Chapter 4: 004 be a ruthless harvester

It seemed my mission was likely tied to Canine Teng’s Heavenly Tribulation (TL Note: ‘Dù Jié’ refers to a trial, often a lightning tribulation, that cultivators must pass to advance in their cultivation or ascend to a higher realm.).

Although I had never personally witnessed a tribulation, based on the tropes from the novels I had read in my former life, shouldn’t such a high-risk endeavor be kept strictly secret, meticulously prepared for, and only announced to the world after the individual had successfully passed it?

For the Canine Clan to dare be so ostentatious, was Canine Teng excessively arrogant, or was success in passing tribulations a foregone conclusion in this world?

Regardless, as the Black Impermanence (TL Note: ‘Hēi Wúcháng,’ one of the two underworld emissaries responsible for escorting the souls of the dead to the underworld.) scheduled to collect his soul tomorrow, I felt personally affronted.

Oh, and there was another one here who offended me.

I grasped the hand draped around my neck and, with righteous indignation, addressed the White Impermanence (TL Note: ‘Bái Wúcháng,’ the other underworld emissary, often depicted as a foil to Black Impermanence.) who was blissfully nestled into my shoulder: “Get up. Canine Teng definitely won’t be in the front hall today; we need to find him in the Canine Clan’s backyard.”

That being said.

The Canine Clan’s backyard was enveloped by thick restrictions, with even the ground exuding Daoist might (TL Note: ‘Dào Wēi,’ the power or aura associated with the Dao, often used by cultivators).

Oh, they were truly guarding against Underworld Emissaries (TL Note: ‘Guǐ Chāi,’ supernatural beings from the underworld responsible for capturing and escorting souls.) more strictly than against thieves; at least a thief wouldn’t get hurt bumping into it.

However, even a perfect defense has a flaw, and after a brief observation, I found a gap in the restrictions.

Canine Clan disciples always took out jade tokens to open a door-wide crack in the restrictions when entering or exiting the backyard.

White Impermanence and I seized the opportunity, following closely behind a Canine Clan member, and successfully entered the backyard.

Following the guidance of the Soul-Guiding Needle (TL Note: ‘Zhǐ Hún Zhēn,’ a magical artifact used to locate souls.), we floated as if no one else existed, arriving at the foot of a seven-story treasure pagoda.

Excellent, more restrictions.

I floated in a circle around the treasure pagoda, which was tightly protected by restrictions, confirming that the Canine Clan Patriarch was on the pagoda’s top floor, and finally understanding why Canine Teng was so confident in his ability to successfully pass his tribulation.

A sharp iron needle stood erect on top of the treasure pagoda, with six thin iron wires wrapped around its tip, extending down along the six pillars of the pagoda all the way to the ground.

*Clap, clap, clap.*

I clapped my hands indifferently.

How clever; they even installed a lightning rod.

But…

This was a Xianxia world (TL Note: ‘Xiānxiá Shìjiè,’ a genre of Chinese fantasy fiction involving immortal heroes, cultivation, magic, and often deities and demons.), you should be dutifully resisting the Heavenly Tribulation (TL Note: ‘Tiānjié,’ a divine trial, usually in the form of lightning, that cultivators must overcome to advance to a higher stage of cultivation or attain immortality.) with formations, magical artifacts, spells, or even your physical body!

Look at the grand spectacle in the front hall; the legendary Heavenly Tribulation, which supposedly only one in ten cultivators survive, had become free promotional material in this world!

“Who taught them to do this?”

“Hmm—perhaps it’s the crystallization of the wisdom of the laboring people?” White Impermanence said contentedly, “Everyone is striving to live!”

This wasn’t impossible; after all, even in the world I lived in before, artisans had designed devices similar to lightning rods as early as the cold weapon era.

But to avoid the Heavenly Tribulation with almost no effort, coupled with the fact that every cultivator knew Daoist spells to restrain Underworld Emissaries, wasn’t this level-up a bit too easy?

Forget it; cultivators ascending to immortality were just taking positions from deities anyway.

That was the Heavenly Court’s concern; I just needed to focus on my soul-reaping mission, right?

Though I had a strangely uneasy feeling in my heart…

Just then, White Impermanence tugged at my sleeve and said curiously, “Little Black, look quickly, there seems to be something over there.”

Based on my understanding of her, if I turned my head, it wouldn’t be as simple as just “looking.”

