Chapter 003: Reasoning with the Donkey

Wen Zhao felt a surge of fear, realizing that the chain of souls had been severed. Those few individuals who had just been struck by the fish tail were truly at risk of harm. She quickly warned Wan Qing not to take any risks, while instinctively searching the crowd for the small spirits who had just been hit. A glance revealed that the small spirits were all safe and sound; however, the first person struck, a woman from the Zhang family, had a pale blue hue on half of her cheek, appearing as if she were on the verge of being disfigured. Yet, she remained completely unaware, still intently watching Wan Qing capture the flower basket.

"Zhao Niang, I am currently attending to my duties, you should hurry back home." Wan Qing carefully pulled the sleeve from her hand; there was no other choice, as this garment was made of paper and could not withstand pulling. A little force would tear it. As for his wife, while she could wash clothes, she was not skilled at mending them. If she attempted to repair a torn area, she would likely ruin the intact parts, rendering the entire garment unwearable.

Wan Qing finally arrived at the shore and gazed at the flower basket. At this moment, the fish tail was no longer visible, and the flower basket did not drift away; it was floating in place.

My lord, please do not force yourself

Wan Qing, as if struck by lightning, after a long while finally sighed and said: "A corrupt donkey cannot be taught."

Wan Qing is a ghostly envoy, distinct from the ordinary souls found on https://m.hetushu.com. He has practiced the Yin Gathering Technique issued by the Department of Underworld Affairs, making him particularly sensitive to the vital energy of living beings. After observing for a moment, he confirmed that the fish in the flower basket were indeed alive

Since Wen Zhao settled in the underworld, I have witnessed this scene no less than seven or eight times. I know that Wan Qing's scholarly temperament cannot be easily appeased. The final outcome is certainly that the old donkey will become impatient and swish its tail away, followed by Zhang San cursing as he chases after it. Thus, he straightforwardly approaches, grabs Wan Qing's hand, and says: "Something big has happened, come with me quickly"

Zhang San was wronged to the heavens; he had indeed suffered misfortune for eight generations. During his lifetime, he kept a stubborn donkey, but he could no longer afford to raise it, so he planned to slaughter the unproductive donkey for meat. Unexpectedly, while sharpening the knife, the donkey kicked him in the back, causing him to accidentally cut his own neck. After his death, filled with resentment, he reported the incident to the Underworld Affairs Office. The office determined that the donkey was guilty of killing its master, thus shortening its lifespan and bringing it down to the underworld as well. To compensate Zhang San, the donkey was assigned back to him. Since Zhang San had raised it for three years without charge, the donkey was required to work for Zhang San for another three years before it could be reincarnated. However, donkeys are notoriously stubborn, and this one refused to work. As a result, nearly thirteen years have passed, and both the master and the donkey remain stuck in the underworld, unable to be reborn.

Wen Zhao spoke in a calm and measured tone: "It's not a big deal, just that a living being has emerged from the Yellow Springs."

"Zhao Niang, please step back a little. Allow me to capture it and present it to Lord of the Underworld."

Wan Qing was taken aback. Why was it that a single sentence from his wife was more effective than his lengthy lectures?

Wenzhao knew what he was thinking, gently brushing the hair by his ear, and smiled sweetly: "It is not afraid of me; it is afraid of you nagging it all night."

Indeed, it is rich in flavor, a living entity

Wen Zhao detests his sluggish temperament; this man has many good qualities, but his demeanor can sometimes make one so exasperated that they feel like giving him a good slap. Thus, pointing a finger at the donkey, he said: "You better get lost quickly, or else tonight, I will make you stay over at my place"

These words were very powerful, and the women quickly pulled the few little boys away from the shore, retreating to a distance.

On the street, after casually asking a few people, Wen Zhao quickly found Wan Qing, who was patiently explaining something to a donkey at the end of the street

The Soul Locking Chain circled a few times above Wan Qing's head and on the book, then with a whoosh, it flew out, precisely encircling the flower basket. Then, with a hissing sound, a puff of blue smoke emerged, and the Soul Locking Chain broke apart.

