Chapter 2: The First Encounter
Yanluo Zunzhe glanced at Zhu Yanyi and immediately discerned her thoughts. "You seem quite displeased to see me." There was a faint trace of dissatisfaction in his tone. To be honest, it was no fault of his; he had no desire to come here either. Had the subordinates below not caused this commotion, he would not have been present, nor would he have incurred such a difficult debt to repay.
"Where would such an idea come from?" Zhu Yanyi offered a soft, placating smile. "I am not that kind of person. Besides, Zunzhe gifted me the auspicious chain." If not for his guidance, she would never have obtained the golden chain in her mind. She was no ungrateful wolf, forgetting those who had helped her once she had taken their gifts. This memory brought to mind events from not long ago.
At that time, Zhu Yanyi had just died. As the old saying went, a weary mortal life often ends swiftly. Her past life had not been particularly exceptional, but her death had come quickly enough. She had finished writing her book, gone to bed, and then, upon falling asleep, arrived in the Underworld to admire the scenery of the red spider lilies.
Upon reaching the Netherworld, she had not encountered figures such as Meng Po. Instead, she had inexplicably entered a room.
The room’s dominant color was black, and its decor was simple, consisting of only two desks—one facing forward and one placed to the side. The desks appeared to be crafted from fine agarwood, emitting an ancient, serene aroma that carried a sense of profound simplicity. What was truly startling, however, was the presence of two Netherworld judicial terminals on the desks. Even the brand logo bore the mark of a red spider lily, indicating that these were devices exclusive to the Underworld.
Such a room should have felt desolate, yet Zhu Yanyi found it remarkably warm.
"Could this place be equipped with heating?" Zhu Yanyi looked around curiously, finding no signs of air conditioning or radiators.
"That is because your kindness has altered the temperature here." Accompanying a clear, cold voice, two figures materialized out of thin air and drifted down slowly. One took a seat at the desk facing forward, while the other sat at the desk to the side.
The man seated in the main position was the same man standing before her now, though at the time, she had not realized it. Instead, she had been observing the man seated to the side.
The man on the side had a full beard and a complexion of dark red, a hue suggesting health. He appeared vigorous, his eyes devoid of fluctuation yet sharp enough to pierce one's very soul. In his left hand, he held a book inscribed with the characters Book of Life and Death, and in his right, a vermilion brush, as if ready at any moment to determine life and death.
Zhu Yanyi’s heart stirred slightly as she looked at the man on the side. "Are you the Judge?" Although his attire differed, this image matched the description.
The man on the side nodded slightly. "I am the Judge." He then pointed to the man in the main seat. "This is the ruler of our Underworld, Yanluo Zunzhe."
"Greetings, Zunzhe." Zhu Yanyi was somewhat surprised by the Judge’s cautious, respectful demeanor, but she still bowed politely to greet him.
Yanluo Zunzhe scanned Zhu Yanyi from head to toe. She was not a beautiful woman; her soul form revealed her appearance in life. She stood less than 1.6 meters tall with a slight build. In her world, she would undoubtedly be considered far from striking in appearance. However, her aura was peaceful, as if nothing could disturb her composure. Those with impatient hearts would inevitably find themselves calmed in her presence. It was likely this tranquility that accounted for her current steadiness.