Lan Yin was still trembling uncontrollably, his face twisted in terror as he stared at Hank, mouth agape.
"What's wrong, Lan Yin? Are you alright? Did you run into something evil?"
Lan Yin brushed away Hank's hand from his forehead, swallowed several times, then choked up, speaking each word with difficulty.
"Hank, promise me, for the next few days, don't go out. If you're short on money, take this—use it as you need."
As Lan Yin spoke, he pulled out an exquisite little pouch filled with silver coins, pressing it into Hank's hand.
But Hank just laughed and shook his head.
"Lan Yin, I won't take your money. I've got hands and feet, remember? I told you before. Are you really haunted? Lan Yin, you seem off today. Hey, I know an old Taoist priest—come on, I'll take you to see him."
Suddenly, Lan Yin grabbed Hank's hand, trembling, his voice thick with tears as he pleaded.
"Hank, I'm begging you, for the next half year, don't go out. Just stay home, okay? Or come to my house."
In the end, Hank couldn't resist Lan Yin and agreed to stay indoors.
After returning home, Lan Yin still looked pale, and his father called him into the study, as if something important needed to be said.
"Yin'er, tell me, who did you see today that's about to die? Have you started collecting their souls? Your mother and I will soon have our souls collected too. It's time for you to inherit our mantle, marry, and raise the next generation."
Lan Yin nodded and took out a small booklet, recording the details and household registrations of those he saw who were close to death.
"Good, Yin'er, very meticulous. It's almost time. The Underworld Stone has selected your match—the third daughter of the Mo family. Soon, the Mo family will have the Wang family help bring her over. And, ha ha..."
Lan Yin's father stroked his beard and burst into laughter.
"Father, what's the matter?"
"Yin'er, this is a blessing from heaven. Our Lan family, as the third branch, has never been able to enter Hades Village, but now things are different. Hades Village is taking your marriage very seriously."
Lan Yin let out a sound, then stared blankly at his father.
"Do you know? This is the greatest fortune our Lan family has had in centuries. The current Soul Collector is about to burn out, and we need a successor. The son you will have with the Mo family's third daughter will become the next Soul Collector of the Lan family."
Lan Yin only replied with an "oh." His mind was entirely on Hank, with no energy for anything else. He was anxious, but his father seemed to see through everything and pulled him aside.
"Yin'er, tell me, what is the ancestral rule of the Lan family?"
"Members of the Lan family must not form deep bonds with anyone outside of the Hades Circle."
Lan Yin's father nodded in satisfaction.
"That boy Hank, his soul will be your responsibility to collect, Yin'er."
It was like a bolt from the blue. Lan Yin was instantly petrified, staring at his father in shock, his face ashen. His eyes widened, his mouth hung open, and the pain and torment on his face was unmistakable.
"Yin'er, I warned you when you were young—life and death are determined by fate. Hank's time is almost up. Even if it's painful, this is the destiny of those in the Hades Circle. That's why our ancestors set this rule. After all, collecting the soul of someone you love or a friend is never a glorious thing. I hope you understand, Yin'er."
Even after Lan Yin's father had left for a long time, Lan Yin collapsed to the ground with a thud, his head tilted upward, face full of helplessness. I watched his heart writhe in agony.
In the months that followed, Lan Yin visited Hank's home almost every day. Since Hank refused Lan Yin's help, he simply joined Hank in fishing by the river and gathering wild vegetables in the forest to eat together.
As the days drew closer, Lan Yin's smile completely vanished. Hank seemed to sense something, but never asked Lan Yin about it.
Finally, with only two days left, Lan Yin and Hank went fishing by the river in the morning. Their catch was good, and they made a pot of fish stew, drinking wine brewed from wild fruits.
"Yin, this wine is really bitter, but it packs a punch."
Lan Yin forced a stiff smile. Throughout the meal, neither of them spoke much. After they finished eating, Hank put his arm around Lan Yin's neck and led him to the riverside where they used to play as children, taking out their old slingshot and shooting stones.
Lan Yin sat quietly nearby, watching Hank play with the slingshot.
"Yin, give it a try. It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
Lan Yin took the slingshot but wasn't in the mood. He tossed it aside carelessly.
