly, scrutinizing one spirit after another.

After examining countless spirits, finally, a ghostly figure appeared before him.

A man, adorned in tattered linen clothing with a precarious gait, was carrying a bloated, pallid toddler of about three years old, moving forward in a daze.

At that moment, the man felt a sudden gust of wind beside him, and when he opened his eyes again, he and the child in his arms were standing in an unknown corner.

"Speak your mind if you have something to say."

Having said that, Jie Fangcheng stepped aside and leaned against the wall, embracing his sword.

Meanwhile, Liu Yechun was already embracing her husband in tears.

Jie Fangcheng wasn't interested in what they were saying to each other; instead, he was somewhat curious about the "little ghost" who still followed him.

"Hey, you're quite daring, aren't you? Daring to follow me here, truly fearless of death!"

Zong Daoan paused for a moment before drifting in front of him. Relying on the fact that Jie Fangcheng couldn't see him, he scrutinized Jie Fangcheng closely.

But in the next moment, Jie Fangcheng's eyes met his precisely.

"Keep staring and I'll cut you down."

Zong Daoan couldn't help but smile, audaciously drifting forward a bit more.

"Tch!" Jie Fangcheng genuinely unsheathed his sword and brandished it a couple of times, "What's your deal, kid? You're not afraid of me?"

Far from being afraid, Jie Fangcheng felt that the other party seemed to have moved even closer.

Damn it!

This is sheer audacity!!

Jie Fangcheng thought so, but his famous title of "Exclusive to Officer Jie" seemed to intimidate no one, thus further threats appeared futile.

With resentment, he sheathed his sword.

At that moment, from afar, someone was approaching at a rapid pace. Jie Fangcheng squinted to get a better look and his expression changed instantly.

He rushed quickly to the embracing family of three.

"Alright, time's up, you must go now!"

Saying this, Jie Fangcheng waved his sleeve.

Liu Yechun's husband and child floated lightly towards the direction of the Yellow Springs Road, as if they were two pieces of paper.

The newcomer barely glanced at the two wandering spirits before striding towards Jie Fangcheng, his already stern face growing even more severe.

"Officer Jie!"

Jie Fangcheng nodded vaguely, "Mmm, I'm here."

Had he not responded with this "I'm here," the other party might not have been so infuriated. Yet his reply set the red-robed judge off, causing his beard to bristle with anger.

"How many times have I emphasized during meetings not to bring vengeful spirits back on your own accord? Why did you bring them back again? The wandering souls just entered the Yellow Springs Road, and yet you allowed them to meet? If this vengeful spirit harms those wandering souls, are you planning to make amends with your own merit and golden light again?!"

The more the newcomer spoke, the angrier he became, suddenly turning his gaze towards Liu Yechun at the side.

He snorted coldly, as the ghost-slaying sword in his hand suddenly swung down.

With a "ding," Jie Fangcheng blocked the sword.

"You!"

Liu Yechun knelt on the ground, tears of blood flowing from her eyes.

"My Lord, my wishes have been fulfilled. I have no complaints even if my soul disperses."

How could there be no resentment?

Although her enemy had died, he still had the opportunity to be reborn.

Yet she, who had been a kind person, had to witness the demise of her loved ones. She was unsure if this counted as revenge. Now, while her enemy had the chance to be reincarnated, she was facing the disintegration of her soul, never to be reborn.

"I've wanted to say this for a long time, your system is flawed," Jie Fangcheng said calmly, looking at the judge before him, "You should have seen at first glance what she experienced in her lifetime. Killing the innocent was her mistake, but doesn't she have the right to seek vengeance?"

"Whether she has the right to seek revenge is not for her to decide, the underworld has its own laws and regulations! Step aside!"

Jie Fangcheng swiftly moved, positioning himself in front of Liu Yechun.

The person in front of him observed him, his expression undergoing several shifts.

