She couldn't remember how she had died.
Whether she had been beheaded in the marketplace or had passed away in her sickbed...She simply couldn't recall.
Four Yin Cha grabbed the iron chains tied around her and she was involuntarily dragged forward, floating and drifting.
Above and below, countless ghostly fires streamed by, occasionally landing on the red spider lilies by the path, instantly igniting half-human-high green flames. The jade-green fire against the red flowers was exceptionally bewitching.
Along the path, there were countless other trails, and many newly deceased people in white were being pulled forward by the Yin Cha. Some cried, some laughed, and others murmured something to themselves. But no matter how much they regretted their deaths, the silent atmosphere would consume all their emotions.
In the end, they could only move forward silently, in turn, and pass through the distant gates of Yidu.
The Yin Cha leading her stopped, waiting for admission.
She lazily lifted her eyes to look around, at the grey sky, the wandering ghostly fires, and the blood-red red spider lilies. The flowers were like dragon claws, enchanting yet somewhat ferocious.
While she was staring blankly, she heard several Yin Cha behind her say, "Now, who knows how long we'll have to wait. A few of the new ghosts are making quite a racket. We might as well give them some Forget River water now. They'll have to drink it when it's time for reincarnation anyway."
Forget River? She turned around, only to see a Yin Cha take out a pitch-black jar from his bosom, approach the path, push aside the red flowers, and indeed, a clear stream was revealed.
She couldn't describe the color of the water; it was dazzling, containing an indistinguishable myriad of things.
The Yin Cha scooped up a jarful, came over, pried open the mouth of a new ghost, and regardless of his cries and shouts, forcefully poured it down. The ghost initially cried loudly, but gradually stopped moving and a blank, vacant expression spread across his face, like that of a newborn baby.
After administering it to a few ghosts, the crying gradually ceased. Seeing some water still left in the jar, she couldn't help but reach out her hand.
"Let me have a look," she said.
The Yin Cha looked her up and down and sneered, "How bold you are to command your lord. Try saying that again."
She simply stretched out her hand, "Let me have a look."
The Yin Cha said nothing more, raised his hand to swing a club at her, but was hurriedly stopped by the Yin Cha escorting her.
"Stop! Do you know who she is?! Do not act recklessly!"
The defiant Yin Cha sneered, "I'd like to know who she is! If she were some noble star official, why would she be bound with a soul-locking chain?"
The other Yin Cha dragged him aside and whispered, "It's only because the death does not conform to the laws; otherwise, who would dare to bind her? If her sense of self were awakened, she would already have annihilated your soul. Even Emperor Hou Tu holds her in fear, let alone you?"
That Yin Cha was startled, and upon taking a closer look at her, he found her graceful and beautiful, but with a blank expression, occasionally showing a hint of ferocity in her brows, which was indeed somewhat odd.
Seeing that she was still reaching out for the jar, he had no choice but to obediently hand it over.
She discarded the lid and hastily plunged her hand in to fish out something. The first thing she grasped was a fragment, a memory from someone else's life.
Fishing again, she found memories of a demon, of burning, killing, plundering, and evildoing, eventually beheaded in the marketplace.
As she continued, she came upon memories of a lonely palace maid who faced the full blossoming trees alone, ending her life in melancholy.
After several attempts, she found none of the memories to be joyful; they were all either entangled in illness or lived in solitude.
She felt these fragments were both familiar and alien. She wanted to know how she had died and what she had done in life, but for some reason, she just couldn't remember.
The Yin Cha, seeing her vaguely understanding yet not, felt uneasy. This person was naturally clever and willfully eccentric; if she discovered something at this moment, it would be challenging to deal with. So, they feigned a smile and suggested, "Miss, we're about to enter the gate. Perhaps, after the Judge makes his judgment in the Book of Life and Death inside, you can look then?"
She obediently nodded her head, returning the wine jar to the man. The four Yin Cha carried her, floating and flitting through the air, and in the blink of an eye they arrived in front of the towering and magnificent gates of Yidu.
Two huge, dark and strange deities stood at the gates. Upon seeing them, the deities stopped them.
"Show your pass."
The Yin Cha hastily took out the vermillion-red pass, which had her name and major events of her life written on it. The strange deities cast a brief glance, their expressions changing slightly as they took a careful look at her. She, however, knew nothing of this, simply lowering her head to play with her sash.
"Hasn't her wisdom awakened yet? How could you have brought her here?" the deities whispered.
The Yin Cha shook their heads and put their hands on their necks, giving a gentle push. The deities instantly understood, looked at her apprehensively, then stepped aside, saying, "Please enter."
