The Black and White Impermanence were one thing, but when Granny Fan shouted, Young Master Liu actually felt a pang of hunger. At the same time, he remembered he was still a living soul and couldn't linger too long in the Underworld. So he said to the Black and White Impermanence, “It’s been a wonderful chat today! What a pity that I’m still flesh and blood and can’t stay down here much longer, or I’d happily keep you company to the very end! Someday, when you two brothers have nothing better to do, swing by my place. I promise I’ll have my father cook the most delicious meal and treat you with the finest Shaodaozi liquor!”

The Black and White Impermanence chuckled, making no move to keep him. They understood the rules between the Yin and Yang realms. They said to Young Master Liu, “Heh, you said it yourself, don’t go back on your word later. Alright, you’ve been down here too long; your yang energy is dangerously depleted. It might leave you with some lingering health issues. We won’t keep you for dinner; it’s all just candle wax and paper offerings anyway, nothing as good as that roasted rabbit from the other day. Later, take the souls of those three and walk backward from the direction of the Bridge of Helplessness (Naihe Qiao). Niu Tou is guarding that way, and that fellow is habitually negligent; we can look the other way for a bit. Take care, brother!”

With that, the Black and White Impermanence cupped their hands to Young Master Liu and then hurried the line of ghosts back the way they came. Along the path, they were heard shouting at the phantoms, “Don’t say a single extra word in front of Meng Po, understand? Or I’ll toss you into the oil pot and rip out your tongues! Hahaha! You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy that flavor! Got it?” In the distance, the whoosh of the grim reaper’s staff could still be heard, along with the incessant wails and pleas of the little ghosts.

Young Master Liu was overjoyed, watching the receding backs of the Black and White Impermanence, as well as the stares filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred from the gathered spirits. He was absolutely thrilled, practically bursting with happiness!

Finally, Young Master Liu and his companions slowly ambled toward the direction of the Bridge of Helplessness. Along the way, Young Master Liu took the lead, performing the steps for the old Northeast folk song Wang Er Jie Si Fu, a tune so ridiculous it could make people spit out their food.

“Hey! Listen to this, in the eighth lunar month, the autumn wind makes everyone cry out for coolness. One frosty dewfall, a sharp, sharp chill. The little frost hits the lone stalk, the hanging grain waits on the buckwheat stem. Swallows fly south to north and still know cold and heat, the maiden in her room still longs for her beloved scholar. In Suzhou City lived an Old Master Wang, rich in assets and with grain to spare. Though he had silver and money, he wasn't truly wealthy; what he lacked before him was a son to mourn him. One mother gave birth to two sisters, and when the girls grew up, they were matched with fine scholars. The second daughter was married to this Zhang Tingxiu, the elder daughter to a scoundrel named Zhao Ang. Zhao Ang became an official in Nanjing, and Big Sister Wang became an official’s wife. …………”

But it was one thing for Young Master Liu to sing, but unexpectedly, Granny Fan also enthusiastically joined in. This completely baffled Young Master Liu and the others; no one could figure out why this old woman was so cheerful.

The truth was, Granny Fan was thinking: Since Young Master Liu was brothers with the grim reapers Black and White Impermanence, and she knew Young Master Liu, and had even just made eye contact with the Black and White Impermanence and become somewhat familiar with them—then in the future, if she ever needed to make a trip to the Underworld again, hehe… perhaps they could even add a few years to her lifespan. At this thought, Granny Fan let out a chillingly vile, sinister laugh that made the hairs on the backs of Young Master Liu’s party stand on end, sweat pouring down their faces. They thought the old woman had gone completely mad or was possessed by a ghost.

Just then, a monster with a horse face rounded the corner at the junction. With beady, squinted eyes, it stared maliciously at Young Master Liu and the others. Granny Fan, feeling guilty, hastily tugged on Young Master Liu, attempting to skirt around the creature, but the Horse Face shifted its bulk and blocked the entire path.

“Esteemed Officer, what is the meaning of this?” Granny Fan, seeing no escape, forced an expression onto her wrinkled face, trying to make a flower bloom, and asked sweetly, leaning close to the Horse Face monster.

