Chapter 112: Fan Wujiu

The story of the Black Impermanence is a darker tale.

Legend has it that once there was a father and son. The son grew up lazy and indifferent to hard work, indulging in smoking and gambling. Despite the father's discipline, the son refused to listen. One day, the son returned from gambling, having lost everything. Enraged, the father severed all ties with him, forbidding him from entering the house.

Not long after, news came that the son had drowned in a stone pavilion somewhere.

Years passed. One night, the son appeared outside his family home. As he was about to enter, the dogs in the yard barked incessantly. The father, knowing it was a restless spirit causing trouble, grabbed a knife in one hand and an oil lamp in the other, stepping out to confront the ghost. Seeing his father’s fierce demeanor, the son leapt onto the roof, saying, “Father, I have no intention of harming anyone. I only wished to come back and see you.”

The father replied, “You caused harm in life, and even in death you disturb the peace of the village. Hearing of your passing weighed heavily on my heart for a long time, but now that I see you continuing your misdeeds, I feel no sorrow.”

The son said, “You speak truly. I have realized my wrongdoings and swear to mend my ways. In my next life, I will repay the kindness you showed in raising me by living virtuously.”

The father said, “That is good. Otherwise, I could not face the villagers.”

The son promised, “Rest assured, Father. From now on, I will endure punishment and suffering in the underworld and will not return to trouble you again. Please take care of yourself.”

From then on, the son never harmed anyone. He descended into the eighteen levels of hell to receive his torment. There, he endured immense suffering and finally understood the value of life and the gravity of his past sins.

One day, King Qin Guang, one of the ten kings of hell, summoned him and asked, “Why do you not return to the living world to take another life?”

He replied, “In my past life, I committed countless evil deeds, hated and cursed by thousands. Wherever I went, people wielded knives and clubs against me. Such wickedness brings only contempt. I want to start anew as a good person.”

Qin Guang said, “It seems you truly wish to change. I tell you this: if you continue to do good for three years, I will petition the Lord of the Underworld to grant you an official post.”

After three years, the ten kings of hell summoned him again. “You have indeed reformed and done many good deeds. I have petitioned the Lord of the Underworld, who has approved your appointment as the Black Impermanence, an official responsible for capturing evil spirits.”

From that day on, he wore a black hemp robe and patrolled the world at midnight, investigating both overt and hidden misdeeds. He reported the good deeds to the Lord of the Underworld and the evil deeds to Judge Cui, capturing many malevolent spirits.

As Fang You recalled this, he also remembered when, in hell, he had saved Zhang Shengnan and encountered three ghost attendants—Li Shanshui, Zhang Chuande, and Zhou Jie.

They said, if one could reincarnate, who would wish to remain forever in the underworld? Yet, because of their heinous sins in life, they could not be reborn, so they sought official positions in hell to avoid daily torment.

“Looks like the High Deity has done many good deeds in this incarnation!” said White Impermanence with a cheerful smile. “If you can live well through this life, you should be able to return to heaven and become a deity again!”

Black Impermanence, his face darkened, said, “We hope the High Deity will act wisely and not betray the heavenly will. Otherwise, the next life will only bring more suffering among mortals!”

Hearing this, Fang You felt as if the White and Black Impermanences knew his past.

Just as Fang You was about to ask more, White Impermanence said abruptly, “Don’t say too much, lest we reveal heavenly secrets and be punished!”

“That’s true. In that case, no more words. Let’s go!” Black Impermanence agreed.

After speaking, they continued to lead the ghost soldiers in capturing the stray spirits and malevolent ghosts haunting Dragon God Mountain.

“Luckily, nothing serious happened,” said Bai Ling, relieved.

“From what was just said, could it be you know each other?” Gao Chang looked at Fang You, sensing something from the tone.

“Who can say? Perhaps in some past life, we shared drinks and friendship,” Fang You smiled wryly.

Yet Fang You no longer wished to delve into past lives. He only wanted to finish their current affairs and return to live peacefully with Zhang Shengnan. As long as he did no more evil, it mattered little how fierce the underworld officials were.

Though ghost soldiers passed by that night to capture wandering spirits, Gao Chang and the others dared not proceed further. After two close calls upon entering the mountain, they agreed to wait until daylight to continue.

They found a safer place to rest.

The next day, after a night of danger, all were weary but pressed on.

As they journeyed, the morning sun rose, bringing a sense of comfort. Dragon Tiger Mountain was a quiet wilderness with fresh air—no wonder some wealthy people wished to retire to rural mountain life. Such a place was truly suited for cultivating the spirit and health.

Suddenly, a thick fog appeared before them, rising swiftly and catching everyone off guard.

“This fine weather, how come there’s a thick fog now? It’s like a ghost’s doing! It was bright and sunny just moments ago!” Gao Chang said with suspicion.

The knife at Bai Ling’s waist flickered, sensing something amiss.

Fang You sniffed the air, detecting the foul smell of an animal, and smiled. “Since it’s here, let it show itself.”

Suddenly, a gigantic weasel appeared through the mist, its size comparable to two adults, filling everyone with dread.

“Daoist, do I look like a god or a demon to you?” it asked.

Fang You smiled, calming everyone. This was a mountain spirit, a wild creature seeking recognition.

Legend says that some mountain spirits wish to transform into human form. To do so, they must ask a person whether they seem like a god or a demon.

If the person answers “god,” it means they acknowledge the spirit’s identity, allowing it to become an earthly immortal.

If they say “demon,” the spirit must either remain a demon or lose its cultivation and start anew.

Thus, some demons seek out Taoist priests to ask for this recognition, even performing favors just to secure a favorable answer, hoping to gain a shred of immortality instead of being condemned as mere monsters.

Since cultivation is arduous, few risk such things. It’s easier to assist traveling Taoists, gaining a measure of favor to become an earthly immortal without facing heavenly thunder or earthly tribulations.

“So, sir, do I look like a god or a demon to you?” the creature asked.