Chapter 191: Regarding the Father.

Chapter 191: Regarding the Father.

Several individuals and spirits gathered on the balcony, huddled around a tablet which streamed news from the harbor city.

"This earthquake resulted in twenty-seven casualties, with one hundred fifty-three injured. Relief efforts are underway in an organized manner..."

Sipping a long-missed hot tea with evident delight, He Ling closed his eyes and shook his head. With a voice of profound mystery, he remarked, "So this is how the Special Security Bureau deals with things? An earthquake? What seismic activity yesterday? Your cover-up methods seem rather sloppy."

"Why don't you propose a solution?" Chi Shen interjected.

"It's not my job to—" He Ling started, catching himself mid-sentence upon recognizing Chi Shen's voice, quickly amending with a chuckle, "Ahaha, well, I'm not sure. But if it works as a distraction, great. How do you handle the ordinary folks caught up in this? Do you wave a hand and make them forget with some grand amnesia spell?"

Xiao Yuan looked at him with a deadpan expression, "We don't have such a thing. However, we have other methods to make them believe it was all a dream."

He Ling's eyes sparkled, "Oh?"

"It's classified," Xiao Yuan retorted, detecting He Ling's curiosity. Waving the intact hand he still possessed, he continued, "Can't disclose, even to a spirit like you."

At those words, He Ling's eyebrows drooped, leaving him dejected.

As the conversation flowed, Chi Shen sprinkled some sugar on the table. He Ling, gleefully grabbing half, was promptly met with Huang Lingling seizing the other half, evening the score.

"While it used to be a secret, more accurately, its effects were unclear and it was costly to use, hence it was kept classified," Yuan Yi was different. In broad daylight, while others sipped tea, he was there chugging beer, "We've since researched and understood its principles—it's a mix of drugs and hypnosis. Unnecessary steps were removed. Now, it's widely used."

He Ling nodded in realization, "I see. And here I thought it was some grand secret."

Xiao Yuan glanced at the beer in Yuan Yi's hand, frowning before turning to Chi Shen, "Don't you regulate employee alcohol consumption?"

By now, Chi Shen had reclined on a nearby lounge chair, wearing sunglasses as he basked in the sun. He replied languidly, "We don't monitor what employees do off-duty. But Brother Yuan, I recall you don't drink, do you?"

Taking another gulp, Yuan Yi responded, "True. But after dying, I wanted to taste it. I never gave it much thought while alive. Upon death, I realized there were so many unexplored experiences. As a ghost, I couldn't smell or taste. It's quite a regret. Thank you, Boss Chi, for granting me this body to taste once again."

"Are you also considering trying smoking, getting tattoos, or perming your hair?" Chi Shen inquired out of the blue.

"I've considered it. This body should hold up," Yuan Yi mused, "And if it doesn't, I can always reset it to its original state."

Xiao Yuan remarked, "You've become quite talkative since your 'death'."

"There are things that need to be expressed, or else no one will ever know what you want to say." Yuan Yiping took another sip of his drink and set the empty bottle aside.

He Ling echoed, "Exactly! It's as if you've truly understood life."

Chi Shen replied, "Or understood death."

Mimicking Ji Xing Chen, he adjusted the sunglasses on his face. While Ji Xing Chen's gesture always carried a cold demeanor, his own seemed lackadaisical. He continued, "But Brother Yuan isn't exactly 'dead'. He's in a superposition of being both dead and alive. He can live or die at will. It's a privilege granted to the Captain of the Gatekeepers."

"What's a Gatekeeper?" He Ling inquired.

"Hmm, let me think. Their main duty is to welcome souls into Hell, capture those reluctant to enter, and maintain peace within Hell. Roughly that."

Glancing back from admiring the flowers on the balcony, Ji Xing Chen remarked, "They're essentially security guards."

Both He Ling and Xiao Yuan fell silent, while Yuan Yiping appeared indifferent.

"Being a security guard sounds great!" Huang Ling Ling looked around and suddenly shouted, "Saves thirty years of hard work!"

"Young ones shouldn't be so unambitious," He Ling said, stuffing candy into her mouth to silence her.

"No, no, no," Chi Shen waved a finger, "It's a formal position. It's like being a police officer. Brother Yuan was a cop before he 'died', and remains one after. It's an honorable profession."

"Hmm," Yuan Yiping reflected, "I am quite content with my job, especially with the ample holidays. I can even visit home."

He paused before adding, "Though the salary could be better."

Lifting the edge of his sunglasses, Chi Shen stared at him, "I pay your salary out of mine. You should be content."

"Speaking of which, have you visited home since?" He Ling suddenly asked.

Xiao Yuan interjected, "Part of my reason for coming, besides thanking Huang Ling Ling, was to discuss this with Brother Yuan."

Yuan Yiping contemplated for a moment, "I fear I might scare them. Maybe I'll wait a bit longer."

Xiao Yuan reassured, "I'll explain your situation when I visit home this New Year. You can come over anytime."

Yuan Yiping nodded.