I tactfully refused, “Old White, we’re still working.”

“It’s still early for the mission; just a moment,” White Impermanence said with high spirits, pulling me towards the corner.

It seemed that even if I resolutely refused to turn around, it would be futile.

As I floated backward, I refreshed my understanding of White Impermanence.

But upon closer thought, tomorrow was Canine Teng’s tribulation day.

Since the lightning protection measures were already in place, the pagoda’s restrictions wouldn’t be easily opened.

Perhaps searching elsewhere for another way to enter the pagoda wouldn’t be a bad idea?

Thinking this, I allowed White Impermanence to pull me along.

What White Impermanence had spotted were two young individuals dressed in Canine Clan attire.

They stealthily avoided the main path, running along a small trail deeper into the compound, finally stopping in front of a warehouse-like building.

“Finally here; we almost got caught!” Youth A wiped sweat from their brow.

“Look how scared you are,” Youth B said mockingly, pointing behind them, “There’s not even a ghost shadow back there!

Besides, with me, your elder brother, covering you, you don’t need to fear even if the Black and White Impermanence themselves show up!”

Alright, I’ll just quietly watch you show off.

Standing behind the two, my heart remained calm.

“If the Black and White Impermanence could easily reap souls, would we still dare to do this business?

Hurry and open the door!

If we delay the Patriarch’s matter, that would be truly terrifying!” Youth A’s face showed fear.

Yes, yes, yes, the Black and White Impermanence are just two underworld functionaries; what do they know about soul-reaping?

Youth B’s expression also changed: “Right, we mustn’t mess things up!” They skillfully cast several spells towards the small door of the warehouse.

The door opened, and the two quickly slipped inside, gently closing the door.

“Hiss… why do I feel a chilly gust of wind just passed by?” Youth A suddenly shivered.

“You’ve done too many bad deeds, and your conscience is bothering you.

But you should get used to it soon; after all, it’s not us who are dying, and you know the consequences of disobeying the Patriarch’s orders.” Youth B squatted by a floor tile and cast a few more spells.

*Click*, the floor tile made a sound.

Youth A quickly stepped forward, and together with Youth B, they pulled open a secret door, revealing a deep, dark underground passage.

The two swiftly descended into the ground, closed the secret door, and took out a glowing stone, proceeding deeper into the passage.

“Strange, why is it colder underground today than before?” Youth A hugged their arms.

“No way, you’re just scaring yourself,” Youth B scoffed.

“That’s enough,” I said from behind them to White Impermanence, who was blowing cold air onto Youth A’s back, “They’ve already noticed something’s off.”

White Impermanence withdrew her hand but then turned to me, curiously asking, “Little Black, you usually aren’t interested in gossip (TL Note: ‘Bāguà,’ referring to rumors or celebrity news in modern Chinese slang.); what’s the reason for suddenly actively following along today?”

Initially, White Impermanence had dragged me to watch the two suspicious youths.

However, after hearing their conversation, it had turned into me dragging her to continue tracking them, so her question was understandable.

“It’s not a matter of interest.

The names written in the Book of Life and Death (TL Note: ‘Shēngsǐ Bù,’ a mythical ledger in Chinese mythology that records the lifespan and fate of all living beings.), no matter what hardships the other party faces, I must bring them back.

Knowing those trivial matters would only affect my judgment.

Following them now isn’t to uncover the Canine Clan’s secrets, but simply because the treasure pagoda is difficult to enter.

These two’s actions are related to Canine Teng, and if we can approach Canine Teng through them, then that would be for the best.”

I explained candidly.

White Impermanence covered her mouth: “It sounds like Little Black is an emotionless reaper.”

“Since I’ve embarked on the path of an Underworld Emissary, superfluous emotions are merely burdens.

There’s nothing wrong with being a ruthless reaper.

As the White Impermanence, you should understand, shouldn’t you?”

White Impermanence stared at me blankly for a long time, her cheeks gradually flushing: “Cold Little Black, I also…”

Well, she didn’t want to understand.

The passage finally reached its end, with faint blue light shining from ahead.

I followed the two Canine Clan youths into the basement.

Hmm? This room…

Before I could even get a full view of the room, a powerful suction force suddenly came from ahead.

My vision blurred, and my body lurched forward.

“Little Black!”

The world spun, and only White Impermanence’s startled cry remained in my ears.