"I am an underworld official, what illness do I have?" Xie Bi'an turned around. It was the first time she had introduced herself, stating her identity. An underworld official was likely a position responsible for apprehending ghosts, like a patrol officer of the underworld, or perhaps someone like Ox-Head and Horse-Face? I didn't know much about the underworld, but through Yao Yao's words, I had long known that the underworld was real, its existence even more plausible than that of demons: the world could exist without demons, but as long as there were living people, there would be a corresponding underworld.
"Lord Xie, why are you looking for me today... Do you have any instructions?" I mimicked her ancient tone.
"I want to recruit you. I mentioned this to you last time, have you considered it?" Xie Bi'an asked, reverting to a modern tone.
"Uh... Honestly, Lord Xie, I haven't really considered it." I said. I hadn't taken our brief meeting seriously at the time. It wasn't until Yao Yao and the others told me Xie Bi'an's identity that I started to pay attention.
"Consider it now." Xie Bi'an, with her hands behind her back, tilted her chin up. The paper-figure's expression was quite animated, unlike the appearance I had seen when we first met at the "cousin's house" in Fanshen Village.
"I have a question, Lord Xie." I said.
"Ask away."
"There are so many living people in the world, why did Lord Xie choose me?" I asked sincerely. I remembered she had vaguely mentioned my physique was suitable, but I didn't understand what kind of physique it was.
"Because your physique is suitable." She still gave me the same answer.
"Please, Lord Xie, enlighten me, what kind of physique do I have?" I asked with a smile, genuinely unsure.
"Why do you think Mu Jige approached you? And why were you able to master the Qi-Reading Art, which others might not even touch in their lifetime, in just a few days?" Xie Bi'an countered.
At this moment, I felt someone pushing my body, calling my name, even slapping my face.
What I heard was very faint, it should have been Yao Yao, perhaps she realized Xie Bi'an had infiltrated my dream and was trying to make me break contact with her.
Indeed, the paper-figure in the dream glanced forty-five degrees towards a point in the dark, empty space, and frowned, "I am discussing matters with him, why are you interfering? Begone!"
Her voice was not loud, but it carried an extraordinary aura. Yao Yao actually backed down and stopped calling me.
"My lord, I don't know." I answered.
"Although Mu Jige is a woman, she possesses a unique Pure Yang physique, unmatched in a million. As for you, Wu Chengfeng, although you are a man, you are a Pure Yin physique, rare in a billion."
"Pure Yang, Pure Yin... What the heck?" I frowned. Both terms sounded familiar, but I certainly didn't know their exact meaning.
"The so-called Pure Yang physique, described in terms you can understand, refers to vigorous growth and development. Its yang energy is abundant, and its vitality is vigorous. Compared to the yin substances within the body, it holds a relative advantage. In Taoism, Pure Yang is spirit. The leakage of yang energy can affect the yin substances in the body. Ghosts are yin. This is why, after Mu Jige's sealing period ended, our underworld was unwilling to accept her."
So that was it.
Before I dug up the Nine Immortal Cave, Shen Xingyue had told me something about Mu Jige having killed too much, and the underworld was unwilling to accept her.
It seemed Shen Xingyue only knew the 'what' but not the 'why.' This was the real reason.
"Then what about my Pure Yin physique?" I asked again. Conversing with Xie Bi'an was quite interesting; my body felt no discomfort, and I could even gain knowledge.
"The Pure Yin physique is the exact opposite. Yin energy is contained, and vitality is hidden. Compared to the yang substances within the body, it holds a relative advantage. In Taoism, Pure Yang is spirit, and Pure Yin is ghost. This is why I want to recruit you," Xie Bi'an explained. However, I didn't fully grasp her explanation.
Xie Bi'an noticed my furrowed brow and confused expression, but she didn't elaborate further. She merely chuckled, "Whether Pure Yin or Pure Yang, both are extraordinary physiques that deviate from the norm. Now, you have also coincidentally learned the Qi-Reading Art, allowing you to discern humans and ghosts. Wouldn't it be a waste not to join my ranks as an underworld official?"
Damn it, I learned the Qi-Reading Art to identify enemies, not to see ghosts!
And the purpose of identifying enemies was to 'know oneself and the enemy,' to fight if I could, and to run if I couldn't.
"What, you still won't agree?"
"...If I refuse, what will Lord Xie do to me?" I asked with a bitter smile.
Xie Bi'an smiled slightly, "No hurry, you'll agree eventually. However, as far as I know, you are currently facing a crisis. Is that not so?"