Ye Xiu could now manifest in the mortal world as a Reaper. The existence of a Reaper, naturally, is to claim the lives of ordinary people. This is a subtle process; Ye Xiu can employ all his ingenuity to make a person’s death dramatic. He never felt he possessed any special ability beyond his intellect, as he was merely a low-ranking Grim Reaper.

(……)

As a dermatologist, Chen Nan had encountered every type of skin ailment, from allergic redness and pustules to the localized ulcerations caused by sexually transmitted diseases. Yet, this time, he felt utterly helpless, unable even to diagnose the etiology of this particular patient’s condition.

“Dr. Chen, why haven't you reached a conclusion this time?” Ye Xiu, working as an intern, obviously knew nothing about other pathologies. Ye Xiu’s target was Chen Nan, but he wasn't sure in what manner Chen Nan would die, so he intended to watch closely.

Chen Nan studied the photographs of the patient's neck, where the dense cluster of tiny white spots gave him pause. “This doesn’t resemble a common skin condition. Look at what these white dots suggest.”

In Ye Xiu’s current understanding, a Reaper’s abilities were limited to accompanying ordinary people through life; he had no other peculiar powers. Naturally, skin diseases fell outside his expertise. “To be honest, it looks like the acne that breaks out on a young person’s face. Notice how some white spots show signs of rupture, and there are even wet streaks around them.”

Chen Nan let out a low chuckle, perhaps because Ye Xiu’s assessment was flawed, or perhaps because it sparked an idea. “Does acne grow on the neck? That would certainly be a medical marvel.”

“Dr. Chen, the sick child has been taken away by the family.” At that moment, a young nurse burst through the door, looking flustered. “I heard they invited a Daoist priest to their home, saying only a Daoist can resolve this strange illness; the hospital is useless.”

Chen Nan believed staunchly in science, especially after becoming a doctor, holding an almost devout faith in it. Upon hearing talk of a Daoist priest, he immediately pulled Ye Xiu along and rushed to the patient’s room.

“The child is still under observation; how could you be so reckless?” he roared as he stormed in. By then, the room was already crowded with the child’s family, including an elderly man dressed in simple, archaic robes, holding sheaves of golden paper.

“You’ve observed him for so long without reaching a conclusion; how are we supposed to feel at ease? Thankfully, we invited Teacher Liu today, or we wouldn’t have known that Xiaolong has offended a Beast Soul.”

He listened to these words while casting a cold glance toward Teacher Liu. The old man, with his air of immortal grace, now looked toward Ye Xiu. The spirit money in his hand seemed to react, fluttering upwards.

“Hurry and take the child home; there is something unclean in this hospital.” As the Immortal Liu spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Ye Xiu. He seemed genuinely attuned to the supernatural, capable of discerning Ye Xiu’s identity.

“Absolutely not! What is this ‘offending a Beast Soul’? I am his attending physician and will never allow you to tamper with his treatment. Please trust modern medicine.” Chen Nan, in his early thirties, was dedicated to his work, especially unwilling to abandon a case involving a condition he had never seen before.

“Let’s go.” Immortal Liu ignored Chen Nan’s protests and motioned for Xiaolong’s family to leave the ward. As he passed Ye Xiu, he suddenly smiled. “You are not alone.”

Ye Xiu nodded. This was the first time he had encountered an adept who could perceive his strangeness. Ye Xiu was secretly relieved that Reapers were not the target of these Daoists and half-immortals searching for the roots of Beast Souls.

Seeing he couldn't stop them, Chen Nan followed the family. When everyone had cleared the hospital gates, Chen Nan followed them in his own car. These people certainly wouldn't give up until the crisis was undeniable.

Ye Xiu returned to the office as if nothing had happened. If Chen Nan was his target, he shouldn't have much longer to live. Was it because of a strange case like Xiaolong, or had the half-immortal Liu made some misstep?

Time slipped by unnoticed during Ye Xiu’s contemplation. As he drifted towards sleep, the office door suddenly slammed open with great force.

“Damn it! How can things like this exist in this world?” Chen Nan sat down opposite Ye Xiu, his expression clearly one of teeth-gritting fury. “Do I truly have to admit the existence of ghosts and deities?”

Ye Xiu naturally could not say much, only expressing curiosity about Chen Nan’s outburst. “Dr. Chen, you didn’t follow them home, did you?”

