Afterlife Department

Chapter 49 - Decision

"Your manager?" Qi Shan said and raised his gaze from the newspaper.

"Yes." Lei Shan stiffly said. "He sold me to Liang Lin." He said, electricity crackling between his fingers.

"Hmm… maybe he was threatened by Liang Lin?" Qi Shan said as he resumed reading the news in the newspaper. Seeing Lei Shan didn't speak, he continued. "Power is a blessing to people if they'll be protected. It becomes a curse when they are threatened by it." He said and looked at Lei Shan. "Your manager sold you out because he fears Liang Lin." He told him.

"But it harmed me." Lei Shan said.

Qi Shan finally discarded the newspaper and faced Lei Shan. "People had to make hard decisions sometimes. It may harm you, but it can save themselves. What matters is the conscience." He explained.

"But, I died." Lei Shan said.

"Then, either he will continue to be guilty, or he'd be relieved." Qi Shan smiled as he walked towards Lei Shan seeing Lei Shan's face darkened. "Your manager is just a pawn in this game of chess." He told him. "Even though it was only to save himself, but he still brought you harm. People are just selfish. He will get his karma soon." he said and placed his hand on Lei Shan's shoulder. "The ones who are fighting the real battle is you and Liang Lin. The victor will be the powerful." He told him. "But sometimes, those who are weaker can beat the powerful. It depends on how well you play your cards." He said.

"So, your point is?" Lei Shan asked.

Qi Shan raised his hands, looking so carefree. "Those who are powerful can bully the weak. But, there are times they still are defeated." He said. "So, if you have the power, in order not to suffer a defeat, you have to become more powerful." He told Lei Shan, the playful expression on his face are now gone. "Do you know why only the dead can have the abilities while the living ones can't?" he asked.

"Why?" Lei Shan asked.

"Because they already tasted death. Only when they lost the most important thing in their life can they understand the fear and strive to be stronger to avenge themselves." Qi Shan answered.

Lei Shan looked at his hands that radiates electricity. He thoroughly understood, because that's what he is now. He died because he was powerless. Now that he gained power, he will use it to bring justice. "What should I do?" he asked Qi Shan. Now, he fully awakened his lightning ability. It happened when his body hit the pavement after his fall. He died, again, and his lightning ability brought him to 'life'.

Qi Shan clapped his hands. "Good! You're finally motivated!" he said. "Right now, your manager was abducted. They suspected it was his doing what happened on the Tianxing Entertainment's cafeteria. Do you want to save him?" he asked.

"No." Lei Shan answered. "We must be responsible for every decision we make. He should have expected this would happen to him the moment he colluded with Liang Lin." He explained.

Qi Shan's eyes darkened and the corner of his lips raised. "Good." He said, satisfaction in his voice. He isn't a good person – he isn't a person to begin with. He is a grim reaper, and their main objective is to resolve the resentment of the souls. Thus, even if Lei Shan will kill people, if it could appease him then Qi Shan would never object to it. More importantly, Lei Shan is an Important Soul. In case Lei Shan would become displeased and accidentally destroy the world… Qi Shan doesn't dare think about it. He can only follow Lei Shan's wishes.

But, Qi Shan doesn't dislike this – working like a dog. Instead, he is happier this way. He can show his competence, and he can see more kinds of people. As Important Souls, there would always be who suffered injustices – like Lei Shan. Thus, he would see their darkest side and deepest secrets. For example, an Important Soul who died of old age. He is an antagonist. He is a military advisor. He did cruel methods for his country to rise – the cruelest method he did is killing the starving people, including those who have fallen to illness and the rebelling people. He did it to lessen his country's burden. When he died, he died with a sound conscience. For him, if you want a big change to happen, then you should make sacrifices. Qi Shan respected him for that. His attachment is spiritual. He regrets he didn't live enough.

When one should decide, decide faster. When one should strike, strike harder! Or else, you will waver and lost the chance given to you at the end, making your conscience eat away your heart. If you've decided to be vicious, then do it until the end. There is no room for pity if you'll walk on a wooden plank. A moment of hesitation will be your fall.

"What should we do next?" Lei Shan asked, his voice pulled Qi Shan from his thoughts.

"We've already planted the seed of doubt. Next is we'll water it with rumors." Qi Shan said.

"Gossips?" Lei Shan frowned. "Tianxing's PR is the best among the entertain companies." He said. If Tianxing Entertainment is a soft persimmon, Lei Shan wouldn't be a film emperor.

"Have you forgotten my power?" Qi Shan said.

"Earth." Lei Shan answered.

Qi Shan nodded. "Leave the public to me." He patted Lei Shan's shoulder. "Let's do this when the doubt in people's heart is at its peak." He told him.

Lei Shan looked at his hand, then to Qi Shan's face. Qi Shan has phoenix eyes that matches his curled lips to form a mischievous look on his face. There was a tear mole on the corner of his right eye, making the shape of his eye looked more distinct. "I don't know whether to treat you as my guardian angel or the devil that whispers in my ear." He told Qi Shan.

Hearing his words, Qi Shan's eyes bent into crescents. "Don't worry. I'm neither of those." He said. "Because I am a grim reaper!" he told him.