“Ox, how much do you have left?”

“Just a tiny bit, Horse. Are we not going to try our luck at the Crossing Immortal Gate?”

Atop the cliff outside Fengdu City, two figures lay sprawled across the rocks, their eyes gradually losing their luster as the netherworld wind rustled the soft manes on their masks.

Horse Face sighed wearily, “Ai hai hai hai… The Great Shaman won’t let us wander around the Human Dao Immortal Sect and told us not to bother Water God unless it’s important. Neigh~ Water God manages thousands of affairs daily. Without a proper reason, how can we approach?”

Ox Head picked up the clay jar beside him, peered inside carefully, and took a sniff… The intoxicating fragrance had grown so faint.

Before them lay spiritual beast delicacies from the mortal realm, but neither had the heart to light a fire.

“Ox, once we shamans taste something stronger, it’s impossible to settle for less.”

“Horse, why don’t we go help Water God inspect if those shamanic people are slacking off?”

“We probably won’t even see Water God,” Horse Face combed his lackluster mane. “We’d be better off watching for any Crossing Immortal Gate cultivators whose lifespans are about to end. We could do our proper job of collecting souls, and then pay a visit to the maker of these seasonings – Master Li Changshou from Crossing Immortal Gate!”

“Then we’ll have to wait hundreds of years for an immortal to die! Though, speaking of this…” Ox Head sat up, facing the horizon as he muttered, “Haven’t you noticed that whenever Li Changshou from Crossing Immortal Gate appears, he always has a scent similar to Water God?”

Horse Face lay with his hands behind his head. “What scent?”

Ox Head stroked his mask’s chin, mumbling, “Can’t quite describe it. Moo… but it’s not a human scent, and there’s some similarity.”

“Not human?” Horse Face is puzzled. “Then what could it be? Li Changshou’s Dao might be close to Water God’s, but they’re different. Though we’re shamans, we should be wise and capable, not relying solely on instinct. Neigh!”

Ox Head scratched his horns and nodded in agreement. “Instinct isn’t very reliable indeed… Hiss—”

“Why are you drawing in cold air for no reason?” Horse Face stretched his shapely long legs leisurely. “You’ll warm up the entire Netherworld! Neigh!”

“Horse, look over there! Isn’t that Li… Li Changshou from Crossing Immortal Gate flying this way! Master! Moo~”

“Hmm? It is the Master! Quick, tell the brothers to prepare! Give him the Water God treatment! Our seasonings have hope!”

Thus, moments later…

When Li Changshou arrived with Youqin Xuanya at the eastern fortress of Fengdu City, he couldn’t help but raise his hand to his forehead, somewhat reluctant to proceed.

Youqin Xuanya tilted her head curiously. Though they had seen many cultivators along the way, and Li Changshou had told her beforehand that the Netherworld officials were actually ‘adorable,’ this scene…

Hundreds of Netherworld officials lined up in two rows, each holding high their ceremonial banners. Several gentle Yin-cultivator maidens scattered pale white petals from the sides, while the sound of gongs and drums filled the air.

Ox Head and Horse Face stood ramrod straight on either side, their large eyes gleaming eerily through their masks!

As Li Changshou’s cloud carried him forward another hundred feet, with two swift movements, Ox Head and Horse Face left behind several afterimages and appeared directly before Li Changshou and Youqin Xuanya.

Their speed was so great that even Youqin Xuanya, in the True Immortal realm, had no time to react…

When she came to her senses and turned her head, she saw these two infamous soul-collecting agents of the Netherworld standing before Senior Brother Changshou.

The soul collector with the horse head was combing his sleek mane with a stone comb, while the other crossed his arms. Both revealed rows of gleaming white teeth as they began to… snicker.

Clang!

The Fire Scale Sword Case opened a few inches but was promptly pressed back by Li Changshou.

Ox Head asked, “Friend Changshou, what brings you to the Netherworld? Moo~”

“I’d like to request a small favor from you two,” Li Changshou smiled with narrowed eyes, showing respect as he took out two treasure pouches from his sleeve and handed them to the two shamans.

Li Changshou smiled, “Please accept these.”

Excited hearts! Trembling hands!

Ox Head and Horse Face nearly burst into tears as they slowly accepted the pouches, opened them for a look, and were immediately overwhelmed with emotion.

“Master! No, friend, the Netherworld truly needs talents like you! Moo~”

“Whatever the favor, consider it done! Neigh!”

“You two, it’s like this,” Li Changshou took out two soul-capturing pearls. “Please look.”

Ox Head and Horse Face instantly became serious, carefully putting away the seasonings before frowning.

“Karmic sins? Such heavy karmic sins, yet such a weak soul…”

Ox Head muttered, “Is this the ruler of a human kingdom in the Southern Continent?”

“Indeed,” Li Changshou smiled. “Is there a way?”

