Seeing the unbelievable scene before her, Granny Fan finally stopped her divine dance. Beside her, Dog Egg and the others couldn’t help but open their mouths wide, staring at the two ghosts and one human who stood there grinning foolishly.
“Oh brother,” White Yama said with a grin, sticking out his slimy tongue, “I was just thinking—though we are brothers from different worlds, human and ghost, who knows when we’ll ever get the chance to share a drink again. But fate has brought us together again so quickly! Haha, oh hahaha!”
“Yeah! We three brothers sure are destined to meet again! Has it only been a few days since we parted? Haha!” Liu Dashao was so delighted he looked like a fool, even giving each of the Black and White Yamas a playful punch. But soon after, Liu Dashao’s eyes suddenly reddened.
His voice choked with emotion, he said, “I never thought—I never thought the two of you had also died! Just days ago, you were full of life! Who did this? Who killed my two elder brothers? Even if it costs me my life, even if the People’s Liberation Army executes me, I will avenge you!” As he spoke, Liu Dashao’s gaze turned fierce, his teeth clenched, and his fists tightened with a cracking sound. This state was completely different from his usual carefree, cowardly demeanor—his transformation was so sudden it was as if he had become a completely different person, clearly filled with genuine rage.
Hearing Liu Dashao’s words, the Black and White Yamas were momentarily stunned. They exchanged glances, then looked meaningfully at the young man before them—their sworn younger brother, Liu Dashao. A wave of warmth surged through their hearts. Although they might appear fearsome and ruthless most of the time, Liu Dashao’s words had deeply touched them. What mattered most to Xie Bi’an and Fan Wujiu in life? Brotherhood! Loyalty between brothers! Because of this loyalty, Fan Wujiu had rather stay rooted to the spot on the bridge, refusing to take a single step, until he drowned to death. And because of this same loyalty, Xie Bi’an had wept bitterly before hanging himself by the bridge. In truth, they didn’t expect Liu Dashao to do anything for them—they certainly didn’t need him to do anything. As ghostly enforcers of the underworld, they possessed immense supernatural powers, capable of seizing lives and extracting souls from the mortal world. In this world, what ordinary person could possibly assist them?
The reason they had sworn brotherhood with Liu Dashao in the first place was partly because of his warm hospitality, his innocent and straightforward nature, which both had liked. Another reason was that night had been the happiest evening they had ever experienced. As for the swearing of brotherhood—perhaps it had been a spur-of-the-moment decision fueled by alcohol, but it was absolutely binding! Remember, both of them were proud and never went back on their word. Since becoming ghostly enforcers, each word they spoke was like a nail driven into wood—never once had they broken a promise. Although the idea of two mighty ghost generals forming a sworn brotherhood with a young mortal might sound shocking, they had indeed thought it absurd after returning to the underworld.
But now, the Black and White Yamas no longer felt that way. Just from Liu Dashao’s passionate words alone, even if they had to die for their mortal brother at this very moment, they wouldn’t so much as blink. After all, they were both straightforward and loyal. To die for such a sincere and righteous brother was itself a great joy in their afterlife!
Black Yama, the more impulsive of the two, was the first to speak out in excitement, “Good brother! I never expected you to be so loyal and righteous! Actually… actually… ah!” Black Yama shook his head and stepped aside, unable to continue.
“What’s wrong, Eighth Brother Fan? Speak up! No matter who they are, if they hurt you, I’ll make them pay with their blood!” Liu Dashao said through gritted teeth.
“Haha, Brother Liu. Actually… no one killed us,” White Yama finally spoke after a long silence. His words left Liu Dashao completely baffled, like a monk scratching his head in confusion.
White Yama patted Liu Dashao’s shoulder and awkwardly explained, “Brother, we didn’t tell you the truth back then. In fact, we died hundreds of years ago. I suppose you’ve heard of the Black and White Yamas—the story of the two of us?”
“What? The Black and White Yamas!” Liu Dashao couldn’t help but be startled. Only now did he begin to closely examine the two sworn brothers standing before him.
Indeed, the two were dressed in black and white respectively, each holding a mourning staff and a soul-summoning tablet. Their appearance and demeanor were exactly like the stories Liu Dashao had heard from his father, Liu Laoshi, about the “Ten Underworld Generals.”
As Liu Dashao thought, a chill crept up his spine. Cold sweat poured from his body—not because the underworld was cold, but from a sudden, inexplicable fear.
Witnessing the unbelievable scene before her, Grandma Fan finally ceased her divine dance. Beside her, Dog Egg and the others were all wide-mouthed, staring at the two ghosts and one human who were grinning foolishly.
