Chapter 379: Chapter 38: Arriving in the Underworld, Slapping an Arhat

In the Nine Netherworld, the wails of ghosts echoed, yin winds gusted, and the Yellow Springs surged.

Qing He and Chen Ye were escorted at the very front, followed by a procession of souls. They were all the unlucky ones who had been swallowed whole on the shores of the North Sea. Each had possessed considerable cultivation in life, and most had been renowned Great Cultivators who dominated their own regions.

But as the Chief Judge had said, it didn’t matter who you were in life. Once you arrived in the Underworld, everyone was treated the same—be you a True Immortal or a mere mortal.

Arriving before the City of Unjust Death, Qing He and Chen Ye cautiously sized it up. The city walls soared into the clouds, and every single stone block emanated a faint, ghostly light.

The city gates were wide open, flanked by Ghost Soldiers who stood with their chests puffed out, heads held high. Each one projected an extraordinary, menacing aura, looking utterly imposing.

"You have all died violent deaths, so you will first be detained in the City of Unjust Death. After the various departments and cities have made their selections, the rest of you will cross the Bridge of Helplessness, look upon the Stone of Three Lives, and proceed to Reincarnation!"

The Chief Judge explained dispassionately before nodding to Black and White Impermanence at his side. The pair understood immediately. They released one of the souls and said with a smile:

"Brother Sun, you don’t need to enter the City of Unjust Death. We’ll see what that person from your family has to say. If it’s deemed appropriate, we can reconstruct your physical body and return you to the world of the living. If not, you can still be reincarnated with the memories of your past life..."

"Thank you." The soul with the surname Sun gave a steady bow.

"It’s nothing, nothing at all. Just a small matter..."

With that, they ordered a Ghost Soldier to respectfully escort the soul onto a Yin Palanquin, which then departed at a leisurely pace.

Chen Ye watched this, dumbfounded, and couldn’t help but ask:

"Why does he get to leave? Why doesn’t he have to enter the City of Unjust Death??"

Black and White Impermanence glanced at her, their voice full of impatience:

"Enough with the nonsense! His great-grandfather serves as an Immortal Official in the East Pole Celestial Court. If you have an Immortal Official in your family, you can leave too."

As he spoke, Black Impermanence lashed out with his whip again.

"Alright, silence!"

CRACK!

The whip cracked, and Chen Ye’s soul-form trembled violently, flickering like a candle in the wind, nearly extinguished!

She let out a mournful cry, enduring the immense pain, but a look of bewilderment appeared on her face.

’So even the legendary Underworld runs on connections.’

Just as the Chief Judge nodded, about to have them all escorted into the City of Unjust Death to await selection by the various departments and halls...

"Mercy, mercy."

A Brahma Sound echoed as a faint Buddhist light shone down. The expressions of Black and White Impermanence and the Chief Judge all changed. They turned to the side and bowed.

"Greetings, Prison Guardian Arhat."

Qing He and Chen Ye also looked over and saw an Arhat wreathed in brilliant golden light walking toward them. Wherever he went, the Ghost Qi and yin energy scrambled to flee, leaving only a pure, tranquil space beneath his feet.

"This batch of souls all had considerable cultivation in life. By order of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, I have come specifically to select two of them."

"Please, be my guest!" the Chief Judge said, quickly bowing again.

’This Prison Guardian Arhat’s cultivation might be slightly weaker than my own, but he serves that Great Bodhisattva. I cannot afford to be disrespectful.’

The Prison Guardian Arhat chanted another Buddhist mantra, then pointed.

"I will take these two souls."

Three question marks appeared above Qing He and Chen Ye’s heads. The Arhat was pointing directly at the two of them.

The Chief Judge shot the two souls a pitying glance, then waved his hand magnanimously.

"Then hand them over to the Prison Guardian Arhat... Would you like to take a few more souls with you?"

"No need." The Prison Guardian Arhat said flatly. "Qing He and Chen Ye, is it? Follow me."

Qing He and Chen Ye’s expressions flickered. ’How does this Arhat know our Daoist titles and true names?’

Before they could react, a sweep of golden light bound them and pulled them to the Prison Guardian Arhat’s side. The Arhat bowed once more to the Chief Judge and was about to turn and leave when...

Suddenly.

HUMMM!

In the far distance, the Ghost Gate swelled to a colossal size, touching the sky and standing firm on the ground, before slowly swinging open.

"That is..." The Judge, the Impermanences, the Arhat, and the souls all looked over instinctively, their expressions changing.

The pitch-black Ghost Gate opened wide, followed by the sound of synchronized marching. Celestial Soldiers wreathed in immortal energy lined up on both sides, entering the gate with ceremonial regalia.

Two columns of Celestial Soldiers and Immortal Soldiers played Immortal Music. Brocade and Silk Treasure Umbrellas twirled, Immortal Flowers bloomed, and auspicious clouds flowed forth from the ground, spreading out like a long carpet!