“This is truly difficult,” Horse Face said solemnly. “Such karmic sins cannot be ignored, nor can they be offset by merit. They can only be thrown into the Eighteen Layers of Hell to wear away their sins through suffering before continuing the cycle of reincarnation. Otherwise, the only option is to let the soul shatter and the true spirit reincarnates, completely severing ties with the previous life.”

As he spoke, Horse Face had already taken out the treasure pouch he had just put away, preparing to return it to Li Changshou…

“Hey!”

Ox Head waved his large hand, blocking Horse Face’s pouch from being returned, and smiled, “Actually, this isn’t completely impossible, it’s just rather troublesome…”

Li Changshou smiled with narrowed eyes and took out two more treasure pouches, handing them to the two Netherworld officials.

“Then I’ll have to trouble you both.”

“This won’t do! Ah! This won’t… Well, looking at this… We can work something out.”

Ox Head held the pouch in his hand and stuffed Horse Face’s portion into his arms before speaking seriously:

“But one thing – the suffering of the Eighteen Layers of Hell cannot be avoided, or the order of Heaven and Earth would be chaos. We can only help by letting them suffer a bit less. Later, whichever layer of Hell they’re sentenced to, we’ll arrange for them to be placed in a corner position. Friend, would this work?”

Li Changshou glanced at Youqin Xuanya and found her frowning in thought;

She seemed resistant to such matters but hadn’t immediately stood up to denounce it for righteousness’ sake.

Had the poison’s potency truly weakened!?

Li Changshou felt oddly moved and transmitted his voice: “Junior Sister Youqin, let me handle this matter, don’t say anything.”

“Mm,” Youqin Xuanya nodded in agreement.

Li Changshou stepped forward and whispered with Ox Head and Horse Face, taking the opportunity to inquire about various details of the Eighteen Layers of Hell and learn why they were hesitant to take on this task.

These mortal kingdom rulers would often live for hundreds of extra years using life-extending pills. Upon their death, they would frequently find one or two trusted cultivators to bring their souls to the Netherworld, hoping to arrange their next life.

However, when it came to these mortal ’emperors,’ the Netherworld would completely abandon their usual cordial and accommodating manner, refusing firmly and seriously.

Ox Head explained:

“Years ago, such a thing happened, and it directly invited Heaven’s punishment. The bribed Netherworld officials and the judge who wrote the verdict were struck into fragments, without even a trace of true spirit remaining. These rulers of mortal kingdoms all carry residual destiny. When they arbitrarily extend their own lives, it’s equivalent to opposing the Heavenly Dao… That’s why we can only cast them into the Eighteen Layers of Hell. However, suffering a bit less is permissible, within the bounds of Heaven’s laws.”

Li Changshou nodded slowly and asked Youqin Xuanya, “Junior Sister, what do you think of this?”

“You’ve already troubled the Netherworld officials greatly,” Youqin Xuanya clasped her hands and bowed. “Thank you, Senior Brother, and thank you, honored envoys.”

“No need for such formality, neigh!”

Li Changshou looked at Ox Head and Horse Face, then said, “Though they must enter the Eighteen Layers of Hell, could you be lenient enough to let us watch from the side? It would allow my Junior Sister to accompany her father on his final journey, completely sever her mortal ties, and fulfill her filial duty.”

“That can be arranged,” Ox Head agreed, then added uneasily, “However, we can only help this much, yet we’ve received such generous rewards from you… Please don’t mention this matter to Water God.”

“Rest assured,” Li Changshou patted his chest, “I absolutely won’t speak of this to Water God!”

Only then did Ox Head and Horse Face relax, their eyebrows rising with joy as they looked at their newly acquired seasonings. They led the two Crossing Immortal Gate disciples to Fengdu City.

Ox Head and Horse Face already held some status among the shamanic tribe, and in recent years, they had grown particularly valued by the Netherworld due to their close relationship with Heaven’s Water God. For these two popular Netherworld officials to arrange for a mortal kingdom’s ruler to suffer less in the Eighteen Layers of Hell was no issue—just a matter of saying the word.

When Li Changshou released the dozens of guard souls from the other soul-capturing pearl…

Perhaps feeling guilty about receiving so many seasonings, Ox Head and Horse Face showed exceptional enthusiasm, even going a bit overboard. They immediately summoned a large group of Netherworld officials to arrange reincarnation for these normal souls into good families.

Ox Head even eagerly asked the guards if they had any special requests, such as if they found being a man too tiring in this life, they could be changed to women in the next life through the Book of Life and Death.

True spirits were undefined by nature.

Li Changshou blinked, thinking that the Jade Emperor’s future reincarnation trials seemed to have gained some new options!

He could arrange some new experiences for His Majesty the Jade Emperor.

Ahem, back to serious matters.

Today’s apparent focus was handling the old king’s soul.

Li Changshou led Youqin Xuanya to follow behind Ox Head and Horse Face, secretly entering King Yama’s hall. Soon, Youqin Xuanya’s father’s soul was brought before a Great Judge…

Ox Head and Horse Face immediately went up to whisper a few words, and the Great Judge glanced at Li Changshou in the corner, calmly nodding.

