I don't know what happened after I fell unconscious in the cave.
But the problem now is, I'm being reaped by ghost officers, I'm dead...
"G-ghost officer, am I... am I dead?"
At this moment, a buck-toothed ghost officer with a sallow complexion spoke up:
"Nonsense, your soul has been reaped by us, so you're naturally dead."
As soon as he finished speaking, a chubby, pale-faced ghost officer next to him also chimed in:
"Stop yapping with him, let's get him down there quickly so we can knock off."
"Two esteemed officials, you must have made a mistake. I should have a lot more lifespan left. How could I possibly be dead now?"
I quickly spoke.
Because I remembered, when I was accepted as a disciple, my master had calculated my destiny.
He said that although I was a flickering lamp, my wick was long, signifying a long life.
However, my lamp oil had been stolen by those unholy beings, causing my yang fire to diminish, allowing me to see ghosts and thus be plagued by them.
As long as I replenished the lamp oil and seized the lifespan of ghosts, I could continue living.
How much time had passed since then? Only a few years!
Could it be that the lamp oil on my Purple Bone Vine was all used up when I performed the Charm and Ghost Summoning?
Or was my physical condition too severe, making it impossible for me to live on?
The buck-toothed ghost officer, after hearing this, simply chuckled:
"When the King of Hell wants you to die at the third watch, who dares to keep you until the fifth? You're dead, so what's all the fuss about!"
"Exactly. If you keep yapping, this nether official will break your soul bone."
The chubby ghost officer also spoke, while the four or five ghost officers standing beside them crossed their arms and smiled, looking like they were watching a show.
But at this very moment, Old Mo, Qiu Xi, and Uncle-Master caught up from behind.
As soon as Old Mo got close, he shouted:
"You, you quickly release Old Qin!"
"That's right, Qin Ze's lifespan hasn't run out yet. It's impossible for him to be dead."
Xia Qiu Xi also stepped forward, adding.
At the same time, Uncle-Master also caught up and roared directly:
"Bold nether officials, how dare you illegally reap souls! Release the person quickly. Otherwise, this Taoist will immediately report to Nan Quan Academy and submit your crimes to the Underworld's registry. Illegally reaping souls will surely be dealt with by the nether laws."
Uncle-Master spoke with great authority.
Not only that, after Uncle-Master's shout.
A surge of chilling energy swept through, a terrifying pressure spreading. The icy chill instantly froze the surrounding vegetation.
The intense pressure caused the ghost officers in front of me to reveal expressions of terror.
Following that, a cold snort sounded:
"Let go of Qin Ze!"
The voice echoed, filled with killing intent.
A slender figure in white materialized between Uncle-Master and me.
Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, her white robes fluttered. It was Qing Dai.
"Qing Dai! Why are you here? Hurry and go!"
I said excitedly.
At this moment, I wasn't thinking about myself, but about Qing Dai's status as someone wanted by the Underworld.
If she were exposed to the ghost officers, it would bring the attention of the netherworld, and the consequences would be unimaginable.
But Qing Dai remained unmoved:
"No, if they don't hand you over today, none of them will leave!"
Qing Dai's killing intent was grave.
As she spoke, the sound of "thud-thud-thud" of horse hooves echoed from a distance, and a group of ghost cavalrymen galloped over.
Like the wind, they appeared before everyone in an instant.
I looked at Qing Dai, Uncle-Master, Old Mo, and Qiu Xi, feeling deeply touched.
The two ghost officers who had seized me, along with the four or five ghost officers standing in front, also showed expressions of panic.
They all looked towards the darkness ahead:
"M-m-mister, are we... still acting?"
Still acting?
These few words stunned everyone present.
We all looked towards the darkness ahead.
There, faint ghost energy was surging. There should be another ghost there.
It was their master, but why would they describe it as "acting"?
Amidst the confusion, a figure slowly emerged from the darkness.
Simultaneously, an incredible voice followed:
"What's there to act? It's about time!"
As he spoke, the person gradually walked out of the darkness.
He was dressed in ancient yamen attire, a long saber at his waist, and had a goatee.
As he walked forward, he picked his nose.
However, when we saw the face of this ghost officer, everyone's expression froze.
We were all dumbfounded.
Especially me, I trembled with excitement.
This person had given me a new life, taught me all his skills, and treated me like his own son.
It was my master, Gu Hui.
"Master!"
I cried out excitedly and ran towards him.
At the same time, the iron chain that had bound my neck loosened.
The people behind me were also astonished.
Uncle-Master exclaimed in shock:
"You... you idiot..."
"Yes, it's Senior Martial Brother!"
"Senior Martial Brother Gu!"
"Daoist Master Gu."
No one could believe that my deceased master, who was a gatekeeper ghost in the Underworld, had reappeared here in such a manner.
My master saw me with a smile:
"Little Qin, I see you again."
I was extremely excited, feeling a sting in my eyes, but no tears.
With a "clang," I kowtowed heavily before my master:
"Master, why have you come?"
Master patted my head:
"Your master came to see you. Get up quickly. Let your master have a good look."
Without hesitation, I stood up.
Then, Master's eyes widened.
I felt a sharp glint penetrate my body, my three souls and seven spirits pierced by this cold light.
"Hahaha, not bad, not bad. You've improved your cultivation quite a bit during the time I was gone, my boy. You truly are my disciple."
After speaking, Master tilted his head and looked at the others who were still stunned.
Especially Uncle-Master, he sneered:
"You retard, seeing my old man, aren't you happy?"
Uncle-Master, who had been emotional moments before, his eyes even red, instantly withdrew his excited demeanor after hearing Master's words. He grinned at Master and said:
"Pah, you idiot. What are you doing with too much time on your hands? Aren't you supposed to be guarding the gates down there? Why are you coming up here to reap your disciple's soul for fun? Believe it or not, I'll report you down there shortly."
"..."
For a moment, the two began to bicker.
We stood there, especially me and Old Mo, not feeling tense at all, but instead showing smiles.
What a familiar sound of bickering, we hadn't heard it in a long time.
The two stood at daggers drawn, cursing each other as they approached.
They approached each other, both with stubborn expressions, neither willing to concede.
Then, without any warning, they suddenly embraced each other:
"You retard, you haven't been living well lately! Your leg is lame."
"You idiot, you want a beating, don't you? Believe it or not, I'll beat you until you eat shit."
As the two spoke, Master and Uncle-Master could no longer hold back, and both began to sob.
The brotherhood between the two spanned decades.
They had bickered their entire lives, argued their entire lives.
After Master left, Uncle-Master had clearly become more lonely, even visiting Master's grave alone.
Now, reunited, their suppressed brotherly affection erupted once more.
However, I never imagined that I would see my master in this lifetime, in such a manner.
But since Master could come up, why didn't he come to see me openly?
Why did he have to reap my soul to bring me here?
Perhaps, there was some underlying reason?