"World Guardian, Immortal Yen... did you cause this?"

A domineering tone.

As if saying, your authority was nothing here. In the face of such a question, Immortal Yen answered with haste;

"Answering Lady Xue, I did not,"

"I see... then why aren't you curing her?"

"That's... a mistake on my part!"

"Hmph, it's good to acknowledge a mistake,"

As she said so, her hand caressed the swelling. It soon shrunk, and her cheek turned milky white, perfectly fine. Seeing her overly tanned skin, Lady Xue observed their position. They were too close to the sun for comfort. It was nothing for them Guardians, but for their messengers, unless they were protected well, it would cause severe injury. She healed her skin first before asking;

"What about her skin? Her body's quite hot too, roasted even."

"This... I wish to energize her whole soul to check her Karma Thread, so I brought her over,"

"Too crude. Mortals will feel too much pain. Do better next time, or I'll have to discipline you,"

"Yes!"

As they were having the conversation, a cool sensation was filling Yun Zhi up. It came from Lady Xue Bai, who kept her right hand on her back. It was so cozy, so comfortable. It was as if it was snowing during winter, yet she was under a thick blanket... enjoying it.

Ahhh...

The feeling was heavenly.

So cool, so refreshing...

Yun Zhi felt, as if she had just experienced the most fulfilling sleep ever.

Ever since her 'ailment' manifested, she never had a fulfilling sleep...

But, who's this sassy big sister?

Awesome, even that badass uncle bowed to her!

She's so pretty too...

Looking at the lady in the blue-white robe, she seemed as if a figure coming directly from myth and legend... The Snow Lady. Beautiful, frail-looking, yet also fierce when necessary. What she didn't expect was, for her to also show such kindness to her... When she was dreading her own arrival here, she brought her much calm.

Soon, Lady Xue patted her head, as if assuring her, it'll be fine from now on. Turning to Immortal Yen, she asked;

"You can't check her record past the third layer?"

"Yes. I tried to access through several networks, but I'm still blocked,"

"...She received a mark,"

"You mean... An immortal's mark?"

"...Also a curse... A devil's curse. Powerful one too,"

"Two at once? Is that possible?"

"Normally, no. I'm checking,"

She patted her head.

With her authority, she ought to be able to tell more than Immortal Yen. Checking through her Karmic Thread into the Heavenly Mainframe, she was able to tell certain things. However, even for her, things still were blurry...

"Blurry. I could only see her dream. She used to be someone prominent,"

"Blurry? Lady Xue, even with your authority..."

Even with her authority, she could not access any more than this?

Who was she? Lady Xue Bai, Sector Guardian... responsible for over 10,000 immortals guarding over the myriad worlds... All of them were people of similar rank to Immortal Yen. Her authority could even overcome ten thousand immortals of his caliber! To come over, she had just transverse several systems in a matter of seconds through the fabric of space.

If, even she could not tell for sure...

Then this one, was truly an oddball.

Xue Bai stopped peeking into the Heavenly Mainframe.

Too much into it was not good, even for her. She knitted her eyes, as if suppressing pain.

"She must've offended some entity a long time ago."

"What about her kill record? That's too exaggerated,"

"She's not an immortal, but she massacred millions of lives. That's the truth."

"Then... Should I,"

"Don't do anything. We don't have enough info, so we're not one to judge. Since it's her previous life matter, only the One in Heaven has such authority,"

Xue Bai explained. A long time ago meant a life even before the last life she had on earth. The curse made her whole being went haywire. During her time being a normal person on earth, she did not activate the curse. However, when she was about to establish her Foundation, the curse manifested.

Her 'ailment' was actually a curse.

They did not hide their conversation, so Yun Zhi heard everything. However, she did not find it convenient to intrude. Her understanding was also lacking. Besides, she was still under Lady Xue Bai's embrace. Her embrace... was cozy. It was so comfortable, she felt like sleeping by her side forever.

It was as if, she was in her mother's cradle.

Ah, she was snoozing...

Still, their voice reached her.

Xue Bai concluded;

"Since it's a curse transcending several lifetimes, better not erase it."

"Will you be using it as leverage?"

"Of course, it's fair game. We'll let her handle most of it. I've recorded it, so I'll be giving her the benefit."

Turning to look at Yun Zhi, Lady Xue smiled with much kindness.

"Apologize for the late introduction. I'm Xue Bai, this Sector's Guardian. I'm this person's direct superior, so... I apologize for his crude treatment of you. It's my, Xue Bai's, mistake."

She said, referring to Immortal Yen's sun-bathing Yun Zhi by force. Startled at the politeness of the new big boss, Yun Zhi answered immediately;

"Yun Zhi, greets Lady Xue Bai! Thank you from before... I appreciate it, Lady Xue..."

"Haha... You sound a bit uncomfortable. You can just call me big sis if you want, I won't mind,"

"Really? Then, I thanked big sis wholeheartedly!"

And she meant it. She was not comfortable being all polite... but, Lady Xue Bai was really cool. Her body calmed down much just by staying by her side. It was like that refreshing watermelon on a hot, summer day... But, Yun Zhi still did not forget something... That little incident on the sun...

"But big sis, the sun... It hurts like hell... Big sis, I'm so afraid... wuwu,"

"Now, now... There's no need to be. Why are you crying? Does it still hurt?"

"N-no... But, he's going to be my direct boss... I might not survive if he decides to roast me in the sun again..."

She turned to that jerk uncle, eyes twitching. Immortal Yen raised his eyebrow. This youngster sure was something else. She clearly had no permanent injury from that, but she sure could hold grudges!

