Netherworld’s Spirit Envoy - -

“I knew you wouldn’t finish it, so let me explain,” Li Bai said, taking back the documents before we could even glance at them.

First, he looked at Lin Zhe and me, and straightforwardly said, “The company has clear and strict regulations for every employee. No matter who you are, you must adhere to the company’s policies. Violate them, and you’re out.”

I wondered why he always gave me that enigmatic smile after saying such things, as if there was some hidden meaning.

“Of course, behind the strict regulations, there are surprisingly impressive benefits,” Li Bai continued, steering the conversation toward salaries.

“You’ll be directly working under me and Li Kui. In terms of compensation, for each completed task, the company will provide appropriate rewards based on the difficulty and effort required. The starting rate is two thousand.”

When he mentioned this rate, Lin Zhe and I both noticed the excitement in each other’s eyes. Although not extraordinarily high, two thousand yuan¹ wasn’t insignificant either. At this rate, with just three tasks a month, we could cover our daily needs and still save some money.

However, Leilei seemed uninterested in the amount, her expression unchanged as she listened to Li Bai’s ongoing chatter.

Due to the company’s strict confidentiality policy, the three of us, as new employees, although having passed the assessment, were not yet eligible to meet with internal company personnel. For now, we had to continue working under Li Bai and Li Kui.

“But I think you already know that our behind-the-scenes boss is Princess Qi. Once the time is right, I’ll introduce you to her,” Li Bai suddenly smiled at me again, sending a shiver down my spine.

From the beginning until now, Li Bai had smiled at me numerous times. If he recruited us into the company without any ulterior motives, I wouldn’t believe it even if I wanted to!

So, I began signaling to Lin Zhe with my eyes. He looked at me for a moment as I subtly gestured towards Li Bai, then nodded in understanding and said to Li Bai, “Alright, I agree to join the company.”

Leilei followed suit, agreeing as well. Both of them looked at me, and suddenly I felt deflated.

After we had signed and sealed what turned out to be a contract of servitude, Li Bai chuckled as he pulled the document towards himself. It was only then that I noticed a particularly inconspicuous clause.

“The contract shall expire one hundred years from the date of signing!” This was essentially a life sentence trapped in this company. I immediately tried to snatch the contract back from Li Bai’s hands, but I was just a moment too late.

“Hey, since it’s already signed, there’s no taking it back. Welcome, from today you are officially employees of my company. We are colleagues now.” Li Bai, with a sly grin, stuffed the contract into his pocket, looking very pleased with himself which was incredibly annoying to me.

“My God, a hundred years, why didn’t you say so earlier?” Leilei realized what had happened and widened her eyes at Li Bai, her expression filled with regret.

With a wave of his hand, Li Bai laughed and said, “What about it? A hundred years is a short time, it’ll pass in the blink of an eye. Besides, if you encounter any accidents while on a task, you might not even need a hundred years to leave the company. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy the Feng Shui burial sites chosen by the masters for free. In your next life, you could be reborn into a good family and bring blessings to your descendants…”

I completely dismissed Li Bai’s nonsense, but I clearly saw that when we signed, our names flashed on the contract and then disappeared. Li Bai was too cunning; we definitely needed to be cautious around him.

“Alright, follow me, my apprentices.” Li Bai stood up, and we followed him into the elevator.

When the elevator doors opened again, it was a windowless, basement-like warehouse, about five meters high, very spacious, resembling a huge corridor. On each side, there was a tightly closed large iron door.

After opening one of the doors, inside were tightly sealed small iron cabinets, all square-shaped and about fifty centimeters each, with a lockhole on each one, their purpose unknown.

After opening one of the cabinets, Li Bai took out three spirit talismans. He had us write our birth details on them, then each of us dropped a drop of blood from our fingertips onto the talismans, claiming he now held our lives in his hands.

“Is this a destiny talisman?” It was only when we all returned to the elevator that Lin Zhe finally realized and spoke out.

Li Bai nodded at him and tapped his forehead with his index finger, “A teachable child indeed.”

The destiny talisman is a spirit talisman linked to our lives. Whenever our bodies are harmed or our lives are threatened, the destiny talisman will spontaneously ignite without fire to alert others. It’s actually for our safety.

