Lying on the bed, I felt my bones groaning, my muscles wailing, and my cells screaming silently. Every inch of my body ached, as if pricked by needles as fine as ox hair.
This was the result of the Xuan Yang True Qi being over-exhausted. The Xuan Yang True Qi that could have lasted another ten minutes was scattered by the Heavenly Master Zhong Kui's kick, summoned by Zhang Dabiao. Although his kick had expelled the stagnant blood that was causing discomfort in my chest, it had also depleted the Xuan Yang True Qi I had struggled to hold in.
I looked at the ceiling with a wry smile, wondering if he had helped me or harmed me.
Just then, I suddenly felt my body tighten, and the pain slightly subsided. However, a chilling sensation, as if I had fallen into an ice cave, washed over me. I wanted to shout loudly, but found myself unable to make a sound, as if an invisible hand was covering my nose and mouth.
The entire room became three parts darker than before, as if shrouded in the netherworld.
"Oh, isn't this Brother Song? I didn't expect us to meet again so soon."
A pitch-black portal of light appeared at the window, and a familiar voice came from within. Immediately after, two figures, their heads almost touching the ceiling, appeared before me.
"Ox-Head and Horse-Face? What are you doing here? You're not here to collect a debt, are you?"
Seeing the two of them suddenly appear before me, I was surprised. Even the pain in my body lessened, mainly because I had forgotten about the pain, fearing they were here to collect a debt.
These two brothers were even more ruthless than Zhou Bapi; their appearance always meant trouble.
The thought only crossed my mind before I could voice it. Ox-Head smiled and said, "Young brother, we're old acquaintances. You can't criticize us like this in your heart. Zhou Bapi is currently experiencing the eighteen levels of hell's set meal. How can you curse us to hell?"
Horse-Face, with his elongated horse-like face, added, "Exactly. Even if the deal falls through, there's still goodwill. Why insult us in your heart the moment we meet? This is not something a virtuous Yin Gua Shi should do."
Flattery upon meeting them could only mean they were up to no good. Although my body no longer hurt and the feeling of being suffocated had disappeared, I would rather feel the pain than see them.
I tried to control my mind, to think of nothing, and then asked softly, "Why do you have time to come here? You're not here to collect a debt from me, are you? Didn't you say you'd give me three months? Aren't you afraid of being suppressed by the Blessed Town Guardian Lord by appearing in the human world?"
From their behavior earlier, it was clear they were terrified of Heavenly Master Zhong Kui. Otherwise, they wouldn't have knelt before the Heavenly Master the moment they met him, and would have done whatever he said, acting like a subordinate to a superior.
"Heh heh… Guardian Lord, we are indeed afraid. However, the Guardian Lord is very busy. Moreover, we are here on behalf of…"
Horse-Face suddenly interrupted Ox-Head, his voice cold and stern, "Ox-Head, are you tired of living? You talk too much. Hurry up and ask your questions, take what you need, and leave."
Ox-Head flinched when reprimanded by Horse-Face. He glanced around with his ox-like eyes, then wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, realizing he had almost been led astray by this young fellow.
"Kid, we came to find you personally. You're lucky. As long as you answer a few questions honestly, your debt to us will be wiped clean. What do you say?"
Although Horse-Face wore a smile, I couldn't shake the feeling of a weasel paying respects to a chicken with ill intentions. There were countless underworld emissaries, and Ox-Head and Horse-Face were far superior to ordinary emissaries. How could the matters they personally came to inquire about be simple?
But then I thought that I had no secrets on me, and that answering a few questions would clear a debt of ten million. It seemed more worthwhile to answer.
"Ask whatever you want. I'll tell you everything I know. However, I hope you'll be quick. I'm feeling a bit tired and want to rest as soon as possible. I have to relocate my residence tomorrow."
"We understand that. There are only two questions. First, are you a Yin Gua Shi? Second, is the treasure of the Half-Yin Realm on you?"
