Chapter 2: To the Underworld

Brother Peng walked forward in the mist and saw a cave. This cave was the only passage in the direction of travel; he could either crawl inside or turn back. Brother Peng stated that at that moment, he had no awareness of turning back and continued to move forward in a daze

Brother Peng ventured into this black abyss, moving forward in the darkness. It is unclear how long he walked, but suddenly, light appeared before him. For someone who has been in darkness for a long time, their eyes may not adjust well to bright light. However, Brother Peng remarked that the light before him was very gentle and did not hurt his eyes at all. Logically, emerging from darkness and suddenly seeing light should be an exhilarating experience. Yet, at that moment, Brother Peng felt not excitement, but a wave of desolation.

He asked, "Brother Peng, you initially said that you involuntarily got onto the elevator, as if you had lost your mind. But why is it that now, seeing this expanse of land, you are instead afraid to walk? Does that mean you had a clear consciousness at that time?"

At that moment, as I stood at the entrance and gazed deeply into the dark abyss, can you guess what I saw

There is not a sound in the room, and we listen quietly

Brother Peng opened his mouth as if to say something, but then shook his head: "Forget it, consider it as if I never said anything."

Ah! Brother Peng felt a shiver run through him as he looked at the man with the pipe across from him

Then what? we asked

At that moment, someone suddenly spoke: "Don't leave. If you do, you will truly be finished."

Two teams slowly approached each other from both ends according to a certain procedure, while Brother Peng stood in the middle of the street, occasionally glancing to either side, entranced.

If we delve deeper here, it would become too profound. We do not have the time for deep contemplation; we merely make a note here and allow Brother Peng to continue speaking

This force, which we shall call for the time being, not only creates scenarios for individuals but also bestows consciousness and sensation at appropriate moments

Peng Liang! Suddenly, another voice sounded beside him, and the voice seemed very familiar

Ah!

Brother Peng is so happy, finally finding the main group. In such a eerie and strange place, encountering a crowd is truly exhilarating

One side is a black dragon moving through the dim yellow haze, while the other side is a fiery, dazzling display of celestial maidens scattering flowers, so vivid it takes one's breath away, leaving him unable to move his legs

Brother Peng said, I have been wandering aimlessly, with not a single shadow in sight, my heart filled with an indescribable sense of helplessness and panic

Brother Peng turned his head and saw that the dragon dance team had somehow arrived nearby. Among a large crowd of people who appeared blurry like shadows, there was an old man with a pale face who looked very real. He was hunched over, wearing an old yellow work uniform, standing not far away, and his wrinkled face was filled with smiles: "Liangliang, Grandpa is here, come quickly to see Grandpa"

Scenes from the past flash through my mind like a movie, how I suffered a heart attack, how I was taken to the hospital, how I died on the operating table, each fragment is vividly clear

The strangeness of the scene is not the source of his fear; what terrifies him the most is the sense that something indescribable seems to be hidden within this haze and the vast ruins of the city. To use a somewhat inappropriate metaphor, this city feels as if it is dead, devoid of vitality, while those things seem like phosphorescence dancing on a corpse

The other team, however, is difficult to discern in its purpose, as the crowd surges. Amidst the throng, one can occasionally see colorful petals scattering into the air, gently descending to the ground, while a cloying aroma of roasted pig permeates the atmosphere

I saw another me, seemingly standing on the other side of the abyss, gazing deeply at this me

"Did you see yourself?" Li Damin said in disbelief

I saw myself" Brother Peng said word by word

Yes. You young people may not be aware of some practices from the past. Some individuals, after visiting unclean places, become dazed and foolish, not responding to anyone. What is the reason for this? The common people say it is because their soul has been lost. Later, I researched some materials on this topic and found that a person has three souls and seven spirits. If the soul or spirit is lost, the person is left with only a physical shell. Therefore, it is necessary to summon the soul by going to the place where it may have been lost and calling out the person's name. It is said that during the soul-summoning process, one must also hold the clothes that the person usually wears, which is quite troublesome and complicated. I cannot explain it in detail, so if you have the opportunity, you should interview that person.

Brother Peng always felt that someone was watching him from behind, hidden in the deep mist, a sensation that sent shivers down his spine

I quickly reached out my hand with Li Damin and said, "Brother Peng, are you alright?"

Brother Peng quickened his pace, hurrying towards that direction. Before him lay a thick fog, swirling around, and no matter which way he turned, there seemed to be no end in sight

As he emerged from the black hole, a scene of desolation unfolded before him—a ruined cityscape. The sight was one of devastation: the residential areas were deserted, buildings had collapsed, and some high-rises were entirely missing their sides. Steel frames and barbed wire twisted outwards, as if a divine axe had descended from the heavens to cleave through them with precision. The ground was pockmarked and uneven, resembling a place that had endured a cataclysmic war.