"You haven't been home in a while either. Maybe go spend the New Year there," Xiao Yuan added.

This time, Yuan Yiping finally sighed in relief, saying, "Alright."

"If you have family, spend time with them. You've mentioned the importance of communication yourself," Chi Shen casually remarked.

Xiao Yuan abruptly turned his somewhat stiff neck towards Chi Shen, "There's one more favor I'd like to ask of you."

Slipping on his sunglasses, Chi Shen looked skyward, "Tell me about it, and I'll see if I'm available."

Xiao Yuan replied, "We hope you could testify in the Bai Ximing case."

Chi Shen stroked his chin, "Don't you have enough evidence to pass a decisive judgment against him?"

"We do, but we owe an explanation to all the victims," Xiao Yuan paused, carefully contemplating his words, then continued, "He has wronged you numerous times. Don't you want to witness the fate of your father?"

Chi Shen yawned, "Not interested."

Xiao Yuan said, "I'll inform the higher-ups then. Rest well."

Having said all there was to say, Xiao Yuan bid everyone farewell, preparing to leave. Given his injured arm and leg, mobility was a challenge, having arrived in a wheelchair. He now dialed Zhong Yi to assist him out.

Zhong Yi asked him to wait a couple of minutes as he was finalizing matters related to the retirement department and special security bureau. It would soon be over.

In the meantime, Chi Shen suggested that he spend time with Huang Ling Ling. After all, Xiao Yuan had eliminated the murderer in Huang Ling Ling's dream, so she felt close to him. This left Xiao Yuan a bit flustered since he clearly wasn't adept at handling children.

A recent rain had passed, leaving today's weather pleasantly warm—a rare sunny day in winter. The ambient noise comprised friends chatting and Ji Xing Chen planning out a garden. He reclined on a lounge chair, almost drifting off to sleep.

...Perhaps in a few days, when the Spring Festival holidays commence, I'll take everyone out, maybe to the beach, to bask in the sun.

Suddenly, his phone rang. Picking it up, Chi Shen saw a call from an unfamiliar number from the harbor city.

He answered.

A gentle and cautious female voice from the other end inquired, "Hello, do you... do you know Wei Zhuo?"

Chi Shen responded calmly, "I don't know him. If there's nothing else, I'll hang up."

"Wait, please wait," the female voice became more anxious, "This number was given to me by my father. He said to call it in emergencies. I haven't seen him in a while, and can't reach him. Do you know where he is?"

"I do. If you wish to see him, I can take you. But I'd advise against it." Chi Shen didn't ask the caller's identity. Upon answering the phone, he'd surmised her to be Wei Zhuo's daughter, the girl for whom Wei Zhuo was willing to sacrifice his own life.

"I want to see him. It's been so long since our last meeting. Is my father okay?" Wei Zhuo's daughter asked.

“It's not great; you'll see for yourself,” Chi Shen replied. “I'll give you an address; you can head there now.”

Nearby, Huang Lingling was regaling Xiao Yuan with tales of her past, describing how her grudges and the lack of supervision led to her misdemeanors. Xiao Yuan, clearly overwhelmed by her enthusiasm, feigned interest, sipping his tea and nodding along.

Chi Shen stretched lazily and decided to rescue Xiao Yuan from this predicament. “Let me take you home,” he offered. “Let's go.”

Xiao Yuan's accommodation was close to the Special Security Bureau. After dropping him off, Chi Shen made a quick visit to the Bureau.

A girl around fifteen was waiting outside. When she spotted Chi Shen, she studied him for a moment, glancing around uncertainly until Chi Shen addressed her, “Wei Xiaomei?”

She turned to him with wide eyes of surprise and then, a bit embarrassed, asked shyly, “Are you a friend of my father's?”

“I'm Chi Shen. You can call me Brother Shen. Let's go,” he gestured towards the Bureau's entrance.

Wei Xiaomei hesitated and whispered, “Is this a police station?”

“Yes,” he confirmed.

“Did my dad commit a crime? Is that why he hasn't contacted us?” she continued.

Chi Shen pondered briefly before replying, “It's best if he tells you himself.”

As they entered, Chi Shen spoke to the receptionist about meeting Wei Zhuo. Recognizing Chi Shen, the staff acted promptly, having them wait briefly before someone came to guide them further inside.

After Bai Xi Ming's arrest, Wei Zhuo turned himself in. By his account, he knew he didn't have long to live. He had refrained from confessing earlier to act as an inside informant for Chi Shen. When he did surrender, he even brought along the last accomplice of Bai Xi Ming.

Now, Wei Zhuo appeared gaunt in his prison attire. The prominent scar on his neck, coupled with his shaven head, made him look both frail and fierce. However, upon seeing Wei Xiaomei, his face softened, and he even avoided her gaze momentarily.

Tears filled Wei Xiaomei's eyes as she looked at her father, and she couldn't speak for a moment.

“It's my fault,” Wei Zhuo consoled her gently. “I had hoped to keep you and your mother in the dark about all this.”

