IMMFBCG Chapter 90

Chapter 90: The Book of Life and Death

Yue Xue pressed the cotton swab to her hand.

Yu Qi, standing nearby, gently supported her and asked softly, “Are you okay?”

Yue Xue shook her head lightly. “It’s fine, I just had a bit of blood drawn.”

On the other side, Yu Huachong had also finished his blood draw.

Bai Liu silently watched as the doctor sent the blood samples for testing, then glanced back at Yue Xue, who looked a bit pale.

The amount of information they had received that day was overwhelming. Bai Liu never expected that Yu Minghe, who had only recently been their employer, might be Yue Xue’s brother.

But he knew this wasn’t the time to ask questions, so he put his curiosity aside and silently waited for the results of the test.

The DNA paternity test was expedited, and the results were expected in as little as three hours.

However, as time passed, there was still no news from the testing center.

Bai Liu looked at the clock and asked with some confusion, “No results yet?”

At that moment, a staff member came out with an apologetic expression. “Sorry, there’s an issue with the equipment, and we can’t proceed with the testing for now.”

Everyone was stunned.

Yu Huachong furrowed his brow and asked, “What happened?”

The staff member explained, “We’re still investigating the problem. We’re not sure what went wrong, but it will take some time to check the equipment. So, we won’t have results today.”

It was an unexpected issue, and there was no way around it.

Yue Xue and the others had no choice but to leave.

As they were leaving, Yue Xue overheard the staff member muttering, “It’s strange. The equipment has been fine until today, but now there’s a problem. What’s going on?”

She glanced back at them, her suspicions growing, before she turned away.

The paternity test plan was temporarily put on hold.

Soon after Yue Xue returned home, she received another call from the testing center, saying the equipment had been fixed and they could proceed with the test. However, ten minutes later, she received another call saying the equipment had malfunctioned again.

In the end, Yu Huachong decided to send the samples to another testing center.

But strangely, not long after the samples arrived, the equipment at that center also malfunctioned.

This time, Yu Huachong chose a testing center run by an acquaintance, but the result was the same—once again, the equipment broke down.

Such strange occurrences could no longer be explained by normal means.

It was as if a mysterious force was preventing them from discovering the truth.

Yue Xue put down her phone and said to Yu Qi, “I have a feeling that no matter how many times we try, the result will always be the same.”

Bai Liu tried to reassure her, “At least we’re now 80% sure that you, Yue Xue, are related to the Yu family. Otherwise, how do you explain the equipment malfunctioning every time it’s your samples?”

Yue Xue’s expression didn’t relax. “But there’s still a 20% chance it’s not. As long as it’s not 100% certain, we can’t jump to conclusions.”

After all, this was about family recognition, not a child’s game.

But if even the equipment couldn’t detect it, was there any other way to find the truth?

“Hmm? What truth?”

A fourth voice suddenly appeared in the room.

A pale blue light appeared, and Wei Xingteng skillfully walked through the wall. When he saw Yue Xue and the others, he greeted them, “Hello, everyone. Why do you all look so serious? What’s going on? By the way, where are the others? Why aren’t they here?”

Wei Xingteng asked two questions in a breath, and Bai Liu answered one first, “It’s just the three of us here. My senior brother is helping the believers interpret dreams, Xuxing He had something to take care of at home, so he left a few days ago and probably won’t be back for a while. Daoist Qin Haoran is probably teaching them Tai Chi. As for the new Daoists at the temple, they’re welcoming guests in the front hall.”

Wei Xingteng nodded. “Ah, that’s why it’s so quiet today.”

“Right,” he added, “I just heard you mention something about the truth. What’s going on? Can I help?”

Yue Xue slowly looked at him as if something had just clicked.

She suddenly realized, “Oh, right.”

If people couldn’t find out the truth, they could always ask a ghost!

“So, you want to find out about your origins?” Wei Xingteng asked after listening to Yue Xue explain her situation, his tone thoughtful.

“Yes, but we’re stuck right now. The equipment keeps malfunctioning, and no one has any relevant memories…” Yue Xue asked, “Wei Wuchang, do you have any ideas?”

Wei Xingteng wasn’t very worried. “This is simple. The Book of Life and Death in Judge Cui’s hands records everything that lives. As long as we borrow the Book, we’ll know whether your parents are your parents.”

Upon hearing this, Bai Liu raised his hand and asked, “But can we just borrow the Book of Life and Death like that?”

This was an item from the underworld—weren’t they afraid it would reveal too much?