That kind of smoking pipe I have only seen on television, with a copper stem that is quite long, probably over one meter. The person's face is indistinct, feeling both close at hand and seemingly far away. His mouth keeps moving, likely sucking on the mouthpiece.

Li Damin anxiously scratched the wall: "Brother Peng, we are not children. We have already graduated and entered the workforce. I was even the president of the student council when I was in school"

Brother Peng's grandfather died of cancer, specifically pancreatic cancer. The old man was diagnosed with the terminal illness at the age of eighty-five, and due to his advanced age, there was no possibility of treatment. Grandfather held on for a year before passing away last year. At the time of his death, Peng Liang was in Hong Kong conducting business, and when he received the news, he did not rush back. Firstly, his family could handle the situation, and secondly, given his grandfather's age, everyone had already mentally prepared for this outcome. While the old man was alive, they had already regarded him as if he were deceased, and there was no longer any feeling of sorrow.

Li Damin exclaimed, "Then Brother Peng, who is this person you are talking about?"

Li Damin licked his lips and said, "Are you implying that the person calling your name is actually trying to summon your soul?"

Then, I woke up and found myself lying in a hearse heading to the morgue

I strive to imagine that kind of darkness in my mind and clear my throat to ask: "What is the most terrifying thing?"

When Brother Peng realized this issue, the sense of despair and fear felt like ten thousand ants biting chaotically on his heart and body, causing him to completely collapse

At that moment, someone shouted loudly from the void: "Peng Liang!"

"What does it mean?" Li Damin asked, squinting his eyes

Brother Peng's heart recalled a voice, I want to go back, I want to go back

Brother Peng took a sip of wine, smacked his lips, and said: "Aren't you all planning to study the underworld? You must interview this person."

This sentence was spoken softly, yet to Brother Peng, it resonated like the long ringing of a Buddhist bell, as if a flash had struck in his mind, and in that instant, he became fully awake

Li Damin and I exchanged a glance and shook our heads

That person is a semi-immortal, quite sinister. You are still children; do not provoke any trouble when you go there

He stood up, tapping the bottom of his feet with the smoking pot, and pointed at Brother Peng, saying: "Peng Liang!"

Brother Peng chuckled: "This can be considered as having made a round at the gates of hell"

Ah! Just as Brother Peng was about to leave, the fog suddenly cleared, and he found himself in the middle of a street, in an open space resembling a picture book. The street was long, with two groups slowly approaching from both ends.

That abyss seemed like a mirror, and I am truly sorry, but I cannot describe that feeling. I stared into the darkness as if looking into my own heart. What terrified me the most was that although I saw myself, I seemed not to recognize him, as if I were gazing at a distant, indifferent stranger

At this moment, it was still Li Damin who discovered the problem; not to mention that this young man has a sharp mind and can catch every suspicious detail

It was at this moment that he realized he was dead

The man with the pipe appeared extremely anxious, repeatedly calling out the name of Brother Peng; strangely, he did not come over to pull him.

This cave is pitch black and deep, resembling an abyss that seems bottomless. Just how dark is it? There is not a glimmer of light at all. This absolute darkness seems to possess a powerful allure, capable of drawing a person in, shattering and dissolving them into this endless void.

As he turned his head, he saw an ancient alley emerging from the mist, flanked by red high walls overgrown with weeds. At the entrance of the alley squatted a person, wrapped in a black cotton coat, holding a long smoking pipe in hand

After a long while, Brother Peng finally said: "You cannot possibly imagine what that darkness is like; I doubt there is anything like it in this world. It is a pure darkness, devoid of any light. However, this is not the most terrifying part."

You can hardly imagine my feelings when he finished that sentence; it was as if a current surged through my entire body, an indescribable fear washed over me like a tide

Brother Peng felt an involuntary chill run through his body, not out of fear, but from a sense of insignificance, as he confronted the vastness of nature, feeling as powerless as an ant.

Brother Peng said that my consciousness seems to have been bestowed upon me by something.

A team is performing with a dragon head, the sound of gongs and drums fills the air, and the lights are bright. From a distance, one can see an incredibly lifelike black dragon dancing among the crowd, soaring up and down. The two dragon eyes on the dragon's head glow fiercely red, resembling two bright lanterns illuminating the haze. It is said that adding the finishing touch to a dragon painting brings it to life, and indeed, with these two red dragon eyes, the dragon seems to come alive, even the whiskers on its head are quivering. The crowd occasionally erupts in enthusiastic cheers, and the excitement is comparable to that of a festive market during the New Year.

Peng Liang! He called out for the third time, each call louder than the last. The sound pierced through Brother Peng's mind like a sharp object, making him increasingly alert, and his responses grew louder.

