Afterlife Department

Chapter 406 – Classification

"So, because the corpse of this second young master appeared in many places at the same time, they created this 'rule'?" Shi Jiu said. 

The rule is to stay away from the waters at night. Even on day, they shouldn't stay near it for too long. 

"This world is said to be supernatural." Huo Ling spoke. "So, it's because of this?" he said and looked at Yi Bing. 

"I think." Yi Bing said. "We didn't notice anything unusual that could be a supernatural when we arrived, until we find out this." he explained. 

They nodded in agreement.. The classification and sub-classification of the worlds are based on two things: time, and the energy, respectively. A world classified as normal or special is based on time. It is a Normal World if it is an ancient or modern world. If it is beyond, then it becomes a Special World. As to how beyond the time it is… it depends on the technology of the world. 

For example, Abnormal World 9999. It was a Normal World before, because its technology can't be called advanced albeit new energy sources were found. These new energy sources were found, and was later used, but used only as a power source. It wasn't used yet on vehicles or weapons. If the Abnormal World 9999 will later become a Special World, it will still remain as an Abnormal World because of the presences of Quinn Hudgeson and Renton Hydd, unless they move on to reincarnate. And, since ghosts are a feudal superstition but the world is leaning to become a Special World, this world becomes an Abnormal World. 

As for the sub-classification, it depends on the world energy. For example, the presence of the ghosts is because the world energy is enough for them to materialize. The same can be said to a fantasy world, and might as well apocalypse. The creatures mutated because of the world energy. Although the apocalypse can also be caused by science, then this apocalypse world can be a Normal World. 

Anyway, as to why Yi Bing answered 'I think', it's because although they already know that this world is a supernatural world, but it doesn't mean that they already knew what kind of supernatural this world is. Monsters like ghouls or jiangshi? But, it is enough for them as long as they know it is a supernatural world. The only thing they'll know is the life of the soul before it died as it was stated in their Death Note – the biography of the soul. 

As long as there is death, it will appear on their Death Note, unless there are special circumstances, like now, or like when Yi Bing stalked Huo Ling before during Huo Ling's reincarnations and changed Huo Ling's death. There can be modifications, but should not much change, and the result should be death. 

But, right now, they can only blindly guess, since they can't find any soul. Right now, their only clue is second young master Pei Tinghe. "Shall we go to the Pei family?" Jiu Ye asked. "They already found second young master Pei's corpse, right? Then, we might find a clue there." he said. 

Everyone turned to him. 

"W-what?" Jiu Ye asked, suddenly feeling conscious and he blushed. 

"From what you said, we realized something." Huo Ling said, then turned to Shi Jiu and Yi Bing. "Where is the real corpse of second young master Pei?" he asked. 

Silence. 

"That's right. There should only be one corpse, and where was the real one found?" Shi Jiu spoke. "The river, the lake, or somewhere else?" he looked at them. 

"If we can go to that place… we might be able to find a clue." Huo Ling said, then paused. "Well, it's also better to check those other places where the fake ones were found. Better safe than sorry." He shrugged. 

"Good." Yi Bing nodded, agreeing to Huo Ling's plan. "Jiu Ye." He called as he turned. "Nice one there." he told him. 

Jiu Ye's face brightened and he blushed, shy. He then foolishly grinned. "Err, well…" he scratched his head. "Thanks, hehe." He foolishly laughed. 

Yi Bing, Huo Ling and Shi Jiu. "…" what the hell is this kid thinking? Shouldn't it be us thanking him for unintentionally giving us a hint? They thought. 

Shi Jiu coughed and awkwardly smiled, feeling embarrassed for his younger brother. "Are we going to the Pei family?" he asked, changing the topic. 

"That doable." Huo Ling spoke. "We might also be able to find out some things there." he said as he stretched his limbs. 

"But… we can't just outrightly ask them about the corpse, right?" Jiu Ye, the foolish but also sensitive, asked. 

"'delicacy', right?" Shi Jiu sighed. 

