"What did His Majesty say to you?" I asked.
"Nothing much, just told me not to disgrace the Underworld or her when I get to the living world," Zheng Baobao said with a smile.
"...Her?" I was suspicious.
Zhang Baobao opened her mouth, then closed it, smiling faintly. "Let's go. Bingbing doesn't seem to be in good condition. Maybe she's been here too long."
"Let me ask about the nearest Ghost Gate," I said.
We couldn't go back the way we came, as Zheng Baobao and Xiao Nu couldn't use the Gale Step in the Underworld. I could carry one person, but two would be too much. Bingbing was already exhausted, and I didn't dare push her further.
Zheng Baobao was equipped with a Soul-Binding Token. I had her practice with it, and through the relay station, we learned the nearest Ghost Gate was not far outside the crater, in a desolate area.
When we met up with Zheng Bingbing, the sentinels on the city wall reported that the rebel cavalry had all retreated.
We requisitioned four horses and took four cavalrymen. We rode out of the city, across the plains, and over the crater. I activated my Spirit Sight and found that the reinforcements hadn't gone far. They had camped in a forest about seven or eight li away. Fearing a trap for the people of Erqi City, I asked them to wait. I dismounted and used the Gale Step to return and inform King Xiliang. I urged him to send more scouts to monitor the enemy's movements and prevent any mischief.
King Xiliang, upon hearing they were only about ten thousand strong, wanted to pursue and annihilate them. I dissuaded him. The rebel reinforcements wore the same armor as the previous ten thousand troops, suggesting they were core elite forces with strong combat capabilities. A rash attack, especially without a field artillery commander (whom I had lured away), could make a retreat very difficult if we couldn't win.
Li Yuanhao was indeed a formidable figure. Those with greater ability were often more receptive to advice.
I returned to the crater and continued our journey with the other three. We soon entered the desert and, by a river, crossed into the dusky region. After passing through the train tracks, we found the Bridge of Helplessness.
Horses and cavalry could not cross the Bridge of Helplessness. This was why I had brought the four cavalrymen. We returned the four horses to Erqi City. The four of them, on foot, crossed the bridge. Bingbing took a deep breath of the air on the Bridge of Helplessness and instantly recovered some of her Yang energy, her complexion improving significantly.
Ghosts often worked alone. The appearance of three major Yin Messengers and a probationary one, Xiao Nu, truly surprised Meng Po. She didn't know whom to greet first. I asked Meng Po what part of the living world was on the other side. Meng Po said she had been newly transferred and hadn't been out before, so she wasn't entirely sure. She suggested I ask the Judge at the City God Temple ahead.
When we reached the Judge, we inquired and learned that the area outside was a suburb of the capital, quite famous, called Shí Bǎo Mountain.
After leaving the City God Temple, it was already dark outside. I checked my watch; it was eight o'clock in the evening. It was very cold, and Bingbing and I shivered.
Xiao Nu and Zheng Baobao were visiting the living world for the first time and were somewhat bewildered. Zheng Baobao struggled for a long time before managing to solidify into a physical form. Xiao Nu, however, did not succeed, perhaps due to incomplete documentation.
I first taught them the Gale Step, telling them that if they got separated or something happened, they should return to the Underworld. With the Gale Step, they could travel freely in the living world and find any City God Temple to return. For two ghosts, returning to the Underworld meant safety.
However, there was no need to worry now. This was the capital, the stronghold of Shā Bǐyà, and there was no danger.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Since we were in the capital, we couldn't avoid meeting some old friends.
I took out my phone from deep within my uniform and turned it on. It had 30% battery left, enough for use. After a while, no one contacted me. My own people knew what I was doing. Only Yao Yao left a message: "Let me know when you're back, and I'll send a car to pick you up."
I called Yao Yao and gave her a brief update, saying everything had gone smoothly. I even met the biggest boss of the Underworld and had a good relationship with him, assuring Yao Yao. Then, I called Lin Chi and asked to meet her. After all, she was the director responsible for supernatural affairs in the living world. I had brought two new ghosts to the living world, and it was only proper to inform her.
Lin Chi directly asked if we had eaten.
"Not yet."
"Then let me treat you to a meal. Where shall we meet? What's your location?"
"Shí Bǎo Mountain," I replied.