I quietly gazed at the great river—it was truly strange. The opposite shore was nowhere in sight. Since Lord Shenyan had warned me, I didn’t touch the water, but simply stared at the large black stone. Three bold characters were carved into it: Shade Crossing.
"I carved those three words with my sword."
I responded with a simple "Oh," studying the calligraphy. Each character was vigorous and sharp, yet together they exuded an effortless grace.
"It’s really well done."
"This place was originally called Styxwater, but after we arrived and crossed, I wanted to return to the Living World and decided to give it a new name—Shade Crossing."
I simply replied "Oh," without asking for any explanation.
"Boatman."
Lord Shenyan called out loudly, then repeated it three times, but his voice was quickly drowned out by the roar of the river. I looked around—there wasn’t a single ghost in sight.
I sat on the sand, gazing into the distance. Lord Shenyan settled in comfortably beside me, one leg bent, one stretched out, one hand supporting himself, the other resting on his knee.
"Is there actually a ferry here?"
This was the strangest thing to me—this place shouldn’t belong to the Underworld Court’s domain. Maybe it was one of the Eight Realms of Hell. I asked briefly, but Lord Shenyan just shook his head, saying he didn’t know.
"I don’t know exactly where this is, but I do know it’s a true paradise, untouched by the world."
I let out a surprised sound as the river’s rush echoed around us. Suddenly, I saw an old man in a bamboo hat, slowly rowing his boat toward us.
"Old Zhou, it’s been a while—hope you’ve been well."
Lord Shenyan bowed and clasped his hands respectfully, smiling at the white-haired old man, who nodded and glanced at me.
"So this must be young Ethan Zhang."
I made a sound of surprise, looking at the old man before me. He wore a kindly smile, but I knew he was a ghost. What puzzled me was how he knew who I was.
"Don’t think too much, Ethan Zhang. Old Zhou knows everything. Get on the boat."
I followed Lord Shenyan onto the boat. Old Zhou rowed us steadily through the currents. Lord Shenyan lounged at the stern, while I sat by the gunwale.
"You haven’t come back in ages, Lord Shenyan. Those folks can hardly wait—they’re clamoring to go out and find you."
Lord Shenyan smiled contentedly, shaking his head.
"Is everyone doing well?"
"Same as always."
I was truly puzzled. Lord Shenyan said his subordinates lived in a paradise, but I couldn't see it. All I saw was an endless monotony of gray, white, and black—nothing that could be called a paradise.
Gradually, I realized that when I looked back, the riverbank was gone. That surprised me even more.
"Young Zhang, don't look back on the past, and don't dwell in it. The past can never be returned to. Even if you find a way, you must stay true to yourself."
Old Zhou suddenly spoke. I responded with an 'oh' and stopped looking behind me, but all I could see ahead was the endless, gray-black river. We were crossing it, carried by the flowing water.
The current was swift and the water fierce, yet I felt no turbulence at all. As I stared at the surface, Lan Ruoxi's face suddenly appeared in the water. Startled, I stood up, and at that moment, I felt a powerful pull.
With a snap, a hand grabbed me—Old Zhou smiled.
"Sit down, young Zhang."
I sat down. The image of Lan Ruoxi on the river vanished.
It must have been a hallucination.
"It wasn't a hallucination. Of all the waters in Styx, only one ladle is ever taken..."
I hummed in response and looked ahead. The old man radiated a peaceful aura—clearly a ghost, yet his power was unfathomable. I could sense the density of ghostly energy on his body.
"I've been ferrying souls here for thousands of years, young Zhang. So I know a lot of things."
Lord Shenyan closed his eyes, as if gathering his strength.
"A bitter fight awaits us, Lord Shenyan."
Old Zhou suddenly spoke. I looked at Lord Shenyan in surprise as he opened his eyes.
"Yes. It's been a long time since I returned."
A clicking sound rang out—Zhong Kui woke up, and looked at the old man with respect.
"Old Zhou, I never expected to see you again."
Old Zhou nodded.
"Zhong Zhengnan, sometimes being too stubborn isn't good. I remember telling you that a long time ago."
Zhong Kui burst into hearty laughter.
