Emperor Taizong looked around, realizing it was a different path than before. He asked the judge, "Is this a different route?"

The judge replied, "Not really. The underworld is like this—there's an exit route but no return path. Now we are guiding Your Majesty to exit the Wheel of Transmigration. You can not only explore the realms of the afterlife but also learn how to transcend and be reborn."

Emperor Taizong had no choice but to follow Judge Cui and General Zhu as they led the way forward.

After walking for a few miles, they spotted a tall mountain surrounded by dark clouds hanging low and black mist obscuring the sky.

Emperor Taizong asked, "Mr. Cui, what mountain is that over there?"

"It's the Shadow-Backed Mountain of the Underworld."

Emperor Taizong felt a shiver down his spine. "How can I go through there?"

The judge reassured him, "Your Majesty, please don't worry. We are here to guide you."

With trembling steps, Emperor Taizong followed the two men. As they reached the rocky terrain of the mountain, he looked up and saw a landscape full of bumps and ruggedness.

It was as steep as the mountains in Sichuan, and as high as the Luoyan Peak. This wasn't a famous mountain from the mortal realm; it was a treacherous place within the realm of the afterlife.

Thickets of thorns concealed ghosts and monsters, while jagged cliffs harbored sinister spirits. No sounds of animals or birds could be heard around them, only the presence of eerie beings. The chilling wind blew incessantly, and the black mist spread endlessly. The dreadful wind howled like sentinels of divine soldiers, churning the black mist, which was as thick as the breath of lurking spirits.

Looking in all directions, there was no scenery to be found. Gazing around, there was only a desolate wasteland of the departed.

In one direction lay mountains, peaks, ridges, caves and ravines with streams. But these were no ordinary sights. The mountains lacked vegetation, the peaks didn't pierce the sky, the ridges barred passage for travelers, the caves refused to hold clouds, and the streams ran dry without a trickle of water.

Along the shores were all sorts of eerie creatures, under the ridges lurked spirits and demons. Within the caves dwelled wild ghosts, and at the bottom of the ravines hid malevolent souls. Before and behind the mountains, monsters and beasts clamored wildly. Half-exposed, half-concealed, hungry ghosts and tormented souls wept together during their dire moments.

The impatient judges hurriedly sent messages and summoned their messengers in a rush while the pursuing officials shouted and yelled, urging on official documents. Swift-footed messengers dashed like whirlwinds while the Underworld officials stirred up a flurry of black mist.

Emperor Taizong relied entirely on the judge's protection and managed to cross the gloomy mountains.

They continued on, passing through many courts, each one filled with heart-wrenching cries and terrifying apparitions.

Emperor Taizong asked again, "Where are we now?"

The judge replied, "This is the Eighteen Levels of Hell behind the Shadow-Backed Mountain."

Emperor Taizong inquired, "What are these eighteen levels?"

The judge began explaining:

"Straining Tendon Hell, Miserable Mistreatment Hell, Fiery Pit Hell – all of them quiet and desolate, tormenting souls relentlessly. They're a result of countless deeds committed in life, and in death, one must face the consequences.

"Fengdu Hell, Tongue-Pulling Hell, Flaying Hell – all filled with weeping and sorrow, a punishment for betraying loyalty and filial piety, for turning away from virtue and embracing deceit.

"Rubbing Torture Hell, Grinding Press Hell, Collapsing Chariot Hell – the sinners have their skin ripped, flesh torn, mouths gagged, teeth ground, a punishment for twisting justice with hidden motives, for deceiving with clever words.

"Icebound Hell, Shedding Skin Hell, Intestine Extraction Hell – we only see faces filthy, heads disheveled, brows creased with pain. All because of cheating the innocent with deceit, leading to a stockpile of misfortune and personal suffering.

"Oil Cauldron Hell, Pitch-Black Hell, Knife Mountain Hell – filled with sinners trembling with fear, sorrowful and anguished. Caused by violence against the kind-hearted, hiding heads and shrinking necks, leading to endless misery.

