Chapter 21

【Brother? What brother? Isn’t Zhang Siqing an only child?】

【Zhang Yuan’s expression… Could there really be a brother? But the couple isn’t following the idol route, having another child is common in the circle, why so panicked?】

【Perhaps, try combining Su Wen’s words with this sentence?】

【”What does the Altar enshrine if not a deity?” “Do you have a brother?”】

【Damn, suddenly it’s terrifying to think about, could it be?】

Zhang Siqing still hadn’t reacted, shaking his head: “I don’t have a brother.”

“That’s right, Siqing is our only child, how could he have a brother?” Zhang Yuan’s complexion improved slightly, “Little Qi Wu, you mustn’t speak carelessly, it will cause misunderstandings.”

Little Qi Wu muttered, “Qi Wu didn’t speak carelessly.”

She clearly heard it, so Little Qi Wu asked the little ghost, “Why do you call Zhang Siqing your brother?”

The little ghost was anxious and particularly aggrieved, saying, “I am clearly his brother! They’re lying! It’s because I got sick that they didn’t want me anymore!”

Zhang Yuan was somewhat panicked inside. Not to mention Su Wen’s attitude was quite perplexing, this child’s words also gave no one any psychological preparation. He didn’t know if she really saw something or was just speaking carelessly. In any case, this couldn’t continue.

So he said, “Let’s not talk about this anymore, how about uncle takes you downstairs to play?”

The little ghost’s body should be in this room, Little Qi Wu didn’t want to leave.

She looked up, “Can Qi Wu stay here to play?”

This was a room specially prepared by Zhang Yuan and his wife for their child. Although there weren’t many toys, there were musical instruments, books, and some educational items that were quite complete. Zhang Yuan thought the child was curious about these things, especially since he had heard that Su Wen was in financial difficulty.

Even letting the child engage in deceitful activities like being a Temple Keeper, it seemed he wasn’t a good person. However, having his own child appear more on screen was beneficial, so Zhang Yuan said, “Alright, you two can play here together.”

“Siqing should be a bit older than Qi Wu, right? Siqing, you can teach your sister, show her your musical instruments.”

Zhang Siqing really liked Qi Wu, so even though he had to practice his piano more, he was willing because being with Little Qi Wu was very comfortable. He wondered if he could still get candy today, there were many small blankets at home.

But why look at the musical instruments, does Qi Wu also like to play the piano? That’s not fun.

Although he thought this with confusion, he still nodded, “Okay.”

Zhang Yuan: “Mr. Su, shall we go downstairs?”

Su Wen already had a rough idea of what the room was like, he hummed in agreement, but his gaze was fixed on Qi Wu: “Your Excellency, remember not to talk about ghosts in front of the camera.”

Little Qi Wu was troubled: “But what about the little ghost? We came to help Zhang Siqing.”

Su Wen: “Later when we go downstairs, Your Excellency can have Siqing bring out that jar.”

After saying this, he lifted his eyelids and looked at the little ghost: “Do you know where your body is?”

The little ghost was startled by the sudden question, he looked at Su Wen with some fear: “Who are you?”

Little Qi Wu explained, “He’s Judge Dad, a great Ghost and God of the Underworld, in charge of ghosts.”

In charge of ghosts? That must be quite impressive.

The little ghost lowered its head, “I haven’t done anything bad.”

Su Wen acknowledged with a hum, “If you want to leave, take the Lord to find your body.”

“Okay, okay!”

Su Wen reminded Qi Wu again, “Call me anytime if the Lord needs anything.”

“Sure! Judge Dad, don’t worry!”

Su Wen went downstairs with the couple. Zhu Qing poured him a cup of coffee, but Su Wen didn’t drink it. He just sat quietly on the sofa, thinking: This is quite soft, I should buy one for the Lord.

Zhang Yuan couldn’t stand his pretentious demeanor, “Mr. Su, you don’t seem to talk much.”

Su Wen replied, “Hmm.”

[Wow, he dares to respond like that, isn’t he afraid of haters?]

[He’s not a celebrity, why would he care about haters.]

[Su Wen, be more considerate, even if you don’t want to engage, think about your audience appeal, geez.]

Zhu Qing sat on the other sofa. She wasn’t much of a talker either, just folding the clothes she had just collected, but her movements gradually slowed down until she stopped. Hesitantly, she looked up, “Mr. Su, I have a question, may I ask?”

“Go ahead.”

Zhu Qing paused for a few seconds, “That day at the kindergarten, when we said we were going to the temple to offer incense, you said we should wait and bring the child. What did you mean?”

Su Wen’s eyebrows lifted slightly. He thought the couple wouldn’t bring this up themselves, and among the three, apart from Zhang Siqing who had direct contact with the little ghost, this mother had the heaviest ghostly demonic aura.

He succinctly replied, “Whoever needs to worship, naturally we bring them.”

Zhang Yuan frowned, he had been tolerating this man, but now he couldn’t hold back anymore, even in front of the camera, his face darkened, “Mr. Su, what do you mean? Does our child need to worship the King of Hell?”

“Mr. Su, we have always welcomed and been polite to you, but you can’t curse our child like this.”

Having stayed in the Netherworld for so long, Su Wen was used to ghosts and gods giving him a wide berth. Now facing someone who had done wrong but still stubbornly accused him, he found it somewhat amusing. He leaned back on the sofa and said leisurely, “Lord Yama protects all living beings, how can that be considered a curse?”

Zhang Yuan was displeased, “Our family of three is healthy, why single out the child to worship the King of Hell?”

“Family of three?” Su Wen scoffed, a hint of malice appearing between his brows. Indeed, he shouldn’t stay away from the Little King of Hell for too long.

Being away for too long, whenever he encountered something that irritated him, his emotions became hard to control.

Su Wen raised his finger, tapping in the air, then turned to ask Zhu Qing, “Do you think so too?”

