The deities of the underworld, or ghost immortals, even in times of great fortune, may enjoy blessings as vast as those in the celestial realms, but since they depend on the land of the dead, their abilities are greatly restricted.
True cultivators, whether following the Dao, the Buddha, or even heterodox paths, would rather reincarnate and cultivate again through cycles of rebirth than be bound in such a way.
Wu Ming, confident in his own promising future, naturally had even less desire for such a path.
“With such a major incident occurring here, trouble is sure to follow. I should leave immediately and head for Heitai Yin City. There, under the jurisdiction of Heitai’s City God, I should be able to shake off most pursuers…”
With a flick of his sleeve, he erased all traces of his presence and turned to leave.
Previously, at Jiang Zhai, Wu Ming had asked for directions. At that time, the treasures on his person had not yet revealed themselves, and Jiang Guan had not yet developed greed, so he had carefully pointed out the way. Now, confirming the correct path, Wu Ming immediately employed a technique for swift travel. His yin spirit rode the wind, easily covering a thousand miles in a day.
Huala! Huala!
A dark black river slowly flowed from west to east, with black mist rising from its surface. Within its semi-transparent waters, countless pale white figures could be seen.
“Drowned souls seeking replacements…”
In the distance, a flash of light appeared, and Wu Ming arrived at the riverbank. Seeing the dense crowd of spirits within the water, he showed a pleased expression: “Arrived at the Drowned River, so Heitai Yin City must be near… Indeed, this land of the dead is vast. With my pace these past two days, I still haven’t reached my destination…”
Looking across to the other side of the river, his expression shifted again: “The wandering souls within this river all seek replacements. Attempting to cross recklessly would surely cause conflict. To pacify them all the way across would likely deplete my spiritual power. Must I resort to using dragon qi again? That would be using something far too valuable for such a minor task.”
Still pondering, he suddenly heard the neighing of a fine horse.
Tata! Tata!
A road emerged from the black mist, accompanied by rhythmic hoofbeats. Before Wu Ming, a massive horse-drawn carriage appeared.
The carriage was entirely dark black, seemingly forged from some unknown metal. Its shaft was wide, decorated with jade and pearls. Pulling it were four giant horses, their fur pitch black, each with a single horn, and their hooves generating wind as they ran.
At each corner of the carriage burned four large spectral flames of a ghastly emerald green. Emitting no heat, they instead radiated coldness, reflected in the horses’ eyes as they burned fiercely, creating a chilling sight.
“Such a carriage is clearly an underworld vehicle. Any living person from the mortal world seeing it would likely be frightened half to death…”
“Ah?”
As the carriage approached the river and came before Wu Ming, it stopped. From within the carriage stepped a deity, showing surprise: “Esteemed Daoist, are you also crossing the river?”
“Indeed! Might I ask your honorable name?”
Wu Ming flicked his horsetail whisk. In his eyes, this deity emanated brilliant flames, accompanied by auspicious fortune and golden virtuous light extending outward four chi. This identified him as a deity of virtue and blessings.
“I am the Registrar of Heitai Yin City. Today, while on official business outside, I encountered you, a fellow cultivator. It seems fate has brought us together. If you have no objection, perhaps you would care to share this ride?”
The deity’s face was similarly partially covered with black patterns, a mark of an underworld spirit. Seeing Wu Ming’s appearance and the clear red and white aura around him, the deity smiled again, his voice warm.
“In that case, I thank you!”
Wu Ming performed a Daoist bow, without hesitation, immediately boarding the carriage.
Though the carriage was already quite large, the interior space was even more expansive, resembling the hall of a wealthy household.
“I have no particular fondness for delicacies, but I do enjoy a good drink. Esteemed Daoist, please feel free to have a few cups!”
The deity smiled, producing a small round tea table. With a wave of his hand, a wine pot and cups floated up, pouring a golden nectar into a cup, which then flew to serve Wu Ming.
“Humble Daoist Wu Ming, at your service. May I ask for your honorable name?”
Wu Ming swept with his spiritual awareness, detecting no harm in the wine, which was instead filled with spiritual energy, greatly beneficial to wandering souls. Without hesitation, he took the cup and drank it in one go before asking.
“I am called Wei Shanchu…”
As the Registrar spoke, the carriage outside began moving again. The four ghostly flames flickered, and the horned giant horses neighed, their hooves kicking up wind as they rose into the air, soaring directly over the river’s surface.
Though the drowned souls in the river center rushed and screamed, they seemed bound by a great force, unable to leave the water’s surface. Helplessly, they could only watch the carriage depart.
“This Drowned River marks the boundary between our Heitai Ghost City and the Heishan Ghost Kingdom. May I ask, Daoist Wu Ming, what brings you here?”
Wei Shanchu asked, his eyes flashing with interest.
“My yin spirit was merely traveling and accidentally arrived here. I first landed in Heishan Ghost Kingdom and killed several of their minor deities. Therefore, I came to Heitai Ghost City seeking protection and searching for a method to return to the living world!”
Knowing this was an inquiry, Wu Ming did not hide, speaking directly.
“Oh?”
Wei Shanchu’s heart stirred.
Killing enemy ghosts and deities was quite a good introduction. Moreover, according to the characteristics of the underworld, such news could not be concealed and he would surely receive reports soon enough.
Thus, this Daoist was worth cultivating a relationship with.
