Chapter 18

Xie Bi An took two packs of white tea and a jar of Xiaoyaoniang* and brought Fan Wu She to the Red Palace.

This white tea was previously bought by Xie Bi An in Fengdu City. He intended to give it to Cui Jue, but when Zhong Kui gave the soul-hooking chain to Fan Wu She, and he thought that two bags of tea would not be enough to tide it over if Cui Jue knew about this, so he planned not to go to the Judge’s mansion for the time being.

Along the way, they met a lot of Yin servants, and they were respectful when they saw the two of them. The soul weapon was an alternative magical treasure because it was attached to the divine thoughts of the Great Emperor Beiyin, and it had an intimidating effect on ghosts.

"Senior brother." Fan Wu She suddenly asked, "Have you ever been to places outside the Underworld?"

"What do you mean? Hell?"

Hearing the word "hell", Fan Wu She's pupils instantly tightened: "You've been to hell?"

"I've been there, but I never want to go there again." Xie Bi An took the opportunity to educate him, "I want you to keep a low profile in the human realm and create less karma. It’s for your own good. Sometimes people may not have the intention to do evil, but even if they make a big mistake unintentionally, they will be burdened by karma after death, and they will go to hell to suffer the punishments."

Fan Wu She did not speak.

"Why, are you curious? Do you want to go to hell and take a look?"

"No."

He had suffered a hundred years of extreme punishment in the Infernal Hell. Who else could be more familiar with hell than him? He did not want to return to hell, but he could bring hell back to earth.

"Well, it's better to not go there. That place is scary."

"I was just referring to Jiuyou."

"Oh, of course I've been there. I've toured Jiuyou with my master many times."

"What kind of place is Jiuyou?"

"There are a lot of speculations about Jiuyou. In fact, Jiuyou is the place where ghosts live. There are three kinds of ghosts in Jiuyou. The majority are the ghosts born in the Hungry Ghost Path, such as Jiang Qu Lian, who are ghost citizens that have lived for a long time in Jiuyou. There are also fierce ghosts that reincarnate from the Hell Path. Those reincarnated from the Hell Path committed great evil deeds in life. After the completion of their sentence in the underworld’s hell, they have to re-enter the Hell Path. They have no human form, no intelligence, no memory, just suffering. They cannot ever transcend. These evil ghosts are mostly hidden underwater, in dense forests, and in mountains. Finally, there are ghosts who do not want to be reincarnated for various reasons. They each live in their own area because hungry ghosts and evil ghosts can eat other ghosts." Xie Bi An said, "The five ghost emperors are responsible for guarding Jiuyou’s barrier so that humans and ghosts do not invade and harass each other. But they don’t care about the fights between ghost citizens, so Jiuyou is lawless and very dangerous."

"I'm a little curious about Jiuyou." Fan Wu She said.

"The next time Master patrols Jiuyou, you can come with us, but we can't go to Jiuyou without permission."

"Why?"

Xie Bi An laughed, "Didn't senior brother just say that Jiuyou is very dangerous?"

"With the soul weapon, wouldn’t ghosts dare not come to attack us easily?"

"There is naturally no need to fear one or two ghosts, but if there are more, we’ll be outnumbered."

"Really? No wonder the majority of those who secretly went to Jiuyou have not returned."

Xie Bi An shook his head helplessly, "Yes, for a hundred years, there are always people finding loopholes in the barrier and try to go to Jiuyou to find the Xuanyuan Heavenly Secret Talisman. The place was sealed by the emperor himself and will not be easily found."

Fan Wu She narrowed his eyes slightly and murmured, "It can't be found easily."

"Not only are people looking for the Xuanyuan Heavenly Secret Talisman, but the ghosts are also likewise looking for it. That magical treasure is just too powerful. In fact, I've always suspected that the Heavenly Secret Talisman has been destroyed by the emperor, but master said that even with the emperor's cultivational level, he would not be able to destroy it."

"Of course, that is a magical treasure that can command the soldiers of the three realms." Fan Wu She said as if inquiring, but also as if speaking to himself, "Where would that kind of magical treasure be sealed in…”

"Fortunately, Zong Zi Xiao is only a mortal after all. Even with his top cultivation level in the human realm, he can only summon the Yin soldiers, otherwise, the earth would become hell."

During the conversation, a deep ochre-colored palace appeared in front of them, which looked extraordinarily gloomy in the dark underworld.

"Ah, here it is." Xie Bi An took a deep breath and said reluctantly.

The two Yin servants guarding the entrance led the two inside.

Jiang Qu Lian was lying on a couch, eating grapes while flipping through the picture book in his hand.

