Ghost Realm

Ghost Realm

I entered the Ghost Realm to save my sister's soul, but I only have twelve hours. Zi'ao said his magic power is only enough to sustain me for this long. Once the twelve hours are up and I don't return, everything will be up to fate.

"Remember, Yixi, your names are on these two red brocade pouches. Once you find Ruo'an, open them immediately. Don't make a mistake, otherwise even if you return to your souls, your spirits will enter each other's bodies. Remember this well." Zi'ao earnestly instructed me before parting, his words heavy with concern.

Looking at my sister's silent body lying on the bed, I felt a pang of sorrow. Then, looking at my own body lying on the bed, I nodded to Zi'ao, indicating that he could send me to the Ghost Realm. With a flash of white light, I was as if forcefully sucked into an abyss, involuntarily closing my eyes. Scenes from my past flashed through my mind.

My sister and I are not biological sisters. She found me on the roadside. My sister is no more than four years older than me, but she treats me like a sister and a mother, taking care of me with great tenderness. If she only has half a pancake left, she will always give me half of it. She is a single woman who raised me, a child with no relatives or friends, and she has suffered a lot. Even if it meant giving my life to save my sister, I would be willing to do it.

Zi'ao is our neighbor. He often comes to help my sister and me. He is refined and handsome, and although he is full of poetry and literature, he has no interest in taking the imperial examinations. He is interested in things like becoming an immortal and attaining enlightenment, and it is said that he has even studied under several reclusive masters. I used to think he was just making it all up, but today, when we were in danger, I realized that he has special abilities.

My sister was bitten by a poisonous snake while fetching water from the well, and died shortly after returning home. Zi'ao rushed over after hearing my wailing. He said that someone had to leave their body to go to the underworld to rescue my sister's soul before she could be brought back to life.

"But who in the world would be willing to take such a dangerous risk and disregard their own life?" Zi Ao sighed.

Without hesitation, I replied, "Of course! I'd give my life for my sister's life."

Zi'ao looked at me intently, asking again, "No regrets?"

"Absolutely not." I said firmly. Perhaps this is the only thing I can do for Sister Ruo'an. This life was given to me by her, and I would have no regrets even if I had to repay her.

I continued to fall, and I could hear the wind whistling past my ears. Upon closer listening, I realized it was a combination of countless laughs, cries, and shouts, seemingly far away, yet also as if they were right beside me, whispering in my heart.

Finally, I landed gently on the ground, unharmed. Before me was a stone tablet, somewhat damaged, but the two characters "Ghost Realm" were still clearly visible, each stroke distinct and unconnected, cold and hard, giving off an eerie chill. A white stone path led straight ahead into an empty space, stretching endlessly into the distance.

Wearing a white silk dress, I resolutely embarked on this uncertain path, for one purpose only: to rescue Sister Ruo'an's soul. The stone path was too long; I don't know how long I walked, growing increasingly anxious, fearing I would be late. Eventually, I simply lifted my silk dress and began to run in this deserted place. Before me stretched an endless, unseen white stone path. Was the ghost realm truly so vast that I couldn't even finish this path, let alone rescue my sister?

The road stretched endlessly, the space was always bright, but I couldn't see the sun, the moon, or the stars. I was almost in despair, but my only belief sustained me, and I kept running forward even while sobbing.

"You can't escape this illusion." A faint voice sounded beside me.

I stopped in my tracks in surprise, only to find a man in black sitting beside me, sitting with his knees drawn up, watching me leisurely as if I were enjoying a good show.

"Please, young master, help me!" I knelt down and begged desperately.

Most of those appearing in the ghost realm are undoubtedly ghosts. Zi'ao warned me that once I arrived in the ghost realm, I should try to avoid contact with other ghosts to avoid alarming the ghost officials and Yama. But I am currently in a predicament, and if I don't seek their help, I'm afraid my trip will have been in vain.

A hint of amusement flashed across the black-clad man's face. A slight upward smirk played on his lips as he casually drew his right index finger through the air, as if tearing a curtain. The previously empty space suddenly transformed into a bustling scene. A wide street, lined with shops on both sides, was teeming with people—no, it was more like a haunt of ghosts. The ghost realm wasn't so different from the human realm. Some ghosts were exceptional, some towering eight feet tall, others as short as rabbits, but most, aside from being paler, were no different from humans.

I was so surprised I could hardly speak. I blinked, then realized what was happening and remembered to thank the man beside me. But when I turned around, I found he had vanished without a trace. Standing in this ghostly marketplace, I suddenly remembered that Zi'ao hadn't told me how to find my sister. Did I have to ask everyone one by one?

