Chapter 333: The Path of No Return Is Hard to Walk Back (Part 1)

【Name: The Path of No Return (the Dead, Souls)】

【Appearance: A road paved with bone bricks of yellowish-white hue, beginning at the entrance to the Underworld, passing through the "Gate of the Dead," "Raven of Death's Nest," "Black-and-White Bridge," "River of the Yellow Springs," "Corridor of the Undertakers," "Mirror Lake of Buried Garments," "Black Forest of Corpse Soil," "Bone Palace," "Garden of the Wise," "City of Regret," "Misty Bog of You Spirits," and dozens of other famed Underworld landmarks, extending all the way to the deepest point: "Cliff of Finality."】

【Ability: Flesh Dissolves, Soul Purifies】

【Cost: Cannot be used by the living; if utterly slain or if one's Corruption Level is below 60 at death, they automatically become a user of the Path of No Return.】

【Archive: This ancient road, nearly as old as the Underworld itself, was forged by the First Dead—the ruler of the Underworld—after his death. He ground his own corpse's bones into powder, burned them with his soul-fire into bricks, and laid each one by hand.】

When newly deceased souls walk upon it, they gradually shed all remnants of their former lives as they venture deeper into the Underworld.】

They shed clothing and skin, dissolve flesh and muscle, erode bones and organs, cleanse will and memory, and return to the purest form of soul, finally leaping from the "Cliff of Finality" to fully reunite with the world.】

Among the users of the Path of No Return, those who refuse to believe they are dead wander endlessly within the "Corridor of the Undertakers," endlessly revisiting their own deaths and even witnessing the world after their demise, until they finally accept death.】

Those clinging to their former identities and appearances, unable to shed the soul-formed garments or forget their living faces, are left beside the "Mirror Lake of Buried Garments," staring at their own reflections until they abandon all false illusions.】

Those who worship power or still crave their fleshly forms, stubbornly retaining their physicality, are taken into the "Black Forest of Corpse Soil" and forced to traverse it…】

【Evaluation: Don't touch—it's not something you're meant to handle now.】

【Corruption Level: Matches the user's, granting every deceased soul an equal end.】

…

Garden of the Wise… Mirror Lake of Buried Garments…

Isn't that the graveyard holding three generations of Directors, and the great lake where Senior Emma always stays?

Recalling the scene from before, Li Ang furrowed his brow slightly.

According to the system's description, the "Mirror Lake of Buried Garments" reflects the deceased's face from life. But Emma's entire clan is dead, and she inherited their lives.

So when she looks into that lake, does she see her own face—or the original owners of the Ravens of Death?

"Sorry."

Understanding now why Senior Emma so willingly lingered by the lake, Li Ang slowly withdrew his hand from the bone bricks, shook his head at her tense expression, and offered a faintly apologetic smile.

"Senior Emma, my ability's information leans toward the 'user' side, and this path can only be used by the dead—I found no way to shield the living from its influence. I'm sorry."

"I see…"

Hearing Li Ang's words, Emma's eyes flickered with disappointment, yet she still shook her head, her voice gentle:

"You don't need to apologize to me. Facing something like the Path of No Return, having no solution is normal. It's I who should apologize—I shouldn't have made you touch such a dangerous thing because of… certain reasons."

"It's fine."

Recalling the solitary figure by the lake, Li Ang shook his head to dismiss it, then spoke earnestly:

"You saved my sister's life. When I first joined the Bureau, you gave me weapons, told me how to handle missions, taught me how to protect myself, and once even chose to die alongside the Goddess of Wealth just to protect me.

Senior Emma, I won't say thanks again—but if there's anything I can do for you, please tell me. If it's even possible, I'll give everything I have."

"I… I do have something I want to ask of you."

After glancing at Li Ang with gratitude, Emma—still pale—inhaled deeply, then reached out and grasped his hand, biting her lip:

"Li Ang, I have too many regrets. This path is too hard for me. So if you can, I want you to walk it with me.

Once we reach the Black-and-White Bridge, if we go further, we'll provoke the Path of No Return. If I suddenly stop or try to turn back, you must wake me up!"

"Mm."

After hearing Emma's plea, Li Ang nodded slightly, clasped her cold hand firmly, and declared with solemn seriousness:

"I will!"

"Thank you…"

Having made their pact, the two—having stopped not far from the Red-haired Director—held hands and stepped forward again, walking toward the grand bridge ahead, built of black-and-white stone slabs, spanning the murky yellow river.

Along the broad, winding Path of No Return, one after another newly dead soul walked forward under the watch of Ravens of Death—some wailing, some bewildered, some lost—stumbling toward the depths of the Underworld.

Compared to these drifting, often incomplete souls, Li Ang and Emma were the only two with living flesh, the only ones who could "reverse" the path—and thus should have been the heavier presence.

But when a stooped old man, unable to dodge, collided with Li Ang "full-on," and they passed through each other, Li Ang was startled to find himself like water—or even air—while something profoundly solid had passed unimpeded through his body.

"Don't worry. That's the rule of the Underworld. Here, soul outweighs all; flesh does not exist."

After carefully avoiding a young dead man, face twisted in rage, sprinting toward them with countless blade wounds, Emma noticed Li Ang's confusion and explained:

"The world's rules outweigh all. When traveling between worlds, our souls and flesh—or rather, our very 'existence'—must actively adapt to the rules of the current world.

Just as divine spirits and true gods manifest flesh, breathe, and eat, living beings who enter the Underworld must follow its rules, their existence reshaped according to the world's nature."

As she spoke, she knelt slightly, blocking the path of a little girl weeping as she walked forward, and gently embraced her.

Yet the young soul passed through Emma's body like wind, continuing onward into the depths of the Underworld.