After death, everyone stays in the intermediate state (bardo) for a period of time. Normally, this lasts for seven days, known in folk tradition as the "first seven days," but at most forty-nine days. If one is not reborn into one of the six realms of reincarnation during this period, one falls into the underworld.
To enter the City of the Unjustly Dead, one must first pass through the intermediate state.
In this world of Liaozhai, where ghosts and spirits flourish, even the realm before the true underworld, the intermediate state between death and rebirth, is extremely dangerous.
As soon as they stepped into the Bardo, the surrounding black mist rushed towards them.
As the black mist rushed towards him, countless distorted and elongated human faces appeared within it, simultaneously roaring and cursing wildly: "Living people...living people! I can smell the scent of living people!!"
The roars of these distorted faces blended together, creating a sound like a demonic chant that seemed to pierce straight into one's ears!
These are just the lowest level of vengeful spirits; the real vengeful ghosts have not yet appeared.
"You little ghost, why don't you reincarnate? Do you want to take a trip into my belly?" Zhong Kui, dressed in a bright red robe, snorted coldly, and the layer of black mist immediately dissipated and fled far away.
Upon seeing Zhong Kui's appearance, these ghosts who had not yet become vengeful spirits were terrified and fled as far away as possible.
In this intermediate realm between Yin and Yang, ghosts like Zhong Kui and Nie Xiaoqian thrive, while Jiang Liu feels his physical power is suppressed. Although he can break free by unleashing his full strength, he is certain that the underworld is not a home ground for people in the mortal world.
Chapter 384 The Ghost King Takes a Wife
The scenery of this underworld is only slightly different from that of the mortal world. Lanruo Temple is still Lanruo Temple. The bluestone slabs underfoot, the ancient temple with its broken walls and ruins, and the surrounding scenery are no different from those in the human world. There is a small river, trees, and dilapidated temples. It's just that everything is shrouded in a layer of gray, making it indistinct and unclear.
A full moon hung overhead, casting an eerily pale light. The moonlight was not beautiful; rather, it was sinister, like a disc carved from white bones, giving one a chilling feeling that penetrated to the soul.
With Zhong Kui and the Ghost Queen Xiaoqian leading the way, all the ghosts retreated. Even the fierce ghosts that came for blood and yang energy were swallowed up by Zhong Kui.
In the distance, the Gates of Hell are already in sight.
The Gate of Hell, a crucial city for entering the underworld; to enter the underworld, one must pass through this city. Above the Gate of Hell, a thick black mist billows, an aura of malevolence. The city walls are also black, but from the ground rises a sinister black fog, making the city appear unreal. Centered on this city, everything in sight is black; trees and grass are entwined with malevolent energy. Occasionally, birds fly down from the sky, but they are birds transformed from evil spirits.
Although it was still far away, just looking at the city sent a chill down my spine. There was no city gate in sight; it was pitch black, and the sky above was gloomy.
"Entering the City of the Wrongfully Dead is no easy feat! We must first deal with the Ghost King within the Gates of Hell..."
The City of the Wrongfully Dead is located deep in the underworld. To enter the City of the Wrongfully Dead, one must first pass through the Gates of Hell and cross the Road to the Underworld...
However, at that moment, from the dark end of the distant wilderness, a lively sound of music suddenly came. The group was startled and saw a wedding procession that looked like paper figures, with the large bridal sedan chair being blown by the wind as if it had no weight at all.
"A ghostly wedding!" Yan Chixia snorted coldly. This grand bridal sedan chair came from the underworld, which must mean that a daughter from the mortal world had been forcibly taken away by a ghost king. Enraged, he said, "Has the Black Mountain Demon really taken over the underworld? Even one of his ghost kings is so arrogant, forcibly taking away souls from the mortal world!"
“Black Mountain Demon!” Xiaoqian was somewhat afraid when she heard this name. She said, “This Black Mountain Demon is a great demon who has cultivated for thousands of years. His cultivation is extremely powerful. In addition, he has a large number of ghost kings serving under him. His power is enormous and not to be underestimated. He is far superior to the Thousand-Year Tree Demon Granny.”
In Nie Xiaoqian's heart, if Jiang Liu hadn't come, her ashes would have been in the hands of her grandmother, and she would have had no choice but to obey her. In fact, Grandma Huaimu had already made arrangements to marry her off to the Black Mountain Demon.
"If it weren't for the abbot, I would be the one sitting in the bridal sedan chair!" Xiaoqian thought to herself, feeling somewhat fortunate. If she had fallen into the hands of a demon king like the Black Mountain Demon, she would have spent her entire life in the underworld.
