By the time I returned to my city, it was already 9 PM. As soon as Rufina Howard and I got off the plane, Hugh Thompson arrived with Mao Xiaoyu to pick us up.
Before boarding the plane, I had already reported to Hugh Thompson about what happened in L City during the day.
"Qingyuan, our new recruits are about to start their internships, so basically, all members of the Ghost Burial Squad from across the country have been called back. Let's put that matter aside for now."
I nodded, and just as we were about to get into the black van, Hugh Thompson stopped us.
"Wait a moment. Someone's coming to pick up the girl."
Rufina Howard looked at Hugh Thompson in surprise, clearly puzzled. We were by the roadside outside the airport, which was still a fair distance from the city center. People were coming and going.
"Who is it?" I asked. Hugh Thompson pointed to the end of the road.
A roar of a sports car engine echoed. At the end of the road, a black sports car sped toward us—it looked expensive, drawing plenty of attention.
The sports car seemed to be heading straight for us. As it neared, it slowed down, screeching to a halt right in front of us.
With a click, the car door opened. It was Redmond. At first, I didn't recognize him—I thought he was some celebrity. Redmond wore red glasses, a black leather jacket and pants, tall boots, and a tuft of hair draped to the right. The sides of his forehead were shaved.
"You..."
Before I could finish speaking, Redmond walked over and scooped Rufina Howard into his arms. Despite her struggling, he shoved the fuming Rufina into the sports car, then pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag.
"Damn, you’re out here in broad daylight—is that even safe?"
Redmond came closer and blew smoke in my face, making me cough.
"Ethan Zhang, you’d better be careful with that thing you’re holding. Whatever you do, don’t open it."
I grunted in response. I’d already strapped the silver package Moon Yue gave me to my back with rope. At that moment, I noticed a lot of people glancing our way. Redmond grabbed me and yanked open the van door, signaling for me to get in.
Once the door was closed, I smiled and said:
"Isn’t this a bit dishonest, Redmond? You..."
"Ethan Zhang, mind your own business when it comes to me. Just be careful—things aren’t exactly peaceful lately. Especially since you’re about to go get Lady Meng’s Elixir!"
I nodded.
"Do you know any way to get Lady Meng’s Elixir?"
Redmond took a drag on his cigarette, removed his glasses, and looked at me.
"There is a way, but in your current state, the moment you step into the Underworld Court, you’ll be noticed. It’s dangerous. Let me help you a bit—open your mouth."
I made a sound of surprise, then opened my mouth wide. Redmond extended his hand, and a small flicker of Malice Flame burned on his fingertip. He placed the Malice Flame in my mouth, and I swallowed it down.
"Normally, to reach the Bridge of Remorse, you have to enter the ghost realm and pass through certain passages. But the journey is perilous, and it’s easy to take the wrong path—especially on the Spiritway. It’s very dangerous."
I nodded, remembering how we’d entered the ghost realm before to rescue Lan Ruoxi. When we entered, there was indeed a Spiritway, and we faced plenty of dangers.
"So how exactly do I get to the Bridge of Remorse?"
"There’s only one way—the Underworld Path."
When Redmond said this, I remembered that eerie, terrifying little road. Back then, I had returned to the living world from the Underworld Court via the Underworld Path.
"So where’s the entrance to that path?"
Redmond shook his head.
"Only Hell’s Registrars can find the entrance to the Underworld Path. Listen, Qingyuan—the Malice Flame I just implanted in you will completely mask your ghostly aura. In other words, other ghosts won’t sense you as one of them; you’ll seem like just another soul. You need to find someone who’s been dead for seven days. On the seventh day, Hell’s Registrars will escort that soul back to the living world to see their family one last time. You follow those Registrars, just don’t lose them. Once you enter the Underworld Path, be especially careful."
I nodded, and Redmond began to explain more about the Underworld Path.
Normally, after someone dies, Hell’s Registrars take them away. But now, the work of capturing souls is handled entirely by those of the Underworld. Once they seize a soul, they judge whether the person’s lifespan ended naturally or not. If it did, they send them straight to the Styx Gate; if not, they’re sent to the Underworld Path.
Hearing this, I looked at Redmond in surprise, recalling how my soul had left my body and I’d died of fright, ending up directly in line at the Styx Gate. I didn’t understand why someone like me—a wrongful death—would be sent straight there.