“Take them back!” The Horse Face monster brandished the weapon in its hand, terrifying Granny Fan into quickly flinching aside. It was a steel whip, thick as a man’s arm, covered entirely in sharp spikes—a touch meant instant death, a graze meaning certain demise!

“Don’t think I don’t know what you people are up to. Once you enter the gates of this Underworld, there’s no thought of going back!” Saying this, the Horse Face monster pointed at the souls of Tian Guoqiang and the other two, sneering coldly. Coincidentally, Niu Tou was supposed to be on duty today, but as he was occupied, this monster had taken his post, leading to this unlikely encounter with Granny Fan’s unfortunate group.

“Granny Fan, he, he…” Young Master Liu had never seen such a scene; his face pale, he shrank behind Granny Fan and whispered, “What is he?”

“Shh, he’s a grim reaper too, and you should know he’s the Horse Face from the Niu Tou and Ma Mian duo!” Granny Fan whispered back.

Legend has it that Niu Tou and Ma Mian originally held positions of real power in the Underworld, so why did they end up as mere catchers serving the King of Hell? There’s quite an interesting story behind it.

Long, long ago, in the city of Fengdu, there lived a wealthy landowner named Ma. He was considered a titan of both wealth and influence in the city. Logically, he should have been content, but one matter constantly gnawed at him: though he was past sixty, he had married eleven concubines yet only managed to father one legitimate son. No matter how much he prayed to the gods or made vows, he could never get his wish. Needless to say, Old Master Ma cherished his only son, Ma Yichun, as the apple of his eye. But he worried constantly that if something unfortunate happened, not only would the Ma family line be cut off, but his vast estate would have no heir. For this reason, he was sleepless with worry day and night.

As if things weren't bad enough, it started raining when the roof was already leaking. One day, after finishing breakfast, Old Master Ma was preparing to go out to procure wine and dishes for his son’s coming eighteenth birthday banquet. As luck would have it, a fortune teller passed by his gate, chanting loudly, “Fortune telling! Fortune telling!”

Hearing the cry, Old Master Ma was overjoyed; he completely forgot his errand to go out. He grabbed the hem of his long robe and hurried down the steps, respectfully inviting the fortune teller inside to sit. After tea, Old Master Ma sincerely requested, “Sir, would you be so kind as to read my young master’s fate?” The fortune teller nodded and agreed, “Certainly, certainly.” Old Master Ma immediately provided his son’s birth details—the year, month, day, and hour. As the fortune teller calculated, his face suddenly paled with shock, and he blurted out, “Oh, this is bad!” Old Master Ma was startled, breaking out in a cold sweat. “What?” “This humble one finds it difficult to speak of.” The fortune teller shook his head and sighed deeply. Old Master Ma grew more flustered, but eager to know the truth, he pleaded, “Sir, please disregard your concerns and speak plainly.” The fortune teller hesitated for a moment before saying, “Your young master has a good life ahead of him, but alas, his mortal span is too short, far too short!” “How short?” “Eighteen years.”

Old Master Ma cried out, “Mā-ya!” and fainted, only regaining consciousness after a long while, his face ashen. He couldn't believe that the very next day, his son’s eighteenth birthday, would be his death day. The thought brought on waves of heart-wrenching agony, and he wept uncontrollably. After some time, he choked out, “Sir, sir, I beg you, think of a way, any way, to save my poor son!” The fortune teller thought for a moment and said, “What can a mere mortal do? There is only one path, but I wonder if the Master is willing to spend a fortune?”

When Old Master Ma heard there was a possible solution, his heart calmed considerably, and he quickly said, “As long as my son can be saved, I won't hesitate to bankrupt myself!” Only then did the fortune teller tell him: Tomorrow night, at the stroke of the Zi hour (midnight), prepare a magnificent feast, pack it in a food container, and carry it to the top of the twelve steps leading to the ‘Ghost Gate Pass’ (Gui Men Guan), where you must offer the food to the two men playing chess. However, you must invite them three times patiently, without becoming impatient. Old Master Ma committed every word to memory.

The next day, when he arrived at the designated spot, he indeed saw two figures engrossed in a game of chess. These two were none other than Niu Tou and Ma Mian. Old Master Ma dared not disturb them, so he knelt quietly to one side, holding the food container on his head, watching silently. After they finished one game, he cautiously invited them, “Two honored spirits, please have something to eat before continuing your game!”

