"Lord Xie, long time no see." Gu Yuan's words reminded me.
I fixed my eyes and sized this person up and down.
He was dressed in a white mourning suit and wore a tall hat. There were four big characters written in front of the hat: "See One, Gain Wealth".
This person was tall and thin, with a face as white as powder. Although he didn't stick out his red tongue, the mourning stick in his hand made me quite certain.
This person should be the White Impermanence - Xie Bi'an, also known as "Lord Seven", a ghost officer from the Underworld, who traveled between the Yin and Yang realms to capture souls and send them to the Underworld.
I held Gu Yuan's arm, bit my lower lip, and hid behind him, not daring to get closer.
Seeing me so scared, the White Impermanence forced a smile on his face. To be honest, that smile was even scarier. In a hurry, his tongue stuck out.
He quickly stuffed his tongue back and said, "Girl, don't you remember me? Back then, when you were being naughty, you tied a bow on my tongue while I was sleeping. It took me ages to untie it."
Although it was a bit funny, it didn't stop me from being scared.
Seeing me scared, Gu Yuan tightly held my hand and then said to the White Impermanence, "Lord Seven, don't be offended. Lan Lan, like me, has lost her past - life memories."
The White Impermanence nodded and didn't continue to ask. Instead, Gu Yuan asked, "Lord Seven, do you perhaps know Lan Lan's past life? Could you please tell us?"
I also really wanted to know, but unfortunately, the White Impermanence put away his smile and avoided answering.
"Some things are determined by cause and effect. Forgetting them might not be a bad thing. Now you two are so in love. Why be stuck in the past?"
Seeing that the White Impermanence didn't want to say, Gu Yuan didn't ask anymore. He seemed to think what he said made sense.
"Lord Three, the Ever - Bright Sky awaits your presence."
The White Impermanence made a gesture of invitation. Gu Yuan looked down at me and asked, "Do you want to go and have a look?"
I shook my head. I wasn't interested. This was the White Impermanence's territory. Obviously, those who were active here were not the living. The Ever - Bright Sky sounded nice, but I didn't know what terrifying figures were lurking inside.
Seeing that I didn't want to go, Gu Yuan didn't force me and directly declined the White Impermanence.
The White Impermanence didn't try to persuade us to stay either. Instead, he bowed and stretched out his hand. "Lord Three, my item."
Gu Yuan curled the corner of his mouth and threw the seal that Nan Pengyu had held before to the White Impermanence.
"You didn't even notice your item was stolen. You're not a very competent ghost officer."
"It was just a momentary oversight. Thanks to you, Lord Three, for helping me get it back. Otherwise, I'd really have a hard time explaining. If you ever need my help in the future, just say the word."
"No need to wait for the future. I came here just to talk to you about something. Lord Seven, do you know Bai Xiangjun? His appearance is somewhat similar to yours." Gu Yuan always spoke directly. It was best to repay kindness on the spot. It would cause more trouble if you asked for help later.
The White Impermanence lowered his eyes and thought for a while. His big red mouth drooped as he replied, "I have no impression."
"Please, Lord Seven, help me find out the detailed background of this person."
"Why come to me? You could ask the celestial beings above. They can find out faster. I can't go up to the Celestial Realm."
"That's exactly why I'm coming to you. I don't trust the celestial beings above. Please, Lord Seven."
"Alright, then I'll do my best."
The White Impermanence nodded and agreed. When he turned around to leave, his gaze rested on me.
"Girl, this is not the Underworld. This is called the Nine Nether Demon Capital, a place that the Three Realms can't control."
I didn't dare to look at his face and leaned closer to Gu Yuan's shoulder. Only he could give me enough sense of security.
"Welcome back. The doors of the Ever - Bright Sky are always open for you."
I could tell there was something more to the White Impermanence's words, but I didn't ask. I watched him leave the stone bridge. His figure gradually faded away until it disappeared.
Only then did I look up at Gu Yuan, a bit confused about the White Impermanence's words.
"Do you really want to know your own background?" Gu Yuan asked gently.
I wasn't sure. I was very conflicted now. I wanted to know, but also didn't want to know.
"What about you? Do you want to know?"
"To be honest, I'm really a bit curious. About this place, I have a vague impression in my mind. I knew that bringing you here would make you happy, but I don't know why."
"I'm already very happy, really. This is a very special birthday. I'll definitely remember it for a lifetime."
Gu Yuan hugged me into his arms again, but at this moment, I always felt that he had something on his mind.
"You have something on your mind?" I asked, hugging Gu Yuan.
Gu Yuan rubbed me closer into his arms and said, "Yes. If we really find out Bai Xiangjun's identity, it might bring out a lot of things."
"Then don't investigate. Aren't we doing well now?"
"But he's leading us by the nose now. I'm afraid he might do something bad to you."
"Why do you say so?" I looked up at Gu Yuan.
"I don't know. I can't remember. It's just a hunch."
"Then don't think about it. Today is my birthday. Of course, we should think about happy things."
Gu Yuan looked down at me. With that charming look on his face, I knew what happy things he was thinking about.
"Oh, you're so naughty. Aren't you still not fully recovered? You're thinking about such things."
Gu Yuan's lips touched my ear and he whispered, "Is it me who's thinking about it, or you?"
I blushed with shame. I wanted to break free from his embrace, but he held me even tighter.
"Better late than never. I'll give you an unforgettable birthday surprise."
Gu Yuan's words scared me. Before I could react, we were already in a hotel room.
The decoration here was antique, like a boudoir of an ancient girl. And I was now dressed in a Han - style outfit.
I stood in front of the dressing mirror and looked at myself. I had willow - leaf eyebrows and red lips. My magnificent eyes were full of charm. There was a bright red flower ornament on my forehead, and a hairpin on my bun swayed with my graceful figure.
However, this cyan dress was as thin as a cicada's wing. Even I was shocked and blushed with shame when I saw myself.
Gu Yuan slowly walked towards me from behind. His hands gently wrapped around my waist.
Looking at that captivating face in the bronze mirror greedily burying itself in my neck, I lowered my eyes and was completely lost.
His hands rubbed on my waist. His fingers gently pulled the embroidered belt on my waist. The belt and the skirt loosely fell to the ground.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the scene in the bronze mirror. I could feel Gu Yuan's breath spraying on my ear. His hands smoothly reached into my collar. The clothes on my fragrant shoulders slid down like silk, revealing the mottled red marks on my neck. Looking at the extremely ambiguous scene in the bronze mirror, I was too ashamed to look directly.
I don't know why, but every time I was with Gu Yuan, it felt like the first time. I was extremely shy.
I was so teased by Gu Yuan that my breathing was disordered and my eyes were blurred. I actively raised my hand to touch Gu Yuan's face and turned my head to kiss his cold lips.
This was the most unforgettable and satisfying birthday gift in my life, because Gu Yuan was with me.
Since Gu Yuan didn't take me out of the Nine Nether, and there was no day here, we indulged in passion without knowing day or night. Finally, I couldn't hold on anymore and fell into a deep sleep.
When I woke up again, I was already back home.
Gu Yuan wasn't at home. I quickly turned over and got out of bed. My whole body ached so much that I couldn't straighten my back. I secretly blamed Gu Yuan for being so unrestrained.
When I was bending over to open the door, I heard heart - rending cries outside.
My heart tightened. I quickly opened the door to check the situation.