Chapter 6

The program crew’s concerns about the camera’s battery life were unfounded, but as they entered the temple, everyone had the same thought: What era is this house from? The living quarters in the small courtyard behind the temple had nothing but a light bulb, with no other household appliances in sight. The layout of the entire house was so small that one could take it all in with a single glance.

On the simple, old wooden table and chairs were placed some fruits and ceramic teacups. On another table against the wall were some toiletries, what looked like newly bought clothes, and incense and paper money for offerings.

That was all there was.

The only valuable items might be the bedding on the wooden bed—there was a lot of it, and it looked extremely soft, with exquisite embroidery on the covers. However, the set of bedding seemed to be from an unknown era, with its bright red and purple colors.

Huang Peng almost thought he had transmigrated.

His feelings were truly complicated: “You live in a place like this?”

The big one, the little one, and the dog all nodded in unison.

Su Wen first placed Little Yan Wang on a chair, then straightened up and calmly said, “We don’t have extra chairs at home, so you…”

Before he could finish, the others shook their heads in unison: “No, no, we won’t sit.”

They were afraid of sitting somewhere and causing it to collapse.

This was just ridiculously unbelievable!

Huang Peng and Li Ke were old partners, having filmed variety shows for many years and seen all kinds of scenes, but even rural variety shows weren’t filmed like this.

Even a thief would leave his wallet here in tears.

But because of this, the two became even more convinced of their earlier speculation that this father and daughter were trying to stir up publicity. It was one thing for an adult to seek attention, but this child…

They looked over and saw that Little Qi Wu, sitting on the chair, didn’t seem unhappy at all. She was still interacting with the Border Collie, looking as if everything was peaceful and serene.

Such a cute and innocent child! How could she be used for publicity at such a young age!

Li Ke disapprovingly said, “The clothes you two are wearing must be worth a lot of money, and you both look so delicate and fair-skinned. It’s obvious you haven’t been living here long. The audience will have negative suspicions about you. You should go back to where you came from to film.”

Where they came from? That would be the Underworld.

Little Qi Wu looked up: “But you can’t go there.”

Li Ke: “Why can’t we go?”

Little Qi Wu blinked: “Because you’re very healthy people.”

If you’re not ghosts, you can’t go to the Underworld.

Li Ke: “?”

What kind of place can’t healthy people go to? A hospital?

Su Wen didn’t know that filming a show would involve so many complications. This was the only place he and Little Yan Wang had to stay in the Human Realm—it was the Temple of the King of Hell, and there was no one around. It was better here than anywhere else.

His voice was somewhat indifferent: “We only live here.”

“The clothes have been passed down in the temple.”

Well, the Dharma robes had been worn in the Underworld for thousands of years, so they could be considered passed down.

He continued, “Living here, under the protection of Lord Yama, we are safe, peaceful, and healthy. Is there a problem with how we’ve grown up?”

His words were very logical, and there was nothing wrong with them, but they still felt a bit strange.

Huang Peng was about to speak when he saw Su Wen walk over to Little Qi Wu, stand behind her, and slightly lift his eyelids to look at everyone.

“As for suspicions and doubts, they’re all baseless. What does it have to do with us?”

He was exceptionally tall, with pitch-black pupils that, when they gazed upon someone, exuded an overwhelming sense of pressure—a kind of intangible force that only those in high positions could naturally impose.

This immediately dampened the crowd’s eagerness to ask more questions.

It was all very strange. Huang Peng scrutinized him and ventured, “May I ask where you used to live?”

Tired of the incessant questioning, Su Wen replied offhandedly, “Between heaven and earth.”

Everyone fell silent.

Could it be… they were homeless?

But Su Wen had no intention of elaborating. “Any more questions?”

Huang Peng felt that nothing more could be gleaned from them. They didn’t admit to seeking publicity, and their claim of living “between heaven and earth” was baffling—no money for a phone, living in such a place as a temple keeper.

Previously, they had lived in a place only for those in poor health.

Could it be that they were truly homeless, finally finding refuge in this remote corner? It seemed impolite to delve deeper into their apparent destitution.

So, after some consideration, they decided not to press the matter further.

However, there was still one question Li Ke needed to clarify: “What about Qi Wu’s mother? Will she appear later? We need to know in advance.”

Mother?

This was a term Little Qi Wu hadn’t encountered before. After all, in the Underworld, she spent most of her time with Meng Po and the City God.

Curious, she asked, “What is a mother?”

Li Ke was stunned.

So, it was a single-parent family! Yesterday, he had been so preoccupied with their striking appearances that he had forgotten to ask!

His gaze towards the seemingly homeless father and daughter grew even more sympathetic.

Su Wen first answered the Little King of Hell’s question: “Every new life that is reincarnated is born from a mother’s womb. The mother carries the child for ten months, gives birth, and they become a family.”

