Chapter 34 A Contract of Indenture
Qin Liu didn’t stand on ceremony with King Yama after hearing his words.
“That’s fine then, I’ll wait here. Waiting for a few decades is no problem…”
“Go, go,” King Yama waved his hand dismissively, stroking his beard. “If you stayed in Youdu, who knows if the residents here would be able to sleep at night… Let me think.”
As he spoke, he flipped open the Book of Life and Death, seemingly finding something. The tip of his brush suddenly paused, and a tricky smile, like that of a fox, appeared on his face.
His gaze fell upon Liu Haoyu, as if he were looking at a treasure.
If Qin Liu were left alone in Youdu, who knew if this crazy girl would cause trouble again, just like decades ago.
But if… this man named Liu Haoyu stayed here, perhaps the situation would be different?
King Yama looked at the two of them. Liu Haoyu’s hand was firmly pressing Qin Liu’s head down, forcing her to bow slightly.
And the latter was just puffing out her cheeks, showing no resistance at all, and even seemed a little… happy?
Although directly adding to their lifespan wasn’t impossible, it would just make accounting a bit more troublesome later.
Compared to adding directly, averaging their lifespans seemed more cost-effective.
Looking at the King Yama, who was like an old fox, the Black Book seemed to be quite troubled.
Where was the righteous and impartial King Yama that was promised?
“Cough, cough, cough!”
King Yama cleared his throat.
“I, old Yan, have always been fair and just in my dealings, and my governance is clean and honest. Lifespan is something that, if added just like that, would be a bit too improper. However…”
The old fox narrowed his eyes, his gaze making Liu Haoyu a little fearful.
“If the two of you are willing to leave a ‘lovers’ debt’, I can be accommodating.”
Looking at the grinning King Yama, Qin Liu couldn’t help but lean towards Liu Haoyu and whisper.
“How about I go up and snatch that Book of Life and Death and change it directly…”
“Are you a monkey born from a rock?”
Liu Haoyu’s lips twitched. He had to admit that ever since he regained his memory, Qin Liu’s personality had changed drastically from before.
She had gone from lawful good to chaotic evil in an instant. Who could he reason with?
“Cough, cough, cough!”
Seeing the two whispering below, King Yama restrained his expression, rapped on the desk with a wooden clapper, and signaled them to be quiet.
“Adding lifespan out of thin air would be too irregular, but I, old Yan, have a solution that benefits both parties.”
“Just add the lifespans of the two of you and divide by two to give to each of you. This way, lifespan won’t be added out of thin air, and Qin Liu, this crazy girl… this little cutie, can stay in the human world, can’t she?”
As he spoke, King Yama took out a yellowed contract from under the desk, wrote something on it, and had a minor devil deliver it to Liu Haoyu and Qin Liu.
“However, you two will have to pay a small price.”
Liu Haoyu took the yellowed contract and glanced at it. Qin Liu also leaned in. However, after reading it, both of their expressions simultaneously changed to that of a subway commuter, an elderly person, and a mobile phone.
Qin Liu couldn’t help but complain.
“Your cunning plan is practically hitting me in the face… This isn’t a contract, it’s a contract of indenture.”
“You can’t just say such things,” King Yama stretched out his hand and explained solemnly, “This is called reasonable resource planning. Look…”
As he spoke, he conjured a calculator out of nowhere like a magician and started typing on it.
“Liu Haoyu has 60 years of lifespan left, and Qin Liu has 0.1 years of lifespan left. If we average it, won’t both of you have 30 years of lifespan?”
“No, no,” Qin Liu interrupted him, “Then what is this 500 years of official work experience in the Underworld? So, I borrow 30 years of lifespan from Liu Haoyu, and then we both have to repay 500 years of work experience? Even capitalists would hang you on a lamppost.”
King Yama blushed and, after resetting the calculator, continued.
“Well… the Underworld has inflation, so it’s reasonable, right?”
Hearing this, Qin Liu’s face darkened. She rolled up her sleeves and made as if to pull the old man’s beard.
“No, no, calm down, little girl,” King Yama protected his beard. “How about this, I’ll give you a discount. It won’t be 500 years, just 444 years. To give you a lucky number.”
Even Liu Haoyu, a ghost expeller, no matter how much he respected King Yama, could only sigh helplessly at this moment.
“How about… 300 years?”
“Deal!”
King Yama, with lightning speed, grabbed both of their hands and pressed them onto the contract. At that moment, the contract turned into golden light and entered their foreheads, giving Qin Liu no chance to change her mind.
After finishing everything, King Yama seemed to flee, disappearing into the back of the hall.
“Ghost messengers, I have a meeting to attend. Please escort these two out!”
Watching King Yama depart, Qin Liu’s face was so dark it looked like water was about to drip from it.
Even Liu Haoyu’s lips twitched involuntarily.
“Phew…” Qin Liu took a deep breath, calmed herself down, and put on a forced smile. “Looking on the bright side, 30 years of lifespan isn’t short. We can return to the human world. After dealing with Gu Qianyang’s matter, perhaps we can spend some time preparing for the wedding.”
“Yes,” Liu Haoyu covered his forehead. “After 30 years, when we’re over fifty, just retired, and then we’ll come back to work in the Underworld.”
“Don’t say such unfortunate things out loud!”
\—
In the backyard of the Yama’s Hall, King Yama wiped the sweat from his forehead and muttered.
“Luckily, I ran fast… But I have to admit, since this crazy girl found Liu Haoyu, at least communication has become more normal.”
As he muttered, footsteps sounded behind him.
“Your Majesty Yama, your calculations are truly impressive.”
King Yama turned around, and behind him appeared a woman with black hair wearing a qipao. She held a bone fan and a black book. Casually putting away the bone fan, a trace of laziness appeared in the woman’s eyes.
And this young woman was the King of the Tenth Hall of Yama – King of Rebirth, Youtan.
“Isn’t this Youtan?” King Yama was a bit surprised to see Youtan. “Aren’t you supposed to be in the room controlling that Black Book?”
The Black Book was Youtan’s avatar, and she had to stay in a ritualistic room to control it, so she basically never went out.
This was why King Yama was so surprised to see Youtan.
“What do you need me for?”
“It’s not a big deal,” Youtan smiled faintly. “I just wanted to ask, don’t you feel ashamed when you trick those two little ones into signing a contract of indenture?”
King Yama replied with a smile.
“You say that, but your thoughts are the same as mine, right? After all, Qin Liu’s combat power is not to be underestimated.”
“That’s true…” Youtan nodded. “By the way, be sure to put these two under my name. I have something to settle with that good brother named Liu.”
“Oh? Did he offend you?”
“It’s not really an offense.”
“Since he didn’t offend you… why do you want to keep him under your name?”
Youtan flipped open the Black Book in her hand. Looking at the indecent scenes within the Black Book, the woman smiled with a calm expression.
“I want to draw doujinshi on him.”