Wei Xingteng chuckled. “Of course, we can’t just borrow it…”

“…” Bai Liu was speechless. “Then why are you telling us this? Are you just messing with us?”

Yue Xue didn’t place all her hope on Wei Xingteng. Hearing this, she wasn’t disappointed. “In that case, we’ll think of another way.”

Wei Xingteng quickly said, “Hey, hey, wait, I haven’t finished! While the Book of Life and Death can’t be borrowed, you can still look at it yourself.”

Yue Xue paused for a moment, then looked up at Wei Xingteng. “I?”

Wei Xingteng explained, “If anyone else wanted to look at the Book, Judge Cui wouldn’t allow it, but you’re different. You’ve done a lot to help with the escape of the ghost from the Well of Ghosts. Judge Cui remembers that. How about this, I’ll go back to the underworld and tell the King of Hell and Judge Cui. If they agree, then Bai Liu can take you to the underworld to view the Book of Life and Death directly.”

This was an unexpected turn of events.

Yue Xue nodded. “Thank you for your help.”

Wei Xingteng grinned. “No problem!”

Then he looked at Yue Xue, rubbed his hands, and said, “By the way, Daoist, I heard that the incense at Xuan Zhen Temple is doing well?”

Yue Xue smiled, looking at Bai Liu. “Nephew, take Wei Wuchang to get some incense.”

The next day, Wei Xingteng brought good news.

Judge Cui had agreed to allow Yue Xue to borrow the Book of Life and Death.

White Liu also needed to go to the Underworld, so he would accompany Ye Xue.

They informed the people at the Taoist temple and then immediately left their bodies behind, heading down Yellow Springs Road.

At first, they could still see some light, but gradually, the surroundings became more and more blurred, and the light dimmed abruptly.

Ye Xue sensed the pervasive Yin energy, with ghostly energy floating in from all directions. She looked ahead and saw many ghostly figures drifting along the road, while occasionally, a few Yin officials wearing tall hats appeared by the roadside to urge them forward, ensuring that new souls didn’t stray off course.

A procession of ghosts was floating in a fixed direction.

Seeing this, White Liu pulled Ye Xue along and said, “Master, we should go this way.”

Ye Xue nodded and followed.

They blended in with the group of ghosts.

Some of the Yin officials on the Yellow Springs Road recognized White Liu, and when they saw him, they nodded in greeting. Their gaze lingered on Ye Xue for only a few seconds before returning to their duties, guiding the souls forward.

Ye Xue, being a living person, still carried a trace of vitality, which made her stand out from the other ghosts of the Underworld. This life energy attracted the attention of the Yin officials. If she had come alone, she likely would have been taken away by them. But with White Liu by her side, the other Yin officials ignored her.

They followed the procession of ghosts, moving forward until they finally reached a place called “Fengdu.”

White Liu took out a soul-reaping rope and presented their pass with great familiarity, leading Ye Xue into Fengdu.

The deeper they went, the fewer ghostly figures they saw along the way.

By the time they reached the innermost area, there were no more signs of ghosts nearby.

Not far ahead, Yin energy was thick, and in the midst of it, two figures became visible, one in blue and the other in black. Their attire was different from the Yin officials Ye Xue had seen before. Noticing that the man in blue was holding a judge’s pen, Ye Xue guessed that he must be Judge Cui Jue.

Her guess was confirmed when White Liu addressed him, “Lord Cui!”

The man in blue looked over. His appearance was surprisingly refined, resembling a delicate scholar.

He spoke to the person beside him, saying, “Fan Wujie, the person we were waiting for has arrived. You can go back now. If you steal Xie Bi’an’s wine again, even I won’t be able to help you.”

Fan Wujie, Xie Bi’an?

Those were the names of the legendary Black and White Impermanence!

Realizing this, Ye Xue looked forward.

Sure enough, the person before her was dressed as described in the folklore: wearing a black hat and black attire, with the words “Peace under Heaven” written on the hat.

The Black Impermanence seemed to notice Ye Xue’s gaze and turned his eyes towards her, his expression calm and without hostility. His steady, unflinching gaze instantly pinned Ye Xue in place.

Cui Jue smiled and said, “Alright, Black Impermanence, stop scaring the little girl. Even Yin officials feel uneasy under your stare, let alone a living person.”

Black Impermanence withdrew his gaze and nodded lightly before vanishing.

