Chapter 117: Dream Underworld

Evening was gradually approaching, and columns of cooking smoke ascended from the homes in the mountain village.

Some villagers occasionally glanced towards Wafeng Mountain; the dark clouds over there still hadn't dispersed, though the thunder had significantly subsided.

"This afternoon's weather is truly odd. The sun is still out over there, yet Wafeng Mountain turned gloomy in an instant. It's been thundering for so long, but who knows how much rain has actually fallen..."

"Well, that's just mountain weather for you!"

Some villagers lingered at the village entrance, chatting idly while waiting for their wives to prepare dinner and call them.

"It won't rain tonight, will it?"

"Hard to say. If the clouds don't disperse after dinner, we'll bring in the laundry from outside."

"Alright!"

As the villagers outside continued their idle chatter, the situation for the monsters deep within the mountains had taken a drastic turn for the worse.

After the Half-faced Demon's soul was extracted, the next to fall was Snake Princess. In her panic, she attempted to burrow into the mountain to escape, but her true form was pinned firmly inside the cave by the divine manifestation of the City God of Duming Prefecture.

Countless soul-reaping ropes repeatedly lashed her from behind, causing Snake Princess's demon soul to become unstable and briefly separate from her physical body. Immediately, more ropes bound her soul, and various divine officials, alongside the soul-reaping emissaries, began to pull and tear at her soul with their chains.

The two remaining demons then had to face the great City Gods of both prefectures and other various ghost deities alone within the grand formation, and they couldn't endure for long.

Just before sunset, gazing at the horizon, the sky was bathed in a fiery red evening glow.

Deep within Wafeng Mountain, near Black Wind Gorge, the landscape was scarred with fallen trees and scattered rocks. The dust raised in the battle still hung in the air, not yet fully dispersed.

The battle between the ghost deities of Jizhou's two prefectures and the malevolent demons had finally concluded. Two of the demons were captured after their souls were extracted, while the other two were utterly annihilated, their souls scattered. Perhaps, complete annihilation was a fortunate end for them.

Above Wafeng Mountain, the Green Vine Sword was horizontally sheathed in mid-air. The pervasive sword intent immediately receded into its sheath, and the faintly visible stars in the sky became noticeably clearer.

All the ghost deities, sensing the disappearance of the sword intent, looked up at the immortal sword in the sky.

Before the ghost deities could react, with a faint hum, the immortal sword transformed into a streak of light, darting into the high sky. It gradually faded from their sight, vanishing into the celestial gales.

"I wonder to which exalted master this immortal sword belongs. Thanks to its aid, we were able to subdue these monsters so smoothly today."

"Indeed, I wonder where the sword's light has gone?"

"It must have departed for a distant place."

A gathering of so many City Gods was exceedingly rare. For now, they exchanged a few words across the mountain.

Below, ghost constables and chief officials from the Underworld Bureau of both prefectures investigated the demon's lair. They soon located a source of malevolent energy and discovered hundreds of piled white bones in the darkness, a sight that greatly enraged the City Gods and their subordinate officials from both prefectures.

These deceased, however, were likely common folk abducted from other prefectures or provinces. Had so many mortals perished at the hands of demons within their own jurisdiction, the Underworld Bureaus of both prefectures would surely not have been completely oblivious. This also suggested that these demons were quite skilled at exploiting loopholes in the Underworld's system.

Once all matters were concluded, night had fallen. The City Gods from the counties of both prefectures stood on opposing sides, with Wafeng Mountain's central line as their dividing axis, and respectfully bowed to each other.

"Gentlemen, with matters concluded here, we should now disperse. This group of demons is linked to a case within our prefecture city; the 'Red Skeleton' that the snake demon cursed is indeed the culprit. Perhaps our Underworld Bureau here in Chunhui Prefecture should take them back for interrogation and then inform you of the results?"

The City God of Chunhui Prefecture bowed to the City Gods standing before him and to his sides.

"City God Zhao, there's no need for such formalities. Chunhui Prefecture is, after all, the provincial capital of Jizhou, so it is most appropriate for you to take them for interrogation!"