Zhu Qing’s lips moved slightly, the folded clothes in her hands were now crumpled. Under Su Wen’s gaze, she couldn’t bear it and finally turned her head away, “I’ll go prepare some fruits for the children.”

[What are these people talking about in riddles?]

[Family of three, brother, ah, could it be a love child?]

[Why does the child need to worship the King of Hell? I’m dying of curiosity.]

The production team also noticed that the atmosphere was a bit off, fearing that the two adults might start arguing, which would be a live broadcast disaster. So, they quickly switched the live feed to the children and immediately called Su Wen and Zhang Yuan, urging them to be mindful of the setting and to calm down.

Without the cameras, Zhang Yuan no longer felt the need to put on a facade. Using the excuse of calming down, he got up and walked to the other side, not wanting to look at Su Wen anymore.

Meanwhile, Su Wen was sending a message: “Does raising a spirit child fall under your jurisdiction?”

The person he was messaging was Lin Dingqi, who replied, “It depends on how it’s done. If it’s a mutual agreement and transaction between a human and a spirit child, we actually can’t intervene.”

Some wealthy people like to dabble in these evil practices, such as raising spirit children. But they pay an equal price, like exchanging their lifespan for the spirit child’s favor to gain luck. This kind of situation is beyond our control.

Su Wen asked, “What if it’s one-sided?”

“Then we have to intervene,” Lin Dingqi said. “If the spirit child is forcing the human, we have to capture and detain it, and impose labor penalties.”

He added, “But if it’s the human forcing the spirit child, our system isn’t fully developed yet. We can only take the spirit child back. As for the human, it’s not within our jurisdiction, and we don’t have the authority. We can only impose educational fines, but we do collaborate with the special department of the police.”

Su Wen replied, “Understood.”

He sent the address of the location to Lin Dingqi: “The second scenario, Karma and The Underworld will handle it. Bring your people here and coordinate with the production team.”

“Yes, Lord, we’ll be there right away!”

Lin Dingqi was surprised upon receiving the message. Wasn’t the Lord visiting Zhang Yuan’s house with the Little King of Hell? Why the sudden need to capture a spirit child?

Considering Zhang Yuan’s career over the past few years, it had indeed been flourishing. He had a constant stream of good resources and film offers, winning the Best Actor award several years in a row. His wife, also in the industry, had returned to family life after marriage and had given birth to a smart and well-behaved son. It seemed like a very happy family.

Lin Dingqi pondered, “Could it be… that all this was achieved by raising a spirit child?”

In principle, such cases fall under the jurisdiction of the handling department. But now, even the Lord Yama and the Judge are being called in to help capture the ghost. What a dereliction of duty.

Meanwhile, Little Qi Wu and Zhang Siqing were sitting on the carpet in the room, both children silent.

[Huh? Why so quiet? Didn’t Little Qi Wu get along well with Zhang Siqing before?]

[Little Qi Wu is staring at him again.]

[Si Qing seems a bit nervous, unsure of what to do?]

Zhang Siqing wasn’t used to playing with other children, so he didn’t know what to say. When Little Qi Wu wanted to sit down, he just accompanied her. His dad had suggested introducing Little Qi Wu to musical instruments, but he didn’t like it and didn’t want to introduce something unpleasant to Qi Wu.

Little Qi Wu, on the other hand, wasn’t overthinking it. She was urgently asking the little ghost, “Haven’t you remembered yet?”

The little ghost was also anxious, “I can’t remember. I just remember always being by his side.”

“Aren’t you the Hell King Kid? Can’t you help me? You must be very powerful, right?”

“The Hell King Kid can’t see through things,” Little Qi Wu corrected him seriously. There were so many things in the room, how could she find it?

Little Qi Wu was a bit worried.

At this moment, Zhang Siqing finally mustered up the courage and found the opportunity to ask, “Are you not happy?”

He remembered that Little Qi Wu had asked him the same question before.

Little Qi Wu shook her head, “No, I’m fine.”

Zhang Siqing asked awkwardly, “Then what do you want to play? I… I don’t know how to do anything except play the piano.”

“Is this for playing?” Little Qi Wu was surprised. “But if it’s for playing, it should be fun. Why don’t you seem happy when you play it?”

She had thought that playing the piano was something very unpleasant.

This was the first time someone didn’t praise her but instead said she wasn’t happy while playing the piano.

Zhang Siqing pursed his lips and lowered his head without speaking.

“Don’t be sad,” Little Qi Wu wanted to pat him but was afraid she might make the little ghost disappear, so she handed him a candy instead. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, “How about we play a question game?”

“What’s a question game?”

“It’s a game where I ask you questions, and you answer them,” Little Qi Wu took out all her candies, “These are the prizes.”

She didn’t really know what a question game was, but her kindergarten teacher always liked to have everyone play games, and after playing, there were prizes.

Playing games makes you happy, and there are prizes, so Little Qi Wu came up with her own question game.

Zhang Siqing nodded, “Okay.”

Little Qi Wu felt quite proud, seeing that she could now think of her own games. She had grown up a bit more! What a great Lord Yama!

The little ghost said, “Yes, you ask him, he must know!”

Little Qi Wu nodded, wiggled her little bottom forward, and whispered, “Where is your brother?”

Zhang Siqing: “I don’t have a brother.”

Little Qi Wu: “See, he says he doesn’t have a brother.”

The little ghost anxiously said, “I am his brother, older than him. He probably doesn’t remember me from when he was little, but I’ve always been with him!”

What to do then?

Little Qi Wu thought for a moment, then had a sudden inspiration. In the Underworld, Judge Dad had been with evil spirits for a long time, so he had a heavy evil aura, and so did the Emperor. So Zhang Siqing must have it too.

The little ghost is the brother, older than Zhang Siqing, so when Zhang Siqing was born, the little ghost must have died.

The dead little ghost wanted to stay with Zhang Siqing and had never left.

There was a lot of information, and Little Qi Wu counted on her fingers one by one, finally managing to sort it out a bit, and asked again, “Then, is there something that has always been with you?”

