"Old Huo, have you found that female ghost yet?" the middle-aged man asked, taking a sip of tea from the cup beside him.
The tea in the cup was brewed not with leaves, but with willow branches.
"Fifth Yama King, I am still searching," General Huo, clad in leopard-patterned armor, replied with a troubled expression.
The middle-aged man beside him looked displeased. "That ghost is very important to me. I'd appreciate it if you could pay more attention, Old Huo."
General Huo clearly understood the implication and nodded repeatedly. "I will certainly give you a reply as soon as possible."
As the two were conversing, there was a knock on the door.
General Huo frowned and looked towards the door. "Come in."
The door opened, and a minor ghost dressed in a constable's uniform walked in. "Your subordinate greets the Fifth Yama King."
The middle-aged man nodded, and the minor ghost then reported to General Huo, "There are two ghosts downstairs who wish to report something to you."
General Huo frowned and glanced at the middle-aged man beside him. "I know. We'll discuss it after I finish talking with the Fifth Yama King."
The Fifth Yama King waved his hand. "It's fine. I can listen from the side."
General Huo nodded. Since his superior said so, he had no choice but to agree. "Let them in."
Outside the door, the tall ghost attendant Hong Si and the short ghost attendant Ma Er, who had been waiting for a long time, entered the room, led by the minor ghost.
Both raised their hands simultaneously to salute.
"Minor ghost Hong Si greets the Fifth Yama King and General Huo."
"Minor ghost Ma Er greets the Fifth Yama King and General Huo."
The middle-aged man waved his hand, a smile appearing on his face. "No need for formalities."
"Speak, what matter do you two have to report to me?" General Huo looked at Hong Si and Ma Er.
Hong Si cupped his hands. "Today, we went to the Greater Khingan Range to claim the souls of those whose lifespans were nearing their end, but we were unable to find one person."
Ma Er, standing beside him, looked at Hong Si blankly, wondering when this had happened.
General Huo glanced at the two of them, impatient. "Don't bother me with such trivial matters. Report to your superior to handle it."
"Oh, right," Ma Er added, "When Hong Si and I were claiming a soul, that person said he knew General Huo and asked us to give him some face."
Hong Si kicked Ma Er from behind. Instead of understanding, Ma Er became even more enthusiastic. "Hong Si and I felt that since he was your friend, we shouldn't claim his soul. However, we felt this matter was improper, so we decided to report it to you."
Hong Si behind him was going crazy. Did this guy have any brains at all?
Claiming souls was their job. To speak of such a matter in front of the Fifth Yama King was equivalent to slapping their direct superior in the face.
General Huo, seated in his chair, was so angry his face turned red. If not for the Fifth Yama King's presence, he would have loved to slap this idiot to death.
The middle-aged man looked at General Huo beside him, also sighing inwardly at this fellow's intelligence.
In truth, this matter was neither big nor small. One could simply turn a blind eye and let it pass. But since this fellow had brought it up, it was difficult not to say anything: "Old Huo, the underworld is not a place for connections. Special treatment is not allowed. Let's just leave it at that."
General Huo nodded repeatedly. "The Fifth Yama King is right. I will handle this matter properly."
The middle-aged man nodded and stood up. "Alright, I should be going. Remember to keep an eye out for me. I'll turn a blind eye to this matter."
General Huo nodded. "Fifth Yama King, rest assured, I will give you a satisfactory answer."
The middle-aged man grunted and walked towards the door.
Hong Si and Ma Er quickly bowed him off. "Fifth Yama King, safe travels."
General Huo escorted the middle-aged man to the door. After watching him walk away, he let out a deep sigh and turned to sit back in his chair.
Ma Er looked at Hong Si beside him, looking smug.
Hong Si felt a mix of amusement and exasperation. This guy was truly a talent.
"General Huo, are we just letting that person go?" Ma Er asked.
He secretly chuckled, thinking that judging by his boss's expression, he would at least receive some reward, if not a promotion.
Suddenly, General Huo slammed the table, his face filled with anger. "Let him go? You let him go just because he said he knew me? Then if everyone in the world says they know me, you'll stop claiming souls!"
Ma Er was stunned by the scolding, not yet comprehending what was happening.
General Huo covered his forehead with his hand, lamenting the idiocy of the person who chose these talents, lacking any discernment.
"Are we still claiming that person's soul?" Ma Er asked, mustering some courage.
"Claim it!" General Huo roared, wanting to see who dared to impersonate him and deceive others.
Ma Er was so intimidated he dared not even breathe.
"You may go," General Huo waved his hand, finding the idiot annoying to look at.
Hong Si and Ma Er cupped their hands. "Yes."
"Wait," General Huo suddenly thought of something and asked, "What was that person's name?"
Ma Er looked at Hong Si. He dared not say a single word now. He could feel that if he misspoke even once, he might be killed on the spot.
"His name is Yu Daohen," Hong Si said, seeing Ma Er's hesitation.
Upon hearing the name Yu Daohen, General Huo, who had just taken a sip of tea, spat it out. "Who?"
Seeing General Huo's reaction, Hong Si and Ma Er exchanged glances, confused.