Seeing the incredible scene before her, Granny Fan finally stopped her spirit dance. Beside her, Dog Egg and the others couldn’t help but gape at the two grinning ghosts and the human standing before them.
“Ah, brother, I was just thinking,” said the White Yama, sticking out his slimy tongue with a grin, “we’re from different worlds—human and ghost—so who knew fate would bring us back together so soon? Just the other day, I was wondering when we’d get to share a drink again!”
“Yeah! We three brothers sure have great chemistry! We’ve only been apart for a few days, ha ha!” Liu Dashao was so delighted he looked like a fool, even playfully punching each of the Yamas in the arm. But soon, his eyes reddened.
His voice cracked as he continued, “I never thought… I never thought the two of you had died too! Just days ago, you were full of life! Who did this to you? I’ll risk being shot by the army—I’ll definitely avenge you!” His expression suddenly turned fierce, teeth clenched, fists tightening with a creaking sound. This was completely different from his usual carefree, cowardly self—like a completely different person. Clearly, he was furious.
The Black and White Yamas exchanged a surprised glance, then looked meaningfully at the young man before them—their sworn younger brother, Liu Dashao. A warm feeling welled up in their hearts. Although they usually appeared fierce and terrifying, Liu Dashao’s words had struck a deep chord. What did Xie Bi’an and Fan Wujiu value most in life? Brotherhood! Loyalty between brothers! Because of this loyalty, Fan Wujiu once stood on a bridge, refusing to take even a single step until he drowned. And because of the same loyalty, Xie Bi’an wept bitterly before hanging himself by the bridge.
But truthfully, the Yamas didn’t expect Liu Dashao to do anything for them—they didn’t need him to. As ghostly enforcers of the underworld, they had immense power, able to come to the human world and seize lives at will. What ordinary human could possibly do anything for them?
The reason they had sworn brotherhood with Liu Dashao in the first place was partly because of his warm hospitality, innocence, and straightforwardness, which they both liked. And partly because that night had been the happiest they had ever had. As for the oath of brotherhood—maybe it had been a spur-of-the-moment decision fueled by alcohol, but it was absolutely binding! After all, they were proud and always kept their word. Since becoming ghostly enforcers, they had never gone back on a promise.
Though the idea of two mighty Yamas swearing brotherhood with a young human might sound absurd—even they themselves had thought it ridiculous after returning to the underworld.
But now, the Black and White Yamas no longer thought that way. Just based on Liu Dashao’s heartfelt words, they would give their lives for their human brother without hesitation. After all, they were straightforward and loyal—they believed dying for a brother with such deep loyalty and righteousness would be a proud honor even in the afterlife!
Black Yama, the more impulsive of the two, was the first to speak, his voice filled with emotion: “Good brother! I never thought you’d care so much! Actually… actually…” He shook his head and stepped back, unable to continue.
“What’s wrong, Eighth Brother Fan? Speak up! Whoever did this to you, I’ll make them pay!” Liu Dashao growled through clenched teeth.
“Haha, Brother Liu,” finally spoke the White Yama, who had been silent until now, “actually… no one killed us.”
His words left Liu Dashao completely confused, like a monk scratching his head in bewilderment.
White Yama patted Liu Dashao’s shoulder and continued apologetically, “Brother, we didn’t tell you the truth back then. In fact, we died hundreds of years ago. You’ve probably heard of the Black and White Yamas before, right? That’s us.”
“What? The Black and White Yamas!” Liu Dashao exclaimed, startled. Only now did he carefully examine the two sworn brothers standing before him.
Indeed, they were dressed in black and white robes, each holding a soul-snatching rod and a spirit-summoning tablet. Their appearance and demeanor were exactly like the “Ten Infernal Generals” his father, Honest Liu, used to tell him about when he was a child.
As Liu Dashao thought back, a chill crept up his spine, and sweat began to pour from his forehead—not because of the coldness of the underworld, but from a sudden, inexplicable fear.
I, Liu Dashao, a mere mortal, a little hooligan, a petty rogue, actually swore brotherhood with the legendary ghost enforcers, the Black and White Yamas! But wait a second—that didn’t make sense. What were the chances of meeting the actual Black and White Yamas? Was it really because of my rabbit barbecue?
“No, no, this can’t be real! Were you two there to capture me back then?” Liu Dashao, finally realizing something, asked nervously, trying to summon his courage.
The Black and White Yamas exchanged glances again, and finally, they nodded.
“Then why didn’t you capture me? Why did you let me go and even point me the way? Why?” Liu Dashao asked, puzzled.
“Hehe, we were brothers already, weren’t we? How could we let our own brother die?” White Yama chuckled.
“Then, did you get scolded by King Yama?” Liu Dashao asked persistently. Should I praise his kindness or scold him for being too nosy? Most people, upon learning that ghost enforcers had spared their life instead of taking it, would be thanking heaven and burning incense, not asking so many questions!
“Hahaha, truly a good brother, still worrying about us!” Black Yama laughed heartily. “No worries! We’re tight with the Judge! We just said a word, and it was all settled.”
“Oh, I see,” Liu Dashao sighed in relief, and a strange excitement began rising in his chest—stronger than the fear he had felt moments ago. Holy crap! I’m actually this awesome! To have sworn brotherhood with the ghost enforcers themselves! This is beyond cool!
Then, the two ghosts and the human resumed chatting happily, completely ignoring Granny Fan and the other spirits. It felt just like that night again—three brothers sitting by a fire, roasting rabbit, drinking the rice wine they had “borrowed” from a grave, chatting wildly about everything under the sun. The feeling was indescribable—one word: awesome!
Watching Liu Dashao chatting happily with his ghostly brothers, Granny Fan was growing anxious. Although she now knew the Yamas were on their side and capturing Dog Egg and the others would probably be no problem, she was still a living person. Staying too long in the underworld would cause yin energy to accumulate in her body, and she might never return.
Realizing this, Granny Fan cautiously approached and said with a nervous laugh, “Hehe, Master Liu, don’t you think it’s getting late? Shouldn’t we head back? We’re interrupting the work of Elder Yama here.”
The three were deep in conversation and clearly had no intention of letting Granny Fan interrupt. Immediately, they turned on her.
Liu Dashao said bluntly, “Wait.”
White Yama said, “Go stand over there.”
And Black Yama was even more direct: “Scram! Keep talking and I’ll throw you into the Eighteenth Hell and fry you in oil!”
Granny Fan was left speechless and had no choice but to retreat quietly to the side, watching the three continue their chat.
After waiting and waiting with no end in sight, she finally couldn’t take it anymore and shouted desperately, “Hey you three! Stop chatting for a second! Aren’t you hungry? Don’t you want to go home for dinner?”
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