Zhang Siqing: “The piano.”

Little Qi Wu shook her head, “But you couldn’t play the piano when you were little.”

She couldn’t even go out when she was little, and couldn’t walk yet.

Zhang Siqing thought and thought, looking at the things in the room, all of which were bought by his dad later for him to study.

Then…

He lowered his head and pulled open his collar, pointing to the little bear on his neck, “This?”

“Mom said the little bear would always be with me.”

Around his neck was a little bear necklace, and Little Qi Wu immediately saw the thick ghostly aura entwined around the necklace. But could this really contain a little ghost?

The little ghost cried out, “It’s this, it’s this!”

Little Qi Wu: “Why is it so small?”

Ghosts are usually big.

The little ghost said excitedly, “Ashes, these are ashes!”

Suddenly, he remembered what had happened.

I was pushed into that place. At first, it was very dark, then there was a huge fire. I didn’t feel anything, just watched from the air as my body was slowly burned to ashes. The adults said this was cremated remains. At that time, the little ghost didn’t even know what death was.

All I knew was that when I called for my mom and dad, no one would answer me anymore.

Later, I was taken home. Dad put me into a jar, and I slept for a long, long time.

When I woke up again, I saw my younger brother. He was just a tiny little thing. Dad took out a bit of my ashes and put them into a bear-shaped pendant for my brother to wear. From then on, I stayed with him.

Little Qi Wu stared at the bear pendant: “Can Qi Wu touch it?”

“Sure.”

Zhang Siqing only treated it as a necklace. His parents had only told him not to take it off, but they hadn’t said he couldn’t touch it.

Little Qi Wu reached out and touched it. Her King of Hell Seal imprinted on it, and then she sensed that the ghostly aura was becoming restless. Some of the aura even drifted to another spot.

She turned her head.

“There’s more!” The little ghost also pointed to the area by the bed in the room. “There’s more over there!”

Little Qi Wu withdrew her hand and asked Zhang Siqing, “Can Qi Wu look over there?”

Zhang Siqing nodded.

Little Qi Wu walked over to the bed. The little ghost said, “Open it.”

Little Qi Wu first got Zhang Siqing’s permission. Zhang Siqing said, “But we can’t open it. It’s too heavy. I’ll call Dad.”

But that bad dad wouldn’t open it!

Little Qi Wu said firmly, “Qi Wu can open it. Qi Wu is very strong!”

The children’s bed was easy to climb onto. Little Qi Wu quickly climbed up, moved the pillow aside, and stared seriously at the panel.

[Wait, why is she suddenly about to dismantle the house? Isn’t it a bit much to go rummaging through someone’s bed?]

[Qi Wu asked for permission, didn’t she?]

[I feel like I missed something. Why is this so sudden?]

[Better call an adult. The headboard is really hard to open. Even I, as an adult, have to struggle with it for a while.]

[She looks so serious. This is dangerous, these two little kids.]

Of course, Little Qi Wu was serious. She was helping the little ghost and Zhang Siqing. Judge Dad had said that doing good deeds like this would earn her Karma.

As Little Qi Wu grew up, she had to help ghosts and people with many things. This was a sign of her growing up!

She wanted Judge Dad and Grandma Meng Po to see that she could actually do something.

Thinking this, she placed one hand on the headboard and, following the little ghost’s instructions, pulled it forward.

With a *snap*, the headboard opened. Little Qi Wu effortlessly lifted the panel and hooked it onto the side.

[…]

[What just happened? Did she do that with one hand? Am I seeing this right?]

[From the sound, I thought it was heavy, but it’s actually plastic?]

[It doesn’t seem like plastic, but why was it so easy? Did I buy a knockoff for my house?]

In the footage, Little Qi Wu didn’t pay attention to any of that. She poked her little head inside and indeed found a small box. Since she had already imprinted the King of Hell Seal on the ashes, she could recognize anything related to this ghost.

She took out the box.

Zhang Siqing asked, “What’s this?”

“This is…”

Before Little Qi Wu could finish, the door opened, and Zhu Qing walked in. “Si Qing, Mom cut some fruit for you and Qi Wu. Come and eat.”

As soon as she entered, she noticed that the two children were no longer in their original positions. Turning her head, she saw one standing by the bed and the other sitting on it, holding a wooden box, while the head of the bed had been opened.

The fruit plate in her hand fell to the ground with a crash, and her lips instantly turned pale. Zhu Qing’s voice trembled, “What are you holding?”

Little Qi Wu was startled by her expression, but what followed was the overwhelming sense of unease and pain emanating from this mother, all of which crashed down on Little Qi Wu: “Auntie…”

Zhu Qing took a few steps forward, snatched the box from her hands, and shouted hoarsely, “Who told you to touch this? Who told you to touch it!”

Little Qi Wu was stunned by the yelling, sitting on the bed and pursing her lips, “But you shouldn’t keep this, it’s not good.”

“Who are you to say it’s not good!” Zhu Qing hugged the wooden box and scolded, “Please leave my house with your dad immediately!”

[This is the first time I’ve seen the Goddess lose her temper like this. Little Qi Wu really made a mistake this time; you can’t just touch other people’s things.]

[But didn’t Zhang Siqing allow it? Little Qi Wu didn’t expect it to turn out like this.]

[Well, kids don’t know any better. They don’t understand that they shouldn’t touch things in someone else’s room. Little Qi Wu must be feeling really bad.]

“Auntie, don’t be sad,” Little Qi Wu stood up, “Qi Wu just wanted to help Si Qing. Si Qing has already been affected.”

“You help, you…” Zhu Qing paused after speaking, realizing what Qi Wu had said, “What did you say?”

At that moment, Su Wen and Zhang Yuan, hearing the commotion, rushed in. Su Wen also heard Zhu Qing’s voice. Frowning, he quickly stepped forward and picked up the Little King of Hell from the bed, “Are you okay?”

