from my chest, like it was coming from deep within. Is there even any blood left in me Or is this the last bit of crimson clinging to my heart chambersWhen I hit the ground, I didn't feel any pain at...Jiang Qiyun! I swallowed hard, wishing I could jump out of that small pit right away.

His chains, what ferocious ghosts and spirits couldn't resist, were like a leash for a small animal. This tug sent the red-robed ghost screaming, flying several meters back, desperately struggling against the chains to escape.

Jiang Qiyun was too lazy to chase after me. He collected the chains and cast a faint glance in my direction. I saw him through the mist.

He stood on a patch of reeds, his brow slightly furrowed, and asked, "What in the world is this thing, daring to get so close to you"

"This…this…it's a ghost, isn't it" I stammered, unsure how to respond.

I can't say for sure where this male ghost came from either.

The woman behind me kept tugging at my hand, whispering, "Who are you talking to Don't speak! You'll get the ghost to hear us!"

It's really kind of annoying, I guess I know why Zhang Daoren is avoiding her.

"Come out, what are you doing cowering there" Jiang Qiyun reprimanded me with a slightly furrowed brow.

I quickly lowered my head and hunched over to prepare to slip out, but that woman behind me suddenly grabbed me, saying in a very "kind" tone: "Don't! Don't go out, there are ghosts outside!"

It's really laughable and absurd. I cleared my throat and whispered, "Keep this lightning-strike wood sword for your protection and just stay here quietly. I'll go find Zhang Daoist."

She shook her head frantically, "No, no! Zhang Daochang has gone out and hasn't returned. He told me to hide well! You look like an outsider too! Don't go and cause trouble for Zhang Daochang!"

I... alright, I'm an outsider.

I shoved the lightning-struck wooden sword into her hand and rushed out of the hole.

Jiang Qiyun stood there with his hands behind his back, waiting for me. I ran to his side and brushed the dust off my clothes.

He frowned and said, "Why are you hiding in a hole You're acting like a hedgehog..."

Then, he gently brushed the grass clippings from my hair with his hand.

I felt a bit embarrassed. He probably thought I was hiding in the hole because I was scared of the male ghost.

"I was dragged into the cave by this woman. She thought she was saving me, but ended up being blocked by the red-clothed ghost... It's so close, it scared me." I whispered, explaining.

"Didn't you say you were going to North Mian to find the Ghostly Artifact and visit the Mountain Gate How did you end up in such a remote, desolate place" Jiang Qiyun said with a hint of blame.

“ ... I was just looking for someone, and that person ran off to this remote wilderness. What could I do” I took his hand and quickly moved away from the small cave.

Jiang Qiyun is actually "easy to get along with." He's used to being cold, but as long as there's "skin-to-skin contact," his temper generally softens.

"You're getting softer by the day," he said, smiling as he saw me hugging his arm. He seemed quite pleased.

It's useless to play mind games with a deity who has lived for two thousand years, exposed to the elements. The right path is to speak and act honestly and diligently.

"This isn't something I can't handle, so I wouldn't rush to bother the Heavenly Emperor with it... Are you done with matters at the Palace of the Underworld now" I asked.

It was still early, the sky had just turned dark, and he wasn't sure if he was off work yet.

"No." he said faintly.

"Then I called you...didn't I delay your work" I asked hastily.

"No problem." Jiang Qiyun was quite calm.

Uh This diligent and important deity, even with a family, started skipping work Won't the great gods in the heavens criticize me

Jiang Qiyun's lips twitched imperceptibly, and he said in a low voice, "When I left the Heavenly Emperor's Palace, all matters were entrusted to Yin Marshal Bai Wuchang."

"So it wasn't the Great God from Above who held a grudge against me, but Qilang Bai Wuchang."

Suddenly, a blaze of fire erupted in the mountain valley. It was the burning of talisman paper.

I frantically turned my phone's flashlight on and off, signaling to my brother and his friends. I had no idea who had lit the talisman.

