Dark clouds hung like spilled ink as the night deepened. Yun He appeared within the Chen Manor.
The lights in Tongjing Courtyard were ablaze. Old Madam Chen, along with Lady Yan, Lady Guo, and Wei Yuan, were keeping watch in the small parlor adjacent to the bedroom. Inside the bedchamber, Chen Yang held Ruan Qing’s hand, his expression a mixture of grief and bewilderment.
Upon manifesting in the manor, Yun He headed straight for Ajiao’s room. Granny Li was currently coaxing Chen Yan to sleep.
*The third drawer of the innermost cabinet.*
Yun He felt around but found nothing. He was forced to summon his magic to sweep the entire Tongjing Courtyard, yet there was still no sign of the item. Without hesitation, he departed for Weiyang Palace.
The Emperor had been assassinated, and the Lord of Huikang was dead. It was unlikely anyone in Weiyang Palace would find sleep tonight.
Yun He first tracked Liu Che to the Hall of Refreshing Coolness. The Emperor lay unconscious on the dragon bed, surrounded by a swarm of imperial physicians. The Crown Prince stood to one side with Chancellor Shi Qing, Wei Qing, and other high officials, while Wei Zifu waited on the other side with the imperial concubines.
Yun He leaned in to take a look. Seeing the Emperor’s eyes tightly shut and his face pale—though his life was not in danger—he didn't bother further and went directly to search for the bottle of tears.
It was not in the Hall of Refreshing Coolness, so he moved on to the Xuanzhi Hall. Sure enough, he found it in a hidden compartment of the Emperor’s bed. Yun He opened the bottle: four drops, not a single one missing. Contentedly, he tucked the item away and returned to the Underworld.
***
“Ajiao, tell me about this in detail. How did you discover you had spiritual power?” Shen Zhi asked as he led Ajiao toward the Great Hall of Houtu.
Ajiao recounted everything that had happened before her death, adding, “It was a sudden sensation. I felt uneasy about it, so I told Lord Yun He.” She suddenly remembered something else. “Also, Lord Shen, back when Lord Yun He and Lord Qi went to the mortal realm to resolve my lingering mortal aura, I managed to move a mortal vase while in my soul form. I even injured the Emperor with it.”
Shen Zhi replied, “I know of that matter. Yun He investigated it; it happened because the spiritual energy of that inner dan leaked out, granting you that extraordinary encounter. I originally thought that with the nourishment of the inner dan’s energy, it would be faster to lead you into cultivation later. I didn't expect you to be able to use spells already.” He sighed. “My guess is that this time, you benefited from the divine power contained within Yama’s Tears. The Lord of Yama’s divine power and techniques are all derived from Empress Houtu. If you truly are able to wield magic because of Houtu’s divine power, the two Sovereigns will have to discuss whether you are permitted to keep this wisp of divinity.”
Ajiao’s heart thundered with shock.
Seeing this, Shen Zhi comforted her. “Do not worry. If this wisp of divine power can stay, it is naturally a good thing. Even if it cannot, I will lead you in your cultivation in the future. I am also an Earth Immortal who rose from the rank of a mortal ghost. I am more than qualified to be your master on this path.”
Ajiao hastily curtsied. “Whether it stays or goes is a matter of fate. Even if it cannot remain, it would be a great blessing to cultivate under your guidance, My Lord.”
*Cultivation! Earth Immortal!* The mere thought made her heart dance with joy.
Shen Zhi nodded, satisfied with her attitude. He cautioned, “Once we enter the hall, do not be flustered. Just follow my lead in the salutations. Do not be afraid when you see the two Sovereigns. They rule the Yin Realm; though they are majestic, they are also benevolent and will not make things difficult for you.”
Ajiao nodded. “I understand. Will... will Yun He be punished?”
Shen Zhi smiled. “Even if he is, it won't be severe. The two Sovereigns dote on him. Besides, that item was originally given to him as a toy.”
Only then did Ajiao feel at ease.
