Chapter 24 – The Ghost King… is not here

Translator: ChuRen/ YuQiChen

Su Ling faced the bewildered gaze of Master Wu Chen, smoothly took out a stick of sandalwood incense.

Excitedly rubbing his hands, the old Taoist said, “Are we going to bathe, burn incense, and pray? Should we step aside for a moment?”

Summoning spirits and ghosts was a complicated process, and each sect had its own treasures, not easily revealed. Surely this young Daoist was the same, not wanting anyone to watch?

The old Taoist felt very understanding.

Su Ling, looking puzzled, glanced at him and said, “No need.”

Just burning incense was enough, what was all this about bathing and praying?

The old Taoist’s expression froze, sensing that his worldview was about to collapse.

Su Ling casually lit the sandalwood incense, the smoke above gradually forming into a small grayish human figure.

Upon seeing Su Ling, the figure mischievously made a heart gesture.

Su Ling smiled and gently tapped its forehead, kindly saying, “Thank you, please pass a message to the Ghost King for me. I’d like to ask for his help.”

Normally, after saying this, the little ghost messenger should have left. But for some reason this time, the little ghost messenger hesitated and didn’t move.

Su Ling paused, thought for a moment, then pulled out a candy from his pocket and handed it to the messenger.

The ghost messenger quickly took the candy but still didn’t leave. Puffing out its cheeks, it seemed puzzled, tilting its head and discreetly shifting its gaze in Sheng Ze’s direction.

Sheng Ze’s eyes sharpened, and the ghost messenger immediately let out a terrified scream and scurried away.

The Taoist disciples of Sanqing Temple, who were watching nearby, all had the same dumbfounded expression.

“This, this, this is too disrespectful to the Ghost King!” The old Taoist’s voice was filled with horror.

Su Ling carefully thought it over but didn’t see any issue, “I do respect… Hey, A-Ze, where are you going?”

Sheng Ze walked out of the room, looking slightly awkward, “To the bathroom.”

Su Ling was puzzled, “Isn’t there a bathroom in the room?”

Sheng Ze ignored him.

A moment later, Sheng Ze returned, accompanied by a “Judge” emitting black mist who had suddenly appeared in the room.

The “Judge” was clad in a wide black robe, with hands and feet completely shrouded in black mist. Not to mention his face, even a single strand of hair couldn’t be seen.

In this eerie appearance, the reason Su Ling and the others could still identify this ghost’s identity was mainly because above the black figure, four words gleamed brightly in black mist: [I am the Judge].

These four words were written in cursive style, with a bold and powerful stroke, exuding a cultured aura, and… quite considerate.

Su Ling was taken aback, cautious as he said, “If I remember correctly, the one I summoned earlier seemed to be the Ghost King, right?”

The Judge nodded solemnly, the black mist above his head suddenly dissipated into a cloud, then reformed into a new phrase after a moment: [The Ghost King cannot leave, so he sent me instead.]

Master Wu Chen stood next to them, looking utterly stunned. Behind him, the two young Taoists were jumping with excitement.

Qihuang exclaimed, “This is the Judge! The Judge! Alive!”

Shanyao, eyes sparkling, said, “So, so cool!”

Sheng Ze:…

Just a mass of black mist with no facial features, how could anyone find that cool?

The writing on the Judge’s head flickered, changing once again: [What is the matter?]

Su Ling swallowed nervously, his voice slightly tense, “Um, well, I was just…”

Unable to bear watching anymore, Sheng Ze sighed, “You’re not afraid of the Ghost King, but you get scared seeing the Judge?”

Su Ling wanted to cry without tears, tugging at Sheng Ze’s sleeve, whispering, “The Ghost King is very easygoing, really not scary at all!”

Sheng Ze’s expression instantly began to change.

The Judge couldn’t bear to look directly and covered his face.

Su Ling lowered his voice again, whispering, “But this is the Judge, and a single stroke of his pen on his notebook could spell disaster for us.”

