, I felt the building was somber and oppressive—it is an old building after all.This is a "box" shaped two-story building. I went around on the first floor, glanced into every classroom, but didn't se...On a certain day, in a certain month of a certain year, on the lunar calendar day of a certain day,...
I am now in office.
Although I was the lowest of the low, a mere errand boy, I still trembled with fear and anxiety.
Jiang Qiyun gave me a small yin-yang mirror. I asked a maid for some red string and braided it together, then haphazardly tied it on my hand. It was given to me by the deity Taiyi, so it must be for my protection, I couldn't possibly neglect it.
Besides, the yin official led me to receive a set of small ghost clerk's official uniform, as well as spirit summoning talismans and soul-binding ropes.
I looked at the summoning slips and thought, "This thing is more convenient," but that soul-binding rope... it is said that its chain length and force are determined by one's cultivation level. And you also have to learn how to wield it, how to lock it, and how to put it on. Where would I even begin
And now I'm holding this chain, it's so heavy!
Jiang Qiyun stood behind me, not far away, and asked the Yin official with his hands behind his back: "Aren't there any small chains"
The lowly official pitifully said, "Your Majesty, these shackles are all made uniformly from the mines of Mifeng Forest. Who would have thought that Your Highness would need them… Moreover, this is Yinchen ore, Your Highness's status is special, no matter how small the shackles are, they will feel heavy…"
Jiang Qiyun nodded, and said to me: "Then let's use the Summoning Talisman. This iron shackle... I don't think you'll be able to learn it, and wearing it might just provide your opponent with a weapon to bind you."
Well, that's possible.
The gloomy official looked at me with some concern: "Little Empress, our ghost messengers are divided into two types. One type works in the underworld, mainly responsible for managing the underworld, reincarnation, and birth and death. The other type travels between the yin and yang, serving under the city god, responsible for arresting ghosts listed on the Book of Life and Death."
He continued, "This kind is a bit busier, but the work location is in places like the Six Heavens of the Underworld... We wouldn't dare arrange for Your Lady to go to places like the Twenty-Four Prisons. The job is relatively leisurely; the other kind works under the City God in various locations. You would have to be on call at all times, running errands and traveling everywhere..."
Oh... one is in power, the other out of power; it's the same as a manager working in an office and a front-line employee in our human world.
The low-ranking official cautiously looked at Jiang Qiyun behind me: “That, that…Little Princess…has it been arranged…arranged in Liùtiānggong…”
"Let her go to the City God's Temple in the Yang Realm and await orders. When she has nothing to do, she can serve at the Heavenly Emperor's Palace in the Underworld." Jiang Qiyun said bluntly.
This is like I'm running errands at the grassroots level and attending briefings in front of the leaders.
Even if it's not legal, the official doesn't care. After all, whatever the Emperor says goes.
He took out the roster of minor ghosts from the Underworld, scribbled down my name and position with a flourish, and with a big stroke of his pen, I was officially on duty.
》》》
The Imperial Palace of the Underworld has three arched bridges, and outside the lowest bridge is a large plaza. On one side of the plaza, there's a platform with eight gates, corresponding to the eight directions of the world.
This is the path for the ghost messengers, Yin officials who walk between life and death. Looking at the Eight Gates, I wondered which direction was my home Was it the South Gate
"Where your mind goes, you will arrive. With the token of the underworld's grim reaper by your side, even if you encounter danger or even death, a wisp of your soul will return to the underworld."
But, you're always special. Traveling back and forth between the yin and yang will consume your yang qi. Unless necessary, don't travel at will. Jiang Qiyun stood before the square, earnestly reminding me.
I'm a little nervous, the Emperor personally coming to give me on-the-job training. If I don't do well, wouldn't that tarnish his prestige
"I, I will definitely obey orders and work hard to complete the assigned tasks..." I nodded nervously.
Jiang Qiyun raised his hand, brushed the hair from my shoulders, and said to me, “This is natural. If you want to enjoy the special treatment given by the underworld, you have to make corresponding contributions. You're doing well, not for me, but for not letting Taiyi Zun's favor go to waste.”
"Hmm." I nodded, eager — wasn't it just ghost-hunting That was my old trade, after all. I could even throw in an exorcism service.
It can both lend a helping hand to the underworld and maintain the balance of yin and yang, saving souls in distress. While practicing cultivation, one also accumulates merit.
And to be able to return to the Underworld when necessary... what a wonderful job!
Jiang Qiyun chuckled and playfully pinched my chin: "Mu Xia Qiao, are you this easily satisfied... I gave you a menial task, something everyone else would consider a chore, yet you seem almost ecstatic about it."
"What a wonderful chore... I really think this is the best job in heaven and on earth!" I said earnestly.
Jiang Qiyun took a step closer, looking down at me from above. He reached out and pulled me in front of him, our chests pressed together.
He whispered, "...For you, the best job in heaven and earth should be this one, my little empress..."
My face flushed, and there were still so many people behind me...so many ghosts and spirits watching!
"Raising the Divine Son and accompanying me is your true duty. Remember that," Jiang Qiyun tapped my forehead with his hand.
No, no, my face is going to burn.
"You, you should get back to your position! I'm going back first..." I quickly pulled my hand away from him. This was too embarrassing.
This is the front of the imposing, solemn, and majestic Palace of the Underworld!
Jiang Qiyun saw that my ears were red and smiled, "Other little ghosts usually work in pairs, looking after each other. You're so reckless going alone. Do you know how to hand over a mission"
"Um... I don't know... Maybe I should go to the city god temple and pray" I stammered.
Jiang Qiyun let out a light chuckle and pulled out two small...dolls from his sleeve.
"Here you go," he tossed it into my arms.
"What's this" I clutched one in my hand, examining it with curiosity.
"This is... something to please your foolish little Highness... Take it." Jiang Qiyun said with a faint smile.
I lowered my flushed face, looking at the doll in my hand.
It's supposed to be a doll, but it's a bit rough... And this material, I brought it close to my nose and smelled it. Yes, it's lotus root that can be used in hot pot.
I guess this is something Jiang Qiyun left for me to protect myself. Maybe if my soul scattered, this lotus root would save me.
I was afraid of wasting his time, so I didn't ask any more questions. I hurriedly shoved the small handbag back into my clothes.
"Thanks for the onboarding training, Your Majesty. I'm going to head out now" I looked up and sought his opinion.
"Well, go on. Leave through the South Gate and keep in mind where you're headed." Jiang Qiyun instructed.
"Well... I really am leaving." I took a step, turning back to look at him.
Suddenly, Jiang Qiyun had already leaned down and bowed his head, gently coming closer. When I turned my head, I met his lips.
Unbiased.
He kissed her lightly and whispered, “Xiao Qiao, you both ease my mind and make it impossible for me to worry...”
"You must protect yourself as much as possible. To me, your safety is the most important thing in the world."
"... Hmm." I nodded heavily in my heart.
As I stepped across the threshold of Nan Mian, closing my eyes in that instant, all I could think about was home.
There are elders above and children below, bustling with activity yet harmonious and peaceful...
One foot landed with a thud, then another slammed down on solid ground. The chaotic sounds around me vanished, replaced by something quite familiar —
"Ouch, damn it—"imit to how much you can spend.I commissioned a private construction company to design a rural farmhouse with some elements of the Wuzhuang City architecture. I want the residents to feel a sense of b...