Opening the Passage to the Yin Realm

That evening, Fourth Martial Uncle had set up a formation in his room very early. When we arrived, we saw him standing amidst the Soul-Suppressing Formation, continuously casting spells upon the candles. I meticulously observed every detail of the formation. The formation comprised a total of nine large candles and twenty-one small candles, symbolizing our three souls and seven spirits.

Upon hearing a sound, Fourth Martial Uncle turned his gaze to us, pointed at the wall, and said:
"The gate to the Yin Realm is about to open; everyone may step through directly."

I felt a little doubtful, for Fourth Martial Uncle's room was very small, making it somewhat difficult to set up the formation. I then curiously asked him, "Why didn't you set up the formation in the main hall? Wouldn't it be more spacious?"

He now wore an extremely serious expression and replied to me, "That place faces the wind; it is not suitable."

I felt a tremor of fear due to his serious demeanor. Chang Sheng remained vigilant at all times beside the thirty candles of varying lengths, absolutely ensuring no gust of wind had the chance to blow them out.

The gate to the Yin Realm was truly flickering in and out of existence on the wall, and when one looked into it, it was like a bottomless pit. Grandfather waved his hand and stepped in with one foot, his tone somewhat urgent as he said:
"Quickly, we must seize the moment."

Su Ni and I also said little and directly followed. At this moment, Fourth Martial Uncle offered another reminder:
"One step into the Underworld,
Loved ones call out from behind.
Guard your heart steadfastly,
Only then can you find your way out.
Once you have set foot in the Underworld, your deceased relatives will call out from behind. If you turn back without fulfilling your wishes, you will forever be lost in the Yin Realm with no way out."

As Fourth Martial Uncle finished speaking, the three of us were directly transported to the Yin Realm. The moment we stepped through the circle on the wall, it was as if we had arrived in another place entirely.

Here, dense fog permeated the air. Lush trees lined both sides of the path, and the rustling of wind and the sound of flowing water sent a chill down one's spine. Stranger still, the deeper we went, the more intense the waves of Yin cold became, each gust blowing through us.

Su Ni rubbed her hands together, continuously shivering and saying:
"It's so cold!"

Grandfather remained very serious, observing his surroundings:
"Try to endure it a little longer."

Su Ni nodded. We continued onward. The further I walked, the more I felt this place was not much different from the Yang Realm, save for a lack of flavor and beautiful scenery.

We walked almost to the end of the path, and it remained the same; no trace of the Yin Realm could be seen. At this moment, countless questions arose in my heart, and I asked Grandfather:
"Is this the Yin Realm, Grandfather?"

Grandfather looked around, then quietly said:
"I believe not."

My eyes revealed a hint of surprise, but I still tried to speak calmly:
"So we are lost?"

Su Ni was momentarily agitated, saying:
"Huh! Lost?"

Grandfather gestured for us to speak softly, "No, not lost, but we haven't reached it yet."

Su Ni looked up at the sky, then her voice suddenly broke off, "So... are we just going to keep walking tonight? I feel it's getting colder as night falls."

I also nodded in agreement, for if we continued like this, any of us would surely freeze to death. It was clearly the seventh month, yet the weather here was bone-chillingly cold.

Grandfather meticulously asked us, "Let us rest for a while; I will go find some firewood to warm ourselves."

Su Ni and I could finally rest for a bit. I offered to go with him to gather firewood, but Grandfather adamantly refused, insisting I stay with Su Ni. After all, she was a woman and should not be left alone in such a desolate place. I could only obey him.

Su Ni sat on a log, continuously rubbing her hands together, saying, "Why is it so cold?"

I closed the distance, took her hands, and placed them inside my robe, "This way, it will be less cold."

Su Ni looked up at me, her eyes clear, seemingly wishing to see through my heart. The wind blew ceaselessly, causing the surrounding trees to rustle and sway. The leaves, unable to withstand such force, gritted their teeth and detached from their branches. I watched each falling leaf as if watching the fate of every human before the storms and trials of the mortal world.

Worldly affairs are a play, and each of us has the responsibility to perform our role well, no matter the bitterness or hardship. When the curtain finally falls in this vast human life, how long can our memories of each other endure?

As I pondered, I looked at Su Ni. If my feelings for her were love, then how should I clarify everything? For Yin Xiang, it was longing, nostalgia; for Su Ni, it was protection, an unwillingness to part.

Su Ni looked at me, her eyes somewhat doubtful, "If Sister Yin Xiang were here, would you still wish to warm me?"

That question was like a large stone directly pressing upon my heart; I still could not answer clearly. Su Ni, seeing that I did not wish to reply, naturally retracted her earlier words, "I was just teasing you, haha. I know you like Sister Yin Xiang."

To conceal my embarrassment, I then asked Su Ni, "Then if your beloved were here, would you still let me warm you?"

She looked at me with an expression full of surprise, but then averted her gaze, "Of course!"

I was endlessly surprised, but if I spoke another word, both of us would fall into an awkward situation.

Grandfather walked over from a distance, placed a large bundle of firewood before us, and said, "For tonight, let us rest for now."

Grandfather and I together started a fire. The flames burning in the silent night inadvertently warmed the three of us. Su Ni quickly leaned her head on my shoulder and drifted off to sleep. Grandfather remained seated there, his eyes closed for some time, but I truly couldn't tell if he was asleep or not.

Watching the flames burn in the night, I felt an immense sense of comfort. The crackling sound from the fire pile reminded me of my childhood days, when my mother would often roast sweet potatoes by the glowing hearth. Though it was a simple, unpretentious dish, it was strangely delicious. Later, many places still sold roasted sweet potatoes, and I had tried them, but I never tasted the flavor of my childhood. Perhaps the taste hadn't changed; it was merely that we had grown up, encountered countless delicacies, and gradually forgotten the sweet taste of home.

The last embers of the fire finally died out, and only then did I close my eyes to rest. But I was still disturbed by the surrounding noises. There were footsteps dragging shackles on the ground, and also murmuring voices, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't clearly hear what they were saying.

I startled awake to find countless people marching in waves before me. I was about to call Grandfather when I saw he had been awake for a long time, and at this moment, like me, was sitting and observing the situation.

I tilted my head and quietly asked, "Where are these people going, Grandfather?"

Grandfather slowly said, "These are the spirits released back to the Yang Realm, on the day the Ghost Gate opens."

I looked at them in astonishment. Each person held a Life-Locking Lantern in their hand, walking in the opposite direction from us. Folk tales often say that when the dead return home to visit, they must carry a Life-Locking Lantern to illuminate the Underworld and find their way back to the Yang Realm. This Life-Locking Lantern also serves to help the Ghost Messengers easily control the spirits, so they dare not cause chaos in the mortal world nor attempt to escape.

Grandfather then said, "No need to pay them much mind; they cannot see us for now."

I nodded, then silently sat and watched them.