With one look, Xie Bi An immediately recognized the picture book, which is currently very trendy in the human realm, called [Rising Dragon Diary]. This story is about a young man from a lowly background who reaches the top of the immortal path. Though the plot is very exaggerated, it's quite good. Maybe chapter 39 was released recently as he still hasn’t bought it.

As the king of the ghost kings, Jiang Qu Lian has ways to get good things from the human realm. He does not even need to step out of the Red Palace. Xie Bi An naturally did not really think that he was scheming for this tea and wine.

Looking at a pair of handsome young men in black and white, Jiang Qu Lian slightly curved his eyes: "Impermanence, what good things did you bring me?"

"Hopefully Red King does not dislike it. Here are two packs of white tea, and a jar of Xiaoyaoniang."

"How do you know I won’t dislike it?"

Xie Bi An was slightly embarrassed.

Jiang Qu Lian laughed: "I'm just teasing you. You're giving presents to me, so I certainly like it. Put it down."

Just when Xie Bi An put his things down, Jiang Qu Lian suddenly let out a "Huh" and looked at Fan Wu She: "Why do you suddenly have a ghostly aura on you?" He immediately understood and said in surprise, "Did Heaven Master give you a soul weapon?"

Xie Bi An said solemnly, "From now on, junior brother and I will serve together as Impermanence."

"Serve together?" Jiang Qu Lian narrowed his long, phoenix eyes, "How to serve together?"

"Master said that we are one black and one white, one yin and one yang."

"White Impermanence, and black Impermanence?" Jiang Qu Lian let out a cold snort, "Since when can Heaven Master appoint the Underworld General? Could it be that while the emperor is in seclusion this underworld is his under his beck and call?"

"The so-called appointment is not really an appointment. I’m not listed as a ghost immortal and do not get an official salary. I just get the title. I will only be harvesting souls together with senior brother." Fan Wu She's eyes condensed into frost, "As for the soul weapon, since the emperor bestowed it to master, no one else has a say whoever master wants to bestow it to."

Xie Bi An hurriedly gave a look to Fan Wu She, signaling him to shut up.

Jiang Qu Lian chuckled. He sat up, gathered his loose lapels, and lazily stood up from the couch, walking towards them step by step.

Xie Bi An stared warily at Jiang Qu Lian

This man's cultivation level is high enough to be Zhong Kui's opponent. His temperament is also so evil that no one could understand it, so there was a reason why Xie Bi An is afraid of him.

Jiang Qu Lian stood still in front of Xie Bi An: "Bi An, you have been very cute since you were a child, but this junior brother of yours is not cute at all." As he spoke, he stretched out his hand, and his long, slender fingers probed Xie Bi An's cheek.

With a "clang" sound, Ting Mo was half-unsheathed, blocking Jiang Qu Lian’s hand.

Jiang Qu Lian used his thumb and index finger to pinch the blade of the sword in a flash. His little finger was slightly curved. That force seemed like twisting a flower, elegant and light, but the sword could not move again.

Xie Bi An said softly, "Wu She, don't be rude."

Fan Wu She is half a head shorter than Jiang Qu Lian, but his aura is not weak at all. Xie Bi An is very confused. Why does it look like his junior brother doesn’t seem to be afraid of anything?

Jiang Qu Lian let go of his hand and said flirtatiously, "What, I can't touch your brother?"

"No."

Jiang Qu Lian chuckled and said, "I was wrong, you are actually quite cute."

Sweat appeared on Xie Bi An’s forehead: "Red King, my junior brother is still young, there is no need to lower yourself to his level."

Jiang Qu Lian did not say anything. He grabbed the air and the jar of Xiaoyaoniang flew directly into his hand. He slapped open the clay seal, held the jar high, and poured the wine into his mouth, "Good wine." He praised.

Xie Bi An said, "Red King, it's getting late, we’ll take our leave."

"Wait, there's something I would like to ask you for help with."

Xie Bi An was tensed. Jiang Qu Lian used the words "would like" and "help", which really made his heart jump.

"A few days ago, the Heaven Master Palace sent people to investigate the ghost named Meng Ke Fei.

"Yes."

"Why, because he was killed by a core theft?"

"Yes."

"His death has probably caused a huge uproar in Wuliang Sect." Jiang Qu Lian squinted at Xie Bi An, "With Heaven Master’s temperament, he probably won't just sit back and do nothing."

“…After all, that is the human realm’s matter. Master has his own discretion."

