Chapter 114: The Mysterious Woman

The woman’s face was deathly pale, her long hair wildly tangled and draped messily over the back of her head. She wore a disheveled red dress, evoking a profound sense of sorrow that words could scarcely capture. Though she no longer seemed as eerie as before, Lin Xiaobai’s lips twitched involuntarily as he gazed at her.

Her features, while not stunningly beautiful, were exquisitely delicate. Yet now, with her face drained of color, her forehead nearly furrowed into a single line, and a grimace of anguish etched upon her countenance, Lin felt a deep unease. It was hard to imagine...

“Um...”

Suddenly, the woman with lifeless eyes and purple-tinged lips parted them slightly, struggling to utter a single word.

“Heh...”

“Giggle...”

“Hehe ha... hahahaha...”

Then, as if completely unhinged, her features contorted grotesquely. A self-mocking, eerie chime of laughter erupted—sharp, frantic, and mad—resonating through the convenience store.

The woman bent over, hands covering her face, her laughter chilling and unfathomable. Her thoughts were impossible to grasp.

“Wuu... wuuu...”

“Hehe... wu... ha... wuuu...”

Despite her apparent madness, an indescribable sadness clung to her.

After a long spell of laughter, her sobbing emerged, mingled with that manic humor. Strangely, Lin Xiaobai sensed something.

This woman harbored no hostility.

He remained silent, uncertain. Her behavior was too bizarre to be understood.

Qing Li watched coldly, vigilant at every moment. Her duty was to protect and assist the ghost enforcer. Since Lin Xiaobai’s life was not in immediate danger and no orders had come through, she refrained from acting further.

The woman’s eerie cries persisted—first the mad laughter, then the strange wails, and now an unsettling choking sob. She crouched on the floor, clutching her knees with vacant eyes, radiating a sorrow beyond expression.

The convenience store gradually fell silent.

“Um...”

Once again, her purple lips parted, rasping a single word as if pondering something.

Lin Xiaobai remained still, silently waiting; Qing Li did the same.

This woman had not appeared without reason.

Both understood well: since she bore no ill will, she must have another purpose.

Or perhaps... a heavy burden?

Lin Xiaobai shook his head slowly, offering a wry smile.

“He... is coming...”

“I did not... hurt anyone...”

After a long pause, the woman whispered hoarsely, terror flickering faintly in her vacant eyes.

“It’s not... me...”

“Sir, I beg you... please...”

Lin Xiaobai’s eyes narrowed bit by bit.

The message within those words...

Was it that the demon was not the culprit?

Or was she afraid of something else...

Worried about something unknown?

His heart sank to the depths.

If vengeful spirits could be easily slain by Qing Li, then demons—at their weakest—were on par with first-rank ghost enforcers.

Could the two of them withstand such a force?

Besides, she didn’t seem fully lucid.

There was no way to glean more information.

“Take her back to the Underworld.”

After a long silence, Lin Xiaobai’s eyes glimmered with a profound light. He issued the order calmly and produced the ihne201x—a device brimming with advanced technology—to input the command.

Did you think Lin Xiaobai had done nothing since four-thirty this afternoon?

You were mistaken.

Though timid to the point of cowardice, Lin had spent the past few hours exploiting every resource to protect himself. Within the ihne201x, he had devised many things...

Including this very command.

A faint humming sounded, and suddenly, the wooden door of the office desk in the convenience store warped.

The wooden structure shifted rapidly, the door deepening in color and seeming to twist space itself.

A nebulous vortex swirling into the unknown appeared.

Lin Xiaobai rose slowly and stepped toward it.

Qing Li’s eyes flashed coldly; she seized the red-clad woman and followed Lin Xiaobai into the swirling mist.

Though the woman did not resist, Qing Li kept her long blade drawn—this person was far too strange.

Just in case.

If dark thoughts arose, she swore to strike her down.

Without hesitation, they entered the vortex one after the other.

The faint hum grew quieter as the vortex gradually faded until it vanished completely, as if nothing had changed.

