Chapter 200
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Chapter 200: Title
Inside the private chamber.
"My name is Gu Jinglu of Xijing Prefecture, the seventh in my family lineage. This is my younger sister Gu Yiyi," introduced the youth who’d invited Ye Linlang. "Might I inquire after the fair lady’s name?"
"Lilith."
"Li Lisi? What an exquisite name, my lady."
Ye Linlang made no effort to correct him, deeming the misunderstanding inconsequential.
Gu Jinglu’s gaze lingered on the silver mask framing her luminous eyes. "Truth be told," he murmured with distant eyes, "I’ve been struck by love’s arrow since first beholding you. I wish to take you as my bride."
Gu Yiyi nearly choked on her tea, struck speechless by her brother’s audacity. She fought the absurd urge to crack open his skull and check for seawater sloshing within – what madness prompted such declarations?
Hao Youqian and Yun’er exchanged wide-eyed glances, their tongues glued to silence by this shocking forthrightness.
Though Ye Linlang had sensed Gu Jinglu’s peculiar demeanor, this brazen proposal still caught her off guard. The boy possessed remarkable boldness, she’d grant him that. Curiously, this marked her first experience receiving such unrestrained devotion. A sly arch lifted her brow – pity romance held no allure for her chilled heart.
"You fail to interest me."
The first rejection of Gu Jinglu’s charmed existence, delivered by his chosen goddess, drained all color from his face until he resembled a wilted peony. His pleading eyes turned toward Gu Yiyi.
"Why stare at me?" The young woman’s eyes rolled skyward before relenting. Blood ties demanded mercy.
"Li Lisi, please forgive Seventh Brother’s clumsiness," Gu Yiyi implored, fluttering over like anxious sparrow. "This maiden’s first spring of affection has addled his wits. Allow me to offer apologies."
"Unnecessary. No offense taken."
"His plain speech carries… refreshing novelty."
Gu Yiyi’s tension melted into pearly laughter. "Your magnanimity does you honor."
Yet curiosity prickled her thoughts – this Li family girl showed no awe upon hearing Xijing’s prestigious Gu name. Were they minor nobility? Some reclusive clan? The mystery itched beneath her skin, begging inquiry she dared not voice.
*
Blue Star.
"These temporary Identity Cards are essential for navigating the human realm," Zhan Yuan declared, distributing documents to four spectral figures. "Try existing here without one – you’ll find more barriers than walls."
After the Yin Chai selected mortal aliases, he’d pulled bureaucratic strings to forge temporary credentials. "Phones next – one per wraith."
The underworld enforcers accepted the devices without confusion. Centuries of soul-collecting had familiarized them with mortal trinkets, if not their operation.
Zhan Yuan’s critical gaze swept over the apparitions – funereal robes, ink-spill hair, faces pale as tomb carvings. "Consider altering your… aesthetic? Your current visage might draw unwanted attention."
"What deficiency exists in our form?" Yin Yan challenged, foremost among the four. Mortal eyes perceive us not unless we permit it."
"Even lower-tier Practitioners remain oblivious to our presence," another added, voice echoing like wind through burial urns.
Zhan Yuan scratched his neck, envisioning the Judge’s exasperation. "But when mingling with living souls, blending in smoothes interactions." His sigh carried centuries of bureaucratic weariness. How to teach emotional nuance to these ancient regulations incarnate?
"Simply use magic to alter your appearances temporarily. You can revert after we return," Zhan Yuan proposed. The Yin Chai exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
Instantly, the four Yin Chai transformed their appearances. Having spent considerable time in the human realm, shifting their attire and hairstyles proved effortless.
"Will this suffice?"
"Perfect, absolutely perfect," Zhan Yuan affirmed hastily, eyeing the quartet of strikingly handsome men with mixed feelings. These underworld envoys not only wielded formidable power but also possessed extraordinary looks.
He sighed internally – his only source of superiority now lay in comparing himself to ghost soldiers and the grotesque Bull-Headed and Horse-Faced Guardians.
