The Fox Spirit Sent Me to Explore the Underworld (Part Five)

The greedy underworld official Zheng De was the one who killed the ghostly widow Tian and Xie Jiaying. His previous life was already vicious, and he remained just as wicked after entering the netherworld. He recognized me and recounted his tragic death, realizing I had come to investigate the injustice done to the ghost.

Suddenly, he became hostile, grabbed my neck, and slammed me against the icy blue wall. “You’re the celestial envoy sent by the Fox Immortal sect, here to seek justice for wronged souls. Then tell me, who will vindicate my grievances? I spent a fortune to buy my post as an underworld official, just as I finally took on human form, only for you to ruin it! I’ll make you taste my true face!”

“Zheng De, let go of me! I didn’t cause your disfigurement—why take it out on me? Hurry, let me go!” I coughed as I spoke.

His true form was terrifying, gripping me tightly, smashing me against the wall. “What’s all this racket? Can’t even eat in peace?” A ghost guard appeared at the door, glaring at us fiercely.

“No, sir, you must’ve misheard. We’re just chatting with the young lady here.” Zheng De’s deceitful demeanor was just as it had been in life. Hearing him speak, I shot him a furious look.

“Nonsense! Just look at her face—she’s turning pale. Ah, this is a celestial envoy! We can’t afford to offend her.” The ghost guard walked over and smiled at me. “Miss Xie, sorry for your trouble. For your safety, we’ll have to move you to another cell.” “Cell?” I was instantly bewildered.

“I haven’t done anything wrong—why are you locking me up?” The ghost guard chuckled. “Miss Xie, we don’t know. It’s the order of the City God. We dare not disobey.”

Why would the City God imprison me? I looked at the ghost guard, pondering the question. Confused, I was led by two ghost guards to another cell.

This prison was far more frightening than any earthly jail. It was dark and damp, and the cries of injustice and suffering made my heart tremble. “Ah, brothers, how unjustly did we die! Just a sound, and we ended up here without knowing what happened.”

“We don’t even know how we died, never saw the King of the Underworld, just got dragged here by the guards.” Their sighs filled me with indignation.

“Sir, please let me go back, I still have a twelve-year-old son to raise…” He hadn’t finished before the ghost guard whipped him harshly. “Go back? Once you’re here, you can never go back!”

The man collapsed in tears, kneeling before the ghost guard. “Sir, please, have some mercy…” The guard flew into a rage and whipped him again.

This man looked just like the one I saw in my dream. I watched him, recalling the dream’s details. “Mercy? If I show mercy, who cares?” The ghost guard shouted.

“Enough talking, get inside!” “I can’t! The King of the Underworld said my lifespan isn’t over!” The ghost guard laughed cruelly, his laughter sent chills through me.

“Hahaha, the King said your lifespan’s not over? Who heard it? Who heard it? Everyone in Dead Souls City claims their lifespan isn’t up. Do we believe it? Get inside!” The guard shoved the man into the cell, but he clung to the doorframe, shouting.

“The King of the Underworld and the judge said I was only knocked unconscious, still breathing, but your errand officer dragged me here by mistake. You won’t let me return—where’s the justice?” The guard cackled wildly.

“Heh heh, I never heard the King say that! My orders are to bring you to this cell!” The ghost guard, round as a winter melon, glared at him with green eyes and laughed loudly.

He stared at the blood-soaked man. “Get inside!” He then kicked him viciously.

“Ah!” The man screamed and tumbled in. Wait, why did he fall from above? Is the cell door overhead?

As I pondered, I heard the thud as the man dropped before me. He groaned, spat blood, and fainted on the ground, making me panic.

He was the one from my dream—why did he only just arrive? My dream was two days ago, so why now? As I puzzled over this, I overheard Zheng De and the ghost guard’s conversation.

“Oh, sir, thanks for finding me a new face. Hehehe, here’s some money—not much, but…” “Alright, I’ll help you this one last time.” The guard grew impatient.

Now I understood—the underworld official’s post was bought with money. I glared at them, one grinning, the other impatient. “Zheng De, this is the last time I help you. Don’t come to me again! Take care of yourself!” The ghost guard locked the door and left.

“I thought the underworld was fair and just, but it’s all the same!” The man cried before me.

“Brother, good and evil exist in all three realms. Don’t lose hope; good people will be rewarded.” I spoke, glancing at the corrupt Zheng De next door. He was still eating the meal brought by the guard, looking smug, which enraged me.

“Zhao San’er, this cell isn’t yours. Go next door!” Another wave of trouble arrived as the guard appeared again.

“This cell isn’t mine. My lifespan isn’t over—I should go back! You dragged me here, now want me elsewhere. I saw you take his money! I’ll report you!” Zhao San’er’s words infuriated the guard, who raised his whip, shouting, “Looking for trouble, eh? Come with me!” He brandished the whip at him.

“Sir, you can’t just beat people! Even if you do, shouldn’t you ask what crime was committed?” The guard paused, then burst out laughing.

“Oh, I hadn’t noticed there’s another one here. You? Mind your own business, or I’ll whip you too!” Zheng De shook his head at the guard.

“Sir, you want to beat me? Then tell me, what crime did I commit?” The guard laughed even harder. “Crime? I don’t need a crime to beat you! Here, I’m the boss!”

“I beat whomever I want. One charge of obstructing official business is enough for you!” “This isn’t justice, it’s lawlessness!” “So what? Do you think you’ll ever leave Dead Souls City’s prison?” The guard raised his whip as he spoke.

“You won’t let me stop you, so today I’ll beat you!” He raised his whip toward me. Alas, I’d brought this suffering upon myself.

I closed my eyes, awaiting the blow. Suddenly, someone shouted, “Stop! Guli, what are you doing?” When I opened my eyes, the ghost guard who brought me stood at the door.

“Sir, please forgive me for not welcoming you.” The guard, terrified, bowed and smiled obsequiously.

“Guli, what are you doing? Why are you attacking this young lady?”

“Sir, I’m investigating here, but this girl obstructed me—” “Nonsense! She’s a weak, defenseless woman; how could she obstruct you?” The guard nodded hurriedly.

“Sir, I am innocent! I was a worker, knocked unconscious by a falling beam, dragged here by mistake. The King of the Underworld and the judge determined my lifespan wasn’t up, but this official called me a liar, beat me, and locked me here…”

“Don’t listen to him, sir! He was judged after death to be sent here…” The guard and Zhao San’er argued, confusing the official.

“Enough! Both of you, stop. The City God will settle this!” He was stern with them but gentle with me. “Miss Xie, the City God requests your presence in the hall.”

He extended his hand and escorted me out. After lingering here, I’d lost my way. Two ghost guards led me to the City God’s grand hall.

“Miss Xie, you’ve suffered!” The City God smiled warmly as he descended. He turned to the ghost guard. “Quick, bring a seat!” The guard placed a chair before me.

“Thank you, City God.” I bowed. “Sir, I have a question. If the King of the Underworld finds a soul’s lifespan is not over, how should you handle it?” The City God looked puzzled.

“Miss Xie, what do you mean? Are you saying there’s a living soul in my jurisdiction whose lifespan isn’t up?” I nodded.

The City God was instantly furious. “Is this true? Take me to see at once!” I followed him to the prison of Dead Souls City, the place that filled me with dread and confusion. The guard’s cruelty terrified me.

“Don’t! You’ll bring retribution upon yourselves!” Zhao San’er, the wronged soul, was bound in Zheng De’s cell. The winter melon-shaped guard laughed, picked up a hook, and aimed it at Zhao San’er’s face.