As he spoke, Wan Qing produced an iron chain from his hand, one of the standard tools of a ghostly enforcer, known as the Soul Lock Chain. When Wen Zhao saw the chain, she quickly retreated a bit further. Being a soul herself, she knew that even a slight brush with this chain could leave her weakened for at least ten days, and a serious illness would be inevitable. The Soul Lock Chain is the nemesis of wandering souls, and only ghostly enforcers like Wan Qing, who have practiced the Yin Restraining Technique, are not afraid of the Soul Lock Chain.

The donkey lifted its lips and emitted a series of incomprehensible brays.

At the edge of the Yellow Springs, a considerable number of ghosts had gathered to watch the commotion. It is a natural tendency of the people to observe. The flower basket seemed to possess some malevolent quality, as if it were aware of being watched, circling above the Yellow Springs instead of drifting downstream. When Wan Qing and Wen Zhao arrived, there were still a few little ghosts, fearless and eager to reach out and grab it. As a result, each received a slap from a fish tail and was sent back, crying loudly, which startled several women who came to comfort them. Yet, there were still some undeterred by the threat of being hit, determined to try again. Wan Qing hurriedly called out, "Do not reach out; that living creature is imbued with vitality, and any contact with a ghost will surely cause harm"

Who has mistreated it? This stubborn donkey has a naturally obstinate temperament. It won't move when led, and when beaten, it even retreats. Sir, we raise it with the expectation that it will help with work; we can't just keep it for nothing, can we? It doesn't listen, and when a petty person gets angry, it's inevitable to hit it a few times. Is this called mistreatment? Starving it is even more out of the question. This stubborn donkey not only refuses to work but is also picky about food, only eating fresh fodder. Sir, tell me, where in the underworld can we find fresh fodder? Having dry hay is already quite good.

"Indeed, Mother, what significant matter did you just mention?" Wan Qing exclaimed for a long time before finally recalling the important issue.

The donkey's ears twitched a couple of times, without a single harsh word spoken, it turned and ran away. Zhang San, indeed, cursed and chased after it. This master and servant can be considered quite a pair, having been entangled for thirteen years without any resolution

Have you seen my husband

"You stubborn mule, do you dare to lose your temper at the Lord of the Ghosts? Let me show you what happens." Zhang San, who had been kicked over, was furious and got up, raising his whip to strike.

"In life, you were merely a donkey of the Zhang family, and in death, you remain a ghostly donkey of the Zhang family. How could you possibly kick Zhang San down?"

This is one of the unique abilities of the ghostly envoy, capable of communicating with any spirit, whether human, beast, bird, or plant, encompassing all forms.

You are nothing but a decayed wood that cannot be carved, aren't you? Wen Zhao's sarcasm is evident; with such a scholarly temperament, it is truly inappropriate for him to serve as a ghostly mediator in disputes. He lacks the qualities required for the role. He has neither the physique to intimidate others nor the eloquence to outtalk them. All he relies on is his delicate and fair face, which has won the favor of the local women and girls, allowing him to secure his position as a minor official in this small town. What more does he expect?

Wan Qing quickly stopped him and said politely, "It kicked you, so it is in the wrong. If you hit it, then you are at fault." As he spoke, he listened intently to the donkey's bray, and then his expression darkened as he continued, "Zhang San, the donkey accuses you of abusing it and starving it. Is that true?"

Ah... why didn't you say so earlier! Wan Qing finally sprang into action, rushing towards the edge of the underworld.

The anger was so intense that it actually caused the Soul Locking Chain to break... Wan Qing was taken aback. The Soul Locking Chain is capable of binding souls, and it is indeed formed from Yin energy. The vitality present in living beings is the nemesis of Yin energy. However, while ordinary living beings possess vitality, it is generally insufficient to break the Soul Locking Chain. This indicates that the live fish in the basket is likely not an ordinary creature

Wen Zhao Daler said from behind: "Wait a moment, I will guide you..."