"There's going to be quite a show soon."
"Impossible..."
As we spoke, my vision brightened. I started to wonder where I really was. Before me stretched a forest, dimly green, with white clouds drifting across a pale sky. Flowers swayed in the wind, bees and butterflies danced, and winding paths crisscrossed the lush fields. Small wooden huts dotted the landscape.
I swallowed and looked at a distant mountain, sensing a dense ghostly aura. I rubbed my eyes—after so long in a world of gray, white, and black, this felt like paradise.
There were many buildings on the distant mountain, but its shape was odd. From afar, it looked like a sword thrust into the earth.
"Lord Shenyan has returned."
A cheer went up. I saw some ghosts working in the fields take to the air, flying toward the mountain. More and more gathered, their excitement palpable. On the shore, ghosts of all ages and genders watched, every eye filled with respect and joy. Some were even moved to tears.
As Lord Shenyan stepped ashore, the ghosts cheered. Some of the younger ones ran up to him; Lord Shenyan lifted one onto his shoulders and spun around.
[Irrelevant website prompt omitted.]
"It's wonderful—you've finally come back, Lord Shenyan. We've all been waiting for you, day and night."
Lord Shenyan grunted in acknowledgment, carrying the child as the crowd of ghosts escorted him toward the distant mountain. To me, it looked like they were welcoming a triumphant hero.
My impression of Lord Shenyan changed again as I followed. More and more ghosts gathered around, their heartfelt words of joy echoing all around.
Though I no longer felt moved by these things, I could see there was no falseness in their faces. These ghosts truly welcomed Lord Shenyan from the heart.
Yet I didn't see a single Blue Wraith. Most of the ghosts here wore white robes and dark shadows, clearly low-level. Lord Shenyan walked on, finally stopping to set down the child and float upward.
"Thank you, everyone. I'll head to Swordspire City first. Tomorrow, I plan to hold a three-day feast."
Amid the cheers, I followed Lord Shenyan as we flew ahead. I could now see clearly—the mountain truly looked like a sword, its edges honed. Around it was a city, and every ghost there cheered, all because Lord Shenyan had returned.
We reached the mountain's base. A large stone carving of the word 'Sword' stood at the entrance, and Lord Shenyan paused.
A rush of powerful energy swept toward us, moving fast. I looked up just as a streak of red light nearly reached us.
I tensed immediately. Lord Shenyan smiled easily, unmoved. The breeze lifted his long hair, and with a ringing sound, a massive shockwave rippled outward.
"Everyone, be careful."
I cried out in alarm. The ghosts gathered nearby couldn't withstand such force, but those in the square's outer ring watched calmly, unafraid. As the shockwave reached the edge, a flash of green light appeared, instantly neutralizing it.
Turning back, I saw a strange sword. Its blade was covered with lumps and spikes, as if something had solidified on it. Though plain in shape, those features made it unique. Lord Shenyan gripped the sword.
Two ringing sounds. I stared at the figure before me—strong and holding a sword, already having crossed blades with Lord Shenyan. The Blue Wraith crouched on the stone carving, smiling at Lord Shenyan.
But I immediately recognized him. He looked so familiar, like I'd seen that face somewhere before.
"You're back, Lord Shenyan."
"Yes, Jing Kerr."
It was Jing Kerr. Though he'd grown stronger, he hadn't changed at all from his youth.
Strong currents of energy swept toward us. Suddenly, my vision was filled with green light—dozens of Blue Wraiths approached.
Among them were a few even stronger than the rest.
The wind roared and the green light faded, revealing the Blue Wraiths. They all carried swords, dressed similarly; the word 'swordsman' came to mind.
"So this is your swordsman group, huh? Impressive—each one is full of sharp spirit."
Zhong Kui muttered. I swallowed. Ten Blue Wraiths—men and women—stepped forward, each with a different sword, surrounding Lord Shenyan and pointing their blades at him.
"What is Swordspire's purpose?"
Jing Kerr shouted. A powerful aura swept across the square, and the other Blue Wraiths retreated. Just then, a girl with twin braids, carrying a sword taller than herself, grabbed my arm.
"Are you looking to die? They're challenging him."