"The oil isn't hot enough. Raise the temperature a little more, yes, that's right, when there are bubbles around like this. That means the temperature is hot enough to fry."
Looking at the scene before him with dead fish eyes, Xie Luochen wordlessly took a step back from the rows of boiling black pots.
After a short break the two arrived at one of the many layers of Hell, the chamber of boiling oil. One hand instructing the worker on her left while another hand continuously dips the withering soul into the oil for temperature testing. Chu Nuan continued, " you need to fry them till they take on a golden brown hue. See here? Remember to flip their bodies once in a while for perfection."
Working on the pot beside the first one, she continues to instruct with an example of her own. "This cauldron is large enough to fit four ghosts at the same time. Of course, feel free to throw more in if you decide to close on the lid." As guidance carries on, Chu Nuan's eyes become even more focused with every move. Observing carefully on every piece of golden brown dough floating above burning oil.
"Listen carefully, it's almost done." Closing her eyes momentarily to listen to the crackling of frying objects, as if on signal her eyes instantly flew open with a fierce light. Grabbing the strainer within reach a blurry shadow flashes past as her arms swiftly ladle the steaming strips out of the cauldron. Presenting it on a plate for Xie Luochen to have as a snack. "Here! Fresh out of the fryer."
"..." Staring at the plate of fried hot dough, his gaze moved behind Chu Nuan to land on the rows of cauldrons. Where the envoys who'd just received a lesson from Chu Nuan eagerly spoons out strips of fried souls. Eyes shaking a little before moving back onto the plate offered to him, he turned his sight away in soundless rejection.
____________
Arriving at the mountain of knives where their next destination is the workers there welcomed them with enthusiasm. Collectively pulling the unwilling Xie Luochen into their ranks for the purpose of teaching him the secret of sharpening knives. Their loud chattering granted an additional layer of joy over the site of bloody carnage behind them.
Taking this opportunity to excuse herself, Chu Nuan walked to a darkened corner. Resting her back onto a wall while pretending to rest, her gaze stayed on Xie Luochen as she whispered in an barely audible voice. "Have you found what I wanted to know?"
"Yes, Your Honor." A shadow hidden from view answered with solemn conviction. "Just as you suspected, there have been suspicious movements starting from the time the three ghost lords escaped. All coming from a number of lower guides, we are keeping tabs on every single one of them in case they try to create unnecessary trouble."
"Good." It shouldn't have been too difficult to find dubious actions since those guides think too simply. Do they really think no one will notice the happenings in Hell? The absence of the ten kings does not mean unfettered freedom. There are eyes everywhere, how foolish.
Continuing with the report, "after further investigations, the common link existing between them is their frequent visits to the human world."
"Hm, for what?"
"A meeting with a person named Fu Xi I believe."
"Oh?" She hummed in surprise. "He already reached his hands so far. What are the contents of conversation?"
"Currently, we are unsure but we will continue to investigate. Also, Your Honor, there is another piece of news. Activities from the demon world have been detected as of late."
Hearing this bit of news, Chu Nuan closed her eyes in contemplation. Demon world, envoys, Fu Xi, archives.....opening her eyes again, a gloomy glint flashes by before her expression returns to normal. "I understand, continue to probe further."
Receiving her command, the shadow bowed before melting within the darkness.
____________
With the inspection and completion of tasks coming to an end, Chu Nuan told Xie Luochen her thoughts on returning.
"Most of the tasks are finished and the newly appointed workers are adapting well. After I finished the last few things, let's go back?"
Having enough of the strangely affectionate envoys these past few days, Xie Luochen whose mind and body borders near breaking point agrees with vigor.
Getting an answer from him, Chu Nuan nodded in agreement, "there is a place I want to show you before we leave." Saying so, her cold hands wrapped around his warm fingers as she pulled him along.
"Where?"
"Shh." Chu Nuan placed a finger on Xie Luochen's lips. Smiling in tender affection as she continued, "close your eyes and trust me."
Mesmerized by her actions, he unconditionally closed his eyes choosing to entrust himself to the woman in front of him, he followed in silence.
Around ten minutes passed before they came to a stop where he was finally allowed to open his eyes. Widening in surprise, an unending terrain of spider lilies spread out ahead as each of them sway against the wind. As if competing against delicate lanterns in the sky, red loose petals dances in the air before falling like gentle rain after every large gust of breeze.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Chu Nuan asked with large brightened eyes. She positioned herself before him as a dazzling grin flashes towards his direction in a gaze that seems to be waiting for endless praises. Lighting up the dark night, her smile became the crescent moon while the sparkle in those black pupils flickered in replacement of the starless sky. Even a scene as breathtaking as an ocean of red lilies became a backdrop to the beauty in front of him.
Noticing a petal stuck between strands of inky hair, slender fingers slowly reached forward. Naturally, as if he'd been doing the same for many years, and carefully, in fear of startling her. But even before they touched, Chu Nuan took large steps forward instead to reduce the distance between them with her head tilted upward.
Flying red petals continue to flutter mindlessly around them as their gaze locked onto each other. Being stared at by such a passionate gaze Xie Luochen unconsciously tried to take a step back only to be prevented by an arm encased around his waist.
"Don't move." Chu Nuan narrowed her gaze with a roguish grin, warm breath caressing his flushed skin.
The same tone of voice and expression Chu Nuan uses often to tease him, is something he had gotten used to long ago. However, it is unknown whether due to the change in landscape or a transformation from within. This time, as if beguiled by her appearance his body leans itself forward uncontrollably.
The moment trembling lips are about to brush against one another, a drifting petal settled itself in between. Slightly moist but tender softness spreads from his lips towards his quivering heart as his eyes closes bit by bit. Unable to differentiate whether the flavor originated from the petal, her actual lips, or both. The heat and slight aftertaste of flowery aroma lingers on his lips and tongue the minute he pulled away.
Watching the crimson petal fall from Chu Nuan's lips in unhurried ease, his sight returns to her face in time to see her eyelashes flutter open. Like the fanning wings of a butterfly they quiver for a brief second before opening to meet his gaze.
Chu Nuan slowly opened her eyes back up before giving Xie Luochen a satisfied face. Savoring the lasting exchange of warmth with a lick of her tongue, a blooming giggle exited her mouth.
Although a petal got in her way, the ending result is still within expectations. It was worth sneaking into King Songdi's palace to read his collections of smutty romance novels, she thought with a sly raise of her eyebrows.
For some odd reason, the combined scent of flowers along with her stunning expression aimed towards him causes his breathing to hitch momentarily. Looking away with reddened cheeks he mumbled a, "let's go." Before grasping tightly onto her hands to journey back the same path they came from.
Seeing his bashful but serious expression, she couldn't help but chuckled once again in amusement. Standing solidly on the ground, she yanked on his hand to pull him towards her instead.
Receiving a sudden pull, Xie Luochen stumbled backwards into a subtle embrace and without giving him a chance to react, soft lips landed on his cheeks. Leaving a slightly moist and flowery scent behind.
Shocked by what just happened, a hand covered his cheeks while his eyes widened in incredulity.
This time, instead of suppressed chuckling, loud laughter rang across the field. "Haha! Come, let's leave." She grinned in a good mood while pulling onto the dazed Xie Luochen.
Even though she wishes to stay here with Xie Luochen, it's time to return to the surface. There are other problems waiting for her to solve.