Little Qi Wu shook her head, hugging his neck, “Dad, the box…”

Zhang Yuan hadn’t expected the two children to open the head of the bed, let alone take out the box directly. He was so angry that his face turned red and his neck thickened, “Is this how your family raises children? Just rummaging through other people’s homes and taking their things?!”

“Dad, Qi Wu didn’t,” Little Qi Wu explained, “Qi Wu asked Si Qing.”

Zhang Siqing also said, “Dad, I told her she could take it. Is this thing not supposed to be taken? Then why is it in my room?”

“What do you know!” Zhang Yuan yelled at him, “Zhang Siqing, look at the mess you’ve made today! You can’t even practice the piano properly, and now you can’t even manage your own home! I’ll deal with you later.”

Zhang Siqing shrank his shoulders; it was already his instinctive reaction.

[Is this really the usually calm Zhang Yuan?]

【This thing seems really important. Since it’s so important, why keep it in the child’s room? Wouldn’t it be better to lock it in a safe?】

【Yeah, judging by the child’s reaction, she didn’t even know this thing was in her room.】

【What I’m concerned about is that Zhang Yuan’s outburst at the child doesn’t seem like it’s the first time.】

【She’s not playing the piano well? She’s only three years old, isn’t this level expected?】

【Is there a script? If not, I’m getting excited. Is this a live broadcast mishap?】

Zhang Yuan couldn’t care less at this point and immediately snatched the box from Zhu Qing. He had a gut feeling that this matter wasn’t simple. How could it be such a coincidence that this father and daughter mentioned the brother, then the altar, and now they’ve found this box? His guilt outweighed his anger, and he immediately said, “Please leave now!”

Little Qi Wu was initially feeling sorry for Zhang Siqing’s mother, but now, facing her father, she didn’t feel that way anymore. She said unhappily, “You’re a bad dad, bad dads do bad things, don’t yell at my dad!”

“You!”

Just as Zhang Yuan was about to say something, Su Wen interrupted him. Su Wen pressed the Little King of Hell’s head against his chest and said coldly, “Zhang Yuan.”

Just two words, not loud, but Zhang Yuan was stunned, his emotions subdued, and he swallowed his words.

Su Wen’s gaze swept over the wooden box in Zhang Yuan’s hand: “Weren’t you going to offer incense to the King of Hell? Now’s the time.”

Zhang Yuan and Zhu Qing both trembled, immediately understanding his implication. He knew, he really knew.

Zhang Yuan avoided eye contact: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

But he had completely lost the arrogance he had when he yelled at Qi Wu.

Su Wen said unhurriedly, “If you can’t distinguish right from wrong, no amount of luck can save you.”

【??? Is there anyone studying Chinese here? What does this mean, can someone explain?】

【I’m a Chinese literature graduate student, and even I don’t understand this.】

【Although people don’t understand, Zhang Yuan is clearly guilty!】

Su Wen continued, “Apologize to Qi Wu.”

Zhang Yuan was unwilling to apologize, he sneered, but Su Wen just said one thing: “She should be six years old.”

“…”

“I’m sorry.” Zhu Qing was the first to speak. Her emotions had calmed down from before. It seemed that ever since Little Qi Wu said they were here to help, she had been distracted. But now she suddenly apologized, surprising everyone.

Zhu Qing looked at Qi Wu and said again, “I’m sorry, Qi Wu. Auntie was wrong, I shouldn’t have yelled at you.”

Zhang Yuan was furious and growled, “What are you doing!”

“Zhang Yuan, I was wrong, we were really wrong.” Zhu Qing’s words were somewhat incoherent, “We can’t go on like this.”

She looked earnestly at Su Wen and Qi Wu: “Mr. Su, Qi Wu, I was wrong. Please, please help me, help the child.”

【This twist, I can’t keep up ahhhhh】

【Could there really be a love child, but it can’t be exposed?】

【Expose it! What can’t I handle in today’s entertainment industry!】

【Zhang Yuan is panicking, Zhang Yuan is panicking.】

As Zhu Qing spoke, she tried to snatch the box from Zhang Yuan’s hands, but Zhang Yuan wouldn’t let go, and the two of them struggled over it.

Su Wen just glanced at them, and suddenly the box fell from their hands to the ground, opening up.

Inside was a jar, a set of clothes, and a half-exposed piece of paper with a paper effigy.

【???】

【What is this? It feels a bit creepy.】

【Damn, a paper effigy! Putting a paper effigy at the child’s bedside? Zhang Yuan and his wife have gone crazy!】

At this moment, the production team received a call from the Special Incident Handling Office, stating that they had arrived at the film emperor’s house and advised the production team to prepare emergency measures.

Although the show had a mysticism label, if things got serious, the production team would still consider the impact and wouldn’t actually let everyone see a ghost. Upon receiving the call, they realized the situation was not simple, so they immediately switched the live broadcast back to the Temple of the King of Hell.

At this time, the Temple of the King of Hell appeared on screen, with familiar shots, familiar dogs, and familiar bows.

A few large characters appeared on the screen: “Program emergency situation, emergency handling, everyone please calm down and do not get excited.”

【…Production team, are you playing with fire?】

【I’m coming over with my forty-meter saber to cut you back!】

【Looks like this is a big deal, and it can’t be broadcast?】

Meanwhile, the trending topic was dominated by #ZhangYuanIllegitimateChild#.

While it couldn’t be broadcast in the show, the director team could still watch it. The staff were dying of curiosity, all of whom had signed confidentiality agreements, and they gathered at Zhang Yuan’s place to watch.

After Zhu Qing’s request, Su Wen did not respond, and at that moment, the doorbell rang.

Someone was knocking at the door, and Zhang Yuan was eager to take this opportunity to quickly send these two big Buddhas away.

However, when he opened the door, he found several people in black clothes standing at his doorstep, with party emblems on their chests. Which agency were they from?

Zhang Yuan’s eyelids twitched: “May I ask what you need?”