The towering ghost, eight feet tall, approached me, its eyes wide and darting around. I felt a chill and cautiously dodged to the side. In my haste, I knocked over a nearby market stall, scattering goods everywhere. Now, all the ghosts' eyes were drawn to me—red eyes, white eyes, black eyes. I nearly fainted from fright.

"How could you be so careless?" The old man running the stall grabbed my arm, looking a bit angry.

I looked closer and was surprised: "Uncle Zhang?"

Uncle Zhang rubbed his eyes and finally recognized me: "Oh, little girl, it's you."

Uncle Zhang was our old neighbor. I often followed him around the streets and alleys. Uncle Zhang, who had no children, was kind to me and would give me little trinkets like needles and thread. A few years ago, Uncle Zhang passed away due to illness, and I cried a lot. I never expected to meet him in the ghost world.

Once the other ghosts realized we recognized each other, they went about their own business, and none of them paid any attention to me.

"Little girl, you're so young and you've already become a ghost? Did you do something terrible?" Uncle Zhang scolded me, half reproaching and half pitying me.

"Bad luck," I said dismissively, glancing around before deciding to ask Uncle Zhang for help: "Uncle Zhang, have you seen my sister? She just arrived yesterday."

"Your sister? Is that Ruo'an? Why is she here too? You sisters are quite close. If you can't be born on the same day, you'll die together." Uncle Zhang shook his head repeatedly.

I was getting anxious: "Uncle Zhang, you haven't seen my sister, so do you know where she might have gone?"

"They should be awaiting their fate in the First Palace, the Prince Guang's residence," Uncle Zhang said, pointing to the imposing mansion not far away.

The black plaque with large white characters reading "Prince Guang's Mansion" inspired awe. Ghostly guards stood watch at the entrance, their piercing gazes seemingly able to see right through one's soul. I paced back and forth at the gate, my heart burning with anxiety. With such tight security, how could I possibly get in?

Perhaps it was heaven's pity on me, for a group of ghosts, both male and female, approached from afar. Taking advantage of the guards' inattention, I mingled among them, keeping my head down and eyes lowered, thus evading their notice and successfully entering the Guangwang Palace. The group of souls was first brought before Guangwang, who had leopard eyes, a lion's nose, a thick beard, wore a square crown, and held a flute to his chest in his right hand. He sat high above, his imposing presence, though not stern, terrified the souls who were about to lose their minds.

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [4]: "Bring the Book of Life and Death." King Qin Guang gave the order, and the judge beside him hurriedly presented the Book of Life and Death.

It turns out that all the good and evil in the world were revealed in that small booklet. The first man's soul had committed many evil deeds in his life and was sent to the Mirror of Retribution by the ghost messengers. Upon looking into it, the ghosts saw the good and bad in his heart and immediately sent him to the Second Court to suffer in prison. The second old man's merits and demerits were both equal, and he was sent to the Tenth Court for distribution, and was reincarnated into the human world, male into female, and female into male.

King Qin Guang acted with incredible speed, processing dozens of souls in a short time. Although I was near the back of the line, I had no chance to escape. It was almost my turn. My body was in the mortal realm, but not under the control of the Book of Life and Death. A careful check would reveal the truth. Thinking of this, I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding.

"Next." King Qin Guang's cold voice rang out. I trembled, almost unable to stand, my mind blank. Was it my turn? What should I do? What should I do?

In the nick of time, a ghost messenger came to report: "King Chujiang requests an audience."

King Qin Guang frowned, his expression turning even more menacing. "His arrival is surely ill-intentioned. I am busy; tell him I will not see him."

The ghost messenger hesitated, trembling with fear, when a hearty laugh followed the newcomer: "King Qin Guang, you're so busy that you won't even see your humble servant? I'd like to come and see for myself."

I dared not look up, staring intently at the ground, my white dress trembling uncontrollably. If I hadn't been telling myself to be brave and not faint and attract attention, I probably would have collapsed to the ground long ago. It wasn't that I was afraid of death, but that I felt my death had some meaning. If I had saved Sister Ruo'an, all would have been fine, but things had come to this, how could I not be filled with shock and fear?

"King Chujiang, what are you saying? But I am currently judging these souls and I am afraid I will neglect you." King Qin Guang's tone immediately softened, a stark contrast to his attitude when he was dealing with those souls. It almost gave the impression that King Qin Guang was an extremely easy-going person.

"Then it seems I have come at the right time, Prince Guang. I have come today to ask for your help and plead for your life."

King Qin Guang's tone immediately became cautious: "That depends on which ghost you are seeking help from. Could it be some distant relative you have no connection with?"

"King Guang guessed right away, haha, you truly are my confidant." King Chujiang flattered me. I secretly curled my lip in disdain. What Ten Kings of the Ghost Realm? They're no different from those in the mortal world, flattering and fawning on each other, bending the law for personal gain. I didn't know this be

……