After finishing the meal, I checked the time—it was already past 1 p.m. From what Tunjiu just said, he seemed to want me not to rush. He could tell that when Wang Su mentioned the Hades Circle Born, I started to get anxious.
The meal was simple, just some vegetables and such, all personally prepared by Wang Su in the kitchen to the left. It was quite delicious.
"Go into the inner room."
Wang Su said, standing up. I helped carry the freshly changed tea leaves and the teacup, entering the room directly facing the entrance.
Once inside, I was amazed to see something hanging on the wall directly opposite the door—an object resembling an oil lamp. Its strange shape caught my attention, and the flame was orange.
The oil lamp was pitch black, shaped like a fierce, fanged demon with a blue face, kneeling on the ground and holding a small dish with both hands.
On both sides of the room, there were two other rooms. Inside, there was a small table woven from pillars and several little bamboo stools. It was very empty, with nothing else inside.
After sitting down, I kept looking at that strange oil lamp on the wall. Its orange glow was soft yet bright enough to illuminate the room, which had no windows.
"Qingyuan..." Tunjiu reminded me. I quickly withdrew my curious gaze and looked at Wang Su, who smiled and began to speak.
"This is called the Yan King Ghost Lamp. It's what I use to extend my life."
I let out a sound of surprise and looked at Wang Su. He explained further.
"I and the other nine are chosen by the underworld to serve as the Ten Guides. Naturally, we can't die before finding successors."
I responded with an 'oh,' but I couldn't shake a strange feeling about the lamp.
"Alright, Xiao Zhang, let's return to the topic before the meal. Let me tell you a story about the Hades Circle Born."
I nodded and listened intently.
About 300 years ago, the world was fairly peaceful. Occasionally, there were border skirmishes, but most regions enjoyed comfortable lives. Back then, being Hades Circle Born was much easier than now.
At that time, there was a man named Lan Yin. He had just inherited the family legacy from his parents and began his journey of soul collection. Hades Circle Born weren't as relaxed as now. Although the headquarters provided some money each month for food and travel, most Hades Circle Born whose families lacked a main business still lived quite frugally.
Lan Yin's ancestors ran a rice shop, so life was decent. His parents had completed their tasks and were only waiting for their lifespans to end before reporting to the underworld.
To avoid suffering after entering the underworld, Lan Yin's father handed him the family legacy at eighteen, letting him finish soul collecting early and start training the next generation. Lan Yin's marriage partner was already arranged—after two years of trials, once he turned twenty, he could marry.
"Xiao Zhang, do you know why we Hades Circle Born are so burdened? Even knowing it's unreasonable—after all, being aware of others' deaths and our own isn't pleasant—we still have to faithfully carry out our duties."