God-level Ferryman: Starting reward is the Ten Kings of Hell

Chapter 14: Meeting? Will it be reimbursed?

Chu Jiang's words about reimbursement were like a pebble thrown into a stagnant pool, creating not ripples, but still silence.

Absolute silence.

All the ghosts, including Meng Po and the vampire count, held their breath, and their soul flames dared not flicker even once.

Asking the King of Hell for overtime pay?

This operation is unprecedented since the creation of the underworld.

The golden-armored general behind King Qin Guang had his facial muscles twitching, and his hand was already on the hilt of his sword, as if he was about to execute this foolish ferryman on the spot at any moment.

King Qin Guang himself was stunned.

He looked at Chu Jiang, who had an expression that said, "I've put in the work, so I deserve a reward." In his eyes, which had seen countless cycles of life and death, a very human emotion was revealed.

That was confusion.

He remained silent for a full ten breaths, and then he smiled.

It wasn't the kind of stern, judgmental laughter, but rather a heartfelt laugh that found something amusing and funny.

"Ha ha ha ha……"

"Reimbursement? Overtime pay?"

King Qin Guang pointed at the Chu River, laughing so hard he almost fell over, and even the tassels on his crown swayed.

"Interesting, very interesting!"

He stopped laughing, walked up to Chu Jiang, and poked Chu Jiang's chest with a finger.

"You brat, you are the most daring and most to my liking that I have ever seen since I took charge of the First Palace."

"Fine, I'll settle this score with you."

King Qin Guang withdrew his hand, put it behind his back, and paced along the ferry crossing.

"You have purified the mouth of the Sanzu River, your merit is immeasurable, this is your achievement."

"The holy water of merit you created is so enviable that even I am envious, and Meng Po treasures it like a precious gem. Now the entire underworld knows that you are a piece of juicy meat, and this is the value you have created."

He stopped and turned to look at Chu Jiang.

"Right now, the abacus beads in the God of Wealth Temple are practically smoking from all the work, trying to figure out how to commercialize your merit-based holy water."

"Those old guys at the Medicine King's Palace send ghosts over every day to collect water samples, trying to analyze the ingredients and imitate the 'Six-Flavor Underworld Pill'."

"Even the guards of the eighteenth level of hell have submitted a report saying they want to use your water to wash the tortured demons, supposedly to reduce their resistance and promote harmony within the prison."

With each word spoken by King Qin Guang, Chu Jiang's eyelids twitched.

Good heavens, I've stirred up a hornet's nest.

"That's why I'm holding this meeting," King Qin Guang's voice deepened. "You've made the cake. Now, all the ghosts want a piece."

"And you, as the one who made the cake, must be there. Tell them how the cake should be divided, and who is entitled to a share."

He looked at Chu Jiang, his eyes becoming meaningful.

"As for the reimbursement you mentioned..."

King Qin Guang waved his hand, and the black jade slip flew back into his hand. He then gently touched it with his finger.

"At tomorrow's assembly, I will grant you a special privilege."

"You may bring one item to the temple as your 'proposal,' or rather, your 'product.'"

He threw the jade slip back to Chu Jiang.

"What do you think your ferry crossing has that's worth the money of the Ten Kings of Hell and all the court officials?"

"This is my 'overtime pay' for you."

After saying this, King Qin Guang said no more. With a flick of his dragon robe, his figure transformed into a streak of light, and he and his entourage vanished from the spot in an instant.

The oppressive force that had suffocated all the ghosts also vanished.

The ferry crossing has once again regained control of the Chu River.

Chu Jiang held the jade slip in his hand, his mind still replaying King Qin Guang's words.

Should I bring a "product" to the meeting?

Isn't this just...live-streaming sales?

Just then, the system's voice finally arrived in my mind.

[Ding! Detected that the host is facing a major workplace challenge, triggering an emergency main quest!]

[Task Name: Underworld's Annual Sales Champion]

[Task Description: At the upcoming "Underworld Awards Ceremony," successfully promote your "Three Paths Ferry Special Service" to at least three Yama Kings or equivalent officials and close a deal.]

