Parents' Shrine (3)

Seeing Tan Yangzi's expression look so poor, Yan Fei grew even more curious about the man in white. The man had a tall and steady physique, a romantic and handsome appearance, and his smiling face, in particular, looked exceptionally comforting. It was just that his complexion was too pale, and his eyes faintly carried a trace of evil, ultimately giving him a hint of ghostly aura.

Could he also be someone from Hell?

Tan Yangzi, however, had no intention of greeting the man at all. Looking straight ahead, he moved to walk right past him. Unfortunately, a feather fan stretched out, blocking the path of the displeased Green Impermanence.

"It's been so long, aren't you being a bit too cold?" the man in white said in a light, airy tone.

Yan Fei very much disliked his frivolous tone.

Tan Yangzi shot a sidelong glance at him and lowered his voice, "Why are you in the mortal realm?"

"Isn't it because certain people in green are incompetent at their jobs? It's been so long and they still haven't caught the ghost, and more and more people are dying. We had no choice but to come and assist with the investigation, you know?"

The thick mockery in his words caused a surge of anger to shoot straight up in Tan Yangzi's heart. He hooked the corners of his lips, revealing a cold, intimidating smile. "Now that's truly amusing. Having Black and White Impermanences, who only know how to deal with confused, weak mortals, assist in catching a malicious ghost—are you going to strangle them to death with your tongue?"

At this moment, Yan Fei suddenly realized the truth, his eyes widening slightly.

This person was White Impermanence!

The widely renowned, universally known White Impermanence of the mortal realm!

Over the years, although he hadn't had much opportunity to follow Tan Yangzi in catching ghosts, he had heard some things about the Underworld and Fengdu. Hell was not equivalent to the Underworld. This was because Hell, just like the mortal realm, was merely one of the Six Realms. Fengdu, however, was an organization independent of the Six Realms that managed the Six Realms of Reincarnation. It was currently under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Court and responsible for maintaining the normal flow of the Six Realms.

Green and Red Impermanences, as well as Black and White Impermanences, were all Underworld Emissaries managed by Fengdu, but there was still a huge difference between them. Green and Red Impermanences were selected from Hell among malicious ghosts who possessed divine abilities and whose karma wasn't too heavy, then trained and cultivated. They were equivalent to criminals performing meritorious deeds to atone for their sins; no matter how powerful they were, they were still lower-class beings.

Black and White Impermanences, on the other hand, belonged to Earthly Immortals. Strictly speaking, they should be classified into the Deva Realm, only residing in Fengdu due to their work. Black and White Impermanences could freely enter and exit any realm, and they even had the opportunity to take vacations in the Heavenly Court every year. They were not like Green and Red Impermanences, who could only travel between Hell, the Intermediate Realm, and the mortal realm.

Because of this relationship, Black and White Impermanences had always looked down upon Green and Red Impermanences. If the Green and Red Impermanences were equivalent to the lowly-registered local constables in the mortal world, then the Black and White Impermanences were the ranked, famous detectives of the Six Ministries.

Black and White Impermanences were responsible for guiding souls that, due to various reasons after death, wandered in the Intermediate Realm and didn't know to leave, helping them cross the Yellow Springs Road and Naihe Bridge to enter reincarnation. Furthermore, unlike Green and Red Impermanences, they didn't have a "human body" they could wear, so they rarely appeared in the mortal realm in a form visible to mortals. If they absolutely had to appear, they would take a type of pill allocated to them by the Heavenly Court, making their bodies denser so they could temporarily be seen by mortals.

However, this kind of pill was just like the dharma treasures of the Heavenly Court; only immortals could consume it. To a ghost like Tan Yangzi, it was a poison. Even catching a whiff of it would cause symptoms like dizziness and nausea.

