Opening my eyes to see a ghost

At this moment, a large screen appeared before my eyes. I saw my family and my master. As the image changed, I saw myself, lying quietly on a bed with snow-white sheets, covered in many tube-like things, with doctors bustling around me.

Suddenly, I understood why those people, after a glimpse, wept bitterly, cursed and swore, and harbored reluctance. It's because they had died, and so had I.

Although I didn't understand why I died, the situation before me left no room for such thoughts. From beside a huge rock next to the high platform, I saw three large characters—Nostalgia Platform.

I was aware of the Nostalgia Platform. It was said that people don't know they're dead after dying and remain in a state of confusion until they stand on the Nostalgia Platform, see their family, and see their own bodies, and then they suddenly realize.

If this is where I must be, then I must accept it. Unable to resist, I could only take things one step at a time.

Thinking back to that endless bridge I had crossed, I finally remembered its name—it was the Yellow Springs Road. Below the Yellow Springs Road flowed the Weak Water of Three Thousand; if one were to turn back, they would fall into it, doomed never to rise again. I felt somewhat relieved that I hadn't turned back there.

I didn't hate that little girl; she was just trying to be reborn, albeit in an improper way. Perhaps by now, she had already been born again with a cry.

I continued forward with the crowd. The silence from the beginning was gone, and people had started to whisper in pairs or small groups, seemingly curious about the Netherworld.

The path beneath our feet felt damp and spongy, like a water-soaked sponge. I had heard adults say that ghosts prefer to walk on wet paths, which is why rain seems to moisten the earth almost every Ghost Festival.

Strangely enough, even though I felt like I had been walking for an entire day, I wasn't the least bit hungry or tired. I chuckled at myself sarcastically; was this the advantage of being a ghost? Not needing to eat or drink? Then why do people in the Mortal World say that ghosts consume incense candles? Is it only Hungry Ghosts that do that?

A commotion ahead caught everyone's attention; after finding out what it was about, we learned that a man claiming to be Li Gang insisted he was above others. He got into an argument and ended up fighting. After the Ghost Soldiers came to mediate, he still wasn't satisfied. He boasted that with one phone call, he could summon two hundred brothers to tear the Ghost Soldier into pieces.

As one might expect, Li Gang got nothing in return but a brutal beating. The whip lashed down on him, sending sparks flying and causing him so much pain that he writhed on the ground, begging for mercy on his knees. The Ghost Soldier seemed to have found a vent for his anger; he ignored Li Gang's pleas and just kept lashing him.

After a few hundred lashes, Li Gang was barely conscious, and the Ghost Soldier tethered him by the neck with a chain and dragged him away. As for where he was taken, that remained unknown.

The incident with Li Gang was just a small interlude, which perhaps added a touch of color to the mixed emotions of the crowd.

After walking for a long time in this place where fatigue and hunger were unknown, we arrived at a vast square with the crowd. The previously orderly lines were gone; people were scattered all over the place, and it was incredibly crowded. Several braziers were placed around, bringing a touch of light to the vast square.

Ghost Soldiers armed with various weapons stood around the square, brandishing swords, spears, halberds, axes, and all kinds of arms, a sight that intimidated onlookers.

At the end of the square was a massive gate, about a hundred meters high, with a plaque hanging above it inscribed with "Fengdu City."

People were crowded, waiting to enter Fengdu City because it's only after entering that one would be judged and then go through the cycle of rebirth, becoming either an animal or a human again.

The square in front of Fengdu City could also be called the Heart Reflecting Hall, which reveals the true nature of each person's heart. If one had done more evil than good, their malicious side would show, and they would be forcibly dragged away by the Ghost Soldiers. Otherwise, they could enter Fengdu City for judgment.

I watched with utter boredom as the throng was either dragged away or entered Fengdu City, a mix of emotions swirling in my heart. I didn't know what fate awaited me.

Suddenly, atop the city gate appeared a colossal creature with the head of a bull and the body of a man. Its eyes glowed red, and it roared in a muffled voice, calling out my name.

"Liang Yueming, show yourself immediately, what are you waiting for!"

Although I didn't understand why it was calling for me, I figured that if it was good luck, it wouldn't involve trouble; if it was bad luck, I couldn't avoid it. Waving my arms, I yelled loudly that I was here.

After scanning the crowd with its red eyes, its gaze finally rested on me and it continued to bellow, "The Judge demands your presence, come with me without delay."

I was somewhat puzzled; it seemed I knew no Judge—could it be referring to this creature?

Moments later, I was lifted off the ground, flying into the air as if by magic. It stretched out a hand from nowhere, grabbing me firmly in its palm. My vision darkened, and I passed out.

When I came to, I found myself in an antique-looking room with a long table, beside which stood a bookshelf laden with books, all with blue covers resembling those of ancient texts.

"How did you get here?"

A sudden voice gave me a fright. Turning swiftly, I saw a person in red official robes standing behind me.

Upon a closer look, I couldn't help but chuckle. This man was the Soul-Snatching Yin Soldier I had encountered back at the hospital.

I asked him about his change of attire; just moments ago, he had been dressed as a Ghost Soldier and now he donned official robes.

He explained that after gathering the last batch of souls, totaling nine hundred and ninety-nine, he had now officially become a Judge. He proudly gestured with the Judge's Brush and the Book of Life and Death in his hands.

He credited me for his new status, saying that if it hadn't been for my burying him, he might still be wandering around the chaotic burial grounds.

I told him what had happened after he left. He chided me slightly for not heeding his warning, reminding me that he had already alerted me to the unrest at the hospital and had advised caution.

Then he shook his head with a wry smile, admitting that if it were him, he probably would have been just as curious and gone to the bottom of things as well.

Flipping through the Book of Life and Death, he remarked that the little girl had not yet been reincarnated but was due to head to the Mortal World before dawn to begin a new life. He asked if I wanted to summon her and deal with the situation.

I was surprised at his authority—how could a person about to be reincarnated still be summoned? I didn't take up his suggestion, feeling somewhat helpless. If fate had decreed that I be dragged here to be a scapegoat, then I would just have to resign myself to it.

The Judge nodded in approval, commenting that if everyone were like me, there would surely be no wronged spirits. But he knew that was just wishful thinking, as not everyone could be like me.