Chapter 1019: Chapter 61: Preparations Complete, Entering the Netherworld (Part 4)
Moreover, it has been more than half a month since the teammates died. I fear they’ve long been washed far downstream, making the search very challenging!
However, as an Immortal, one naturally has Immortal ways to find people. To precisely locate someone in a place like the Netherworld, it’s best to seek assistance from the local “natives.” But ordinary ghosts won’t suffice, as the water of the Nether River has terrifying effects of washing away memories and dissolving Soul Power. Ordinary ghosts falling into it are like ice entering boiling water; they soon lose their Spiritual Wisdom and ultimately become a part of the Nether River.
What he needs to find are the Public Servants of the Netherworld, who navigate the Nether River and are responsible for retrieving and managing souls—Ghost Soldiers and Ghost Officials!
According to the book, the Netherworld is ruled by Yama, who has eighty-four thousand Ghost Soldiers and Ghost Officials under him, managing life and death, reincarnation, and the operation of the Nether River. To fish someone out of the Netherworld, it’s best to seek his help.
Speak of Cao Cao and he arrives! Xiao Jie, with sharp eyes, quickly noticed not far downstream on the turbid waters of the Nether River, a giant wooden boat, crafted entirely from some form of Yin Wood, its bow carved with a ferocious ghost head, slowly moving upstream. On that wooden boat stood dozens of Ghost Soldiers holding Nether Iron Spears and Soul Slaying Scimitars, wearing tattered standard armor, while several withered old men navigated the boat from the front and back.
There was also a Ghost Official dressed somewhat neatly, wearing a square scarf and holding a book emitting a ghostly glow.
Xiao Jie glanced up at them, his thoughts stirred, and game data instantly appeared above their heads.
Nether River Ghost Soldier: Level 44. Life Value: 2400.
Nether River Ferryman: Level 36. Life Value: 1980.
Liu Tong (Judgment Department Ghost Official): Level 48 Elite. Life Value 4800.
They appear to be Ghost Soldiers and Ghost Officials under Yama’s rule.
Xiao Jie quietly observed, and saw the Ghost Soldiers periodically use long poles with hooks and locks to drag some “fresh” or “strong” souls from the Nether River onto the boat, rudely interrogate them, then bind them with black ropes flashing runes and toss them to the stern. The stern was already tied with dozens of wandering souls, each looking dazed and ignorant, some silently crying or muttering prayers.
Some were more vigorous, cursing loudly and struggling fiercely.
Xiao Jie was puzzled: “What are they doing? Recruiting strong men? Or executing some Netherworld duty?”
But it doesn’t matter, asking directly will clarify.
He descended from the cloud, restrained his Divine Light, but the pure Immortal Spirit Qi distinct from Netherworld ghostly aura couldn’t be completely concealed. He landed directly on the bow of the ghost head wooden boat, his form solidifying.
At this, the Ghost Soldiers were scared, their soul bodies fluctuating, and they raised their Nether Iron Spears and Soul Slaying Blades in a panic, shouting with a misleading bravado:
“What ghost dares to intrude on our Netherworld law boat? Reveal your name!”
The apparent leader Ghost Official, however, had some insight. He looked up and saw Xiao Jie, though purposely restrained, still had a faint pure Divine Light surrounding him, his physique solid like a living person, his aura calm and harmonious, utterly mismatched with the deathly ghostly aura of the Netherworld, especially those eyes, shining with Divine Light when open and close, clearly a true Immortal who attained Tao Fruit!
He was shocked internally; the Immortal road has been cut off for thousands of years, an Immortal venturing into the Netherworld is indeed rare. However, earlier he’d heard seniors from the Judgment Department talk about Immortals. He knew they are difficult to provoke; encountering a reasonable one is fortunate, but encountering a domineering someone could result in disaster with one wrong move.
Especially since these Immortals move freely within the three realms, unbound by constraints, even seeking justice would be hard. Follow current novᴇls on NoveI[F]ire.net
Best to serve them well.
He quickly stepped forward to punch and kick the clueless Ghost Soldiers, and although physical harm doesn’t affect ghosts, it was a matter of attitude.
“Idiots! Blind as bats! Don’t offend the Immortal! Put away your weapons! Quickly!” The Ghost Official reprimanded while swiftly adopting a respectful, even slightly fawning expression, bowing to Xiao Jie.
“Greetings to the Immortal! May I inquire from where the esteemed Immortal’s chariot has arrived? Visiting our humble River Patrol Boat, is there anything we small ones can assist with? Please command, we shall do our utmost!”