Death Knocks on Hell’s Door Chapter 1

Chapter 1 The Bar

The weather in June was unpredictable and merciless. Qingzhou City had been stiflingly hot all day, but at night, the temperature suddenly dropped, with a torrential rain pouring down on pedestrians. The old, poorly maintained streetlights flickered on and off, and under the relentless downpour, the road ahead gradually became blurred.

As the windshield wipers struggled to keep up with the relentless rain, the tires skidded on the slick pavement. Li Dongqiang had no choice but to pull over. He grabbed a rag and vigorously wiped the windshield before leaning forward to scan his surroundings. He saw no sign of anyone.

Frustrated, he slammed his fist against the steering wheel. “Damn it, I lost track!”

Li Dongqiang had been following someone.

A petty thug with no real occupation, he had spent two years in jail for provocation and disorderly conduct. But even after his release, he remained incorrigible, his mind still filled with illegal and criminal thoughts. That night, while wandering the streets, he spotted a foreign woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. Driven by lust, he had tailed her all the way, waiting for a secluded spot to make his move.

But just as he was about to act, the sudden downpour obscured his vision. In that brief moment of distraction, she vanished.

He had never been with a foreign woman before. Qingzhou City had plenty of foreign models trying to make a living, and he had long been tempted by their fair skin and long legs. Now that he had finally found such a stunning one, how could he just let her slip away?

Snatching his car keys, he grabbed a jacket, held it over his head to shield himself from the rain, and stepped out to continue his search. He refused to believe she could have gotten far.

The alley ahead twisted and turned like a maze. As his frustration mounted, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a slender figure, draped in cascading golden hair, in front of him. Even just her back view was so breathtaking it made his pulse race.

Eyes lighting up, Li Dongqiang quickly followed. He was still some distance away, and the heavy rain hindered his vision. Otherwise, he would have noticed that despite the torrential downpour, not a single drop had touched the blonde beauty.

He trailed her through several twists and turns until they entered a dead-end alley. Li Dongqiang thought it was time to make a move, but when he looked up, he froze in shock. He watched as the blonde woman walked straight through a wall.

Rubbing his eyes, he double-checked the wall in front of him.

How was that possible? Was the rain messing with his vision?

Unable to believe what he had just seen, Li Dongqiang rushed forward and tentatively reached out to touch the wall, only to grasp at thin air. Losing his balance, he was suddenly pulled forward by an invisible force.

He stumbled but managed to steady himself. When he looked up, he found himself standing in front of a bar. Behind him was the very wall he had tried to touch.

……What a bizarre design, making the entrance look like a solid wall. Was the bar owner playing some kind of hide-and-seek game?

“Yanluo Bar? Never heard of it before.” Li Dongqiang stepped inside with large strides, muttering under his breath, “A place this out of the way, how does it even stay in business?”
[T/N: The term “Yanluo” used in establishments such as Yanluo Bar, Yanluo Apartments, Yanluo Hotel, and Yanluo Malls is written with the characters 烟落, which literally translate to “falling smoke.” This pronunciation closely resembles “Yanluo” (阎罗), the name of the King of Hell in Chinese mythology.]

Bars were natural hunting grounds for preys, and the more disreputable ones even had various drugs in circulation, which would make it all the easier for him to deal with his target.

—

The bar’s interior was lavishly decorated and buzzing with energy. Colorful lights flashed in every direction, while deafening music thrummed through the air. In the center of the room, men and women danced wildly, while others clustered in booths, popping champagne and sampling desserts. Scattered tables hosted pairs toasting with long-stemmed glasses, their laughter and flirtation adding to the lively ambiance. The faint yet intoxicating scent of perfume lingered in the air, heating up the atmosphere. Every corner radiated ambiguity and temptation, a dazzling world where an unwary visitor could easily lose themselves.

A tall, handsome man dressed in black sat at the bar, idly twirling an empty glass between his fingers. The smooth surface of the glass reflected his sharp, cold features.

The bartender was a woman with delicate features. She was also the owner of the bar. Her name was Meng Wan.

She spoke with familiarity. “What would you like? Whiskey, brandy, or a cocktail? The first cocktail is on the house.”

The man said, “Wahaha.”

“……We don’t serve Wahaha here. Pick something else.”

“Shuang Wai Wai.”

Meng Wan crossed her arms and gave him a sidelong glance. “Are you here to cause trouble? Ox-Head, Horse-Face, throw him out.”

Two towering security guards in uniform stepped forward, pretending to escort him out.

“Okay, okay, then a glass of juice,” Fan Wujiu said, setting his glass down and rubbing his temples. “Lao Bai doesn’t like the smell of alcohol, and since we work together, I have to show my brother some respect.”

Meng Wan raised an eyebrow. “Just because he doesn’t like it, you won’t drink? Is he your brother or your wife?” She found it amusing that this straight man actually knew how to be considerate.

If only he were my wife, Fan Wujiu thought with a hint of regret.

But he didn’t dare say it out loud. He feared that if he did, even their brotherhood would be over.

