Gradually, I saw it clearly—it was a blood-red awl, somewhat similar to the one that had sealed the space around John Chou before, but slightly different. This awl was covered in inscriptions I couldn’t understand, and a breathtaking power pulsed from its surface.
"Take it, Ethan Zhang."
I responded with an 'oh', and just as I reached out, the crimson awl surged into my body like a stream of energy, vanishing without a trace.
"Aim for the heart of that corpse. Drive it in, and he will be obliterated—his heart is right there."
A torrent of questions erupted in my mind.
"Let me tell you a story."
I gave a soft reply, smiled faintly, and leaned against the stone lion behind me.
Long ago, there was a great mother who gave birth to a boy, showering him with infinite care and love, and teaching him many things.
Everything was fine at first, but because of the mother's constant indulgence—even when the boy died, she couldn’t bear to let him go. She tried everything to keep his life going.
But as time passed, the boy still died and became a ghost. He began to resent his mother, yet could do nothing to her, so he started bringing harm to everything around him.
This child kept stirring up conflict, plunging the world into chaos. The mother was powerless, and in the end, she chose to seal her child away, stripping him of his Three Souls and Seven Spirits.
To prevent her child from causing further havoc, she made three wagers with his Threefold Soul: she gave the Human Soul the Blank Desire Tome to decipher, the Earthly Soul the Pillar of Light to endure, and the Heavenly Soul a nonexistent destination to seek. She promised that if he could read the tome, break the pillar, and find the destination, she would grant him love and care once more.
"I've met all three of them."
I blurted out, astonished by the revelation.
"That's the end of the story, Ethan Zhang. Remember, you must find a chance to destroy that corpse's heart. Only then will he be reduced to ashes."
"Is that corpse the one Emperor God and the others prepared for this guy?"
"Ethan Zhang, this mission will be dangerous. If you succeed, I will grant you a request—anything within my power." Lord Tai Shan's voice carried a deadly promise.
I swallowed hard, my throat tight with anxiety, then shook my head.
"No need, Lord Bao. You’ve already done so much for me, helping us again and again. I will never forget this debt."
Clenching my fist, I heard a hearty laugh echo from the sky above—Lord Tai Shan ending the discussion with a final gesture.
"Ethan Zhang, in that world, there truly exists a path called the Spiral of Paradox. It connects to the passage you walked before—the Box Passage. Years ago, we Ten Judges of the Underworld created it to monitor everything in the Other World. The way back will be revealed to you, bit by bit, through the Crimson Awl, directly into your mind. This path also links to the Ten Judges' Road in Yellow Springs, to ensure that when you return, those waiting to capture you will have no opportunity."
I nodded, but I was sure that the corpse and the story Judge Bao just told weren’t as simple as he made them out to be.
"I know you have doubts, but this concerns both the Underworld and the Living World. This is your only chance. Ethan Zhang, I hope you’ll help. Even if you end up in Hell, I’ll protect you."
I smiled awkwardly, uncertain how to respond to such a heavy promise.
I didn’t want to ask any more unnecessary questions.
"Ethan Zhang, remember this: you must be wary of Xu Fu. For centuries, the Underworld has described him in four words—he finds a way into everything." [Xu Fu: legendary immortal trickster, see glossary]
I nodded again, steeling myself. When I returned, I would keep everything here—and my plan—from Xu Fu. Only I could carry this out, thanks to my unique bond with Instinct, which lets me approach the corpse without being detected.
"Don’t use those two Seventh Tribunal Tokens anymore. The Crimson Awl will guide you to the right place, to the Spiral of Paradox."
"Hahaha, Judge Bao, so this is your game? You seem honest, but you’re sly! Hmph, you dare conspire with Ethan Zhang right under my nose."
A wild, angry voice thundered across the sky. My heart lurched. Red beams shot down, ringing out as they pinned themselves around me, forming a cage. I was trapped—unable to break free. My limbs grew leaden, and I summoned every ounce of my Malevolent Aura, desperately fighting to resist the crushing force. [Note: Malevolent Aura is a supernatural energy unique to Ethan Zhang.]
"Enough talk, Lord Tai Shan, what exactly do you intend by detaining Ethan Zhang?"
With a bang, I seemed to hear someone slam a table, followed by something shattering.
"Hmph, Judge Bao, now I’ve got leverage on you. This guy has ruined my plans again and again—am I, a dignified Yama, supposed to lower myself? Word of this is already out, it’s become gossip in Hell. Who will soothe my anger?"
Lord Tai Shan started raging, pounding the table furiously while I sat trapped in the cage.
"So what do you want, Lord Tai Shan?"
"Judge Bao, I already know what you’re up to. My Ghost Soul has interacted with Ethan Zhang, so whatever you know, I know too. Destroying that corpse—heh, those three are far trickier than you think. Sending Ethan Zhang is sending him to his death."
Just then, the red bars around me vanished.
"What do you mean?"
Judge Bao asked in confusion.
"Let me give Ethan Zhang something too—at least to make sure your plan works. When the time comes, count me in."