Chapter 6 — Even Hell Can't Stop You

The devil stepped forward, his face pale and fierce, but his eyes revealed a cruel satisfaction: "Do you know... Among the tens of thousands of underworld souls, you are the only one who made the King of Hell voluntarily impart his cultivation." He leaned closer, his cold breath swept across my face, the corner of his lips raised: "I have already informed Lam Viet. Guess... does he dare to come here?" I gritted my teeth, bit my lip so hard that it bled, my eyes widened, and I threw a spittle straight into his face: "He won't come!" I really hope so... I don't want you to come, I don't want you to get hurt again because of me. But... life is twisted and never goes as expected. A cold ray of light penetrated the thick darkness, and a white figure in black clothes stepped out of that light. Lam Viet has arrived. He stood there, wearing a simple white shirt, his face as calm as water, his eyes as deep as an abyss, his soft black hair falling lightly on his cold cheeks. In the dark space of the underworld, he was like a streak of light, clean and extremely separate. His deep voice rang out, terrifyingly calm: "Let her go." The devil let out a dry laugh, his eyes flashing fiercely: "No release." Then he rushed forward, without warning, and threw a palm directly at him. There is no wind sound. No sound. Just a giant blast of force that tore up the ground beneath my feet. The next moment, I heard a heavy “thud”. It was... the sound of Lam Viet's knees hitting the cold stone floor. My heart ached, it was even hard to breathe. This feeling... is a hundred times more unpleasant than having your soul torn apart by a demon. I shouted hoarsely: "Lam Viet! Hurry! Get out of here!" But he didn't back down. On the contrary, his eyes were colder than ice, his shoulders were shaking slightly, one hand was on the ground, his body stood up again, blocking me right in front of me. The devil moved one move after another, the murderous aura was like a wave, but Lam Viet... did not fight back. Just support me, just protect me. "Enough!" My hoarse voice rang out in the chaos. The devil stopped attacking and leaned slightly to the side. The obscured vision now opened wide, I saw Lam Viet - He stood there, his whole body disheveled, every inch of his white shirt was tinged with a bright red color. Each blood stain spread like evil flowers, so beautiful it was heartbreaking. I know... you're in a lot of pain. I can't continue like this... I gritted my teeth, took the opportunity when the devil was focusing on Lam Viet, used the last bit of strength, rushed straight towards him. Oh! My body hit hard, pain spread throughout my back, but I ignored it. Seeing this, Lam Viet quickly joined his hands, pressed the magic spell, and a stream of ice-cold air exploded from his palm, rushing straight towards the devil! But — You're too weak. That attack does not cause any damage to the opponent. The devil woke up, his red eyes flashed, roared, reached out and grabbed my neck, pulling me up into the air. “Ha ha ha… Hell King… I will destroy her right in front of you!” "DO NOT!" Lam Viet's scream tore through the air, hoarse, trembling, like a thousand knives cutting into his heart. The evil hand clenched so hard, I felt my breath being stopped, every beat, every suffocating beat. The front of my eyes gradually blurred, my consciousness seemed to fall into an endless hole. In that haze... over the devil's shoulder, I suddenly saw... A Viet. Older brother standing there, deep eyes, gentle smile like ever. But... In just a moment, that figure twisted, its gentle facial expression turned twisted and ferocious, its clear eyes turned blood red, its once loving smile was now tinged with cold murderous intent.

“Ah… Viet…?” — I whispered, my voice trembling. But the "A Viet" in front of him did not answer. Instead, the giant hand was squeezing my neck... it was getting more and more painful, more and more suffocating. I was stunned, tears spilled out of the corners of my eyes, a wild but scary thought suddenly flashed across my head: "Could it be that... A Viet... has turned into this devil?"

