Volume One: Arrival in the Noble Land Chapter One: Passing Through the Underworld

The mountains were verdant, adorned with patches of osmanthus-green hues. The forest held ancient trees, their roots firmly planted, casting a generous shade below. It was the height of summer, and the birds sang with joyous abandon.

Chen Chen awoke and sat up on the meteorite. Though the meteorite was partially embedded in the earth, it had once carried him to this very place. Now, though only fragments remained, to Chen Chen it still bore the weight of a mountain.

Leaving the crater, Chen Chen gathered some dry logs and combined them with fallen branches and leaves nearby, arranging them to partially conceal the site before departing. Passing by the ancient trees, he rested briefly in their cool shade. After some effort, a faint sweat appeared on his brow.

After a short respite beneath the tree, Chen Chen rose and moved forward. The mountains were rich with flora, most of which were aged. Being new to this land, he wished to avoid unnecessary trouble and certainly did not desire enmity. Bowing slightly in respect, he proceeded toward the next location.

The landscape of the great mountain was vast. Guided by instinct, he walked some distance forward. Ahead stood a towering peak, notable for a cave with a renowned name.

At the cave’s entrance were seven large characters inscribed: “Ghost Gate of the Netherworld.”

Chen Chen, somewhat illiterate in this noble realm, dared not claim full understanding of these characters. Yet, he could faintly sense the meaning and gravity they conveyed.

Outside the Ghost Gate stood two ghostly guards, their attire bearing the character for “soldier” on the back, resembling the uniforms of ancient officials.

Chen Chen’s own clothing bore some resemblance to theirs. As for how he had come to this living planet or why he lingered here, he had not fully grasped it himself.

Upon encountering the ghost guards, they too noticed him. Chen Chen hoped to use this place to cleanse his past, to let go and begin anew.

Some stories remain just stories; the deeper one delves, the harder it becomes to discern truth from falsehood. The guards, surprised by the presence of a stranger in such a sacred place, were cautious.

There is an old saying: “If heaven’s path you do not take, hell’s gate you enter unbidden.” The Netherworld usually dealt with criminals being brought in.

Today, meeting Chen Chen seemed to confirm that saying.

Seeing no reaction from the guards, Chen Chen pondered briefly and began to leave.

Before he reached the guards, one called out, “Who goes there?”

Chen Chen slightly bowed, introduced himself, and explained he was a stranger from afar, cast into misfortune and stranded here.

Hearing this, the guard had his thoughts. Regardless of motive, as a ghostly official, he had to report the matter to his superior.

“Wait here; I’ll be right back!” the guard said, entering the cave to report.

The superior gave instructions via the guard. When the guard returned, he conveyed a curt message: “No need,” and dismissed Chen Chen, unwilling to involve himself in Chen Chen’s personal affairs.

Chen Chen hesitated slightly, feeling some disappointment. Once, the Dragon Princess had transformed into the Lady Meng Po, an old crone on the Yellow Springs Road who severed the last strands of attachment for lovers. Now, seeking her by reputation, Chen Chen found his hopes dashed.

After receiving the guard’s message, Chen Chen’s heart weighed a little, and he departed from the Ghost Gate.

He knew well that from now on, he must rely on himself.

Leaving the Ghost Gate, his spirits lifted; the past was indeed past. The path behind lay beneath his feet, and the road ahead also stretched before him.

The past journey was behind him; the future still awaited his exploration.

This time, Chen Chen traveled alone, sunlight guiding his way, the road ahead adorned with scenery and sentiment.

He mused that the future might hold many uncertainties, but who in life hasn’t faced storms?

Soon, Chen Chen sought a place to wash the grime from his body.

Crossing the mountains, he came upon a distant stream. In this foreign land, he cultivated a way to transcend worldly concerns, to find freedom.

This so-called freedom was founded upon certain restraints. Standing atop the mountain, gazing at distant peaks, he saw water flowing at his feet.

Following the mountain’s slope, the water cascaded to a lowland.

He traced the river and the descending path for some distance until reaching a gentle pool where he dug a small basin for bathing.

With only a few belongings, he removed his upper garments and submerged his bare torso in the cool stream.

The clear spring water was mildly cold, a rare blessing in midsummer. After bathing, he also washed his shirt in the water.

The creek’s waters formed rivers, and the rivers widened into a bay.

In this bay, some things do not flow lightly; on days of gentle current, impurities linger in the water.

Following the mountain waters led both downward and upward paths.

After a brief reverie, Chen Chen paid no heed to whether he moved with the current or against it. Using the bathing spot as a landmark, he walked sometimes upward, sometimes downward along the mountain trail.

Eventually, he descended along the path.

At the mountainside, hunger pressed upon him. He spotted a tree bearing red fruit—though he did not know its true name.

The tree was lush and heavy with ripe, glossy fruit.

Standing before it, Chen Chen gazed long, then sighed deeply, shaking his head as he continued downward.

At the river below the mountain, he cupped some water to drink.

Refreshed, he felt a spark of clarity and pressed onward toward a distant place.

As he departed, Chen Chen spontaneously composed a poem:

The mountains are deep, the forests dense,
One walks the great path forward hence.
The mountain road asks of ups and downs,
How many rises, falls, and homeward bounds.

With this resolved, Chen Chen moved ahead. The Ghost Gate seemed a light barrier, yet it demanded vigilance.

Seemingly simple, it was in truth a profound test of human nature and wisdom, demanding great moral integrity.

From past lives to this one, who accompanies him now?

Many come and go as transient guests; meeting is fate, parting is fate as well.

Beyond one gate lie others still, and whether relying on oneself or others, ultimately one must depend on oneself.

This vast world stretches endlessly, boundless and vast.

No free lunch exists, nor free labor; if it seems so, it is because you have yet to see what price is paid.

Passing the Ghost Gate was indeed a passage, but how many in this vast world can truly pass?

How many can escape others’ barriers, and how many overcome their own?

Few dare claim their future path will be smooth; life is full of ups and downs, and journeys marked by turbulence are often uneven.

Those yet to face life’s tempests may not have known the world’s coldness or the warmth of human feeling.

How many clouds obscure one’s sight, and how many are self-made unintentionally?

Chen Chen simply walks the road of life; the Ghost Gate of the Netherworld is but a minor checkpoint on his journey.

The road ahead is long, and Chen Chen strives to live through the chapters yet to come.