The City God of Duming Prefecture also voiced his consent, and the City Gods from the other counties naturally had no objections.

"Many thanks, City God Li, and thanks to all City Gods. Until we meet again!"

"Until we meet again, fellow City Gods!" "Until we meet again!"

This was indeed a rare sight. After the various City Gods bid farewell, they either flew or teleported away, leaving behind only a scene of desolation deep within Wafeng Mountain. Fortunately, this area near Black Wind Gorge was rarely frequented by mountain dwellers, let alone explored to its depths. Otherwise, the sight of the piled white bones deep within would surely have terrified them to death.

To the villagers dwelling near the mountains, the dark clouds over Wafeng Mountain finally dispersed shortly after nightfall, and the thunder completely subsided. They could now see the starry sky beyond the mountain, and, reassured, continued to dry their clothes in their courtyards.

***

In Chunhui Prefecture City, at the Gui Xiang Inn beside the Imperial Examination Hall, Yin Zhaoxian had recovered from his fever and was now awake. Despite it being nighttime, he remained in his room, feeling restless, reading a book by lamplight.

"Oh, no... I've provoked a demon, what am I going to do...? I can't stay in Chunhui Prefecture indefinitely. What about my family? What about my career prospects...?"

For most people, the City God's message from last night's dream would have become a hazy memory by morning light, but Yin Zhaoxian remembered it with perfect clarity.

In his dream, the City God of Chunhui Prefecture seemed uncertain about the demon's origins. Having finally found an opportunity to realize his ambitions, to be devoured by a demon without knowing why would be utterly unacceptable.

'I wonder if getting an amulet from a temple would suffice?'

That afternoon, the Governor of Chunhui Prefecture had even sent someone to check on him and inquire about his health. At the time, Yin Zhaoxian had appeared dispirited, which others mistakenly attributed to his illness, but it was entirely due to anxiety.

'If only Mr. Ji were here...'

Staring at the text in the book before him, Yin Zhaoxian found he still couldn't concentrate. His vision gradually blurred, and he began to drift into a doze, soon falling asleep with his head resting on the table.

"Master Yin, Master Yin!"

Hearing his name called, Yin Zhaoxian abruptly lifted his head. He saw two constables in black official robes standing in the room, their presence unknown to him until that moment. Their attire seemed slightly unusual, and their tall hats even bore characters.

On one hat was inscribed: "Patrols by night, not by day."

On the other's hat was written: "Oversees the Underworld, not the living."

Despite sensing something amiss, Yin Zhaoxian stood up and cupped his hands in greeting as he inquired.

"May I ask who you gentlemen are?"

In response to Yin Zhaoxian's question, the two constable-like figures cupped their hands towards him.

"Master Yin, the City God of Chunhui Prefecture requests your presence! We hope you will grant us the convenience of accompanying us!"

'They are indeed Underworld Constables!'

A shock went through Yin Zhaoxian.

"Gentlemen, has my mortal life come to an end?"

"Hehehe... Master Yin, fear not. Your lifespan has not ended; rather, the City God has something he wishes to invite you for!"

"Precisely. We will ensure your return afterwards, so there's no need to worry!"

Relieved that he wasn't dead, Yin Zhaoxian composed himself and agreed to accompany the Underworld Constables. He then experienced the strange sensation of passing straight through a door.

Emerging from the inn and traversing streets and alleys, Yin Zhaoxian soon felt as if he was moving through a mist, step by step following the Underworld Constables into the Underworld.

For a mortal, this was undoubtedly a unique experience. Though everything appeared indistinct, like seeing flowers through a fog, he genuinely caught glimpses of the bustling Underworld, witnessed numerous ghost constables, and even saw judges reviewing official documents. He also distinctly heard the sounds of whipping and screams emanating from one direction.

The most memorable scream seemed to belong to a woman, terribly shrill and rather frightening.

"Master Yin, the one screaming over there is a malevolent demon. It has harmed many people previously, and its punishment is far from complete."

"I see, I understand!"

"Please come this way!"

