Twilight Boundary-Chapter 635 - 626 Underworld Living Village

"Are we there already?"

Hu Ma was also a bit surprised and squinted to look ahead.

In the misty distance, a city indeed appeared. Typically, any city seen from afar would seem small, easily encompassed by one's gaze. Yet, looking forward in the underworld, this city sprawled endlessly. Towering palaces layered upon one another, shrouded in mournful, dismal clouds, filled with ceaseless wailing, and battered by rolling, malevolent winds that formed a raging tempest.

The Five Evil Gods were already the most potent source of baleful energy Hu Ma had encountered, aside from the Zhensui Mansion. But if they were tossed in here, they would likely vanish without a trace.

Was this the City of the Dead?

It felt somewhat unreal. This place was reputed to be the most mysterious and perilous, supposedly findable only by members of the Ten Surnames and their close associates. Yet here it was, so easily found by someone like Er Guotou?

Sensing Hu Ma's surprise, Er Guotou lowered his voice and chuckled. "Finding your way in the underworld is different from the world above," he said. "You could even say there's no real concept of distance or region here. Whether it's finding this City of the Dead or when I was searching for that Hu Family treasure, as long as I know its location, I can find it quickly. Passing mountains and rivers along the way are just necessary obstacles, not actual journeys requiring you to traverse them."

He offered a friendly analogy. "Exactly. This is also why we in the Walking Ghost Sect can help others call souls. A few words of a curse, combined with their birthdate and time, can summon a person. Otherwise, think about it. Just finding someone in the mortal world involves sending messages and traveling countless miles. How could a mere utterance bring someone forth?"

Hu Ma struggled to grasp Er Guotou's explanation and couldn't help but sigh. "Indeed, this is something I truly don't understand. I need to learn and observe much more."

"Well, that's on you," Er Guotou said with a laugh, waving his hand. "I've helped you find this place, so my task is complete. Brother, be careful. The City of the Dead is, after all, the most difficult place to reach in the underworld..."

"Huh?" Hu Ma was startled. "Brother, aren't you coming in with me?" he asked quickly.

"Well..." Er Guotou looked troubled. "Brother, we agreed I'd just lead you to the City of the Dead, didn't we? Do I really need to go in too?" he said awkwardly.

Noticing his apprehension, Hu Ma quickly explained, "Brother, you might not realize, but I'm not actually going into the City of the Dead. I'm just here to meet two people outside it and gather some information. Besides, what are you afraid of? That young master from our main family hasn't come down, and I'm one of your own. Aren't you free to roam as you please in this underworld?"

"I know you're usually cautious, but do you think it's better to hide from everything, or to gather crucial information to better navigate dangers and seize opportunities? After all, the world is changing, a great shift is upon us. Can you really hide from it forever?"

The words were clearly heartfelt, and Er Guotou was visibly moved. After a slight hesitation, he said tentatively, "Well, if I really don't need to enter the City of the Dead, then perhaps I could... go with you to take a look? Who exactly are you meeting?"

"Who cares who they are?" Hu Ma interjected, seeing Er Guotou was swayed, a wave of relief washing over him. "Would they dare suspect there's something hidden in the Zhensui Mansion that even we can't handle?"

His own shortcomings were now glaringly obvious: he lacked experience and was quite ignorant about this world, especially the underworld. If the others were to share some secret information that he couldn't comprehend, losing face would be a small matter, but missing crucial intelligence would be a major problem. Bringing along an expert in the ways of Ghost Walkers like Er Guotou would save him a lot of trouble.

As he nodded, he glanced around. "By the way, which way is north?" he asked. He recalled that the Divine Hand Zhao Family and the Black Magic Chen Family had arranged to meet him in a small village named Guli, north of the City of the Dead.

"Is there even an east, south, west, or north in the underworld?" Er Guotou frowned upon hearing this. "However," he said, "north is associated with water, the location of the Netherworld, so that generally represents north." As he spoke, he lightly shook the Yin Yang Two Sceneries Plate in his hand, apparently divining the direction, and then pointed.

"With you around, Brother, nothing seems difficult! If I'd come alone, I'd have been completely stumped," Hu Ma exclaimed, clapping his hands with a sigh of genuine admiration. His praise made Er Guotou a little embarrassed.

This young brother is one of us, after all, Er Guotou thought. Though a bit reckless and short-sighted at times, he wholeheartedly helps his brethren. I really shouldn't have considered leaving him behind.

Having confirmed their direction, the two headed north. They hadn't traveled far when, amidst the howling, sinister winds and the aura of vengeful karma emanating from the nearby City of the Dead, they spotted a shadowy village. Through the hazy mist, its shape seemed to constantly twist and distort. Outside the village, Hu Ma saw a small Stele: Guli Village.

Er Guotou also surveyed the village from the outside, sighing softly. "When the incense burns brightly for a family in the world above, their ancestors enjoy prosperity down below. Such villages are very common in the underworld. A village here corresponds to an old fire pit or an ancestral hall up above. This way, the ancestors don't have to wander aimlessly day and night and can conveniently bless their descendants."