Jiang Qu Lian sneered: “Mortals fear the core stealing demonic cultivators the most. After all, just hearing the Supreme Demon Zong Zi Xiao’s name will make them shiver with fear. Heaven Master also wants to know who murdered Meng Ke Fei, right?"

Xie Bi An looked at Jiang Qu Lian: "Could it be that the Red King knows?"

"I don't know, but someone does."

"Who?"

"Meng Ke Fei."

Xie Bi An was stunned: "He didn’t reincarnate?"

"He is in my hands. If you want to know who killed him, just ask him."

Xie Bi An said cautiously, "What does the Red King want?"

"There is one thing I want from Heaven Master." The corners of Jiang Qu Lian’s mouth lifted slightly, "Pass on the word to Heaven Master, and he will naturally understand."

---

After leaving the Red Palace, both of them did not look too good.

Fan Wu She couldn't help but ask, "Does he usually treat you frivolously like this?"

Xie Bi An wasn't even listening to what Fan Wu She was saying, "No, this matter has to be told to Master as soon as possible, but Master must have already gone to bed, well…tomorrow morning then."

"Senior brother." Fan Wu She suddenly blocked Xie Bi An.

Xie Bi An was not paying attention, and the two of them collided directly with each other.

Xie Bi An immediately steadied himself and subconsciously grabbed Fan Wu She’s arm.

A fragrance of orchids permeated his nostrils, and Fan Wu She’s heart and soul were stirred. He hurriedly waved away Xie Bi An's hand.

Xie Bi An also felt a bit awkward. Earlier on, Fan Wu She did say that he does not like people touching him, even if it’s not targeted at him. But it's always a little embarrassing to seem to be disliked in this way.

Xie Bi An looked at Fan Wu She in confusion, "Junior brother, what did you just say?"

Xie Bi An's eyes were large and dark, and as clean and pure as a small deer, making it impossible to contain the thought of how one would think of those eyes when they were tainted by lust.

Fan Wu She’s Adam’s apple rolled up and down: "Does he usually… treat you like that too?"

"Like what?"

A desire that overrides reason, desperately suppressed but on the verge of erupting, forced Fan Wu She to quickly reach out his hand and he cupped Xie Bi An's cheek.

Xie Bi An was startled.

Fan Wu She said deeply: “Like this.” The fingertips that were pressed against the cheeks were hot as if they were burning up. He wanted to touch more, wanted to…

Xie Bi An was puzzled by Fan Wu She’s abnormality, but still didn't understand what Fan Wu She really wanted to ask and said: “He seldom threatens me. Most of the time, he probably takes pleasure in seeing me scared.” While saying, he pulled Fan Wu She’s hand down, "You don't have to worry, as long as Master is around, he wouldn't dare to really do anything to us."

Fan Wu She put his hand behind his back and clenched his fist as if to retain the rapidly draining temperature of this person.

 

----

Translator Thoughts:

Xiaoyaoniang*[逍遥酿]---just a wine’s name

Editor Thoughts:

Hey everyone, it's been a few chapters since the last episode of "Limit Explanations" so I've decided to make a new episode today! Today's topic will be on Hell, which was discussed somewhere near the front of this chapter. 

Before I start, I just want all of you to know that this is based on what I know and the information might not be 100% accurate, so take it with a pinch of salt. But if you are interested after this feel free to google more about it! 

So what most of us Chinese believe, well not really Chinese but those who are more inclined to Buddism and Taoism believe that Hell exists in the afterlife. The more common knowledge is that there are 18 levels within Hell, and after you die, you will first stand trial. You can imagine that there is something like a scale which (once again this slightly differs based on religion) they place your good karma on one end and your bad karma on the other end. So for those people whose scales lean towards the bad side, they are sent to the various levels of Hell to receive their due punishment. The higher your bad karma, the lower the level you will be sent to. Only after finishing your stay will you be able to get reincarnated (that's what I heard anyway I'm not super sure if you will even finish your stay in Hell).

For those who are curious, I am a freethinker but I am slightly more inclined to Taoism even though I don't officially have a religion. So I sorta believe in stuff like fate and karma, and it feels like with how fate and karma are trolling me right now I might just end up in Hell LOL. Hopefully, I don't but who knows right? Hopefully, you reader feel happier after reading all the chapters and we can accumulate some good karma xD

Well, that's the main gist of it! The moral of the story is, don't do bad stuff if you don't want to suffer torture after death. What does your religion believe in after death? Share it in the comments! If you liked this chapter, remember to leave a like and comment below! 

- Limit

Edited on 17 Mar. 21 (Emzie)

Edited on 17 Aug 21 (Limit)

 

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