Afterlife Department

Chapter 40 - Shen Sheng

"Fear… it's just normal to feel fear." Gu Shi sighed after he talked to Yi Bing about Huo Ling. He remembered that Huo Ling was with Yi Bing when Yi Bing fought with the Soul Eater and Huo Ling was almost eaten.

Yi Bing nodded. "Yes." he said and lowered his head.

Gu Shi saw Yi Bing's reaction. A smile formed on his lips. Yi Bing was absolutely disappointed. He heard from San Di about Yi Bing bragging his 'boyfriend'. Of course, Gu Shi knew that San Di just misunderstood Yi Bing.

Gu Shi didn't ask any further questions to Yi Bing and dismissed him.. When Yi Bing went out, he met Huo Ling who was standing outside. "Huo Ling." Yi Bing said.

Huo Ling smiled. "You're the only one I know here, so I asked someone if he knew where did you go." He explained. "I've already finished resting." He told him.

"Then let's go." Yi Bing said and walked first.

Huo Ling looked at Yi Bing's broad back. Suddenly, he felt that Yi Bing was in a bad mood. He looked away and happened to see someone inside the office where Yi Bing left. Gu Shi also was watching Yi Bing so he saw Huo Ling.

Their gazes met. Huo Ling gave Gu Shi a smile and nodded at him before he followed Yi Bing. Meanwhile, after Huo Ling left, Gu Shi was stunned. He had not seen Yi Bing's report he passed to San Di since he (GS) had been busy before with the interns. Thus, it was his first time to see Huo Ling.

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"Isn't he…" he muttered and he immediately followed the two outside after his initial shock. However, when he went outside, the two were already gone. "Damn it!" he cursed as he went to the Pathway of Clouds since that's where the two will be going after Huo Ling decided to reincarnate.

However, just as he took a step, he saw his surrounding immediately changed! Gu Shi blinked as he immediately turned. There, on the throne, he saw a handsome young man elegantly sitting. A tall angel was standing behind him. "Shen Taizi!" Gu Shi exclaimed, then he immediately covered his mouth. He knelt down on the clouds beneath their feet. "Your Highness." He subserviently called.

Shen Sheng was drinking wine from his golden cup. His sleeves rustled when he moved. "Why are you such in a hurry?" he asked as he raised his wine cup. "Ling Shiyi." He called.

The tall angel standing behind Shen Sheng took the cup, his head was lowered. Gu Shi felt cold sweat beaded his forehead. "I – " he said, but then closed his mouth after. His eyes fell on Ling Shiyi. Currently, he is the archangel serving Shen Sheng – Shen Taizi, the crown prince of the Heaven.

Shen Sheng's golden pupils stared at Gu Shi and Gu Shi felt an immeasurable pressure crushing him down. Gu Shi watched as his sweat fell down the cloud and disappeared. It'll fall on the earth as a raindrop. "Have you forgotten the first rule of the Afterlife Department?" Shen Sheng asked.

"No, Your Highness." Gu Shi immediately answered.

"'Never to interfere between the matters of life. Only of death.'" Shen Sheng said. "The Afterlife Department is a new form of Hell after it was destroyed 50,000 years ago." He said and reached out for a pastry on the plate beside him. "Its function is to send the souls to their next life after the due process and passing the jurisdiction of the judges." He explained. The judges he meant are the archangels other than Ling Shiyi – the attending archangel to the crown prince of the Heaven. "It is now the mortals call 'Purgatory'." He added.

There shouldn't be a prince in the Heaven, only a king. Gods aren't allowed to have a child since it is a taboo – interfering with life matters. However, for some unknown reason, the king of the Heaven – Shen Taijun, brought a child to the Heaven. It was Shen Sheng. No one knows about his birth, but they only know that he is Shen Taijun's son. No one questioned Shen Taijun, aside from the other ministers of the Heaven, and the chancellor. No one knows how Shen Taijun convinced his ministers and the chancellor, but Shen Sheng became the prince. In order for him to have something to do, the Afterlife Department was given to him for him to handle.

In short, he is the direct superior of Gu Shi. "Your Highness, I saw – " he said.

"I know." Shen Sheng said. "Otherwise, why would I call you here?" he asked.

Gu Shi's eyes widened. He lowered his head in shame. "Your Highness." He called. "Didn't he…" die, before?

"What happened before is a thing of the past. We now live in present, so do your best to pave the way for your future!" Shen Sheng carelessly said.

The intimidating aura disappeared and Gu Shi's face was covered in black lines. "…" Your Highness, pay attention to your image! Your image! He thought and sighed. "I understand, Your Highness." He said and bowed.

"You should." Shen Sheng smiled. "Now, go on your way." He said and waved his hand to shoo him away.

Gu Shi grimaced. He nodded at Ling Shiyi before he disappeared from Shen Sheng's throne room. Shen Sheng looked at the place where Gu Shi appeared earlier before his smile disappeared. He remembered 50,000 years ago, when the Afterlife Department was just created. He had two outstanding attendants. In order to choose one, he gave them a test. However, he didn't expect to lose them both. One committed suicide while the other one was sent to the Afterlife Department. "Ling Shiyi." He called his new attendant.

"Yes, Your Highness." Ling Shiyi answered and bowed.

"Don't let anyone disturb my rest." Shen Sheng said and yawned. Then, he walked towards his bed and lied down to sleep.

"… yes, Your Highness." Ling Shiyi's voice was the last thing Shen Sheng heard before he drifted to sleep.

There was an endless sea of clouds before them and the wind is strong. Huo Ling tried to poke the cloud and he only felt it was moist. The clouds were untouched even if they were stepped on, but if they were deliberately touched, then you can feel them.

"This is the Pathway of Clouds, although it's a sea of clouds." Yi Bing spoke. He saw that it's just not the two of them here. There were others who were accompanying the souls they're assigned to for the souls to reincarnate.

"Will I see you again?" one of the souls tearfully asked its agent.

The agent smiled. "If you'll die again, then you might have a chance to see me again." He told the soul.

"I will!" the soul said.

Huo Ling heard their conversation and his face was covered in black lines. What are you so excited to die again? He thought and sighed. He turned to Yi Bing. "Won't you have some words to say to me to cheer me up?" he asked him.

"For example?" Yi Bing asked.

Huo Ling thought of it, but he can't think of anything. He sighed, defeated. Between them, there's nothing to say to the other. They're just strangers who met by chance. Now, they'll just go back to being strangers.

Maybe, he won't see Yi Bing again. After all, he's on his way to a new life – while Yi Bing will stay here to deal with the matters of the dead.