The Yin Cha carried the heavy soul-locking chains and pulled her inside. Within the city, pavilions and multi-storied buildings were everywhere, no different from the human world except that all the residents were Yin Cha. Occasionally, an old ghost would help out by running a tea house—all souls who hadn't gone through reincarnation.
She felt everything was very novel. Looking here and there, she had even forgotten about the Forget River Water.
She was led to a grand pavilion, its green tiles layered like the spreading wings of a phoenix. Over it, auspicious clouds enshrouded the place, with crimson-tinted eaves and towering emerald tiers—truly a magnificent scene not seen in the mortal realm.
"Miss, please enter." The Yin Cha respectfully invited her in, two of them unlocking the iron chains around her waist, then going ahead to report back to the Judge. The other two stayed to guard her, waiting in the main hall.
A green-faced, fierce-toothed little ghost hurriedly brought tea. She found the growth on the little ghost's head quite curious and reached out to touch it. The little ghost turned pale with fright, bursting into tears and crying out continuously, "Mercy, mercy!"
The Yin Cha quickly dismissed the little ghost and forced a smile, saying, "Please don't take offense, Miss. He's new to the job and has not seen much of the world. Please let him off just this once."
She obediently nodded and added, "I just thought the growth on his head was interesting. Can't I touch it?"
The Yin Cha could only smile wryly, thinking to themselves: You're the bane of all ghosts. Who would dare let you touch even a finger?
Then there was silence in the room. Meanwhile, the two Yin Cha who had gone to report, had handed the official document and the red card to the Judge. The bearded Judge pondered for a long while, at a loss for words.
After some time, he asked gravely, "How did you manage to shackle her and bring her here?"
The Yin Cha replied, "Since she was a human, naturally it was after death that we shackled her soul."
"Fools," the Judge frowned. "Who's asking you that? Don't I know that she was born human in her last life?"
The Yin Cha hurriedly laughed and said, "Your Excellency is wise. We were confused. According to the rules, we shouldn't use the soul-locking chain on her, but she took her own life in the human world, and if we didn't shackle her, we would be violating the laws. Fortunately, her mind had not awakened, and she was confused, so she obediently followed us to hell. However, now we must ask Your Excellency, which path of reincarnation should she enter this time?"
The Judge stroked his beard and contemplated for a long while before replying, "She took her own life... It seems she still hasn't found the Dao. Her malevolent energy is too strong and needs more tempering. This time, let her go back the same way. Subject her to more trials and tribulations until she attains enlightenment. If she still lacks wisdom and continues to take her own life... tell them, next time she should be thrown into the Hell Path to perish on her own accord!"
The Yin Cha took the order and was about to leave to pass the message when they heard a voice from behind the screen where the Judge was sitting, saying, "Wait."
The Yin Cha and the Judge hurriedly turned and knelt down, saying, "We pay our respects to Emperor Hou Tu."
The voice, ambiguous between male and female, said, "After pondering for a while, I feel that suffering might not lead to enlightenment. Her character is inherently unruly and eccentric, and if pressed constantly, I'm afraid her evil spirit will only grow stronger."
The Judge bowed and said, "May I ask what the Emperor suggests?"
From behind the screen, Hou Tu said, "In her past lives, she was subjected to much suffering, but the result was that her malevolence did not dissipate, and her mind remained unenlightened; this may not be the best approach. It might be better to soothe her with refined music and comfort, to touch her heart first, and then allow her to enter the path of the Heavenly Dao for cultivation. That would be the best method."
The Judge seemed hesitant, "She took her own life in this life; to enter the path of the Heavenly Dao might be difficult... Besides, the path of cultivation is full of hardships, with few ever succeeding. If she fails, it might just squander Your Majesty's kindness."
Hou Tu pondered for a while before saying, "For now, just keep her in hell and teach her with books on cultivation and character nourishment. After some time, we will see which path she should enter."
"Your servant obeys the decree."
The Yin Cha received the edict and came out, only to find her unable to sit still, looking around and touching everything in the hall, infinitely curious about everything. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Having to keep this disaster star in hell, they would surely have something to fear in the future.
With a forced smile, he approached and said, "Congratulations, Miss, Emperor Hou Tu has decreed that you should stay in hell for now, to enjoy some leisurely time, before discussing reincarnation."
She seemed to understand but also not, staring at him blankly. The Yin Cha sighed internally and with a placating smile said, "That means... Miss gets to play in hell for a few days, read some books, take walks, and when the time comes, we'll send you off to be reincarnated."
She nodded, her hand touching the Nine Heavenly Mysterious Women Painting hanging on the wall, and said, "I like it here, I'll just stay here."
The Yin Cha had no choice but to nod, "Since Miss likes it here, it's our fortune."
