Chapter Fifteen: Drinking with the Prefect

  "It's just a coincidence. Do you know what's wrong?" Cui Fugui lightly patted the crimson robe on his body, gave his master a slight smile, turned around and coldly asked the two ghostly messengers who had already fallen to the ground.

  "Your Excellency, please allow a slight explanation!" The two ghosts exchanged a glance, and then prostrated themselves on the ground, begging for mercy. Cui Yin, in the underworld, was renowned for his ruthlessness, with no ghost unaware of or ignorant of his reputation. This ghost was known for being cold-faced and unfeeling, handling all matters by the book. If today's matter had fallen into another ghost's hands, there might still be room for excuses, but since it had landed in his hands, they feared that even if they didn't die, they would at least lose a layer of skin. The two ghosts thought as much and suddenly felt a chill run down their spines, as if they had wet their pants. Of course, assuming they still had the function to urinate.

  "I've seen it all from start to finish, what's the point of explaining? Since you were willing to take out half of the benefits just now, why not bring out the remaining half as well!" Cui Yun held the Book of Life and Death, slowly flipping through it. But these words, I only felt a chill in my ears.

  "But I beg the master to show mercy beyond the law!" Seeing Cui Yun asking for benefits, how dare the two ghosts not comply? They just hoped that this lord would take the benefits and let the two of them off as a fart. As for those paper money and ingots, they could go and extort other ghosts later.

  "You guys are quite bold." Cui Yun looked down at the scattered objects in front of the two ghostly messengers, as well as the two passbooks with the Hell's map printed on them, and sneered as he swept his sleeve to put everything into his pocket.

  "We only beg the lord to show mercy and spare us, we will never dare again!" Seeing Cui Yun receive the money, the two ghosts felt a great sense of relief in their hearts. They thought that this matter might just be settled like this. The two ghosts then fawned upon him, kowtowing repeatedly on the ground, secretly rejoicing that they had escaped disaster today!

  "I'll thank you two for your generosity on behalf of Yin Lüsi. However, a debt must be repaid, and I personally express my gratitude for the large sum of spirit money you've donated to Yin Lüsi. As for your previous actions, I will judge them according to the law, without bias or favoritism. You see how it is?" Cui Yun accepted the money but didn't show any intention of letting these two ghostly officials off scot-free. With a flick of his sleeve, he stood tall and said this. As soon as he spoke, the two kneeling on the ground immediately turned pale. What kind of deal was this? You get the benefits, and we take the blame?

  "Take down the two ghosts, and return to the mansion for sentencing!" Before the two ghosts could speak up to plead for mercy, Cui Yun closed the Book of Life and Death, and gave a low command. As soon as he gave the order, more than ten ghostly attendants rushed out from the dark corners. They locked the two ghosts on the ground with chains, pulled them up, and took them away.

  "Lord Choi, leave a thread of hope behind, we'll meet again someday. We two have been running around the underworld for many years, no merits but hard work! Even King Chu Jiang privately praised us... The two ghostly envoys saw that begging was futile and became tough, struggling and shouting there. It seemed they wanted to use King Chu Jiang's influence to pressure Lord Choi, making him cautious and sparing his life!"

  "Hmm, very good. Since King Chu Jiang has a high opinion of you two, I'll send this case to the Second Tribunal for severe trial. Guards, bring out the cangue!" The two little ghosts were not taken out of the Second Tribunal by Yan Jun, and at least Cui Yun still gave them some face in front of outsiders, without putting them in the cangue. Now, hearing these two good-for-nothings shouting like this, Cui Yun's anger was also ignited, and with a wave of his large sleeve, the ghost attendants brought over two heavy-looking, dark-colored cangues that shone with blue light. With a "click", they were put on the two little ghosts.

  "Your Excellency, we were wrong. Please forgive us this time!" The moment the heavy cangue was placed on them, the two ghosts felt its severity. Or rather, they knew it was severe even before it was put on. They had used this thing on many new ghosts in the past, and once it was on, no matter how powerful you were, you could only humble yourself. This cangue was called "Soul-Locking Cangue", and once it was put on, all of one's magical powers would be suppressed. At this moment, the two ghosts' magical powers were not even comparable to those of new ghosts.

  "Take him down, let the Second Tribunal handle it!" Cui Yin wouldn't bother to continue arguing with two little ghosts. He turned around and gave an order to his ghost attendants on either side.

  It's been a long time since we've seen each other, you and I should share a drink together! After those two ghostly enforcers were taken away, Cui Yun finally relaxed his expression, and with a smile, he clasped his fists in greeting to my master.

  Several little ghosts heard the words and quickly moved to set up tables and chairs. When their superior, Cui Yun, ordered wine, these little ghosts dared not slack off. Fortunately, it seemed that Cui Yun was fond of this sort of thing, so the wine, water, melons, and fruits were quickly brought out. Lord Cui stroked his chin whiskers with a satisfied expression and nodded at the several ghost attendants. Having received their superior's praise, the ghost attendants felt like they were basking in spring breeze. They proudly stood up straight, puffed out their chests, and arranged themselves to the left and right of their master, waiting on him.

  "Please, young friend, come and take a seat, and taste the fine wine of the Yellow Spring! This wine, along with Meng Po's soup and Fu Du's brew, is one of the three great wines of the underworld. Even your master hasn't had it many times." For some reason, Lord Cui looked at me with a different gaze. Seeing me standing behind my master, looking awkward, he hastily beckoned me to take a seat, and even personally introduced the origin of the fine wine in front of us.