At that moment, he suddenly heard a sound of gongs and drums that seemed both very close and very far away, creating a lively atmosphere. The rhythm of the drums was fast yet not chaotic, very rhythmic, as if it adhered to some kind of pattern, making it pleasant to listen to

Brother Peng looked at him in confusion and said, "To be honest, I don't know." He pondered for a moment, clearly contemplating the issue. Then he uttered a statement that left both Li Damin and me dumbfounded

It is unclear how long they have been walking, only that they are getting closer, as the sound of drums and gongs grows louder. The drumbeats are particularly jarring, accompanied by the faint sounds of a large crowd, creating a rather noisy and lively atmosphere

Brother Peng, upon reaching this point, took a deep breath, his face displaying a profound expression of pain. Breathing rapidly, he clutched his chest with both hands, a gesture that terrified both Li Damin and me; if he were to suffer a heart attack, we would undoubtedly be implicated.

"Come here! I will take you back." The man's voice was very alluring

Peng Liang, we are fated! Come with me, I will take you back

It is said that when the elderly take their last breath, they cannot help but utter a name, which is Peng Liang

Brother Peng stood in place, gazing at his deceased grandfather. The immense fear had already driven him to the brink of collapse, rendering him unable to take a single step forward

Peng Liang! That person called out again

Outside the door lies a misty expanse, devoid of sunlight and earth, shrouded in chaos, resembling a city ruin enveloped in thick smog. Some may ask, if nothing is visible, how can one be certain it is a city ruin? According to Brother Peng, when he stepped out of the elevator and gazed upon this space, he felt a profound sense of sorrow and desolation. Upon further reflection, this feeling seemed inexplicable and ineffable, akin to entering a human city that has suffered a major disaster, filled with grief, desolation, and misery, as the cold wind stirs the dense fog. He saw the solitude and bleakness that followed the destruction of civilization.

"My soul was summoned back by him. Without him, I would have already joined my grandfather below."

It was noon when Brother Peng invited the two of us to dinner, and we did not decline. At the dining table, I raised a question: "Brother Peng, who is the person with the smoking pipe?"

Grandfather stood there, chuckling: "Liang Liang, Liang Liang." The old man's face was covered with numerous overlapping wrinkles, devoid of a beard, making it difficult to ascertain his age. His eyes were extremely murky, resembling fake eyeballs, yet the glint in them was quite peculiar, exuding an indescribable cunning, reminiscent of a palace eunuch. Most terrifying was the old man's hair, completely gray; that shade of grayish white evoked images of lifeless plants, a desolate graveyard.

The sky gradually darkened, and a yellow haze slowly rose, resembling a sandstorm. It slowly enveloped the earth and sky, reducing visibility to just a few meters. Brother Peng wandered aimlessly in this haze, unaware of where he was headed.

Then I entered the cave, Brother Peng said

Brother Peng, look at the two of us, our eyes flickering, wanting to say something but unable to express it, in the end, we can only shake our heads.

At that moment, he felt as if he were paralyzed by a nightmare, wanting to leave yet too afraid to do so, standing there, trembling in fear.

After he finished recounting these experiences, both Li Damin and I were left in a daze

"What happened?" Li Damin asked in confusion

He walked over slowly

Later, Brother Peng returned to attend the funeral, and someone informed him about the old man's repeated mention of his name. Brother Peng, being somewhat superstitious and a businessman, particularly believed in such matters as feng shui and the deity Guan Gong. Although it was his own grandfather, he couldn't help but feel uneasy and developed a sense of dread.

This feeling is extremely oppressive, making it hard to breathe. Although this space is shrouded in thick fog, it stands like a grand and enormous beast, quietly looming as if it intends to devour the heavens and the earth

He raised his eyes and saw, amidst the thick fog, two faintly glowing red lanterns appearing in the air.

At that moment, he was astonished to see the old man standing right in front of him, and his scalp nearly felt like it was exploding. He was so frightened that he trembled all over, unable to move his legs.

This is quite surprising and perplexing. Peng Liang and his grandfather did not share a deep bond, as they could go an entire year without seeing each other. Before the old man passed away, the cancer had spread to his brain, leaving him mostly confused. He spent his days rambling incoherently, speaking nonsense, yet who would have thought that in his final moments, he would continuously mention Peng Liang, repeating his name incessantly

The atmosphere at that moment was very tense and oppressive, and both Li Damin and I were frightened by him

He quickened his pace and moved forward. At this moment, the fog grew thicker, making it impossible to see anything with outstretched hands, and he had no sense of direction at all. The only thing that could guide him were the two red lanterns hanging high in the air

Brother Peng waved his hand, his entire body slumping in the boss's chair, his face pale, his teeth chattering, and the bewildered fear in his eyes was simply indescribable

Brother Peng readily agreed: "Ah!"

Accompanied by the cloying aroma of meat, the two teams drew closer. The old man staggered forward, reaching out his hand as if to pull his grandson. At that moment, Brother Peng said, I suddenly felt a surge of energy from somewhere, and I charged towards the opposite side. In my blurred consciousness, the last thing I saw was the satisfied smile of the pipe-smoking man