"Big brothers, let's talk this out, please."
Hollowbelly pleaded and shrank back, but the two Hell's Registrars before him—one fat, one short—brandished their red-headed, black-lacquered clubs and beat him mercilessly.
Once he realized he was dead, Hollowbelly immediately tried to escape, but was quickly dragged back. Now, the two Hell's Registrars stood menacingly before him, glaring fiercely.
"You little brat, you got a death wish? We hate greedy fat guys like you the most."
Hollowbelly screamed, clutching his head as the clubs struck him with unbearable pain. In no time, his whole body swelled up, but the two Registrars were still unsatisfied; one of them now pulled out a whip and began lashing him.
Suddenly, Hollowbelly felt a stack of something in his pocket. He immediately raised his hands and shouted.
"Big brothers, let's talk, please stop hitting me! Here, take this, take it..."
A thick stack of ghost money gleamed in Hollowbelly's hands. The two Registrars paused, their eyes flashing with greed, and then pocketed the cash.
"You really know how things work. No wonder you were such a greedy official in life—looks like you weren't short on cash, either."
Hollowbelly forced a smile, though he was surprised. As a child, he'd heard elders say that after death, one must face judgment in the underworld; all sins committed in life would be tried, and then one would descend into Hell for punishment, subject to the fair trial of Yama. No one could escape.
Hollowbelly immediately brightened up, but in a daze he heard cries and saw the scene change—it was his son and daughters, dressed in mourning, holding a funeral for him. Nothing else mattered; Hollowbelly watched his two daughters burning ghost money and smiled happily. No wonder he now had cash again.
Gentlemen, may I ask you something?
Hollowbelly approached with a forced smile; the two Registrars were much friendlier now. Hollowbelly handed over more money, and the fat one patted him on the shoulder.
No wonder you're such a notorious corrupt official. Go ahead, ask your question.
Hollowbelly looked around; it seemed they were in a forest, surrounded by thick fog. He couldn't tell if it was day or night—the sky was gray and he couldn't see the road.
Where are we going now?
To the Gates of the Underworld.
Hollowbelly acknowledged, but he was no longer panicked. He understood what came next—he'd heard the legends many times. One thing was clear: money worked in the world of ghosts just as it did among the living.
The two Registrars were already discussing where to go drinking next and how to split the money. Though their voices were low, Hollowbelly, skilled at reading people, understood their nature—these underworld minions weren't much different from the living.
Old Cheat, why are we even going? We're betting on ourselves; why bother with all this?
The short Registrar grumbled in dissatisfaction, but the tall, fat one just shook his head.
You just arrived, so you don't know—it's complicated. They've been here longer than us and have better connections with the higher-ups. So, we're taking that female ghost connected to this guy back with us as well; it's on the way, no need for a detour.
Old Zhao, the older Registrar, spoke up, while the younger, short and thin one sighed helplessly.
I've heard things aren't peaceful in the world of the living—lots of powerful ghosts. That female ghost injured many Registrars before she was finally caught.
Hollowbelly listened intently, not understanding everything, but glad he didn't have to report to the Gates of the Underworld just yet. He was already thinking of ways to escape judgment.
Heh, you're listening, huh? This whole mess is because of you, so we can't get out of it.
Hollowbelly forced a smile, looking cluelessly at the short, thin Registrar.
Wen Mei—you don't know? Your old flame. She turned into a vengeful ghost and killed many people. She was only caught on the day you died, and even injured several Registrars.
Hollowbelly's face changed instantly. He remembered the dream he had before dying, and seeing Wen Mei before his death. It hadn't been a dream—the haunting in his hometown was real, and Wen Mei was behind it all.
Hmph, since you're so generous, I'll tell you something else. The evil deeds you and that woman committed have alarmed the Fifth Yama King. He's righteous and upright, and has asked Lord Zhong Kui to wait for you at the Gates of the Underworld for a personal judgment.
Hollowbelly was so terrified his legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground.
Big brother, is there any way out of this?
Hollowbelly quickly pulled out more money; the short, thin Registrar snatched it up, and Old Zhao started laughing.
