Snowlyme

Home/ There’s A Beauty / Chapter 72 (Part 1)

After interrogating a group of people, the man saw that it was still early, so he invited You Shu to the back hall to drink tea. 

After all, You Shu was just saved by the other party. Although he was afraid of being exposed, he still went there bravely, and took a sip of the tea personally handed by the other party.

Seeing him pretending to be elegant, the man couldn’t help laughing. He immediately picked up the tea cup and lowered his head to take a sip, hiding his slightly curved eyes. It has been a long time since he met someone as interesting as County Magistrate Xiao Zhao.

You Shu looked at him directly and asked curiously, “How on earth are you drinking the tea?” Isn’t there still a mask on your face?

In fact, the man didn’t wear any mask, and what others saw was just a smokescreen he used. 

However, with You Shu’s round and bright eyes staring at himself, and the way he looked left and right was so cute that he didn’t even want to explain. He extremely enjoyed the feeling of this person focusing all his attention on him, especially when he suddenly appears, but You Shu pretends not to know even though he could see it, and then stared at himself all the time with the corner of his eye, as if he was the only one in You Shu’s eyes. The man felt extremely happy, with an endless sweetness constantly rising in his heart.

At this moment, the tea in his mouth has completely changed its flavor, as if mixed with honey or licorice, slowly melting at the tip of his tongue. The man stared at You Shu and took a sip, followed by another sip. His gaze was obscure and difficult to distinguish, but he never said a word.

The man’s gaze made You Shu’s heart tremble, and he began to fidget and wonder, ‘Has my origin been discovered?’

He wanted to leave immediately, but was afraid that his behavior would be too abrupt, so he had to sit around patiently.

“It’s late at night, and I haven’t had the chance to welcome you. Let me treat you to some simple food.” The man seemed to understand his predicament. He flicked his hand slightly and many delicacies suddenly appeared on the table. The rich aroma instantly spread throughout the hall.

Sweet and sour pork chops, pickled pork elbows, lobster meat…. All of them are You Shu’s favorite dishes, and there are several more dishes that he had never seen before. They should be the specialties of hell. They are not only delicious, but also mouth watering. 

Ever since he became the magistrate of Suichang County, You Shu hasn’t eaten fish and meat for a long time. He only tastes meat occasionally, and only asks the cook to buy the cheapest pig offal, poultry offal and some other ingredients.

Now, a table full of delicacies was placed in front of him, and he couldn’t help but shake his index finger. Then he secretly swallowed the saliva that was rapidly secreted in his mouth and was almost about to flow out of the corner of his mouth.

Seeing that he remained motionless for a long time, the man asked in a deep voice, “Magistrate Zhao, is the food not to your taste? Do you want to change the dishes?” He often secretly visits County Magistrate Xiao Zhao, so he naturally knows what kind of miserable life the other party leads. He’s obviously a glutton, but he still forces himself to save money on food. It’s so pitiful.

You Shu’s palm was already pressed on the chopsticks, but he didn’t pick it up for a long time. He muttered, “After eating the food from the underworld, can I still return to the mortal world?” I heard that food from the underworld is not edible, just think of Persephone as an example.

{Persephone- According to Greek mythology, Persephone, daughter of Zeus and Demeter, was abducted by the King of the Underworld and couldn’t return after she was tricked into eating the food from the Underworld.}

The man didn’t seem to expect him to say this. First, he was stunned for a moment, and then he laughed softly. Although his voice sounded a bit different due to the mask, it still sounded extremely alluring, making You Shu’s ears turn red, which was really awkward.  

He gradually realized that he was “using a villain’s heart to judge the belly of a gentleman”, but the other party was not angry, only smiled and waved his hand, showing that he was broad-minded.

Lord Yama is indeed a good god! You Shu’s liking for the other party has been constantly rising again, and is about to break through the sky. His round eyes timely exude a sense of shame and eager admiration. This is the instinct of the people in the last days of the apocalypse, admire the strong and yearn for the benevolent.

