Chapter 12

 After a long day of running around and not being able to speak, Little Qi Wu couldn’t help but curl up beside Su Wen and fall asleep on their way back to the Temple of the King of Hell. When she opened her eyes again, she was already lying in bed, and it was dark outside.

As soon as she opened her eyes, Di Ting nuzzled over, bumping her hand with its head.

Little Qi Wu naturally hugged Di Ting’s neck and rode on its back to get off the bed: “Where’s Dad?”

Di Ting carried her outside, where Su Wen was sitting quietly on a cushion beneath the statue. Hearing the noise, he opened his eyes, his voice slightly hoarse: “Awake?”

Little Qi Wu nodded, her eyes curved into a smile: “Yes, yes!”

Su Wen stood up and lifted her off Di Ting.

【Finally speaking, it’s been two hours. If it weren’t for my husband’s good looks, I really wouldn’t have been able to stay in this live stream.】

【I’ve been here for two hours, thought it was a mute streamer, and even considered donating.】

【Is this the ritual of the Temple of the King of Hell? Meditation?】

【I have to say, Su Wen is a bit scary when he’s not facing the child.】

【So it’s not just me who thinks that. Handsome, yes, but also a bit intimidating.】

It’s no wonder the live stream audience was complaining. Su Wen was naturally a man of few words, and after Qi Wu fell asleep, he didn’t speak a word. After carrying her back, he had been sitting in meditation until now.

The audience had never seen such an outrageous live stream before. Looking at the live streams of other families, each one was filled with laughter and joy.

They really don’t know how to entertain.

No matter how much the audience liked them, they couldn’t stand Su Wen’s silence, so many casual viewers left. The remaining ones even started chatting about what they had for dinner today.

Now that Qi Wu was awake and Su Wen had spoken, the comments gradually increased.

【What are they having for dinner today? I love watching kids’ eating broadcasts.】

【Suddenly realized something, this father and daughter haven’t eaten all day, did I miss it?】

【Been in the live stream all day, they really haven’t eaten anything, only Little Qi Wu had some milk.】

【Is this for real? Not just the adult, but the child’s body can’t handle it.】

【Surely they can’t be so poor they can’t afford food.】

The cameraman, Wang Yang, was also puzzled. How could this father and daughter not eat anything all day? From what he observed, there was nothing in the house that looked edible except for a few fruits and biscuits.

Concerned for Little Qi Wu’s health, he reminded: “Mr. Su, shouldn’t you be having dinner?”

Su Wen: “Dinner?”

In his world, the concept of dinner didn’t exist.

Wang Yang: “You haven’t eaten all day, Little Qi Wu’s nutrition can’t keep up.”

This reminded Su Wen that when buying milk powder, the person had also mentioned making other foods for Little Qi Wu.

But, while he knew how to kill ghosts, cooking was a complete mystery to him.

The cold-faced handsome man showed a rare expression of confusion.

【It’s so strange, even if it’s the first time raising a child, one should know to eat, how can they have no common sense.】

【He’s confused, it’s a bit of a weird contrast, maybe he can’t cook.】

【But you can’t starve the child, Qi Wu is three years old, not eating will make her unhealthy.】

Wang Yang also realized that the man in front of him might really not know how to cook, but this was actually a great opportunity for exposure. A kitchen disaster dad personally cooking for his baby, how loving is that?

 But the person in front of him seemed completely unaware of this.

Forget it, how could he expect someone who could sit here quietly for two hours to do anything?

Su Wen was starting to feel a bit frustrated. He should have let Meng Po handle this; she would definitely know what to do. He could have taken her shift at the Bridge of Helplessness instead.

Noticing the change in Judge Dad, Little Qi Wu gently touched his hand: “Dad, are you hungry? You can have my milk.”

Then she would secretly offer incense for Dad to eat!

“No,” Su Wen turned to Wang Yang and asked, “Excuse me, how do you cook?”

Wang Yang: “…”

“The prerequisite for cooking is that you have food, but it seems there’s nothing in this temple.”

