"I'm sorry, your manuscript didn't pass review. I hope you'll keep working hard."

The cold words pierced Chen Feng's heart like an invisible blade. He stared at the computer screen, his fingers trembling slightly, as if the words carried a curse, freezing all his hopes at that moment. Chen Feng had been writing for years. A few years ago, he caught the publishing boom and managed to publish a few books. While they weren't huge hits, he lived comfortably. However, his path to publication was now repeatedly blocked, with manuscripts rejected again and again, as if an invisible hand was secretly controlling his fate.

Finally, the cultural company, unable to withstand the pressure, summoned Chen Feng for a meeting. Faced with the boss's ridicule, Chen Feng had no choice but to pack up and leave. As he left, the boss coldly said, "Brother, you're really not cut out for this. You'd better change your career so you can still make a living."

Chen Feng's life was in jeopardy. The rent was due, and the landlord kept demanding payment, but Chen Feng could only pretend to be deaf and dumb. His girlfriend, Xiaoli, had planned to take wedding photos with him this week, but when she saw he'd been fired, she ruthlessly turned on him and, while he was away, took away all the valuables from the house. Chen Feng was left penniless, living on instant noodles. The landlord issued an ultimatum: if he didn't pay the rent by next Monday, he'd be leaving.

Chen Feng knew he couldn't go on like this. Writing wasn't the only path forward in life. He decided to pull himself together and look for a job. Chen Feng had studied software programming in college and, with his intelligence and talent, had thrived in the field. However, by chance, he became fascinated with online novels. With a whim, he started writing, and after just 60,000 words, a Taiwanese publishing house took notice, and he'd been hooked ever since.

Now, Chen Feng wants to return to his old job, but finds that computers are constantly changing, and his skills are outdated. Software company after software company has rejected him. Dejected, Chen Feng doesn't know what to do next. Just then, an agency took a look at his resume, took a look at his height and weight, and decided he was a perfect fit for the security position.

"The bank is hiring security guards. You look good, and you can start tomorrow."

Without a second thought, Chen Feng signed the contract. Early the next morning, he reported to the bank. Although Chen Feng had striking looks, he was a security guard, a profession often viewed with skepticism. Ridicule and abuse were commonplace. Chen Feng endured it, for he was new to the industry and didn't understand many of the rules. Furthermore, the bank was the client, and the president had the final say over the security guards. Several security guards before him had lost their jobs for offending their boss. Chen Feng didn't want to lose his newly acquired job.

Over time, Chen Feng's outstanding performance changed many people's minds. Even those who had once despised him began to see him in a new light. Chen Feng breathed a sigh of relief. A month's hard work had finally paid off; the clouds had finally cleared.

After receiving his first month's salary, Chen Feng immediately paid the rent and went out for a feast. When Chen Feng first started working as a security guard, he struggled to adapt, but over time, he came to love the profession. A security guard protects the safety of a family.

One day, Chen Feng was on duty as usual. Suddenly, several thugs rushed in, brandishing sharp blades.

"We've taken control of this bank! Get all your money out!"

Another thug cut the phone line. To intimidate, the thugs hacked and killed several customers. The bank employees who had once mocked Chen Feng were terrified and turned their gazes to him, as if he were their only savior.

Although Chen Feng was a security guard, he shouldered a heavy responsibility. He could not sit idly by, even at the cost of his young life. He immediately brandished his baton and charged at the thugs. Since donning the security uniform, Chen Feng was no longer the frail scholar who sat at his computer writing novels. He would protect everyone's safety, even at the cost of his own life. "We're robbing state property, and you're just a security guard, making only 3,000 yuan a month. Is this worth it?"

Chen Feng didn't answer, but used his baton to defeat three thugs in quick succession. The thugs had never imagined that their carefully planned bank robbery would be disrupted by a security guard.

"Stop! I have a hostage. If you try again, I'll kill her!"

One thug grabbed the financial manager by the neck, his other hand gripping a sharp knife, ready to slit her throat. The financial manager, reveling in her youth and beauty, treated the security guards with indifference. She was even more dismissive of Chen Feng. Chen Feng had once taught her a lesson, and the two had never spoken since.

The financial manager was terrified, regretting her decision to cross Chen Feng. Now, even a great immortal couldn't save her.

Chen Feng recalled the security captain's words: "Of all the strategies, retreat is the best. Risking your life for 3,500 yuan a month isn't worth it."

However, seeing the thug's arrogance, Chen Feng couldn't stand by and watch. He stared at the gangsters with cold eyes and asked, "What do you want?"

The gangsters immediately ordered Chen Feng to drop their batons, while the others charged at him with knives. Two gangsters first pinned Chen Feng down, then a knife plunged fiercely into his stomach.

A stream of blood gushed from the wound, staining the ground crimson. Chen Feng's vision went black, and he lost consciousness.

When he opened his eyes again, all around him was pitch black, eerie and terrifying. Chen Feng felt light and fluttery, and just as he was about to move forward, a thick chain suddenly slid around his neck.

Two figures flashed in front of him, one black, one white, their tongues spitting out blood-red, their faces grim and terrifying.

"Who are you? Where is this?" Chen Feng asked in horror. The two men burst into laughter at the sound, and one of them said grimly, "This is the underworld, and we are the Black and White Impermanence. You're already dead, so come with us to the underworld."

With that, the Black and White Impermanence dragged Chen Feng away. Chen Feng reflected on his life, feeling overwhelmed with emotion. Although he had ultimately fallen to security, he refused to believe in fate, believing his fortune would one day change.

The Black and White Impermanence, seeing Chen Feng's resistance, bared their fangs and shouted, "The King of Hell ordered you to leave at three o'clock in the morning. Who dares to stay until five?"

Just then, a figure approached from a distance and ordered the Black and White Impermanence to release Chen Feng. Chen Feng examined him, seeing he held the Yin-Yang Order, his face pale and his eyes blazing. He said to the Black and White Impermanence, "He's no ordinary ghost. The King of Hell commands us to treat him well."

The Black and White Impermanence obeyed and released Chen Feng.

Chen Feng was filled with doubts, wondering why the King of Hell had shown him such special favor. He followed the man into the depths of the underworld. The darkness seemed endless, punctuated by the occasional shrill howls of ghosts and wolves, leaving him with a chilling chill.

"Who are you? Why did you save me?" Chen Feng couldn't help but ask.

The man paused, slowly turned, and a strange smile crossed his face. "Chen Feng, your destiny goes far beyond this. Before the King of Hell's Hall, with a single stroke of the judge's pen, you will become the head instructor of Fengdu City's night patrol. Amid the howling and gnawing of hundreds of ghosts, twelve skulls entangled in bronze chains—those thousand-year-old evil spirits you have suppressed. Corpses smirked at you from the bottom of the Naihe Bridge, and a human-faced centipede bubbled up from Meng Po's cauldron. When the seventh red circle appeared in the Book of Life and Death, you would realize that this battle to defend the underworld was but a blood-stained pawn on the chessboard of the Three Realms."

Chen Feng was terrified, as if he were trapped in an inescapable nightmare. He didn't know what fate he would face, but at this moment, he had no way to retreat and could only follow that man into the abyss of the underworld.