Redmond continued. Usually, when souls pass through the Underworld Path, they’re held back by lingering attachments to the living world, unable to leave. Some are trapped because their lifespan hasn’t truly ended, so the Underworld Path binds them. Only when their time is up can they report to the Styx Gate and face judgment from King Yama.
After judgment, those who don’t need to serve a sentence can pass normally through the Underworld Path, cross the Bridge of Remorse over the River of Forgetfulness, drink Lady Meng’s Elixir, and enter reincarnation.
Mount Shade stands beside the end of the Underworld Path, a gathering place for many wandering souls and wild ghosts. That mountain wasn’t always so large—it grew from the ever-increasing resentment of those lonely spirits, piling up over time.
Redmond warned me sternly: If I entered the Underworld Path, I must find a place with Red Spider Lilies before approaching the Bridge of Remorse. If I took a wrong turn, I should avoid the Styx Gate, as it’s the only place connected to the Underworld Path.
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I nodded, committing everything he said to memory. This time, I’d be the only one searching for Lady Meng’s Elixir—because I could become a ghost. Redmond left, reminding me once again: On the Underworld Path, don’t wander around. No matter what you see or hear, ignore it. Just stick close to the Hell’s Registrars escorting the soul. Whatever you do, don’t lose them.
Redmond then drove off with Rufina Howard.
"Qingyuan, get some rest. I’ve already found a family—a person who died of natural causes. Tomorrow is their Spirit Return Night; Hell’s Registrars should escort the soul home. Your chance comes after midnight tonight."
I looked gratefully at Hugh Thompson. He adjusted his glasses and smiled.
"Don’t thank me. After all, Howard Zhang may have his body back, but things aren’t looking good. We need to find Lady Meng’s Elixir fast, or Yun Mei says he’ll be in danger."
I nodded immediately. There’s no time like the present. I didn’t expect Hugh Thompson to have arranged everything already—I was deeply grateful. Even after returning from the Corpse Realm and dealing with another ghost incident, I didn’t feel tired at all. I’d slept plenty on the plane today.
Hugh Thompson drove me to the city center, where we ate something, then headed to a residential district in the west. The area was old, not very convenient for transportation, but home to many people.
The deceased was a man in his forties who’d died of natural causes—reportedly quite suddenly. Mao Xiaoyu had checked, and his fate was up, so he’d died naturally. He’d probably already been judged, and since he’d done plenty of good in life, he’d likely be sent straight to the Bridge of Remorse for reincarnation.
Opportunities like this are rare. After hearing Redmond mention it, Hugh Thompson began searching thoroughly. Although there were other deaths, most were wrongful and sent straight to the Styx Gate.
We arrived in an old part of town. Aside from the main roads, which had been renovated, the rest was full of old houses.
The deceased’s family ran a small general store. We parked in an alley and walked to the street. Even though it was only 10 PM, the night market was bustling.
When we reached Zhang’s General Store, we watched from a distance. Inside, the mourning hall was already set up. The shelves had been moved to the sides, and some people sat inside. In front of the hall, a girl of seventeen or eighteen knelt, burning paper money in a brazier.
"Seize the chance, Qingyuan. Tonight is your opportunity."
Hugh Thompson said, and I nodded. The three of us waited quietly for midnight.
"Qingyuan, my master once said that along the Underworld Path, there are plenty of vicious ghosts in the woods. Be careful—some are bold enough to attack Hell’s Registrars. Here, take these. I’ll cast a spell; when you become a ghost, I’ll give them to you. They might come in handy."
I grunted, watching Mao Xiaoyu pull out a bunch of paper money from a small cloth bag. I was speechless, but it made sense—money works in both the living world and the underworld. Maybe it could be used to bribe Hell’s Registrars if we’re discovered.
I felt restless and uneasy. It was only 10:30, but time crawled by, every minute feeling like an eternity.
"Qingyuan, be careful. In the underworld, messing with Hell’s Registrars is big trouble. With your power, you could take them out, but remember—they’re dealing with the dead."
Mao Xiaoyu reminded me again. I grunted and calmed myself.
We walked across the street toward the general store, as if just taking a stroll. People chatted about the owner, just as Hugh Thompson had said—a kind man. The neighbors all mourned his passing. At that moment, I noticed the owner’s daughter, her face twisted in grief, sadness so dense it seemed solid, unable to turn into tears. I stared, lost in thought.