Su Wen fell silent again. Wang Yang kindly suggested, “It’s too late today. Maybe you could order takeout? Tomorrow, you can buy some firewood, rice, oil, and salt, and then search for recipes on your phone.”

Takeout?

Another unfamiliar term.

Before Su Wen could respond, the curious Qi Wu asked, “What’s takeout?”

Su Wen: Sometimes Little Yan Wang’s habit of asking questions when she doesn’t understand is quite convenient for him.

[No way? They’ve never had takeout, and there’s nothing at home. Are they surviving on dew?]

[Please tell me they’re gods, or I’ll really have to take them to a research institute.]

Wang Yang patiently explained to the child, “Takeout is when a restaurant prepares food, you place an order and pay on your phone, and a delivery person brings it to your home.”

Little Qi Wu: “Wow!”

Su Wen was also surprised. The Human Realm actually had such a convenient way of life.

“Alright, let’s have takeout,” he decided promptly. “Qi Wu, can you give me the phone?”

“Okay!”

As soon as she finished speaking, Di Ting ran into the room, carrying a small backpack in his mouth. Su Wen took the phone and calmly and politely asked, “Excuse me, how do I place an order?”

[…Hello, research institute? Please come and take this prehistoric human away.]

[Did they just come from a place with no internet?]

[What kind of utopia raises people like this?]

[Don’t mock them. Many elderly people don’t know how to use these features either.]

[Key point: elderly people.]

The father and daughter had no idea what people online were saying about them. The two Ghosts and Gods huddled together, earnestly learning how to use the phone.

Finally, they managed to successfully place a takeout order.

Little Qi Wu was very excited about this and waited outside the Temple of the King of Hell, eagerly anticipating the delivery person’s arrival.

Forty minutes later, the delivery person, panting heavily with a box on his back, arrived: “Excuse me, who is Ms. Qi Wu?”

Little Qi Wu immediately stood up to correct him: “My name is Qi Wu, not Ms. Qi Wu.”

The delivery person, who had been exhausted from climbing the mountain and was a bit annoyed, felt his irritation melt away when he saw such an adorable child: “Alright, little Qi Wu, your takeout is here.”

He handed over the food: “Enjoy your meal. If possible, could you ask an adult to give me a five-star review?”

“Thank you,” Little Qi Wu said, and Di Ting stepped forward, taking the food in his mouth and placing it on the nearby table.

“Qi Wu doesn’t understand five-star reviews. I’ll ask Dad to do it.”

Seeing how tired the delivery person was, she grabbed a nearby cushion: “Take a rest.”

The delivery person’s heart softened. He was about to decline, but he was genuinely tired, so he sat down: “Thank you, I’ll just sit for a bit.”

Su Wen also came out. The delivery man, sensing the strong aura of the man, instinctively wanted to stand up, but then he noticed the child beside him fanning him.

Little Qi Wu looked up at her dad with an innocent expression, “Dad! Can we give him a five-star review?”

“I…” The delivery man felt a bit awkward and was about to stand up when the man said, “Sit down.”

“Th-thank you.” The delivery man scratched his head, “I don’t mean to insist on a good review, but it would be great if you could. It’s quite important for us.”

Su Wen replied, “Sure, just a moment.”

He still needed to figure out how to give the review.

“Okay, okay!” The delivery man stopped the little girl’s hand, “No need to fan me, thank you, little friend. But is this the Temple of the King of Hell?”

“Yes.”

The delivery man said curiously, “This is my first time seeing a Temple of the King of Hell. It seems quite empty. What are you doing here?”

Little Qi Wu replied, “Qi Wu is the Temple Keeper here.”

The delivery man coughed, choking on his own saliva. He glanced at the handsome man beside her, who didn’t refute her words.

Such a young Temple Keeper?!

He didn’t know what to say, so he just muttered, “That’s good, that’s good.”

But Little Qi Wu looked into his eyes, propped her chin on her hand, and suggested, “You can offer incense for your family.”

