The Underworld, the realm of the dead, by the Bridge of Helplessness.
The Black and White Impermanence sat by the bridge, playing Dou Dizhu with Granny Meng.
With the appearance of the Demon Palace, the mortal world's powers gradually stabilized. Coupled with the fact that Ye Ling hadn't done anything major in the past few months, the mortal realm enjoyed a rare period of peace. The Black and White Impermanence also had a bit more free time. Today happened to be their day off, so they decided to visit Granny Meng for a game of cards and to foster their relationship.
They all worked in the same unit, with similar ranks, so fostering good relationships was a necessary part of social interaction.
White Impermanence looked at the souls queuing on the bridge to receive their bowls of Granny Meng's soup and couldn't help but sigh, "I have to say, the advancements in mortal technology do have their benefits. Granny Meng's soup can now be produced on an assembly line."
"Granny Meng, you're living comfortably, but us brothers, we still have to run all over the world collecting the souls of the dead."
Black Impermanence, upon hearing White Impermanence's words, also began to vent his frustrations, "Exactly! For thousands of years, the work we brothers do hasn't involved any technical skill, purely manual labor!"
"Just a few days ago, we brothers were completely exhausted. You know, we have to complete so much work every day, and that Emperor is still causing so much trouble in the mortal world, constantly making us work overtime."
White Impermanence continued, "It would be one thing if he only caused trouble in Huaguo. We brothers would work harder, and it would at least count towards our performance. But good heavens, the Emperor even went to Yangguo to cause trouble, making us brothers go and steal business from Takamagahara!"
"Fortunately, Takamagahara didn't find out. Otherwise, not only would we not have any performance, but we'd also violate heavenly rules and might even be imprisoned in the eighteenth level of hell..."
Granny Meng, wearing a qipao that revealed her fair legs and high heels, held her cards in one hand and propped up her face with the other. She smiled at the Black and White Impermanence and said, "According to you, Ye Ling is always causing trouble for you?"
Upon hearing Granny Meng mention this, the Black and White Impermanence's spirits immediately lifted, and they began to complain incessantly, "That's for sure... Ever since the Emperor arrived, which major event in the Three Realms recently hasn't been related to him?"
"Let me list them for you... Hongchen Pavilion, Tongtian Clan, Buzhou Mountain, Takamagahara... Why does he have so many affairs?"
To the Black and White Impermanence's incessant complaints, Granny Meng just watched the two brothers with a smile, not saying a word.
After the Black and White Impermanence finished their complaints, Granny Meng, still propping up her face, looked behind them and said with a smile, "But even with all that you say, I still think the Emperor is so handsome..."
"Handsome? Is he as handsome as us brothers?"
White Impermanence slammed the table and retorted, "Let me tell you, the gentle and refined beauty of us brothers is all the rage in the Underworld right now. If you don't believe me, let the Emperor come and compare with us. See who the sisters who manage the documents in the Hall of Yama will choose!"
Black Impermanence also complained to Granny Meng, "Granny Meng, it's not that I want to criticize you, but living in the Underworld, your taste is really poor. The Emperor fits mortal aesthetics, but he's not popular in the Underworld!"
"Is that so?"
Granny Meng continued to smile, placed her cards on the table, and stood up.
Seeing Granny Meng suddenly stand up, White Impermanence asked in surprise, "Hey? You're not playing anymore? I just got a good hand!"
However, Granny Meng ignored the Black and White Impermanence and bowed respectfully towards their backs, "This humble one, Granny Meng, pays respects to the Emperor."
The Emperor?
Upon hearing Granny Meng's words, the Black and White Impermanence were stunned for a moment, then chuckled, "Granny Meng, what are you joking about? The Emperor is busy fiddling with the Demon Palace. Why would he come here?"
"You can't scare us brothers like this! Besides, even if the Emperor were in front of us, we'd still dare to say this about him!"
At this moment, Ye Ling's voice came from behind the Black and White Impermanence, "Is that so? What would you say?"
Suddenly hearing Ye Ling's voice, the Black and White Impermanence trembled violently, their hair standing on end. They sprang up from their seats.
They quickly turned around, looking at Ye Ling, who was standing behind them with a smile, their voices trembling, "Em-Em-Em-Emperor... When did you arrive?"
"When?"
Ye Ling pondered for a moment and said, "Perhaps when you were saying I have too many affairs?"
Hearing Ye Ling's words, the Black and White Impermanence wished they could slap themselves. They quickly apologized, "Emperor, this is all a misunderstanding! We, we wouldn't dare to speak ill of you behind your back again!"
"That was just idle chat, it shouldn't be taken seriously!"
With that, the Black and White Impermanence were about to kneel before Ye Ling, but he stopped them.
Ye Ling said, "Alright, I don't have time to dwell on this. Since you have so much free time, help me with something."
Black Impermanence quickly said, "Emperor, what do you want us to do? It is our honor to work overtime for you!"
Granny Meng behind them chimed in with a smile, "You two weren't saying that just now."
"Go, go, go!"
Black Impermanence glared at Granny Meng fiercely, then said to Ye Ling, "Emperor, don't listen to her. She just likes to talk nonsense!"
Ye Ling didn't really care about this. After all, it was a fact that he had made the Black and White Impermanence work overtime, so their complaints were understandable.
He had been busy before and had overlooked this matter.
After this matter is resolved, he would have to compensate them more.
Ye Ling didn't intend to dwell on this matter for long. He directly took out photos of Yang Qi and Li Xiaomei and said, "This man is Yang Qi. He's about to die. Go and escort him to the Underworld."
White Impermanence asked, "What about the woman?"
Ye Ling said, "Her name is Li Xiaomei. Her identity is a bit special. I need you to help me check her reincarnation records. She died more than ten years ago and should have entered the cycle of reincarnation long ago."
Granny Meng looked at the photos in Ye Ling's hand and stared at Li Xiaomei, her brow furrowing. "I... seem to have some impression of this woman."
"You remember her?" Ye Ling couldn't help but be surprised upon hearing Granny Meng's words.
After all, more than ten years had passed, and countless people had crossed the Bridge of Helplessness.
It was unlikely that Granny Meng, even as a deity, would remember an ordinary person who died over ten years ago.
Granny Meng nodded and said, "I have some impression. She was quite special. She was taken away without drinking my soup, so I remember her quite clearly."
"There should be records from back then. I'll go check."
With that, Granny Meng walked to the side of the Bridge of Helplessness and entered her room.
After hearing Granny Meng's words, Ye Ling's eyes narrowed slightly, and he murmured to himself, "It seems this matter... is not as simple as I thought..."
The device invented by Li Xiaomei could alter a person's soul and memories. If slightly enhanced, it was a top-tier invention capable of influencing the Three Realms!
If Li Xiaomei was taken away by the Void Organization, then things would likely become quite troublesome.
This would mean that all the souls Ye Ling had collected regarding the Void Organization so far might be fake!
Seeing Ye Ling's expression, the Black and White Impermanence realized that the situation was not simple and became serious. They respectfully said to Ye Ling, "We will go and guide Yang Qi's soul immediately!"
With that, the Black and White Impermanence disappeared from their spots and headed to the mortal realm!
Not long after, Granny Meng came out quickly with a thick book. "Emperor, I've found the records about Li Xiaomei!"