"This pomp and circumstance..." Black Impermanence’s face changed. "Which great personage from the Celestial Realm has graced us with their presence?"

The Prison Guardian Arhat also stopped in his tracks, gazing intently with curiosity. At his side, bound by the golden light, Qing He and Chen Ye had completely given up on the idea of escaping. They too craned their necks to look, their eyes filled with wonder.

Chen Ye mumbled softly:

"It must be a Great Immortal from the Celestial Court of legend, right? I never got to see one in life. I didn’t expect to witness such a scene after death..."

"No," Qing He said in a low voice. "With a procession like this, it might even be an Emperor personally arriving..."

Before his words had fully faded, the cry of a Divine Bird suddenly echoed across most of the Underworld.

Immediately after, under the astonished gazes of countless souls and Ghost Soldiers,

A True Phoenix flew in from behind the Ghost Gate, pulling an Emperor Chariot. The sound of its wheels rumbled like thunder, auspicious omens bobbed in the air, lotuses bloomed, and pure energy flowed!

Upon the Emperor Chariot sat a young man wearing a Bronze Mask, exuding an air of complete authority. He was flanked by a stern-looking Ancient Daoist and a child who didn’t look very old.

The two columns of the Celestial Soldier procession once again played immortal melodies. Accompanied by auspicious clouds as a carpet, auspicious omens as a backdrop, and the gentle, lingering rumble of thunder, the music soared!

"It really is an Emperor!" Black Impermanence exclaimed. "But... why have I never seen this Emperor before?"

Qing He and Chen Ye’s eyes went wide as they strained to see. It really was a legendary Emperor of the Celestial Court!

Chen Ye sighed softly.

"To be able to witness the majesty of a Celestial Court Emperor even in death... Heh, I guess dying wasn’t a total loss."

Qing He was also shaken.

"I’ve only read descriptions of Celestial Court Emperors in ancient texts, but those descriptions fall far short of this majesty... This Emperor gracing the Underworld Department with his presence must be truly extraordinary!"

The two of them had accepted their fate and were no longer afraid, so they began to converse.

And at that very moment, a tremor came from the depths of the Underworld. Ten towering figures rose into the air and strode forward in unison, their steps on the void creating a rumbling thunder!

"The Ten Halls Yama?" The already astonished Prison Guardian Arhat raised an eyebrow. Hearing this, Qing He and Chen Ye also quickly looked over.

They saw the ten towering figures arrive above the City of Unjust Death, each one occupying a section of the Celestial Vault, an immortal aura flowing from their bodies!

Then,

The Ten Halls Yama bowed in unison.

"Greetings, Profound Yellow Emperor!"

The mighty voices echoed throughout the entire Netherworld, knocking some of the souls and Ghost Soldiers off their feet. Qing He and Chen Ye also felt their ears ring and their heads spin!

The Prison Guardian Arhat’s brow furrowed, and he muttered to himself:

’Profound Yellow Emperor? Since when did the Celestial Court have such an Emperor? And to have the Ten Halls Yama receive him with such ceremony, and a True Phoenix pulling his chariot... Strange, very strange.’

Meanwhile, the Emperor Chariot drew closer. The Emperor in the Bronze Mask, seated upon it, spoke coolly:

"Oh? The decree of my enfeoffment was just issued. How did you all find out so quickly?"

King Qin Guang of the Ten Halls Yama bowed once more and said with a smile:

"We have all come to welcome you on the orders of Emperor Fengdu."

Qing He and Chen Ye looked at each other, their expressions full of shock. The former sighed in admiration:

"A True Phoenix pulling the Emperor Chariot, Immortal Soldiers as a ceremonial guard, and all the Yamas welcoming him... Now *this* is a truly great personage."

"I see." The Emperor nodded as if in understanding, then said coolly, "Lead the way... Hmm?"

The Emperor seated on the chariot frowned as if he had caught sight of something. With a mere thought, the True Phoenix immediately began pulling the chariot again, descending to the ground under countless awestruck gazes.

The Emperor Chariot drew nearer, and nearer still.

Qing He and Chen Ye stared blankly as the mysterious Emperor, dressed in ancient black robes and wearing a Bronze Mask, stepped down from the Emperor Chariot,

And then...

He started walking toward them?

In the Celestial Vault above, the Ten Halls Yama also exchanged glances. Watched by the confused Chief Judge, Black and White Impermanence, and the others,

the Profound Yellow Emperor walked up to the Prison Guardian Arhat.

"Greetings, Emperor." Although the Prison Guardian Arhat was confused, he still bowed respectfully.

"Mm."

Lu Xuan responded faintly, his gaze turning to Qing He and Chen Ye. The Ancient Daoist and Nezha also walked over at this moment.

