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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 18: Karma Cycle
The Bald Old Man was the thief. According to Qin Ye, no matter what misfortune befell the Bald Old Man, it was well-deserved.
So what about the Dead Sister? What did she do in her life?
I looked at Big Sister.
Big Sister lowered her head, her voice barely audible, like a mosquito: "I worked at a bank and was about to retire. I... I did something bad before. I changed an elderly woman's savings of five thousand into five hundred. The old woman had poor eyesight and didn't notice at the time. Two months later, when she came to withdraw her money, it wasn't my shift, and someone else gave her five hundred from her account. The old woman fainted right there and seemed to have suffered a stroke, ending up in a Vegetative State."
Qin Ye sneered, "Have you heard of Living Beings? Although the old woman became a Vegetative State, all her resentment couldn't be released and turned into Living Beings." The Dead Sister, the Choked Sister, and the Bald Old Man all looked nervously at Qin Ye. He continued, "After becoming a Living Being, the first person she will seek out is you. She will strangle you by the Neck, causing you to choke to death."
"So that's how it is?" I realized suddenly. The Dead Sister felt immense shame and had no words to say. She silently followed behind the Bald Old Man, her previous lightness gone from her steps.
We walked in silence until we suddenly encountered a lively scene ahead.
Colorful flags fluttered in the breeze, and voices filled the air. If this weren't the Underworld, I would have thought I had stumbled upon a bustling market on Earth. I loved lively places, and seeing this scene made it hard for me to move; I immediately wanted to go take a look.
The Choked Sister smiled for the first time in ages and said, "It's so lively." Then she invited the Bald Old Man, "Shall we go take a look?" Just then, I remembered that Qin Ye was quick on his feet; he grabbed my hand tightly, and no matter how much I tried to break free, it was futile.
Qin Ye's grip was strong, like a vice that wouldn't let me move an inch.
The Choked Sister and the Bald Old Man left us behind and rushed toward the lively area, quickly blending into a large crowd performing traditional folk dances. How could I resist joining in? Just as I was playfully arguing with Qin Ye, I suddenly saw the Dead Sister being grabbed by ghostly claws; a gaping maw opened wide and swallowed her whole.
I was terrified and shivered all over. I turned to Qin Ye and said, "Go save her."
But it wasn't over yet. The Bald Old Man witnessed the Dead Sister being devoured by a malevolent spirit and was frightened out of his wits. As he stepped back in fear, he too was caught and swallowed in just a few moments.
Qin Ye remained indifferent to my pleas; his expression was cold as if he were an ant watching a tragedy unfold before him. He continued to hold onto me tightly until we were dragged far away from the bustling area into a secluded spot before finally stopping.
"Qin Uncle, I can't believe you're so heartless," I exclaimed angrily at Qin Ye.
"Stinky brat, that's Wild Ghost Village. I have no authority to interfere with the souls devouring New Soul. Besides, being consumed is a form of retribution."
"What about those souls?"
"These souls come from Evil Dog Ridge, injured and maimed by Vicious Dog. The props used in performances are tricks employed by these souls to tempt greedy mortals, then they devour the bodies that occupy New Soul, becoming complete beings with a chance to report to Yama's Hall for reincarnation."
For some reason, I suddenly thought of Qin Jian. Whatever was on my mind slipped out of my mouth: "Uncle Qin, do you have a son in the Underworld?"
"Does it matter whether I do or not?" Qin Ye's face was cold as ice. I dared not ask further, but my curiosity was overwhelming, and I couldn't help but want clarity.
"Uncle Qin, I've always been curious about someone and wanted the real answer. Qin Jian really resembles you; his looks and mannerisms are a complete replica of yours."
"Seven, some things are in the past. Let's leave this matter here. Curiosity killed the cat; you'd better think about what to do when you get back."
"Oh." I understood what Qin Ye meant; he didn't want to get involved in my affairs with Li Gui. Just like Qin Ye said, perhaps there was some entanglement between Li Gui and me in a past life that continued into this one.
Qin Ye continued, "Li Gui is evil, while you are righteous. Evil cannot triumph over good; I believe Li Gui will ultimately meet a bad end. On the fifteenth of July, the Five Ghosts Gate opens. The same principle applies: in July, which is Ghost Month, all wandering ghosts must return to Hell Gate. If any ghost is found trying to escape, a warrant will be issued for their capture. The Underworld's principle is that it’s better to wrongfully kill a thousand than let one suspicious ghost escape. So you must find your physical body before the Ghost Gate closes and return on time; otherwise, I won't be able to help you."
I appreciated the first half of Qin Ye's statement, but the latter half sent chills down my spine. If I didn't find my body in time and reclaim it, wouldn't I end up captured in the Underworld? Everything I had done would be for nothing.
Lost in thought, Qin Ye suddenly said, "We've arrived."
Hearing that we had arrived, I looked around but saw nothing unusual. Instead, I heard the sound of flowing water coming from somewhere ahead. Upon hearing the water sound, I quickened my pace and ran toward its source. According to my grandfather, once we reached Yellow Springs Road, we should find Wishing Platform; however, I saw no sign of it—only a turbulent river.
Could this be Edu City? In Edu City, the river is formed from the blood of the dead. Listening to the water churned up made me uneasy as heads and skeletons occasionally bobbed up from its depths. In the Underworld, no matter where you are, everything feels desolate—there's no vitality or dust; it's devoid of all earthly existence, as if one were trapped in a gray dream.
"This isn't Edu City; it's Yin-Yang River—a place beyond reach for both realms. Here lies unspeakable filth and abhorrent Dark Energy. However, it's safe on the boat; I've arranged for ferrying ghosts under it. Once you reach the other side of the river, you'll have entered the Underworld." Qin Ye seemed to have an insight into everything; he had seen through my thoughts several times before and did so again now. Embarrassed, I smiled awkwardly and gazed upstream.
As I looked around while pondering Qin Ye's mention of a boat—where could there possibly be one? Since this was a place beyond reach and control, how could there be a ferryman? Just as I was mulling over this mystery, something black quickly entered my line of sight. At first glance, I thought it was a person but soon realized there were no human limbs visible; upon closer inspection, it turned out to be an unmanned boat.
The boat had no sail and no operator; at least there should have been some Ghostly Enforcer rowing it. Yet it was empty—a bizarre sight as it appeared seemingly guided by some unseen command and floated gently toward me before coming to a stop right in front of me.
"Go ahead, and remember, no matter what you see or hear, don't pay any attention to it."
"I... I can't swim." I hesitated, looking at the dark, murky water that seemed bottomless. The boat rocked gently with the waves, and as I caught sight of the dark currents beneath, an inexplicable tension gripped me, causing my legs to tremble uncontrollably.
"What are you afraid of..." Qin Ye shouted from behind. With a sudden push from him, I was propelled forward. Before I could prepare myself, I lost control and leaped onto the boat with a thud.
When I turned back to look for Qin Ye, he had already vanished without a trace.
"Damn!" The boat swayed violently, and I felt dizzy—quickly dropping to my stomach, barely managing to avoid lying flat on the deck.
The boat seemed alive, gliding through the turbulent black waters as if countless hands were supporting its journey from beneath. I couldn't help but lean over the edge to see if that was true. Peering down, I caught sight of a pair of pale hands sweeping through the water.
What the hell!
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