Chapter 80: Return to the Nether Street (Scheduled for Release on May 14)

A wave of dizziness surged through Zhou Bai’s mind, but this time he quickly adapted. Glancing to the side, he saw Daoist Hou sprawled awkwardly on the ground. Under Zhou Bai’s gaze, it took Hou Daoist more than a dozen breaths before he managed to crawl to his feet. He coughed a few times, straightened his Daoist robes, and was about to speak when he suddenly noticed something odd about their surroundings.

He looked around in astonishment, his mouth agape behind his mask. Before them stretched an endless street, with many branching paths—a veritable underground town. Amid the crowds, there were many demons and ghosts, though fewer than the last time Zhou Bai had come, likely due to the chaos in Yuzhou. The two of them stood near the edge of Nether Street, yet there was no shortage of foot traffic.

A yellow ox, about five meters tall, lumbered toward them. Daoist Hou couldn’t help but dodge aside. “Good heavens.”

The yellow ox seemed displeased by his reaction, snorting a plume of white breath and lowering its head. On its bovine face was a peculiar mask patterned like a maple leaf. “This is Nether Street,” it admonished, “not a place for shrieking and hollering.”

“Apologies, it’s his first time here,” Zhou Bai replied, surprised by how timid Daoist Hou had become. Back at the banquet, they had talked at length about Nether Street, but it seemed Hou had paid no heed.

The yellow ox continued to glare at them. Even Zhou Bai began to feel uneasy under its gaze when it spoke again: “If you wish to go anywhere in Nether Street, you may ride on Old Ox’s back—just pay a little contribution.”

Zhou Bai and Daoist Hou exchanged glances, surprised that such a service existed in Nether Street. Judging from the unconcerned reactions of passersby, it must be quite common.

Seeing them hesitate, Old Ox snorted impatiently. “If you don’t want to spend your contribution for a ride, just say so. Don’t waste Old Ox’s time.” With that, he turned to leave, each stride covering several meters.

Zhou Bai quickly stopped him, thinking a guide would be just what they needed in this unfamiliar place. “Wait, I’ll pay the contribution.”

“Hmph, there are few in Nether Street who know it better than Old Ox,” the beast replied, pleased to have secured a fare—especially from two newcomers who would likely need to visit several places, making for a profitable trip.

Old Ox lowered himself, allowing Zhou Bai and Daoist Hou to leap onto his back. The service was surprisingly thorough: a thick blanket was spread atop, along with a small assortment of fruit.

Daoist Hou looked around in wonder. Standing on the ox’s back, he had a sweeping view of half of Nether Street. The variety of shops was astounding, and there wasn’t a single demon or monster that looked like any other.

Zhou Bai, meanwhile, used the opportunity to study Nether Street itself. Beyond the streets, there was only infinite darkness—as if the entire town floated above an abyss. According to Yu Jun and the others, this darkness was the stomach of Nether Street, capable of returning anything or anyone lost within it to the place where they first entered.

With such a naturally defensible location, the Directorate of Nether Rites had little need to guard it heavily; the mass of monsters and demons here served as the best shield. Every year, many lost control in their quest to master their true forms and became monsters, though some transformed by choice. Unable to walk openly in the Nine Provinces, these people found their best refuge here in Nether Street.

Old Ox’s voice rumbled, snapping Zhou Bai from his thoughts. “Where to first, gentlemen?”

“Let’s look at some techniques first, of course,” Daoist Hou replied eagerly. He was desperate to find a way to cure his bodily affliction at the Directorate of Nether Rites. If controlling the transformation into a demon were so easy, there wouldn’t be so many monsters wandering the streets; this in itself was proof of the difficulty. The thought made him all the more anxious, and he urged them on repeatedly.

But Zhou Bai stopped him. “Don’t forget, you haven’t joined the Directorate yet. We need to take care of that first.”

Old Ox immediately set off. “I know where to go. Look to the north and south—that’s the prison of the Directorate of Nether Rites, where newcomers are registered and officials promoted.”

Zhou Bai looked in the direction indicated and saw a prominent building, reminiscent of a county office but grander and more imposing, its gray-white walls carved with images of rare beasts. The massive gates were over ten meters high, likely to accommodate the size of the various monsters and demons.

When Zhou Bai had joined the Directorate, he’d been recommended by Wang Zhen and hadn’t needed to go through the formalities. Daoist Hou, however, would have to register himself.

Old Ox’s pace was swift, and in less than ten minutes they arrived at the prison. Here, they saw a fair number of people—some, like them, had arrived atop giant beasts, though these were in the minority.

Old Ox let them down, casting a wary glance at the other giant beasts, then whispered, “Don’t look for anyone else; in Nether Street, my prices are the fairest and my knowledge the best.” With that, he stuck out his tongue, a token coiled at its tip.

Zhou Bai understood—this was his cue to pay. He took out his own token, tapped it against Old Ox’s, and saw a star fly from his to the other’s.

“The distance was short, so I’ll only charge two contribution points. Head into the prison—I’ll wait for you outside.”

Zhou Bai, with his keen eyes, could tell Old Ox hadn’t taken any detours, and the fee was quite reasonable.

Daoist Hou stood before the prison, watching as a three-meter-tall rabbit brushed past him. He sidled over to Zhou Bai and whispered, “I suddenly feel a lot less pressure. Good grief, the Directorate is crawling with monsters and demons—a zombie Daoist shouldn’t be anything unusual.”

Zhou Bai didn’t respond, heading straight for the building. Since Daoist Hou’s mood had adjusted so well, Zhou Bai saw no reason to disillusion him. No point in telling him that these monsters and demons had gathered in Nether Street out of sheer necessity.

There was a steady flow of people at the entrance. According to Yu Jun, this was also where officials came to be promoted. Only a few were allowed in at a time—about three people—but each visit lasted only a few breaths, so there was no need to wait in line.

The two of them stepped over the half-meter-high threshold, and were immediately struck speechless by what they saw.

Before them stood an enormous desk, behind which sat a giant thirty meters tall, clad in the black robes and mask of the Directorate, looking every bit the image of the King of Hell. Mist swirled around the giant’s torso, and his face was shrouded in clouds, obscuring any hint of his features.