Afterlife Department

Chapter 319 - Meng

Huo Ling glanced at Yi Bing from the corner of his eyes. He saw Yi Bing picked up the Soul Furnace. He doesn't know why, but ever since he asked Yi Bing about the owner of the Soul Fragment, Yi Bing's mood suddenly dropped and he became silent. He actually wanted to ask if Yi Bing knows this owner of the Soul Fragment, and if he might be a grim reaper like Yi Bing. But, seeing Yi Bing's coldness appearing again, he chose to shut up.

Yi Bing seemed to finally recovered his calm as he spoke. "Let's go meet your parents." He said.

"Huh?" Huo Ling looked at him. Why do I feel there's something strange from his words? But, since he can see his parents again, he agreed. "Okay!" he nodded.

Yi Bing smiled.. "They're going to meet 'you'." He told him.

"'me'?" Huo Ling muttered. Then, his eyes suddenly widened in realization. "The one who replaced me?!" he asked.

Yi Bing nodded. "Your death was unexpected, and came a little earlier." He said. "Philip also didn't expect this. He only knows that the soul that will be replacing you will 'arrive' when the clock struck midnight. Yet, your death came a little earlier." He chuckled.

Huo Ling's face darkened. Why does he look so happy talking about someone's death? Not to mention, the one whose death is talked about is just floating beside him, and can hear him! But, he didn't speak his complaint since he can see Yi Bing's mood turned a little better now.

But still, why it should be his death Yi Bing is happy about! Isn't he too perverse?! Huo Ling's cheeks puffed up. Yi Bing glanced at him. "What? Unhappy you'll be replaced?" he asked.

Although that wasn't the reason why Huo Ling is unhappy, but he still nodded. "I…" he said.

"Hm?" Yi Bing urged him to speak. They are near the place now, and they could faintly hear the people talking not far from them.

Huo Ling turned and he saw in the distance Huo Huainan and Huo Zichu talking with Rourou, and there are two police officers following them. His eyes suddenly became misty and his tears fell. "Earlier, when you were speaking with Philip… you sound like you… know who will be replacing me?" he asked.

Yi Bing nodded. "I know." He said.

"Who is it? What kind of person… soul, are they?" Huo Ling asked.

"In fact, you've heard of him before." Yi Bing said. "It is Philip's lover." He told him.

Huo Ling was surprised.

"He is called 'Meng'. An orphan. He was named as 'Meng' because he is fileld with dreams when he was young." Yi Bing said. "But, only some dreams can be realized. As for him… not even one of his dream came true." He sighed in pity. "Except one: he fell in love with the right person. However, as you have already heard, it was short-lived, his relationship with Philip." He told Huo Ling.

Huo Ling dazedly nodded. "Such a pitiful soul…" he muttered and looked at 'him' surrounded by Huo Huainan and Huo Zichu. "From now on, he will be – " he whispered a name. " – he will be my younger brother. My fortunately life will now be his." He smiled. "He deserves this new life." He added.

Yi Bing nodded in agreement. "You're not resentful anymore?" he teased him.

Huo Ling shook his head. "The one I resent is the Soul Society. Now that they will be no more, I am relieved." He said. "Can I… request for one last time?" he looked at Yi Bing. "After that, I will allow you to take me wherever you want to." He told him.

Yi Bing's lips pursed into a smile. He wanted to tell him that he doesn't need the other's permission. If he wanted to take him away, he can. But, he doesn't want to disrespect Huo Ling. "Alright." He nodded. "What is your request?" he asked. He also had to resolve Huo Ling's attachment.

"I want to see my grandfather." Huo Ling answered.

Yi Bing nodded. "Okay." He said. He glanced at the people afar before they left.

Yang Jie noticed a gaze on them and he turned, only to find that no one was around except them. "What's wrong?" he heard Zhang Jun asked beside him.

"Nothing…" he answered. He then turned and looked at 'Huo Ling' who looked like in a daze while being interrogated by Huo Huainan and Huo Zichu. "Senior." He called Zhang Jun.

Zhang Jun didn't speak and just approached the family of three that were reunited. "Mr. Huo. Mrs. Huo." He called.

Huo Huainan and Huo Zichu turned. "Thank you for your help." They said as they held Huo Ling's hands, one each.

