Chapter 190

Chapter 190 -6

"So Wen Qin modified you, made you stronger yet more uncontrollable, and placed you in a crowded area in Harbor City, turning you into a haunted spot?" Bai Wan inquired curiously.

Huang Lingling, swinging her feet, nodded obediently.

A day had passed since the night Chi Shen became a deity.

Bai Wan, the Wardrobe Ghost, Ghost Face, or perhaps River Spirit, sat together on Chi Shen's terrace, questioning Huang Lingling. Beside them was Xiao Yuan, with both his shoulders and legs immobilized. He was in a staring contest with the calm tea-drinking Yuan Yiping.

Huang Lingling briefly recounted her experiences: before she went to the hot spring hotel, she was captured by Bai Xi Ming's men. To save herself, she revealed some information about Chi Shen. Later, she was handed over to Wen Qin, who modified her. She mentioned that Wen Qin has transformed many ghosts. Those multi-headed monsters were created by stitching together multiple spirits, amplifying their grievances. Every such ghostly creation called him "Father."

As for Huang Lingling, because she had received Chi Shen's ghostly aura, she was already strong enough. Thus, she wasn't stitched up but was made more potent by enhancing her resentment, turning her into a fierce ghost capable of manifesting her spiritual world.

River Spirit mockingly picked up a cup of tea and gazed at Huang Lingling, "And with the last of your sanity, you enveloped everyone who entered your ghostly domain into your world, which is why they could survive, right?"

Huang Lingling nodded again, adding, "Chi Shen surely won't take me to the amusement park, so I had to make some arrangements. We agreed that once he recovers a bit, he'll take me there."

A breeze drifted in from the terrace's edge. The radiant plum tree was now half-blossomed, releasing a fragrance. Although the ghosts residing there used to be wary of this tree, everyone now seemed at ease, their attention drawn to Huang Lingling.

"But Chi Shen is so weak now. I don't know when he'll recover," Huang Lingling pondered, looking towards the living room, "But it's okay. I won't abandon him!"

River Spirit's gaze shifted from the water jars on the terrace and finally rested on the living room, "Why is their meeting taking so long? I'm getting 'hungry'."

Bai Wan, surprised, looked back at the plum tree. Realizing she could smell its scent (which should be impossible for a ghost), she glanced at her almost translucent body and chuckled, "Can spirits get hungry?"

"They can feel a sort of mental hunger!" River Spirit defended.

Inside the living room, Chi Shen was discussing future plans with Ji Xing Chen, Zhang Yao, and Zhong Yi. Zhou Xun was merely observing.

Before this, Chi Shen had roughly outlined the current situation. Essentially, they had nothing. They had to build the entire underworld from scratch: the cycles of yin and yang, the judgments of good and evil – everything had to be restarted.

Zhong Yi represented the Special Security Bureau. While more senior members should have attended the briefing, Chi Shen found them too tedious. He felt Zhong Yi, straightforward and direct, was much easier to communicate with, so he chose him.

However, before discussing how to rebuild hell, everyone was naturally curious about the events that had transpired.

Zhou Xun was the first to inquire, "Shen, what made you think of using the internet as a medium to connect to your 'Life Retirement Place'? And wasn't there already an old underworld? Why the need for a new retirement place?"

"Management methods must evolve with the times. I've reviewed the traditional ways of entering hell, with all the soul reapers and such; it's too cumbersome and many souls slip through. I believe automation is the best way forward, reducing the need for manual intervention. And given my expertise, setting up a model and deploying it on a cloud server is quite straightforward."

Chi Shen calmly addressed Zhou Xun's questions. He appeared weary, leaning against the couch, cradling a cup of warm milk. Ji Xingchen considerately draped a blanket over him.

Ji Xingchen served everyone tea. For the living, it was hot tea, and for the departed, cold tea. As for Zhou Xun, he chose hot tea.

"He created the 'Life Retirement Place' for Ji Xingchen," Zhang Yao responded to Zhou Xun's second question. "The future I saw was bleak, and in hopes of finding an outcome I hadn't foreseen, he built another world."

"Is that even possible?" Zhou Xun scratched his head. "I thought your predictions were invincible. I never imagined you'd have weaknesses!"

Zhang Yao smiled gently, "Would you like to give it a try?"

Zhou Xun glanced at the weakened Chi Shen and quickly shook his head, "I can't, I'm not up to it."

Zhang Yao also turned to Chi Shen, asking, "How do you feel right now?"

Chi Shen looked up at Zhang Yao and whispered, "It's hard to describe, but let's give it a try." He continued, "Zhang Yao, I bestow upon you the ability to understand all past deeds and the authority to judge right from wrong."

At that moment, everyone present seemed to hear a resonating bell, a chime that felt as though it spanned eternity, transcending time.

It seemed as if it came from the primordial chaos,

echoing beside everyone, causing them all to shudder.

Zhang Yao was especially stunned. She blinked, first looking at Ji Xingchen, then at Zhou Xun.

The room remained silent, all eyes on her.

After almost a minute, Zhang Yao murmured, "I... I can now see so much more. I've always known your histories, but this is different. Everything you've done is marked in terms of good and evil. This isn't computation, this is a 'seeing' ability."

Zhou Xun stared, incredulously turning to Chi Shen, "Is this the new power you've acquired? I can't sense any ghostly aura from you. I thought you were drained, but you're this powerful now?!"