But knowing was one thing; this was still Yan Fei's first time seeing the White Impermanence with his own eyes. Legends said that the White Impermanence among the Black and White Impermanences was always smiling, and it seemed this was true. However, he didn't wear a tall hat that said "Fortune Upon Sight" on his head, nor did his tongue seem to hang down to his waist, which differed somewhat from the legends.

Seemingly sensing Yan Fei's surprised and curious gaze, White Impermanence turned his attention to him, staring with interest. "This is your illegitimate son? He's quite cute, doesn't look like you at all."

Ille... illegitimate son?!

Before Yan Fei could even clarify, Tan Yangzi had already grabbed White Impermanence by the collar. Relying on his tall stature, he almost lifted the man in white off the ground. "Keep your mouth clean! He is my disciple!"

"Oh~ No wonder!" Grabbed by Tan Yangzi, whose darkened face made him look like a Rakshasa, White Impermanence's expression didn't change, showing no signs of fear at all. On the contrary, the surrounding people had long sensed the cold aura emitting from the Daoist, and seeing that a fight was about to break out, they hurriedly backed away.

Yan Fei quietly tugged at Tan Yangzi's sleeve and lowered his voice, "Master... other people are watching..."

Hearing Yan Fei's gentle voice, Tan Yangzi finally suppressed his anger a little and released White Impermanence's collar, though he still took the opportunity to give the man a shove backward. White Impermanence quickly steadied himself, showing no sign of anger. Still waving his feather fan, he smiled in a highly punchable manner, "Alright, alright, it was my mistake for misspeaking." Saying this, he pointed to a nearby restaurant, "How about I play the host today and treat you to some wine as an apology?"

Tan Yangzi was about to refuse without a second thought when he heard White Impermanence say in a low voice, "After Kumamara returned, he reported to Judge Han, saying that you saw the Utpala Flower in Bianliang? Since you obtained a dharma treasure of the Heavenly Court, why haven't you handed it over?"

Tan Yangzi's gaze grew even colder, glaring at White Impermanence with a man-eating look. But he also knew that this White Impermanence named Xie Yucheng ultimately had more authority to speak in front of Judge Han than he did, so he had no choice but to compromise for now.

This town was originally not as bustling as Xiangyang City. With the recent incidents, it appeared even more desolate. The restaurant was empty, with only a scattered few tables occupied. The waiter brought them wine and dishes; Tan Yangzi frowned slightly as he looked at the greasy meat dishes.

Clearly, Xie Yucheng was making things difficult for him.

Seeing this, Yan Fei suddenly smiled, "Since this gentleman is treating, I won't be polite." After saying that, he called the waiter back and ordered a few vegetarian dishes and a pot of tea. He moved the wine cup away from in front of Tan Yangzi, poured a cup of tea, and placed it in front of him with both hands. Seeing that Yan Fei, despite his young age, was not the least bit timid and easily flipped the dynamic to act as the host, White Impermanence was somewhat surprised. He couldn't help but laugh, "He really is taught by you, Qiannamara."

Although Tan Yangzi muttered, "Nonsense," the unconcealable proud smile at the corner of his mouth was clearly visible.

Yan Fei stared at Xie Yucheng with an aggressive gaze, his smile never reaching his eyes. Even knowing that the other party was the soul-capturing White Impermanence, he showed no trace of fear. "Being able to not disgrace my master is my good fortune."

Xie Yucheng waved his feather fan and examined Yan Fei again. Only this time did he truly observe him closely. Although the youth had not yet completely shed his childishness, there was a faint charm between his brows, and a sharp edge ready to burst forth from within that charm, making him very different from ordinary human youths. Being a male yet possessing such disastrously beautiful features, like a treasured sword hidden in its sheath, it was terrifying to think of how many karmic debts he might stir up in the future.

Moreover... he seemed to have a very strong... sort of protective desire towards his master?

Such a thing was very rare between ordinary masters and disciples. Even if it existed, it should be the master having a protective desire toward the disciple.

When he went back this time, he should check the Book of Life and Death for this person named Yan Fei.

