I’m a midnight taxi driver. My business is unusual, and so are my passengers—the kind of clients most people wouldn’t know how to deal with.

One night, a fellow driver asked me to pick up an old friend of his, saying the man was both wealthy and influential. I took it seriously, even preparing special offerings in the car.

While driving toward the outskirts, I spotted three people waving at me. It was late, the streets deserted, and no other cars in sight. Out of courtesy, I decided to give them a lift.

As soon as I stopped, a man in designer clothes shoved himself into the front seat and flung a stack of hundred-dollar bills into my face.

“Take us to the King’s Hotel downtown,” he ordered. “And buy a few more boxes of condoms while you’re at it.”

The other two slid into the back.

“What the hell? I can’t even stretch my legs,” one of them complained.

With a few muffled thuds, the high-end fruits and pastries I had placed in the back—offerings of my intended passenger—were tossed out onto the road. My goodwill was instantly trampled, and anger flushed through me.

“Get out. I’m not taking you anymore.”

The man in the front stared at me as if I’d said something absurd.

“You? A shabby taxi driver, daring to refuse me? I could erase you from Kingsport with a single word.”

The two in the back burst out laughing.

“Do you know who he is? Nicholas Shenford—the prince of Kingsport! You’re lucky he’s even in your car.”

“He’s someone who could make the whole city tremble with just one step, and you, a nobody, dare not show him respect.”

I hesitated. I had no idea what the “Kingsport world” was, but I did know my own realm—and I didn’t deal with the living.

——

“Understand? Then drive already.” Nicholas leaned over and pressed the horn several times, making the girl in the back, Lydia Langford, giggle.

I sighed inwardly. A moment of misplaced kindness had gotten me into trouble. Holding back my irritation, I explained calmly, “Sorry, but this car’s booked. I’m on my way to pick someone up. I can drop you at the nearest gas station—there are plenty of taxis there.”

No sooner had I finished than a wad of cash slapped against my cheek from the back seat.

“I’ve booked you. How much more do you want? Just drive.”

I quickly turned my head away, shaking it. “You’ve misunderstood. It’s not about money. The city center is out of my way.”

The next instant, a heavy kick struck the back of my seat.

“I could crush you like an ant. If you value your life, drive.”

They refused to get out, and I couldn’t reveal my true identity, so I decided to endure it until we reached the gas station.

Before long, the back seat filled with the acrid smell of cigarette smoke, making me cough.

“Could you please not smoke in the car?” I asked.

The man in the back sneered. “My cigarettes cost more than your whole car. You should be paying me for letting you breathe them in.”

“That’s right,” another chimed in. “If the Maybach we ordered hadn’t broken down, we wouldn’t be stuck in your junker.”

Lydia flicked her cigarette ash onto the seat and crushed it out, leaving a burnt mark. The stench of scorched leather spread instantly.

My heart sank. This was my limited-edition SSS hearse from the underworld—irreplaceable.

“What are you doing? Damage my car, and you won’t be able to pay for it.”

They stared, then erupted in mocking laughter.

“Can’t afford it? I have fifty-nine luxury cars in my garage. The cheapest of them could buy your entire family’s lives.”

“This wreck isn’t even as clean as my dog’s cage. Stop pretending you’re anything but dirt-poor.”

My knuckles whitened on the steering wheel, but my mission came first. Arguing was pointless.

When we finally reached the gas station, I stopped the car and said evenly, “This is as far as I can take you. You all have phones—call another taxi or have someone pick you up. I won’t charge you for the ride.”

The men exchanged glances, then actually got out of the car.

I exhaled in relief, thinking the matter was over.

I stopped buying fruit and pastries before heading back, only to find my car windows shattered and my phone smashed into pieces.

Nicholas stood there with a smug grin, holding my driver’s license.

“I didn’t expect a lunatic with a fake license. A Three Paths Purple Gold Level Guide? What kind of nonsense is that?”

Oh no.

I lunged to snatch it back, but he easily overpowered me, shoving me so hard I stumbled.

“Driving an illegal taxi with a fake license is a serious crime. One call to the police and you’re behind bars.”

Dealing with living is such a hassle. I bit my lip. “What do you want?”

Nicholas slipped an arm around Lydia’s waist and kissed her. “From childhood to now, no one’s dared to disrespect me. Yet you refused me a ride.”

“You think you can get away with being so arrogant in front of me?”

“I want you to be my dog. You’ll go wherever I tell you. Right now, I want to take my Lydia to the riverside for some fresh air. Let’s go.”

His face was flushed, the stench of alcohol heavy on his breath.

I had no interest in arguing with a drunk. I forced a smile. “It’s not about disrespect. I simply can’t.”

He clicked his tongue impatiently and stepped forward, ready to slap me. When I dodged, his expression twisted in fury.

“You dare to dodge?”

“In Kingsport, who can compare to us? I let you drive your piece-of-junk car, and you still act wronged?”

Lydia and the other man joined in the mockery.

“An illegal taxi with a fake ID that refuses passengers? What are you really doing—selling overpriced prostitutes?”

