Judge of Souls-Chapter 21.3 - King Yama (part 3)
King Yama was feeling unwell and didn’t want to talk.
King Yama, the master of the Fifth Hall. He originally resided in the First Hall but was demoted to the Fifth Hall because he repeatedly allowed souls to return to the mortal realm to seek justice for their wrongful deaths.
The young lady put down her pen and asked, “Why did you run away from home?”
Her colleague went out to check if there were any missing children cases reported to the police in the area to compare identities.
These three people’s shoes were clean, proving they hadn’t walked far. They didn’t bring any ID cards either, and in a situation where real-name registration was required everywhere, they couldn’t even buy a train ticket, so it was assumed they must be children from the residential complex.
Yama said, “I’m just looking for Jiang Feng!”
He recalled all the information about Jiang Feng, saying, “His ID number is XX… phone number, height, weight… what don’t I know about him?!”
The young lady compared this with the case file beside her and was shocked.
How could a runaway case have such a twist?
She made another call to Jiang Feng, explained the situation clearly, and then asked him about these children’s true background.
Yama grabbed the phone and said into it, “Listen! Take me out of here right now!”
Jiang Feng: “??”
Jiang Feng was a bit depressed, not knowing who these kids were or why they were looking for him, but they might not be human. Surely they couldn’t be ghosts introduced by Ma Shiluo?
He reluctantly picked up his bag and went to the police station to pick them up. However, it was still troublesome.
Of course, the three children couldn’t just be handed over to him like that.
“Show me their IDs. I need to confirm their identities,” said the young lady in charge of records. “So what’s your relationship? Who are their legal guardians?”
This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.
Jiang Feng felt helpless and could only call Officer Ye.
Half an hour later, Officer Ye arrived and took all four of them out.
Officer Ye got into the car and asked, “What’s going on with you all? Is this fun? I’ve been very busy lately, things at A University have been chaotic, I didn’t even sleep last night!”
He turned around and looked at the three in the back. “Where did you three come from? Are you humans, ghosts, or what?”
Yama said, “It’s none of your business, mortal. Don’t ask.”
Officer Ye: “…”
Well then.
Jiang Feng said, “Don’t follow me, I can’t afford to support you. I still need to go to school. Go find Chu Xuanliang, he takes in everyone.”
“…” Officer Ye said, “Chu Xuanliang would cry if he heard this, brother.” What did he do to give you such an impression?
Yama patted his pocket. “I can have money.”
White Impermanence reminded him. “Lord Yama, we need to return quickly.”
There were piles of official duties stacking up in the Netherworld. First they lost a pen, then a judge ran away, they couldn’t afford to lose a King Yama too!
Yama said in a deep voice, “You two go back first. This lord still has matters to discuss with him.”
Black and White Impermanence looked at each other.
What could they do if their superior wanted to slack off?
Of course they had to agree!
Officer Ye stood beside them, pushing Jiang Feng while laughing, “Little adult, how interesting, looking all serious!”
All three turned their heads and looked at him dangerously.
Officer Ye coughed awkwardly, rolled down the car window for ventilation, and asked, “Where should I take you now?”
Yama pointed directly. “His home.”
Jiang Feng raised his hand to cover his forehead and sighed.
In the end, Officer Ye still dropped them off at Jiang Feng’s door. Before leaving, he made a gesture to him, indicating that he would look into these three’s background, and also inform Chu Xuanliang about his current difficult situation, telling him to hang in there for now.
Jiang Feng nodded.
The four returned to that small rental apartment. To be honest, this place really couldn’t accommodate four people.
Jiang Feng locked the door, took out two clean pieces of clothing from the bedroom, went to take a shower first, and told the three to stay at home and not move around.
By this time, the sun had completely sunk below the horizon, and the last bit of the sun’s remaining warmth had dissipated from the air. The two bowed and said, “Lord Yama, we shall take our leave first.”
Yama nodded.
The two controlled their divine souls, separating their souls from their physical bodies. Finally having magic power, they waved their sleeves to open the gate to the Netherworld and walked in together.
After their souls departed, only two human-shaped wooden figures were left on the ground. Looking carefully, one would notice that the carved wood was incredibly lifelike, looking almost identical to the previous real people. Even the clothes they wore were exactly the same.
These were made by the skilled craftsmen of the Netherworld.
The divine wood from Taozhi Mountain had the effect of attracting wandering souls.
Yama thought for a moment, then stuffed them both under Jiang Feng’s bed.
To scare him to death at midnight by attracting ghosts!
After stuffing them away, he closed the windows and sat on the bed to survey the room.
Yama clicked his tongue.
For a judge of a realm to be this poor, it was truly horrifying.
Yama thought carefully, counting the cultivators in the mortal realm, looking for which Taoist priest had deep merit and good character. Finally settling on one person, he satisfactorily leaned back on the bed and quickly fell asleep with his eyes closed.
****
Taoist Master Xuanyi had been in secluded cultivation recently. Apart from some fixed matters at the temple, or requests from acquaintances, he generally wouldn’t take on any business. All sorts of miscellaneous tasks were handed over to his disciple Chu Xuanliang, under the pretext of training him to be independent.
However, tonight he noticed something was wrong.