He turned to instruct a little ghost to clean the guest room on the second floor, then turned back and said, "Miss, there's another piece of good news. The Emperor, taking pity on your muddled senses and forgotten worldly affairs, has granted you a name."
She was bewildered, cluelessly wondering what was going on, when the Yin Cha beside her gently pulled her to bend over, instructing, "When the Emperor grants you a name, you must kneel to receive it."
Yet she didn't kneel, just stared at the Yin Cha who, having no alternative, said, "The Emperor bestows upon you the name Xuanji. From now on, those who call Xuanji shall be referring to you, Miss."
She nodded blankly, then turned to see the little ghost coming down from upstairs and with a giggle began to grab the lump on the top of its head, triggering a cacophony of ghostly wails and howls.
And so, Xuanji came to stay in hell in her confusion. Officially, she was supposed to assist the Judge with odd jobs, serving tea and water, but truly, how many dare give her orders? She was left to wander around Yidu all day, with everyone just praying she wouldn't cause trouble— that would be a blessing.
Every day when the Judge had free time, he would bring her books about cultivation and the principles of the world, and thankfully she was literate. With high aptitude, she often extrapolated from one piece of knowledge to make broader connections, much to everyone's astonishment.
As time passed, the Judge couldn't help but admire Emperor Hou Tu's wisdom. If the soul, in its initial confusion, had been directly made to reincarnate, she would have made mistakes again and again unwittingly, not even knowing where she went wrong. Now, having read extensively and developed a strong interest in cultivation, she had shed her previous dullness, revealing the cleverness inherent in her talent.
She was like a stubborn stone initially fished out from the bottom of a river, its features entirely blurred and without any spiritual awareness. Now, with the teaching of worldly principles and stories of Immortals and sages, and careful sculpting, her latent elegance and spirit began to emerge.
But there was one problematic thing.
She was lazy, extraordinarily lazy, so lazy it angered the heavens and infuriated the people.
She would always lie down if possible, never sitting up, avoiding thought and reflection if she could help it. She spent her days sitting by the Forget River, zoning out, occasionally grabbing a handful to look at and smell, before carelessly tossing them back.
Everyone knew what she was searching for, but no one dared tell her that Emperor Hou Tu had taken all her past life memories. He wanted her to sever all past malice, to start anew and be reborn.
On this day, the Judge had been searching for her for half the day, but to no avail. He summoned the Yin Cha who was watching over her, and was told Xuanji had been by the Forget River's edge looking at flowers, motionless all afternoon.
He felt a surge of irritation and took a book to the riverbank to find her, planning to reprimand her properly. After months together, a kind of mentor-disciple bond had formed between them; she was eager to learn and smart, which relaxed the Judge's initially guarded heart. He truly began to treat her as his student. No teacher in the world wouldn't feel annoyed by a student's indolence.
Stepping outside the gates of Yidu, he indeed saw a solitary figure in thin white, sitting by the Forget River. He approached quietly but saw her staring intently at the fiery red spider lilies on the riverbank, her eyes fixated and contemplative.
Just as he was about to call her, Xuanji spoke without turning, "Teacher."
The Judge sighed and sat down beside her, watching the blood-red red spider lilies with her. After a while, he asked, "What are you looking at?"
In a detached tone, she said, "That color. I have a very familiar feeling, as if it's something I should have seen often, but I can't remember."
Alarmed in his heart, the Judge replied, "The past life is over; don't bother yourself with these mundane matters, as it goes against the teachings I have imparted to you."
Xuanji hummed, "That's true, Teacher is always right. I have always found what you say to be very logical. Although I understand these principles well, I don't know why, but I feel like they are very distant and hard to achieve."
"Oh? Which things do you find hard to achieve?"
"You told me to cultivate my character and not focus on mundane past matters, nor indulge in wishful thoughts about the future. Those things can lead to obsession, impure hearts, and hinder one's path to cultivation. Being tainted by the six senses, one cannot see beyond physical form and can easily become mired in sensual pleasures."
She plucked a red spider lily, crushed it in her hand, and the bright red juice flowed down her slender fingers.
"But, once you have a heart, it yearns to think. Eyes are born to see, a mouth is born to speak, and ears are born to listen. If I give up all these, what exactly should I see? I don't understand what the teacher means by the 'empty and luminous state of mind' in the realm of immortals, and after becoming an immortal… do you know nothing at all?"
The Judge really hadn't expected her to ask such a tricky question, and was stunned for a long moment before saying, "Not so. The 'empty and luminous state of mind' seems to be, yet is not; it knows, yet it does not know; it understands, yet it does not understand."
"Then what exactly do they truly know?" she asked earnestly. "Once you know, can you still pretend you don't? Are the immortals happy?"