“I’ll check the back later. Maybe I’ll even find used condoms.”

I hadn’t expected the rich to be this unreasonable. I cursed myself for getting involved in the first place.

Then Nicholas suddenly softened his tone. “If you really don’t want to take us, fine. Let’s compromise. Drop us somewhere first, then you can go pick up your other passengers. Fair?”

“If you don’t agree, I’ll call the police and hand over your license and plate.”

I recognized the place he mentioned. Fortunately, it was on my way.

I didn’t know what he was planning, but as long as it didn’t disrupt my real work, I could go along with it.

Years in this business have taught me one rule: punctuality above all.

I do this job because of my unusual fate—I can see ghosts, but I lack merit. My master, Samuel Whitford, wanted me in this line of work. I’d almost refused, but he smiled and said, “Do it to earn merit, and you’ll be born with a silver spoon in your next life.”

“You have no complaints,” he reminded me. “It’s still a public institution, even if it’s in the underworld.”

He was right. My profession demands respect from the highest ranks in both the yin and yang realms.

I drove to the location Nicholas named and parked.

Immediately, a dozen black cars surrounded mine, headlights flashing.

Before I could react, my door was yanked open, and I was dragged out by the hair.

Nicholas' cold voice cut through the night. “Smash this wreck. Then we’ll strip it down piece by piece.”

Pain shot through my scalp, my limbs ached, and the taste of dirt filled my mouth. “Why break your word?”

Nicholas sneered. “I told you to take us here. I never promised to let you go.”

A group of thugs advanced, grinning as they swung wrenches at my car.

Each blow landed with a dull, brutal thud—metal buckling, the interior ripping apart—until flames consumed what was left.

That car had been a limited-edition model crafted exclusively for the underworld, reserved for transporting dignitaries between the Yin and Yang realms.

I screamed and rushed forward to stop them, but they tied my hands behind my back and forced me to the ground.

Amid the roaring flames, Lydia clapped her hands and giggled. “You should thank us—your shabby car has never looked this good.”

Her eyes glinted with defiance, while mine were stung with tears.

Without that car, today’s distinguished guest would not be picked up on time. If that happened, he could turn into a vengeful spirit and bring disaster upon my descendants. My teeth clenched, my eyes bloodshot. “You’ll pay for burning my car.”

Nicholas strolled over and tossed a card at my feet. “It’s just a car. I’ll buy you ten to replace it.”

“Master Shenford , I don’t look down on you, but some things can’t be solved with money.”

He waved my driver’s license mockingly.

“In Kingsport, I go wherever I please. There’s nothing I can’t handle. And you, Miss Zoe Jennings—not only are you using a fake license, but something this ridiculous?”

His smile turned sly. He jerked his chin toward his men. “Search her. See what kind of dirt she’s hiding.”

It didn’t take long.

“Her grandmother was a fortune teller—no wonder she’s strange.”

“She used to claim she could see ghosts at school, got bullied, then dropped out.”

“I heard she even went insane in a mental hospital, but her family took her home. Never studied again.”

I remembered—it was in that mental hospital that I met Master Samuel, the one who recruited me as a driver for the underworld.

Lydia crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. “No wonder I felt unlucky the moment I got in the car. Turns out the driver’s a nutcase.”

I shot her a glance. If they’d never gotten in, none of this would have happened.

Because of my unusual condition, I can’t live a normal life, so I’ve been stuck ferrying souls between realms year after year.

My grandmother once comforted me: Fate changes quickly. If it can turn bad, it can turn good. Just wait.

But I couldn’t wait now—Nicholas grinned and said, “I wonder if your knees are as tough as your car.”

He wasn’t joking. A chill ran through me. Two fists can’t win against four hands. Enduring the sharp pain in my arms, I broke free and ran, but only managed a few steps before I was caught.

A thug slammed a palm across my face. “You dare to run?”

Heat and pain spread instantly, my cheek swelling. Tears pricked my eyes.

Then a wrench was pressed against my knee.

The crowd around us buzzed with excitement, eager for the show.

“Once I break your leg, I’ll buy you a new car.”

He knew exactly how to cripple someone. I hadn’t expected him to follow through.

Fear surged. “Mr. Shenford, I don’t want your car or your money. If you want me to apologize, I’ll do it.”

I dropped to my knees and kowtowed hard, my forehead striking the ground with a sharp crack.

Nicholas squatted in front of me with lazy amusement. “Weren’t you so tough just now? What happened?”

“It’s too late for that. But if you take us to the guest you mentioned, I’ll let you go.”

I shook my head furiously. Affairs of the underworld are off-limits to living.

The next moment, the wrench came down hard.

Pain exploded through my leg as my kneecap split, and I collapsed, rolling on the ground, clutching my knee.

“If you know what’s good for you, take us there now.”

Nicholas' tone carried a strange fixation. But if he offended that guest, the consequences would be catastrophic—his family and friends included.

I’m no saint, but Master Samuel’s rule has always been the same: never drag the innocent into underworld matters.

Gritting my teeth, I said, “It’s useless to go. Meeting a noble person isn’t that easy.”