Regardless, since she had to seek help, she would use this thing first.
Tang Xiaomin led Yan Jue to the Yellow Springs Road deep within the Immortal Mansion Group.
Upon seeing the road, Yan Jue’s expression turned solemn.
“So, you can also see those… unclean things?”
Tang Xiaomin nodded.
“Yes, strictly speaking, neither of us truly belongs to this world.”
As Tang Xiaomin spoke, she led the way into the passage.
Red mist permeated the passage, significantly impairing visibility. Su Dan Novel Network.
Moreover, spirits were continuously entering, some being escorted by grim reapers, others proceeding alone. The scene was grim.
Tang Xiaomin and Yan Jue, however, were unperturbed.
This Yellow Springs Road led directly to the Calling Hell, a realm under the jurisdiction of the Underworld.
Much like the human world, it was divided into various regions, each governing its own territory.
The departed souls were randomly assigned to the regions governed by the Ten Yama Kings.
It was worth noting that the Ten Yama Kings belonged to much older eras. Their ideological awareness was far from that of Tang Xiaomin, a person from the 20th century.
Therefore, apart from the Underworld, which had undergone a seismic shift, other regions maintained their ancient operational models.
Tang Xiaomin activated her exclusive underworld vehicle, a Rolls-Royce Ghost, and with Yan Jue, they plunged down towards the eighteenth level of hell, deep within the Underworld.
Hell in the true world was even more terrifying than imagined.
Based on the sins committed in life, souls would be assigned to the eighteen levels of hell to receive corresponding punishments. Only after repaying their karmic debts would they be qualified to drink the Forgetfulness Water, cross the Bridge of Helplessness, and enter the cycle of reincarnation.
They alighted on the eighteenth level of hell, the Hell of Blades and Saws.
The Hell of Blades and Saws, as its name suggested, involved undergoing gruesome punishments by blades and saws.
Mangled limbs were scattered everywhere, yet their owners were nowhere to be seen. Worse still, some were sawn in half from head to toe.
The path underfoot was densely packed with severed limbs, and the distant mountains were also piled high with them.
Tang Xiaomin and Yan Jue continued forward, arriving at a mansion named Ksitigarbha Hall.
Tang Xiaomin stepped forward and knocked on the door with the iron ring.
“Senior, Tang Xiaomin has something to ask of you.”
There was no response, but the door automatically opened.
Tang Xiaomin led Yan Jue inside, finally meeting Ksitigarbha in the vast hall.
He had an ordinary appearance, wore a coarse monk’s robe, and was diligently chanting scriptures to save souls.
Ksitigarbha’s merit and virtue had long since met the conditions for Buddhahood.
However, he possessed a heart of compassion for all beings. He vowed not to attain Buddhahood until hell was empty.
Tang Xiaomin admired and respected him from the bottom of her heart.
“Senior, I apologize for the intrusion.”
Tang Xiaomin bowed her head before Ksitigarbha as a sign of respect.
Ksitigarbha paused his actions and looked at Tang Xiaomin, and then at Yan Jue beside her.
“Three days indeed make a difference; Lord Yan’s strength seems to have improved further. Congratulations.”
Yan Jue disliked being seen through; he remained silent.
Tang Xiaomin on the side explained, “Senior, the Underworld has been returned to the former Lord Yan. He is now Yan Jue, no longer Lord Yan.”
Ksitigarbha appeared surprised.
When Tang Xiaomin and Yan Jue had rebelled, they had been ruthless, throwing the Lord Yan into reincarnation and imprisonment.
“I am curious, what reason led you to abandon all that you had attained?”
“The more one experiences, the more one understands what they truly desire,” Tang Xiaomin said.
She produced the jade statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva she had brought. In the dim environment, the jade still emitted a luxurious yet restrained radiance.
“Senior, your hall is rather simple. This statue would be perfect for it. What do you think?”
Ksitigarbha looked at the jade statue, showing no outward reaction.
“You intend to bribe me with this?”
Despite his words, Tang Xiaomin saw a flicker of light in Ksitigarbha’s eyes.
He was so selfless and devoted, but no matter who it was, constantly giving without receiving any reward would naturally cause discomfort.
“Your words are too harsh, Senior. Yan Jue has some matters he wishes to discuss with you. Please do your best, regardless of whether you can resolve them. This statue is a small token of my appreciation.”
“You two discuss amongst yourselves; I will step out.”
Tang Xiaomin left, not wishing to interfere with their conversation.
Beneath Ksitigarbha’s seat was a divine beast, Di Ting, which knew everything in this world.
…
Estimating that Yan Jue would not be out anytime soon, Tang Xiaomin proceeded to the third level of hell, the Hell of Iron Trees.
Those who sowed discord among family members in life, after enduring the Hell of Tongue Cutting, were thrown into the Hell of Iron Trees.
The iron trees in this hell were covered in sharp blades.
Ghosts arriving here were impaled on the trees, their bodies pierced by the blades.
She walked up to a familiar figure and watched with leisurely interest.
Tang Yiyi also saw Tang Xiaomin, and was instantly startled.
“How is it you…”
She tried to speak, but her tongue had been removed in the Hell of Tongue Cutting, and her attempt to speak resulted only in hoarse breaths.
Tang Yiyi had died the previous winter.
It was now summer of the following year, meaning Tang Yiyi had been suffering in hell for half a year, nearly two hundred days and nights.
The reason for such prolonged torment was, of course, that Tang Xiaomin had put in a word to extend her time.
“I am here to tell you something: Tang Xu is dead.”
Upon hearing Tang Xu’s name again, Tang Yiyi became visibly agitated. Disregarding the blades piercing her body, she thrashed wildly, attempting to break free.
“You killed him, Tang Xiaomin. He is your own brother; how could you be so cruel even to him!”
Before long, Tang Yiyi managed to break free from the iron tree.
The consequence was that her body sustained even deeper gashes from the blades, and she endured immense pain throughout the process.
Having endured so much torment, Tang Yiyi was filled with regret.
She lay before Tang Xiaomin, barely breathing.
“All the mistakes were mine. I owe you, and I have repaid it. Why did you still harm Tang Xu? He was innocent. I deceived him; it was all my fault.”
Tang Yiyi wept heartbrokenly, something she hadn’t done even before facing death.
It was solely because Tang Xu had truly loved her.
Tang Xiaomin turned away, her back to Tang Yiyi.
“He indeed died saving me, or you could say I caused his death.”
Tang Yiyi’s face was filled with disbelief.
“How is that possible?”
“How could he have died saving you? You are deliberately lying to me. He loved me; he couldn’t have died saving you.”
Hearing such conceited words from Tang Yiyi, Tang Xiaomin still felt anger.
This resentment would linger endlessly. Don’t assume that your grudges would be over just because you died.
“Whether you believe it or not, Tang Xu is currently in the underworld, awaiting his chance to be reborn. Go ask him, and you’ll know.”
“What did you say? Tang Xu is in the underworld, but why hasn’t he come to find me?”