Chapter 62: The Black River Prison

Watching Wei Xiaoping and the Netherworld Hound disappear into the distance, Yang Zhijin slouched his arms and, together with Luo Zhifu, walked back into the guardhouse with blank faces.

“Sigh! Only the two of us are left now. I’d grown used to the days of cursing at the Netherworld Hound for fun. Now that he’s gone, life is going to be unbearably dull!” Yang Zhijin said.

“Brother Yang, don’t be like this. Let’s keep working hard. I believe that one day, King Yama will be moved by our dedication and let us cross over or reincarnate early, just like the Netherworld Hound. The Netherworld Hound has been sent by King Yama to accompany Wei Xiaoping back to the living world and assist him in battle. When Wei Xiaoping achieves greatness, I think King Yama will restore the Netherworld Hound to human form and let him return to the world of the living,” Luo Zhifu replied.

Yang Zhijin sighed, “You’re right! So, let’s focus on doing our jobs well. I believe that, eventually, King Yama will treat us like he treated the Netherworld Hound and let us cross over or reincarnate sooner!”

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In the gray half-light of the Underworld, Wei Xiaoping clung tightly to the sturdy waist of the Netherworld Hound, Old Ma, as they soared eastward, treading on empty air.

Behind them, Niu Dahua followed closely, bounding through the sky.

After about fifteen minutes, a wide, black river suddenly appeared ahead. The river’s wind howled fiercely, and its waves surged and crashed, rising dozens of meters high in a display of terrifying power.

Wei Xiaoping and the Netherworld Hound arrived at the riverbank. The black waters were crowded with countless gray, drifting human figures, rising and falling with the waves, their cries echoing mournfully—an endless chorus of sorrow and misery.

“Old Ma, did you take a wrong turn? I don’t recall coming this way before!” Wei Xiaoping called out anxiously.

The Netherworld Hound, Old Ma, replied, “General Wei, hold tightly to my chain. We have to fly over this black river! The water is wide, the waves high, and the vengeful souls within may leap out to grab us!”

“Old Ma, you can talk now? When did you suddenly start talking?” Wei Xiaoping asked in shock.

“Good question! When did we suddenly become able to speak? I don’t know either! You asked, and I just spoke. Who would have thought I’d actually be able to! Niu Dahua, you try too!” Old Ma said.

“All right, big brother!” Niu Dahua answered instinctively—and was immediately surprised and delighted. “Big brother, I can talk too! We really can speak now!”

“Let’s not talk about that for now. Old Ma, I’m pretty sure we didn’t come this way before! Are you sure we’re not lost?” Wei Xiaoping pressed.

—

Wei Xiaoping gazed at the broad black river ahead, its waves surging ten meters high. In the churning current, countless drowned souls struggled and jostled, their sorrowful wails and cries rising above the tumult.

As soon as these ghosts spotted Wei Xiaoping and his companions approaching, they fought frantically to get closer.

What are these ghosts trying to do? Why are there so many drowned souls in this black river? Why is this river so dark? In the world of the living, I’ve only ever seen yellow rivers, never black. Could it be that such black waters exist only in the Underworld? Wei Xiaoping wondered.

“We’re not lost,” Old Ma assured him. “The emissary Horse-Face, sent by King Yama, told us the way.”

“He never mentioned anything to me,” Wei Xiaoping’s spirit replied.

“He spoke to me before you and Luo Zhifu arrived! Don’t worry, General Wei, we’re on the right path. Just grip the chain around our necks. We must dash across this black river. While crossing, evil spirits or other beings may try to seize us, so hold tight to the chain to avoid falling in!”

“All right, thank you, Old Ma!” Wei Xiaoping recited an incantation, and in a flash, a chain appeared around Old Ma’s neck, winding itself into Wei Xiaoping’s hand.

Wei Xiaoping grasped the chain, gripped tightly with his legs, and shouted, “Let’s go!”

With a mighty leap, Old Ma vaulted into the air above the black river, gliding toward the far shore. Niu Dahua followed, springing after them.

The ghosts in the river, seeing Wei Xiaoping and the Netherworld Hound soaring overhead, surged forward atop the rolling waves, scrambling to reach them.

“General Wei, hold on tight. We need to move faster now. Don’t let these spirits catch you—once they latch on, it’s nearly impossible to shake them off!” Old Ma warned.

“Thank you! Old Ma, why are there so many ghosts here? And why are they grabbing at us?” Wei Xiaoping asked.

“This river is called the Black River Prison. It’s a place in the Underworld reserved for the punishment of those whose crimes in the living world were so severe that they’re barred from reincarnation or crossing over. After their deaths, the souls of these wrongdoers are judged, and if their sins are deemed too great, they’re thrown into Black River Prison by the Underworld’s Department of Punishment. Here, they’re tormented forever by the malice of one another, doomed to endless suffering,” Old Ma explained.

“If this is Black River Prison, why did King Yama have us return this way?” Wei Xiaoping asked.

—

“All souls granted the chance to return to the world of the living, whether by reincarnation or by crossing over, must pass this way. King Yama designed it so that those returning will learn from what they witness here and not commit evil again in the living world,” Old Ma replied.

As they spoke, Wei Xiaoping and Old Ma soared above Black River Prison.

Within the river, the ghosts rose with the waves, stretching out their withered hands to seize them, their cries heart-rending.

Wei Xiaoping listened closely to their wails. Some cried, “Save me! Save me!” Others shouted, “I was wronged, please help me clear my name!” Some pleaded, “Take me with you, my time in the living world isn’t over!” And some barked angrily, “This is my river, my road! If you want to pass, pay the toll!”

Wei Xiaoping thought to himself, These souls are simply inventing excuses to convince others they’re innocent, all in hopes of escaping this place.

At that moment, Old Ma sped up, running through the air and shouting, “General Wei, hold tight! There’s a group of evil spirits ahead, trying to escape. They want to grab us and hitch a ride out of here. If they get hold of you, it’ll be nearly impossible to break free! And if we were to carry them out of Black River Prison, King Yama would surely blame us!”

Niu Dahua called from behind, “The ghosts here have spent endless ages together, fighting and tormenting each other. Each has developed fearsome skills. If they catch you, escape is nearly impossible. So, General Wei, we have to do everything we can to avoid them!”

The horde of prison ghosts racing atop the black waves drew ever closer.

Wei Xiaoping watched them intently. Each was draped in a tattered gray robe, but their appearances varied: some were missing a right leg, their empty sleeves flapping in the wind; some had no arms, their sleeves hanging limp; some had gaping holes in their skulls, oozing thick black liquid; others had craters in their chests, as if struck through by some weapon; some had their eyes gouged out, the eyeballs dangling by threads of flesh outside their sockets—a terrifying sight.

In moments, the wave-riding ghosts were upon them, crowding around the Netherworld Hound and Wei Xiaoping, stretching out their withered fingers to grab at Wei Xiaoping’s robe and the hound’s legs and tail, all the while letting out mournful, chilling cries.