Afterlife Department

Yi Bing abruptly rose from his seat and the chair immediately overturned because of his action. "What are you doing?!" he asked Shen Sheng as he grabbed Huo Ling's wrist, on guard and is ready to take action against Shen Sheng if Shen Sheng tries something funny. 

But, who could stop Shen Sheng if Shen Sheng really tries anything funny? Yi Bing would love to try, if Shen Sheng does anything to harm Huo Ling. Di San is coldly sweating this time and is frozen on his seat because of shock… wait. Wait a minute… he is actually literally frozen! He thought. His eyes are wide as he stared at the ice surrounding his whole body, including his seat! Even the long table was also frozen! 

Di San's mouth would've dropped open had it not his whole body is frozen. Damn Yi Bing! If he's jealous, can't he not drag others with it?! And Shen Taizi, too! If he's gonna provoke anyone, fine. But please not Yi Bing! Shen Sheng knows Yi Bing is in love with Huo Ling yet he still wants to provoke the guy! He internally complained and a rain of curses appeared in his mind. Even if Shen Sheng is stronger than Yi Bing, and that's why he is provoking Yi Bing… but can he please not when there are others around them?! 

A string of curses once again filled his mind. Yi Bing is a BOSS. And Shen Sheng is a big BOSS. Meanwhile, he's only an underling. Who can stop these BOSSes?! No – he thought. Can they even be stopped?! And, he's scared of what will happen if these BOSSes would really fight. He felt the world might going to end! 

"Oh." A voice muttered. 

Shen Sheng who was grinning, and Yi Bing whose face is as dark as the bottom of the pot, turned to look at Huo Ling. He should've been frozen, but Huo Ling is currently wrapped around by fire that is melting Yi Bing's eyes at the speed of the light. Even the puddle of water that should've formed on his feet evaporated because of the heat. 

Di San who saw that the nearby bookshelves not only were frozen but also were burnt. "…" F*CK! This one is no good, too!!!! Am I the only one around who is normal here?!?! He thought. 

But, because of Huo Ling's fire, the ice surrounding the long table and him was melted. 

Di San breathed deeply and glared at Yi Bing. Yes. He can only glare at Yi Bing even though it was Shen Sheng who started this. But, who dares to glare at Shen Sheng, much less curse him?! He can onluy secretly complain! "Yi Bing, you…" he spoke and was about to curse when Shen Sheng suddenly spoke.

"Look. This is my gift." Shen Sheng said and looked around. 

Yi Bing didn't move. Di San did. And Di San saw that the ice around has melted. 

Realization dawned on him. "Shen Taizi… could it be that you gifted Huo Ling…" he raised his head to look at him. 

Shen Sheng just smiled. Di San didn't speak again while Yi Bing snorted. 

"What…" Huo Ling muttered as if in a daze. Then, he saw that the book he was reading that was covered in ice before but was melted by his fire has turned to soot because his body is still aflame. "…" what gift is this? Is he sure this isn't a curse?! My whole body is on fire! Literally! He thought and looked at Shen Sheng who laughed. 

"Yi Bing should've told you how to control your power. This fire is also a part of your power." Shen Sheng spoke and smiled meaningfully. 

Huo Ling was still puzzled but Yi Bing and Di San was silent. Their suspicion was confirmed. It was a Soul Fragment that Shen Sheng gave to Huo Ling. And because of it, Huo Ling's soul became stronger, and so is his power. Di San, and also Yi Bing, doesn't know if this is good for Huo Ling, since just now they saw how destructive Huo Ling's fire is. It can even melt Yi Bing's ice! 

And, just now, Huo Ling hasn't controlled it. It was his reaction after his soul was touched. Then, how will it be if he lost control of himself? Di San felt an incoming headache. Shen Sheng really does no good. His gift is actually a cause of a trouble. 

Shen Sheng, of course, doesn't know about Di San's troubles, or does he? "Since I've already given my gift, then, I'll be leaving." He spoke and rose from his seat. 

