I had intended to continue playing dumb and see if I could get away with it.
But who knew, these two lords had barely spoken two sentences before a chain wrapped around my neck.
In that instant, I was completely stunned.
An endless sense of fear swept through my entire body.
Subconsciously, I grabbed the cold chain around my neck with my hands, raised my head, and as I looked,
My scalp tingled.
Before me stood two figures in black and white formal attire.
Topped with tall hats, each inscribed with "One Greet and Prosper" and "Heaven's Scales," were ghost officials.
The white-robed ghost official had a pale complexion, and a long, thin tongue extended from his mouth to his chest, swaying back and forth.
He was staring at me now, with a terrifying, inscrutable smile, extremely chilling.
This should be Bai Wuchang, the hanged ghost, Xie Bi'an.
Known as Seventh Lord.
The black-robed ghost official was bloated, his skin rough.
His eyes were like bells, wide open in a furious glare.
He was holding the iron chain with one hand, having locked it around my neck.
This should be Hei Wuchang, the drowned ghost, Fan Wujiu.
Known as Eighth Lord.
These two lords were renowned in folk legends.
Almost universally known, and appearing in many movies and TV shows.
They were officials of the Underworld, summoned soul collectors responsible for taking souls.
I truly never expected to encounter them one day.
And to have my soul taken to fill a headcount just because of one sentence from Fan Wujiu.
Looking at the two lords before me, I felt a chill from my head to my toes.
I had planned to pretend not to see them and slip away.
But in the end, they had chained my neck and were about to pull out my soul...
I had just escaped the clutches of death, accumulating soul lamp oil for three months.
Finally able to catch my breath, no longer needing to rush to snatch soul lamp oil.
But now, if my soul were taken, how could I possibly survive?
I didn't want to die.
Amidst the panic, I knew I had to say something, do something.
Otherwise, once my soul was pulled out, it would be too late for anything.
So, after my neck was chained.
I grabbed the cold iron chain around my neck with one hand and began to speak:
"Two, two ghost officials, show mercy, show mercy.
I have something to say, something to say..."
Hearing me speak, the Black and White Impermanence were both startled.
They narrowed their eyes.
The Black Impermanence spoke first:
"Eh! His soul hasn't come out yet, but he can already see us.
It seems his time is truly up, we haven't made a mistake in summoning him."
With that, he tightened his grip.
His words made my heart pound.
I felt my soul being tugged out of my body, little by little, by that chain.
My own meager cultivation was enough to deal with wandering spirits.
But before these legendary ghost officials, it was truly insignificant.
Seeing that they did not stop, I could only continue speaking in panic:
"Lord Black Impermanence, please show some leniency!
I, I am a Taoist priest!
Naturally, I can see you."
I blurted out quickly.
As soon as my words fell, the Black and White Impermanence were startled again.
The White Impermanence narrowed his eyes, maintaining his inscrutable smile.
Waving his long red tongue from his mouth, he mumbled indistinctly:
"Little Eighth, hold on a moment.
You, boy, say you are a Taoist priest?"
Hearing White Impermanence Xie Bi'an speak, Black Impermanence Fan Wujiu.
Clearly loosened his grip, no longer pulling my soul.
Seeing that my words had an effect, I hurriedly continued:
"Yes, yes, I am a Taoist priest.
Lords Black and White Impermanence, I am truly a Taoist priest.
Please be lenient and don't take my soul."
"Hmph! There are many charlatans and deceivers in the human world now.
If you were truly a Taoist priest, why did you pretend not to see us earlier?
Even if you are, you're probably a heretic."
Fan Wujiu said in a deep voice, with a displeased expression towards everyone.
"No, no, no, Lord Black Impermanence.
I am a legitimate Bai Pai Taoist priest.
It's because I've heard people say before that living people cannot see ghost officials.
So, so I could only pretend not to see them earlier.
But I am truly a Taoist priest.
If you don't believe me, you can check.
When I first apprenticed, I burned yellow talismans."
I explained quickly, trying to secure the greatest chance of survival.
Black Impermanence continued to glare at me, remaining silent, not rushing to pull my soul.
Instead, he looked at White Impermanence beside him.
White Impermanence Xie Bi'an, after hearing this, smiled enigmatically again:
"Oh? Since you burned yellow talismans before going down, the Underworld must have records.
Boy, state your name, where you live, and your Taoist title?"
At this moment, I did not dare to be the slightest bit negligent, and quickly replied:
"White, White Impermanence Lord.
My name is Qin Ze.
Born in the year Xinsi, month Guisi, day Guiyou, hour Dinghai.
I live in Qingshan City, Qingshui Town, Qingshui Village.
My Taoist, my Taoist title is Yinze."
In my panic, I quickly revealed all my details.
White Impermanence Xie Bi'an, after hearing my words, flicked his tongue and continued:
"Then I, this official of the Underworld, will check for you.
If you dare to deceive us, your crime will be doubled."
"Yes, yes, yes, I absolutely would not dare."
I responded quickly.
After all, this was all my true information, and I was quite confident.
Then, I saw White Impermanence put away his white mourning stick and tuck it into his waist.
He extended his right hand, palm open.
The next moment, a yellow booklet appeared in his hand.
He began to flip through it, muttering to himself:
"Qingshan City, Qingshui Town, Qingshui Village..."
Black Impermanence, holding the soul-hooking iron chain, turned his head to look at White Impermanence, who was flipping through the booklet.
"Seventh Brother, is this kid lying?"
Although my information was all correct, I was still quite nervous.
Fearing some oversight.
White Impermanence did not answer immediately. After about a few seconds.
White Impermanence's eyes suddenly lit up:
"Yo! He really is a little Taoist priest..."