I trudged along a narrow mountain path, barely half a meter wide, with the cemetery ghost by my side. Mist swirled all around, and below us lay an endless abyss, invisible in the fog.
"Careful, brother. This is Mount Shade. The ghosts here are full of resentment, refusing reincarnation, just waiting for their enemies to arrive. Don't let yourself be deceived, or you may never get out—and I won't be able to help you then."
I nodded and continued following him along the narrow path.
Suddenly, the ghost ahead vanished, leaving me frozen in place.
"Hey, don't mess with me! Where did you go?"
I shouted, my voice echoing endlessly through the mountains.
I hurried forward, and suddenly a bright light appeared. As I parted the mist, I nearly collided with someone—or rather, a ghost. Dressed in a blue robe, he held a white paper lantern and kept his head bowed.
"Could you... let me pass?" I asked tentatively.
The blue-robed ghost didn't reply, continuing to bow his head and making no move to approach.
Retreating wasn't an option. I had to move forward, but the ghost blocked the way. I called out several more times, hoping the cemetery ghost would return to help, but there was no response.
I stepped forward, coming face-to-face with the blue-robed ghost. I reached out to pat his shoulder, but suddenly he looked up—his tongue dragged all the way to the ground, his eyes bulged and bloodshot, his face a ghastly pale-blue.
I nearly lost my footing and almost fell, but despite my fear, I forced myself to move closer.
"Have you seen my lantern?"
The blue-robed ghost finally spoke. I blinked in confusion.
"Isn't the lantern right in your hand?"
"I can't find my lantern. Did you see it?" the blue-robed ghost asked again, his voice louder and painfully shrill.
"It's in your hand," I said quickly, reaching out to steady the lantern he was holding.
"Don't touch my lantern."
Suddenly, his long tongue shot out, wrapping around my neck. I felt its sticky grip tighten, choking me. I grabbed the slimy tongue with both hands, struggling to breathe.
"I told you to be careful," the cemetery ghost appeared behind the blue-robed ghost, snatching the lantern from his hand and tossing it away without hesitation.
The blue-robed ghost, who had been entangling me, retracted his tongue and jumped after the lantern.
"If you run into them again, just kick them down. Most of the ghosts here have been waiting for years—their minds are probably a little warped, just like the mentally ill among you humans."
We continued walking until suddenly the cemetery ghost stopped. I halted as well, and saw an old man appear before us, leaning on a cane with his eyes closed.
"Young man..."
Before the old man could finish, the cemetery ghost kicked him—cane and all—straight down the mountain. I stared in disbelief at what just happened.
Along the way, every ghost that tried to block our path was kicked down by the cemetery ghost. Some looked quite formidable, and I finally understood just how powerful this ghost really was.
We were now heading down the mountain. According to the cemetery ghost, once I saw the Red Spider Lily by the River Styx, I could return. My heart leapt with excitement—I just wanted to get back quickly.
Just then, the cemetery ghost vanished again. The path grew wider, but my anxiety returned. Sure enough, after a few steps, I encountered a woman in a red dress lying on the ground.
"Brother, could you help me up?"
Without hesitation, I rushed over and kicked her. With a howl, the red-dressed ghost was sent flying like a soccer ball.
Relieved, I jogged ahead as the path grew smoother. I didn't know where the cemetery ghost had gone, but I trusted him—he really had saved me.
"I'm not done with you!" a furious female voice rang in my ear. I turned my head, yelped, and sprinted away.
It was the same red-dressed ghost, her face twisted in anger. Half her face was bare bone, the other half still hauntingly beautiful.
"You little brat, how dare you kick me!"
"I didn't mean to, I—it was..."
"Raise your fist and hit her in the face."
A voice called out. Without thinking, I swung my fist and punched the ghost square in the face. Then I spotted the cemetery ghost again, grinning at me.
"I'm not done with you! Just wait, you brat!"
Her shrieks echoed behind me, but my spirits lifted.
Fields of crimson flowers bloomed along the riverbank, painting the entire river a vivid red.
"Look, that's the exit. Go on."
I saw a small stone-paved path, flanked by terrifying dead trees with twisted branches that looked like grasping claws. From a distance, some even resembled human faces.
"This road is the Underworld Path. Normally, if you died, you'd enter the Styx Gate and wait seven days for the Hell's Registrar to escort you back to the living world. Now, all you have to do is walk back."
"Thank you, thank you so much," I said hurriedly, expressing my gratitude.
But as I thought about it, my feelings toward this ghost grew complicated. He'd helped me at my lowest, but he'd also dragged me into the mire.
Then I ran straight toward the Underworld Path.
"Be careful. Remember—no matter what you see, don't look back. If you do, you'll never make it out, and I won't be able to help you."
I walked along the Underworld Path, eyes fixed on the ground. Dead trees loomed on all sides, shrouded in mist. Everything ahead was a hazy white, and I had no idea how far I had to go. I quickened my pace.
"Lily... Lily..." Through the howling wind behind me, I heard Lily Wu's voice. Covering my ears, I ran as fast as I could.
"Do you really think, after causing the deaths of me and Nathan Li, you can just go back as if nothing happened?"
Suddenly, I stopped. My pride awakened at the worst possible moment, and it felt as if my feet were shackled to the ground. I couldn't move forward, tormented by inner turmoil.
"What's wrong, Ethan? Are you scared? I told you before—yes, you caused my death, but I don't blame you. Still, why not come down and stay with me? We could live here by the River Styx, together, forever and ever."
For a moment, I was tempted to look back, but I forced myself to keep running. I'm a coward; I'm afraid of dying. I don't want to die here. I want to go back—I still have my parents, family, and friends.
No matter how much Lily Wu pleaded and coaxed in my ear, I kept running. I knew one thing for sure—I must not look back.
A dazzling golden light appeared ahead, marking the end of the path. Shielding my eyes, I walked toward it step by step.
"Hey, brat, where do you think you're going?" The red-dressed ghost blocked my way, glaring at me.
Even now, she wouldn't leave me alone. Remembering the cemetery ghost's advice, I raised my fist and walked forward.
"Move, or I'll make you."
The ghost stepped aside, and I entered the golden light. Blinded by its brilliance, I suddenly heard the bustle of the city—the honking of cars, the screech of trains, and the chatter of voices.
When I opened my eyes, I was home. The place had been cleaned and was spotless, but panic set in—my body was missing.
"What's the rush, brother?" Just then, the cemetery ghost appeared before me, clutching another me—my soul. I hurried over, and my three souls became one.
"Where's my body?"
"At the crematorium!"
I cried out and ran through the wall, heading straight for the nearby crematorium. I was back, but if my body was gone, I couldn't truly return to life.
After a frantic dash, I arrived at the crematorium and saw my parents, weeping, along with colleagues, friends, and relatives who had come to pay their respects. I lay in a coffin, looking peaceful, clutching a bouquet, as people filed past to view my remains.
I hurried over and tried to lie down as if nothing had happened, but failed.
Watching the line of mourners dwindle, I grew increasingly anxious.
"I can't get back! Somebody help me! What do I do?"
But no matter how much I shouted, the cemetery ghost didn't appear. Instead, Mrs. Blake and Mr. Cooper emerged from the crowd.