The delivery man was stunned.

[Although children’s words are innocent, it’s not appropriate to say that.]

[Praying to the King of Hell is to wish for a better life for oneself or one’s deceased family members, and to bless the living family. Saying that makes it sound like his family members are dead.]

[Little Qi Wu, quickly say “peh peh peh”! Su Wen, teach the child to stop talking.]

But Su Wen was still focused on his phone, showing no intention of stopping the Little King of Hell.

To everyone’s surprise, the delivery man wasn’t angry. He looked at the child in front of him and asked uncertainly, “What did you say?”

Little Qi Wu said seriously, “Offer incense, it can convey your thoughts to your family.”

Her words were quite clear.

“I…” The delivery man looked at her in disbelief, “How do you know?”

Little Qi Wu blinked, “Because I’m the Temple Keeper.”

The delivery man was truly impressed by this child.

His lips moved, but he was afraid of saying something disrespectful to the child. After a few seconds, he hurriedly stood up, straightened his clothes, and took off his hat, placing it aside.

He looked at the incense on the altar, “How much does this cost?”

“It’s free.” Little Qi Wu tiptoed to get the incense for him, “But in the future, if you want to offer incense for your family, you’ll need to bring it yourself.”

The delivery man took it, silently lit it, and knelt on the meditation cushion. After a few seconds of contemplation, he spoke in a low voice, “Lord Yama, my name is Wu Kai, and my father’s name is Wu Qi. I’m offering incense here, hoping you can treat my deceased father well and let him be reborn into a good family in his next life, so he won’t have to encounter an unfilial son like me again.”

Su Wen glanced at him at this moment.

After speaking, Wu Kai looked at the man who seemed extraordinary, “May I say a few words to my father while offering incense to the King of Hell?”

He still wanted to ask about the rules.

Su Wen nodded, “You may.”

Wu Kai remained silent for a while before lighting another incense stick and saying, “Dad, I’ve been unfilial. I’ve never given you peace of mind, and I couldn’t even see you one last time. I… I’m sorry, Dad. I’m so sorry.”

“I’m back now. I’ve grown up, and I’m working hard. I’ll take good care of Mom from now on, so don’t worry. Rest well down there.”

“I’ll come often to offer incense. If you’ve reincarnated, I’ll ask the King of Hell to choose a good family for you, so you can have a dutiful son in your next life.”

“Dad… I’m sorry.”

He knelt on the meditation cushion, his head bowed. Though no sound could be heard, his body trembled continuously, and tears fell one after another onto the ground.

Little Qi Wu was easily affected by others’ emotions, and she felt deeply saddened too. Just as she was about to step forward to comfort him, Judge Dad stopped her and picked her up.

She turned her innocent gaze toward her dad.

Su Wen shook his head, signaling her not to speak.

After a while, Wu Kai finally stopped crying and stood up.

Looking at the pair before him, he smiled self-deprecatingly, “Sorry for making you witness that. My dad passed away last week, and I couldn’t control my emotions.”

He sighed, “He suffered his whole life, worrying about me, always regretting having me, saying I was a disappointment. I don’t know if this is a relief for him.”

He murmured, “Reincarnation will be better, reincarnation will be better.”

[Damn, how did Qi Wu know someone in his family had passed away?]

[Impressive, my little Temple Priest of the King of Hell.]

[This guy, what’s the use of saying all this now? The person’s already gone.]

Su Wen didn’t respond to Wu Kai’s words but said calmly, “I’ve already given you a five-star review.”

Wu Kai nodded blankly, “Thank you.”

“Thank you both,” he repeated, then looked at Little Qi Wu, “Little Temple Priest, you’re amazing.”

Little Qi Wu felt a bit shy from the praise.

By then, Wu Kai had already put on his hat and slung his bag over his shoulder, ready to leave, “I need to go take the next order. I’ll come back another day, and I’ll bring my brothers too.”

Little Qi Wu waved, “Okay! Be careful on the road. Your dad will hear your words!”