"Since you're here to help, you must know some news from the Heavenly Court, right? Besides the Utpala Flower, have any other dharma treasures been stolen?" Tan Yangzi's question pulled him out of his thoughts.

"There is no concrete news at the moment. Even if there really was a theft, do you think the higher-ups would let us know?" Xie Yucheng poured himself a cup of wine and sighed, "However, I heard that a few days ago, during the Maitreya Holy Festival in Tushita Heaven, they were supposed to bring out the Four Holy Lotuses for offering, but they weren't seen this time. Some rumors spread, saying that something might have happened to the Four Holy Lotuses. And then hearing that you saw the Utpala Flower, it seems these rumors might actually be true."

The Four Holy Lotuses were the four wondrous flowers blooming in the Seven Treasures Pool of the highest heaven, Lihen Heaven, nurtured and transformed by primordial spiritual energy: the Blue Lotus, Utpala; the Red Lotus, Padma; the Golden Lotus, Kumuda; and the White Lotus, Pundarika.

Tan Yangzi snorted coldly, "To think that the grand Lihen Heaven actually had four dharma treasures stolen at once, and such important items at that. You immortals must be living too comfortably; you don't even have the proper vigilance."

"Hey, the kind of immortals you're talking about have nothing to do with us Earthly Immortals who work like dogs, so don't lump me in with them. Besides, it's still uncertain whether they're actually lost, so don't go telling people I was the one who said it." Xie Yucheng spoke in a detached tone as he suddenly spread his hand and placed it on the table.

Tan Yangzi looked at him, baffled. "What are you doing?"

"Carrying that Blue Lotus around all day must be quite uncomfortable for you, right? How about letting me, the Seventh Lord, keep it for you?" As he spoke, he revealed what he thought was a charming and handsome smile, winking his right eye at Tan Yangzi.

Yan Fei paused. Only then did he realize that as a ghost, even though Tan Yangzi hadn't directly touched the Utpala Flower and the dharma treasure hadn't been activated, it was still a holy relic of the Heavenly Court after all, and it would definitely make Tan Yangzi somewhat uncomfortable. Especially seeing Dasamara's reaction last night, it was likely that just being near the object instilled fear in them. Yet, his master had been carrying it on him for several days...

He hated himself for not thinking to help his master share the burden...

On the other hand, Tan Yangzi was thinking of a different possibility: Why would Xie Yucheng be so kind as to help him? Was he trying to trick him out of the Blue Lotus so he could claim credit with King Yama? He thus sneered, "Thank you for your good intentions. Having cultivated for a thousand years, I at least have this much endurance."

Xie Yucheng didn't force the issue and withdrew his hand. "Suit yourself. When this physical body of yours gets ruined from the freezing cold, don't come crying to me."

Tan Yangzi became angry, "When have I ever cried?!"

"Tsk, tsk, forgotten already? How heartless. Who was it that got drunk at Meng's Tavern that one time and cried on my shoulder all night? You even used my sleeve to blow your nose."

"That was two hundred years ago!" A suspicious blush appeared on Tan Yangzi's cheeks as he darted a glance at Yan Fei beside him. How he wished Yan Fei wasn't sitting here right now...

His dignity as a master was completely swept away this time.

But Yan Fei didn't laugh. He had no expression, and his gaze was even a little bit cold.

After the three finished their meal, White Impermanence said he was going to find his partner, "Xiao Hei". The main reason Black and White Impermanences came this time was that many of the Life Souls of those killed by the children were unaccounted for, and they needed to look around and investigate. If they found any news, they would notify Tan Yangzi and Dasamara. After all, the place where those Life Souls were located was very likely the place where the ghost was.

In the afternoon, Tan Yangzi and Yan Fei visited the homes of the other two killers and gathered a lot of information. It was just that Yan Fei seemed a bit too quiet along the way, not as lively as he had been during the day.