Jiang Liuer tried to pull Hu Yuyu away, but her physical body suddenly went limp—her three souls and seven spirits had separated from her flesh.

    Realizing something was wrong, Jiang Liuer turned to Shou Qing and found him similarly affected, his entire body collapsing like softened clay.

    When he glanced back, his Yin-Yang Eyes revealed two floating spirits.

    Cold dread gripped Jiang Liuer's heart: 'Such formidable magic!'

    On the riverbank, the ferryman's boat docked. The lanterns aboard weren't ordinary candles but flickering will-o'-wisps.

    Now Jiang Liuer understood why he'd felt bone-chilling cold—the riverside wind carried the piercing breath of the underworld.

    The two figures on the boat weren't living humans!

    Jiang Liuer stored the soulless bodies into his Void Ring.

    He prepared to flee with the two spirits.

    "Young friend, since you dared trespass the underworld, won't you meet with me?"

    Two figures disembarked. The scholarly-robed man smiled: "Jiang Liuer, originally surnamed Chen. Son of a top scholar father and prime minister's daughter. After villains ruined your privileged life twelve years ago, Monk Faming of Golden Light Temple took you in, raised by wet nurses. Am I correct?"

    Beside him, a towering figure glared with fiery eyes.

    "My Lord, this thief invaded the underworld, caused chaos, and stole my Mourning Staff!" The tall officer complained to the Judge, equal parts furious and aggrieved.

    Jiang Liuer finally recognized their identities.

    "You're that unreasonable hell-officer who tried to kill me on sight?" He challenged: "He calls you 'My Lord'—are you some underworld official?"

    The officer flushed angrily: "Unreasonable? You're the lawless border-jumper accusing the victim!".

    Jiang Liuer countered: "I explained I'm searching for a friend! You attacked without listening. Should I have stayed to be beaten? Taking your weapon was self-defense!"

    "Thieving brat! Still twisting words?" The officer's form shifted, revealing his true nature—an upright-walking yellow hound, a deceased beast recruited by hell.

    Jiang Liuer summoned Huntian Sea-Calming Sword and Vajra Demon-Subduing Pestle.

    The flying sword hovered while the pestle radiated Buddhist light.

    The Judge's eyelids twitched in surprise. 'Dragon aura from the sword—a Dragon Palace treasure. The pestle's golden lotus glow suggests bodhisattva origins! Whose disciple is this boy?'

    "Beast!" The Judge thundered. "Can you even defeat him? Cease embarrassing the underworld!"

    The cowed officer froze: "This humble servant dares not."

    Turning to Jiang Liuer, the Judge said: "Monk Faming refused to disclose your whereabouts, but I spared him. Return the Mourning Staff, and we'll let bygones be. For beasts, losing it means reincarnation in three moons."

    Jiang Liuer's eyes widened in understanding. He sheathed his weapons.

    "Should've said so earlier!" He produced the staff with feigned nonchalance.

    The Judge smiled: "My subordinate lacked manners. Apologize, cur!"

    The bewildered dog-spirit stammered: "M-my apologies..."

    After returning the staff, Jiang Liuer requested: "Could you restore my friends' souls?" He produced the bodies from his ring.

    The Judge blew yin breath, reintegrating their spirits.

    Terrified, Shou Qing sat pale-lipped by the boat edge. Hu Yuyu reverted to fox form, fluffy tail tucked as she leaped into Jiang Liuer's arms.

    "Take my boat across," the Judge offered. "My 'hound' will pole you over."

    Delighted, Jiang Liuer boarded: "My thanks, Elder Brother!"

    As they drank heated wine during the two-incense-stick journey, the Judge revealed his name—Liu Jian, former Sui Dynasty official turned underworld magistrate.

    Tipsy, Jiang Liuer jested: "When I die, get me an underworld post!"

    Liu Jian checked his registry, then froze. "You've only sixty years left... Strange. Cultivators at your stage should live centuries. Unless..." His thoughts darkened—this anomaly recalled tales of a certain Monkey King who'd defied Death's ledger.

    Meanwhile, the dog-officer sulked at the stern, watching his master and the intruder become drinking companions. Shou Qing huddled nearby, too awestruck to join the luminaries.

    As golden lotuses shimmered on the dark river, none noticed Buddhist light from Jiang Liuer's pestle quietly dispelling the yin chill around them.