Yin Zhaoxian dared not speak much nor ask further questions. He followed the Underworld Constables to a grand hall, which closely resembled the main hall of the Chunhui Prefecture City God Temple, where the City God of the prefecture sat enthroned.

Yin Zhaoxian dared not show any disrespect, quickly bowing to the City God with cupped hands.

"Yin Zhaoxian of Ning'an respectfully greets the City God!"

The City God descended from his seat and guided him to a side table with seats.

"Master Yin, there's no need for such ceremony. Please, sit here!"

Observing Yin Zhaoxian's nervous expression, the City God spoke directly, getting straight to the point.

"Master Yin, the demon that attacked you earlier has been utterly annihilated, body and soul. All other demons have also been apprehended and destroyed, unable to harm anyone further."

Upon hearing this, Yin Zhaoxian, who had just nervously taken his seat, quickly rose and bowed respectfully to the City God.

"My sincere thanks to the City God for eliminating these demons. Now I can finally rest at ease!"

"Master Yin, there's no need for such courtesy. This time, we might even need to thank you!"

The City God stated this, and without letting Yin Zhaoxian wonder for too long, he continued on his own.

"Master Yin, you once mentioned having an extraordinary friend. Last night, when the demon attempted to harm you, it was injured by a protective measure he had left. Does your friend habitually carry a sword?"

Typically, immortal artifacts that develop their own spirit also cultivate and generally dislike being concealed within spatial storage items. Thus, the City God posed this question assuming Yin Zhaoxian might have seen the immortal sword's true form.

"A sword?"

Yin Zhaoxian reflected on Ji Yuan's daily life and shook his head.

"I have not seen one. However... my young son once mentioned seeing Mr. Ji wield a sword. He said that falling leaves and blossoms danced with it, and watching it felt like observing radiant clouds at dawn, or the graceful blossoming and fading of flowers accompanied by flowing water..."

Yin Qing, blessed with innate spiritual clarity and a pure heart in his youth, could perceive the profound Daoist aura more distinctly when Ji Yuan wielded his sword. What he experienced was more than just the visual spectacle of the sword dance.

Yin Zhaoxian himself had not witnessed it and found it difficult to articulate, only able to provide a vague description.

Upon hearing this, the City God's expression grew significantly more solemn. His initial six-tenths certainty had now solidified to nearly ninety percent.

"Master Yin, though your friend may already be aware of certain matters, or perhaps a person of such exalted status may not concern himself with this, should you ever encounter him again, please deliver this item on my behalf!"

Yin Zhaoxian watched as the City God handed him a thumb-sized ebony plaque with a black tassel. It bore no images or text on either side, and he had no idea what it was. However, given that it came from the City God, he dared not treat it lightly. He respectfully received the small wooden plaque with both hands and replied.

"Should I see Mr. Ji, I will certainly deliver it to him!"

"Very well. Thank you, Master Yin. We have detained you long enough; it is time to send you back!"

The City God saw him off. Yin Zhaoxian, not daring to linger in the Underworld, repeatedly bowed his farewells. The City God also returned a slight bow. It was the same two Underworld Constables who escorted Yin Zhaoxian back.

Passing by a certain area, he glanced towards a dim, reddish glow in the direction of the Department of Punishment for Evil. From there, noisy cries of injustice and agonized screams periodically reached his ears.

Suddenly, a distinct, teeth-grating sound arose, akin to saw blades cutting or whips lashing, standing out amidst the cacophony.

"Argh... I've told you everything, I've said it all... Just kill me... Argh..."

The woman's clear, sharp, and agonizing shriek unexpectedly made Yin Zhaoxian tremble.

"Master Yin, please do not stop. Follow us!"

Prompted by the Underworld Constable, Yin Zhaoxian quickly resumed walking.

"Yes, yes, alright! Thank you for your trouble!"

***

Inside the inn room, Yin Zhaoxian's head, heavy with sleep, tipped forward and hit the table with a soft "thud," jolting him awake.

He looked around. It was still his inn room, and he still held a book in one hand.

"Was that all a dream?"

Yin Zhaoxian pondered this question, still unaware of the cool ebony plaque clutched in his right hand.