Xue Bai, sympathizing with her plight, assured;

"Don't worry. He might be a bit harsh, but he's not a bad person,"

"M-maybe... But, I'm quite frail, big sis... I might die at any moment with just a finger flick... I wanna go home,"

"It's okay... You're already here, why do you want to go home? Tell you what, I'll do this..."

Turning to Immortal Yen, Xue Bai commanded;

"World Guardian, Immortal Yen... I hereby order you to treat this girl better than usual. She's absolutely terrified because of you. So... no torture from now on. Her visit to the sun is off-limit. Will that be a problem?"

"Yen Long, received the order! There will be no problem!"

"Em, I expect good results. See?"

Xue Bai turned to Yun Zhi, pleasantly smiling. Yun Zhi was speechless. She kinda appreciated her giving that kind of order. That made her feel pampered. However, what she wanted the most was to go back home, but... Even this kind big sister didn't let her return!

What the heck?

Is it so hard to send me back...

Why am I so unfortunate...

"B-big sis... Can I not go home?"

"This... It's not like you can't, but..."

She explained things to her, as simple as possible. It turned out that her ailment was a curse. It was a powerful devil's curse, but somehow, she did not perish from it due to a mark... An immortal mark. It acted as the counterweight to the curse. However, it still was not enough. The curse was simply too powerful and malicious. It also carried the weight of millions of people killed by her in her previous life.

"I... murdered millions? Is that true?"

"It's too early to say. You did kill them, but murder... not sure,"

Xue Bai explained the difference between killing and murdering. Murder was done without justification, and with clear intent. Killing, however, might happen due to accidents, misunderstandings, or manipulation. It did not mean the one who did the killing was innocent. It just meant that it was perhaps nothing close to murder.

"Big sis... I really kill that many? Am I a bad person? Is that why you can't let me go?"

"That's not the case... Without knowing the reasons... One can't judge properly. Whether you're good or bad, I'm not in a position to judge."

Xue Bai explained. She should not be blaming herself for something not confirmed, especially when it was about her past lives. She needed to focus on her present. Lady Xue said;

"Perhaps... You didn't do that by your own will. That constant dream... is to create guilt within you, making yourself open for the curse. Millions of humans cursed you as they died, and with you feeling the guilt... It will just worsen your own condition,"

It was just her theory, but, she advised her not to worry too much.

"I believe you're a decent person... Good enough to be a messenger. The point is, since your master and family asked us for help, we'll help. Still, the best help is... when you help yourself."

"Help myself?"

Xue Bai nodded. She touched Yun Zhi's abundant cheek. She was thin, but her cheek had this nice elastic feeling. This girl was just too adorable!

"You'll be doing missions here. This world, like any other world, is suffering from corruption. We'll send you as a reminder. Mercy to mankind. We've sent many before, and will continue to do so till the end of time. Those who are good, will benefit from the reminder. Those who aren't... well, it didn't matter. Just tell them once or twice and be on your way,"

"Reminder? H-how..."

At the mention of work, she dreaded.

Do I really have to work?

Give me a break...

"N-nothing hard, right?"

"Hm... Considering your condition, we'll start with simple missions first, something you can handle..."

With her turning to Immortal Yen, he saluted and agreed.

Simple missions then!

This girl was too spoiled...

Xue Bai continued;

"When you are ready, we'll have you deliver the reminder. If people can accept, that's great. If people don't accept, leave them be. But, if they transgress in front of you... Your big sis here, hope you'll exercise your best judgment."

"So... me doing this work, will it help with my condition?"

"Rightly so,"

If Xue Bai let her go home, her condition would just worsen. But, if she became their messenger to the world below, it would give her enough merit for them to help her out. After all, Heavenly Favor could not be handed out so freely. Lady Xue Bai could lift the curses right away, but... Helping out a mortal would require some amount of leverage. She did not have much to spare. If she used them for her, she could compromise other worlds.

After all, devil's corruption and law-bending could only be balanced by the proper use of leverage.

Devil's role in so many worlds was to spread corruption, and as guardians, their role was to act as the counterweight. However, direct interference was prohibited by the law. A guardian could not initiate the bending of the law, only devils do that. After that happened, they claimed leverage as the counterweight.

For guardians, a human problem needed to be solved by a fellow human. That was why they needed a human as a messenger. Lifting her entire curse counted as directly helping out a mortal. That could only be done using leverage, and she barely had enough.

"The curse's power stemmed from the many millions you already killed several lives prior. Their hatred and enmity toward you... carried over. I can't do anything about it without using my leverage... I don't have much to spare. But, I can still lift the curse done by the devil,"

"R-really?"

"The devil's power is similar to mine, so it's quite possible,"

This was good news!

While she did not want to work, this was entirely acceptable!

"C-can you do it right away, big sis?"

"Hm... I can do it. But, you'll have to go to sleep..."

Hearing the way to lift the devil's curse was to sleep, she was more than delighted. If there was any work she was willing to do, sleeping was among the top!

"Easy-peasy! I'll do it, but where..."

"Just come over,"

"E-eh?"

Lady Xue Bai took Yun Zhi into embrace, holding her as though a mother, holding her baby carefully in a cradle...

"Eh... eh?"

"Hush, go to sleep... It's fine... It will take time, but... just rest... I'll remove those nightmares..."

"Big sis..."

It was unexpected.

Does she mean it like this?

Lady Xue Bai...

Truly, a true immortal.

Beautiful, and kind...

Dependable, reliable...

She even treated her, someone everyone looked down upon, with much care. While it was refreshing being in her embrace, Yun Zhi felt her cheeks heating up. It was embarrassing, but...

Slowly, she fell asleep.

In warm embrace.