"What's wrong, Hank? You've been so down lately."
Hank sat down beside Lan Yin and patted him on the shoulder.
Lan Yin looked dejected, unable to meet Hank's eyes. Suddenly, he stood up and looked at Hank with determination.
"Hank, what I'm about to say—please believe me. I want to save you."
"What's going on? What do you mean, Yin..."
When Hank saw Lan Yin's serious expression, his smile faded. He nodded.
Lan Yin briefly explained the affairs of the Hades Circle to Hank, then took out his soul-collecting gourd and handed it to Hank.
"This thing collects people's souls? Heh."
"You don't believe me?" Lan Yin asked. Hank let out a long breath and nodded.
"Ever since we were kids, whenever you got hurt, you'd heal quickly. Remember that time you fell from that tall tree and split your head open? That was my fault. I carried you to the doctor, but before we even reached the clinic, your wound had miraculously healed."
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Hank smiled and handed the soul-collecting gourd back to Lan Yin, then continued speaking.
"Sometimes, when I worked odd jobs at the brothel at night, I saw Aunt Lan and Uncle Lan going out late. Their behavior was strange. Later, I learned that everywhere they went, someone died."
"So you believe me, Hank, you..."
Hank raised a hand, interrupting Lan Yin.
"I'm going to die soon, aren't I?"
My heart skipped a beat as I looked at Hank. He seemed to already know his time was near.
"Hank, how did you..."
"Didn't I tell you before, Yin? I know an old Taoist priest. He's very accurate with his predictions. He lives in that dilapidated temple to the west. I once thought you were possessed, so I went to see him. He told me I didn't need to worry about you—your fate was set long ago. But as for me, he said I wouldn't live past this year."
Suddenly, Lan Yin stood up, grabbed Hank's hand, and started running.
"What are you doing, Yin?"
"Come on, let's find that priest. He might have a way—he must have something."
Lan Yin had Hank lead him outside the city to a nearly collapsed temple. The place was desolate, with no incense offerings—just an old Taoist priest living there. Many sought him out, but he only saw those who were destined, and only at certain times would he help.
By the time they arrived at the temple, it was already dusk. I followed the two of them. The temple gate was missing one side, and in the courtyard stood a withered tree, fallen leaves everywhere, weeds covering the wall, and some walls had completely collapsed.
"Those who seek their fate, those who seek its unraveling—Heaven's will is set, why trouble yourself further?"
Just as the two stepped into the ruined temple, a deep, aged voice floated out from within.
"Daoist Maowen Cai, it's me, Hank. We've met before. I want to..."
"There's no need, young man. I already told you last time—your death is near. And your companion is from the Hades Circle, isn't he? Please, both of you, leave."
Suddenly, Lan Yin rushed into the temple. Inside, before a Daoist statue, sat an old priest with gray hair and beard, dressed in tattered silver-gray robes, fanning himself in a rocking chair.
"Daoist, please help me."
Lan Yin stood before Maowen Cai, the Daoist of Mount Mao, speaking earnestly as he quickly pulled out money.
"Sigh, my friend, I do not accept worldly money. Since you are from the Hades Circle, you should know the rules. Doing this... I'm afraid..."
"It's all right, Yin."
Hank quickly walked over, sensing something strange in the old priest's words.
"No..." Lan Yin shouted, staring intently at the old priest. Yet no matter how desperately Lan Yin pleaded, the priest remained unmoved, eyes closed.
In the end, Lan Yin gave up and decided to take Hank somewhere deserted, not planning to return home.
However, when they returned to the city gate, Lan Yin found his parents and other members of the Hades Circle waiting for him.
After much struggle, Lan Yin was subdued and knocked unconscious. His father walked up to Hank and bowed.
"Uncle Lan, what are you..."
"Thank you, Hank. For Yin'er to have a friend like you in this life... I suppose you already know."
Hank nodded, and Lan Yin's father looked at him seriously.
"I will personally collect your soul. My final soul collection will be for you."
Hank laughed heartily, bade farewell to Lan Yin's father, and walked into the city, still smiling.
"Thank you, Uncle Lan. When Yin wakes up, please comfort him. Life and death are destined."