The two seemed to hear him but offered no reply, starting a second game.

Old Master Ma waited respectfully until the second game concluded, still with no reaction. He grew a little anxious but dared not offend them, so he remained kneeling in devout silence. After a while longer, Niu Tou suddenly placed his pieces down: “Brother Ma, let’s go; the time has come.” Ma Mian quickly set down his pieces, packed the board, and prepared to descend the mountain. Alarmed, Old Master Ma worried he would miss his chance and ruin everything. He raised his voice and called out, “Two honored spirits, please eat before you go!” Niu Tou and Ma Mian turned back, looked at him, and asked, “Who are you?” Seeing his moment had arrived, Old Master Ma flattered them, “The two honored spirits must be weary from their duties. I imagine you are hungry now. This humble one has prepared simple vegetarian wine and light fare to quench your thirst and hunger!” Niu Tou and Ma Mian saw the man’s sincerity and the delicious abundance in the box; their mouths began to water. Ma Mian whispered to Niu Tou, “Brother Niu, we haven't eaten on this mission. Let’s have a hearty meal here. It’s also a gesture of goodwill from this man, what do you say?” Niu Tou had already thought the same but hesitated to speak first. He nodded and said, “It won’t be too late to head down the mountain after eating.” With that, they devoured the food as quickly as a whirlwind sweeping up dead leaves, leaving nothing behind. Seeing the food-bringer still kneeling on the ground, Niu Tou asked, “You spent your resources for us; you must have a request?” Old Master Ma kowtowed deeply, “This humble one does indeed have a difficult matter and seeks the help of the two honored spirits.” As he spoke, he burned a string of paper money. Niu Tou and Ma Mian felt obligated, so they said, “What is it? Hurry and tell us! We have urgent business far away.” “Two honored spirits, I have only one son, and his mortal life is about to end. I beg the two spirits to show mercy and extend his years!” “What is his name?” “Ma Yichun.” Niu Tou opened the ‘Soul-Hooking Decree’ given to him by Judge Cui and was greatly startled: “Brother Ma, the person we are supposed to apprehend is precisely his son! But the time hasn’t come yet… this… this…” Old Master Ma repeatedly kowtowed, “If the two spirits can extend his lifespan, this humble one will be eternally grateful and reward you handsomely!” Niu Tou replied, “The laws of the Underworld are strict; this is not easy to manage!” Old Master Ma grew secretly anxious. A sudden thought struck him, and he turned to Ma Mian, saying, “I have an elder brother surnamed Ma who holds great authority in the Underworld. If you two won't do it, I will have to go find him.” Hearing this, Ma Mian thought: I know everyone in the Underworld, from the King down to the ghosts. If this relative exists, it can only be me, yet I’ve never met him. So he probed, “My surname is also Ma; who is this brother of yours that I don't recall?” Old Master Ma exclaimed in joy, “This humble one is blind! It’s hard to write two characters for ‘Ma’ in the same spot! I must trouble my elder brother.”

Ma Mian said, “You claim to be my brother, how is it I don't remember?”

“When you first arrived in the Underworld, you drank the Soul-Confusing Tea and forgot everything about the mortal realm. How could you remember?” Ma Mian considered this. What the man said was true. Moreover, he had eaten their food now, so it would be wrong not to help. He exchanged a knowing glance with Niu Tou. Niu Tou understood; since things had come to this, they might as well do him a favor, especially if they could pocket a few extra coins for themselves. Thus, taking advantage of being slightly intoxicated, they agreed to return to the bureaucracy and settle the matter. When the King of Hell learned of this, he sent the White Impermanence to investigate personally, confirming the facts. The King of Hell was instantly furious and immediately ordered Niu Tou and Ma Mian to be brought before the throne. To make an example of them, he commanded that both be severely flogged with forty strikes in front of all his officials. He then blew two gusts of ghostly wind, instantly reverting Niu Tou and Ma Mian to their original forms. Seeing that they showed genuine remorse, the King of Hell demoted them from their official posts and assigned them to be mere catchers in the Underworld.