Afterlife Department

Chapter 168 – Creed

"Xiao Ling told me, that if he died, the person who will kill him is…" Hao Baiyun said as he took a deep breath. "… someone from the royal family." he said.

"Do you have an idea who could it be?" Gu Xingfeng asked.

It wasn't surprising that the murderer would be from the royal family, since they are included in the list of suspects. Even the imperial family of their motherland is filled with conspiracies. Is the royal family different? The royal family is just one of the factions that might have killed Huo Ling..

What's surprising is that… "He really told you about this?" he asked again.

Hao Baiyun nodded. His expression is heavy. Gu Xingfeng never mixes his private life with his profession, thus he wouldn't let his feelings affect his judgement. Hao Baiyun isn't lying to him. Added to the fact that Hao Baiyun treats Huo Ling as his younger brother, Hao Baiyun wouldn't joke pertaining to Huo Ling's death.

Gu Xingfeng pondered. "He told you this… does that mean he knows someone is trying to kill him?" he asked.

"It must be." Hao Baiyun said as he gulped down his water. "I was shocked when he told me. That time, I thought he was lying." He wryly smiled. "But, when I heard the news of his death… I realized he was really serious." He bit his lip. "If only I paid more attention…" he muttered as he pulled his hair.

Gu Xingfeng saw Hao Baiyun's eyes reddened and were filled with regret. "There's no need for you to blame yourself." He told him as he gave him his handkerchief. "If he had told you that, that must mean he knew he's going to die." He said. "He must have already prepared himself to face his death."

Hao Baiyun's tears fell when he heard Gu Xingfeng's words. "Xiao Ling…" his voice shook when he spoke Huo Ling's name. This heart-rending pain… he clutched his chest when he felt it was harder to breathe. Why does he feel he had missed him for a lifetime? And now, he missed him again…

"… xiao Bai…" Gu Xingfeng muttered under his breath as he moved his gaze away from the crying Hao Baiyun. He's five years older than Hao Baiyun. He's already 33, while Hao Baiyun is 28. Before, he thought that Hao Baiyun was disgusted at him because of their age gap. Later, he realized Hao Baiyun is disgusted at him as a person. And it started with Hao Baiyun's dear uncle's death.

Now, Hao Baiyun lost another important person – his beloved cousin. And this time, the deceased is innocent. How do I cure his wounded heart? He thought. "Xiao Bai – " he called as he turned, only to widen his eyes when he saw Hao Baiyun drank the wine he had ordered earlier for the others to drink to make them relax their nerves. "Xiao Bai!" he cried when he saw Hao Baiyun's face immediately flushed red.

Gu Xingfeng found out that Hao Baiyun has low alcohol tolerance. That's why he was easily drugged before since he got easily drunk. Idiot! He cursed himself as he caught Hao Baiyun who almost fell off his chair when he became dizzy. "Xiao Bai… xiao Bai!" he called as he tapped Hao Baiyun's flushed cheeks. "Damn it." he cursed as he carried him out. He told the waiter to mail to the police station, to his name, their bill before he carried Hao Baiyun to his car. "Xiao Bai ah…" he muttered after he had settled Hao Baiyun to his seat and pulled his seatbelt. "You always make me worry." He whispered. He leaned down to kiss him on the forehead. However, just a few centimeters away, his lips quivered. He can't. He shouldn't touch him again.

He clenched his fists before he started the car.

Stable World, Afterlife Department.

The computer suddenly alarmed because of an incoming message. Di San cursed under his breath before he opened it.

As expected, the message is from Yi Bing.

0001: I noticed there were several souls that followed my assignment. 

Di San almost lost his sanity. What do you mean, 'follow', 0001?! Don't be conceited, okay?! Not all beings are a stalker like you! Even the grim reapers know their limit, yet you, the model grim reaper, is a stalker to the point of disguising as a resident of a world to deceive… ehem, protect your little lover!

