The wind howled with a bitter chill, the underworld was vast and empty, time turned into black soil, year after year piling up, forming an eternal desolation and coldness.
In this dim and boundless expanse between heaven and earth, a golden light suddenly descended, meticulously outlining a grand gate adorned with intricate carvings and patterns.
The gate swung open, and from within emerged a group of humans—old and young, men and women—all wearing red headbands, their bodies faintly glowing. At their head was a man with two curved mustaches, holding a large yellow banner inscribed with five bold characters:
“Underworld Sightseeing Tour!”
Feeling the ghostly wind capable of scattering souls, he turned back and cautioned, “Esteemed guests, with the ‘Red Treasure Scarves’ upon you, neither the cold nor malevolent spirits can harm you. You may follow with ease, but do not stray from the group or lose your way. This underworld is vast and boundless, ever-growing and accumulating. Only the Heavenly Venerables and Buddhas can fully comprehend it. Once separated, you may never find your way back.”
“Yes, Guide,” the tourists replied in unison, displaying proper manners.
The guide unfurled the yellow banner he held, its radiance intensifying to illuminate the path ahead. As they walked, he continued, “The layer of underworld soil we now see was formed during the reign of the Human Emperor, completely covering and burying the underworld manifestations of the ancient savage era and the primordial chaos of creation…”
The tourists looked around curiously, faintly discerning distorted, shadowy figures within the tangible ghostly wind.
Unbeknownst to them, they had traveled far when the guide pointed to a towering black peak on their left:
“This is the ‘Underworld Mountain Prison’ of myth and legend, naturally formed by the underworld. Those guilty of adultery, plunder, and other sins in life are nailed to its summit after death, enduring the ‘Soul-Scattering Gale’ and ‘Spirit-Dissipating Malice’ day and night. Only after forty-nine years of torment, without completely dissipating, are they released.”
Hearing this, the tourists gazed at the peak, seeing only its dark, smooth surface covered in frost, with no trace of the tormented souls mentioned.
“Has the world become so virtuous that there are no longer any adulterers or plunderers?” asked a middle-aged scholar, stroking his long beard.
The guide laughed heartily. “Not at all, not at all. It is because the Bodhisattva Xuanbei, the Earth Store King, vowed to liberate all beings, absolving them of their obsessions and sins, guiding them all to the Pure Land of Buddha.”
“The Bodhisattva is compassionate, bearing the sins of countless souls upon himself,” a Buddhist layman among the tourists clasped his hands and praised.
“But shouldn’t those who committed adultery and plunder face retribution? If this continues, everyone will just do evil and wait for the Earth Store King to save them!” protested a teenage boy indignantly.
The guide smiled at this. “Esteemed guests, remain calm and listen as we walk.”
After a while, the ghostly wind ahead suddenly eased, revealing the remains of a city gate. Beneath seven or eight ornate canopies, streams of watery light descended, protecting rows of tables. Countless souls, some wracked with pain, others clinging to obsessions, gathered from all directions.
“What are they doing?” the curious boy asked again.
The guide chuckled. “Come closer, and you’ll understand.”
As they approached, the watery light grew clearer. Above each table, banners fluttered, inscribed with words like “Earth Store Pure Land,” “Fengdu Ghost City,” “Banner Underworld,” and “True Emptiness Homeland.” Solidified ghostly figures called out, each promoting their cause:
“Come to Fengdu Ghost City—food, shelter, and cultivation guaranteed!”
“Avoid the Banner Underworld at all costs! Sinners there must undergo labor reform, and even nine-life virtuous men receive no special treatment!”
“Everyone, listen! Reincarnation is limited, but the sea of suffering is boundless. Do you wish to wear yourselves away through endless cycles, losing your true nature and becoming someone else? Or will you accept transformation, seek the Dao, and forge yourselves through Dharma?”
“The Bodhisattva Xuanbei is compassionate, willing to bear your sins with his golden body, using Buddha’s teachings to dissolve your obsessions, purifying your body and mind, granting you great freedom and bliss.”
