Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Book of the Underworld

Staring at the Yellow Springs Book quietly lying in the urn, my heart had long since become a tumultuous storm. On the other side, my grandfather began coughing blood, signaling me to bring the book to him.

I hurriedly placed the Yellow Springs Book before him. At that moment, my grandfather looked terrible—his face pale, utterly devoid of color, as if he might die at any instant.

Seeing him like this, pain stabbed at my heart like needles. I anxiously asked whether he was all right. I knew he had something to say to me, but I couldn’t bear to see him suffer, so I urged him again to let me take him to the hospital.

He shook his head, saying he was fine, then gestured for me to sit beside him.

I quickly pulled out a stool and sat down, looking at him with deep concern. He reached out with his only remaining hand and gently stroked the Yellow Springs Book on the table. For a moment, he seemed lost in thought, as if recalling memories that had been sealed away for more than twenty years.

“Wu Dao!” my grandfather suddenly called my name. I nodded quickly, asking what he needed.

He coughed twice more, then told me to recount what had happened at the reservoir this time.

I nodded, rapidly collecting my thoughts, then explained the entire experience in the City of Wrongful Death as clearly and simply as I could.

At first, my grandfather showed little reaction. But when I spoke of encountering Wang Bilin in the City of Wrongful Death, his expression began to shift. Then, as I described the Yin-Yang scholar and the Ghost-Faced Marquis, and finally, when I revealed that the Ghost-Faced Marquis turned out to be my father, his face froze in shock.

Despite his astonishment, he didn’t interrupt me. Only when I finished recounting the entire ordeal did I notice his eyes were already brimming with tears. He sighed, then coughed violently several times, each cough tinged with blood. His body swayed as if he might fall from the stool at any moment.

I hurried over to steady him, but he waved his hand, indicating he was fine.

He turned and glanced at the clock on the wall, sighing that it was nearly midnight.

“Wu Dao, since Emperor Yi has sealed the Hell King's Seal within your Nine Yin Absolute Pulse and taught you the Yellow Springs Incantation, there’s surely a scheme at play. And this scheme is likely tied to the Yin Son of Heaven from two thousand years ago!”

I nodded, sharing similar suspicions, though I dared not speculate on Emperor Yi’s ultimate intentions.

My mind was as clear as a mirror: Emperor Yi had helped me in the City of Wrongful Death only to use me as a tool in his plan. I didn’t know his true identity or what he was plotting, but since he risked everything to protect me and prevent the secret of the Hell King's Seal from leaking—even drawing the entire City of Wrongful Death into a rift in the void—his plan was anything but ordinary.

My grandfather pondered for a moment, then asked me to brew him a cup of tea. After drinking it, he pushed the Yellow Springs Book toward me and said, “Wu Dao, since things have come to this, you’ve become a piece in this great chess game. It’s a fate you can never escape!”

I nodded, feeling my heart in turmoil. I asked him what I should do now. He replied, “You can only take things one step at a time, but no matter what, always remember to stay true to the righteous path. The Yellow Springs Book was created by the Yin Son of Heaven, and I have also studied it. I found it extremely sinister—one careless step, and you fall into the demonic path. Many forbidden techniques within it violate the laws of heaven and ethics; recklessly activating them could bring the curse of heaven upon you! So, you must be extremely cautious.”

I responded, assuring him I would never lose my heart, no matter what.

He looked at me, gratified, and said, “The Yellow Springs Book is divided into three sections: Hundred Ghosts, Yellow Springs, and Forbidden. Remember, the secret arts in the Forbidden section can deal with the monsters and demons from the Hundred Ghosts section, but all are focused on slaughter. This shows the Yin Son of Heaven was a bloodthirsty and ruthless figure.”

“Heaven cherishes life; Buddhism preaches salvation for all beings. Humans, self-styled as the spirits of all things, arrogantly consider all other races as demons and monsters. Yet, in the eyes of other races, humans are the greatest monsters. All beings possess spirit; all life is equal. Therefore, even when you encounter demons and monsters, salvation should be your first choice. Killing them harms your virtue and can easily lead you into the demonic path!”

After saying this, he motioned for me to put away the Yellow Springs Book, and continued, “You were born with the Nine Yin Absolute Pulse, making you a target for evil spirits. From now on, you’ll encounter strange events that ordinary people never see. And now, with two rare treasures in your possession, you must be cautious—treasure invites trouble!”

I nodded firmly. From his tone, I felt as if he were arranging his final affairs, and my heart tightened. I told him not to worry, explaining that the Hell King's Seal was sealed within me. Emperor Yi had said that even if Emperor Yanluo, the lord of the underworld, came personally, he could not detect the Yellow Springs Book hidden in me. It was already late; I suggested taking him to the hospital immediately.

He refused again, saying, “You were born with the Nine Yin Absolute Pulse; you can master most Daoist arts just by seeing them. Though monsters and demons will surround you, the forbidden techniques and incantations from the Yellow Springs Book must not be abused. So, you must quickly find the Daoist sects and learn their arts for protection!”

“Although no one can discover the Yellow Springs Incantation and Book sealed within you, accidents may happen. You must memorize the entire Yellow Springs Book as soon as possible, then destroy it completely to prevent endless future troubles!”

I nodded heavily. At that moment, my grandfather slowly stood up. With bloodshot eyes, he looked at me one last time, his gaze filled with unwillingness and farewell.

“Wu Dao, find a way to attain the divine position of the underworld and break the curse of your Nine Yin Absolute Pulse. But remember, even if you cannot break the curse within three years, you must not recklessly use the forbidden techniques in the Yellow Springs Book to seek out another Ziwei fate to change your own. Twenty years ago, I missed my chance. Now, you must not repeat my mistake!”

After saying this, a mouthful of blood suddenly burst from his lips, and he collapsed to the floor.

My whole body trembled. I cried out for him, rushing to his side, only to find his body already cold and rigid.

I shuddered, instantly understanding: long before we returned to the coffin shop, the body my grandfather had borrowed—the bus driver’s—had already died. He had urged us to hurry back so he would have enough time to hand over the Yellow Springs Book and have this final conversation with me.

A wrenching pain tore through me. I shouted for him, tears streaming from my eyes.

Just then, my grandfather’s voice echoed in my ears, faint and ethereal, tinged with a hint of emptiness.

I looked up toward the source of the voice and saw my grandfather’s ghost standing beside me, gazing at me with kindness.

Perhaps he feared I’d worry or be reluctant to let go, for his face always carried a gentle smile, though the smile was stiff and clearly forced.

Now, my grandfather no longer appeared as the bus driver, but had returned to the face I knew so well—the face that had cared for me for twenty years, attentive yet strict. He was my grandfather, Wu Zhenlong, the renowned coffin craftsman of Bashu.

But now, the craftsman was no more, for he had died. And soon, his soul would depart from me as well.