Seizing the Book of Life and Death, Ksitigarbha?

The old guy stepped forward and slung an arm around my shoulders.

"I say, kid, how come you know so many people here? Though it doesn't look like those two are particularly friendly toward you."

Lu Zhidiao and that Birdman.

The Birdman was glaring at me viciously. When it heard the old guy speak, its gaze shifted to him. The old guy was glaring right back. "What the hell are you looking at? Believe it or not, I'll gouge out those bird eyes of yours, use them as firecrackers, pluck you clean, and roast you!"

The Birdman bared its teeth. "You're courting death!"

It was about to pounce on the old guy when Lu Zhidiao grabbed it. "Don't act recklessly. He's not someone you can provoke."

Even Lu Zhidiao had said something like that.

Then Lu Zhidiao gave the old guy a slight bow. "You should know the rules of the underworld."

The old guy replied coolly, "So what if I do? Those are your rules, not mine. How about I set some rules for you instead? Don't worry, my rules are very fair."

Lu Zhidiao's expression turned cold. "Then we won't trouble you. But if he wants to pass through, I definitely won't allow it. If we start fighting, I'm afraid..." He did not finish, but both the old guy and I understood what he meant.

The old guy smiled. "I understand. Please, go ahead. I won't interfere." Lu Zhidiao seemed to relax. He gave the Birdman a look, and it leaped into the air and swooped at me. I wasn't frightened. I was familiar with this thing's tricks. I pointed my halberd at it, and the Birdman froze. A moment later, it was sent flying backward.

It had been stunned by the halberd's soul-devouring power.

Lu Zhidiao narrowed