Lin Dingqi took out his work ID: “Mr. Zhang Yuan, right? We have received a report from our unit’s specially appointed instructor that someone in your household is engaged in illegal ghost-raising activities. We are now conducting a legal investigation against you.”

Zhang Yuan: “??”

Wait a minute? What is this?

If it weren’t for the fact that they really had something in the house, he would have kicked them out already. He feigned calmness and hid the box behind him: “What are you talking about? Illegal? By what law?”

Lin Dingqi turned his head, and a staff member behind him took out a piece of paper: “The National Ghost Protection Law.”

In black and white, with a big red stamp, it was dead serious.

Zhang Yuan: “I’ve never heard of this. If you don’t leave, I’m going to call the police.”

Lin Dingqi was not in a hurry; instead, he stepped aside a little, and a person in police uniform walked up behind him, taking out a badge. It was a police officer’s badge.

He even asked kindly, “Are you talking about me?”

Zhang Yuan: “…You guys…”

Lin Dingqi smiled slightly: “We’re professionals, specifically dealing with people like you.”

“Please let us in, or we will have to take strong measures.”

Zhang Yuan gritted his teeth, refusing to let them in, but how could he stand against these few people? They didn’t even use much force; with just a gentle push, he felt paralyzed and couldn’t move at all, only able to watch as they entered with a search warrant.

By the time he reacted, they had already gone upstairs. Zhang Yuan hurriedly chased after them: “Wait, who is the specially appointed instructor you mentioned?”

Lin Dingqi had already reached the door of the room, pointing inside at Su Wen: “Mr. Su Wen, our unit’s specially appointed instructor, very impressive, you know.”

Zhang Yuan was almost so angry he could explode, thinking, “Oh! You’re really playing cute!”

The relationship was good, and they had personally invited them into their home.

As soon as Lin Dingqi and a few staff members entered, they greeted Su Wen and Qi Wu: “Good afternoon, Mr. Su, Qi Wu.”

If it weren’t for the prior agreement not to make a big scene, these people could have knelt down and kowtowed on the spot.

Su Wen: “Hmm.”

Little Qi Wu smiled with her eyes curved: “Hello, Uncle Lin.”

Being called “Uncle” by the Little King of Hell, Lin Dingqi felt like he was floating: “Hello, hello. It’s our negligence to have troubled you to come here personally.”

Zhang Yuan and Zhu Qing were stunned by the respectful address. An adult addressing a child as “you”?

Lin Dingqi glanced around the room and then at the box on the floor, immediately understanding the situation. People in their special profession had some skills, and the ability to see ghosts was a basic requirement.

Those who couldn’t see ghosts weren’t qualified to join their unit.

Zhang Yuan asked angrily, “Su Wen, they said you reported us. What does that mean?”

“Exactly what it means,” Su Wen replied, holding the Little King of Hell. Since the unit’s people had arrived, it meant the show had been handled. He then said, “You handle it.”

Lin Dingqi: “Alright.”

He raised his hand: “Zhang Yuan, be honest, and we’ll try to give you leniency.”

Everything that had happened was too bizarre for Zhang Yuan to speak; he remained silent.

“I’ll speak! I’ll speak!” The little ghost raised his hand, looking at the hat-wearing police officer. “Police Uncle, I’ll speak!”

His original body had been found, so he could temporarily jump onto the box containing himself. After jumping down, his form grew larger, resembling an ordinary child. However, as soon as he jumped down, Zhang Siqing suddenly collapsed to the ground.

Zhu Qing screamed and immediately rushed to pick up the child: “Siqing!”

Su Wen: “The karma of good and evil, this is the fruit you’ve reaped.”

Zhu Qing looked up, sobbing uncontrollably: “Mr. Su, please save the child, I beg you!”

Su Wen still remembered how she had yelled at the Little King of Hell earlier and found her utterly displeasing. Holding a grudge, he deliberately remained silent, holding the Little King of Hell to scare them.

Little Qi Wu sensed that Judge Dad was angry and actively hugged his neck, nuzzling to comfort him.

The little ghost was still eagerly calling out: “Police Uncle, look at me!”

Police Uncle?

Little Qi Wu tilted her head to look. So this was the Police Uncle. Driver Uncle had said that Police Uncles were like Judge Dad, maintaining peace in the Human Realm. She immediately felt a deep respect for this police officer.

The police officer assisting in the case, although from a special department, couldn’t see ghosts. They usually dealt with humans, so they couldn’t hear.

Lin Dingji then pointed at the little ghost: “Alright, you speak. First, what’s your name?”

The little ghost: “My name is Zhang Siqing!”

Little Qi Wu was puzzled: “You’re Zhang Siqing? Then who is Zhang Siqing? Are there two Zhang Siqings?”

The little ghost Zhang Siqing, having found his original body, could now walk onto the box and floated as he spoke: “Yes! We both have this name!”

Zhu Qing looked at Qi Wu in shock as she spoke to the air: “Who… who are you talking to?”

Little Qi Wu: “Zhang Siqing. Oh no, is this Brother Zhang Siqing?”

Zhu Qing, still sitting on the ground, murmured after hearing this: “Siqing, Siqing… my Siqing.”

Zhang Yuan also looked at Little Qi Wu in disbelief: “You can see it?”

Seeing that the uncles had arrived, Little Qi Wu knew she could speak now, because the uncles had a different status, as Dad had told her. She nodded to the police officer and said, “Qi Wu can see it. Police Uncle, Qi Wu saw Da Zhang Siqing sitting on Xiao Zhang Siqing’s shoulder at the kindergarten.”

Zhang Yuan staggered. No wonder, no wonder…

No wonder Su Wen had been indifferent to him from the start and had said such things.

Little Qi Wu frowned: “Da Zhang Siqing said, this is a bad Dad, and he won’t let him go!”

Zhu Qing asked in a daze, “Did he really say that?”

“Yes!”

Lin Dingqi: “Alright, Da Zhang Siqing, you continue.”

