"Incomplete, incomplete..."
A shrill scream pierced the air, sending the Hell Registrars and Underworld Magistrates around us scrambling to either side in fright.
I stared dumbfounded at King Hollowbelly, unable to comprehend how such a woman-like voice could come from his mouth.
"Please, Your Majesty, calm yourself!"
The Underworld Magistrate beside me immediately dropped to his knees, trembling as he pleaded. Suddenly, King Hollowbelly's eyes turned blood-red as he glared at a few panicked Hell Registrars, opened his gaping mouth, and with a loud rush, began to suck them in. The Hell Registrars screamed as they were swallowed whole in an instant. With a wet smack, black blood splattered, and their cries faded as King Hollowbelly devoured them bit by bit.
The ghosts behind us turned in terror and tried to flee.
"Wait, not so fast..."
After devouring several Hell Registrars, King Hollowbelly's smile returned. But seeing the chaos among the fleeing ghosts, his face suddenly twisted with rage and he shouted.
"Anyone who tries to run will be killed."
The panic stopped immediately. Every ghost dropped to the ground, trembling. Some lesser ghosts turned to ashes on the spot, and I hurriedly knelt down as well.
“Tell me, why is this pearl incomplete? Be honest with me. No hiding anything.”
A pair of fat, greasy folds loomed in front of me, revolting to the core. I could only force a nervous smile and reply.
“When I first arrived, I didn't have any money. My whole family are craftsmen, so I had no choice but to break off part of this pearl and give it to the Hell Registrar at the gate.”
“Bring them to me.”
A piercing howl rang out. The Underworld Magistrate immediately led several Hell Registrars out. King Hollowbelly stretched out his thick tongue, licking the pearl. Saliva dripped in thick strands, his face lost in a drunken smile.
“Such a fine pearl, but it's not whole. Not whole.”
Drip. Drip. King Hollowbelly sat in his chair, turning the pearl over in his hand. Saliva poured down, as if he'd starved for ages and now saw a feast he couldn't resist. He wanted to devour it immediately.
I quietly observed my surroundings, recalling that the two Hell Registrars had planned to lead me through the golden door beside the throne—the entrance to the Living World. But I stayed put.
This pearl was exceptional. It had sat at Mount Qiyin for so long, its Ghost Aura was incredibly pure. You could even use ghost threads to manipulate its structure. But what puzzled me was: this pearl wasn't much different from the gold and silver trinkets piled nearby. Why was King Hollowbelly so obsessed with it?
Soon, the Underworld Magistrate returned with two Hell Registrars—one tall, one short. They knelt before me, trembling. The Underworld Magistrate handed King Hollowbelly a smaller pearl. He stood up, beaming, and in an instant, saliva streamed from his mouth like a river.
Under a flash of crimson Ghost Aura, the two pearls—one large, one small—merged into one. King Hollowbelly wiped his mouth and stepped toward the two Hell Registrars.
“I told you, you can take some benefits in secret, but don't ever let me catch you.”
“Sorry, my lord—ah—”
A scream erupted. King Hollowbelly's huge hand grabbed the short Hell Registrar. Instantly, he was crushed into a pile of bloody pulp. Black blood streamed into King Hollowbelly's throat, and he gulped it down, like juice from a crushed fruit.
After a while, King Hollowbelly wiped his mouth and let out a loud burp. He tossed the mangled remains aside. The tall Hell Registrar kept kowtowing, desperate.
“Go. I'm too lazy to pursue this further.”
The lucky Hell Registrar scrambled to his feet and fled. Only now did the ghosts outside the hall dare to approach. King Hollowbelly settled back into his chair.
“The pearl is good, but what does it need for seasoning?”
“My lord, pearls pair well with beauties, or with coral, carnelian, turquoise—gold and silver work too.”
King Hollowbelly pondered for a moment, then waved his hand. From the pile on his left, gold and silver flew over and wrapped around the pearl in neat coils. Several gemstones followed. He opened his mouth wide, saliva spraying, and swallowed the pearl whole, chewing noisily.