“I followed them to that half-immortal Liu’s house.” Chen Nan’s expression shifted; he must have seen something he shouldn't have at the half-immortal’s dwelling. “Do you know? What was on that child’s body wasn’t a skin disease at all, but… eggs…”

“Eggs…” In Ye Xiu’s experience, eggs came in various sizes, but how could the tiny white spots on the child’s neck be called eggs? “Are you joking? You’re calling that acne an egg?”

Chen Nan took a heavy gulp of water. “I didn’t believe it at first either. But after that half-immortal sprinkled some mysterious substance on Xiaolong’s neck, those white spots began to rupture, little by little.”

Ye Xiu frowned; even if the white spots broke open, it shouldn't result in calling them eggs.

“After the white spots ruptured, tiny things flew out, like mosquitoes. I didn’t see clearly, but they must have been very, very small birds,” Chen Nan shook his head repeatedly, never having imagined such a scenario.

Ye Xiu’s mouth fell open. “You mean those things were parasites that happened to nest on Xiaolong’s neck? But how is that possible? No matter how small the bird you describe, it can’t equate to a microorganism; how could it possess parasitic capabilities?”

“I understand that logic too, but that half-immortal said…” Chen Nan hesitated, but ultimately decided to tell Ye Xiu. “He said that when the child was playing under an elm tree by the village edge, he accidentally injured the Bird King, and thus was cursed. Right now, he can only temporarily suppress the bird eggs surfacing on his neck, but the child’s entire skin is already covered beneath with these eggs, ready to burst at any moment.”

Ye Xiu drew a sharp breath. He highly doubted the concept of birds laying eggs inside a human body, yet the half-immortal spoke with such mystique that even Chen Nan seemed convinced.

“Immortal Liu said he will take the child back to the elm tree tomorrow evening to plead for the Bird King’s forgiveness. I wonder what will happen then,” Chen Nan said. Since the patient with the skin problem was the source of the Daoist’s income, he certainly wouldn't let the matter drop. “Do you want to come and see with me?”

Ye Xiu wasn't particularly invested in the whole affair. Since his intended target had invited him to accompany him, Ye Xiu felt obliged to grant him the courtesy. However, he genuinely didn't know how a Reaper should interact with a half-immortal. If the half-immortal truly had the power to deal with him, he would have cast some spell in the hospital. Since he hadn't said anything publicly to Ye Xiu, it implied he had reservations. Could it be that the so-called Reaper wasn't on the target list of these demon-exorcising protectors? Ye Xiu rubbed his head. Besides the fact that he couldn't die, he couldn't fathom the purpose of a Reaper’s existence in this world.

In the village outside the city limits, the elders and villagers held deep respect for Feng Shui masters and Daoist priests. Upon hearing that Immortal Liu would be leading Xiaolong to apologize to the Bird King, an unusually large crowd gathered.

When Ye Xiu and Chen Nan arrived, the setting sun cast its final glow upon the ancient elm tree. Beneath the tree, the makeshift altar was prepared with incense, candles, paper money, and other offerings.

“Let me see Xiaolong,” Chen Nan said, stepping forward with concern. The white spots on Xiaolong’s neck had visibly diminished; it seemed this Immortal Liu truly possessed some skill.

“A mere request for favor can solve the problem?” Ye Xiu walked up to Immortal Liu with a smile; he felt he needed to have a serious talk with the half-immortal.

“A man of my standing can also read faces. A being like you, without the proper facial contours yet living just like a normal person, I dare not offend,” Immortal Liu stared at Ye Xiu, respectfully but without any trace of fear. “You coming here probably means nothing good will happen. I don't know what your purpose is.”

“You understand my identity?” Ye Xiu had presumed Reapers possessed vast, mysterious powers, never expecting a mere half-immortal could discern him. “Why don’t you think I’m connected to this child’s strange illness?”

Immortal Liu scattered rice toward the elm tree, then swung his wooden sword toward the sky a few times before slowly bowing his head. “I know you are here to guide the deceased, not to murder. Someone here is certainly going to die today; it might even be me.”

Ye Xiu slowly stepped back from the altar, hands clasped behind his back. Immortal Liu knew Ye Xiu’s origin and described his duty with startling accuracy—it was just like the Black and White Impermanence that the common folk associated with the King of Hell.

The sky gradually dimmed. The great elm rustled loudly in the wind, and the candlelight on the altar flickered, resembling someone’s frail life force.

“Alright, everyone go home. There’s nothing more to see,” Immortal Liu commanded, then he carefully collected his implements. “The Bird King has forgiven him. Xiaolong will be fine soon.”