Memories were chaotic in my head... pieces began to fit together. That day... the screeching sound of car brakes, the streetlights flashing in the rain... I saw a familiar figure - then rushed across the street. It's me. It was I who dragged you along. It was me that made you... steer suddenly. The moment the car flipped over... there was an earth-shattering "bang". I still remember his face turned towards me, his eyes were both gentle and painful, but he... had no regrets. A Viet died... because of me. I killed him. My throat was tight, my consciousness felt like it was being torn into pieces. In my head, only one scream echoed - "A Viet... sorry... it's my fault..." 8 I... am still alive. No soul dispersing, not dissolving into nothingness. At that time, right when everything was hanging by a thread, King Ksitigarbha appeared, freed me from the evil hands and saved Lam Viet as well. Lam Viet was seriously injured. He lay on the bed, unconscious, breathing weakly, his black hair falling over his pale cheeks, his lips dry and cracked, his chest rising and falling with difficulty with each breath. I sat by the bed, so worried that my hands clenched into fists. It felt like something was squeezing and choking in my heart. But then... I suddenly discovered something unusual. Right in the middle of his forehead — the red cinnabar, the characteristic sign confirming his identity as the King of Hell... disappeared. I was stunned for a moment, then panicked and rushed to find Hac Bach Vu Thuong. "Hey! Explain! Why did Pluto's red spot disappear?! And... why did that devil turn into my A Viet?" The two ghosts glanced at each other, a bit confused in their eyes. Hac Vu Thuong sighed, his voice was hoarse, and slowly said: "That devil... is not A Viet." I frowned, not believing: "No? But I clearly saw him..." Hac Vu Thuong shook his head: "That devil... is the crystallization of desire and resentment. It can transform into any shape that its prey wants to see the most." "At that time, in your subconscious, what you wanted most... was A Viet. So, what your eyes saw was him." I froze, feeling like I had just been hit with a bucket of cold water straight into my heart. But I haven't given up yet: “What about… Pluto's red spot?” As soon as the words ended, the Black Ghost standing next to him suddenly fell silent for a long time, then let out a very deep sigh: "This... We didn't intend to talk about it. But at this point... You should know the whole truth." The truth about two years ago. "Two years ago, Lam Viet died in a car accident. After his soul was brought to Diem La Palace by us, according to regulations, because he did not commit a crime nor indulge in lustful thoughts, he had the right to be reincarnated immediately." I clutched the hem of my shirt, my breath choking.{Read full at Van Ha's love page} Black Ghost continued said, his voice as hoarse as ashes: "But Lam Viet did not reincarnate. He said... he wanted to stay in the underworld. Waiting for... someone." At that time, the Diem La government was rebuilding the residence of the King of Hell, recruiting many ghosts to work as day laborers. Lam Viet volunteered to work, waiting and building the house. The house was built, the work ended, we urged him to reincarnate... But Lam Viet still refused. "They haven't arrived yet. I have to wait." Normally, if a soul refuses to be reincarnated, it must sign a waiver of rights. But he didn't sign, so the Soul Guide Department always had to reserve a spot for him, causing many ghosts to resent him. Finally, this matter reached the ears of the current King of Hell at that time. Unlike rumors, the King of Hell at that time... was a very tolerant person. He guessed that Lam Viet must have a reason, so he called him over to ask him privately.

"Why don't you reincarnate?" “I… want to wait for someone.” “Waiting for who?” "The person I love. If possible, I want to... reincarnate with her again. Who knows... in the next life... it will be easier to meet again." After listening, King of Hell was silent for a long time. After that, Lam Viet told the whole story of the two people. Every memory, every promise, every regret... he doesn't hide anything.

The King of Hell at that time... was very touched. But at the same time, he was also bored with the job of judging souls day after day. I want to leave, but... according to regulations, the position of King of Hell must last a hundred years before he can leave. So… he thought of a way. An extravagant and crazy “way”. “Or… we change identities.” "I will go and be reincarnated in your place, and you... stay and be the King of Hell in my place." "So, you can disguise yourself and wait for the person you love without being forced to reincarnate." I stood still, my heart pounding chaotically, every breath trembling. “…And Lam Viet…agrees?” Black Ghost nodded, his voice low: "Yes. Lam Viet agrees."