Di San wanted to hurl to Yi Bing these words, but, could he? Could he?! He wanted to! But, can he? Can he defeat Yi Bing? And so he continued reading Yi Bing's messages while grumbling.

0001: 2 of them I have met in the Stable World. And another two… no, four! I saw another two just now! Four of them I and my assignment met in the other worlds. Say, this is strange. One or two, it is understable. But, a total of six?

Di San's face darkened. This Yi Bing, he looked like an upright and abstinent man yet he's actually… he can actually drink vinegar! What a jealous man! And his jealousy is too much! Huo Ling, you're so pitiful for having a stalker that's the first among the grim reapers. Yi Bing, he's literally a deadly stalker!

Normal World, S City Business Park.

"Achoo!" Huo Ling sneezed when he felt his nose is itchy.

"What's wrong?" Yi Bing asked. "Did you catch a cold?" he said.

"… how can I catch a cold? I'm already dead." Huo Ling reminded him.

"Oh." Yi Bing muttered as he stared at Huo Ling who was rubbing his nose. I asked him out of habit when I was Liu Lingling. He thought. He lowered his head to hide his smile. Why does this guy always make me worry? He helplessly smiled.

"Secretary Lewis?" He heard Huo Ling spoke.

Yi Bing raised his head and followed where Huo Ling was looking at. It was a male foreigner walking down the street and is going their way. He turned and saw Huo Ling's surprised expression. "Who is he?" he asked him as he felt the irritating feeling bubbling in his chest. I need to guard the house, not only from the local thieves, but also from the passing thieves? He thought as he narrowed his eyes.

"Oh." Huo Ling muttered, not noticing the dark clouds and the green hat above Yi Bing's head. "He's my father's secretary." He explained as he looked around. "We're near father's branch company." He said and looked at Yi Bing who had already cleared his expression. "Seeing secretary Lewis, he and my father must be already here." He said.

"Hmn." Yi Bing muttered as he watched Secretary Lewis walked past them. He's walking towards one of the tallest building in this street. "… you're not following him?" he asked when he saw Huo Ling just stood there and not looking at Secretary Lewis anymore.

"No." Huo Ling answered.

"… is there a problem?" Yi Bing asked the obvious.

"There is." Huo Ling answered. He's a straightforward person. "Secretary Lewis doesn't like me. Even though I am my father's heir, but I am aversive to the matters of the underworld. As a secretary, I understand he's doing his best for the company. And I, the heir, avoids the company. That's why he dislikes me." he explained.

"Are you sad about it?"

"Huh?" Huo Ling looked at Yi Bing.

"Do you want him to like you?" Yi Bing asked.

"No." Huo Ling answered. "No. It was unnecessary." He said.

"Then – "

"What I'm sad about is that my father might be burdened because of this." Huo Ling said. "If I'd inherit the company, the secretary must wholeheartedly serve me. However, I and secretary Lewis don't get along." He explained. "But, that doesn't matter now. I died. Secretary Lewis doesn't need to tolerate me, and my father's burdens were lessened." He smiled.

Such a naïve child. Yi Bing thought as he looked at the company. Then, his eyes narrowed. He could see the people inside the tall building despite the distance and its thick walls. "I see." He just said before he removed his gaze and turned to Huo Ling. I see that they don't value you. He thought when he remembered what he had seen inside the topmost floor of the company.

A middle-aged man was talking with a pair of couple and they were laughing. When Secretary Lewis arrived, they only made a pause before they resumed talking. Even Secretary Lewis laughed along with them.

But, Huo Ling doesn't need to know this. From the moment they met until they'd part, he will always protect Huo Ling from harm. If Huo Ling wants to be innocent, then he will make him remain innocent. If he wants to be a villain, then he'll let him play the villain.

This is the grim reapers' creed – the souls have suffered when they were alive, so they the grim reapers will be at their beck and call to make their afterlife fulfilling.