Afterlife Department

Chapter 80 - Friendship

"The Soul Fragment disappeared together with Special Soul Huo Ling when he had his Enlightenment." Gu Shi reported to Shen Sheng. He raised his head and saw the long golden hair that was scattered all over the floor like the sun's rays. They're blinding. He thought and forced himself not to blink nor close his eyes.

Then, he saw them disappeared. He moved his gaze and saw Shen Sheng combed his hair with his fingers. His golden hair became waist-length hair. Then, he tied it with a silver string, its ends are afloat, sometimes touching Shen Sheng's cheek.

They say that an immortal's hair represents his power. What he saw… Shen Sheng is really a terrifying existence. Gu Shi thought. "Continue.." He heard Shen Sheng spoke.

"Yes – " Gu Shi coughed to clear his throat. " – the Special World's trajectory was affected, and changed, making the zombies' body become like that of the humans'." He said and read Qi Shan's report sent. Qi Shan returned to the Afterlife Department together with Yi Bing after Qi Shan's task in the Special World was finished. Meanwhile, Lei Shan had gone to his first reincarnation – his second life. Qi Shan would wait for Lei Shan to die in his second world before meeting with him again. "As for Special Soul Huo Ling, nothing changed with him despite having the Soul Fragment aside from having his Enlightenment." He finished.

"Nothing changed?" Shen Sheng said as he looked at Gu Shi.

Gu Shi nodded before he bowed. "There's nothing, Your Highness." he respectfully answered.

Shen Sheng stared at Gu Shi for a long time before he spoke. "Investigate the Soul Fragments." he told him.

"His Highness means…"

"Have a team to look for them all over the worlds." Shen Sheng said. "We can't have them affecting the souls, as well as the worlds, again – " he said. " - albeit for good or bad." He added.

"I understand, Your Highness." Gu Shi answered.

"As for the Soul Eaters – " Shen Sheng said as he leaned his back on his chair. " – continue to cooperate with the Living Department." He said. "They can't continue to be selfish. Pushing all the blame on us… whose fault is it in the first place the Foul was created?" he asked.

Gu Shi coldly sweated. Foul was created from negative emotions – such as sins. Thus, it obviously was born from the humans. "I understand, Your Highness." He answered.

"As for the compensation, if they'll ask for some, give them." Shen Sheng said. "Consider it as our alms to the poor. We've had lots of money, anyway, unlike them who live in their greed. After all, beings such as us, can never be contaminated, nor create, Foul." He said, his eyes narrowing.

"Yes, Your Highness." Gu Shi answered as he knelt.

Shen Sheng nodded at him. "You may leave." He told Gu Shi as he rested his elbow on the armrest of his high chair. He lowered his eyelids as he felt sleepy.

"Your Highness." Ling Shiyi called. "Do you want to take a nap?" he asked.

"Yes." Shen Sheng answered.

Gu Shi sighed in relief when he returned to the Afterlife Department. "That was nerve-wracking!" he exclaimed as he wiped his cold sweat.

"What is?" Qi Shan asked from behind him.

Gu Shi turned and saw Qi Shan and Yi Bing. "You finally made up?" he said as he looked at the two. Qi Shan and Yi Bing are known in the Afterlife Department as archenemies. Thus, there's no way for the two to appear together. Like now.

Qi Shan's face darkened while Yi Bing remained cold as usual. "… we did." Qi Shan answered as he forced a smile. Thanks to Huo Ling… he added in his mind, then glanced at Yi Bing who was trying to become an ice statue. "Have you finished your report to Shen Taizi?" he asked Gu Shi.

Being reminded, Gu Shi can't help but sweat again. "Yes…" he answered and wiped the cold sweat off his forehead.

"He scared you?" Qi Shan could guess after seeing Gu Shi's pale face. "If you're that scared, you can have Di San go to report. With his personality, he might amuse Shen Taizi." He said. "After all, he's still the assistant director." he added and nodded.

In the assistant director's office, Di Zan suddenly sneezed.

"Achoo!" Di San sneezed on his computer screen and paused his game. "Who's talking bad about me…?" he asked as he rubbed his nose before he resumed playing.