“Ah, brother, I was just thinking at the time. We are of different paths, one human and one ghost. After this parting, who knows when we’ll share a drink again? I never expected fate to bring us together so soon, haha, oh haha!” White Impermanence stuck out his slippery tongue and chuckled.
“Exactly! The three of us are truly fated. It’s only been a few days since we parted, right? Haha.” Liu Dashao was so delighted he acted like a fool, even punching both Black and White Impermanence without reason. But after a while, Liu Dashao’s eyes suddenly reddened.
His voice choked as he said, “I never thought, never thought both of you brothers would die too! Just a few days ago, you were alive and kicking! Who? Who killed you? Even if it means being shot by the People’s Liberation Army, I will avenge you!” With that, Liu Dashao’s gaze turned fierce, his silver teeth clenched, and his fists tightened with a cracking sound. This state was completely different from his usual carefree demeanor, as if he had become a different person, clearly enraged.
Hearing Liu Dashao’s words, Black and White Impermanence were momentarily stunned. They exchanged a glance and then looked meaningfully at the young boy before them, their sworn brother Liu Dashao, feeling a warm surge of emotion. Despite their usual fearsome appearances, Liu Dashao’s words had deeply touched their hearts. What did Xie Bi’an and Fan Wujiu value most in life? Brotherhood, loyalty! Because of loyalty and a promise, Fan Wujiu chose to stand on the bridge, not taking a single step, until he was drowned. And because of loyalty, Xie Bi’an wept bitterly before hanging himself by the bridge. In truth, Black and White Impermanence didn’t expect Liu Dashao to do anything for them, nor did they need him to. As ghost envoys of the underworld, they possessed boundless power, capable of taking lives and capturing souls in the mortal world. What could an ordinary mortal possibly do for them?
The reason they had sworn brotherhood with Liu Dashao was twofold: firstly, because Liu Dashao was hospitable, naive, and straightforward, traits they both admired; secondly, because that night was the happiest they had ever spent. As for the sworn brotherhood, perhaps it was a spur-of-the-moment decision under the influence of alcohol! But it was absolutely genuine! They had always been self-assured, keeping their word without fail. Since becoming ghost envoys, they had never spoken a word they didn’t mean. Although the idea of two great underworld marshals swearing brotherhood with a half-grown boy might sound astonishing, and even they found it absurd upon reflection.
But now, Black and White Impermanence no longer thought that way, especially after Liu Dashao’s heartfelt words. Even if it meant dying for their mortal brother right now, they wouldn’t hesitate. After all, they were straightforward, without any ulterior motives. Dying for such a loyal and righteous brother would be a joyous event in their “ghostly” lives!
Black Impermanence, being the most impulsive, immediately said excitedly, “Good brother! I never expected you to be so loyal and righteous! Actually, actually, ah!” Black Impermanence shook his head and stepped aside, saying no more.
“What is it, Brother Fan? Just say it! No matter who they are! If they harmed you, I will make them pay with their blood!” Liu Dashao said through clenched teeth.
“Haha, Brother Liu. Actually, no one harmed us.” White Impermanence, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke, leaving Liu Dashao utterly confused.
White Impermanence patted Liu Dashao’s shoulder and explained somewhat sheepishly, “Brother, we didn’t tell you the truth back then. We actually died hundreds of years ago. I think you’ve heard of the story of Black and White Impermanence, right? That’s us.”
“What? Black and White Impermanence!” Liu Dashao was startled and now carefully examined his two sworn brothers.
Their appearances were indeed one black and one white, both holding mourning sticks and soul-hooking tokens. Their looks and demeanor were exactly like the “Ten Great Marshals of the Underworld” stories Liu Dashao had heard from his father, Liu Laoshi, in his childhood.
As Liu Dashao thought about it, a chill ran down his spine, and cold sweat began to pour out. It wasn’t that the underworld was cold, but he felt an inexplicable terror.
Liu Dashao, a mortal from the living world, to put it bluntly, a small ruffian, a petty scoundrel, had actually sworn brotherhood with the famous ghost envoys, Black and White Impermanence! But then he thought, what do Black and White Impermanence do? How could he have encountered them? Was it really because his roasted rabbit was delicious?
“No, no, this can’t be true. Were you here to capture me back then?” Liu Dashao, now realizing, felt his scalp tingle and mustered the courage to ask Black and White Impermanence.
Black and White Impermanence exchanged another glance and finally nodded.
“Then, why didn’t you capture me? Why did you show me the way and let me go? Why?” Liu Dashao asked, puzzled.
“Hehe, we are sworn brothers. How could we not save you?” White Impermanence chuckled.
“Then, what about you? Didn’t the King of Hell scold you?” Liu Dashao was determined to get to the bottom of it. Should he be praised for his kindness or scolded for his foolishness? If an ordinary person knew they were supposed to die but were let off by ghost envoys, they would be thanking the heavens and burning incense, not worrying about such details.