  "Chancellor Cui, you're too kind, there's no need to be so polite." Although I was seated at the lower end of the table, I still had a certain degree of reverence for this powerful figure in the underworld. The cup of amber-colored liquor placed before me, I didn't dare touch it. But Master saw the situation and instead smiled as he handed the wine jug into my hands.

  "Sixiang, you've taught a good disciple indeed." Lord Cui seemed very pleased with my performance, and after draining his cup in one gulp, he let out a soft sigh.

  "This was also destined, when I passed through a poor road that year, this child was just full moon. I saw the child's face and bone structure were clear and extraordinary, couldn't bear him to be ordinary among people. At that moment, I had a feeling of affection and love, so I took him as my apprentice. Over the years, this child has indeed shown great talent in Taoist skills, overall not disappointing me."

  Hearing outsiders praise me, Master smiled with satisfaction, stroking his beard. This is just like when others praise you in front of your parents for being clever and studying well. As a parent, although they will certainly say some polite words, the feeling in their heart is extremely wonderful. My master at this moment, is probably also feeling this way.

  "However, I observe that this child is lacking one of the five elements, and I fear that he will encounter many hardships in his life, and it will be difficult for him to have a smooth sailing." Lord Cui sighed after carefully examining my facial features for a long time.

  "Nothing in the world is perfect, and people are no exception. If this child had no flaws, I wouldn't dare to take him as my disciple. Haven't you heard of the saying 'when the sun reaches its peak it must decline, when the moon is full it must wane'?!" The master picked up the wine jug in front of him and refilled Cui Yun's cup, speaking nonchalantly.

  "Brother Liu's broad-mindedness always makes us feel ashamed. Come, let's three of us drink this cup together!" Cui Yun picked up the wine jug and nodded to Master and me, then downed the beautiful wine in one gulp.

  Two cups of wine down, I was already somewhat dizzy and disoriented, unable to tell east from west. In a daze, all I knew was that Cui Fu Jun stood up and bid farewell to my master, then smiled and handed me something as a gift for our meeting. Then, I saw my master go knock on the door of the beautiful woman at night. The two of them stood at the door whispering, I don't know what they were saying, and then...and then...my vision went black, and I fell to the ground in a drunken stupor.

  "Meng meng, meng meng? Get up, this kid, two cups of yellow soup down the stomach and actually drunk like mud. From now on, don't say I'm Mao Liu Fang's disciple, it's a shame for the master!" The next morning, I was still in a deep sleep. Outside the door came the sound of my master muttering to himself. Every morning, running, reciting scriptures and chanting mantras. Then again practicing a set of fist techniques with an unknown name, which is my required course. Yesterday's drunkenness, today Master Mao broke the rule and let me sleep for half an hour more.

  "Wake up! Wake up!" I rubbed my sleepy eyes, yawned and jumped out of bed, shouting towards the door. After jumping down from the bed, I stretched my waist. The faint smell of wine in the house made me feel comfortable. Yes, although it's been a night. But the lingering smell of wine coming out of my nose still lingers on.

  "The famous wine of the underworld is indeed different from ordinary wine. Next time I meet Lord Cui, I must ask for two more cups to drink!" I picked up the washbasin and towel, pushed open the door and walked to the well in the courtyard. While washing my face, I was secretly pondering in my heart.

  "As I'm going out for a distant trip, you can arrange your own schedule for these days. Remember not to be lazy or slack off, as I will check on you when I return." My master said this while sitting beside me at the stone table as I was enjoying my breakfast after washing up.

  "Master, are you going on a long trip? What for? Take me with you, I want to see the world too!" I took a bite of my fried dough stick and picked up my small bowl to drink some tofu pudding, saying this to Ah Qi.

  The tofu brain was sent by Wang Jia's sister, with a lot of white sugar added, very sweet! Looking at the delicate and pale tofu brain in the bowl, I again thought of Wang Jia's sister. Shaking my head, I threw away this unrealistic idea and picked up the bowl to take another big sip of the tofu brain.

  "You were just talking about wanting to go home a few days ago, weren't you? Well, take this opportunity to go back and have a look. This time, I'm going to help an old friend with something, it's not suitable for you to come along. Two months later, we'll meet again here as master and disciple!" My master said to me while slowly chewing on a small piece of fried dough stick.

  "Two months? Master, where are you planning to go?" In all these years, it's the first time Master has left me for so long. It can be said that in this world, apart from my parents who gave birth to me, it's Master who raised and taught me who is closest to me. Hearing that he wants to leave for so long, I suddenly feel a little reluctant.

  "Didn't I say that an old friend who hasn't been seen for many years has a bit of trouble and needs Master to help? This kid, why are you dawdling like a wife? Hurry up and eat, after finishing, I'll send you to the car. When you get home, greet your parents on my behalf." The master tapped his finger on my forehead and urged me.

  "Hey! This money was given by Wang's wife yesterday, take it all. After going home, buy some small gifts for the family." My luggage was simple, just two sets of sportswear and two Taoist robes. Hmm, there was also a peach wood sword specially made for me by Master last year. All my belongings were packed into a deep blue travel bag, and Master sent me to the town's small train station. When I got on the bus, Master stuffed 200 yuan into my pocket. 200 yuan was equivalent to a worker's monthly salary in the factory at that time.