The former was composed, but the latter was momentarily stunned upon seeing Qing He and Chen Ye.

"These are old acquaintances of mine."

Lu Xuan said calmly,

"I will be taking them with me."

Old acquaintances??

The Ten Halls Yama in the sky were astonished. Not far away, the Chief Judge and Black and White Impermanence stumbled, a chill seizing their hearts. They simultaneously shrank back, shuffled their feet, and discreetly moved behind the crowd of other souls.

The Prison Guardian Arhat, however, frowned. He hesitated for a moment, then bowed again and said, neither servile nor overbearing:

"In response to the Emperor, these two souls were specifically requested by name by the Great Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha. I’m afraid I cannot hand them over..."

SLAP!

As Qing He and Chen Ye watched in a daze, the Profound Yellow Emperor raised his hand and slapped the Prison Guardian Arhat, sending him flying. He crashed heavily against the wall of the City of Unjust Death.

Half of his face was shattered, and his Arhat Golden Body was covered in cracks, like fragile porcelain!

"Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva?"

The Profound Yellow Emperor spoke coolly,

"Tell him to come and ask me for them himself."

The Prison Guardian Arhat coughed up mouthfuls of blood. He didn’t dare say another word. He just clenched his jaw, gave a bow, and dragged his cracked body away.

"Em... Emperor!"

At this, Qing He hurriedly bowed, a hundred questions rising in his mind. Chen Ye also came to her senses and followed his example, bowing in salute. She didn’t dare to speak, her mind simply reeling in confusion.

Lu Xuan nodded. Under the watchful eyes of all, he didn’t say much, simply flicking his sleeve and drawing Qing He and Chen Ye into his sleeve-robe.

He then re-boarded the Emperor Chariot and said calmly,

"Lead the way. I wish to visit Emperor Fengdu."

The Ten Halls Yama exchanged glances, bowed, and led the way forward.

Immediately, the True Phoenix beat its wings, pulling the Emperor Chariot as it circled into the sky. The Immortal Soldiers holding the ceremonial regalia followed silently, not forgetting to play the Immortal Music, twirl the Brocade and Silk Treasure Umbrellas, conjure auspicious clouds and omens, and scatter Immortal Flower Measles.

Amid countless gazes of respect, fear, and envy, the Emperor departed in his chariot, disappearing into the depths of the Underworld.

A long while later, Black Impermanence shivered, his eyes filled with terror.

"Those two souls were actually old acquaintances of a Great Emperor..."

The Judge and White Impermanence at his side also swallowed hard, their hearts trembling. At the same time, they felt a sense of relief that the two souls hadn’t said much.

Otherwise, if a Great Emperor who warranted a personal welcome from the Ten Halls Yama himself were to become enraged...

... ... ... ...

"So, that Profound Yellow Emperor just snatched the two souls away?"

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s expression darkened.

He rose gracefully. Vast Chaos Qi flowed around his immense body, and with his every move, the Chaos Qi roiled violently, radiating menace and malevolence.

"Yes, Bodhisattva." The Prison Guardian Arhat coughed up more blood and bowed. "That Emperor is utterly unreasonable..."

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva frowned, then spoke coolly,

"Interesting. The Profound Yellow Emperor... was he just recently enfeoffed by the Celestial Court? When did such a figure emerge in the Celestial Realm? Diting, do you know of him?"

Diting, curled up at his side, shook its head, its voice raspy:

"I have never heard of him. However, I do know his divine title: ’Celestial Court Divine Emperor of the Sea and Profound Yellow’. He was indeed enfeoffed only recently."

"Is that so?" Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva lifted his eyelids, his face expressionless. "It seems I truly haven’t paid attention to outside affairs for a long time."

With that, he strode out.

"I shall go and meet this newly appointed Emperor. These two souls are of great importance; they must come into my possession."

"Bodhisattva," Diting warned, "this Emperor seems to be connected to the passing of the Medicine King Buddha. You must be careful."

"It’s fine." Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva chuckled lightly. "This is the Nine Nether."

Hearing this, Diting fell silent.

’My lord here may be a Bodhisattva, but in truth, if not for his Grand Aspiration that "as long as Hell is not empty, I will not become a Buddha,"’

’he would have long since attained the rank of a Buddha.’

’But even so, though he has not entered the Daluo realm and holds the rank of a Bodhisattva, here in the Nine Nether, his body is one with a portion of the Nine Nether’s authority. This is his home ground; he would not fear even a Daluo who came here.’

’Otherwise, the Bodhisattva would not have been able to stand on equal footing with Emperor Fengdu for so many years.’

... ... ... ...

「Elsewhere.」

"Why did he go to the Nine Nether?"

Lamp Buddha, who had just arrived at the East Sea, shook his head and gave a bitter laugh before turning and heading toward the Ghost Gate.