Zombie Bodyguard

"Do you... know who I am?" Lin Tian steadied himself, squinting as he asked.

"I don't know who you are, nor can I see through who you are. But I've seen countless souls, and I can tell you're not one of them; also, I can't see your soul. All beings within the Six Paths must have a soul, so you are not within the Six Paths." Meng Po still spoke softly.

After speaking, Meng Po looked at Zhang Lingyu again and shook her head, saying, "Although you have a soul, you are alive. I don't know why you want to come to the Netherworld?"

Once again, Zhang Lingyu was shocked, realizing that she had been seen through. This Meng Po had seen countless souls and could distinguish between souls and the living at a glance, something she hadn't considered.

Moreover, Zhang Lingyu had a hunch that Meng Po was not simply a server of Mengpo Soup. Earlier, the Ferrymen subtly showed respect towards Meng Po.

Lin Tian could be sure that his identity was thoroughly revealed. His eyes flashed, and he said calmly, "Are you planning to expose us?"

Meng Po shook her head and replied calmly, "I'm just here to offer soup to the departed souls, what else can I do? If you are willing to drink the Mengpo Soup, you can cross Naihe Bridge after drinking. If not, you may leave."

This answer was somewhat unexpected for Lin Tian; Meng Po did not plan to expose them. Clearly, Meng Po had stated that if they wanted to cross the Naihe Bridge, drinking the Mengpo Soup was the only way.

"Have you both made up your minds?" Meng Po asked again.

"We just want to enter to find a soul; she hasn't died yet, just her soul accidentally left her body and was brought to the Netherworld by the Ferryman. Her time among the living hasn't come to an end yet," Zhang Lingyu suddenly spoke out, revealing the truth.

Lin Tian understood Zhang Lingyu's intention; talking to someone who understands means lying would do no good. Since Meng Po could see through your identity, she could certainly hear your lies. Having lived for an unknown number of years, Meng Po long since understands the essence of worldly affairs.

Meng Po showed no expression and said, "In the Netherworld, souls whose time among the living hasn't ended are not uncommon; you must know this coming from Huangquan Road. They must wait in the Netherworld until their time ends, then they can cross Naihe and reenter the cycle of reincarnation."

Waiting for time to end means Xiao Manxuan would indeed die, and no matter what, Lin Tian could not accept this outcome. He frowned and said, "The soul we are looking for is a young girl, eighteen, very beautiful, named Xiao Manxuan. She was recently brought to the Netherworld. Have you seen her at Naihe Bridge?"

Lin Tian did not want to beat around the bush anymore; he asked directly. After all, with the matter laid bare, any concealment would just waste time; however, he did not expect Meng Po to definitely answer.

Unexpectedly, Meng Po really answered: "An eighteen-year-old beautiful girl? There indeed was such a person; she left a very deep impression on me."

"Really?" Lin Tian and Zhang Lingyu exclaimed simultaneously, both showing expressions of surprise.

Meng Po nodded and said, "Before you came, indeed there was a departed soul of an eighteen-year-old girl who refused to drink the Mengpo Soup while crossing Naihe Bridge."

"I asked her why, and she said she didn't want to forget someone; she wanted to keep her memories and wait on Naihe Bridge to see him. Then I explained to her that souls must drink Mengpo Soup to enter the cycle of reincarnation. If someone wants to keep their memory, waiting on Naihe Bridge for the one they wish to see, they must jump into Wangchuan River and endure the torment of evil spirits devouring the soul," Meng Po recalled.

Lin Tian's expression changed abruptly, and he asked urgently, "Did she jump in?"

Meng Po nodded, saying, "Yes, the young girl was very determined and jumped into Wangchuan River."

Lin Tian's heart felt a sharp pain, his body swayed, and he almost couldn't stand upright. Zhang Lingyu quickly supported him.

"It must be the Second Miss, I need to rescue her!" Lin Tian exclaimed, clenched his fist, and turned to walk towards Wangchuan River.

Zhang Lingyu quickly grabbed him and said, "Wangchuan River is a Ruishui River with endless ancient water, separating the realms of yin and yang. The river is filled with wandering spirits and ghosts, floating for countless years unable to reincarnate, heavy with resentment. Even the Ten Halls Yama and Daluo Golden Immortal dare not touch it. You will only become one of them with no redemption!"

"If that's the case, I must go down. The Second Miss will be lonely and scared alone! I want to accompany her," Lin Tian said resolutely, then shook off Zhang Lingyu's hand and walked towards Wangchuan River.

After taking two steps, he stopped and said, "Lingyu, I know you have a way to leave the Netherworld. When you meet Miss, tell her to live well. A hundred years later, when she crosses Naihe Bridge, the Second Miss and I will be watching over her."

A tear slid down Zhang Lingyu's eye; she could no longer suppress the thoughts in her heart. She rushed up, held Lin Tian's hand tightly, and said firmly, "I'm not leaving. I'll go to the Netherworld with you, even entering Wangchuan with you. You can hit me, call me foolish, but even if you shake me off, I will jump in myself!"

Seeing Zhang Lingyu's extremely determined gaze, the deepest strings hidden in Lin Tian's heart trembled violently: "Lingyu, why must you..."

"Hahaha..."

Before Lin Tian could finish his sentence, a burst of wild laughter rang out from Naihe Bridge, followed by a voice filled with resentment: "You wish to send me to Hell? Impossible, I'll send you to Hell first..."

Following was a loud bang; a red light exploded on Naihe Bridge, turning the whole bridge blood-red. A figure slowly rose, floating above Naihe Bridge.

"It's that red-clothed female ghost!" Zhang Lingyu exclaimed.

At this moment, the ghost that was originally locked rose into the sky, her red skirt fluttering, her hair flying without wind. Around her, two streams of red and black energy swirled; her gaze venomous and rebellious as she looked down at the Ferrymen and ghost soldiers on the bridge.

The red and black energy wrapped around the iron claw on her feet and scapula, then came the sound of a "crack," the iron claw restraining the red-clothed female ghost broke and fell off; she escaped the Ferryman's control!

It turned out she had been hiding her strength all along; with her now-revealed power, the Ferrymen couldn't possibly hold her. So why did she follow the Ferryman to the Netherworld?

"Demoness rebellion, kill without mercy, scatter her soul, and never allow reincarnation!" shouted two leading Ferrymen shrilly.

Under their commands, all Ferrymen drew their weapons and slashed at the red-clothed female ghost. Each weapon launched a beam of black light, as if intending to shred the red-clothed female ghost.

"Hahaha..." The red-clothed female ghost laughed arrogantly again, raising one hand as red and black energy condensed into an energy ball in the palm of her hand, then pressed down.

The energy ball exploded with a roar, releasing air currents that spread violently. The black light emitted by the Ferrymen was scattered easily, followed by the Ferrymen themselves. A few weaker Ferrymen were blasted by the shockwave, falling off Naihe Bridge into Wangchuan River.

The ferrymen had just fallen in when numerous ghost faces emerged. The Ferrymen struggled for just a few moments before disappearing into the river.