"Zhang Guo'er, you couldn't defeat me when you were alive. You certainly can't defeat me now that you're dead."
A ghost is not like a living person. Even with her head severed from her body, Zhang Guo'er still bared her teeth and spoke.
"Tang Xiaomin, what is going on?"
"I'm already dead, why can you still attack me? Why is this happening?"
This was a question asked with no sophistication.
Tang Xiaomin looked at Zhang Guo'er as if she were an idiot.
"Do you even need to ask? Of course, it's because I'm the same as you now."
"Ah!"
It was only at this moment that Zhang Guo'er suddenly understood something, her eyes widening.
"So, you died a long time ago. Was I fighting a ghost all this time?"
The truth made Zhang Guo'er extremely regretful.
If she had known earlier that Tang Xiaomin was a ghost, she would never have dared to provoke her, no matter how many chances she was given.
"Zhang Guo'er, don't think I'll let you go just because you're dead."
"You've provoked me time and again. To uphold the dignity of my position as Queen of the Underworld, I will send you on your way once more. Disappear forever."
This time, Tang Xiaomin was even more brutal than yesterday.
Her gaze was piercing as she directly crushed the ghost's head.
A mist of blood scattered, and the remaining ghostly body vanished without a trace.
Tang Xu watched Tang Xiaomin in shock.
"You just said you are the Queen of the Underworld? What is going on?"
"Don't rush, you'll know soon enough."
...
After holding a grand funeral for Tang Xu, Tang Xiaomin and Tang Xu walked together towards the Yellow Springs Road, located deep within Immortal Mansion Group.
Because he had died for her, she would escort him on his final journey.
At the same time, it was time for her to return to the Underworld and see the realm they had once conquered.
Everything in the Underworld was not as Tang Xu had imagined.
The staff were all dressed in suits and bow ties, resembling attire in a bustling city workplace.
Everyone who saw Tang Xiaomin respectfully addressed her as "Your Majesty, the Queen."
Tang Xiaomin, however, mostly ignored or completely disregarded the ghost officers.
Even so, after she had walked away, these ghost officers would straighten themselves up and resume their tasks.
Skyscrapers towered everywhere, with prominent signs on each building.
The first one they encountered was the Judgment Tower.
Tang Xiaomin paused here, hesitated for a moment, and then personally led Tang Xu inside.
Seeing that it was Tang Xiaomin, a female ghost officer respectfully came forward.
"Your Majesty, the Queen, is here. May I know your command?"
"Where is the Judge?" she asked, her voice devoid of warmth.
The aura of royalty emanating from her was so powerful that no one dared to look directly at her.
"Your Majesty, please wait a moment. I will go and summon the Judge immediately."
The ghost officer vanished in a flash.
Tang Xu couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
"I always thought the Underworld was like what's depicted on television, with people in ancient clothes and using brushes to write in the Book of Life and Death."
"It's hard to imagine that now everyone wears suits and leather shoes and uses computers for their work."
Tang Xiaomin's expression was unusually solemn.
"There are many more things you can't imagine. Not only has the Underworld kept pace with the times, but even the various deities are not to be outdone."
"They not only live in celestial palaces but also open their own small businesses in the human world."
"The temples on various mountains are their businesses."
"Ah!"
Tang Xu's jaw dropped, and he remained stunned for a long time.
"Do gods also need to make money and spend money?"
"Of course. As long as there is a need, transactions will occur, and there will be currency."
Immortal Mansion Group at least handled funeral arrangements; they were doing actual work.
Those deities, after establishing their fame, would build temples in the human world.
With just a statue and a building, they could open many, many chain stores – a business with a hundredfold profit.
Despite receiving so much incense money, they never did anything for the people.
Even with such untrustworthy dealings, people still flocked to give them money for free.
It was a situation that would make capitalists weep.
Before long, a man of ordinary appearance approached.
"Your Majesty, the Queen, what is your command?"
Tang Xiaomin glanced at Tang Xu behind her.
"Skip his judgment process. Send him directly to the Reincarnation Department and provide him with the highest-tier reincarnation package. All expenses will be charged to my account."
"Your Majesty, you are too kind. Your word is enough; there's no need for such trouble."
Tang Xiaomin handed the Judge a card.
"Take it, don't be polite."
Money makes the world go 'round, and only when money is spent will these ghost officers work diligently.
The Underworld was a very practical place; it only recognized money. Even walking required a toll.
Just as it was painful to be poor when alive, it was equally painful to be poor after death.
Holding the card, the Judge's attitude towards Tang Xu also became very amiable.
"Sir, please follow me."
Tang Xu looked at Tang Xiaomin with a complex expression.
"You still haven't told me your identity here in the Underworld."
At this point, there was no need to hide it.
"I am the Queen of the Underworld."
No wonder everyone who saw her bowed respectfully.
This explained why Tang Xiaomin could traverse between the human world and the Underworld.
Looking at her achievements now, Tang Xu felt guilt once more.
"If it weren't for my selfishness and your death, your life should have been glorious."
"Xiaomin, having a sister like you makes me truly proud."
This was Tang Xu's heartfelt sentiment.
Tang Xiaomin smiled at him, a smile as warm as spring breeze, or as gentle as sunlight after rain falling on the earth.
At this moment, she was like a sweet younger sister smiling at her elder brother.
"I will escort you this far. Have a good journey."
Turning away, their figures grew farther apart as they headed towards their respective destinations.
Tang Xu was dead. He would soon drink the Water of Forgetfulness, enter the next cycle of reincarnation, and become a new life.
Past grievances and hatred would vanish here, drawing a final line.
...
After crossing several roads, Tang Xiaomin arrived in front of a grand, ancient-looking, and massive building.
It was as magnificent and majestic as an ancient imperial palace.
On the plaque above the main gate, two large characters were inscribed: "冥府" (Mingfu).
The Underworld, the iconic structure within the realm of the dead, the residence of the Queen.
The ghost officers guarding the gate respectfully opened the doors.
"Welcome, Your Majesty, the Queen."
She was home.
Tang Xiaomin walked into the Underworld with practiced ease. Zhong Li rushed towards her, panting.
"Miss Tang, you're finally here."
The expression on Zhong Li's face seemed to suggest unspoken hardships.
"You've worked hard."
"It wasn't hard, not at all. If I have the chance in the future, please remember to give me a few days off so I can rest properly."
"By the way, where is Yan Jun? Has he been acting strangely lately?"
Speaking of that lunatic Yan Jun, Zhong Li's head was already spinning.
"Miss Tang, you should go and see for yourself."
"Our Underworld has been turned upside down by him. Sigh..."