Creak
As Xu Asan entered, the large door behind him closed automatically.
He looked at the room before him, feeling as though he had stepped into another world.
The room was antique and elegant, with calligraphy and paintings adorning the walls. Incense curled from a censer on the desk.
He didn't know the scent, but it was pleasant.
It was a stark contrast to the simple and desolate courtyard outside.
Seated before the desk was a figure wearing a red ghost mask and a black robe, hands clasped in front.
"Welcome to my home. You can call me Ghost Proprietor."
The voice sounded male.
Xu Asan asked, "I heard you can send people to the human world?"
"Naturally!"
The Ghost Proprietor seemed accustomed to receiving ghosts like him.
"When do you wish to go? For how long?"
Xu Asan frowned. "Don't you want to know why I'm going to the human world?"
Hearing this, the Ghost Proprietor chuckled softly. "Whether I ask or not, what difference does it make? Going to the human world is for a few things: revenge? Repaying kindness? Money? Women? Everyone has their obsessions."
Xu Asan couldn't refute this. After a moment of silence, he said, "If I want to stay in the human world for a period of time, what is the price?"
The Ghost Proprietor waved a hand, and a sheet of white paper floated from the desk, hovering before Xu Asan.
"You just need to sign this contract."
The contract had few terms. Xu Asan glanced over it. It stated that if he wished to stay in the human world for half a year, he would have to work for the Ghost Proprietor for three years. If he wished to stay for a year, he would have to work for ten years. During his employment, he could not betray or harbor any ill intentions. Signing the contract at the bottom indicated his agreement and willingness to abide by these terms.
"To go to the human world for half a year, I only need to work for three years?" Xu Asan frowned.
This wasn't an unfair deal; it was too good to be true. He possessed no merit, nor any formidable strength. His only income came from writing. If he were to follow the proper channels in the underworld, it would take at least several decades, and success was not guaranteed.
The deal was so good that he couldn't help but wonder what kind of work it entailed.
"Rest assured, the work will be within your capabilities," the Ghost Proprietor said, as if sensing his thoughts. "So, what do you say? Will you go to the human world?"
Xu Asan didn't agree immediately. The ease of it all made him feel it was somewhat unreal. Going to the human world from here was not the conventional path. What if something happened midway, or if he were discovered during his work? Xu Asan was unsure if he wanted to take the risk.
"Allow me to go back and think about it."
"Please, feel free." The Ghost Proprietor extended a hand in a gesture of dismissal.
As soon as he spoke, the door to the room creaked open automatically.
Xu Asan cast one last glance at the room, his mind racing, and walked towards the door.
He had taken only a couple of steps when he felt a sharp pain in the back of his neck. Immediately, something was thrown over his head.
Darkness enveloped him.
In a daze, Xu Asan felt his hand being pulled and pressed against something. The Ghost Proprietor's cold voice echoed, "Did you really think you could just leave my room as you pleased? Heh~ Take him!"
Then, Xu Asan felt himself being dragged somewhere. His consciousness gradually sank into darkness.
These ghosts, daring to engage in forced sales and purchases right under the King of Hell's nose...
Creak
The large door closed again.
Outside the room.
It was still the same simple and desolate courtyard. An old man stood quietly by the door.
Everything was calm.