Chapter Thirty-Eight: Descent into the Underworld

Time passed swiftly. That day at school, my mind was haunted by the words of my master and the many elders: “In ten days, descend to the underworld and destroy the Ghost King Qingchen.” Now, eight of those ten days had slipped by, and a restless anxiety gnawed at me. After an uneasy day at school, I returned home to find my master and the elders gathered together, seemingly deep in discussion. They paid me no mind as I slipped back to my room, lay on my bed with my hands folded behind my head, and stared at the ceiling, my thoughts in turmoil.

Meanwhile, in a fortress within the underworld…

“Lord Qingchen, the forces at Yin Mountain have been reorganized. The demon general Xiefan and the ghost general Xingqing have both returned, but the third ghost general, Chihun, has yet to come back. My lord, what should we do next?” a diminutive imp asked in a shrill voice.

The Ghost King Qingchen stood on the balcony, hands clasped behind his back, gazing out at the boundless, desolate expanse of the underworld. “What is Chihun up to? Didn’t I already distract Lady Meng, making it easy for him? Can he not even seize an unguarded Path of Reincarnation?” he thundered, his rage boiling over at the end.

The little ghost trembled, bowing his head. “My lord, I’ve heard that a strange black vortex has appeared in the Path of Reincarnation. Chihun is investigating it, which has delayed his action.”

“A black vortex? Speak clearly!” Qingchen barked.

“Yes, my lord. Yesterday, Chihun sent word that a black vortex had materialized in the Path of Reincarnation. It appears ordinary, but within it lies an unknown power. Many ghost soldiers have been sucked inside. Chihun also reported glimpsing a faint red glow within the vortex, though it was difficult to see clearly. Eager to prove himself, he didn’t report this matter to you earlier.”

The imp bowed respectfully as he finished. After a moment, the Ghost King Qingchen spoke coldly, “Hmph! Just a petty, second-rate specter. His ambition is far too great. I’ve long wanted to get rid of him.”

Turning slowly, the Ghost King continued, “Transmit my orders: Chihun is to cease his investigation of the Path of Reincarnation at once. Summon Xiefan and Xingqing to me, and command all the ghosts at Yin Mountain to proceed to Wujie Mountain and Kuwu Gate and await further instructions.”

The little ghost immediately replied, “Yes, my lord. I will see to it at once.”

With a nod from Qingchen, the imp retreated.

Back at the villa, I lay on my bed. I don't know how much time had passed before my master’s knocking startled me awake. Groggy, I looked at him and saw a heavy worry clouding his face. He sat by my side, forcing a faint smile. “You can really sleep, can’t you, kid? Hungry? Let’s go get some dumplings.”

I nodded, and together we went to the Savory Dumpling House. Business there was slow at night, unlike the bustling days. Only a couple of diners sat at the tables as we entered. The owner, who knew us well, immediately stood and wiped down a table for us, greeting us with a smile. “Brother Tan, what filling would you like today?”

My master smiled back. “The usual. You know what we like.”

After glancing at me, he nodded, and the owner said, “Alright, give me a minute.”

Soon after, the owner brought out two steaming plates of dumplings, setting them before us and fanning his ear as if burnt by the heat. “Brother Tan, enjoy! Let me know if you need anything else,” he said with a hearty, simple laugh.

My master thanked him, and the owner returned to his counter. The fragrant dumplings before me failed to stir my appetite. My master shot me a strange look. “Why aren’t you eating? Isn’t this your favorite?”

I kept my head down, lost in thought, unable to put my worries into words. Seeing my mood, my master called out to me again, and only then did I force myself to eat.

Half an hour later, we walked home. I returned to my room alone, leaving my master puzzled by my behavior. On the evening of the tenth day, with my backpack slung over my shoulder, I walked the road home from school. I knew my master was about to embark on a dangerous mission with his old comrades—for the sake of the world, for the sake of peace. My heart felt like a roller coaster, surging and plunging, impossible to calm. With that thought, I stared down the road ahead and broke into a run.

Yet when I arrived home, it was empty. Only Yuner floated in the living room, watching me. I stared at her and blurted, “Yuner, where is my master?”