The Judge furrowed his brow. "Xuanji, you're overthinking it. Happy? Do you think happiness found in sensual pleasures is true, great joy?"
She lowered her head and softly said, "I understand the teacher's meaning. It's just that I don't comprehend it. If one should be without action and without heart, then why exist at all? I can't fathom it, I thought long and hard, and feel that I definitely can't do it. Once you have a heart, it yearns to think. To tell me not to ponder the reasons, then why have it at all? Teacher, you must be very disappointed in me."
Seeing that her eyes were clear, yet fogged with confusion, as if she half-understood, evoking a peculiar expression, the Judge grew even more alarmed. He knew all too well that she was excessively intelligent, and he feared the day she might recall all the causes and consequences, at which point, if she fell into the Asura Path and became a demon, there would be no turning back, and all the hard work of the Heavenly Emperor and Emperor Hou Tu would be in vain.
He was silent for a long while, eventually coming to a decision. Suddenly clapping his hands, he said, "I understand what you mean, Xuanji!"
Her eyes widened with urgency, and she asked with curiosity, "What do you understand, teacher?"
The Judge smiled and said, "I'll let you have a look at your past life. Just this once, no repeats."
Overcome with joy, she danced with excitement, incapable of forming words.
The Judge scooped up a handful of soil from the riverside and scattered it into the Forget River, saying, "Look slowly, don't ask about these matters again."
She hurriedly leaned in closer, only to see the surface of the Forget River undulating, its water slowly taking shape and forming into a woman clad in white. Upon seeing the woman's appearance, Xuanji was stunned.
It was herself.
And yet it was not.
She exuded a heavy murderous aura, her eyes like shattered ice, chilling to the bone. Suddenly, she executed a sword flourish, her skirt twisting with the movement; she struck something, and blood splattered over her body. Then, she finished her move, sheathed her sword, and wiped her face, leaving a trail of blood on her left cheek. She then revealed a strange smile, as though she experienced a thrill of delight.
Xuanji felt this scene was oddly familiar; that smile, that blood-stained white dress, those eyes that could crush ice and snow… She seemed to hear the familiar sound of bugles in her ears, the clashing of metal on metal, the earth-shattering cries of war. The General atop the horse, with flames surrounding his figure, appeared three-headed and six-armed.
Asura! That was the Asura Path!
She suddenly grasped a glimmer of inspiration in the darkness, about to speak out, when she was abruptly shoved hard from behind, losing her balance, and with a splash, fell into the Forget River, drinking several mouthfuls of its bitter water.
Like a cat that had fallen into water, she scrambled desperately towards the shore. As soon as her hands touched solid ground, her mind began to fade, and memories of past and future turned into mist, slowly vanishing from her heart. She looked at the Judge on the shore, dazed, something in her mind she wanted to tell him, yet she had forgotten who he was.
"You…" she murmured, "I…"
Strange, it seemed like she had forgotten something important. What was it? What exactly was it…
The Judge summoned a Yin Cha and used a soul-locking chain to haul her onto the shore, declaring loudly, "Xuanji, you have stayed in hell for over three months and your consciousness is now clear. This official shall first send you into the Reincarnation Path for rebirth. I hope in your next life you diligently pursue cultivation and soon return to the Heavenly Court."
Having said that, they carried her to the Reincarnation Path. The Yin Cha, seeing Xuanji dazed and knowing it was due to the Forget River Water, spoke cautiously, "Judge, this… in which path should Miss Xuanji be placed? Same as before, to the Asura Path?"
The Judge shook his head: "No, she's different from before, and her mind is about to be enlightened. At this critical juncture, any uncertainty could turn her into a demon. Therefore, I devised a plan to enlighten her by having her drink the Forget River Water to enter the cycle of reincarnation. She cannot return to the Asura Path, or all our efforts would be lost. Nowadays, there are many cultivators in the human world, revering immortals. Let's place her in the human path. With true devotion, the results will be certain."
The gate to the human reincarnation path was already open, blindingly luminous, impossible to gaze at directly, with myriad paths intricately interwoven within. Bathed in that light, Xuanji gradually became transparent, finally turning into a jade bead.
The Judge picked up the bead himself, entered the gate of reincarnation, and cast her into the vast mortal coil, silently praying, "If there is destiny binding us as master and disciple, we shall meet again in the Heavenly Court. Take care."
That night, a wife of the Sect Leader of Shaoyang Peak on Shouyang Mountain gave birth to twin girls, the room filled with a light so bright it seemed like daytime. The Sect Leader Zhe Lei had a dream the night before the birth, seeing jade and Linglong, with stars brilliantly shining, and thus named the two girls in succession: Linglong, Xuanji.