"Blood Pond Hell, Avīci Hell, Weighing Pole Hell – all of them with flesh peeled and bones exposed, arms broken and tendons torn, all for greedily harming lives, butchering spirits, and entangling oneself in a cycle of torment that cannot be escaped for a thousand years.

Each sinner is tightly bound: tied with ropes, and chained with cords. The red-haired ghosts, the black-faced ghosts, brandishing long spears and short swords, and the ox-headed ghosts, the horse-faced ghosts, wielding iron shackles and bronze hammers, attend them with strikes that cause wrinkled brows and pained faces. Strikes that leave them bloodied and helpless, with no escape, even if they cry out to the heavens or earth. It is truly:

In life, never deceive your heart, For spirits and ghosts see all, playing no part. Good and evil shall see their due, Sooner or later, it'll catch up with you."

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Emperor Taizong listened, deeply shocked.

As they moved forward for a little while, they came across a group of ghostly soldiers, each holding banners.

They knelt by the roadside and said, "The Bridge Attendants have come to escort."

The judge commanded them to rise, and they stepped forward to guide Emperor Taizong across the Golden Bridge.

On one side, Emperor Taizong noticed a Silver Bridge, where several loyal and righteous individuals, fair and just people, were walking, guided by banners. On the other side was a bridge with chilly winds and surging waves of blood, accompanied by continuous wailing.

Emperor Taizong asked, "What's the name of that bridge?"

The judge replied, "Your Majesty, that is called the Nai River Bridge. When you return to the mortal realm, remember to document it."

Below that bridge, a medley of activity buzzed:

Torrents rush with boundless might, a treacherous path so narrow, tight, Like threads of silk on Yangtze's span, or flames that rise from fiery plan. Chill of shadows pierces bone, icy breath to the marrow known, Foul winds carry a pungent sting, a scent that sears, a wicked thing.

The waters churned, and waves rolled without a single boat ferrying back and forth. Barefoot and disheveled, all those passing were toiling spirits.

The bridge stretched for miles but was only three yards wide. It towered a hundred feet but plunged into unfathomable depths. There were no handrails above, but there were wicked creatures ready to snatch beneath. Shackles and chains clung to their bodies, beaten by the treacherous path of the Nai River.

Along the bridge, fierce and wicked divine soldiers stood guard while tormented souls suffered in the river below. Silk clothes of blue, red, yellow, and purple hung from forked trees while curses and insults were heard from the cliffside, where depraved women berated their in-laws. Bronze snakes and iron dogs fought over their meals, forever trapped with no way out in the Nai River.

A poem about it:

In the realm of eerie cries and divine wails, Blood-soaked waves surge, towering tales. Countless heads of bulls and faces of might, Guard the Nai River with fierce delight.

In the midst of their conversation, the bridge attendants had already departed.

Emperor Taizong's heart was filled with further shock and anxiety. He nodded silently and sighed inwardly, overwhelmed by sorrow. Accompanied by the judge and the chief official, he swiftly crossed the treacherous waters of the Nai River and the tormenting Blood Basin.

They arrived at the City of Untimely Death, where a clamor of voices filled the air, exclaiming, "Li Shimin is here, Li Shimin is here!"

Emperor Taizong listened, his heart trembling with fear.

A group of ghostly figures with twisted waists and broken limbs, some without heads but with legs, blocked their path. They cried out, "Give us back our lives! Give us back our lives!"

Frightened, Emperor Taizong hid and shouted, "Master Cui, save me! Master Cui, save me!"

The judge explained, "Your Majesty, those individuals are the spirits of the 64 places of dust and smoke, the 72 groups of bandits, and various princely and leadership figures. They all met unjust and untimely deaths, suffering from unrelenting grievances. They have no one to look after them and no way to transcend their existence. They lack the funds needed for passage and are nothing but forlorn hungry ghosts. If Your Majesty provides them with money, I can indeed offer them salvation."