“Liar! He didn't do anything at all.” The surrounding villagers looked disappointed, and some showed expressions of anger. They had wanted to see what the Bird King looked like, as described by the half-immortal, but they were left with nothing.

“A few days of rest will suffice,” Immortal Liu cautiously watched Xiaolong’s parents and tucked a feather onto Xiaolong’s belt. “For the next few days, pay close attention to his excretions. If any more mosquito-like things fly out, you must let them go; don’t harm them.”

These instructions were just like a doctor briefing a family member. This prompted Chen Nan, who had remained silent, to become agitated. “And that’s considered a success? You half-immortals are great at fooling people. I suggest you still have Xiaolong admitted for two more days of observation at the hospital.”

Xiaolong’s parents were also filled with doubt regarding Immortal Liu’s actions. Liu had been introduced by a distant relative, and so far, he hadn't performed any significant acts. The Bird King he spoke of had not appeared at all, forcing them to suspect him. Consequently, persuaded by Chen Nan, the family prepared to have Xiaolong hospitalized for observation.

“What happens if those mosquitoes die?” Ye Xiu walked behind the half-immortal with a grin. This world held too many strange signs Ye Xiu didn’t understand. “When the elm tree was rustling just now, was that the Bird King arriving?”

Immortal Liu showed no goodwill toward Ye Xiu. He bowed to the elm tree again and nodded. “I have already communicated with the Bird King. He has forgiven the child. Now, the only thing left to do is ensure the Bird King’s offspring can safely return to the elm tree.”

Ye Xiu looked up at the elm tree. There had been nothing visible moments ago, yet Immortal Liu had already completed all the rites. This meant there were many things Ye Xiu, even as a Reaper, could not see. “You mentioned earlier that someone here would die today. It seems you worried unnecessarily.”

Hearing this, Immortal Liu shook his head and walked away. “I think I know who your target is. I don’t want any entanglement with people like you. Farewell.”

“Heaven knows what kind of people we are,” Ye Xiu followed Chen Nan from a distance. The doctor, speaking of him, was relatively responsible regarding medicine. His target was Chen Nan; how would Chen Nan die?

The very next day after Xiaolong returned to the hospital, his parents followed Immortal Liu’s instructions and closely monitored the child’s waste. Indeed, all the matter resembling the small white spots from Xiaolong’s neck was expelled, and Xiaolong’s infection showed marked improvement.

“Let’s place these things on the windowsill and wait for them to fly away on their own.” The parents dared not disregard Immortal Liu’s instructions. Watching the tiny mosquitoes begin to flutter around finally eased their tension.

“Don’t you want to study those little birds…” Ye Xiu curiously posed the question to Chen Nan. He was, after all, an observer, preferring to watch everything from the periphery, as he genuinely wanted to learn more.

“I didn't expect my young friend to have such thoughts.” As it turned out, Chen Nan had already calculated his moves. In his view, even if these mosquito-like things were parasites, they represented a major scientific discovery. He might even become famous in the medical field. “Let’s do it, then.”

Thus, the two casually found a nurse and easily swapped Xiaolong’s basin, managing to catch quite a few mosquitoes that hadn't yet flown away.

Under the high-powered microscope, the true form of the mosquitoes gradually became apparent.

“They really are birds…” Chen Nan excitedly slapped Ye Xiu’s hand, ecstatic as if he had discovered a new continent. “These things are hundreds of times smaller than the world’s smallest hummingbird. We’ve succeeded! This is a new discovery!”

Ye Xiu slowly rotated the slide. Indeed, it was a complete avian anatomy. Could these truly be the Bird King’s offspring? “Dr. Chen, don't you feel we’ve wronged Immortal Liu by doing this?”

“Damn it, why care about that! I’m starting on my paper tomorrow!” Chen Nan was beyond listening to Ye Xiu’s caution; his eyes contained nothing but the impending fame and fortune.

“Crash…” Suddenly, a black object slammed into the window glass. Before Ye Xiu and Chen Nan could react, it latched onto Chen Nan’s shoulder. The sharp pain sent him rolling to the floor.

“Dr. Chen, are you alright?” Ye Xiu rushed to help him up, but the dark object vanished instantly. “It was like a pheasant—what the heck was that?”

Chen Nan took a breath and slowly stood up. There was no wound on his arm, and the pain was gone. “Never mind that; I need to start my paper immediately.”