Yama Rising

Three female ghosts dressed like ancient officials were doing an incredibly provocative dance in the center of the dance floor. They ran their pale white hands from the dangerous slits on their lengthy skirts to their voluptuous bosom, and then wrapped their hands around their tiny, dainty waists. If not for the fact that they possessed an ethereal body, Qin Ye would’ve most certainly praised them - absolutely charming.

Truth be told, if one looked past the distinction between what was illusory and what was real, and beyond the realms of colour, this place was practically one and the same as any of the other clubs that Qin Ye had been to in his entire life.

“The long, ancient road is boundless and long, filled with all emotions of joy, sorrow, laughter and pain. Yet the only thing that keeps going is the camel in the desert…” The song gradually receded from its climax, and the atmosphere began to lighten up a little. Some ghosts dressed like students hopped off the dance floor, only to be replaced by several ghosts wearing suits and small leather hats.

“The enchanting and graceful intersection of day and night wastes away the years and wastes away my soul. The path ahead is yet uncharted…”

What the hell… isn’t this much too progressive?

“Hey, handsome.” Just then, Qin Ye felt a cold touch right where his lower abdomen was. He was astounded to see a sharp-faced lady looking back at him. Her appearances would most definitely have been well above an ‘eight’ while she was still alive. Her hand was already hovering over his unnameable parts, and she gently traced her finger along the seams of his pants as she smiled faintly, “First time here? You’re pretty handsome. Whose body did you borrow? He mustn’t have died too long ago, right? It’s such a pity that such a handsome man has died…”

Qin Ye was incredibly tempted to dispose of her with one fell of his saber. Couldn’t you at least warm your hand before coming over?

“L-l-l-liv--… liv--... mmmph-mmph!!” Fortunately, a pale hand covered her lips before she could scream out loud. The woman’s eyes widened, and she flailed about with her limbs as she pointed at Qin Ye, unable to exclaim that he was a living person.

Within moments, the female ghost that was being restrained by the humanoid paper effigy transformed into ethereal wisps of greenish-white Yin energy, before quickly dissipating into the surroundings. The other ghosts around ostensibly pretended not to see anything, and continued as they were. Finally, the humanoid paper effigy bowed respectfully to Qin Ye, “Please follow me, my lord.”

As they slowly followed a spiral staircase up to the second floor, Qin Ye finally saw for the first time what the entire layout of the first floor looked like. Just behind the dance floor lay a large pit that was two-meters wide. It had been well-hidden by the dazzling strobe lights earlier. But right now, Qin Ye could see what lay within the pit… four silver chains extended from the sides and converged in the center of the pit. In turn, thick plumes of dense, pure Yin energy continuously billowed and rose from the center of the chains like clouds.

This is too familiar.

Just then--...

It was a dull sound, almost akin to the chime of a bell. Then, something in the pit began to stir. In the very next second, a massive tidal wave of the purest of Yin energy surged straight out of the pit and engulfed the entire dance floor. The atmosphere of the entire clubhouse exploded to new heights in an instant! The ghosts were all screaming in ecstasy!

Whoosh!! Qin Ye’s clothes fluttered wildly for an instant, before slowly settling down again.

“This is… a Soul Hunter?”

Yet for some strange reason, he was immobilized. He felt as though his feet were completely rooted to the ground.

Retreat?

Enter?

“My friend, why don’t you come in?” A voice suddenly rang out before Qin Ye could properly contemplate his next move, “Don’t you want to at least see what your former colleague looks like?”

Qin Ye was trapped between a rock and a hard place. He clenched his fists tightly. The palms of his hands were already frosty and cold. Nevertheless, he bravely walked forward towards the second floor.

It was a terrace-like space enclosed only by tempered glass on three sides of the room. Two sofas were placed against the window, and a long European-style table formed the centerpiece of the room. A crystal chandelier hanging overhead shone brightly, whilst a copy of the Mona Lisa painting hung on the lone wall in the room.

Taking a deep breath, Qin Ye suppressed the roiling emotions in his heart, walked over to the sofa, cupped his fist and bowed slightly, “Junior Emissary of Hell, Qin Ye, greets the esteemed Senior Soul Hunter.”

Seconds later, a thick voice finally responded, “Do you know something?”

“To think that there are other survivors of that immense upheaval in Hell. Such an occurrence is even more fantastical than the fabled Arabian Nights.”

It was a middle-aged man.

He sported ink-black hair and a chiseled face with appearances that were as ordinary as it got. It was the type that would never leave an impression with anybody.

At the very least, Qin Ye would never have thought of him as an Emissary of Hell.

“Truly.”

He stood up and walked over to the cabinet in the corner and opened the bottom compartment, revealing a chiller, “What’s your poison?”

“No thank you.” Qin Ye felt a little bit out of sorts. The man was far too prolific in his grasp of the english language. No matter how Qin Ye looked at him, the man hardly looked like an Emissary of Hell at all.

The two liquors melded into each other, creating a faint, golden liquid. He took a whiff of the scent and squinted his eyes in pleasure. Then, he held the glass in front of Qin Ye, “A prime opportunity had fallen out of the sky and landed right at my feet. I’d be an idiot if I were to pass it up. Thus, I headed straight for the City of Salvation, and spent decades establishing this empire to call my own. Friend, what do you think of it?”

Qin Ye didn’t accept the cup of wine. Instead, he simply smiled, “It’s quite different from what I’d thought.”

He opened his cigar case, revealing five neatly arranged cigars within with a single blue ribbon wrapped around each one. He picked up a pair of scissors as he continued, “For instance, I love indulging in new experiences. I’ve got to say that the world is only becoming more convenient and beautiful in its own rights. And I’ve also grown to admire and respect humans as a species as well. Want one?”

Click… Cao Youdao clipped the cigar in a methodical manner as he continued, “And it’s only by assimilating with new things and accepting new experiences that we can keep with the times.”

Kachick… The lighter set the tip of the cigar alight with an incendiary glow, and the room was instantly filled with the gentle aroma of cherry blossoms from the cigar. Cao Youdao peered through the thin wisps of greenish smoke with squinted eyes, “Just like me… enjoying this world; dominating this world.”

Qin Ye finally picked up the glass and swirled its contents about. However, this was merely to hide the ripples in his eyes as he continued to probe, “What about the government?”

“How can mere humans possibly understand the world that we live in?”

“Newbie, of all of the people in the world right now, only you and I have the capacity to understand each other. In other words… we are Hell!”