Volume One: Arrival in the Esteemed Land Chapter Five: Liberation of the Human Spirit

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Chen Chen distanced himself once again from the location that once housed the underworld’s gate. Though abandoned now, and despite the sins that had transpired there, he chose to move away. Not far from where he walked, a sudden explosion echoed from the ghostly gateway of the netherworld, shrouded in secrecy and veiled histories unknown to most.

Bearing the heavy weight of past evils, Chen Chen wished neither to linger nor to witness how some exploited this cavernous place to commit wicked deeds. As he wandered through the mountains, free from the shadows of malevolence, his spirit felt lighter and his body healthier.

Resting once again upon a tree, perched high to survey the vast expanse, he found that from this vantage point, the true nature of humanity revealed itself more clearly. With the demise of that cavernous underworld, so too faded its filth and corruption.

Whenever the chilling winds howled, it was a grim sign that some living soul was up to mischief again. In such dark, sunless places, what was absorbed was not mere air but genuine life energy. Witnessing such silent thefts of vitality, it became clear that sinister cultivators lurked within these shadowed depths.

This time, whether it was a flying blade or someone gasping for breath, a portion of this vital energy was drawn into the pitch-black abyss and vanished without trace.

At the outer edge of the underworld’s domain, revelers drank and laughed, yet their eyes occasionally flickered with a cold gleam. They were well aware of certain unsavory dealings hidden from plain sight.

Some chose to set traps and safeguards within the underworld to prevent evil acts—such as the perverse practice of harvesting yin to replenish yang—from recurring. After all, in those pitch-dark caves where human nature was unrestrained, some truly believed they could silently absorb others’ life force.

This time, once again, an audacious fool had wreaked havoc within. Certain factions even brought explosives to demolish the cavern, yet failed to deploy measures or send forces to eradicate this hidden threat once and for all. Several groups clad in black ventured in and out, their destination always that same forbidden place.

In the martial world, countless mysteries remained inscrutable. When evil brewed and dark arts harmed the innocent, few had the luxury to hesitate—one simply acted as necessary.

Deep within the mountains, some entities preferred to hide in the sunless shadows. That cavern, once the ghostly gate, inherently bore a spectral mark. In nature, it resembled the ancestral tombs of great clans—a dark, lightless hollow nestled among flora and trees.

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After sunset, darkness enveloped the land. Inside that perpetually sunless cavern, countless sinister deeds unfolded under the cover of night.

Chen Chen, observing from afar, discerned subtle clues. The darkness within that cavern was starkly distinct from the brightness outside. In its central region, the howling black winds either stole life energy or devoured vitality.

This time, the masses found such acts unforgivable. Draining this one today, siphoning that one tomorrow—after enough was taken, the victim naturally became culpable in the eyes of others. That place became a domain of sin.

Batch after batch of black-clad figures, torches in hand, entered the cavern to cleanse it thoroughly. Provided it was purified enough, apart from the distant harvesting of others’ life force, those targeted would not be so drained as to suffocate.

The optimal solution, however, was to eliminate the threat entirely—rooting it out completely. The cavern’s entrance was sealed tight with various materials.

For certain beings who did not require a physical body and ignored physical defenses, it mattered little; they came and went as they pleased. As long as they could not attach to flesh and feed on human essence, all was well.

At least, those ravaged and heavily deprived outside the mountains could find some peace and tranquility.

When human nature was unshackled, many desired to act at will. But no matter how one played, dark sorcery should be avoided, innocents spared, and others allowed restful sleep.

When such evils were discovered, it was possible to draw a blade and eliminate the wrongdoers to prevent the ruin of living beings and the birth of a ghostly domain.

Ghosts have their own territories, but they must not be allowed to prevail. Feeding on human vitality—even from the depths of rat holes—was a crime.

Sealing that cavern, ending the harvest of vitality, was a virtuous deed. Such a small blessing reminded all that humanity’s path still held hope.

So long as the spectral ways did not run rampant, a measure of dignity remained.

Chen Chen, following the meteor’s fall, found himself beneath a clear sky. How to live better—that was the paramount question.

Among the assembled groups, various teams began to stir into action.

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Some were tasked with clearing obstacles and securing the path ahead; others came with specific goals—to gather raw materials; and still others arrived expressly to purge the underworld’s ghostly gate of its corruption.

The ghostly gate had always marked the boundary between the living and the dead; no living body should enter. Restless spirits preferred to linger there, but the living—those still in flesh—should avoid it to spare their families worry.

With another defensive barrier established, it remained uncertain whether the black winds that consumed vitality would cease.

Whether other entities still harbored intentions to gather was unknown.

Meanwhile, the teams harvesting materials persisted—collecting items like moisture-draining coix seeds and other resources born of the mountains but urgently needed beyond.

After dealing with the cavern, some teams found justified cause to convene, restoring a faint trace of righteousness to the world.

Some groups hid in shadows, quietly observing the stirrings of evil, their strength no less formidable.

Among them was Chen Chen, a discerning botanist who, carrying a glimmer of hope, busied himself in the mountains. Especially since composing impromptu poems had, at some unknown point, become his favorite pastime.

Liberating human nature, it seemed, had become a means to restrain evil—bringing many benefits.

Over time, this place had transformed into a realm where people strived for business and a better life.

Many within had set modest goals and aspirations.

The ghostly gate was most taboo to the living. Occasionally, a task might arise to maintain the shared environment.

Such a mission could be counted among these duties; Chen Chen was unsure who would take on such a role.

On another front, the mountains held rare treasures of nature, some perhaps older than those who sought them. Those lacking the qualifications to claim them might not survive three trials.

Also, a hidden band of black-clad assassins lurked in the mountains, their numbers unknown.

Thus, tracking down murderers became another task.

Eliminating ferocious beasts and maintaining natural harmony was also vital.

Wolves, tigers, leopards—those known to prey on humans faced no mercy.

At nightfall, many gathered, kindling bonfires and celebrating with song and dance, rediscovering a long-lost humanity amid the joy.