Unbeknownst to Lin Xiaobai and Qing Li, after they left, outside the convenience store emerged the shadowy figure of a short youth enveloped in black mist.

The boy’s form was ethereal, the black aura around him radiating fierce malice.

His hollow pupils were pitch-black.

Yet, faintly discernible, his gaze fixed unerringly upon the direction Lin Xiaobai had taken.

“Heh…”

Suddenly, a sinister smile curled at the boy’s lips, his voice hoarse and wicked.

His figure gradually faded.

***

Having crossed the vortex, Lin Xiaobai and Qing Li found themselves in a modest office.

A vase, computer, photo frame, loose papers, a black carbon pen, and a desk—all exuding a strong sense of modernity.

Absurdly so.

Lin Xiaobai was speechless.

This was the Underworld?

But recalling that the Underworld was nothing more than a bureaucratic institution, he felt some solace.

After a cursory glance, Lin’s eyes settled upon a large, rotund figure seated behind the desk.

“Lin Xiaobai, third-rank ghost enforcer of Old White Street.”

“Brought the vengeful spirit.”

Lin Xiaobai’s expression remained calm as he bowed slightly, clasping his fists in a formal salute, neither servile nor arrogant.

Though he was somewhat confused by the current situation...

“Oh?”

“Brother Bai is here?”

The plump figure suddenly turned around, his fleshy face beaming with delight, eyes glowing with unprecedented enthusiasm.

His fervent gaze seemed as if...

After centuries without touching a woman, a rare beauty had suddenly appeared before him, ready to be claimed.

Damn...

Feeling the intensity of that gaze, Lin Xiaobai tensed, taking a step back and staring at the man with suspicion.

“Haha...”

“Sorry for the suddenness, big brother.”

The fat man chuckled awkwardly, bowing slightly in apology. Then, puffing out his chest proudly, he spoke solemnly.

“Let me introduce myself.”

“Second-rank ghost enforcer of the Underworld, Zhu Dawei!”

“Your superior.”

After stating his name, Zhu Dawei smiled knowingly and added another sentence.

Hiss...

Upon hearing that the barrel-shaped Zhu Dawei was his superior, Lin Xiaobai gasped sharply, eyes wide.

The notorious ‘Joyful Ximen Qing’!

How was he here?

Had he sensed Lin’s deception and come to investigate?

Lin was dumbfounded, frozen in place, unsure what to say, anxiety gnawing at his heart.

One hundred thousand yuan...

Still uncollected...

Damn...

Why was this bastard here?

He seemed to be waiting for news.

Maybe he should try to deceive him first...

Get the money, then run...

As Lin Xiaobai spun these thoughts, he resolved to act and stepped forward to speak.

Knock... knock knock...

At that moment, a knock sounded at the office door.

“Come in.”

Zhu Dawei responded with mild surprise.

“Sir, the item you requested... has been brought.”

The door handle turned, and a hoarse voice followed. A figure cloaked entirely in black robes, face obscured, entered carrying a box.

“Hm, you may leave now.”

Zhu Dawei took the box, expression unreadable, and dismissed the figure.

“Yes, sir.”

The black-robed person bowed respectfully and retired slowly.

Lin Xiaobai said nothing but his mind raced.

According to the ihne201x, the black-robed figure was a loyal Underworld wanderer—a kind of sinful soul.

Because of their grave crimes, such souls were sent to hell for punishment, afterward given a choice: reincarnate or serve in the Underworld performing menial tasks.

With time, their status and privileges could rise.

Those who performed outstandingly and earned merits could become ghost enforcers.

After all, compared to the torment of hell and the hardships of rebirth, merely doing trivial chores and earning merits to get promoted was a tremendous benefit.

Thus, most sinful souls chose to stay in the Underworld, patiently awaiting opportunities.

But returning to the matter at hand:

Could the item Zhu Dawei awaited be that box?

What was inside?

Could it contain information about Lin himself?

Lin Xiaobai’s eyes narrowed, a subtle, profound gleam flashing within.