Yin Gua Shi? Half-Yin Realm?
I could answer the first question quickly, as it was something I couldn't hide even if I wanted to, and there was no need to conceal being a Yin Gua Shi.
However, when they mentioned the Half-Yin Realm, my heart twitched. Many people knew about the Half-Yin Realm. Not only I knew, but Zhang Dabiao knew, even my former intermediary Sun Chuang knew, and the important figures in the capital knew.
But very few people knew what the treasure of the Half-Yin Realm was. Zhang Dabiao knew about the Half-Yin Realm, but he didn't know that the control of the Half-Yin Realm's treasure was on me. This was because the Fifth Prince had told me that this matter concerned my life, and even involved a huge secret. I must not reveal it to anyone who asked about it.
I was certain that no more than three people knew about this. One was the Fifth Prince, and another was the Fifth Princess. Others simply didn't know that the treasure controlling the Half-Yin Realm was on me, not even Bai Ling'er, who had followed me back. How did they know?
The Half-Yin Realm, a place capable of inverting yin and yang in the world. Although I didn't know why the Fifth Prince had entrusted me with its safekeeping with such great trust, my father had remained in a coma because of it. Therefore, no matter what, I could not hand over the Half-Yin Realm, even at the cost of my life.
I quickly ran through all possible scenarios in my mind, then replied softly, "You both must know that I am a Yin Gua Shi. As for what you call the Half-Yin Realm, what is that? I've never heard of it?"
Ox-Head's face suddenly turned grim, his ox-like eyes widening, almost popping out of their sockets. Horse-Face also stretched his face even longer, and a terrifying aura emanated from him.
With Horse-Face's terrifying pressure, I felt as if an invisible boulder was pressing on my chest, crushing my flesh bit by bit with their changing expressions.
Already kicked by Heavenly Master Zhong Kui, I was now subjected to their oppressive aura. A trace of blood flowed from the corner of my mouth again, and my breathing became difficult. Just as I thought I would be crushed to death by them, the oppressive aura suddenly dissipated.
"Kid, we know you're a Yin Gua Shi. We're just asking where the Half-Yin Realm is. I advise you not to play tricks with us. Since we can ask this, it means we have evidence. So, you'd better answer honestly where it is, or you'll suffer."
Their threats only made me more determined not to reveal anything about the Half-Yin Realm. Some things, if not spoken, might preserve my life, but once revealed, not only would my life be lost, but others would also be implicated.
I gritted my teeth and looked at them fiercely, saying, "I said I don't know, and I don't know. Even if you kill me, I won't know. Even if I go to the eighteen levels of hell, I won't know. If you have the guts, kill me. Then I will definitely report you to King Yama, one for corruption and the other for extortion. I don't believe there's no justice in this world?"
Seeing their expressions change slightly, I continued, "Don't forget, my elder brother can summon the divine念 of Heavenly Master Zhong Kui. If you capture my soul at his house, be careful he doesn't summon the divine down to earth and banish you to the animal realm."
Despite their confident words, I didn't believe Heavenly Master Zhong Kui would send them to inquire about the Half-Yin Realm. If he really wanted to ask, he would have asked directly then. Why would he send these two to question me?
As expected, my words made them look at each other, falling into silence for a moment. Horse-Face looked at Ox-Head, and Ox-Head's eyes widened. After a moment of silent contemplation.
Ox-Head burst into laughter and said, "Young brother, we were just joking with you. Why take it so seriously?"
Horse-Face also grinned, emitting a crow-like laugh, "Exactly. We are also acting on behalf of others. If you don't know, you don't know. We'll leave you to rest then. We're leaving. See you again if fate allows…"
They didn't give me a chance to speak. By the time I wanted to say something again, they had already disappeared. The sky outside was bright, and a ray of sunlight still shone on the windowsill.
Looking at the sunlight outside, I was lost in thought. I touched the eye-like scar on my chest. When would I be able to get rid of this hot potato?