Chapter 385 Ghost Soldiers and Generals
Legend has it that after passing through the Gates of Hell, one must walk on the Road to the Underworld, where the red spider lilies, which bloom in abundance but have no leaves, are visible along the way.
Flower and leaf never meet again, longing for each other yet forever lost!
At the end of the road lies the River of Oblivion, and across it stands the Bridge of Helplessness. The bridge has three levels: the upper level is red, the middle level is dark yellow, and the lowest level is black. The lower the level, the more dangerous it becomes, filled with wandering ghosts who cannot be reincarnated. Those who did good deeds in life walk on the upper level, those who were both good and evil walk on the middle level, and those who did evil walk on the lower level.
After crossing the Naihe Bridge, there is an earthen platform called the Wangxiangtai (Looking-Homeward Platform). Next to the Wangxiangtai is a pavilion called the Mengpo Pavilion, where a woman named Mengpo waits and hands a bowl of Mengpo soup to every passerby.
Beside the River of Oblivion stands a stone called the Three Lives Stone. Drinking Meng Po's soup makes one forget everything. The Three Lives Stone records one's past, present, and future lives. After crossing the Bridge of Helplessness, one takes one last look at the mortal world from the Terrace of Longing for Home, drinks a cup of water from the River of Oblivion, and is reincarnated.
After passing through the Gates of Hell and traversing the Road to the Underworld, the spider lilies along the roadside were indeed vibrant, blooming without leaves, their crimson color like fire. These spider lilies, growing beside the Netherworld's Weak Water, are also called Mahamandala or Manjusaka. If they are white, it signifies good fortune; if they are red, it signifies evil and disaster.
The road to the underworld is lined with bright red, blood-red hues.
After crossing the Bridge of Helplessness, I didn't see Meng Po, but I did see a group of ghost soldiers.
Squads of ghostly soldiers and generals stood in formation, including evil spirits, skeletons, and corpse demons. They were all dressed in dark brown underworld armor, wielding swords, spears, axes, and halberds, with ferocious faces. Two tall and burly evil spirits each held a banner, which read "Black Mountain" and "City of the Wrongfully Dead" respectively.
"The Black Mountain Demon has discovered us!" Jiang Liu looked into the depths of the underworld, his eyes as deep as the starry sky, reflecting a dark mountain.
Just then, the black waters of the River of Oblivion churned, and a squad of ghostly soldiers clad in black iron armor rushed out, each wielding a jet-black ghostly blade and arrow, exuding an aura of death.
The waters of the River of Oblivion surged and churned, and one after another, broken ancient war chariots emerged from the river, carrying cartloads of ghost soldiers. They were clad in black iron armor, their entire bodies covered, and they held either black ghost blades or black ghost halberds in their hands.
The once calm and still River of Oblivion is now churning with waves. The dilapidated ancient chariots, as if they have been baptized by blood and fire, are covered with knife marks and sword holes, crushing the black water as they ride the wind and waves.
"These weapons, armor, and chariots are so badly damaged. It seems they have been through a great war between heaven and earth when humanity was weakened. The ghost realm has also suffered heavy losses!" Jiang Liu frowned, not because these ghost soldiers could threaten him, but because he could sense the ancient aura remaining on these ancient chariots.
Every world is degenerating into a lower level, and the Journey to the West world is no exception. From the ancient primordial world to after the Investiture of the Gods, the primordial world was shattered, the four continents were established by Hongjun, and the world level dropped by a major level.
In the primordial world, saints could be made, quasi-saints were numerous, golden immortals were as common as dogs, and great immortals were everywhere. But in the shattered Journey to the West, even saints could not be born, the highest combat power was only quasi-saints, and the four continents were reduced to mortals.
If another great war were to break out in Journey to the West, the world's level would drop again. Perhaps after countless wars, it would become a world in the Dharma-ending Age.
Jiang Liu's deduction was not without basis; the Investiture of the Gods was the best example. According to what he had seen in his previous life, the universe was originally eleven-dimensional, but due to the mutual attacks between advanced civilizations, it eventually decreased to four dimensions. Moreover, it was certain that after continued attacks, the universe would eventually perish.
This world of "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" should have had celestial beings, but it ultimately perished. The world collapsed, all because of the greed in people's hearts.
"Whoosh"
Just as Jiang Liu was stunned, a black arrow flew swiftly, with ghostly flames burning on its tip and thick black mist surging from its tail.
