Chapter 531: Ghost Town Reunion

Once Aze calmed down, a feeling of overwhelmed fear washed over him as he looked at his blood-stained hands. Jin Xiu, who was by his side, continued to comfort him. Aze gradually regained some composure and cautiously looked at Ji Yuan. Ji Yuan’s gaze showed no disgust or displeasure, only a serious expression.

Seeing Aze's breathing normalize, Ji Yuan cast a glance at the now lifeless bandit leader. Without a word, he turned and walked away.

Jin Xiu quickly helped Aze up.

"Come on, let's catch up with Mr. Ji."

Though Jin Xiu had done nothing wrong, she felt an inexplicable unease. Aze, naturally, felt it even more acutely. The two glanced at the bandits, still motionless as statues, then quickly hurried after Ji Yuan.

The sky gradually darkened, yet it also cleared. Though no rain had fallen, the overcast clouds had dispersed. Thus, even after nightfall, the light of the stars and moon illuminated the mountain path.

Aze and Jin Xiu walked silently beside Ji Yuan. After a long while, Aze cautiously whispered a question.

"Mr. Ji, are you angry with me?"

Ji Yuan didn't look at him, simply shaking his head.

"I am not angry with you. Your actions are not something you need to account for to me, nor have I ever given you instructions."

Though not exceptionally intelligent, Aze wasn't foolish. Ji Yuan had said he wasn't angry, yet there still seemed to be an underlying displeasure, which left Aze feeling lost. Even if Ji Yuan wasn't angry *at* him, Aze knew it must still be related to his actions.

"Mr. Ji... you also said that those people deserved to die. Aze was just too sad and angry... because of those bandits..."

For Jin Xiu to utter these words to Ji Yuan, she was certainly under immense pressure. Unlike Aze, despite her cheerful nature, she could never forget Ji Yuan's true identity, especially when he was serious.

Ji Yuan's expression softened slightly. He slowed his pace and waited for the two behind him to draw closer before speaking.

"I actually don't object to killing when necessary. Take those bandits, for instance; they committed countless evil deeds, and their deaths can only be seen as retribution. But when you killed him just now, was it because you wanted to punish evil and eliminate wickedness?"

As Ji Yuan spoke, he looked down at Aze. Aze instinctively looked up, finding Mr. Ji's eyes calm and unperturbed, as if they could see right through his thoughts. A sense of panic welled up in Aze's heart.

"A single thought can birth a demon; a single thought can make one a demon. This time you killed a bandit, but what about next time?"

Just a few soft words seemed to pierce Aze's heart, making him envision a terrifying transformation. His face grew paler and paler. Yet, Ji Yuan smiled, and that smile, like sunshine, melted the coldness in Aze's heart.

"It's often said that the demonic path extinguishes humanity, but in theory, demonic nature and human nature can coexist. Only true demons are an exception. Even among them, some may be rational while others are insane and unpredictable, but true demons have genuinely and completely eradicated their humanity."

Here, Ji Yuan's use of "humanity" is a broad term, referring not only to humans but also to various other sentient beings such as demons, spirits, and sprites.

"Presumably, even if you don't fully understand it now, you dimly grasp what I mean..."

Of course, Aze, an ordinary country child who couldn't even read, didn't understand Ji Yuan's talk of "demons," "demonic nature and human nature," or "true demons." Yet, he vaguely understood that it was all deeply connected to himself.

Noticing the fear in Aze's eyes, Ji Yuan reached out and patted his back. This was more than just a gesture of encouragement; a subtle, gentle spiritual energy diffused into Aze's body. It didn't suppress the demonic thoughts but merely permeated his body and soul, silently bringing him warmth as dew nourishes plants.

In truth, Ji Yuan's words earlier might have seemed severe, but he understood the shift in Zhuang Ze's mindset. He was well aware that even moments ago, Zhuang Ze's demonic inclination was but a tiny part. If the people before him hadn't been bandits, that aspect of his demonic nature wouldn't have affected Zhuang Ze at all, as the young man inherently possessed a moral compass.