"Come here." Jiang Qiyun frowned and called out to me.

I didn't react and just blurted out, "Huh" Jiang Qiyun frowned and said, "The mountain road here is difficult. Do you intend to climb over with your hands and feet A little bit like a princess!"

"...What's wrong, think I'm ugly" I muttered.

He smiled and pulled me into his arms: “You don't know how to slack off and dodge.”

He's willing to take me, I couldn't ask for more, usually I'm a little embarrassed to ask him to take me.

Although he was graceful and made me feel light, I knew clearly — I was heavy.

The celestial deities, once resplendent, return to heaven as a wisp of pure energy. Spirits depart for the underworld, while mortals, bound by yin and yang, remain tethered to earth with their chaotic essence.

Even the little sprites used to find me too heavy, but Jiang Qiyun often takes me flying around and never complains.

Shen Qingrui was the one who burned the talisman. I knew she would strike faster than anyone else.

The red-cloaked male ghost who had just broken free from the cloud chains of the river, happened to flee in her direction. She didn't care about any cause and effect, and immediately retaliated. With incantations, she launched the flame-infused yellow paper towards the ghost, igniting the hem of his red robes.

"桀桀桀—" The ghost let out a shrill cry and darted northeast at high speed.

Shen Qingrui saw me standing there, chanting incantations to summon the divine tiger. She stamped her feet and said, "Jia Gui! Li Yu Shou Xie! You just let him get away!"

“If we don’t let him run, how can we track him down” I was dumbfounded. This Shen Qingrui never worried about karmic retribution when dealing with ferocious beasts

Such a malevolent ghost wouldn't appear here for no reason, nor would it provoke trouble without cause.

Exposing the hidden people behind it is safer and more effective than eliminating or exorcising ghosts.

She snorted. "Too soft-hearted!"

Jiang Qiyun looked in the direction where Shenhu chased after, and said faintly, "You judged well... a lone ghost wanting to evade the underworld's inspection and still have such high cultivation must have someone backing them."

"Um." I nodded and said to Jiang Qiyun, "I always invite the Land God. Will it have a bad influence on you"

"What bad influence" Jiang Qiyun frowned, her tone laced with amusement.

"...That is... always summoning minor deities through connections... It doesn't seem quite right..." I whispered.

Jiang Qiyun chuckled softly, reaching out to brush the hair from my shoulder: "As for me, I hope you'll think about how to use your position... little empress."

Alas, Jiang Qiyun can't understand my feelings.

He is a primordial deity, born as a god. When he was born from the Jade Emperor of the Purple Mansion, he assumed the important divine position of Great Lord of the Underworld.

In his mind, the underworld gods naturally obeyed him unconditionally, and by extension, his empress was also the mistress of the underworld.

But I'm different. As an ordinary person, every time I summon a minor deity, I feel uneasy, as if I'm "abusing my power," fearing that I might give him a bad reputation.

"Rest assured, the celestial deities have no seven emotions and six desires like mortals, nor will they cause me any trouble," Jiang Qiyun comforted me.

Then alright... I'll, have to invite the local Fuk Tak Ching again.

As soon as the Earth God, wearing a felt hat, appeared, he bowed deeply to Jiang Qiyun.

They actually understand etiquette too. When they see me, they perform a deep bow. When they see Jiang Qiyun, they perform the highest form of respect.

Everyone is comfortable, that's good.

"I wanted to ask, are there any capable individuals in your realm who can command ghosts" I whispered.

Land God shook his head and said, “My Lady, you also see that this place is rather desolate. The little deity hasn’t heard of any extraordinary people… It was just you who sought someone, earlier the Yin soldiers reported, a man unconscious was found in the ravine…”

The moment the words left my mouth, a flashlight flickered on from the valley across, and my brother waved it around several times.Or do you prefer it the way it was""Not at all! You, you made so many marks, it's impossible to cover them…" I strained at my collar.His collar was askew, a mess pulled out of place. Such elaborate ro...