"when!"
Yan Chixia gripped the Xuanyuan Divine Sword and struck the arrow, but the arrow shattered the moment it made contact, unleashing a burst of Netherfire and surging black mist. The Netherfire scorched the surrounding ground, and then the black mist rushed in, freezing it solid and turning it into powder.
This terrifying energy nearly struck Ye Yan Chixia. This arrow, with its dual nature of ice and fire, was extremely powerful; an ordinary cultivator could easily lose their life if they weren't careful.
This arrow was shot by a demon king; an ordinary little demon could not shoot an arrow with such power.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh..."
In an instant, the sound of air being torn apart was deafening, and black arrows pierced through the black mist, shooting in continuously, like a black rainstorm falling down.
These arrows were just ordinary ghost arrows, which posed no challenge to Yan Chixia, but the terrifying ghost king hidden among them truly made his scalp tingle.
"Jingle bells!"
Zhong Kui produced a white jade shell without anyone noticing. As soon as the shell moved, dark clouds swirled and the sky darkened. At the same time, an attractive force rose from beneath his feet, like a magnet touching iron, drawing away all the arrows.
This is a white jade chariot shell obtained from the Dragon Graveyard in the "Yang Shen" world. As for its function, it goes without saying; it instantly retrieved the incoming arrows.
However, at that moment, a rumbling sound was heard, and those broken chariots carrying ghost soldiers rushed over, having already landed and crushed them nearby.
"The ghost soldiers and generals who maintain the operation of hell have become the private army of demons, aiding and abetting evil. They deserve to die!" Zhong Kui's hair and beard stood on end, his eyes wide open. The "Nanming Lihuo Sword" at his waist was instantly drawn and slashed at the ghost soldiers. A crimson rainbow dozens of feet long flashed and shot out a series of dazzling divine rays, instantly splitting a broken ancient war chariot in two, and cutting the surrounding ghost soldiers and generals into yin energy.
But thousands of ghostly soldiers and horses surged in, shouting and neighing, their iron armor flashing, their killing intent soaring to the sky, like a flood sweeping in, the earth trembling and rumbling.
A powerful killing intent condensed, sweeping everything away. It seemed that nothing could stop these ghostly soldiers and horses. Wherever their spears pointed, anything with a tangible form would be destroyed.
Xiaoqian instantly transformed into the Yaksha King. With a flick of her steel fork, the Yaksha King's ferocious aura struck, shattering the murderous intent that enveloped her. She then spread a pair of wings behind her and, together with Zhong Kui, began to slaughter the Yin soldiers.
As for Yan Chixia, he pointed at the Xuanyuan Divine Sword and shouted, "Prajnaparamita, Xuanyuan Divine Sword, drive away demons and subdue monsters!"
In an instant, hundreds and thousands of swords shot out. His swordsmanship, after being guided by Jiang Liu, had reached a high level, even stronger than in the second part.
Ten thousand swords were drawn, transforming into a rain of swords that pierced towards the ghostly soldiers and generals.
As for Jiang Liu, he looked towards the direction of the City of the Wrongfully Dead. The Black Mountain Demon had already set off. When the demon traveled, ghost generals carried his palanquin, which was shrouded in a black veil, obscuring the faces of those inside. Only the outline of a figure could be vaguely seen, and the figure itself was tens of meters tall.
Chapter 386 The Black Mountain Demon
The old demon's arrival was no ordinary event. Before he even appeared, his voice was already audible. Suddenly, a burst of gongs and drums resounded, accompanied by deafening suona horns playing festive music, almost like a wedding procession. Soon, a procession of ghostly figures gradually emerged from the black mist.
Leading the way was a group of musicians dressed in white mourning clothes, holding paper trumpets and suonas, playing loudly. Seven or eight female ghosts followed behind them, carrying silver basins used for worship, constantly grabbing handfuls of paper money and throwing them into the air like celestial maidens scattering flowers, covering the path with paper money.
Jiang Liu couldn't help but laugh out loud at this unconventional and childish entrance.
"Intruding into the underworld? Are you courting death?" The Black Mountain Demon sat cross-legged in his palanquin. Even at close range, Yan Chixia and the others couldn't see him clearly. They could only make out a rough outline, which seemed extremely majestic, like a mountain. A hoarse, deep voice came from the palanquin, carrying an eerie tone that sent chills down their spines.
“Black…Black Mountain Demon!” Nie Xiaoqian’s face was full of terror, but she did not back down. The steel fork in her hand remained steady and powerful as she continued to harvest the Yin soldiers.