Furthermore, Ji Yuan believed that, aside from the influence of demonic thoughts, the young man possessed a pure heart. His actions by the cliff earlier, though seemingly minor, were revealed clearly and without pretense, instilling a sense of confidence in Ji Yuan.

"You are not a demon; you are simply Zhuang Ze. If you ever experience that feeling again, and find it truly unbearable, you might try a different approach: set a rule for yourself. Transgressing the rule is wrong; adhering to it is right."

A warm sensation spread through Aze's body, releasing him from the fear. Unsure if he had fully understood, he nonetheless nodded quickly at Ji Yuan.

"Let's go, don't overthink this. We'll go to the Underworld tonight."

As he spoke, Ji Yuan quickened his pace. Jin Xiu and Aze followed closely, while Aze continuously mumbled to himself.

"Set a rule: transgressing it is wrong, adhering to it is right..."

Although Ji Yuan looked straight ahead, his peripheral vision remained fixed on Aze, and his mystic eyes were even fully open.

The young man's current fixations, besides the desire to resurrect his murdered family, also included hatred. But his family was gone. This trip to the Underworld would likely ease the young man's longing and bring him some resolution.

However, the demonic thoughts the young man harbored did not stem solely from the disaster in his homeland. Demonic nature is almost impossible to eradicate, for as it is said, all demons possess a fixation—no matter how chaotic, irrational, cunning, or evil they may be. Ji Yuan attempted to guide Zhuang Ze, understanding that while demonic nature might be unavoidable, the nature of one's fixations could still be influenced.

As they passed the northern foot of the mountain, the three noticed several tents and the wary campers within them. They did not stop but walked straight through, heading towards the desolate plains in the direction of the distant Beiling Commandery City.

In less than half an hour, the three saw Beiling Commandery City. Its gates were tightly locked, but this posed no challenge for Ji Yuan, and soon they were walking on the city's streets.

Beiling Commandery City was utterly deserted at night; the streets were empty. The night wind carried a rumbling sound, caused by a broken bamboo basket rolling along the street.

All the way to the City God Temple, the three saw neither night watchmen nor patrolling officers. It was unclear if this was due to luck or if the city simply no longer had night patrols. On the other hand, Ji Yuan was not surprised by the absence of the Underworld's night patrols. Given that the Nine Peaks Grotto-heaven was free of evil spirits, the patrol density would naturally be low. When it came to laziness, both humans and ghosts shared a common trait.

As Aze and Jin Xiu followed Ji Yuan, they noticed it seemed to be getting progressively darker ahead, yet visibility remained unchanged. A chilling, eerie sensation gradually intensified. All these strange occurrences indicated that they were nearing the Underworld.

As they moved forward, the City God Temple ahead grew increasingly blurry. When Aze and Jin Xiu could see clearly again, they were surprised to find a city pass separating them from the temple. In front of the pass, scattered ghostly officers and soldiers stood guard, looking eerie and terrifying.

Ji Yuan frowned. This level of defense was significantly weaker than that of the Underworld in the outer realms.

"Halt! This is a vital area of the Underworld. What wandering soul dares to trespass?"

Clearly, the ghost officers had mistaken Ji Yuan and the others for wandering souls. But Ji Yuan's unwavering steps made the officers wary. They then noticed that these individuals bore no ghostly aura, nor did they resemble mortals whose souls wandered in dreams.

"Sirs, are you perhaps celestial immortals?"

A ghost officer cautiously inquired. Ji Yuan, who had just reached them, nodded and spoke as he produced a token.

"We are from Nine Peaks Mountain. This is our token. Please, officials of the Underworld, grant us passage."

The Nine Peaks Mountain token Ji Yuan handed over was inscribed with "Five Thunders Obey My Command." The ghost officer instinctively reached out for it, but as soon as his fingertips touched the token, a burst of electric light erupted.

"Sizz..."

"Ouch! Sss..."

The ghost officer, startled, recoiled his hand, grimacing and rubbing his fingers.