"No good." Gu Shi said and grimaced. He wiped the sweat off his forehead after he imagined the wonderful scene of Di San reporting to Shen Taizi. In his mind, Di San was obliterated by Shen Taizi. "I'll do it." he told Qi Shan. His voice determined. I can't have someone die in my place... orz

Qi Shan secretly smiled. Even though it's hard for him, but if things will just become worse, Gu Shi would rather do it himself. "Okay~" he said.

Gu Shi nodded. "Shouldn't it be time?" he asked.

"Huh?"

"Lei Shan's death in the Special World." Gu Shi reminded Qi Shan.

Qi Shan's eyes widened. "Oh, no! I forgot! I hope I won't be late!" he said as he immediately tapped his wristwatch. "Thanks, Gu Shi!" he said and waved, completely forgetting the statue-like Yi Bing due to his silence.

"Yi Bing." Gu Shi called.

"It's not his time yet." Yi Bing said as he walked.

Gu Shi followed him. "Actually, grim reapers could watch their assignment secretly." He said. "You can see him, as long as you don't expose yourself…" he glanced at Yi Bing, observing his reaction.

As expected, Yi Bing stopped. "Really?" he said.

Gu Shi nodded. "Yeah. As long as you also don't interfere with their living… and death." He told him. Yi Bing fell silent. "What's wrong?" he asked. It wasn't the reaction he's expecting.

"Before… he died." Yi Bing said. He's referring to the Special World, and before Huo Ling's Enlightenment. "He told me something." He said.

"What is?" Gu Shi asked.

Yi Bing lowered his gaze. "He may not remember this next time, but I will never forget." He said.

Gu Shi stared at Yi Bing, really curious what could Huo Ling have told him. Basing on the way Yi Bing speaks, it must be something truly important. "That is…?" he said.

"'You're no grim reaper at all – '" Yi Bing said, remembering Huo Ling's words while his soul dissipates. " – since you're my angel.'" He said.

Gu Shi's eyes widened and he sharply inhaled. His first thought was, did Huo Ling remember? With the Soul Fragment and all, there's a high possibility Huo Ling's memories from before would return. However, looking at Yi Bing's expression, nothing out of the ordinary happened. They both still can't remember… he thought, then sadly smiled. He didn't forget Shen Sheng's warning. But, it isn't bad to hope for both Yi Bing and Huo Ling. "I see." He said and patted Yi Bing's shoulder. "Isn't that good?" he asked.

"… mn." Yi Bing nodded, a suspicious smile was on his lips. "It is." He said.

Gu Shi chuckled. "This soul is really special." He said, which is the truth. "No wonder you care for him very much." He told him.

"… I'm not." Yi Bing said and looked away.

"Have you established your relationship?" Gu Shi asked.

"What relationship?"

"Friends."

Stable World, S City.

"Chief!" Xiao Xie called when the door of Gu Xingfeng's office opened. "Huh? Chief…? What happened to you?" he asked when he saw Gu Xingfeng was in low spirit.

"Oh. Xiao Xie." Gu Xingfeng said when he saw Xiao Xie.

Xiao Xie stared at his expression before he carefully spoke. "… did you and young master Hao fought again last night?" he asked. They saw Gu Xingfeng pushed Hao Baiyun in the police car to send him home. Even if the two are at each other's throat, but Gu Xingfeng is still a policeman and Hao Baiyun is a citizen – albeit not ordinary. Thus, it's part of his responsibility to send Hao Baiyun home safely – albeit it's on Hao Baiyun who willfully went outside late. "… did he not thank you?" he added. Towards Gu Xingfeng who is his enemy, the upright young master Hao has the possibility to be ungrateful.

"He did." Gu Xingfeng answered.

"EH?! He really did?!" Xiao Xie was shocked.

Gu Xingfeng frowned when he felt his head hurt. "Lower your voice." He told him.

"Huh? Chief, you look pale. You're not feeling well?" Xiao Xie asked.

"… yes. I caught a cold." Gu Xingfeng answered. However, despite his words, he has a smile on his face.

Meanwhile, Xiao Xie's mind was wandering. Young master Hao really thanked the chief? He usually wouldn't… he thought, then he gasped upon his realization. Could it be… the chief and young master Hao…! He looked at Gu Xingfeng who took a nap on his table. The two of them… last night… his eyes widened. They've become friends?!

It was half-true and half-false.

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