The Black Mountain Demon has taken over the City of the Wrongfully Dead, holding a position akin to Yama, the King of Hell, and ruling over all the vengeful ghosts in the world. As a ghost of this world, Nie Xiaoqian is naturally subject to his control. The fact that she doesn't back down is a testament to her accomplished cultivation and unwavering resolve.
"You, an old demon who attained enlightenment in Yinshan, have actually become the lord of the underworld. It's truly as if there are no ghosts left in the ghost realm! The Great Emperor of Fengdu in the Northern Underworld, the Five Ghost Emperors, the Ten Kings of Hell—not a single one of them exists... How can you call yourself the lord of the underworld? How can you occupy the City of the Wrongfully Dead!" Jiang Liu shook his head and sighed. The level of this "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" world is far too different from that of the Journey to the West world. Even if he establishes the underworld, the power he gains in the underworld is pitifully small.
The Black Mountain Demon, who occupies the City of the Wrongfully Dead, has actually become the true master of the Underworld, but he has not been able to fully control it due to his lack of strength. The Underworld has no powerful figures; even a mere Black Mountain Demon can dominate it.
Even so, it's better than nothing!
Greatness originates from small beginnings; once one step is taken, another will follow. One day, Jiang Liu believed he could establish a complete cycle of reincarnation in the underworld.
As for the Black Mountain Demon, Jiang Liu had already thought highly of him, but his strength was still within Jiang Liu's expectations, and even slightly less.
"Where did this brat come from, spouting such nonsense? Today I will devour you alive and torment your soul for a thousand years!"
The Black Mountain Demon was clearly enraged. For many years, no one had ever been so presumptuous in front of him, and for a long time, no one had dared to invade the underworld so openly.
In an instant, the Black Mountain Demon inhaled the river's flow like a whale swallowing it whole, the immense suction force instantly engulfing him. This was a soul-absorbing technique, similar to Zhong Kui's ability to devour ghosts.
The Black Mountain Demon is a thousand-year-old demon who attained enlightenment in Yin Mountain and has controlled the City of the Wrongfully Dead for many years. Anyone who passes through his breath will have their soul leave their body and be controlled by him.
But Jiang Liu was no ordinary man; this breath didn't even stir the hem of his clothes.
"Who exactly are you?" The Black Mountain Demon was somewhat surprised that the inhalation had no effect. He immediately saw the black figure in the thin veil sit up slightly and let out a series of strange cries. The cries were different, sometimes short and sometimes long.
In Jiang Liu's view, the Black Mountain Demon must have used a spell similar to an incantation, which, if combined with the supernatural powers of the ghost path, would have a mysterious and unpredictable nature.
Then a huge, dark, and mysterious claw emerged from the palanquin, immediately shooting out five beams of black light, each one precise and deadly! It directly grabbed at Jiang Liu's crown and face.
Moreover, the ghostly energy of the underworld condensed in the void, and the faint black energy formed spider web-like threads that stuck to Yan Chixia, Zhong Kui, and Nie Xiaoqian, constantly binding them.
Zhong Kui was somewhat better off, since he wasn't a ghost from this world and wasn't restrained by the Black Mountain Demon. Although Nie Xiaoqian's cultivation was forcibly raised to the level of Ghost King by Jiang Liu, and she cultivated the visualization method to condense the Dharma form of the Yaksha King, she was still naturally restrained by the Black Mountain Demon who held the power of the Underworld.
This is the rule of Heaven; unless one transcends the Three Realms and escapes reincarnation.
As a human, Yan Chixia was completely restrained in this underworld.
Fortunately, the Nanming Lihuo Sword in Zhong Kui's hand was a demon-forged immortal sword for Bodhidharma, which was stronger than the Xuanyuan Divine Sword in Yan Chixia's hand. With its crimson rainbow, it was enough to protect the three of them.
They handled those ghostly soldiers and generals with ease.
A jet-black claw came crashing down, filling the air with the smell of sulfur and lava. The Black Mountain Demon was not only the ruler of the City of the Dead, but also a thousand-year-old demon who had attained enlightenment on a mountain. His attack combined the power of ghostly magic with the power of the earth.
The wind howled, and a single claw strike carried immense force.
Jiang Liu sneered, and a long golden rope flew out from his sleeve. It was like a living thing, or even a divine dragon. Instead of wrapping around the black figure in the palanquin, it flew towards the City of the Wrongfully Dead and coiled around a dark and gloomy Yin Mountain.