Chapter 2168: Meng Po

What was that apocalyptic scene about? My past life was just a shut-in keyboard warrior. I had only seen such scenes in movies, and even then, they weren't as realistic. It felt as if I had witnessed it firsthand.

The mysterious giant statue calling him an "old friend" felt like an ominous sign.

Was his past life truly just a shut-in keyboard warrior? At that moment, Black Wuchang said, "You are now the Styx Ferryman, recognized by the Underworld. These Higanban flowers will naturally have little effect on you, so there's no need to worry."

Zu An forced a smile, suppressing his doubts.

As they walked along the Yellow Springs Road, flanked by Higanban flowers, Zu An suddenly felt a sense of familiarity.

Oh, that's right! Big Manman has this Higanban pattern on her lower back. She didn't have it originally, but after she gained some "Higanban Butterfly Guidance" in the Heavenly Tomb, the pattern would appear on her lower back whenever her vital energy surged, such as when she was intimate with Zu An.

Whenever Big Manman lay prone, Zu An could clearly see that the pattern was almost identical to the Higanban flowers lining the path, though Big Manman's pattern was even more beautiful and enchanting.

Could the "Higanban Butterfly Guidance" be connected to the Underworld? A sense of foreboding rose in Zu An's heart, knowing this was no place for the living. He asked, "Brother Black, Brother White, do you know of any black butterflies related to the Higanban flowers?"

"Black butterflies?" Black Wuchang shook his head. "We've never seen them, but there was once a legend about black butterflies. However, I've never heard of anyone actually witnessing them, so it's likely just a rumor."

"What legend?"

Zu An quickly asked.

"It's..." Black Wuchang was about to answer when White Wuchang interrupted, "Brother Zu, you will learn in due time. Knowing too much about these matters now will only bring you no benefit."

Black Wuchang also seemed to come to his senses, nodding instinctively, "That's right. There's no need to know about such things now; it would only accumulate negative karma."

Zu An's curiosity intensified, but despite his repeated attempts to subtly probe, Black and White Wuchang remained evasive. He had no choice but to temporarily abandon the thought.

At that moment, he noticed the continuous mountain range in the distance and couldn't help but ask, "Sirs, what is that mountain? It feels like we've been walking for so long, yet we still can't see its end." Hearing that he had stopped inquiring about the black butterflies, Black and White Wuchang visibly relaxed. Black Wuchang replied, "That's Yin Mountain. The Underworld has only this one mountain. Yin Mountain and the River Ji are formed from the various rules of heaven and earth, and they are exceptionally sacred to us here."

"Oh, right, weren't you asking about the Flaying Hell earlier? In fact, all eighteen layers of hell are located behind Yin Mountain."

White Wuchang added.

"Behind Yin Mountain?" Zu An was somewhat shocked to learn that the eighteen layers of hell were real. However, considering he had already met Black and White Wuchang, and Ox-Head and Horse-Face, it wasn't so strange for hell to be real.

Black and White Wuchang then explained that the so-called eighteen layers of hell weren't literally eighteen levels stacked downwards. Instead, there were various hells, each designed to deal with wicked spirits according to their specific crimes.

Some of these hells often comprised a dozen or more smaller hells. For instance, the Flaying Hell was one of sixteen minor hells contained within the Great Hell of Wailing.

Among all the hells, the most agonizing was Avici Hell, also known as Abi Hell. This hell was reserved for those who had committed the most heinous crimes during their lives, crimes that ordinary hells could not adequately punish. Consequently, in Avici Hell, they were subjected to the combined torments of all other hells without a moment's respite, thus earning its name, "Avici" (meaning "interminable").

Glimpsing the towering Yin Mountain, Zu An's curiosity grew, making him want to explore it.

Gradually, the eerie red hues faded, and before he knew it, they had traversed the Yellow Springs Road.

A palace now stood before them. Zu An had seen many palaces in his time, from those of humans and demons to the Dragon Palace itself. Each possessed distinct racial characteristics, but all shared a common thread of magnificent splendor.

This palace, however, had no connection to splendor. It was entirely shrouded in a dark, somber hue. Even a distant glance sent a shiver down one's spine, likely due to the inherent dread that departed souls felt towards such a Yama King's hall.

