Zombie Bodyguard

"Young man, if I'm not mistaken, you are the one called Lin Tian, right? Rest assured, the young lady will wake up," the Ferryman said.

Lin Tian felt somewhat relieved, nodded, and softly said, "It's me. She jumped from the Naihe Bridge into the Wangchuan River. Where did you find her?"

"The Wangchuan River seems calm and lifeless, but its waters are actually flowing. When I found the young lady, she had already drifted quite a distance with the current, even farther than where you appeared earlier. One can only imagine how much she endured from the attacking lost souls."

"The departed only know that jumping into the Wangchuan River allows them to retain memories and wait for their loved ones under the Naihe Bridge. Yet they don't realize it's wishful thinking. In the midst of torment from the vengeful souls, unaware and confused, they've drifted far away. So tragic, so lamentable," the Ferryman sighed.

These words also referred to the red-clothed female ghost. She wanted to wait for the unfaithful person under the Naihe Bridge, but judging by her expression, she didn't seem very regretful.

"Why do the vengeful souls keep following the boat?" Lin Tian couldn't help but ask, recalling the peculiar behavior of those spirits.

"Some can't bear the torment and regret it, wanting to escape their suffering. Others wish to retain their memories and reincarnate. My boat is their only hope, so they naturally follow," the Ferryman said calmly.

The words sounded a bit cruel, but Lin Tian wasn't foolish enough to ask why he couldn't be more merciful and ferry the other souls too, helping them out of their misery. That would be a silly question.

If a large number of departed souls reincarnated with their memories, the world would be in chaos. However, a few cases of reincarnation with memory exist. Even the news has reported that some people remember who they were and what happened in their past lives. Likely, they're those departed souls.

The small boat navigated the river like a submarine, followed by a large group of vengeful souls, though they only followed and didn't dare to attack the boat.

After what seemed a long journey, the Ferryman suddenly said, "We have arrived. Above us now is the Naihe Bridge."

This statement also meant it was time for the red-clothed female ghost to leave. Although the Ferryman's approach was harsh, Lin Tian had nothing to say; it was the female ghost's choice.

If it had been Xiao Manxuan asked to disembark, Lin Tian certainly would have caused a commotion on the Wangchuan River. However, if and only if that were the case, the fact was he wouldn't fight the Ferryman over the red-clothed female ghost.

"Are you Lin Tian?" Before leaving the small boat, the red-clothed female ghost asked. Lin Tian didn't understand the purpose, so he just nodded.

"Take good care of that young lady. As for us... we shall never meet again." The red-clothed female ghost glanced at Lin Tian, then decisively exited the boat and re-entered the Wangchuan River.

The red-clothed female ghost opened her arms and sank beneath the water, her flowing dress a stunning sight. Yet such beauty would eternally submerge in the Wangchuan River, appreciated by no one, her companion only the cold river water.

Lin Tian watched that patch of red dress drift away and gradually disappear, as if the melancholic song played again in his ears.

"Other Shore Flower blooms for a thousand years, withers for a thousand more, the flowers and leaves never meet. Passion is not bound by cause and effect, fate destined in life and death, forever acquainted yet never loving. In this life, untouched by the distant shore, all memories lay down, the flower blooms for Huangquan..."

"Young man, you needn't worry too much. Every thousand years, the Netherworld gives the vengeful souls in the Wangchuan River a chance. If they're willing, they can cross the Naihe Bridge again, drink the Mengpo Soup, and enter reincarnation," the Ferryman said.

Lin Tian sighed slightly, "A thousand years? A spring for plants, a lifetime for humans; a thousand years is almost eternity to mortals. But, it's a form of kindness from the Netherworld, isn't it?"

"I just can't understand, the Netherworld is a cold and heartless place. Why would the Netherworld King make such a benevolent arrangement?" Lin Tian said with confusion.

"It's not the Netherworld King, it's Ksitigarbha. Although the Netherworld has its rules, Ksitigarbha is compassionate. Once he spoke, the Netherworld King had to heed," the Ferryman said with a peculiar tone, unclear if he was mocking the Netherworld King's ruthlessness or something else.

"I see. I hope she gains enlightenment and escapes her suffering in this thousand years," Lin Tian said, referring of course to the red-clothed female ghost.

"That's exactly Ksitigarbha's intention. The departed souls entering the Wangchuan River are all too obsessed. If a thousand years of descending can lead to great insight, it's a good thing," the Ferryman seemed to enjoy chatting with Lin Tian, responding once more.

"I've always had a question: In the Netherworld, is the Netherworld King or Ksitigarbha more powerful?" Lin Tian voiced the peculiar question on his mind.

This time, the Ferryman merely shook his head slightly and didn't answer Lin Tian's question. Lin Tian didn't press for an answer; it's likely that very few could answer such a query.

"Alright, your destination has also arrived," the Ferryman said again.

Lin Tian stepped out from the canopy, discovering that the small boat was already on the surface, just at the shore, with the Naihe Bridge not far away, spanning the broad Wangchuan River, its end out of sight.

"Where is this place?" Lin Tian, feeling the environment was somewhat unfamiliar, couldn't help but ask. Although it was the head of the Naihe Bridge, it didn't seem to be the side they came from.

"This is the opposite bank of the Wangxiang Platform, meaning you've already crossed the Naihe Bridge," the Ferryman patiently explained.

Lin Tian was taken aback, saying, "Crossed the Naihe Bridge? I'm supposed to leave the Netherworld. How do I leave after crossing it?"

According to Zhang Lingyu, going past the Naihe Bridge is almost reaching Fengdu City. Inside Fengdu City lies the Ten Halls Yama, with the Six Paths of Reincarnation and the Eighteen Layers of Hell further down. How to turn back from there?

"I only ferry souls here, without making them drink the Mengpo Soup to erase their memories. There's no precedent for ferrying souls back. If you want to leave the Netherworld, it'll depend on your ability," the Ferryman said, sounding somewhat sly.

Lin Tian was dumbfounded, thinking he hitchhiked a ride, only to be taken to Fengdu City. Does he have to jump back into the Wangchuan River and swim back holding the Second Miss?

The Ferryman seemed to read Lin Tian's thoughts and reminded, "I warn you, once in the Wangchuan River, only I can bring you out. Attempting to bypass the ghost soldiers on the Naihe Bridge by swimming back through the Wangchuan River, you'll find you can't reach the shore."

"Really, this unlucky?" Lin Tian felt as if a thousand galloping horses were running through his mind, struck hard.

"If it's fate, there's no avoiding it; if it's misfortune, it can't be dodged. If I were you, I'd regain human form before going ashore; otherwise, you'll find yourself the target of everyone's attention," the Ferryman advised again.

Lin Tian touched his forehead and teeth, finally realizing he was still in his zombie form. Inspired, he quickly resumed his normal human appearance.

Yet, this Ferryman didn't seem to care about his zombie identity, piquing Lin Tian's curiosity about the Ferryman's own identity even more.