"Judging by this village's scale," he added, "it must correspond to a prosperous clan that has thrived for dozens of generations in the world above."

They say the most important thing for a Ghost Walker is experience. I'm truly ashamed. As a member of a main Walking Ghost Family, I'm the one learning so much from Brother Er Guotou, Hu Ma mused, then walked with Er Guotou towards the village.

As they drew closer to the village, Hu Ma suddenly experienced a peculiar sensation. His feet felt more solid on the ground, and his breathing became easier.

Beside him, however, Brother Er Guotou's form grew increasingly faint, almost becoming a mere shadow.

"Who exactly is waiting for us in this village?" Er Guotou couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment. "Such skill! It's truly remarkable! Time-stealing and reality-bending... they... they've actually carved out a place for the living here in the underworld!"

"This is even harder than creating a ghostly sanctuary in the mortal world. Especially now, when the underworld is overflowing with billions of Living Souls unable to achieve reincarnation, causing many yin souls to linger in the human world. Despite such dire conditions, they've managed to create such an enclave outside the City of the Dead. These are truly divine, miraculous methods!"

Well, they are the Divine Hand Zhao Family and the Black Magic Chen Family, after all. Such abilities aren't entirely surprising, Hu Ma thought. Just as he was looking for a way into the village, he suddenly heard a voice from within. "We've been expecting you for some time."

"Indeed, just as expected from the Walking Ghost Family. I always said that even if you acquired the Zhensui Mansion, you wouldn't abandon your ancestral skills. Evading underworld officials, entering the underworld, finding the City of the Dead—these are all just your fundamental talents, nothing too difficult for you."

As the voice spoke, the misty village seemed to rise from water, materializing clearly before Hu Ma and Er Guotou. Two figures stood at the village entrance. One, dressed in a silver robe with a red crown, was handsome and spirited, resembling a proud rooster with a vibrant red comb—this was Zhao Sanyi of the Divine Hand Zhao Family. The other, enveloped in a black robe, had a small, mournful face—Chen Abao of the Black Magic Chen Family.

Having emerged from the village, the two of them looked at Hu Ma and Er Guotou as they finished speaking, their expressions showing a hint of surprise. Their gazes swept from Hu Ma's face to Er Guotou, who stood beside him in the state of a departed Living Soul, a flicker of confusion in their eyes.

"Haha, gentlemen, it's a misunderstanding. Our young master hasn't come," Hu Ma said directly upon seeing the two. "For a small matter like this, sending a senior sword-catcher of the Walking Ghost Path like myself is sufficient."

He had worn a mask when he met them previously, but the Trick Door sect was renowned for its keen eyes, especially its progenitors. So, without a mask now, they had likely recognized him, making direct admission simpler.

"This..." Hearing Hu Ma's words, the two appeared somewhat surprised, their eyes involuntarily flicking towards Er Guotou.

Hu Ma just smiled and explained, "This is an expert of the Ghost Path from our Walking Ghost Sect. He's also a small Hall Officer, here to lend a hand. His surname is..."

Er Guotou, now highly alert, saw the conversation turning to him and quickly whispered to Hu Ma, "Just say my surname is Bao." He used some dharma method so the other two couldn't hear his words, though they noticed him whispering to Hu Ma.

Hu Ma smoothly continued, smiling, "Yes, Second Brother Bao. Second Brother Bao's skills and experience are top-tier in our sect. With him around, anything can be handled."

Zhao Sanyi and Chen Abao both had complex expressions. They looked deeply at Hu Ma for a moment, then forced smiles. "Indeed, this brother's abilities are considerable! The Ghost Path truly conceals many masters!"

"Gentlemen, please come into the village to talk!"

They stepped aside, and Hu Ma and Er Guotou walked in.

Entering the village, the sensation was indeed different. The light, ethereal feeling of being in the underworld had vanished, replaced by a solid, grounded presence. Although looking up revealed no sun or moon, it felt like being in a small village in the human world under an overcast sky.

Looking around, he saw people passing by, their living or deceased status indistinguishable. There were tea houses, restaurants, and even readily visible paper offering shops.

Even Hu Ma was somewhat astonished. Opening paper offering shops in the underworld, where you can burn them for immediate use... isn't that basically like opening your own mint?

Er Guotou, however, unlike Hu Ma, didn't look around. From the moment he met Zhao Sanyi and Chen Abao, he sensed their capabilities were significant and already regretted accompanying Hu Ma. Fearful of revealing his identity, he became even more cautious and reserved in his words and actions.

Meanwhile, Zhao Sanyi and Chen Abao, walking behind them, exchanged a look, their expressions complex.

An expert of the Ghost Path? one seemed to convey. After what happened twenty years ago, are there any practitioners from the Walking Ghost Path left who reached the Shangqiao level? Where did this one come from?

Don't underestimate the discerning eyes of our Trick Door sect, the other seemed to reply. The lip movements of this Sword Catching Hall Officer... initially, it didn't look like he was going to say his surname was 'Bao', did it?