Da Zhang Siqing finally gained a bit of freedom. He looked at his clothes and ashes in the box, along with the paper effigy: “After I woke up, I was on my brother.”

“Dad locked me in the box, only allowing me to be on my brother, and I couldn’t go anywhere.”

“He never gave me any food either, and I was so angry, but I couldn’t hurt my brother.”

Although he thought this way and managed to control himself, the longer he stayed on Xiao Zhang Siqing, the more he influenced him, which was why Xiao Zhang Siqing’s piano playing was interrupted.

“Even though you wouldn’t hurt your brother, you are still a ghost, and the ghostly aura on you is getting stronger. You will drain your brother’s life.”

Da Zhang Siqing anxiously said, “But I haven’t!”

Lin Dingqi: “You’re still young now, but in the future, you won’t be able to control it.”

Da Zhang Siqing hung his head: “I know, so I’ve always wanted to leave.”

Lin Dingqi picked up the items on the ground, looking at the paper effigy with Da Zhang Siqing’s birth date and name written on it, along with a talisman: “So you want to leave, but you can’t, right?”

“Right.”

Lin Dingqi sternly questioned Zhang Yuan: “Your son said it himself, it’s you who won’t let him leave. What else do you have to say for yourself?”

“This talisman is a soul-locking talisman, the ashes, the clothes—you’ve locked your own son up like this. Do you have any conscience?!”

At this moment, the evidence-collecting staff returned: “What’s downstairs isn’t an altar, but a ghost offering platform. However, there’s no ghost being offered to, but a ghost-locking formation. You’ve gone all out against your own child, determined not to let him reincarnate.”

“Raising a ghost but not offering to it, the bigger he grows, who else would he affect but your son?” Lin Dingqi snorted coldly, “Moreover, why place the little ghost on your younger son? Clearly, it was you who wanted to raise it.”

Zhu Qing looked at her husband in a daze: “That’s not what you told me.”

Zhang Yuan angrily said, “They’re lying! These people are all frauds!”

“Zhang Yuan, you’re still lying to me.” Zhu Qing placed the child on the bed, walked up to Zhang Yuan, and said in disbelief, “They’ve already said this much, and you’re still lying to me. What did you tell me? You said keeping him would let him stay with us, grow up with us, and wouldn’t affect anyone. You lied to me?”

Lin Dingqi frowned: “You agreed to him raising a little ghost without knowing anything?”

Now, for the sake of her younger son, Zhu Qing didn’t care anymore: “Because he said, a son should be with a son, to have a companion, so our eldest son would always bless us.”

Lin Dingqi found it absurd: “He says it and you believe him? You’d rather have blessings than ensure your child’s peaceful Reincarnation? Can you still call yourself a mother?”

Zhu Qing wiped away her tears and said bitterly, “He understands this, I don’t.”

“But what mother doesn’t love her own son? I love him…”

“I just didn’t want him to leave!”

Lin Dingqi asked, “Using this method?”

Zhu Qing nodded, “Yes.”

“When he was born, he was so tiny. I willingly put my career aside for him, wanting to watch him grow up. But then he fell ill. I sought out so many doctors, yet I couldn’t save him.” She hugged her head, crouching in the corner. “He cried every night, and it broke my heart, but there was nothing I could do.”

“That day, I went to see the doctor, and when I came back, he had fallen off the bed and stopped breathing.” Zhu Qing fell into the memory, looking as if she was in great pain. “He was so small. I shouldn’t have left. I shouldn’t have left him alone. I’m not a good mother. I couldn’t save him. I killed him.”

“During that time, I was in a daze. Zhang Yuan said we could let the child stay with me, so we brought his ashes home and set up an altar in the house. He said this way, the child could stay with me, and I could recover my health. We could have another child.” Zhu Qing lowered her head, her voice soft. “Later, I did seem to get better, as if I could really feel the child staying with me.”

“I thought it was a good method, until we had our second child, whom we also named Siqing.”

“Zhang Yuan gave the ashes of the first child to Siqing, placing them in Siqing’s room, saying that this way, the two children could grow up together. And from then on, our family seemed to get better and better.”

“But as Siqing grew up, he spoke less and less. I often felt like he was always in a daze, and his complexion often looked poor.”

“I thought it was because of the first child, so I wanted to send him away.” Zhu Qing looked at Zhang Yuan. “But he said we couldn’t send him away, that if we did, the older child would get angry and harm our family.”

At this point, Zhu Qing stopped speaking.

Those who heard this all sighed.

Little Qi Wu finally understood why this mother was so heartbroken—she thought she had caused her child’s death.

Lin Dingqi accused, “How could you be so cruel? These are your own children! And you deceived your own family?!”

Zhang Yuan’s face turned pale with anger. “I was only thinking about the family! Was I wrong? Without me, where would we be today?”

“Nonsense! So many successful people, and you’re the only one taking the wrong path!” Lin Dingqi scolded him for being heartless, then said, “Now that we have both human and ghost witnesses, what else can you deny? Come with us!”

Zhang Yuan clenched his fists, thinking, what kind of protection law is this? They can’t do anything to me.

Little Qi Wu asked softly, “What punishment will this bad dad receive?”

Lin Dingqi hesitated. “Sir, all we can do is give him some ideological education and a fine. We can’t do much else.”

Su Wen said, “It will be recorded in the Book of Life and Death. Forcing the raising of ghosts will also bring backlash upon him.”

Right! The Book of Life and Death!

Little Qi Wu took out the Book of Life and Death from her small backpack. Based on the birth characters of the figurine, she found Zhang Siqing’s name. She still needed to send Zhang Siqing to the Underworld.

When she placed her finger on the Book of Life and Death, her eyes widened slightly.

She stared at Zhang Yuan in shock. “Zhang Siqing didn’t die of illness.”

Zhang Yuan turned his head abruptly.

Zhu Qing also stood up, leaning against the wall. “What did you say?”