Chi Shen slightly sat up, stroking his chin, "I wouldn't call this power, but rather my authority. It's an inheritance I received after taking over hell, a legacy from the previous ghost king. Simply put, it's a divine authority."

Zhou Xun was left with his mouth agape, pressing further, "Then why do you look so drained?"

Chi Shen met Zhou Xun's gaze.

Zhou Xun immediately recoiled, rephrasing himself, "Er... you appear quite weak."

Ji Xingchen calmly explained, "He's still mourning over his own '007'."

"Is that so?" Zhou Xun pondered and then inquired, "Since I also emerged from that place, does that mean we all have the qualifications to become the Lord of Hell?"

Zhang Yao remarked, "In theory, yes."

A sly grin crept upon Zhou Xun's face, "Well then, if you're not up for the task, why not let me take over, hehehe..."

The silent Zhong Yi finally made his presence known, "On behalf of the Special Security Bureau, we decline. We trust only Chi Shen."

Zhou Xun's enthusiasm waned, "Can't you be flexible?"

After speaking, Zhong Yi voiced his confusion, "If you had the power to reshape Hell, why didn't you do it from the beginning?"

At this, a hint of a pleased smile touched Chi Shen's lips. He posed a question, "Would it benefit me?"

"You could become the god of Hell, wielding the power of a deity..." Zhong Yi's voice trailed off, realizing that Chi Shen might not be interested in this. He quickly added, "With Hell reopened, the number of ghosts and spirits in the world would decrease, and the cycle of life and death would be restored. This would greatly reduce instances of spirits harming humans."

Chi Shen tilted his head, "How is that to my advantage?"

Zhong Yi was stumped, but he retorted, "Then why did you finally choose to reshape Hell? I'd imagine you wouldn't care if people in the harbor city were consumed by ghosts."

Chi Shen smiled gently, his eyes soft, "It benefits me."

Ji Xingchen refilled Zhong Yi's tea. Observing the tea leaves dancing in his cup and then glancing up at Ji Xingchen, Zhong Yi seemed to have an epiphany.

A frown which had been persisting on his forehead finally relaxed, and he chuckled, "I guess I shouldn't be the one to comment."

"If there are no further questions, I suggest we get down to business," Ji Xingchen interjected. "Zhang Yao has accepted the power bestowed by Chi Shen. So, would you be willing to serve at the Court of Life's Retirement? We can discuss the salary and benefits later."

Zhang Yao took a moment, sipping her icy tea before replying, "I knew it was coming. Fine, I'm in."

Ji Xingchen turned to Zhong Yi, "The Court of Life's Retirement is currently in desperate need of staff. Although some members of the Special Security Bureau perished in the recent harbor city incident and can fill some positions, there are still many vacancies. I hope you can ask within the Bureau if anyone is willing to take a part-time position. We can offer them better posthumous benefits, and they can reunite with their families on holidays, ensuring job security both in life and after."

Zhong Yi hesitated, then gulped down a mouthful of hot tea, responding, "I'll discuss with my superiors. But can you phrase it a bit more delicately?"

"Of course," Ji Xingchen adjusted his glasses, "We warmly welcome members of the Special Security Bureau to join Hell."

Zhong Yi choked on his tea and coughed violently, waving his hand dismissively, "Never mind, forget it."

Holding a warm mug of milk, Chi Shen listened to the ongoing meeting and nodded, "That settles it then. Any further comments? If not, let's adjourn."

"I have something to say," Zhong Yi raised his hand and placed a thick stack of documents on the table. "This is information the Special Security Bureau asked me to bring. We hope that you—"

"Keep it brief," Chi Shen interrupted, not even lifting his gaze.

Zhong Yi spoke rapidly, "We want a means to contact Hell. If there's an issue, we need someone on the other end. And, inform us of any movements or changes in Hell."

Chi Shen nodded, "Fine. Let's hire two more operators for the 'Life's Retirement Consultation Line'."

"Hold on," Zhou Xun pointed to himself, "Why am I here? What's the purpose of my attendance?"

After some thought, Chi Shen replied, "To observe."

Zhou Xun: "What?"

Chi Shen: "You can stay if you like. We haven't found a reason to dismiss you."

Zhou Xun: "..."

Chi Shen: "Once you've graduated from college, we'll see. We don't hire those with only a high school diploma."

Zhou Xun: "..."

Chi Shen: "However, we do offer internships. Ideal for college students. No pay, but we provide an internship certificate."

Zhou Xun's eyes lit up, "There's an actual certificate?"

Nodding affirmatively, Chi Shen asked, "So, are you in?"

Zhou Xun: "I'm in!"

"In a couple of days, I'll give you a tour of the harbor city. For now, you can explore Hell and familiarize yourself with its operations. The gates of Hell are open for you. Good night." With that, Chi Shen sauntered towards the balcony.

Zhou Xun gazed at the suddenly appearing security door, lost in thought.

Ji Xingchen transformed into a shadow and followed Chi Shen.

"I can resurrect you now. Let you become the exemplary Ji Xingchen everyone remembers. Allow you to realize the dreams you had while alive." Stepping onto the balcony, Chi Shen suddenly spoke. Turning to his shadow, he asked, "Do you wish to be revived?"

"It's your decision to make," came the voice of Ji Xingchen from within the shadow.

Chi Shen broke into a smile.

"Ji Xingchen, you will stand by my side forever, until Hell crumbles, until we both fade into oblivion."