Sheng Ze suppressed a laugh, his playful expression tinged with a hint of pride, “I’ve heard as well, the Judge carries a small notebook with him specifically for keeping grudges. Over the years, he’s filled several volumes. He’s definitely not as considerate as the Ghost King…”

“Shh—” Su Ling hurriedly covered Sheng Ze’s mouth, then guiltily glanced at the Judge.

Wu Pan:…

Dammit, so frustrating.

And unfortunately, he can’t fight back!

[What is it you seek, feel free to speak~]

The Judge tried to show his friendliness and kindness, even going so far as to use a tilde.

The old Taoist gasped, and at this point, his whole worldview completely collapsed.

The two young Taoists huddled together, so excited they nearly fainted—

“The Judge is acting cute, this kind of contrast is simply irresistible!”

“Cuteness overload, I’m in tears!”

Su Ling was also shaken by this tilde, feeling some of his nervousness dissipate. However, to say he wanted to check the Book of Life and Death in front of the stern Judge…

He felt like he was about to get spanked.

Sheng Ze pinched his brow, barely managing to suppress his amusement, not bursting into laughter on the spot.

He promptly spoke up, resolving this dilemma for Su Ling, “We wish to borrow the Book of Life and Death to look up the lifespan of a mortal.”

Casually saying this, Sheng Ze didn’t realize that his tone didn’t sound like a request but more like a command.

Wu Pan looked at him with a complex expression, secretly hoping his boss would notice that something was off about Sheng Ze.

It would be great if he messed up on the spot!

Wu Pan eagerly anticipated.

Unfortunately—

Su Ling took a deep breath, then tried his best to adopt the most humble tone, carefully asking, “Judge, do you think it’s possible?”

Wu Pan: …feeling complicated.

This time, Sheng Ze couldn’t hold back and chuckled.

The Judge, feeling despondent: [Yes. Whose lifespan would you like to check?]

Su Ling pointed to the body on the bed: “Mr. Qian.”

Wu Pan calmly flipped through the book in his hand, then with a stroke of his pen, golden words appeared on the page: “Mr. Qian, male, from Shouxian County… destined for wealth and prosperity, can enjoy a lifespan of ninety-eight years.”

Su Ling raised an eyebrow as he read, “His life is surprisingly good.”

Wu Pan closed the Book of Life and Death, couldn’t help but agree, “That’s why he is easily targeted by evil spirits.”

According to the records in the Book of Life and Death, Mr. Qian was supposed to live until ninety-eight years old. Even if his lifestyle shortened his lifespan, it wouldn’t have led to a sudden death. It was clear that some evil spirit had stolen his years.

Su Ling nodded, then suddenly looked up, scratched the back of his head in confusion, and said, “Your voice sounds familiar, have we met before?”

Wu Pan was so shocked that the black mist around him scattered in disarray, taking a few seconds to settle down.

Sheng Ze held his head in exasperation, pinching his brow.

In the midst of the black mist, the calm voice of Wu Pan gradually spoke, “Perhaps. Many ghosts have said I have a common voice.”

Wu Pan deliberately lowered his voice, even mimicking Sheng Ze’s usual tone, making his tone sound much colder than before.

Is that so?

Su Ling scratched his head, not dwelling on it too much—after all, when the Judge suddenly spoke, his voice did sound familiar, but upon closer listening, it didn’t quite match.

If one had to say, the Judge’s voice might sound like Wu Pan trying to imitate Sheng Ze’s way of speaking!

Su Ling found his own thoughts amusing, and he chuckled at his own idea.

Author’s note: 

Wu Pan (trying to act cute to avoid work): Today, I don’t feel like working…

Su Ling (unmoved): Forget about it.

Wu Pan thought for a moment, then reappeared in a new guise.

The Judge: Today, Wu Pan doesn’t feel like working.

Su Ling: No problem at all! He can take the day off tomorrow and the day after!

Ghost King: He dares?

Wu Pan:…A couple joining forces, this is too much!

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