"Asking the family members isn't the only way to obtain a clue." Yi Bing spoke. Everyone looked at him. "There are also the servants." He said. 

Everyone felt enlightened. But, Shi Jiu suddenly remembered something. "What if they are loyal to the Pei family? What if there might really be something unspeakable, but they won't tell us because of their loyalty?" he asked. He's just thinking of the possible outcomes so they won't be left empty-handed after. 

"It depends on how deep is their loyalty." Yi Bing spoke, then paused as if he was considering something. "Bribe or threat, pick one or both." He told them. 

Huo Ling, Shi Jiu and Jiu Ye. "…" aren't you speaking coolly just now?! Why that end?!

Shi Jiu stared at Yi Bing. His gaze is complicated. Before, Yi Bing is very decisive in everything and would rarely consider anything. If something really ended up the wrong way because of his decision, he would solve it alone and wouldn't ask anyone for help. He would solve all of his problems with strength, being very forceful. 

But now… Yi Bing asked for their opinion? Shi Jiu is very surprised.

"What?" Yi Bing felt Shi Jiu's gaze on him. 

"… nothing. Just fell into a daze while thinking…" Shi Jiu answered as he moved his gaze. 

"Mn." Yi Bing nodded before he turned to Huo Ling. 

Shi Jiu observed Yi Bing and saw that Yi Bing's gaze often falls into Huo Ling. He has heard that Yi Bing's recent assignment is Huo Ling, and Yi Bing has gone to great lengths to recruit Huo Ling as a grim reaper. He heard this from Gu Shi and Di San. 

So, Yi Bing's change is due to Huo Ling? He thought when he remembered Yi Bing has never been looking this gentle before. He only looked gentle when he is facing Huo Ling. Though, when he's facing him and Jiu Ye earlier, Yi Bing's cold expression has slightly thawed. 

Shi Jiu suddenly had an inexplicable feeling that his and Jiu Ye's presence right now looked redundant. Why does he feel like they are lightbulbs? 

"Let's go for bribery." Huo Ling voted. "Even though what we're proposing right now is an empty threat, but it's better to not offend anyone, no matter who they are, as long as we can, as to not step on a hidden landmine." He grimaced. 

"Talking from an experience?" Yi Bing spoke, remembered the guy who stabbed Huo Ling before in the Stable World. 

Huo Ling. "…" can we stop stabbing each other? He thought as his face darkened. 

Yi Bing chuckled. 

Shi Jiu and Jiu Ye stared at the two. "…" why do we suddenly see pink bubbles around them?! Damn. The feeling of being lightbulbs increased! They thought. 

Huo Ling sighed and turned, only to meet Shi Jiu's and Jiu Ye's gazes. "How about you two?" he asked. 

"Huh?" the brothers blankly muttered. 

"Bribery or threat, which will you pick?" Huo Ling asked. 

Shi Jiu immediately started while Jiu Ye was still in a daze. "Bribery." Shi Jiu answered and coughed. He secretly pinched Jiu Ye to waken up the other. 

Jiu Ye's body jolted. "Bribery!" he answered, copying his elder brother's answer. 

Huo Ling nodded and turned to Yi Bing. "Bribery not only can buy good feelings, but also can buy good luck." He said. "Because these people will have good feelings towards us for giving them money in exchange for something that might even be not useful to them, they might help us again next time." He explained. 

"A favor, right?" Yi Bing said. 

"Yes." Huo Ling nodded. 

"Then, let's go for bribery when it happens." Yi Bing decided. 

"Okay!" they answered. 

"Oh. By the way – " Yi Bing spoke when he remembered something. " – about that little girl…" he said, his voice trailed off when he saw their strange gazes on him. His face darkened. "Do you want to eat snow?" he asked them in a low voice. 

They immediately moved their gazes away. 

Yi Bing sighed, feeling helpless because he has teammates who have a pit in their brains. "The little girl who has the fifth mini Anji Li – " he said as he looked at them. His expression turned serious. " – it seems that she is a member of the Pei family." He told them.