Emperor Taizong said, "I've arrived here empty-handed, where can I find money and notes?"

The judge replied, "Your Majesty, there's someone in the mortal realm who has a considerable amount of gold and silver stored here in the Underworld. If you announce an agreement, and I vouch for it, we can borrow from his treasury to help these hungry ghosts pass over."

Emperor Taizong inquired, "Who is this person?"

The judge explained, "He's a person from Kaifeng Prefecture in Henan Province, named Xiang Liang. He has thirteen treasuries of gold and silver here. If Your Majesty borrows from him, you can repay him when you return to the mortal realm."

Emperor Taizong was delighted and willingly agreed to borrow. They then drafted a document with the judge, borrowed a treasury of gold and silver, and instructed the chief official to distribute it all.

The judge further instructed, "You can use these gold and silver collectively, allowing our Lord of the Great Tang to pass through. His earthly life isn't yet at an end. I've received orders from the Ten Kings to return him to life. He should organize a grand Water and Land Dharma Assembly in the mortal realm, guiding you spirits to rebirth without causing any more trouble."

Upon hearing this, the spirits were content with the gold and silver, and they all retreated respectfully.

The chief official directed the Soul-Calling Banner, guiding Emperor Taizong out of the City of Untimely Death, onto the main road to Pingyang, and they departed with a sense of floating and drifting.

After journeying for a while, they arrived at the place of the Six Realms of Reincarnation. There, they saw beings riding on clouds, draped in rosy mist, and others adorned with golden fish tokens around their waists. Monks, nuns, ordinary folks, animals, and birds of the air—all moved under the cycle of reincarnation, each on their own path. Taizong asked, "What is the meaning of this?"

The judge replied, "Your Majesty, with clear understanding and insight, you have witnessed the essence of it. This is known as the Six Realms of Reincarnation: those who perform good deeds ascend to the path of immortals; those who show unwavering loyalty achieve a noble rebirth; those who practice filial piety are born again into a realm of blessings; those who uphold justice are reborn into human lives; those who accumulate virtues transition into a prosperous existence; and those who harbor malice and wickedness descend into the realm of ghosts."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Taizong nodded and sighed, saying:

"Oh, the goodness, truly so, brings blessings free from harm, With virtuous heart and open path, one's life unfolds its charm. Beware of ill thoughts, my friend, for they may lead astray, Divine decree and spirits' hand ensure actions find their way."

The judge accompanied Emperor Taizong until they reached the threshold of the Noble Path of Rebirth. He bowed and addressed the king, saying, "Your Majesty, here is the starting point of your journey. I will take my leave now, and General Zhu will guide you further."

The Tang Emperor expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, sir, for your guidance from afar."

The judge advised, "Upon returning to the mortal realm, Your Majesty, consider hosting a grand assembly to guide the unsettled spirits. Remember not to forget this responsibility. If harmony reigns in the Underworld without lingering resentments, your realm above will truly enjoy peace and prosperity. Address every wrongdoing, fostering a path of virtue for all. Educate future generations to do good, ensuring lasting prosperity for your empire."

Emperor Taizong acknowledged each request, bid farewell to Judge Cui, and followed General Zhu into the gate.

Inside, the general spotted a splendid sea-buckthorn horse with a fully-equipped saddle. He invited Emperor Taizong to mount, supporting him on both sides.

The horse sped like an arrow, arriving swiftly at the banks of the Wei River. There, a pair of golden carp frolicked and leaped in the water.

Emperor Taizong's heart brimmed with joy, and he couldn't bear to take his eyes off them.

General Zhu advised, "Your Majesty, let's move along. We should make our way to the city before time slips away."

But Emperor Taizong remained absorbed in watching, reluctant to move forward.

The general, frustrated, grasped his foot and shouted, "What are you waiting for? Don't you want to leave?" With a swift motion, he pushed Emperor Taizong off the horse and into the river. In an instant, Emperor Taizong left the Underworld and returned to the mortal realm.