Huang Peng interjected, “That’s too complicated for a child to understand…”

“Ah, I see,” Little Qi Wu nodded, then added, “But Qi Wu doesn’t have a mother. Qi Wu is from between heaven and earth.”

She knew she was born from the spiritual energy of nature.

Huang Peng thought to himself: You two really know how to keep up the theme of “between heaven and earth.”

Su Wen simply said, “Yes.”

Then, addressing the production team, he added, “There will be no mother.”

Seeing how the two avoided discussing Qi Wu’s mother, everyone suspected that the mother had abandoned them, so they refrained from asking further.

Li Ke felt mentally exhausted today and waved his hand. “Forget it. Let’s start recording the interview. Just briefly introduce yourselves and why you’re joining the show. Say whatever comes to mind.”

Su Wen bent down and asked, “Shall Qi Wu go first?”

Little Qi Wu swung her legs and said, “Okay.”

This scene struck the director and producer as peculiar.

They could tell that Su Wen carried an air of pride, which made them think he was no ordinary man. He always stood straight when speaking to anyone, and his natural aura was impossible to fake.

Yet, every time he interacted with his child, he always prioritized her, bending down to seek her opinion.

It was as if his pride was smoothed away in those moments.

However, what was strange was that the dynamic between the two didn’t quite resemble that of a father and daughter. It felt more like a superior-subordinate relationship, where one showed respect to the other.

Soon, the interview began.

After understanding what she needed to do, Little Qi Wu sat obediently on the chair, staring straight into the camera.

“Hello everyone, my name is Qi Wu, and I am three years old.”

Because she had always been respected by the Ghosts and Gods of the Underworld, and now with Judge Dad by her side, she didn’t feel nervous. Instead, she was seriously thinking about what else she hadn’t mentioned.

“Things I like? I like drinking milk.” Little Qi Wu raised her milk bottle and pointed to the incense and candles outside. “And the incense and candles.”

“Coming here with Dad is… because I want everyone to be well.” She struggled to organize her words. “No, no, it’s that everyone should become a little better. Qi Wu needs to grow up and help everyone.”

Li Ke asked, “Are you happy being with your Dad?”

Since this was a separate interview, Li Ke wanted to ask if the child had been forced into anything.

But Little Qi Wu nodded without hesitation. “Yes, I’m happy!”

“Dad is so good. Even when he’s bullied, he doesn’t say anything. Qi Wu wants to help him get back at them.”

She said earnestly, “Judge Dad has done a lot of things. He’s amazing.”

The child was so serious. It seemed that this father was indeed very good to her. Li Ke asked casually, “Why do you call him Judge Dad? Is it because you’re wearing these clothes? Are you the Little King of Hell then?”

Little Qi Wu was surprised and covered her mouth with her milk bottle. “Wow, how did you know?”

Li Ke couldn’t help but laugh.

The Little King of Hell temple priest at the Temple of the King of Hell was really interesting.

He said, “Everyone will definitely like you, the Little King of Hell.”

Little Qi Wu’s eyes immediately sparkled. “Really? That’s great.”

After sending the child out, he had Su Wen come in for the interview.

Su Wen was much more straightforward. “Su Wen.”

“Why did you join the show?”

Su Wen: “For the money.”

“…That’s it?”

“Yes.”

Li Ke: …With a mouth like that, does he even know how to promote himself?

After Little Qi Wu came out, she leaned against Di Ting and watched everyone setting up the cameras. She was very curious about these unknown things.

“What are these for?”

Di Ting, who knew more than her, could hear many things since coming to the Human Realm. He whispered, “It seems that with these, people in the Human Realm can see what you’re doing.”

Little Qi Wu was amazed. “Wow, that’s so cool! Do they also have magic?”

“It’s not magic, it’s modern technology.” Di Ting explained, “The show you’re participating in is about letting many people see your life.”

Little Qi Wu didn’t understand the term “modern technology,” and she was even more puzzled by the latter part. “But why would people want to watch me?”

Di Ting thought for a moment. “When they’re stressed or unhappy, they can watch the show to relax or pass the time.”

Little Qi Wu leaned against Di Ting’s belly. Hearing this, she turned her head and peeked out from behind him, staring at the camera. “Can the ghosts in the Underworld see it too?”

Di Ting: “Of course not.”

Little Qi Wu unconsciously frowned and hugged Di Ting’s belly. “But the ghosts in the Underworld seem to have been there for a very, very long time.”

She recalled the scene of ghosts gathered by the River of Oblivion, complaining and sighing. “They also seem unhappy and stressed.”

Di Ting: “…The Underworld has always been like this.”

Little Qi Wu felt a bit troubled. She thought it would be great if the Underworld had something like this too, so everyone could relax a little.

Just as she was thinking this, she suddenly heard other sounds in her ears.

“Why are there so many people here all of a sudden? This Temple of the King of Hell has been abandoned for so long. With all this activity, the human presence is overwhelming, and it’s really affecting our ghostly aura. If the Underworld finds out, we’ll be dragged down there.”