Zu An noticed a high platform next to the palace with a mirror-like stone block on it. That must be the Sin Mirror Platform, which Black and White Wuchang had mentioned could reveal a person's good and evil deeds from their lifetime.

He wondered if he had done more good or evil in his life. He considered himself a good person, yet in the past two years, many beings had died by his hand. Moreover, he had just heard Black and White Wuchang mention that lustful and wicked individuals were also subject to specific punishments in hell. In that regard, he had not been very discreet, and strictly speaking, his sins were indeed grave.

However, he quickly composed himself. He had saved those who needed saving and loved those he cared for; he only sought a clear conscience. Why should he hesitate or fear the judgment of the Sin Mirror Platform?

With this thought, his mind instantly cleared, and his entire being seemed enveloped by wisps of Dao charm, becoming increasingly solid.

Black and White Wuchang, standing nearby, immediately exclaimed, "Brother Zu is truly extraordinary! When ordinary souls first arrive at this Main Hall of Qin Guang, they are usually terrified, many unable to even stand. Don't laugh, but when we first came here, though not quite so pathetic, we were still terribly frightened. Nothing like you, Brother, so calm and composed, even resonating with the laws of the Underworld."

They increasingly felt that their 'underworld relationship investment' was exceptionally astute. Such a colleague would undoubtedly have a boundless future in the Underworld.

Zu An offered a few humble words. Seeing Black and White Wuchang leading him aside, he couldn't help but be surprised. "Aren't we going to the Main Hall of Qin Guang?"

White Wuchang chuckled, "You're not one of those wandering spirits. Like us, you are an official deity of the Underworld. Why would you need to go to the Main Hall of Qin Guang for interrogation? We will first take you to Wangchuan to assume your post. Once you are settled and have adapted to the work, you can then find time to visit the Yama Kings of the various halls."

Zu An's heart stirred, and he seized the opportunity to ask, "In the Underworld, are the Ten Yama Kings the most powerful figures?"

"Not exactly," Black Wuchang shook his head. "Above the Ten Yama Kings are the Five Ghost Emperors, but they generally do not handle specific affairs within the Underworld."

"How should the Five Ghost Emperors be addressed?"

Zu An nodded inwardly. Indeed, high-ranking leaders often only deal with overall planning, but he had not expected there to be other beings of power above the Yama Kings.

White Wuchang's expression changed. "Brother Zu, you should know this: from now on, whether in the Underworld or elsewhere, do not casually inquire about the names of certain beings. If you utter their names without sufficient power yourself, it can often bring about immense disaster."

"Thank you for the warning, Brother White."

Zu An remembered several previous instances where this had happened to him. He hadn't realized that the Five Ghost Emperors were also such powerful beings.

Seeing that Zu An heeded his advice, White Wuchang's expression softened slightly. "Above the Five Ghost Emperors, there are two even more transcendent beings whose names cannot be directly uttered."

Zu An's heart fluttered. The Five Ghost Emperors at least had a collective title, but these two couldn't even be mentioned by name. It seemed they were far more powerful than the Five Ghost Emperors.

Then Black Wuchang said, "Brother Zu, we've developed quite a rapport during this journey. I might as well clearly explain some entities you might interact with in the Underworld. If something isn't mentioned, do not inquire about it, lest you bring trouble upon yourself."

Zu An cupped his hands and bowed, "Thank you, Brother Black, I'm all ears!"

Black Wuchang then continued, "Besides the Ten Kings' Halls, there are also the Bureau of Reincarnation, the Bureau of Judges, the Bureau of Underworld Affairs, and the Ten Great Ghost Messengers."

"The Bureau of Reincarnation is overseen by Meng Po. She manages the Bridge of Forgetfulness, and all souls destined for reincarnation must cross the Bridge of Forgetfulness and drink her Meng Po soup to erase their past life memories."

"Speaking of which, you and Meng Po share quite a connection. You are responsible for ferrying souls into the Underworld, while she is responsible for sending souls out of it."

Zu An had been nodding inwardly as he listened to the description of Meng Po, which aligned with rumors he had heard in his past life. However, upon hearing the last sentence, he instantly lost his composure.

"Wait," he thought. "That mysterious giant statue mentioned someone in Wangchuan with whom I share a great karmic connection. Could it be this Meng Po?"