“Since a disciple of the Human Dao Immortal Sect and Water God’s valued junior has made a request, we can spare the three frights and five terrors.”

The originally raised judge’s tablet fell gently, and the Great Judge withdrew his imposing pressure, announcing clearly:

“Lesser and greater ghosts, withdraw. The ruler of Hong Lin Kingdom below the court, raise your head. Guards, verify his identity…”

The court proceedings continued methodically, and the Great Judge soon received a scroll and began listing the past life sins of the brocade-robed elder kneeling below…

Before long, Youqin Xuanya pressed her lips together and frowned, watching her father with only helplessness and shame in her eyes.

This ruler had truly committed every karmic sin possible for a monarch…

Li Changshou listened for a while from the side, shaking his head while continuing to probe various areas with his immortal sense.

He hadn’t come here as a Human Dao disciple purely for Youqin Xuanya’s elderly father.

Nowadays, when visiting the Netherworld as Water God, he can no longer see Fengdu City’s various issues;

Whenever the Water God appeared in the realm of darkness, the Netherworld officials would clear Fengdu City’s streets, as if preparing for a superior’s inspection, concealing any minor problems.

These hidden messages were quite important to Li Changshou, being crucial for his upcoming ‘Netherworld Reform’ plan.

Li Changshou deduced that the Netherworld must hold great merit, but unlike the Dragon Clan, whose loyalty to the Heavenly Court overcame numerous obstacles—their initial attitude remarkably similar to Pan Jinlian being matched with Wu Dalang—the Netherworld’s attitude toward the Heavenly Court was more like Pan Jinlian actively opening her window and throwing a club at passing Official Ximen below…

Full of initiative.

After long contemplation and calculation, Li Changshou discovered that the Netherworld’s merit must be hidden within its various existing problems.

One needed eyes skilled at finding problems, gathering all the Netherworld’s minor issues together to form major ones.

Speaking of which, Old Man Zhao hadn’t returned, and it was unknown how his discussion with Golden Light Holy Mother was progressing.

Li Changshou temporarily set this matter aside in his heart, leaving a paper avatar waiting in the Sea God Temple’s back hall, which wouldn’t delay Old Man Zhao’s matter.

Perhaps when Gongming spoke of breaking up with Golden Light, they remembered each other’s good qualities and decided to try again…

That wasn’t impossible.

The Great Judge finished listing Youqin Xuanya’s father’s crimes and passed judgment according to normal procedure, sentencing her father to suffer in the Eighteen Layers of Hell for three thousand years before being allowed to reincarnate.

Next, ghost officials escorted the old king’s soul toward the Reincarnation Immortal Island; Ox Head and Horse Face led Li Changshou and Youqin Xuanya, following at a distance.

This time they didn’t go before the Six Paths Reincarnation Plate, but arrived at the edge of the Reincarnation Immortal Island, reaching a dark red cliff.

Two black lights flew up from below the cliff, transforming into two pitch-black chains;

The ghost officials caught these chains and locked them to the Hong Lin Kingdom old king’s wrists, then looked toward Ox Head and Horse Face.

“Moo!”

Ox Head said, “Speak a few more words.”

“Thank you,” Youqin Xuanya responded softly, kneeling before the old king without another word.

The old king’s throat made several trembling sounds, only now seeing Li Changshou and Youqin Xuanya who had been following behind;

He instinctively wanted to beg for help but didn’t speak out, only looking at Li Changshou, nodding to him before turning around voluntarily and spreading his arms.

The iron chains slowly slid down, producing a harsh scraping sound as the old king’s figure was pulled into the endless abyss.

Piercing wails arose from below, as if a door had been opened and quickly closed, and the cliffside fell silent once more.

The deep wind carried distant sobbing, as Li Changshou stood with his hands behind his back beside Youqin Xuanya, who remained prostrate on the ground in silence.

After a while, Li Changshou spoke:

“Xuanya, let’s return…”

Ding-a-ling—

The clear sound of wind chimes reached his ears, and Li Changshou’s vision suddenly blurred as an image arose in his mind:

A mirror-smooth lake surface surrounded by white mist;

A woman in a black gauze dress lay on the lake’s surface, her skin as white as jade, and looking carefully, her ankles, wrists, neck, and waist were all bound by fine silver chains.

She wept with closed eyes for unknown reasons, tears sliding from her eye corners, her lips murmuring something Li Changshou couldn’t quite hear…

An inexplicable sadness spiraled in his heart. This paper avatar of Li Changshou was naturally unaffected, but his true body in some corner of Crossing Immortal Gate inexplicably found its eyes growing moist as he heard that weak and hoarse voice.

‘Save me.’

“Senior Brother, let’s go back.”

Youqin Xuanya’s voice sounded beside him, and Li Changshou suddenly snapped back to awareness. The scene he had witnessed instantly dissipated, but that feeling of sadness continued to spiral in his heart, unable to settle for a long time.