The man in front of him undoubtedly has both.

“Don’t worry, I will personally take you back later.” Feeling happy by You Shu’s scorching gaze, the man raised his chopsticks to put vegetables into his bowl.

Although You Shu was afraid of having his identity discovered, he would not doubt the assurance of Lord Yama. He now has an idea of what kind of person the other party is. This person is fair and kind, but also decisive and resolute in his actions. He probably won’t deceive people, right? 

Thinking like this, You Shu completely let go and immediately picked up the bowl, stuffing rice into his mouth. But he had no time to swallow the too much food he stuffed into his mouth and his throat couldn’t help make an “awoo” sound, which made the man laugh again.

However, after laughing, when the man looked at You Shu who was eating as if he had been hungry for eight lifetimes, he felt heartbroken again. It is really difficult to be a good and honest official in the completely corrupt Dayong Kingdom.

He didn’t talk anymore, but silently helped You Shu pick up the vegetables, and then told him in a deep voice to eat slowly and not to choke. You Shu nodded frequently, but his speed didn’t slow down at all. He finished two bowls of rice before stopping briefly and reaching for the teacup. Eating too fast, he really choked.

The man knew that he would be like this, and had already picked up the teacup for him. He then raised his hand to remove several plates of fish. With such an anxious appearance, it is better not to eat fish, otherwise you will definitely get fish bones stuck in your throat.

The two of them cooperated harmoniously, and were both busy with their own affairs, not noticing anything unusual. You Shu continued to eat, while the man supported his cheek with one hand and admired it silently. 

A few minutes later, You Shu was full, but still couldn’t bear to put down his chopsticks. He moved a plate of peanuts in front of him and ate them one by one.

The man suddenly stood up and walked to the window to listen, his eyes full of warmth.

“What’s wrong?” You Shu had to put down his chopsticks and ask.

“Come and take a look.” The man waved to him.

You Shu didn’t know why, but he still walked over quickly and looked out the window. He saw that the palace wall that was several feet high was crowded with dead souls, shouting in unison, “We want to see County Magistrate Xiao Zhao! He was wronged!”

The sounds dispelling heavy Yin Qi, the anxious eyes, and the mournful cries all originated from the disaster victims of Lishui. They were eager to get news about County Magistrate Xiao Zhao, and were worried that the officials in the underworld, just like the people in the mortal world, were all beasts with no distinction between right and wrong, regardless of good or evil. 

If even the County Magistrate Xiao Zhao dies unjustly, how could there be any justice and humanity in the world? Where else can there be a clear and majestic atmosphere?

You Shu was stunned and didn’t know how to react for a long time. Although he had experienced many storms in life, it was still the first time he was sincerely loved and supported by so many people, and his heart couldn’t help but feel uneasy and even flattered.

The man grabbed his slender wrist and led him to the terrace outside the palace, saying softly, “Let your people see if you are safe.”

You Shu was pushed to the edge of the terrace, not knowing where to put his hands and feet, so he just raised his arms and waved stiffly.

“It’s County Magistrate Xiao Zhao! And Lord Yama, he’s fine!”

“It’s good, it’s good! My children are still in the mortal world. If County Magistrate Xiao Zhao dies, I don’t know how they will live. Where can Dayong find a better parent and official than County Magistrate Xiao Zhao? Ah!”

This sentence caused many deceased souls to shed tears, and they shouted even more fervently to the County Magistrate Xiao Zhao, kneeling down together. 

No official can make them feel grateful, revered, and admired from the bottom of their hearts, except for the man on the terrace who is as clear as the wind and moon. In order to support the people, he even sold off all his wealth, was not afraid of people in power, and insisted on justice. Who has such courage these days? Who has such concern for the country and the people, not giving up until death?

If all the officials in Dayong were like County Magistrate Xiao Zhao, there would not be so many innocent souls in the underworld.