Cui Jue then looked at Ye Xue and said, “So you are Ye Xue. Wei Xingteng has already informed me of your situation. However, the Book of Life and Death can only be viewed by you. The others must remain outside.”

Ye Xue nodded, “Of course.”

Cui Jue instructed White Liu to wait outside and took Ye Xue to a side hall.

He waved his sleeve, and raised his hand, and a black-and-white book appeared in the air, slowly descending into his hands.

Cui Jue handed the Book of Life and Death to Ye Xue and said, “All the lives in the mortal world are recorded here. But remember, you must not tamper with the information, or it would be against the will of Heaven, and you will be punished.”

Ye Xue took the book and assured him, “Don’t worry, Lord Judge. I don’t have the same courage as Monkey Brother.”

“…“ Cui Jue couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re quite an amusing little girl. No wonder Wei Xingteng likes you so much.”

Meanwhile, Ruan Xinghua arrived at the Taoist temple just before the gates closed.

Seeing the doors almost shut, he hurriedly called out, “Master Xu, please leave the door open!”

Xu Zhou stopped what he was doing and, seeing Ruan Xinghua rushing over, smiled, “Ruan, we meet again.”

Ruan Xinghua entered the main hall, first offering three sticks of incense to the Ancestor, then noticing Ye Xue’s absence. He asked, “Master Xu, where is Ye Xue? She should have returned by now since it’s her day off.”

Xu Zhou smiled and explained, “Master Ye had something to attend to and left for a while.”

Seeing Ruan Xinghua look a bit disappointed, he asked, “Are you looking for Master Ye? If you don’t mind, you can tell me, perhaps I can help.”

Ruan Xinghua nodded and then shook his head, “It’s nothing important. I just wanted to ask Ye Xue a difficult math question while offering incense. Since she’s not here, I’ll ask her when I get back to school.”

Since learning about the red-dressed female ghost, Ruan Xinghua had become more eager to study.

No one could stop him from learning!

Ruan Xinghua put some money in the merit box and told Master Xu, “Master Xu, I’ll head back now.”

Xu Zhou smiled and nodded, “Be careful on your way.”

…

Ruan Xinghua walked out of the alley and headed toward Cultural Square.

He was multitasking, reciting his notes while walking, when he accidentally bumped into someone.

“I’m sorry! Are you okay?” Ruan Xinghua quickly apologized and froze when he looked up.

In front of him stood an elderly man dressed in a blue Taoist robe, with a celestial demeanor.

The old man wasn’t angry about being bumped. He looked at Ruan Xinghua and gently said, “I’m fine.”

Then he turned and walked in the opposite direction.

Ruan Xinghua quietly watched the old man’s back and couldn’t help but feel that he looked somewhat familiar. “I have a feeling I’ve seen that old man before.”

Ruan Xinghua muttered to himself, then turned around and looked back in the old man’s direction. He realized the man was heading towards the Xuanzhen Temple. Suddenly, he had a flash of realization and clapped his hands.

“Ah, that’s it!” Ruan Xinghua said to himself. “That old man looks a lot like Master Su Xinghe!”

Their calm, celestial aura was almost identical.

He laughed again, “What’s wrong with me? Why do I think they look alike? They’re clearly from two different worlds, except for both wearing Taoist robes.”

Ruan Xinghua scratched his head and walked away happily.

At this moment, the door of the Xuanzhen Temple was knocked.

Yu Qi, who had been enjoying the moonlight in the front yard with the cotton doll, walked over after hearing the sound and asked, “Who’s there?”

Meanwhile, in the Underworld, Ye Xue looked at the record of her own life and became slightly distracted.

[Ye Xue, born in the Year of the Rat, mother Ye Lianrou, father Yu Huayong.]

“They are my parents…”

She continued reading: [Once had a master-disciple relationship with Ye Yangyun.]

“Why does it say ‘once’?” Ye Xue paused for a moment, intending to continue reading, but then noticed the text suddenly became blurred. It was as if the next part was related to heavenly secrets, and it became unreadable.

Though many things were still unclear, at least she now knew her origins.

Ye Xue was about to close the Book of Life and Death and return it to Cui Jue when she paused. Something unbelievable caught her eye, and she stared at one of the entries with a fixed gaze.

No matter how many times she looked, the Book of Life and Death still clearly showed the following line:

“Ye Yangyun, exceptionally talented, with great virtue. In the Guiyou year, a zombie disaster occurred in Fengyang Village, where the zombies were subdued. As his end approached, he reincarnated.”