Old John thought for a moment. "Because people die and enter Hell, and then they keep being born."
Billy froze for a moment. "Then we just keep fighting? Keep fighting until when?"
Old John looked at him.
"Until there's no need to fight anymore."
Billy did not understand, but he did not ask again. He stood up, cleared the plates, washed them, and put them back on the rack.
"I'm leaving. The next shipment is in three days."
Old John nodded.
Billy walked to the door and looked back. Old John stood behind the bar, holding a glass and wiping it. The tavern was dimly lit, and the light stretched his shadow long across the floor.
"Old man, don't you get lonely by yourself?"
Old John did not look up. "Lonely? I've got glasses to wipe."
Billy smiled and pushed the door open as he left.
Old John finished wiping the last glass and placed it on the rack. He walked to the door and flipped the wooden sign over. It read: "Resting."
He looked at the street outside. The streetlamps were on, but there was no one around. The wind blew in, carrying a slight chill. He closed the door, and the lights went out.
Hell Palace, Throne Hall.
Wu Heng sat in an executive chair. On the holographic map before him, points of light from three regions moved slowly.
Heaven's gold, Hell's dark red, and the human world's blue.
These points represented the positions of stationed troops, each carrying out its duties according to the new regulations.
Martin stood behind him. "President, the new regulations for the three realms have been fully implemented. There have been no major violations so far."
Wu Heng nodded. "What about casualties?"
"Heaven's stationed troops suffered 2.7 percent casualties this month, Hell's stationed