Di San glanced at him, and then at his hand that should've been burnt by Huo Ling's fire yet there's not even a single burn on it. It's as fair as ever. Just how strong Shen Sheng is?! 

"Thank you, Shen Taizi." Huo Ling spoke and bowed. 

"It's no problem. I've given it late, anyway." Shen Sheng shrugged and then walked away. 

Di San and Yi Bing who knows that Shen Sheng sent the Soul Fragments to Ruan Yu to be fixed. "…" this isn't a gift, but actually bringing it back to the owner. 

Yi Bing followed after Shen Sheng, leaving Di San and Huo Ling. 

"…" Di San and Huo Ling looked at each other. Di San awkwardly smiled. 

"Is he like this?" Huo Ling asked. 

Di San knows Huo Ling is referring to Shen Sheng. "Yes. He is really good towards the grim reapers." He answered. 

Huo Ling already has heard of this, as well as – "Why does he hates the angels?" he asked. "Weren't they his first creations? Why is he good only to the grim reapers and not them?" he looked at Di San. 

Di San fell silent. After a while, he spoke in a quiet voice. "It's because of the Upper Heaven." He answered. "The angels, who belong to the Upper Heaven, have betrayed him." he told him. 

"'betrayed'?!" Huo Ling exclaimed and looked at Di San in shock. He hasn't heard of this! Obviously, this is an inside information! "Why did they betray him? And how?" he asked. "He created them, did he? So, why would they…?" he added. 

Di San looked at Huo Ling and knows that he isn't one to gossip. It's just plain curiosity that's why he asked. "No one knows how, and why." He answered. "But, the result of it is the Heaven splitting into three." he sighed. "Shen Taizi moved to the Middle Heaven because he can't stand the Upper Heaven, especially the angels. It was only then that he created the grim reapers, and have them fill up the Lower Heaven." He explained. "That's how the Afterlife Department came to be." he added. 

Outside, Shen Sheng stopped when he heard Yi Bing's footsteps. 

"Huo Ling's Soul Fragments have been completed, and were fixed by Ruan Yu." Yi Bing spoke. "Why didn't you give it all back to him?" he asked. 

Shen Sheng slowly turned. "Do you want him to explode?" he asked back. Seeing him didn't answer, he continued. "Huo Ling's Soul Crystal is complete. But, in order to avoid him exploding, I can only give it to him slowly." He explained. 

Yi Bing frowned. 

Shen Sheng smiled. "I know you are concerned of him, so be assured that I won't hurt him." he told him. 

Yi Bing looked at him. "So, you are saying that if I'm not concerned of him, you will hurt him?" he asked. 

"I didn't say that. It was you. Don't twist my words." Shen Sheng rolled his eyes at him. "And, you know I like the grim reapers. I will never hurt you all." He assured him. 

"Yeah, right. Because there's the Conferment Seal." Yi Bing said. 

Shen Sheng just smiled. Yi Bing glared at him. To say that the Conferment Seal protects them, and is make them look like alive, is right. But, there is another secret to the Conferment Seal, and that is Shen Sheng can monitor them. It is right to say that the Conferment Seal acts as the eyes and ears of Shen Sheng to the grim reapers. That way, he will know if the grim reapers will betray him. The Conferment Seal also acts as chains to the grim reapers. Who knows what will Shen Sheng do to them if they'll betray him? 

Yi Bing's expression softened when he remembered this fact. "You've lost some of your powers after that. Don't push yourself too much." He told him. 

Shen Sheng's brows raised. "Aren't you afraid that Huo Ling will misunderstand our relationship if he will hear you say that to me?" he asked and glanced inside the library. 

Yi Bing's face immediately darkened. 

Shen Sheng laughed. "What are you panicking for earlier? Shou and shou are not compatible." He told him. 

Yi Bing. "…" so, you are also a shou? It's not obvious at all! He thought and looked at Shen Sheng who is now walking away. Also… who is his gong, then?