Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
An Xiaoning pointed at her car and said, “My car is over there. Bring your children along.”
“Alright…”
The family of three was forced to bring An Xiaoning to the tombstone in the field.
Even after reconnoitering the place, she did not manage to find a trace of Yang Yong’s spirit. At last, she confirmed that the only way to meet him was to make a trip down to the netherworld.
“You’re moving at such a late hour?”
“Yes… we don’t dare to live here anymore. We already bought another house before my husband died. We’ll be moving there now.”
An Xiaoning did not ask her for her new address directly. After all, it would only intimidate her.
On the way back, An Xiaoning dropped them off at their doorstep before returning to Wei Ni Estate on her own.
Jin Qingyan was currently watching the evening news on the television. Upon seeing her arrival, he immediately asked, “Did you find his spirit?”
“No, I have to make a trip to the netherworld.”
“I especially prepared a room for you, you may use it to perform your rituals. I’ve also prepared everything that you’ll need for them,” said Jin Qingyan, who stood up to show her the way.
An Xiaoning pushed the door open to discover that he had made rather elaborate arrangements and prepared all the supplies she would need.
She was thoroughly pleased.
“I shall start now, then.” She grabbed her bag and took out some joss sticks. She then prepared a bowl of iced water before beginning the ritual.
“You may go outside. I can manage on my own.”
Jin Qingyan did as he was told and went out.
An Xiaoning knelt onto the praying mat and began chanting incessantly while holding the joss sticks with both her hands.
After the ritual, she stuck the joss sticks into the joss urn and remained still.
A sudden darkness filled her field of vision.
She trod along the path toward the netherworld at godlike speed.
Soon, she arrived at the first custom, which was situated on a narrow bridge, wide enough to allow just one person to pass through.
The trench below the bridge did not seem too deep from where she was standing. However, the moment she looked down again after stepping foot onto the bridge, she discovered that the trench below was so deep that it seemed just like a black hole.
She continued to proceed without stopping.
Once she passed the bridge, she was abruptly greeted with the sight of various spirits wandering around.
She continued to make her way toward the grim reaper’s place.
She knocked on the door, after which a ghost child answered, “What’s the matter?”
“May I ask if Lords Heibai and Wuchang are at home?”
“Of course not, they’re so busy all the time. I’m guessing they’re handling some work in the palace.” The ghost sniffed An Xiaoning and asked, “Are you human?”
Shaking her head profusely, An Xiaoning answered, “No, I’m not.”
“Why are you here instead of going to reincarnate?” he asked apprehensively.
“I got lost. I was initially waiting for my turn to reincarnate but I can’t find my way back now.”
The ghost rolled his eyes and told her the location of the waiting area where she was supposed to go to wait for her turn to reincarnate. At last, he added, “Don’t wander about on your own. Be careful not to bump into the big boss, lest he makes you reincarnate into an animal.”
“I understand. Thank you so much for the reminder.” She then left for the reincarnation waiting area.
Since there was a countless number of deaths each day, the spirits would have to wait in line for their turn to reincarnate. Hence, the spacious room was filled with spirits queuing up for their turn.
The spirits were all waiting to reincarnate into humans. Hence, they were allowed a bit more freedom and had it better compared to those who were being tortured in Hell and about to be sent to reincarnate into animals.
Everyone had to follow the sequence and were allowed to roam around freely so long as they did not get in the way of reincarnation.
New spirits were usually less sensitive compared to older spirits, who had heightened senses and could tell that there was something wrong with An Xiaoning the moment they heard her speak. However, the spirits who were waiting in line could not tell anything even if she spoke.
She managed to arrive at the house successfully with no obstructions or obstacles in between.
There were several white partitions, and the spirits had a small area each to themselves where they could do whatever they wanted while waiting for their turn.
Due to how large the room was, it would only be a waste of time if she were to check each area one by one.
She thought to herself that perhaps No. 1 and the rest would be in there, for she was not sure if they would be permitted to reincarnate into humans.
She would know if they were present just by calling their names.
She did just that, after which the entire bunch appeared.
They were filled with agitation and worry the moment they saw her.
“Sis, why are you here?” asked No. 13, who appeared pale and ghastly.
After scanning her surroundings, she explained to them softly.
Upon hearing her words, No. 12 answered, “There is someone called Yang Yong here. I heard him name during the interrogations. However, I’m not sure if he’s still present right now.”
After describing Yang Yong’s appearance briefly, she said, “Just try looking for him, regardless of whether he’s here or not. It’s best if you can find him.”
They nodded unanimously. Searching for Yang Yong had become much easier and faster with the help of the seven of them.
They soon found Yang Yong’s spirit.
Yang Yong got a huge fright the moment An Xiaoning showed up in front of him. “Ms…. Ms. An, why are you…”
He thought that she had already died.
“Why am I here? Don’t you know the reason?” An Xiaoning questioned in sarcasm.
Yang Yong was as pale as a sheet because he was also poisoned to death.
Yang Yong explained, “Ms. An, look, I’m already dead too, I only knew about a tiny bit of the matter and yet I was killed just because of that…”
“I’ve already died anyway. Could you tell me everything that you know?”
“What’s the point in hiding the truth now? One week ago, the general manager of the development office called me personally to ask me out for a meal out of the blue. I was really shocked and flattered and couldn’t figure out why he wanted to meet me privately. I’ve always done my job and performed my duties accordingly. However, I still went ahead to meet him even though I had no idea what was going on. After all, he’s my superior and I couldn’t have turned him down,” Yang Yong explained with a tone of vengeance in his voice.
He then scoffed and said, “Who knew? That meal was just a sham. My sales team and I began working at Sanqiao Estate ever since construction was completed and hence we know everything about the layout of the houses like the back of our hands, especially me. I was in charge of monitoring the houses along the stretch where yours was situated, Ms. An. The general manager asked me for the location of the well of your house, after which I asked him for the reason behind his question. He then told me with a smile that it was none of my business and all I had to do was tell him. Hence, I told him what I knew about the structure of your house before you moved in.”
“What happened afterward?” An Xiaoning probed.
“After the meal, the general manager gave me ten thousand dollars and told me not to breathe a word about the matter to a single soul. My heart sank the moment he finished speaking. I would’ve given him the benefit of the doubt if he didn’t give me the money, but I knew straight away that something was amiss once he gave me the money. However, I couldn’t take back what I’ve already said. Everything was perfectly fine and normal for several consecutive days. Hence, I began to feel less worried, but who’d have thought… I was in the midst of my shift when the ambulance arrived in the estate. I happened to receive a call from the general manager too, who told me to go home, claiming that there would be someone else to take over my duty for the rest of the night. At that point, I knew for sure that I had something to do with the incident.”