“Zhang Siqing…” Little Qi Wu’s hand left the Book of Life and Death, her gaze falling upon Zhang Yuan.

She couldn’t understand why the generals she had seen earlier were killing enemies on the battlefield to protect their homeland and families, while some people would lay their hands on their own children.

Little Qi Wu pointed at Zhang Yuan: “It’s him.”

Zhang Yuan was truly panicked this time: “You’re lying!”

Little Qi Wu shook her head, tightly hugging Judge Dad. Su Wen also sensed something was amiss. He took the Book of Life and Death and looked at it, his expression turning even colder: “Zhang Siqing, died of suffocation, man-made.”

“Are you even human?!” Lin Dingqi’s anger surged, and he grabbed Zhang Yuan by the collar, “How could you lay a hand on your own child?!”

Zhang Yuan tried to resist but was pinned to the ground by the police. He struggled and said, “You believe whatever these two say? Show me the evidence!”

Lin Dingqi looked at him as if he were a dead fish and kicked him again: “Do you even know who these two are, to dare speak like that?”

“You public officials are assaulting civilians!”

Lin Dingqi sneered: “Ask them who saw it?”

The others all shook their heads, pretending not to see, and even without looking at the ground, they each gave Zhang Yuan a kick.

Su Wen slowly walked up to Zhang Yuan: “No rush. Soon enough, you’ll meet us elsewhere, and then you’ll know who we are.”

Zhu Qing had been digesting this fact all along. She couldn’t believe that her child hadn’t died of illness: “Zhang Yuan, is what they’re saying true?”

“No!” Zhang Yuan shook his head, “Let me explain.”

Zhu Qing: “Alright, explain.”

Zhang Yuan suddenly choked up. He closed his eyes: “I really wouldn’t kill him. He’s my child too!”

“It was him!” Da Zhang Siqing seemed to suddenly remember something, jumping up and down on his own urn, stammering, “It was him! I couldn’t breathe, I said I was going to die, and he said, ‘You’re going to die sooner or later, might as well accumulate some blessings for Mom and Dad.'”

Everyone present was furious upon hearing this.

Qi Wu, who was usually accustomed to life and death and had an exceptionally good temper, was so angry that her little face turned red. She shouted in a childish voice, “Zhang Yuan, you have the audacity!”

This shout stunned everyone present. The voice had a strong penetrating quality, carrying an inexplicable power that made people want to submit.

Lin Dingqi, for some reason, was also stunned by the shout and muttered, “The Lord actually knows idioms.”

Little Qi Wu had learned all this from the great Ghosts and Gods. Whenever a ghost did something wrong, they would shout like this.

She angrily went to her dad: “Dad, send him to the Eighteen Levels of Hell!”

Su Wen nodded: “Zhang Yuan, killing one’s own blood relative is a punishable crime.”

“You can’t escape while alive,” the police officer beside him added, “According to our country’s constitution, you are now under arrest for intentional homicide.”

Lin Dingqi: “According to the Ghost Protection Law, our unit will also arrest you.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?!” Zhang Yuan shook his head, “I already said I didn’t do it! Show me the evidence!”

As soon as he finished speaking, a Netherwind blew past. Su Wen, dressed in red robes and a brocade crown, holding the Judge’s jade brush, called out in a deep voice, “Zhang Siqing.”

The ghostly soul of Zhang Siqing floated up: “Here.”

For some reason, those present who couldn’t see ghosts also heard the voice. Zhu Qing and Zhang Yuan froze in place.

Su Wen: “You were killed by your own father, do you remember?”

Da Zhang Siqing: “Yes.”

He recalled, trembling as he spoke, “He pulled out the tube. He said I was going to die sooner or later. I fell to the ground, calling him ‘Dad,’ but he left.”

Though he had been raising ghosts, he was still a mortal after all. He had never encountered such a scene before—ghosts and gods, and the voice of his own son whom he had killed with his own hands. It drove him to the brink of insanity.

Su Wen glanced over and asked, “Zhang Yuan, do you admit it now?”

Zhang Yuan stammered, “I… I admit it.”

Zhu Qing covered her mouth, stood up, and ran to him, crying as she tugged at his hair and clothes. “Why did you do it? That was my child, my child! I worked so hard to save him, to keep him alive! Why did you do this to him?”

Zhang Yuan lay on the ground like a soulless shell, shouting, “We did so much for him! The doctors said there was no hope! It was you who kept insisting on prolonging his life!”

“If he was going to die anyway, why not let him die sooner? At least in death, he could have been of some use to us! What did I do wrong? I set him free! I helped this family get back on track!”

Zhu Qing screamed hoarsely, “Zhang Yuan, I’ll fight you to the death! You’re not human!”

Lin Dingqi signaled the staff to separate the two. “Enough of this commotion. Clean this up and take them away.”

He then turned to Su Wen and asked, “Lord, how should we handle this man now?”

“Do as you should,” Su Wen replied, lowering his gaze. He opened the Book of Life and Death, and with a jade brush in hand, he wrote, “Zhang Yuan, recorded in the Book of Life and Death. After death, he shall be sentenced to the Eighteen Levels of Hell and reincarnated into the Animal Realm.”

Lin Dingqi’s eyes widened. So this was the Book of Life and Death? Why couldn’t he see any words on it?

Then he watched as the Judge finished writing in the book and stuffed it back into the little rabbit backpack, which was then handed to the Little King of Hell to hold.

Wow, that rabbit backpack must hold some profound secrets.

Zhang Yuan was taken away by the police and a staff member, while Zhu Qing grabbed the hem of Su Wen’s robe. “Are you a god? Can you let me see him?”

Su Wen glanced at the little ghost beside him. “No.”

Zhu Qing pleaded, “Why? I heard his voice. I heard it. I just want to see my child, nothing more.”

Su Wen replied, “The living and the dead are separate. Your bond ends here.”

Little Zhang Siqing had died at a young age, and his memories were hazy. If it weren’t for the ghostly divine power aiding him, he wouldn’t have been able to recall what had happened.