Even though it wasn’t his usual rest time, he kept feeling extremely sleepy. This was very unusual. His daily routine had always been very regular, how could it suddenly change?
Taoist Master Xuanyi resisted this sudden drowsiness, but regrettably ended in failure. When his divine consciousness became blurry then cleared again, he felt something was amiss. When he opened his eyes again, he found a tall figure standing before him.
That person had a blue face and sharp fangs, looking fierce. Just seeing him standing there made one’s heart tremble. The golden crown on his head and the pattern on his official robes were very familiar. A name came to mind.
“King Yama?”
Yama nodded slightly.
Taoist Master Xuanyi was instantly shocked. He drew in a sharp breath.
It would be one thing if his family’s sect ancestor appeared in his dreams, as that was at least familiar. That was already a once-in-a-thousand-years occurrence, depending on one’s qualifications and opportunities. But which Taoist priest had ever had King Yama appear in their dreams? Was something wrong? Could it be that his time was near, or had he unknowingly done something that angered both heaven and men?
Taoist Master Xuanyi was lost in his own thoughts, his mind in chaos. Yet he truly couldn’t find any answers.
King Yama in front of him said, “This lord wants to borrow some money from you, to be returned another day.”
Taoist Master Xuanyi’s mind hadn’t even emerged from one whirlpool before quickly falling into a second one.
He raised his head and repeated “Money?”
Taoist Master Xuanyi was greatly shocked, “You need money?!”
King Yama nodded again, saying tactfully, “Somewhat short recently.”
Taoist Master Xuanyi was dumbfounded. King Yama coming to him for money, could it be that this immortal is my ancestor? What a huge backer he had never discovered!
He hurriedly said respectfully, “This humble Taoist will send it to you tomorrow. May I ask who should I burn it to? Your former name in the mortal realm, can you receive offerings?”
Yama said solemnly, “It’s REN! MIN! BI! Not Netherworld currency!”
“Renminbi?!”
Taoist Master Xuanyi now doubted whether he was dreaming or really having a divine visitation.
King Yama resided in the Netherworld, why would he need Renminbi?
Then this currency must be impressive, surpassing both US dollars and euros, usable in both the living and dead realms.
Taoist Master Xuanyi composed himself, not wanting to appear too inexperienced. He asked, “May I ask how much you want?”
Yama didn’t have much concept of prices, but at this moment a very familiar phrase flashed through his mind, “First earn a hundred million!” Recently many ghosts had been muttering this in his ear. Just as he was about to speak, the old Taoist across from him asked consultatively, “Would a million be enough? Mortal banks can’t withdraw too much at once. May I ask what Lord Yama intends to do? Perhaps this humble Taoist can help you.”
King Yama nodded glumly. “That will do.”
“But… burning Renminbi is illegal. What should we do?” Taoist Master Xuanyi was quite troubled. He rubbed his head and said, “How should this disciple deliver it to you?”
Hearing this, Yama’s eyebrows furrowed. His already fierce expression became even more severe, causing Taoist Master Xuanyi to hold his breath, not daring to move.
Yama’s voice said, “Not burning, real Renminbi! Tomorrow have it ready, deliver it to Harmony Community Complex Building X, third floor, room 301, to a person called Jiang Feng.”
Taoist Master Xuanyi: “…”
He felt something was wrong but couldn’t quite grasp what it was.
Yama waved his hand, and Taoist Master Xuanyi immediately woke up.
He sat up and stroked his beard, still somewhat in disbelief. After sitting dazed for a while, he got up from the bed and went to the backyard to find his disciple.
“Bank card,” Taoist Master Xuanyi knocked on the door and called out, “Xuanliang, quick, transfer a million to Master first!”
****
Yama ended up making do on the sofa for the night. He slept very uncomfortably. This was also his first day as a human, and he wasn’t used to it.
Just waiting for the money tomorrow, then he would make Jiang Feng give up the bed to him.
The next day, Taoist Master Xuanyi personally went to the bank to withdraw the money. He went to three banks and filled a suitcase.
The money was quite heavy in his hand, and he wouldn’t let anyone else carry it. He delivered it all the way to the bottom of Jiang Feng’s building.
“Isn’t this a misunderstanding?” Chu Xuanliang accompanied him and still didn’t understand: “King Yama asked you to send money to Jiang Feng? Is this some kind of charity or what?”
Taoist Master Xuanyi said seriously, “Don’t speak carelessly. Perhaps this is heaven’s will.”
Chu Xuanliang: “Sending money is also heaven’s will?”
“There are many places where money can’t be spent.” Taoist Master Xuanyi said, “How’s that case you took on recently? Any leads?”
Chu Xuanliang: “No.”
Taoist Master Xuanyi said definitively, “Right, yes, that’s it!”
Chu Xuanliang: “…”
As they spoke, they had already arrived at the door. Taoist Master Xuanyi gestured for Chu Xuanliang to knock.
Chu Xuanliang could only step forward reluctantly.
The one who opened the door was a boy in his teens. Their eyes met.
Chu Xuanliang: “You are…?”
Yama stretched out his hand. “Give me the money.”
Taoist Master Xuanyi immediately handed over the suitcase.
Jiang Feng walked out from behind and asked, “What are you doing?”