Following Shen Zhi into the Great Hall of Houtu, they first paid respects to Empress Houtu, then to the two Sovereigns.
The Ghost Emperors of the East and West, Dong Fu and Fei Kang, had also arrived upon hearing the news. Shen Zhi led Ajiao to greet them as well.
Yun Yue smiled from the side. “Once Lord Shen is married, he’ll have to bring her mother here for another introduction.”
A rare trace of bashfulness appeared on Shen Zhi’s face.
Seeing this, Ajiao truly realized that this matter wasn't as dire as she feared; it was simply handled with more caution because it involved Houtu’s divine power.
Fei Kang glared. “I’ve said it before, Yun He is asking for a thrashing. How could he just use something given by the Lord of Yama so carelessly...”
Yun Yue gave him a cold look, and Fei Kang was forced to shut his mouth.
The Lord of Yama chuckled softly. “It is no great matter, merely a trinket. Junior Brother, look at this child!”
Yama beckoned to Ajiao, and she stepped forward.
Standing upon the dais, Yama placed his hand atop Ajiao’s head. She felt a desolate yet gentle aura spread from her crown throughout her entire body. The divine power within her began to circulate through her limbs in rhythm with this aura.
The Lord of Yama nodded. “Not bad. It can complete a full circuit. We might as well let her keep it.”
The Sovereign Yanluo added, “There is no harm in keeping it. The Underworld is currently short on ghosts capable of cultivation anyway.”
Ajiao was ecstatic, but she did her best to restrain herself, biting her lip to keep from smiling.
“Chen Ajiao thanks the two Sovereigns for their grace.” Ajiao performed a deep prostration.
The two Sovereigns waved their hands, signaling for her to rise. “As it happens, there are many vacancies in the Department of Reincarnation. Let her take a temporary official tablet for the department. She shall learn magic first, and once she passes the trials, she can become a permanent official. As for her reincarnations, they shall be waived; her remaining sentence will be offset by her future service.”
Shen Zhi rose and voiced his assent.
The Lord of Yama spoke again. “And Yun He—how has he been performing in the Department of Reincarnation these past few years?”
Shen Zhi smiled. “He has become much more grounded.”
Fei Kang remarked, “If he can learn to be ambitious, I truly must offer great thanks to Empress Houtu for her protection.”
The Lord of Yama said, “Then let him continue staying in the Department of Reincarnation. Fei Kang, if you keep him too restricted, he won't be happy. In our Yin Realm, he is currently the only 'living child.' Let him do as he pleases.”
Fei Kang had no choice but to obey.
*Living child?* Ajiao wondered inwardly.
“In that case, let it be so. Yun He is here.”
Yun He came running in with a thudding pace. He first performed a grand salutation to Empress Houtu, then glanced at his father’s expression before scurrying over to the two Sovereigns. “Masters, I’ve retrieved the tears.”
*Masters?* Ajiao stood silently behind Shen Zhi. Seeing that no one else looked surprised, her astonishment grew.
Yanluo took the bottle and checked it. “Four drops remain. You may keep them.”
Yun He grinned. “Understood!”
With everything settled so easily, the two Sovereigns dismissed the group. Yun He tried to slip away but was caught by his father.
Ajiao offered a silent prayer for Yun He and followed Shen Zhi out.
“I will take you to the Department of Reincarnation first to get your official tablet, then I’ll have someone explain the rules of the Underworld to you.”
“Yes,” Ajiao replied, looking perfectly obedient.
“With the official tablet, you can channel your power to perform some simple spells. The tablet can also protect you; it is more effective than the talismans or the inner dan you carry... Speaking of which, where is the clam essence inner dan?” Shen Zhi asked.
Ajiao was startled and quickly checked herself, only to find it was indeed gone. She turned pale with shock. “What happened? Could I have dropped it in the mortal realm?”
Shen Zhi comforted her. “It is no great loss. When Yun He brought the inner dan back last time, I reapplied a restrictive seal. It not only locked its spiritual energy but also ensured that no one other than you could receive its protection. It is of little use to a mortal.”