[Mission Reward: Unlocks the Underworld Spirit Boat feature – 'Merit Gatling' mode.]

Merit Gatling Gun?

Chu Jiang almost drooled when he heard the name.

The name itself evokes a sense of peace and friendship.

"Brother Chu, you're in big trouble this time."

Meng Po's voice pulled Chu Jiang back from his reverie.

She walked to Chu Jiang's side, her blurry face seemingly facing him, her tone tinged with worry.

"Don't be fooled by King Qin Guang's gentle demeanor. Tomorrow in the palace, there will be no shortage of demons and gods who would want to devour you alive."

"Oh?" Chu Jiang became interested. "I'd like to hear more details."

"The moment you released this holy water of merit, it cut off the source of wealth for many ghosts and gods." Meng Po sighed. "In the past, the resentment of the Nether River was an important cultivation resource in the Underworld. It was collected by the Netherworld Bureau and then distributed to various departments."

"Now that you've purified the source, it's like taking away their secure jobs. How can they not hate you?"

"Furthermore, your ferry crossing is a separate entity, not under the jurisdiction of the Reincarnation Department or the City God Department, making it essentially a lawless zone. Those old-fashioned people who insist on following the rules have long disliked you."

Chu Jiang understood.

He had offended the underworld and become a thorn in everyone's side.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Meng Po." Chu Jiang cupped his hands in thanks to Meng Po. "I will remember this favor."

"We're partners now, no need for formalities," Meng Po waved her hand. "I'll be in the hall tomorrow too. If needed, this old woman will put in a good word for you."

"That would be perfect." Chu Jiang smiled.

With Meng Po, a living fossil of the underworld, endorsing him, he felt more confident.

Meng Po nodded, picked up her bowl, and with a flicker, disappeared in the direction of the Bridge of Helplessness.

"Great Father!"

Count Bruher, the vampire, came running up again, his face full of fawning smiles.

"For tomorrow's perilous assembly, please be sure to bring your most loyal servant, Bruch! I will charge into battle for you, and with my fangs, tear apart all enemies who dare to offend you!"

Chu Jiang glanced at him.

"Do you know how to serve tea and water?"

"Huh?" Bruch was stunned.

"Do you offer leg massages?"

"this……"

"Can you sing, dance, rap, and play basketball?"

Bruch was completely dumbfounded; his meager knowledge base of Western hell contained absolutely no such vocabulary.

"You can't do anything, what's the point of taking you along? To be a mascot?" Chu Jiang said with a look of disgust. "I already have a mascot."

He pointed to the river, where the Soul-Devouring Beast was peeking out half its head, gazing longingly in their direction.

"Your job is to look after the house for me and, incidentally, train it a bit," Chu Jiang said, pointing at Bruch. "Teach it how to smile more brightly and how to be more service-oriented."

"Yes, my great father!" Although Bruch did not understand, he still stood at attention and accepted the order.

Chu Jiang dismissed everyone, and order at the ferry crossing returned to normal.

He sat back down at the bow of the boat and resumed his ferrying business.

One ghost after another boarded the ship, only to be sent into the cycle of reincarnation.

Chu Jiang's spiritual cultivation and merits are also steadily increasing.

The line was getting shorter and shorter.

at last.

It was the turn of the mysterious Taoist priest with disheveled hair who had remained silent throughout.

He walked with stiff steps to the Yellow Springs Spirit Boat.

Chu Jiang raised his head and met his gaze.

[Warning! Warning! High-dimensional energy interference detected! System is about to crash! Sizzle... Sizzle...]

The system notification in my mind seemed to be strangled, emitting a piercing electrical sound before falling completely silent.

Chu Jiang's heart sank.

This was the first time this had happened since he got the system.

For the first time, the Taoist's empty eyes regained focus.

He looked at Chu Jiang, his lips moved slightly, and he uttered a few words.

The voice was ancient and hoarse, as if it came from the end of time.

"Boatman".

"I am not going to reincarnate."

He raised his hand and pointed to the deeper reaches of the River of the Underworld, to that eternal darkness that even King Qin Guang's gaze had never touched.

"Take me to the Ruins of Return."