Therefore, his smile deepened: “Esteemed Daoist, you may not know how vast the power separating the living and the dead truly is. Here, only our City God and the Heishan Lord possess such great abilities to break through barriers… However, my master rarely meets outsiders. I shall introduce you to him!”
“Thank you, honorable deity!”
Wu Ming rose to perform a bow, his heart tightening slightly: “Could the power separating the worlds truly be this formidable? Even earth deities cannot communicate between the realms of the living and the dead. That would be quite troublesome…”
Of course, while thinking thus, he showed no sign of it on his face, continuing to chat with Wei Shanchu about Daoist texts, arcane knowledge, travel experiences, and so forth. The two found themselves quite compatible, feeling as if they had met too late.
“…Looking at this region, its spiritual energy is not bad, capable of nurturing wandering souls. Heitai’s City God protects this area, his deeds truly admirable!”
Wu Ming pulled aside the curtain, immediately seeing that although the underworld’s land was still dark black, it carried a slight richness. In the sky floated a thin divine light—recognizing this as the glow of deities, he couldn’t help but praise it.
Beneath this sacred radiance, the tormented souls who enter this realm are spared the relentless agony of bone-chilling gales and the ceaseless torment of infernal winds.
“This is my master’s mercy… Sadly, even if he can save ten, a hundred, he cannot save thousands, tens of thousands. Especially since the Lord of Heishan established his domain, drawing all the wronged souls around Heishan into the Heishan Ghost Kingdom. We, his subordinates, must rush about rescuing ghosts from other regions, yet our efforts are still like a drop in the bucket—merely easing our consciences…”
The deity sighed deeply, then seemed to recall something, promptly closing his mouth.
Seeing this, Wu Ming smiled inwardly but kindly changed the subject on the surface: “Brother Wei, as a first-time visitor, I wonder if there are any taboos in Heitai Yin City I should know?”
He and Wei Shanchu had already become quite familiar, addressing each other as brothers to show closeness.
“No problem… My lord is an extremely tolerant and benevolent deity. There are no harsh laws within the city, just a few points to note…”
Seeing Wu Ming didn’t press further, Wei Shanchu relaxed somewhat, smiling as he spoke.
The two chatted a bit more before suddenly their expressions changed.
“This… This fluctuation in spiritual pressure means there must be a battle ahead!”
Wu Ming was startled, then spoke immediately.
“Esteemed younger brother is correct. Though not within my jurisdiction, I cannot ignore it!”
Nodding, Wei Shanchu ordered the carriage to change course, rushing toward the source of the spiritual pressure.
“Brave! Daring to have Heishan ghosts invade our territory!”
The iron carriage flew silently, and soon the full battlefield came into view. Wei Shanchu angrily roared.
The two sides in battle, one clearly bore the Heishan banner, led by a two-zhang tall hungry ghost, surrounding a single figure.
The surrounded figure appeared about twenty to thirty years old, with slightly white temples, a cold, chiseled face, wearing a long-sleeved robe. Though surrounded by ghost soldiers, he remained utterly calm.
“Daring!”
Wei Shanchu narrowed his eyes, his body’s radiant flames flaring.
“Brother, perhaps wait a moment!” Wu Ming, however, remained calm, speaking as if with full confidence: “That surrounded one is no ordinary person either. Perhaps no assistance from you is needed!”
“Oh?!”
Hearing this, Wei Shanchu knew his younger brother, though newly acquainted, possessed first-rate insight. Startled, he then calmly sat back, watching attentively.
At this moment, changes also occurred on the battlefield.
Seeing the flying carriage with its seated deity, the leading hungry ghost let out a shrill scream, opening its enormous mouth. Suddenly, a tremendous suction force emerged, like a black hole, aiming at the young man.
“Freeze!”
The young man’s eyes sharpened. Suddenly, he shouted, his voice like spring thunder, and a large golden character appeared, shining brightly in midair.
Wave after wave of light descended, causing the hungry ghost and its ghostly troops to freeze in place, unable to move.
“What a fine use of the Word of Power technique! Younger brother, your insight is indeed excellent!”
On the carriage, Wei Shanchu smiled, clapping in praise.
“I merely guessed randomly…” Wu Ming smiled slightly: “However, this person’s skills likely haven’t ended here yet. Brother, just watch and see!”
At this time, the young man used his finger as a brush, writing in the air to form a judgment:
“Murdering lives, unforgivable crime, immediate execution!”
Cizha!
Several enormous ghost-head broadswords appeared from nowhere, slicing down through the air. Ghost soldiers fell in droves, only the hungry ghost leader still screaming.
“Disrespecting the law! Punishment!”
The young man roared again. Two massive water-and-fire rods, like heavenly pillars, crossed and smashed down, driving the hungry ghost’s knees deep into the ground.
“You devour human souls, insatiably greedy, violating human ethics. You deserve the ultimate punishment—cutting into a thousand pieces!”
After subduing the hungry ghost, the young man continued writing. This time, it seemed more strenuous, but with the final stroke, his determination and killing intent were evident.
Swish!
Alongside the water and fire rods, 3,600 small ritual blades emerged almost simultaneously, forming a dense array of blade glows. Like darting fish, they encircled the hungry ghost, producing eerie scraping sounds.
Papa!
Wu Ming clapped in applause: “Long have I heard of the Legalists’ famed discipline throughout the world. Today witnessing their techniques, where words bring immediate law and effect, is truly admirable!”
“You are…”
The young man turned, his eyes bright as morning stars.
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