As officially registered underworld deities, Yin Chai held managerial positions in human terms. While ghost soldiers formed the underworld’s lowest ranks, Yin Chai stood superior to most spirits.
These four represented the elite among Yin Chai. From the judge’s tone during their briefing, they were destined for the Black and White Guardians’ rank unless unforeseen circumstances intervened.
Though the Black and White Guardians shared equal status with Bull-Headed and Horse-Faced Guardians, the former commanded slightly higher prestige – one guiding animal spirits while the other shepherded intelligent beings.
Above them existed Meng Po, the judge, the Ten Kings of Hell, and other underworld deities. Beyond these, the four Ghost Emperors guarded cardinal Ghost Cities. Supreme over all stood the Ghostly Emperor who had reshaped the underworld.
Zhan Yuan guided the Yin Chai through the city in human form rather than spectral guise. The envoys appeared slightly discomfited, accustomed to invisibility except to the deceased.
Initially wandering aimlessly through Capital City’s streets, inspiration struck when their car passed the Forbidden City’s walls. "Ah! Our destination reveals itself!"
"This former imperial palace witnessed two dynasties. Would it interest you?" Zhan Yuan parked hurriedly, ushering the four toward the historic site.
The tourist-packed Forbidden City left no time for ticket purchases. Adopting extraordinary measures for extraordinary circumstances, they… bypassed admission protocols.
The Yin Chai followed mutely, their disinterest evident yet compliance absolute. Being no local himself, Zhan Yuan’s first visit proved disappointing – ancient relics obscured by throngs of visitors left little to appreciate.
"Any preferences for destinations?"
Perched invisibly on a palace rooftop (ghosts lacking physical mass prevented structural concerns), Zhan Yuan received uniform responses: "We defer to your guidance."
Frustration bubbled within him. How could they rely on his nonexistent plans? The judge’s "experience mortal pleasures" directive grew increasingly daunting – how does one entertain spirits unimpressed by earthly delights?
Saunas? Massages? His civil servant status forbade such indulgences. As desperation mounted, his phone chimed.
"Zhan Yuan, your location?" Yang Xingyu’s voice inquired.
"Forbidden City. What prompts this call?"
"You recall my planned special broadcast? Hearing you’re accompanied by Yin Chai… might introductions be arranged?"
"Invite them for your live stream?" Zhan Yuan’s eyebrows rose.
"If they consent. Are they present? Could you inquire?"
After brief consideration – live streaming arguably counted as cultural experience – Zhan Yuan posed the question. Before explaining "live broadcast", one Yin Chai interjected: "We understand the concept."
"Splendid! My friend maintains professional boundaries. Acceptable?"
"Acceptable," the lead Yin Chai confirmed. Others acquiesced through silent nods.
Departing the Forbidden City, the spectral quintet proceeded to the Special Bureau headquarters…
…
In the Accommodation Area’s vacant room, Yang Xingyu finalized his setup as they arrived.
"Brother, you’re lifesaver!" Yang clapped Zhan Yuan’s shoulder. "Name any favor."
"Credit belongs to our guests," Zhan Yuan deflected, gesturing at the modern-attired Yin Chai.
Yang Xingyu beamed at the envoys. "Esteemed Yin Chai, I’m Yang Xingyu. Your participation honors my broadcast."
Their nods acknowledged the greeting.
As Yang arranged seating before cameras, he requested: "Camera assistance later? Dinner’s on me."
Zhan Yuan’s agreement coincided with Silver Fox TV’s chat exploding pre-broadcast:
[Check the title! ‘Entering the Underworld’ – Yang Ge’s gone full supernatural!]
[Since Spiritual Energy’s Awakening, science can’t deny mysticism anymore (¬‿¬) ]
[Wait… those raven-haired Adonises beside Yang Ge?!]
[Where’d he find these porcelain-faced guys? Gorgeous but stone-faced… robot boyfriends?]