Amid the clamor, only the figure beneath the “True Emptiness Homeland” banner appeared listless, occasionally muttering, “Eternal Venerable Mother, True Emptiness Homeland,” with utmost perfunctoriness.
“Are they competing for souls?” an elderly man with white hair inquired with concern.
The guide nodded. “Indeed. Originally, this boundless underworld had only the Earth Store Pure Land, controlling life and death, manipulating reincarnation. Later, Daoist sects, the Human Emperor, and the Luo Sect entered. The compassionate Bodhisattva Xuanbei, unwilling to provoke conflict, allowed each to operate by their own means—so long as they refrained from violence.”
“I see…” The old man nodded slightly. “Guide, where do you think is the best place to go after death? If one has sins, can they be absolved in the Earth Store Pure Land, attaining purity, freedom, and bliss?”
The teenage boy curled his lips and muttered, “If it were that easy, everyone would be a villain…”
The guide chuckled. “Old sir, let me explain. Though the Chan school says, ‘Lay down the butcher’s knife, become a Buddha instantly,’ and the Bodhisattva Xuanbei will bear your sins, he cannot sever the karmic ties. In this era, the foremost is the Heavenly Venerable Meng of the Jade Void Palace, whose fundamental Dao encompasses karma. Thus, after absolving sins and dissolving obsessions, one must still enter reincarnation to settle karmic debts before continuing Chan practice. Otherwise, even in the Bodhisattva’s Pure Land, cultivation will stagnate, leaving one to await the final end.”
The old man’s expression darkened, and after a long pause, he nodded. “Where will we go next in the underworld?”
“To the Earth Store Pure Land, of course. The Bodhisattva Xuanbei is universally acknowledged as the lord of the underworld, and he delivers sermons daily. Listening will surely benefit you greatly.” As he spoke, the guide led them through the crowded city gate, choosing the central fork in the road, entering a hazy Buddha-land spanning countless kalpas.
The Pure Land was filled with verdant Bodhi trees, blooming with sala flowers and golden lotuses. Pools inlaid with seven treasures—gold, lapis lazuli, and more—rippled with multicolored lights. Even from countless Buddha-realms away, the sacred lotus throne at the center was visible.
Upon the throne sat Xuanbei in his Earth Store golden form, holding the secret of life and death in black and white, exuding compassion as he expounded the Dharma in a grand, solemn voice. Around him sat innumerable ghosts of all races.
“Hey, my Myriad Realms Communicator has no signal,” the teenage boy complained, having intended to take photos, upload them to the forum, and document his day-trip. To his dismay, there was no connection.
The guide coughed. “Initially, the underworld and the living world could connect via the Myriad Realms Communicator. But it was later discovered that yin and yang eroded each other, entangling karma. One day, the two realms were severed, and the underworld became its own network. Only during the fifteen days starting from the Ghost Festival can they reconnect.”
“Can deliveries reach the underworld?” someone asked urgently.
“Of course! All major immortal sects have normal dealings with the underworld, and Jade Void Express delivers everywhere!” the guide answered professionally. “You may disperse now—listen to the Dharma, visit relatives, or explore. When the Bodhisattva finishes his sermon, we’ll regroup here.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire Pure Land plunged into darkness, devoid of even a glimmer of light, filled only with cries of surprise.
In an instant, brightness returned, pure light illuminating the Buddha-land and the underworld.
Xuanbei, seated on his lotus throne, ceased his sermon and looked beyond the underworld, witnessing strange phenomena and Yang Jian ascending to the other shore.
When all settled, he glanced toward the Jade Void Palace and sighed softly:
“This old monk feels the urge to take disciples again. I wonder which two will have the affinity?”
As his Buddha-voice echoed, he plucked a falling golden lotus.
Seeing this, the teenage boy among the tourists inexplicably smiled, as if suddenly enlightened to many things.
Xuanbei held the flower; Kasyapa smiled.
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