“Have these destiny talismans ever worked?” I couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.

Li Bai glanced at me, quite proud as he said, “Of course, they work! Years ago, nearly half of our company went to annihilate a thousand-year-old spirit dragon. Who knew that spirit dragon had developed human consciousness and cunningly plotted against us? The whole warehouse was ablaze, nearly suffocating the old caretaker.”

Li Bai spoke with such pride, but to my ears, it was terrifying. Almost half of the people perished-what a brutal battle that must have been. I still don’t fully understand what kind of company this is, and here I am, blindly stepping into it. It’s truly nerve-wracking.

Upon our return to the animal hospital, Shasha was noticeably more enthusiastic toward us, continually trying to climb onto me, which I discreetly deflected. The cold touch gave me goosebumps.

As we were about to leave, I couldn’t resist asking about Lin Shishi’s condition. After returning from Langdang Mountain, Li Bai took Lin Shishi away; it’s been a long time, and I wonder how she is recovering.

“Oh, I would give it to you even if you didn’t ask!” Li Bai said, pulling the Willow Writing Brush from his pocket and handing it to me.

I accepted it with joy, but just as I turned to leave, Li Bai stopped me, pointing a finger at me with a stern warning: “She’s still very weak right now. Don’t let her come out, or I won’t be responsible for the consequences.”

What consequences? From Li Bai’s expression, it didn’t seem like a joke, so I nodded earnestly. “Don’t worry.”

As we walked out, the five large dogs rubbed against us as if we were bones, wagging their tails in such a flattering manner that they seemed to lose their dignity. Compared to their earlier fearful demeanor, I now felt quite superior. I petted each of their heads before striding confidently forward.

Back at the rented apartment, it was already evening. I lay on the bed and took out the Willow Writing Brush, examining it carefully. Just as I was about to tuck it away, Lin Shishi suddenly spoke, “Sir.”

“Shishi, are you okay?” I asked, my heart racing with excitement as I sat up quickly.

Lin Shishi’s voice carried a hint of shyness, “Thank you, Sir, for saving me. I’m doing much better now.”

I originally wanted Lin Shishi to come out, but remembering Li Bai’s words, I decided against it, prioritizing her safety above all.

“I’m just glad you’re okay. I was really worried you might have been harmed during your time in the Serpent Ghost Domain.” Thinking back to when I saw Lin Shishi in her withered state, it truly gave me a scare, and I still feel a chill when I think about it.

With a hint of laughter in her voice, Lin Shishi said, “Sir, seeing you in the Ghost Domain was tremendously thrilling for me, but being trapped by the Ghost King, I couldn’t come to your aid, and for that, I deeply apologize.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m just glad you’re safe. I ventured into the Ghost Domain to rescue you…” That evening, I spent talking with Lin Shishi, and I have no idea when I eventually fell asleep.

For several days, I didn’t leave home, spending my time talking with Lin Shishi. Whether I was in the kitchen or on the balcony, or even while watching TV, I was chatting with her. It wasn’t until I ran out of food that I finally ventured outside, only to be taken aback.

It wasn’t just me; even the aunties and young guys who were eavesdropping at my door seemed equally astonished.

With a loud bang, the wind blew the door shut, giving us all another start.

“So, is there something you all need?” I couldn’t handle their stares any longer and asked with a smile.

Their expressions didn’t change, remaining utterly shocked as they continued to stare at me.

“Care to come in and sit down?” I stepped aside to make way for them, but as I reached to insert the key into the lock, they all took a step back, gasping and continuing to watch me.

Is there something on my face? I wiped my hand across it but found nothing. Before leaving, I had made sure to wash my face, take a shower, and brush my teeth.

“What on earth is wrong with you all?” I was getting frustrated. I took a step forward, and they all stepped back, looking at me as if I were some kind of monster.

Unable to resist, I glanced sideways at the landlord. “What’s going on? If you have something to say, just say it. What do all these expressions mean?”

When they realized I wasn’t joking, they quickly shoved the landlord towards me, standing behind with continued odd expressions fixed on me.

The landlord seemed ready to flee, but the others held him firmly in front of me, leaving him with no room to escape.

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