"We didn't do anything." Zhang Jun honestly said. "Now that you have found your son, is there anything we can help you with?" he asked when he noticed something. "Where's Philip?" he asked.

"Here." A voice answered behind them. They turned and saw Philip.

Zhang Jun didn't react. "Now, everyone has gathered." He said as Philip approached them. Then, he turned to Huo Huainan and Huo Zichu to talk about how to deal with the corpses of Huo Ling's friends.

"You are troubled." Rourou suddenly spoke beside Yang Jie.

"En…" Yang Jie honestly answered.

"You feel that you've forgotten something?" Rourou asked.

Yang Jie nodded. "En." He answered.

"But, you've finally gotten what you have lost." She told him.

"Huh?" Yang Jie looked at her.

Rourou just smiled. "You'll know tonight." She just said and looked at the amulet on Yang Jie's hand. Her eyes flashed a thoughtful look before she turned to walk away.

Yang Jie watched her leave with a puzzled expression on his face. "What was that…?" he muttered.

Zhang Jun, who just finished talking with Huo Huainan and Huo Zichu, turned and saw Yang Jie was staring at the space. "Yang Jie." He called as he walked towards him. "What happened?" he asked.

"I – " Yang Jie spoke, but it feels like there's something blocking in his throat. He looked at Zhang Jun before he shook his head. "It's nothing." He answered.

Although Zhang Jun was puzzled, but seeing Yang Jie's calm expression, he didn't push him to answer. "Where's Nan… Rourou?" he asked.

"She left." Yang Jie answered.

Zhang Jun nodded. "Huo Huainan and Huo Zichu said that they will deal with 'Huo Ling' and his friends' matters." He said. "They will the news that Huo Ling died along with his friends after they encountered a sandstorm. Then, after Huo Meng adjusted with his life, they will release a news that he is Huo Ling's long-lost younger brother." He explained. "We only need to work with the process…" he said.

Yang Jie nodded indicating that he understood. Wealthy people have their own ways dealing with the matters involving them. "'Huo Meng'?" he asked and looked at 'Huo Ling' who has a wooden expression as Philip asked him some questions.

Zhang Jun's expression turned solemn. "He introduced himself as 'Meng'. He said his name is 'Meng'." He said.

Yang Jie fell into a thought. "Senior. You said before, that Huo Ling's case is a premeditated murder…" he looked at Zhang Jun.

"Is your observation skill getting poorer?" Zhang Jun asked.

"Huh?" Yang Jie was confused.

"Based on Huo Huainan's and Huo Zichu's behaviors, they seemed to expect Huo Ling will die." Zhang Jun said. "Look how fast they dealt with Huo Meng's matters." He told him.

Yang Jie's eyes widened. "Could it be… they… it was them who – oww!" he cried when Zhang Jun hit him.

"Even tigers wouldn't eat their cubs!" Zhang Jun said.

Yang Jie understood this. "But, how…" he said.

"Didn't you hear what Rourou said before when she gave that Soul Furnace whatnot to Philip?" Zhang Jun asked.

Yang Jie nodded. Zhang Jun is referring to that illusion the mausoleum showed to them. "What about it?" he asked.

"Soul Society." Zhang Jun spat out the two words.

Yang Jie's eyes widened. "That's right! She really did mention about the Soul Society… what is that? A cult?" he asked.

Zhang Jun shook his head, indicating he doesn't know. "We might have accidentally stumbled upon something confidential that only the higher-ups can know." He said and patted Yang Jie's shoulder. "Be prepared." He told him.

Yang Jie nodded. "I understand. I will, senior. Thanks!" he grinned.

Zhang Jun sighed, feeling helpless and worried towards Yang Jie. "Everyone." They heard Rourou speak. She came back.

They all turned to her.

"Please leave the mausoleum. You shouldn't stay here for too long." She told them.

"What about the corpses?" Zhang Jun asked.

"Since they don't belong to the mausoleum, they will naturally be ejected." She answered.

Everyone sighed in relief. "Then, let's go!"

Night.

Yi Bing watched the colorful light of the city shining against the darkness of the night, like stars sparkling in the night sky. The cold night wind brushed past his cheek, touching his pale skin. "You came." He said when he heard the footsteps behind him.

"Yes, Boss Yi." A specter wearing a pitch-black hooded cloak that blends with the night spoke. When he raised his head, his youthful face was seen.

It was Yang Jie.