“And then what? Did you think we'd assume you were just too busy to come home?” Wei Xiaomei cried out, “Or that the police would suddenly call us to claim your body? Was that your plan?”

Wei Zhuo wiped his face, tears forming in his eyes. “Don't cry, my girl. I realize my mistake now.”

While Wei Zhuo and Wei Xiaomei were reuniting, Chi Shen was chatting with Li Shu'an outside.

No one in the Bureau mentioned Chi Shen's earlier threats. Instead, Chi Shen inquired about any potential consequences he might face. Everyone scratched their heads until the astute Li Shu'an stepped up, “This was Chi Shen's strategy, to deceive Bai Xi Ming and Wen Qin. That's why he only informed Zhang Uncle and me. That's why Zhang Uncle handed over the token so smoothly. Isn't that right, Zhang Uncle?”

Zhang Uncle promptly nodded, “Exactly!”

Chi Shen: "Oh."

It's up to you all.

At this moment, Li Shu'an approached him, asking, "The trial for Bai Ximing's case is this afternoon. Would you like to attend?"

"So soon?" Chi Shen expressed his surprise, thinking that such matters typically required lengthy preparations before being heard in court.

Li Shu'an shook his head, "Our procedures differ from regular shocking criminal cases. In our line of work, too many variables can arise. Once we have conclusive evidence, we proceed to trial immediately. Often, court records are only completed post-trial."

Chi Shen nodded in understanding, curious about the judicial process, and said, "I'd like to see it then."

When the time came, Li Shu'an escorted Chi Shen to the court within the Special Security Bureau.

The courtroom of the Special Security Bureau resembled a regular courtroom but was slightly smaller. There were very few seats for observers since cases from this bureau were never tried in public. Consequently, the observer seats were usually just for show.

On this occasion, Chi Shen was considered an insider. Even though he wasn't assigned an official position within the bureau, after all, he was involved in managing the underworld; how could he not be an insider?

By the time Chi Shen arrived, the hearing was already underway, mostly presenting evidence, regardless of whether Bai Ximing acknowledged them.

Bai Ximing remained silent throughout, appearing lifeless. However, his demeanor changed abruptly upon seeing Chi Shen.

"Regarding the extortion case at Liyuan Restaurant in the North Harbor District, the above is all the evidence," the prosecution stated, placing a thick stack of documents to one side. "Next is the supernatural murder case at the Guangwang Station in the North Harbor District..."

"I confess!" Bai Ximing suddenly shouted, "I did all of it, and I want to report a crime!"

Everyone in the room turned their attention to him. Bai Ximing pointed directly at Chi Shen, proclaiming, "I report that my son, the one raised outside, Chi Shen, is also a malevolent spirit!"

Chi Shen turned to him, smiling.

Bai Ximing, taken aback by Chi Shen's reaction, retreated abruptly, colliding with the iron railing behind him with a loud clang.

"He's a malevolent spirit, an unforgivable one! Arrest him! Arrest him now!" Bai Ximing screamed hoarsely, but no one paid him any heed. The prosecution continued reading the case documents.

In the observers' seats, Li Shu'an whispered to Chi Shen, "I'm sorry. I didn't expect you'd have to face this as soon as you arrived."

Chi Shen shook his head, "It's okay. Although I'm not a ghost now, I was one in the past. What he said isn't entirely false."

Li Shu'an replied resignedly, "As long as you're at peace with it."

The trial continued for a long time. Chi Shen just listened. At first, Bai Ximing had the energy to shout, but as time went on, his expression of anger turned to fear. Not only did he look at Chi Shen with terror, but he also viewed the court officials with the same dread. It seemed as though he believed he wasn't in the real world and that everyone there were malevolent spirits out to get him.

No one bothered to discern his true thoughts or whom he'd imagined those around him to be. For this egregiously sinful man, everyone eagerly awaited a verdict to bring a satisfactory conclusion to this case.

As it concluded, indeed, the sentence of capital punishment was pronounced.

As Chi Shen stood up to leave, he suddenly heard Bai Xi Ming's voice from behind: “Shen, do you despise me?”

Chi Shen did not turn back.

Behind him, Bai Xi Ming continued to plea, “You shouldn't detest me. I did what I did to ensure the Bai family's legacy. If you order these spirits to release me, I can hand over the Bai estate to you.”

Yet, Chi Shen didn't halt his steps. Perhaps he once harbored resentment for Bai Xi Ming, but that no longer mattered. In the hundred years of the infernal game, hatred had grown distant. After achieving godhood, such feelings ceased to exist for him.

He was merely there to observe the Special Security Bureau's investigative process and witness the decline of an old port city family.

No longer would the Bai family overshadow Port City; the dark clouds had finally dispersed.

Exiting the Special Security Bureau at dusk, amidst the bustling and lively streets with Lunar New Year melodies playing everywhere, Chi Shen turned to Ji Xing Chen with a smile, “Hungry? How about dumplings?”

“Shall we make them ourselves?” Ji Xing Chen inquired.

After a moment's thought, Chi Shen responded, “Why not? Let's head back and make some dumplings.”