“No problem. How long until he arrives?”
Lord Mei agreed without a second thought. To a scion of a noble family like him, money was just a number.
“About five hours.”
“Then have him set out immediately.”
“Yes, sir.”
Wei Baixiang answered readily. He had just secured a job for his close friend, and he was sure his friend wouldn't forget the favor.
The two spoke for a few more minutes before Wei Baixiang hesitated, suddenly shifting the topic to Yin Yang.
“My Lord, I suspect that man named Yin Yang might have some issues.”
“Oh?”
Lord Mei was somewhat surprised. After all, he had personally visited the mortuary yesterday and hadn't noticed anything unusual.
“A Coroner’s perception of Yin energy is extremely keen. I could sense that the Yin energy in the mortuary has almost become tangible.”
“Isn't it normal for a mortuary to have Yin energy?”
“Having Yin energy is normal, but having that much is not.”
“Furthermore, Yin energy has a certain effect on people. With Yin energy as dense as it is in that mortuary, an ordinary person would be riddled with illness within three months.”
“That little fat kid is a Corpse Bearer, so it's fine if he can resist it.”
“But that Yin Yang is just an ordinary person. How has he lived in a mortuary with such dense Yin energy for two years?”
Lord Mei frowned upon hearing this; it was indeed a problem.
“Should we call him in for questioning?”
“Even if we ask, he likely won't tell the truth.”
“It just so happens my friend is coming. Why not let him take a look first?”
“Mm, that sounds good.”
Lord Mei nodded, fully approving of Wei Baixiang's suggestion.
...
The mortuary.
Yin Yang held a watering can, tending to his flowers, but his eyes were somewhat hollow as he drifted into thought.
‘The promotion ritual for a Corpse Celebrant requires sacrificing a hundred ghosts while consuming the Sequence potion.’
‘But a hundred can mean exactly one hundred, or it can mean anything in the hundreds. There should be a difference in the effect, right?’
‘I’ve been stuck at this stage for nearly two years, and I’ve finally gathered nine hundred and ninety-eight souls.’
‘I was only one away, yet Mr. Xu had to die right now.’
‘Is this Murphy's Law? The thing you fear most is exactly what happens?’
‘But why didn't Mr. Xu turn into a vengeful spirit?’
Yin Yang stopped watering the flowers as a possibility popped into his mind.
‘His soul was snatched away!’
‘If the opponent is also a transcendent skilled in dealing with souls, would they discover the secrets of the mortuary?’
‘Sigh, can’t they just let me promote to Corpse Celebrant in peace? I still need to reclaim my Gall!’
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock at the door interrupted Yin Yang's train of thought. He turned toward the entrance to see the gate wide open, with a man in his forties standing there.
“Hello, are you Mr. Yin?”
Yin Yang set the watering can aside and asked with a puzzled expression.
“I am Yin Yang. And you are?”
“I am a doctor invited by Lord Mei.”
The man walked into the mortuary with a smile. Even though the hair on his arms stood up instantly, his expression didn't change in the slightest.
“When Lord Mei visited the mortuary last time, he noticed the Yin energy here was very heavy—too much for an ordinary person to bear.”
“Since you've worked here for two years, your body has undoubtedly been eroded by the Yin energy. So, Lord Mei sent me to give you a checkup.”
Yin Yang looked flattered upon hearing this.
“Lord Mei is far too kind. However, the Yin energy doesn't affect me.”
As he spoke, Yin Yang pulled a small amulet from his robe. It was a brass amulet with a sun engraved on the front.
Around the four corners of the sun, there were also some runes.
“A Sunshine Amulet? These aren't cheap. How can an apprentice like you afford something so expensive?”
The ‘doctor’ maintained his smile, but Yin Yang looked a bit bashful.
“I couldn't afford it. My friend Xiao Zhe gave it to me. I know it's very valuable, but if I want to work here, I can't be without it.”
“So, I save some money every month, intending to pay him back once I have enough.”
The ‘doctor’ observed Yin Yang closely while he spoke.
He found that the young man's micro-expressions and movements were all flawless!
‘Is everything he said true? If so, it would indeed explain why he isn't afraid of Yin energy.’
“Then why don't you become a Corpse Bearer? Not only would you not need a Sunshine Amulet, but it also fits your work perfectly.”
The ‘doctor’ put on a look of confusion.
Yin Yang sighed and carefully stepped around the flowers before speaking.
“Because my dream is to become a Scholar.”
“I have been studying all this time while working to save up for the promotion potion.”
“The only reason I chose a part-time job at the mortuary is because the pay is higher and it gives me enough free time to study.”
This reason was also perfectly logical.
In the minds of most people, the Scholar pathway was the safest and most profitable!
The ‘doctor’ continued to observe but still couldn't find a single trace of a lie.
There were only two possibilities.
First, this person was extremely sincere.
Second, this person was someone for whom lying was as natural as breathing.
The ‘doctor’ leaned toward the first option. After all, no matter how he looked at it, the person before him was just an ordinary human.
For an ordinary human to deceive the keen eyes of a Constable was no small feat.
“Since you don't need treatment, I'll head back and report. I wish you success in becoming a Scholar soon.”
The ‘doctor’ gave a gentle smile and offered his blessing to Yin Yang.
...
The Command Center.
“A Sunshine Amulet? That explains it.”
“That little fat kid, Xiao Zhe, is from the local Xiao family. They are a notable clan in Wangduan City, so it's not surprising he could afford a Sunshine Amulet.”
“But since you went to the mortuary, why didn't you take a look at the body while you were at it?”
The ‘doctor’ laughed freely and said,
“Lord Mei, compared to the body, I'd rather see the primary crime scene. I'll find much more there.”
Upon hearing this, Lord Mei gestured to a subordinate, signaling him to take the ‘doctor’ and Wei Baixiang to the primary scene—Old Xu's house.
As the chief official of Wangduan City, he had too many matters to handle and couldn't personally oversee everything.
After the two left, Lord Mei began handling official business. He worked until it was pitch black outside, yet the two had still not returned.
“Someone, come here!”
“Sir!”
“Hasn't Wang Hu brought them back yet?”
“Not yet.”
“Ask how the progress is going.”
“Yes, sir!”
The subordinate hurried off to make contact, returning only after a full five minutes.
“What's the situation?”
“Sir, I can't get in touch with Wang Hu.”
“What?”
Lord Mei's brow furrowed immediately.
Wang Hu was one of the three Executioners he had brought with him, a man whose blade skills were superlative.
With a Coroner and a Constable also present, how could they have lost contact?
“Zhou Yu!”
“Present!”
“Take some men and come with me to check it out!”
“Yes, sir!”
A burly man outside the door answered. He was Lord Mei's greatest source of confidence—the only Sequence 7 he had brought from his family, an Imperial Guard!
Rate on N.U.