"Immortal Elder, please wait. I will go report this immediately, right away!"

"Very well, thank you for your trouble."

Ji Yuan nodded, watching the ghost officer depart, his expression unreadable. His peripheral vision swept over the token in his hand, where the words "Five Thunders Obey My Command" faintly glowed with immortal light. He felt a slight doubt in his heart.

It was only natural for the gods and spirits in this Underworld to revere the sect master of Nine Peaks Mountain. However, for a legitimate ghost officer to be unable to even hold this token surprised Ji Yuan somewhat.

Soon after, a judge from the Underworld hurried to the Gate of Ghosts. As soon as he reached the gate, he bowed deeply to Ji Yuan and the two others.

"This humble judge greets the three immortal elders. Please, enter quickly, quickly enter! Whatever the immortal elders command, this Underworld will carry out with all its might!"

Ji Yuan's gaze swept behind him; the City God hadn't arrived. However, he didn't care about formalities or prestige; as long as someone could facilitate matters, that was fine.

"Indeed, there is something I need your help with, Judge. Please investigate the area south of the mountains..."

Ji Yuan explained the matter clearly, and the judge nodded repeatedly before directly leading the three towards the Underworld's Ghost City. As they walked slowly behind him, the judge had already sent a ghost officer ahead to find Aze's relatives in the Ghost City.

Upon entering the Underworld, both Aze and Jin Xiu appeared somewhat nervous. Aze felt fear mixed with anticipation, while Jin Xiu worried the Ghost City would be a terrifying place teeming with evil spirits. However, upon entering, they found it not much different from cities in the mortal realm; in fact, it was even a bit livelier, with people walking about. The atmosphere felt more like an overcast day than pitch-black darkness.

"Immortal Elder, please. We have found the souls of those families from south of the mountains."

Stepping out of the Ghost City's livelier areas, they found themselves in a desolate corner where oddly shaped mud-brick houses, resembling enormous tombs, stood. A ghost officer was stationed nearby, and behind him, a dozen or so ragged figures stood timidly.

"Mother! Grandpa! Father!"

Upon seeing those "people," Aze couldn't suppress the excitement in his heart. Crying out, he rushed forward and threw himself into his relatives' arms. The touch was icy cold, yet his eyes were brimming with hot tears.

"Aze! It's truly you!" "Aze, darling! Let Mother see if you've grown thin!"

"It really is Aze, a living person! Aze is alive!"

"Oh, you rascal, you barely escaped with your life! What are you doing coming to the Underworld?"

Aze's grandfather, exasperated, wondered how it could possibly be a good thing for a living person to come to the Underworld.

"It's alright, Grandpa, I came with an immortal. I even entered Qingtian Mountain and ascended to the Celestial Realm!"

"You..."

Zhuang Ze's grandfather was both angry and relieved: angry that he knew the dangers of Qingtian Mountain, yet relieved that the outcome was not bad after all. He then belatedly realized that the immortal was standing right beside them. Looking up at Ji Yuan, he vaguely felt that the man appeared remarkably clear and pure, even within the Underworld.

"Thank you, Immortal Elder, for protecting our Aze! Thank you, Immortal Elder!"

"Thank you, Immortal Elder!" "Thank you, Immortal Elder!"

Several souls bowed their hands in thanks simultaneously.

"No need for such formalities. Take this time to speak with each other; we won't be staying too long."

After Ji Yuan nodded, he said nothing more. Meanwhile, other souls nearby approached, asking Aze about the well-being of their own children; these were the other individuals who had been buried.

Aze cried and laughed there, and watching him, Jin Xiu felt both comforted and a little sad. Even cultivators had emotions, and this reminded her of her own family, who had long since turned to dust, their souls dispersed.

The judge, stroking his beard, watched. He occasionally turned his head and found Ji Yuan looking at him. In Ji Yuan's calm, unperturbed, aged eyes, it was as if a bright moon was rising over a tranquil lake.

"Judge, the City God here seems quite busy, doesn't he?"