“You look like you have something on your mind,” Meng Wan observed, studying him. “For the sake of being colleagues, I’ll make you a cup of Granny Meng’s soup to temporarily forget your troubles. For a friendly price of only 800 underworld coins for eight seconds of amnesia. No loss, no scam guaranteed.”

Granny Meng’s soup only worked on dead souls. For ghost immortals like them, it was nothing more than a drink with terrible taste.

Fan Wujiu smiled. “Juice, thanks.”

“You’re no fun.” Meng Wan pouted before turning to prepare his drink.

Five minutes later, she handed him a freshly blended orange juice. “That’ll be 200 underworld coins.”

Fan Wujiu took the juice without hesitation. “I don’t have money on me. I’ll pay you later.”

“……” Meng Wan warned, “This is the last time.”

For a brief moment, the bustling bar suddenly fell silent.

Meng Wan glanced toward the entrance and immediately lost interest in Fan Wujiu.

She had a new guest to welcome.

—

A striking blonde woman with an exotic aura stepped through the door, causing the entire bar to freeze, as if someone had pressed on the pause button. Whether they were dancing, drinking, or chatting…… everyone stopped in unison, their gazes turning toward the newcomer. Their expressions ranged from dazed to awed.

The live band immediately switched from an upbeat dance track to a soft, soothing love song, strumming their guitars with heartfelt devotion as they serenaded the newcomer. After all, a peerless beauty deserved nothing less than a grand entrance, complete with their own background music.

The newcomer possessed an astonishingly exquisite Nordic face. Emerald-green eyes gleamed like polished jade, golden hair cascaded like the radiant sun, skin was as pale as winter snow, and lips were a striking crimson, reminiscent of a blooming rose. Every feature seemed sculpted by the hands of a god, flawless and beyond reproach. If the Venus de Milo was admired for its tragic imperfection, then this person was the very embodiment of perfection, like a painting brought to life, a statue granted flesh and movement. Even in tattered clothing, looking somewhat like a refugee fleeing disaster, his breathtaking…… no, his world-shaking beauty remained utterly undiminished.

A beauty in distress was always a sight that evoked sympathy.

Several refined gentlemen immediately stepped forward, their voices eager and courteous. “Beautiful lady, do you need any assistance?”

Despite surpassing even the finest of divine sculptures in appearance, the newcomer was in a state of disarray, clearly exhausted from travel. Disheveled golden hair tumbled over pristine white shoulders, while a once-pure, flowing gown was now torn to shreds. No one knew what kind of suffering he had encountered, but the sight tugged at the heartstrings of nearly everyone present.

Yet, even in such a state, he still carried the innate nobility of a god.

The golden-haired beauty spoke gently, his voice as sweet as flower nectar laced with honey, but it was unmistakably not the voice of a woman. “I believe you are mistaken.”

The men froze for a brief moment before their enthusiasm only grew. “That doesn’t matter. We’re still happy to be of service.”

With a face like that, did it really matter whether they were male or female? This level of androgynous, gender-transcending beauty was a gift to all facecons!

In the booth area, a group of stunning women lounged on a circular sofa. The sultry, mature woman seated in the center narrowed her eyes. “I’m taking him to bed tonight.”

Beside her, a soft-voiced, delicate-looking girl chimed in, “Sister Hu, I want him too.”

A passing handsome man casually swiped a piece of cake from the table. “Then you might have to wait in line all the way to Mount Olympus.”

Before the newcomer spoke, the men in the bar were already eager to make a move. Once they did speak, both men and women alike grew restless.

What did it mean to attract both genders? This was exactly that!

A gentleman lowered his voice. “Then, my beautiful…… sir, that little rat who followed you in, would you like me to take care of him for you?”

Perhaps “beautiful” wasn’t the right word for a man. “Handsome” or “dashing” might have been more appropriate. But as they looked at the golden-haired young man before them, their minds went blank, leaving only one word: beautiful.

The golden-haired beauty didn’t turn around and simply walked past the eager admirers. “Thank you, but that won’t be necessary.”

Why would a god bother sparing a glance at an insect? He had noticed from the very beginning but had never found it worth his attention.

He walked straight toward the man in black by the bar.

While everyone else was staring at him in a daze, this man had been the only one to quickly avert his gaze, lowering his head to focus intently on his juice.

Interesting. Unique. He had successfully piqued his interest.

The golden-haired beauty’s eyes shimmered with a touch of vulnerability. “Gentleman, would you be willing to lend a homeless wanderer some money for a place to stay for the night?”

The man in black let out a soft chuckle, swirling the juice in his glass. “Homeless wanderer, I am just a poor man who has to run a tab even for a glass of juice.”

Golden-haired Beauty: “……” Goodbye.

Immediately, the eager admirers surged forward, vying for attention.

“You can use my money! No need to pay me back!”

“You have nowhere to stay? My humble home would be honored to welcome you……”

“Shut up! The beauty is mine. He should come home with me!”

“Nonsense! He’s mine!”

In an instant, chaos erupted as the crowd descended into an all-out brawl over the golden-haired beauty’s favor.

The scene quickly spiraled into utter disorder.