Even if you give us more money, it won't help. This is Lord Yama's order—you'd better pray for yourself.
Where will I be sent?
Old Zhao rested his chin on his hand, thinking for a moment before answering.
Probably the Flaying Hell or the Tendon-Pulling Hell—those are where greedy officials like you end up.
Hearing this, Hollowbelly shuddered all over. The two Registrars prepared to leave, dragging him along as they floated through the eerie forest.
Hollowbelly saw several ghosts in white drifting through the woods.
What are those things...?
Just wandering ghosts—we don't bother with them.
Hollowbelly was curious about the world after death and asked all sorts of questions along the way.
In the underworld, the highest authority is the Ten Yama Kings, who oversee all major hells. There's also the Emperor of Fengdu, who has equal power but manages everything within Fengdu City. They were headed to Fengdu City to report in, but only minor offenders are accepted there. As for serious criminals like Hollowbelly, they must go to Hell for judgment.
(Skip: Irrelevant website prompt.)
Below the Ten Yama Kings are the Four Great Judges, who have the same authority to judge but cannot assign souls to specific hells. After determining the crime, the actual assignment is handled by Yama. For major cases or severe injustice, Yama personally intervenes.
Below the Judges are various minor judges, who have limited authority and can only rule on clear-cut cases, as their power isn't enough to see all of a soul's past. Next are the clerks, who act like legal secretaries, recording everything about the souls.
Then there are the Ten Great Underworld Commanders, ranked below the Four Great Judges and slightly less powerful. They maintain order, oversee the troops, and manage the assignment of Registrars. Each serves under a Yama King.
Only the Fifth Yama King commands all Four Great Judges, Zhong Kui, Ox-Head and Horse-Face, and Black and White Impermanence.
Next are the Registrars who guard Hell and those who capture wandering souls. Depending on rank, a high-level Registrar leads ten mid-level Registrars, and each mid-level leads ten low-level ones.
Hollowbelly kept nodding as he listened to the Registrars' chatter. He realized the underworld wasn't just Hell—there were other realms, all part of the ghost world. Beyond the underworld's borders, countless ghosts roamed, and those areas were ruled by powerful entities called Green-Eyed Ghosts.
Big brother, could you let me go halfway through? Maybe...?
But the two Registrars immediately glared at Hollowbelly with angry faces. He dared not speak further; no amount of money could change their boss's orders.
Gradually, Hollowbelly saw a brightly lit city. Even at night, lanterns hung outside every house, but there were few people around. The Registrars led Hollowbelly to a smaller city beside it, bustling with all sorts of terrifying ghosts—like a human marketplace, but far more chilling.
They arrived at a formal-looking compound, resembling a courthouse, where Registrars escorted prisoners in and out. Then they headed to a large gate on the left. Hollowbelly, terrified, heard the cries of many ghosts, most of whom didn't want to go to the Gates of the Underworld.
Perfect timing—you two are here. Take this woman with you and just bring her to the Gates of the Underworld. No need for the seventh-day homecoming; she has no family anyway.
Hearing this, Hollowbelly was shocked and immediately asked about the seventh-day ritual. The Registrars explained that on the seventh day after death, one could return home to see their family. Hollowbelly began plotting—he must escape on the seventh day.
A female ghost dressed in purple gauze was led out—it was Wen Mei. Hollowbelly recognized her instantly. She wore shackles on her hands and feet, with a thick red rope tied around her neck, yet she remained as beautiful as ever.
After so many years together, Wen Mei never bore Hollowbelly a child. With one divorce letter, they were no longer husband and wife.
Hey, what's wrong? Weren't you two lovers in life? Why so quiet now?
A Registrar outside the courthouse mocked them as Wen Mei walked over, her gaze gentle toward Hollowbelly.
Hollowbelly.
After Wen Mei softly called his name, Hollowbelly nodded.
Wen Mei, I'm sorry you've suffered.
Hollowbelly always felt some guilt toward Wen Mei, a feeling that only became clear to him after death.