“Hahaha, what a good brother, still concerned about us!” Black Impermanence laughed heartily. “It’s fine! We’re on good terms with the judge. A word from us, and it’s all settled.”
“Oh, I see.” Liu Dashao also breathed a sigh of relief, and a sudden excitement began to surge in his heart. This feeling was even stronger than the fear he had felt earlier. Damn! I’m so awesome! I can swear brotherhood with ghost envoys! This is just too cool!
Then, the two ghosts and one human began to chat together again, ignoring Grandma Fan and the other spirits. The scene was like that night when the three of them sat by the fire, eating roasted rabbit and drinking stolen liquor from a grave, talking nonsense and having a great time!
Seeing Liu Dashao chatting animatedly with his ghost envoy brothers, Grandma Fan couldn’t hold back. Although she knew the ghost envoys were now on their side and would likely take Dog Egg and the other two away, she and Liu Dashao were still living humans. They couldn’t stay in the underworld for too long, or the accumulating yin energy would make it impossible to return.
Thinking of this, Grandma Fan cautiously approached and said, “Hehe, young Liu, it’s getting late. Shouldn’t we be heading back? It’s not good to disturb the Impermanence brothers’ work.”
The three of them, engrossed in their conversation, wouldn’t let Grandma Fan interrupt. Liu Dashao said, “Wait.” White Impermanence said, “Go away!” And Black Impermanence was even more decisive, shouting, “Get lost! If you keep nagging, I’ll drag you straight to the eighteenth layer of hell and fry you in oil!”
Grandma Fan was momentarily speechless and had no choice but to step aside, watching them continue their chat.
Waiting left and right, and continuing to wait, wouldn’t do. If they waited any longer, they really wouldn’t be able to return. In a moment of desperation, Grandma Fan shouted, “Hey, you three, stop chatting, won’t you? Aren’t you hungry? Aren’t you going home to eat?”
“No, no, this can’t be real! Were you two there to capture me back then?” Liu Dashao, finally realizing something, felt his scalp tingling as he bravely asked the two ghostly figures.
The Black and White Yamas exchanged glances again, and finally, they nodded.
“Then why didn’t you capture me? Why did you point me in the right direction and let me go? Why?” Liu Dashao asked, puzzled.
“Hehe, we had sworn brotherhood, hadn’t we? Since we’re brothers, how could we not help you in a time of need?” White Yama chuckled.
“Then… weren’t you scolded by King Yama for that?” Liu Dashao was determined to get to the bottom of it. Should one praise his kindness or scold his foolishness? Most people, upon learning that their lives had been spared by ghost enforcers, would be thanking the heavens, not asking so many questions!
“Haha, what a good brother! You still care about us even now!” Black Yama laughed heartily. “No worries! We’re tight with the Judge. We just said a few words, and the matter was dropped.”
“Oh, I see,” Liu Dashao sighed in relief, and suddenly, a strange sense of excitement surged through him—stronger than the fear he had felt moments ago. Holy crap! I’m actually this awesome! To become sworn brothers with ghost enforcers! This is beyond cool! Simply awesome!
Then, the two ghosts and the one mortal once again sat down and resumed chatting, completely ignoring Granny Fan and the other spirits. It was as if they had returned to that night when the three of them sat by the fire, roasting rabbit and drinking wine stolen from graveyards, chatting wildly about all sorts of wild tales—what a joyous, unforgettable time it had been!
Watching Liu Dashao chatting happily with his ghostly brothers, Granny Fan could no longer remain calm. Although she now understood that the ghost enforcers were on their side, and that retrieving Dog Egg and the others was likely possible, she and Liu Dashao were still living beings. They couldn’t stay in the underworld too long, or else the accumulating yin energy in their bodies would prevent them from ever returning to the world of the living.
Realizing this, Granny Fan cautiously approached and said with a nervous laugh, “Hehe, young master Liu, don’t you think it’s getting late? Shouldn’t we head back now? We’ve been disturbing Elder Brother Yama’s work for too long.”
The three were in the middle of an intense conversation and had no intention of letting Granny Fan interrupt. Immediately, the trio turned on her. Liu Dashao simply said, “Wait.” White Yama added, “Go stand over there.” And Black Yama was even more direct: “Get lost! Keep talking and I’ll drag you straight to the Eighteenth Hell and fry you in oil!”
Granny Fan was momentarily speechless and had no choice but to retreat to the side, watching helplessly as the three continued their chat.
Left waiting and waiting, she knew she couldn’t wait any longer—otherwise, they really wouldn’t be able to return. In desperation, she shouted, “Hey you three, stop chatting already! Aren’t you hungry? Don’t you want to go home for dinner?”
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