Wu Kai smiled faintly, “I hope so. I don’t know if he can really hear me, but it seems like this is the only way I can say those things now. I can’t see him, can’t touch him, and I don’t have a dad anymore.”

Little Qi Wu tilted her head, thought for a moment, and said, “You still have your mom. You should cherish her.”

“You can be a good, obedient child for your mom.”

Afraid that Judge Dad would stop her from speaking again, she quickly added, “Dad would never regret having a child.”

Wu Kai’s body trembled, his eyes red, “I wish he had regretted it.”

Then maybe he wouldn’t have suffered so much.

After Wu Kai left, Little Qi Wu asked, “Dad, why didn’t you let me speak earlier?”

“Life is impermanent. The causes we plant and the consequences we reap must be borne by ourselves,” Su Wen said. “His repentance is useless now. Qi Wu, don’t feel sad for him.”

Little Qi Wu pursed her lips, “But I can’t help it.”

“Dad, he still has to take care of his mom and work hard to grow up. He really needs comfort right now.”

Su Wen was momentarily stunned.

Little Qi Wu hugged his neck and looked out at the dark mountain road where Wu Kai had left, “Liangliang’s mom too.”

“And Dad, like that day when I saw you come back, I really wanted to comfort you too.”

She paused, feeling a bit tired, and then continued, “Qi Wu feels like you all seem very tired and need… um, just… just really need comfort.”

She was a bit frustrated, “Qi Wu can’t explain it well.”

Su Wen couldn’t help but pat her head, the intimidating aura that had made the audience fearful completely dissipated. He whispered, “We need support.”

Little Qi Wu: “Huh? Is that what it means?”

“Mm.”

When on the verge of collapse, everyone yearns for a point of support.

He was no different, even though he was a Ghost and God. Although he had never said it, the words of the Little King of Hell that day had left an indelible softness in his heart.

“It was Dad’s fault, Qi Wu did the right thing.”

Little Qi Wu was delighted, “Then Dad can also make mistakes and needs to learn to grow up.”

【Really, sometimes people just need a word of comfort when they’re on the brink of collapse.】

【Little Qi Wu is quite perceptive, how is she so precocious?】

In the Underworld, a Ghost Messenger stood among the crowd of ghosts and shouted, “Wu Qi! Wu Qi!”

An old man sitting by the river, who had been staring blankly, slowly turned his head, “Who’s calling me?”

The Ghost Messenger found him, “Come with me, someone has made offerings for you.”

The surrounding ghosts immediately became restless, “Offerings! Can offerings from the Human Realm reach the Underworld now?!”

“Of course,” the Ghost Messenger said, “This is all thanks to the merits of Lord Yama.”

“Can we send dream transmissions now! I want my family to make offerings for me too!”

“Brother Ghost Messenger, do us a favor, what should we do!”

The Ghost Messenger signaled for everyone to calm down, “Don’t rush, the order of the Underworld is gradually being restored, everything that should be will be.”

Then he took Wu Qi away, leaving the ghosts craning their necks to see what was happening.

The Ghost Messenger said to Wu Qi, “Wu Kai has burned money for you, it’s being recorded here and will be given directly to you.”

Wu Qi waved his hand, “What use do I have for that here, share it with everyone, I just want to hear what my son has to say.”

The Ghost Messenger let him listen to his son’s words.

Wu Qi sat on the stool, listening over and over, tears streaming down his face, and muttered to himself, “What father wouldn’t want his son, take good care of your mother when you’re sensible, or I’ll still have to deal with you when I come down.”

Outside, Meng Po and the City God saw this and breathed a sigh of relief, it was the first time in so many years.

But then, there was a sudden commotion inside the Netherworld Gate.

A woman’s voice, as if just waking up, said with a tired and impatient tone, “How many years has it been, you ugly things still won’t let me rest?”

Not long after, the woman’s voice carried a hint of confusion, “Karma? A new King of Hell?”

“Can I go out now?!”