The air in Hell was thick with smoke and heat.
Rivers of molten fire crawled slowly across the cracked black ground like living creatures, illuminating the endless darkness with an eerie red glow. The screams of the damned echoed faintly in the distance, rising and falling like haunting music.
At the center of it all stood a massive throne carved from obsidian stone. Flames danced around its edges, bending and twisting as though bowing before the figure seated upon it.
Satan Lu Yin.
The King of Hell rested his elbow lazily against the arm of his throne, his long dark robes flowing around him like shadows. His sharp crimson eyes glowed like burning coals as he gazed down at the lone figure kneeling before him.
"Demon Xin Yi" he said, his deep voice echoing across the infernal chamber.
The kneeling woman lowered her head respectfully.
"Yes, Master," she replied calmly.
Her long ginger hair spilled over her shoulders like molten copper, the strands catching the fiery glow around them. Though her head was bowed, there was nothing weak about her presence. Power radiated quietly from her slender frame.
"You have been doing your mission marvelously well since you were sent to Earth," Satan Lu Yin continued.
Xin Yi said nothing.
She simply listened.
For twelve years she had served him without hesitation, without failure.
Twelve years of hunting.
Twelve years of killing.
Twelve years of dragging wicked souls screaming into the flames of Hell.
Lu Yin leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his hand as his lips curved into a faint smile.
"Men who harm women," he said slowly. "Men who believe their cruelty will go unanswered."
His eyes darkened.
"But Hell always answers."
Xin Yi finally lifted her head slightly.
"And I deliver the answer," she said quietly.
Lu Yin chuckled softly.
"Yes. That you do."
For a moment the room fell silent except for the crackling flames.
Then Lu Yin straightened.
"Now," he said. "I have another mission for you."
Xin Yi's eyes flickered with interest.
"Your next target is Minister Jiangchen."
She remained still, listening carefully.
Lu Yin's gaze hardened.
"Jiangchen," he repeated slowly. "A respected politician in the country of China."
A faint, mocking smile appeared on his lips.
"Respected by the public… perhaps."
The flames around the throne suddenly flared higher.
"But behind closed doors," Lu Yin continued coldly, "he has hit his wife multiple times."
Xin Yi's gray eyes narrowed slightly.
Abuse.
Cruelty.
Violence.
These were exactly the kind of sins that brought men straight to Hell.
"And as a result," Lu Yin finished, "he must be punished."
Xin Yi bowed her head again.
"I understand."
"You have to make sure you kill him," Lu Yin said firmly. "And bring his soul to me here in Hell."
His crimson eyes gleamed.
"I want him screaming in my flames before the end of this week."
Xin Yi did not hesitate.
"Okay," she said calmly.
"I will be sure to do just as you have instructed."
Lu Yin watched her carefully for a moment.
Then he gave a satisfied nod.
"I knew I could rely on you, Demon Xin Yi. That is why you are my second in command."
A faint smile touched Xin Yi's lips.
That was the closest thing to praise one could ever receive from the King of Hell.
And then—
Lu Yin vanished.
His form dissolved into smoke and flame, leaving the throne room suddenly empty and silent.
Xin Yi remained kneeling for a moment longer.
Then slowly she stood.
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"Well," she murmured softly.
"Time to go back to work."
Her body shimmered slightly.
And then she vanished.
⸻
A cold night wind swept across an empty field outside Chongqing.
The tall grass swayed gently beneath the moonlight.
Suddenly—
A faint ripple appeared in the air.
And then Xin Yi appeared.
She stood alone in the field, her boots touching the soft ground as though she had simply stepped out of thin air.
This place was familiar.
Very familiar.
It was the same empty field she always used whenever she traveled between Earth and Hell.
For twelve years now.
Xin Yi inhaled deeply.
The cool night air of Earth filled her lungs.
A small smile spread across her lips.
Xin Yi looked toward the glowing city lights of Chongqing.
"Another night… another sinner for Hell," she whispered.
She brushed a strand of ginger hair away from her face as she began walking toward the distant lights of Chongqing.
She had lived here for twelve years now.
A quiet apartment.
A simple human life.
At least on the surface.
But beneath that peaceful life…
She was Hell's executioner.
Her mission on Earth was simple.
Find men who hit or killed women.
And send them straight to Hell.
For the past twelve years…
She had done it perfectly.
Tonight would be no different.
⸻
Xin Yi arrived at her apartment building a short while later.
The quiet hallway smelled faintly of cleaning products and stale air.
She unlocked the door and stepped inside.
Click.
The door closed behind her.
She slipped off her shoes near the entrance and stretched slightly.
Then she slipped into her soft house slippers.
A quiet hum escaped her lips.
She began swaying her hips slightly as she walked across the living room, humming a soft tune to herself.
The music was one she had heard earlier that day in a nearby café.
Humans had such fascinating little habits.
Songs.
Dancing.
Love.
Xin Yi smiled to herself.
Sometimes she wondered what it would be like to live like them.
But that thought passed quickly.
She had work to do.
And tonight's mission was important.
She had already discovered exactly where Minister Jiangchen would be.
A popular nightclub in Chongqing.
A place full of noise, alcohol, and careless secrets— Loop.
Perfect.
Xin Yi walked toward her bedroom and opened the wardrobe.
Her eyes scanned the clothing before selecting a very short black dress.
The fabric clung tightly to her curves as she slipped it on.
Simple.
Elegant.
Deadly.
Her long ginger hair flowed smoothly over her shoulders as she stepped toward the mirror.
Her gray eyes sparkled beneath the room's soft lighting.
She picked up her signature bold red lipstick.
Slowly she applied it to her lips.
Perfect.
Then came the jewelry.
A delicate necklace.
Small earrings.
Just enough to catch attention.
She grabbed a small bottle of perfume and sprayed it lightly across her neck and wrists.
The scent was sweet.
Seductive.
Dangerous.
Exactly the way she liked it.
Finally, she picked up her small black handbag and slid it over her shoulder.
Xin Yi stood before the mirror one last time.
She tilted her head slightly.
A warm smile spread across her lips.
Her reflection smiled back.
But then—
For just a split second—
Her gray eyes flashed purple.
The color of Hell.
Then they returned to gray again.
Xin Yi chuckled softly.
"Still there," she whispered.
She swung her hair lightly and turned toward the door.
Moments later she stepped outside the apartment building.
Her sleek black car waited in the parking lot.
The city lights of Chongqing glowed brightly in the distance.
Xin Yi's lips slowly curled into a wicked grin.
Tonight…
Minister Jiangchen would meet his executioner.
She opened the car door.
And stepped inside.