“Think of a way out! I don’t want to go to the Underworld. It’s so much freer being a wandering soul.”

“Let’s just scare them off.”

“But I feel like something’s off about this temple today. Look, there’s incense burning. If we cause trouble in front of the Temple of the King of Hell, is that really okay?”

“What’s there to fear? This temple has been here for ages, and we’ve been fine. Stop talking—you’re making me feel like someone’s watching me, and my body feels weird too. It’s all in your head!”

Little Qi Wu slowly turned her head and saw several ghosts floating beside the Temple of the King of Hell, their ghostly aura already quite strong.

Ghosts with such heavy ghostly aura lingering in the Human Realm could affect the health of humans they encountered.

These ghosts thought no one could see them and boldly walked over to the small ladder where a worker was setting up a camera.

Then, their faces began to turn pale, and blood started dripping from their eyes—clearly preparing to scare someone.

That’s exactly what they intended to do.

Their ghostly faces had only half-formed into a blurry shadow when they let out a low, eerie sound: “Hss…”

But in that instant, a small, tender face suddenly appeared right in front of them.

The cinnabar mark between the little one’s eyebrows glowed faintly red, yet it was strikingly vivid.

The little face’s eyes suddenly widened, her tiny hands clawed at her cheeks, and her mouth formed an “O” shape as she let out a fierce, babyish growl: “Hwa!”

The ghosts: “…”

Holy hell!

That’s adorable!

But before they could react, the red light from the baby’s forehead pierced them painfully, forcing them to step back, unable to get closer.

One ghost shouted, “There’s a ghost here!”

Another slapped him, “You’re the ghost! What are you yelling for?”

The ghosts all turned to look at the strange little baby, who was now riding on a dog’s back, her hands still on her cheeks, frowning at them. She could clearly see them.

“You… you can see us?!”

Little Qi Wu nodded unhappily, about to speak, when an angry shout came from inside the temple: “How dare you!”

The voice carried the power of ghosts and gods, instantly forcing the little ghosts to their knees, unable to move. Then, a jade brush flew out from the temple, striking them repeatedly and inscribing several large characters on them.

“The… the Judge’s Brush!”

Su Wen, dressed in red, stepped out from the temple, his cold gaze fixed on the ghosts.

The Judge’s mystic seal transmitted a voice: “Di Ting, take them away.”

Di Ting set Little Yan Wang down and immediately went to apprehend the ghosts.

Su Wen bent down to check on Little Yan Wang, asking softly, “Are you alright, Lord?”

Little Qi Wu shook her head, “I’m fine.”

Huang Peng, who had been surveying the surroundings, walked over, “Is it over?”

Su Wen nodded, “Yes.”

The worker who had been on the ladder installing the equipment came down and looked at Little Qi Wu, pausing before asking, “Little one, what were you doing just now?”

Su Wen glanced down at Little Yan Wang.

Little Qi Wu remembered what Judge Dad had said—she couldn’t let humans know her true identity. She blinked, then put her hands by her mouth and made a face, “I was… hwa!”

Everyone: “…”

Huang Peng was utterly charmed, covering his face with his hands and playing along, “Wow, you scared me to death!”

At that moment, Li Ke came out and asked, “What’s going on? Why are you in such a hurry to leave?”

“Nothing,” Su Wen replied. “The interview should be over.”

Li Ke nodded, “Right, we’ve set up the equipment now, and we’ll start recording tomorrow.”

Since that was the case, it was about time to leave.

After everyone packed up and left, watching Su Wen carry Little Qi Wu into the temple, the staff member couldn’t help but glance back in confusion. Before Little Qi Wu entered, she was carried over to the King of Hell Statue to take a whiff of the incense.

Huang Peng asked, “What are you looking at? Watch your step.”

The staff member hesitated, “Why do you think this temple chose a child to be the Temple Keeper?”

Huang Peng shrugged, “Who knows? It’s said to be passed down. Maybe they just found an excuse to live here. But their outfits are worth it.”

The staff member hesitated again, “Just now, I think I saw something… unclean.”

He wasn’t sure, but he instinctively looked down, and before he could see clearly, Little Qi Wu was carried over by the dog, making a funny face, and then that face disappeared.

But the direction Little Qi Wu made the face was where the unclean thing had appeared… too much of a coincidence.

Huang Peng and Li Ke both stopped, disapproving, “What nonsense are you talking about?”

The staff member scratched the back of his head and briefly explained what happened, “I also find it strange.”

Some directors and producers have a certain reverence for these Ghosts and Gods, which is why they offer incense at temples. Hearing this, they felt something was off.

But… Little Qi Wu…

Recalling the funny face she had just made, Huang Peng was speechless for a moment, “Are you saying Little Qi Wu made a face and scared the ghost away?”

He laughed, “Would the ghost say ‘You scared me to death’ or ‘You’re so cute I could die’?”

“Listen to yourself, does that make any sense?”

The staff member: “…”