Ajiao finally relaxed. She then asked, “Lord Shen, how is my mother? Is she well? Yun He said... you are preparing to marry.”
Shen Zhi’s smile grew even softer. “Indeed. Your mother said she wanted to wait for your return. Now that you are back, everything can be arranged.”
Ajiao smiled brightly and curtsied to Shen Zhi. “Then, congratulations to you, Lord Shen!”
The Department of Reincarnation looked much more imposing than when Ajiao had left. Three years ago, there was only one small building; now, two more had been erected, forming a grand complex. A plaque inscribed with the words "Department of Reincarnation" hung over the main hall's doors.
Shen Zhi led Ajiao to collect her official tablet.
The front of the tablet was carved with "Department of Reincarnation," flanked by a pattern resembling clouds and water. The back was carved with the character "Earth" (地). The material seemed similar to the ones her uncle and grandfather had possessed.
Shen Zhi explained, “All temporary official tablets are made from peachwood grown by the Yellow Springs. They have the power to slay ghosts and dispel evil, though you cannot achieve that with your current level of magic. For now, just learn to protect yourself. The 'Department of Reincarnation' on the front indicates your office, and the 'Earth' on the back signifies you are a member of the Underworld. If you ever encounter deities from outside the Underworld, this tablet will serve as proof of your identity.”
“The pattern next to the department name is called the Cloud-and-Water Pattern. It is drawn using droplets from the Yellow Springs. The higher the rank, the more patterns there are. Since you’ve just started, you have only one. I am currently the acting head of the Department of Reincarnation, with a rank equal to the two Ghost Emperors, so I have eighteen.”
Shen Zhi took out his own tablet to show Ajiao. She emboldened herself to touch it; it felt chilly to the touch. His tablet was a deep, lustrous black, looking far more exquisite and substantial than hers. Eighteen cloud-and-water patterns drifted around the words "Department of Reincarnation," possessing a soul-stirring quality. Furthermore, this tablet was not made of wood.
“Lord Shen, what is your tablet made of?” Ajiao asked curiously.
“It is forged from Deep Iron found in the Primal Chaos of the Yin Realm. Tablets for Command Officers, Record Keepers, Garden Overseers, and above are made of Deep Iron. Temporary officials, ordinary ghost messengers, soldiers, and minor clerks use ten-thousand-year peachwood like yours. Other ranks slightly above ghost messengers use branches from the Zanku tree.”
Ajiao nodded. Though she didn't recognize any of the materials he mentioned, nodding seemed like the right response.
“You are currently a ghost official of the lowest grade, and no tasks have been assigned to you yet. You may spend today looking around,” Shen Zhi said with a slight smile. “And when you are finished, go find your mother. She has missed you dearly.”
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 官牌 | Official Tablet | A token of office/identity for Underworld officials. |
| 宣室殿 | Xuanzhi Hall | A main hall in the Han imperial palace. |
| 后土大殿 | Great Hall of Houtu | The main hall dedicated to the goddess of the earth/underworld. |
| 鬼帝 | Ghost Emperor | High-ranking rulers of the Underworld. |
| 东弗 | Dong Fu | Name of a Ghost Emperor. |
| 费康 | Fei Kang | Name of a Ghost Emperor, Yun He's father. |
| 地仙 | Earth Immortal | A level of cultivation/deity status. |
| 周天 | Circuit / Orbit | Refers to the circulation of energy in the body (cultivation). |
| 云水纹 | Cloud-and-Water Pattern | Decorative/functional markings on official tablets. |
| 沉铁 | Deep Iron | A rare metal from the Underworld's primal chaos. |
| 瓒枯木 | Zanku Wood | A specific type of wood used for mid-low rank tablets. |
| 令官 | Command Officer | An official rank in the Underworld. |
| 文录官 | Record Keeper | An official rank in the Underworld. |
| 苑制 | Garden Overseer | An official rank in the Underworld. |
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