Though he had joined the ghost enforcers rapidly, that meant little.

What if White Wuchang was out wandering with Bull Head at that moment?

What if the gas truck explosion was mere coincidence?

And since he was somewhat special, brought back to serve as a ghost enforcer and observed closely, that would be reasonable.

But if Zhu Dawei learned all this, what would he think?

With that sycophantic face, would Lin have any peace?

Besides, Old White Street was already unstable; his weak strength, victimized by a vengeful spirit and dying unnaturally...

Would hardly be strange.

Lost in thought, Lin’s eyes grew darker, a chill rising within.

If things went badly, he might have to strike first—arranging for Unit One to eliminate Zhu Dawei.

After all, everyone in the Underworld knew he had been brought back by White Wuchang.

Even if all his suspicions were true, he could spread rumors to buy time and keep Zhu Dawei cautious.

And in that time, he could make his moves...

With these thoughts, Lin glanced briefly at Qing Li behind him, hesitated, then shook his head gently.

Raising his gaze again, a profound light flickered as he looked at the ihne201x in his hands.

Even if he couldn’t kill Zhu Dawei...

He would at least make him suffer deeply.

As for whether the Underworld would hold him accountable for killing a fellow ghost enforcer, Lin knew well they would.

But so what?

Did a high rank grant the right to arrogantly order subordinates around?

People are born equal!

Lin Xiaobai firmly believed that no matter who, all were born equal.

Within a minute, his mind burned with intense thought, nearly overheating. His gaze darkened as he fixed on Zhu Dawei not far ahead.

He had prepared for the worst.

“Oh, Brother Bai, why do you look so pale?”

Suddenly, Zhu Dawei turned, puzzled, staring at Lin Xiaobai with surprise.

“Nothing. Just thinking about matters concerning this vengeful spirit.”

Lin wiped the sweat from his brow, smiling wearily.

Damn it...

You still have the nerve to ask...

“That’s nothing,” Zhu Dawei replied with a reassuring smile, his chubby cheeks trembling. “I’ve already investigated this woman’s case; I’ll send the details to you shortly.”

“You just started as a ghost enforcer and need achievements. I won’t compete with you for this one.”

Zhu Dawei’s tone was sincere, as if they were brothers.

“Thank you, Brother Zhu!”

In the brief exchange, Lin concealed his suspicions, clasped his fists, and smiled politely.

“Don’t thank me yet. Big brother’s got something good for you! Here.”

Zhu Dawei’s smile deepened, waving his hand to beckon Lin and extended the box.

“Open it and see.”

Damn...

What if I can’t open it?

This is the Underworld...

Zhu Dawei is ruthless...

Taking the small, entirely black box adorned with intricate engravings, Lin’s back broke out in cold sweat.

That Zhu Dawei was all fat and cunning; no one expected this.

Could it be that Lin was about to be buried here today?

Yet, Lin still harbored doubts.

Zhu Dawei wasn’t stupid—he probably wouldn’t make a move here.

Probably.

Unsure, Lin stood frozen, caught in endless hesitation.

“Brother Bai? Brother Bai?”

Zhu Dawei’s forehead creased with confusion at Lin’s silence.

“This guy’s acting strange... like his brain isn’t working right.”

“Brother Bai, big brother spent a lot of connections to get you this great gear. Why are you just standing there?”

“Open it already.”

Zhu Dawei sighed helplessly, forcing a smile and urging gently.

I don’t buy it...

You fat, sly bastard...

“Alright…”

Lin smiled outwardly but cursed inwardly. After hesitating, he dragged his heavy steps to the desk and carefully placed the box down.

He took a deep breath of the stale air, calming his thoughts. Glancing back at Qing Li in the distance, he slowly exerted pressure with both hands.

Click...

A brilliant white light burst forth.

The air froze instantly.

In a moment, the white glow filled the entire room.

A rich, pure fragrance surged forth, clearing the mind and sharpening thought.

Inside the box, Lin saw its contents: an ancient, simple scroll and a glowing, ethereal white orb.