Back then, in his eyes, there was only the instinctive dependence on his parents. He had a father and mother, but later, when he was locked away, even that was taken from him.

Only when he saw his mother crying on the ground did he vaguely remember that his mother used to cry like this, always kneeling by his bed in tears.

Hesitantly, he walked over to his mother and, as if he had done it many times before, hugged her. “Mom, don’t cry. I’m not in pain.”

Su Wen made no attempt to stop this. Zhu Qing, however, froze, staring at the empty air in front of her as if summoning all her strength. “Siqing, my Siqing. Mom is sorry. It’s my fault. I didn’t protect you.”

Da Zhang Siqing said, “Then Mom, you have to be good to my little brother from now on.”

“Little brother doesn’t like playing the piano. He wants to play with other kids, and he wants to eat snacks. He’s a good boy.”

“Okay, okay!”

Da Zhang Siqing hugged her once more before letting go. “Goodbye, Mom.”

Zhu Qing reached out, frantically grasping at the air, but she caught nothing. Her hands passed right through her child’s form.

Lin Dingqi didn’t know what to do now. Holding the urn of Da Zhang Siqing, he asked for guidance, “Lord?”

Su Wen had already changed back into his original clothes, “Let’s go.”

Zhu Qing looked up, “Immortal Lord, my youngest son…”

Su Wen replied, “He’s asleep.”

The reason he hadn’t mentioned it earlier was to scare her a bit, making her act harshly towards the Little King of Hell.

Little Qi Wu thought for a moment, then took some candies from her backpack and placed them in the room. Soon, the room was empty except for the mother and son.

As they left and were on their way back to the temple, Lin Dingqi asked worriedly, “That person saw your Dharma Body, is that okay?”

Su Wen said indifferently, “He won’t remember when he wakes up.”

He was curious about something else, “What is this Ghost Protection Law you mentioned?”

Lin Dingqi explained, “Well, some people, thinking they know a bit about the Dao, often bully ghosts. Some even use ghosts to do bad things. Our department has received many reports from ghosts, so we drafted a Ghost Protection Law to safeguard their basic rights.”

Having already encountered a bad person, Little Qi Wu nodded vigorously in her dad’s arms, “Yes, yes, yes, some people are even worse than ghosts!”

“Ghosts also need to protect their safety!”

When they arrived at the temple, since Da Zhang Siqing was already free, he didn’t need to be taken away and stayed at the temple waiting for the Impermanence Envoys to take him to the Underworld.

The viewers in the live stream had been watching the dog bow for a long time and finally saw people, getting all excited.

【Ahhh, finally seeing people, I can’t believe I’ve been waiting here all this time!】

【What happened, why is there an extra person? Isn’t that the guy from the Poverty Alleviation Office this morning? Why is he holding that box?】

After Lin Dingqi put down the ghost and the urn, he eagerly said, “Mr. Su, everything inside is ready. Would you like to go in and take a look?”

“Mm,” Su Wen and Qi Wu walked into the temple to see their new home.

Compared to before, it wasn’t as empty anymore, with a more technological feel, including an air conditioner, making the rooms quite cool.

Su Wen said sincerely, “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it, don’t mention it,” Lin Dingqi said, “I noticed you’re quite concerned about food, so the kitchen is all set up too, with plenty of meat and vegetables, all nutritionally balanced.”

“Good.”

Lin Dingqi went out to burn some incense before leaving. Su Wen took his phone and walked into the small kitchen, while Little Qi Wu sat outside playing with Da Zhang Siqing.

She burned some incense to comfort him, “Don’t be sad.”

Da Zhang Siqing had died young and didn’t have many emotions, but he knew his father didn’t want him, so he responded gloomily.

“The bad dad has already been taken away by the Police Uncle,” Little Qi Wu said, burning his clothes as well, “From now on, Ben Wang will bless you.”

【Why is Qi Wu burning this? Is it okay to just burn it like that?】

【She’s the Temple Keeper, burning clothes is a way to guide the souls of the deceased.】

【Nonsense, you believe whatever they say.】

【I’m just curious, this box came from Actor Zhang’s house, why is it being burned here? The live stream over there is off, what exactly happened?】

【Sisters, go check the hot search!】

The netizens hurried to check the hot search, never expecting to see this time:

#Zhang Yuan Taken Away by Police#

【Wow, impressive my Little King of Hell, could it be that she noticed something, so the live stream was turned off?】

【I knew it! Su Wen wouldn’t be so cold to someone without a reason!】

Little Qi Wu, unaware of the uproar on the internet, was busy amusing the ghost. She had already taken out her milk: “Ben Wang will share some milk with you. It’s really delicious. How about I sing you a song too?”

“Bridge of Helplessness, Bridge of Helplessness, walk and walk, it won’t sway. Brave ghosts aren’t afraid, happily crossing the bridge.”

Da Zhang Siqing couldn’t help but laugh: “I’ve heard my brother sing it, but it’s not like that.”

Little Qi Wu said, “Ben Wang specially learned it this way. The ghosts in The Underworld love it. You’re going to The Underworld, so you’ll hear it there too!”

Da Zhang Siqing pursed her lips: “I haven’t even been to kindergarten yet, and now I’m going to The Underworld.”

Little Qi Wu thought for a moment and said, “Many ghosts in The Underworld haven’t been to kindergarten either.”

Thinking about it, she suddenly felt that this wasn’t very good. It would be great if everyone could go to kindergarten and learn.

Little Qi Wu asked, “Do you really want to go?”

“Yes! I could learn and play with other kids!”

Little Qi Wu nodded: “Ben Wang understands. Ben Wang will talk to Meng Po and the others! Don’t worry!”

As soon as she finished speaking, there was a loud bang in the room, startling the two little ones.

Di Ting ran out of the temple, barking like a dog.

But to Little Qi Wu’s ears, it sounded like: “Lord Yama, something terrible has happened! The Judge has blown himself up!”