In the end, it was Meng Wan who made the decisive call. “Looking for a place to stay? We’ll waive the fee. The rooms are on the second floor, please follow me upstairs.” If she didn’t step in, the ground floor would soon turn into a battlefield.

Such breathtaking beauty was enough to make these weak-willed demons and spirits lose their minds.

Fan Wujiu frowned, looking up in protest. “Why do I have to put things on credit, but he gets them for free?”

Meng Wan shot Fan Wujiu a look. “Stay out of the beauty’s affairs.”

Fan Wujiu: “……” This world really did favor good looks.

“Welcome. To check you in, I’ll need to record your name,” Meng Wan said, pen in hand.

Still stewing over the blatant double standard, Fan Wujiu absentmindedly muttered, “Medusa.” [T/N: Medusa (美杜莎) — the first character “美” means pretty/beautiful ]

Meng Wan had just written the first character when she suddenly realized something was off. She turned to glare at Fan Wujiu. “Are you just here to stir up trouble?”

“When he came in, everyone got petrified. Isn’t he Medusa?” Fan Wujiu reasoned.

Meng Wan: That’s because people were stunned by his beauty, not because they were actually petrified!

The golden-haired beauty let out a cold, enigmatic laugh, clearly displeased by the name. “How dare you compare me to that lowly snake demon?”

Meng Wan hesitated. “Then…… you are?”

“Venus.” The golden-haired beauty tossed out the name before turning gracefully and heading upstairs.

Venus, the Roman God of Love and Beauty. One of the twelve major gods of Mount Olympus.

The embodiment of beauty itself.

Meng Wan’s pen froze mid-stroke. Stunned by the identity of her esteemed guest, she quickly completed the registration and hurriedly followed him upstairs.

Fan Wujiu took a sip of his juice, staring at the graceful figure disappearing upstairs. “No wonder he looks that stunning.” As the God of Beauty, of course, it was his job to be beautiful.

“Is he good-looking?” A cool, distant voice suddenly came from above.

Fan Wujiu answered without a second thought, “Objectively speaking, yes.”

Wait a minute…… why did that voice sound so familiar?

He turned his head and nearly fell off his barstool.

“L-L-Lao Bai?! W-What are you doing here?”

Xie Bian despised the smell of alcohol and couldn’t stand noisy environments, so he never set foot in places like bars. Because of that, Fan Wujiu rarely came to such establishments himself.

Fan Wujiu had come to the bar tonight because he had been holding in his troubles for too long. He needed a drink to drown them out. But even after arriving, he was still mindful of Xie Bian’s preferences. He had only dared to ask for a bottle of Wahaha, and in the end, he settled for juice.

He never expected Xie Bian to break precedent and step into a bar.

The young man was dressed in a crisp white shirt, with delicate cufflinks adorning his slender wrists. He carried himself with a reserved elegance, as refined as a nobleman. His features were as exquisite as a painting, his expression as cold as frost. Standing tall and straight, he looked entirely out of place in this setting.

Xie Bian gazed at him for a long moment before curving his lips into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. “You certainly seem to be enjoying yourself.”

His voice was as cool and detached as ever, but this time, it sent an inexplicable chill down Fan Wujiu’s spine.

Xie Bian’s lowered gaze remained fixed on him, his expression unreadable, his smile ambiguous.

“I hope I’m not interrupting your romantic encounter?”
***
Translation’s Note:
— Yanluo (阎罗), also known as Yan Wang (King Yan), is a significant figure in Chinese mythology and religious traditions, particularly within Taoism, Buddhism, and folk beliefs. He is the ruler of the underworld and the judge of the dead, overseeing the fate of souls after death. His role is somewhat analogous to that of Hades in Greek mythology or Yama in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. In fact, “Yanluo” is a transcription of the Sanskrit for “Yama.”

— Heibai Wuchang, also known as the “Black and White Impermanence,” are two deities in Chinese folklore and Taoist mythology. Their primary role is to serve as emissaries of the underworld, tasked with escorting the souls of the deceased to their appropriate destinations in the afterlife.

Hei Wuchang or Black Impermanence (Fan Wujiu): Often depicted wearing a black robe and a grim expression. He is responsible for capturing the souls of those who have committed evil deeds or led sinful lives.

Bai Wuchang or White Impermanence (Xie Bian): Usually shown in a white robe with a smiling or comical expression. He guides the souls of the virtuous and those who have led righteous lives.

Their name, wuchang (无常), means “impermanence,” reflecting the belief that life is fleeting and death can come unexpectedly.

— Ox-Head and Horse-Face (牛头马面) are two fearsome guardians or enforcers in Chinese underworld mythology. They serve as henchmen to Yanluo and are responsible for punishing the souls of the dead, particularly those who committed evil deeds in life.

— Granny Meng (孟婆), also known as Meng Po, is a figure in Chinese mythology who serves in the underworld. Her role is to prepare and serve Granny Meng’s soup or Meng Po’s soup (孟婆汤), a special soup of forgetfulness, to souls before they are reincarnated. This soup erases their memories of past lives, ensuring they start anew without lingering attachments or regrets.

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