The thick fog of Mount Shade shrouds the entire mountain year-round. Now, I was back in the only place on the mountain where things were clear. I could still vaguely remember the route. I glanced back—I'd drifted here slowly, my strength not yet recovered.
Just now, Old Zhou warned me to be careful as he escorted me here. I knew this well. The only way to return to the world of the living was to seek out Lady Meng. Now, Halfstep Pass serves as a transit station outside the Road of Yellow Springs. Leopardtail is probably still there, or maybe someone else. For me to get through is nearly impossible.
Any one of the Ten Marshals of Hades would be more than I could handle. Now, the road from Netherhell to the River of Forgetfulness was sealed. Once I made up my mind, I descended and surveyed the tangled paths of Mount Shade, confirming one and heading that way.
Suddenly, a wave of ghostly energy swept toward me. I tensed, but quickly relaxed—it was the Scarlet Ghost, the one who had led us before. He glanced around.
"Where's that guy? Didn't he come with you?"
I shook my head.
"Not planning to leave here? You can move freely now, can't you?"
The Scarlet Ghost shook his head.
"Actually, I rather like it here. I don't plan on leaving for now, and I want to see the guy who came with you again. Can you tell me his name?"
"Lord Shenyan."
I spoke, and the Scarlet Ghost nodded, then beckoned me over, as if he intended to lead the way.
"If you want to go down the mountain, I know a shortcut."
Without thinking much, I followed. The Scarlet Ghost led me down a slanting path to the left, then suddenly stopped.
"You don't look too good. If you want to return to the world of the living, it'll be difficult. But I know a place that could get you back."
I looked at the Scarlet Ghost suspiciously, and he started to laugh.
"Do you have anything valuable on you?"
I let out a surprised sound, staring at the Scarlet Ghost with even more confusion. He beckoned again.
"Come with me."
I had no idea what place he was talking about, but I grew wary. What would a dead man need money for? Though, money from the underworld does have its uses.
After winding through several twists and turns, the Scarlet Ghost led me to a spot. I swallowed. In the thin mist ahead, something glimmered—a flash of metal. I swallowed again. Inside a tattered cloth bag were piles of gold, jewelry, earrings, necklaces, and other ornaments.
The Scarlet Ghost walked over, picked up the bag of gold and jewelry, and handed it to me.
"Take it. The place I recommend is right next to Limbo. The guy there is a subordinate of Judge Bane, King Hollowbelly—one of the Ten Marshals of Hades."
I immediately became alert, staring at the Scarlet Ghost.
"That guy is insatiably greedy. Gold is his favorite. He has a direct passage to the world of the living. All you need to do is pay gold to his underlings and they'll let you through. Anyone with enough money can even bribe him for a straight return to the living world."
I still eyed the Scarlet Ghost with suspicion, but he didn't seem to be lying.
"Forget it. I'll head for the Bridge of Remorse. I have some connections with Lady Meng."
"I wouldn't recommend that. Things are complicated there now. Your fighting has already alerted the underworld enforcers."
I insisted that I was going to the Bridge of Remorse. All I needed was to get past Styx Gate. With Lady Meng's abilities, only Yanluo would dare cross the bridge, or maybe I could get help from the Twin Reapers or Lord Tai Shan.
The Scarlet Ghost didn't say anything, just kept leading me down. Soon, the terrain leveled out. He seemed very familiar with Mount Shade.
"Friend, your ghost domain looks badly damaged. Did you go through a brutal fight? I remember your strength wasn't weak before."
I looked at the guy in front of me. He somehow knew my Shadow Realm had collapsed, though I hadn't said anything.
"I can't open my Shadow Realm anymore."
The Scarlet Ghost looked at me in confusion, then started to laugh.
"How about this, friend—if you don't mind, can I take a look?"
Green ghostly threads emerged from the Scarlet Ghost. I hesitated, then nodded. Killing aura surged inside me as I opened my right hand, ready to draw Beauty and attack if needed.
"I mean no harm, friend."
The Scarlet Ghost seemed to notice my concern. I felt awkward. The ghostly threads pierced into my body, letting in only a small stream of ghost energy, as if examining me.
"Your Shadow Realm is still there, friend. You just can't enter it for now."
I stared at the Scarlet Ghost in surprise as he withdrew the threads. I still couldn't believe it. Clearly, the Curse Ghost said that the ritual which restored some of Lord Shenyan's power cost me my Shadow Realm.
"Trust me, friend. There are plenty of powerful beings on Mount Shade—though most are crazy. Once a Shadow Realm is opened, it doesn't disappear. It's part of the Blue Wraith, split off from the ghost soul. You can think of it as a manifestation of the ghost soul itself."