“Quickly send Magistrate Xiao Zhao back! The people are still waiting for him!” Someone shouted, and everyone immediately responded in unison, their voices breaking through the sky.

Shocked by the sound, You Shu unconsciously took two steps back, his expression bewildered, but a small dimple appeared on the side of his cheek.

Lord Yama stepped forward at the right time, supported his waist, and rubbed it a few times without leaving a trace before letting go. He asked, “How does it feel to be worshipped by all the people?”

If someone else were to stand here, they would definitely be very excited by this spectacular scene. However, You Shu repeatedly stepped back and did not talk to the deceased souls about his feelings. 

Instead, he knelt down with his forehead deeply lowered and pressed it against the back of his hands. After half a quarter of an hour, he straightened up and bowed again and again. After three bows, he stood up and said dryly, “It feels very heavy.”

The man’s gaze flickered with confusion.

You Shu paused and then said, “If I had to use two words to describe my mood at this moment, I can only use reverence and compassion.” The reverence for life and the compassion for living beings. Those in power will never know what immense power they hold unless they truly approach the people.

This is ancient times, without mechanical equipment that can change the celestial phenomena and landforms. There are also no technologies that allow people to travel in space. But they have an indelible spirit and a beautiful vision of turning evil into good. 

With this spirit and prayer, they can create miracles. They can make the heavens cry for it and overturn the earth; they can make ghosts and gods retreat, and dispel demons; they can turn the Huangquan Road into a smooth path to justice.

Right and wrong have their own merits, and justice lies in the human heart. This is the worst of times, but it is also the best of times, because people’s hearts have not changed, and good and evil have not changed either. 

So when the souls of the deceased knelt down, You Shu, who had always disliked the etiquette of kneeling, naturally bent his knees. The vast majority of these souls, even though they have never even been his subjects, did this for him. He comes from the end of the world where the good and evil in people’s hearts are extremely distorted, so he really realises the weight and preciousness of life even more.

“Look, County Magistrate Xiao Zhao is returning the salute, and he is also kowtowing to us!”

“There is no need for parents and officials to bow down to their people! Magistrate Xiao Zhao is really, really…” The rest of his words were drowned in the cries of the deceased souls. They have never seen such a good official. It would be great if they could reincarnate under the rule of County Magistrate Xiao Zhao in the next life. Then, they would no longer have to worry about the issue of “living is worse than death”.

Lord Yama was also deeply shocked by You Shu’s words. After a long moment of silence, he slowly touched the top of the other person’s hair and said softly, “You are very good.”

“No, you are better!” You Shu hurriedly stepped back and knelt down again. The reason why the mortal world is so devastated is precisely because of the chaos of reincarnation in the underworld. If it weren’t for the vigorous rectification performed by the man in front of him, I don’t know how many people would have died in vain. When it comes to merit and virtue, this man is the greatest, while he himself is only doing a small bit.

Lord Yama was not willing to accept his bow, so he immediately held his smooth forehead with his palms, preventing him from bending down. His thumb was placed between his eyebrows, and he rubbed it slowly.  

You Shu always felt that this move was a bit too intimate, and was about to take a few steps back, but he suddenly heard the other party say in a deep voice, “Don’t move, I will send you back right now.”

Can you go back just by touching your eyebrows? You Shu was secretly surprised when he saw a black light emitting from the other party’s fingertips, which disappeared into his forehead, followed by a familiar feeling of dizziness.

Looking at the empty terrace, Lord Yama twirled his thumb for a long time without moving, but his heart slowly savored the smooth and soft touch he had just felt. It’s the first time he had touched Magistrate Xiao Zhao openly and honestly, and it turned out that this feeling is so good.

“Lord Zhao has returned to the mortal world. You all should disperse.” Upon hearing the commotion below, he waved his sleeves to drive away the souls of the deceased.

Next

Previous

---