She gave no answer to my urgent tone, only making me more frantic. “Yuner, where is my master? Where did everyone go?”

“Sir left you a note. Read it yourself,” she replied, then darted into her talisman, leaving a slip of paper drifting down. I snatched it up, reading the words: “Kid, I have business to take care of. I’ll be gone for a few days. Take care of yourself at home. Don’t miss me. Signed, Tan Boqing.”

The note ended there. Clutching it, my mind raced with wild thoughts, but the first was a resolve to help my master. I quickly packed a bag with everything I might need, then hurried downstairs, ready to leave. Just as I was about to step out, Yuner stopped me.

“Lin Xuan, are you sure you want to go? You’ll only make things harder for your master,” she said.

I halted, gripping my backpack’s strap tightly, refusing to turn around. “I’ll take care of myself.”

“But… but do you know your own strength? The man your master is going to face isn’t some minor villain. He is the Ghost King Qingchen—one of the top three ghost kings in the underworld! Sir instructed me to stop you, no matter what, knowing your stubbornness,” Yuner pleaded anxiously.

Standing before the door, my hand slowly slipped from the handle. I turned to Yuner. “Yuner, after all this time, you’re family to me. We may come from different worlds, but if your family were in trouble, would you stand by and do nothing? If you insist on stopping me, don’t blame me for what happens next.”

With those words, I summoned the Black-and-White Twin Fish. Sensing my anger, their bodies radiated a dazzling light. Yuner frowned. “Lin Xuan, why won’t you listen? Sir will be angry if you do this.”

Before she could finish, I cut her off. “I don’t know if my master will be angry. I only know I have one purpose now. No matter what, I have to go today, Yuner. Don’t try to stop me.”

With that, the Twin Fish swam before me, their jaws gaping wide, shielding Yuner behind them. I opened the door but softened my tone. “Don’t worry, Yuner. Just wait here. My master and I will definitely come back.”

Seeing my determination, Yuner still wanted to stop me, but the Twin Fish blocked her way. She could only frown and shout, “Lin Xuan, Sir just left, heading south. If you follow that direction and find a patch of woods, you’ll catch up with him. Please, be careful.”

I pulled open the villa door, a faint smile curling at my lips as I listened to her words. Retracting the Twin Fish, I hurried south. Night fell quickly, accompanied by a fine, drizzling rain. I walked southward for nearly an hour before finally spotting a forest ahead. I paused, took a breath, and plunged in without hesitation.

Dodging raindrops, I navigated the pitch-black woods. Unable to see the path, I released the Twin Fish to light the way. Soon, I stumbled upon an entrance leading underground. I remembered my master once mentioning a passage called the Underworld Road, used by those attuned to the supernatural to enter the underworld.

Standing before the passage, I compared it to my master’s description and quickly made up my mind. Exhaling deeply, I gazed into the bottomless darkness, then leapt down. In midair, I summoned the Twin Fish beneath my feet, letting them carry me down gently. I landed on the steps of the Underworld Road, alert as I moved forward. The silence was so complete I could hear my own heartbeat echoing.

I walked down the center of the passage, recalling my master’s warning: never walk close to the walls—vengeful ghosts often lurk there, waiting to launch a sudden attack. A master from the supernatural community once fell victim to just such a trap, barely escaping with his life.

As I continued along the middle of the Underworld Road, a whispering and weeping drifted from ahead, filling me with dread. But it also told me I was close—the true realm of the underworld lay just beyond.

Soon, I emerged from the passage into a landscape of deathly stillness and cracked, barren earth. My mind grew heavy. I shook my head, trying to dispel the oppressive sensation, but strange, indistinct voices crowded my thoughts, making me irritable and restless, even clawing at my own neck.

The Twin Fish sensed my distress, circling close to me. After a while, my agitation faded, and the surrounding sounds vanished. Gasping for breath, I braced myself on the ground, and only after a long moment did I slowly stand and survey my surroundings. There wasn’t a single building in sight. The underworld was like a living hell, shrouded in perpetual twilight, the sky above a sickly yellow, as if it might devour my heart at any moment.