Chapter 17: The Long Road to the Underworld Has No Inn

Under the cover of night, Xiang He returned home. The couple sitting outside waiting for her looked up anxiously. When they saw Xiang He supporting a man as they approached, they were startled.

Xiang He’s clear soul silently vanished from where she stood, concealing her figure.

Mrs. Su helped Xiang Dayong stand up, her face full of confusion. “And this is…?”

“This is Mister He from the town. He fell while picking herbs in the back mountain just now. There were no houses nearby, so I brought him back for the time being.”

Both of their faces changed drastically. They hurried over to help him to the door. “Going to the back mountain at night—how dangerous that is…”

Xiang He helped him sit down and then went inside to fetch a quilt. “Tonight, sir, I’m afraid we’ll have to make do with sleeping out here.”

He Suian reached out to take it. “I’m troubling you all.”

Mrs. Su quickly waved her hands. “If you don’t mind, sir, please sleep inside the house. We don’t mind sleeping outside for a night.”

“No need, no need. I’ve already promised Miss Xiang that I’d help her watch over the field until she returns.”

The couple turned to look at Xiang He. “He girl, where are you off to again? It’s not good to run around so late at night.”

Xiang He smiled and shook her head. “It’s nothing serious. I left something behind on the back mountain. You two go ahead and sleep. I’ll be back soon.”

Before they could say anything more to stop her, Xiang He had already run off toward the path. In no time, her figure disappeared from sight.

“This girl is always in such a hurry…” Mrs. Su looked after her with concern. “Dayong, should I follow her to check?”

There was also worry in Xiang Dayong’s eyes, but he still shook his head. “She… she’ll be… fine.”

They both knew Xiang He’s abilities. She had managed to make their daughter’s spirit appear again—such a skill was no ordinary thing.

But even if she looked exactly like their daughter, she was still a young girl—there was no avoiding the worry.

Sitting nearby, He Suian quietly observed the couple’s expressions and behavior. They were clearly just simple farming folk, but Xiang He felt somewhat different from them.

After a brief pause, He Suian gently curved his lips into a soft smile. “Miss Xiang is quite skilled. She merely forgot a few things—I’m sure she’ll be back soon. Please don’t worry too much.”

Mrs. Su forced a smile. “That girl is just too restless… always running about. Sir, are you feeling cold? Would you like another quilt?”

“No need,” He Suian adjusted the corner of the quilt to keep it from slipping to the ground. “It’s quite late. You two should head in and get some rest. I’ll wait here for Miss Xiang.”

It didn’t feel right to leave him outside in the cold alone, so the couple stayed seated with him, glancing every so often toward the path.

He Suian noted the worry on their faces. His slightly narrowed eyes, though smiling, were unreadably dark.

—

Meanwhile, Xiang He had finally arrived at her destination, jogging lightly. On her left was the soul of the original Xiang He, and on her right, the ghost from earlier.

She was halfway up the mountain now, and the tiger lay right in front of them.

The spirit Xiang He gasped and pointed at the tiger’s corpse, shouting, “Big cat!”

“I can see it.”

Xiang He squatted down beside the tiger. The ground shimmered wet with blood. The beast’s eyes were shut, head tilted awkwardly. She poked its head, and seeing no response, lifted it directly. Blood pooled beneath, soaking the fur.

After checking its body temperature, she said, “Dead about two hours now.” She looked up toward the cliff above. “That’s where Mister He fell earlier, right?”

The male ghost nodded. “I heard the sounds of a fight and came to look. A few men in black were battling here. This big cat must’ve caught their scent and wandered over—then one of them slashed its throat with a single stroke.”

Xiang He happened to glance at the tiger’s neck. The sword technique was excellent—deep enough to kill, but clean without severing the head. “Lucky they didn’t stab it more. A whole pelt sells for a much better price!”

The spirit Xiang He squatted down, resting her chin in her hands. “So you want to sell it? But the people in town won’t pay such a high price…”

Their place was very remote. The only wealthy family was the Xu household in town, and trying to sell a tiger at a high price there wasn’t very likely.

Hearing this, Xiang He frowned. “Then where can I sell it for a good price? I don’t want to sell this whole tiger pelt cheaply to someone else.”

“Take it to the city to sell, isn’t that better? Although it’s a bit far to walk.”

Suddenly, Xiang He’s mind cleared. “You’re right! We’ll go sell it in the city!”

After saying this, she lifted the tiger’s paw and stood up. The male ghost, seeing her small frame, was shocked when she easily hoisted the tiger onto her back—astonished by her strength.

“Miss, you’re really strong!”

The spirit Xiang He watched in amazement as Xiang He lifted the tiger. It was the first time she saw her own body so strong. That big cat must have weighed at least a hundred jin (about 110 pounds), yet she carried it with ease…

Suddenly remembering something, the spirit Xiang He hurried to catch up. “Miss Xiang, I’ve already spoken with Father and Mother. They’re willing to give you their physical body. Please take good care of them in the future.”

Xiang He simply nodded softly. From earlier, she could tell they had truly accepted this—they wouldn’t have called her “He girl” (Xiao He) otherwise.

“I… I feel like I’m about to leave…”

Her steps faltered, and Xiang He turned to look at her. A faint light began to glow around her, her face bright and radiant, revealing white teeth in a smile. “Thank you for letting me say goodbye to Father and Mother in person.”

Xiang He returned a gentle smile. “Too bad Xiao Yang and Yun girl are still so young. If they knew you had passed, I’m afraid the whole village would hear their crying.”

“Hehe, Yun girl really does cry a lot,” she exhaled softly, relaxing. “Maybe my unfinished business is done, so I have to leave now.”

“Yes, in the next life…”

The image in Xiang He’s eyes raised a finger to her lips, tears glistening. “I don’t want to know about the next life. Your identity is extraordinary—you can’t just reveal heavenly secrets, can you?”

“What are you thinking about?” Xiang He tugged the tiger’s leg and hoisted it onto her shoulder. “I want to say, may you be safe and joyful in your next life, living a happy life.”

The other pouted, looking charming and rare as she acted coy. “Alright then, I really have to go now.”

One human and one ghost watched as she disappeared. The male ghost hid behind Xiang He, his eyes full of complex emotions, lost in thought.

Behind the spirit Xiang He, a swirling vortex appeared. The whirlpool churned with a gloomy darkness, while outside the circle, claws and fangs stretched out, searching for targets, making the scene even more desolate and eerie.

From within the vortex, a figure emerged, holding a black chain that clinked as it moved. Approaching the spirit Xiang He, it bound her hands and exhaled a cold mist that filled the air—

“The path to the Yellow Springs is long and has no inns, watch your step as you travel.”

The spirit glanced back at Xiang He once more, tears glistening in her eyes. “Miss Xiang, remember our promise.”

“Definitely.”

Watching them prepare to enter the vortex, Xiang He hurriedly called out, “Brother Ghost Messenger, please watch over her on the way. When I earn some money, I will surely offer you a reward.”

Hearing those words, the ghost official turned sideways, his pitch-black eyes unreadable. “You are a Taoist priest, it is my duty. Your offerings are not necessary.”

“Just going with the flow. You two, travel safely.”