"Every wrongful death harbors grievances, but does that mean each one could turn into a vengeful spirit seeking retribution? The wheel of cosmic justice sends the wicked to their rightful place, how can she presume to adjudicate? And you — Officer Jie, aren't you overstepping your jurisdiction?"

"Oh, is that so? I actually feel I have intervened too little."

The judge scrutinized him, then shifted his gaze to Liu Yechun who was kneeling behind him.

"I will report your actions today. Consider your next moves wisely."

Saying so, the visitor shot him a fierce glare before leaving with a swish of his sleeve.

Liu Yechun cried out, "My Lord..."

Jie Fangcheng offered her a comforting smile.

"If you wish to grasp a sliver of hope, be prepared for hardships ahead. It is inevitable for you to traverse through the eighteen layers of hell. If you fear the suffering, having your soul disintegrate isn't necessarily a bad end."

"My Lord! I am willing to enter hell!" Liu Yechun hurriedly replied, "No amount of suffering there can match what I endured in the living world. I only wish to avoid reincarnation and never return to the mortal realm!"

Jie Fangcheng sighed.

"Why is there yet another who doesn't want to ascend..."

Finishing his sentence, he formed a sword with his fingers, gently touching her forehead.

A streak of golden light merged into her body.

"Your crimes are grave, and your malicious energy runs deep; it is up to you to atone for your sins."

Liu Yechun paused, realizing something.

She looked at Jie Fangcheng with gratitude, "My Lord..."

"Go."

Jie Fangcheng waved his hand, and Liu Yechun involuntarily rose to her feet, taking a few steps back.

Behind her, two ghostly officials had received the message and were ready with soul-snatching ropes to escort her to the tribunal for judgement.

The vengeful spirit, who was originally destined to have her soul scattered, now harbored a golden light of merit within her, granting her a possible chance for rebirth in the mortal world.

Liu Yechun bowed repeatedly before being led away, continuously looking back with each step she took.

Zhang Daoan quietly observed him, knowing that he was imperceptible, yet couldn't help but gently hold his hand.

Jie Fangcheng seemed to sense something, lowering his head in thought. Considering the audacity of this youngster, he strangely didn't find it objectionable and simply lifted his head once more.

"Let's go..."

The scene transitions.

Zhang Daoan, as a spectator, watched him continually save beings—people or ghosts—who did not adhere to the "rules", witnessing him compassionately bestow a ray of golden light time and again.

The imagery shifted fluidly, spanning from ancient times to the present, and finally entering the realm of an infinite game.

He saw the moment when Jie Fangcheng first cleared a game level, and a girl named Lu Xiaochin gifted him a hair tie adorned with a white rabbit and carrot motif.

That hair tie remained with him, up until this moment.

What followed was the prestigious Ji Academy—

Zhang Daoan cast his gaze upon his own figure in the dream, a character named "Zhang An".

Jie Fangcheng couldn't help but utter a surprised "Eh?"

This time, Zhang Daoan noticed that upon first seeing his own image, Jie Fangcheng instinctively reached for his sword in a reflexive manner.

If a sword had been at hand, perhaps he would have lunged forward... but he certainly wouldn't have actually killed him.

Seeing Zhang Daoan instinctively reaching for a weapon was expected, considering Manager Jie had dealt with too many spirits harboring dense negative energies.

But realizing there were no dark energies around him and halting, that was his unique trait.

In the dream, Jie Fangcheng furrowed his brows.

"Why does it seem like we've met before..."

He had encountered too many ghosts — malevolent, fierce, strange; it was no wonder Manager Jie couldn't recall.

Zhang Daoan hovered in mid-air, witnessing the "himself" inside the game drawing closer and closer to Jie Fangcheng.

Wouldn't he be aware of his own thoughts?

Zhang Daoan gracefully descended, reaching out to seize the "himself" within the dream.

The next second, he found himself lurching forward uncontrollably.

Upon opening his eyes, Zhang Daoan paused in surprise.

Before him stood Jie Fangcheng, with his short hair and a pair of deep black eyes, intently watching him.

"What did you just say?"