The Cursed Redemption

As Master Thornton's words echoed in my mind, I was enveloped by a strange mix of anticipation and dread. The realization that my presence had been deemed significant by Liam Blackwood—his solemn declaration of my potential—hit me with the gravity it deserved. I was no ordinary being. Those like me, caught between the realms of the living and the dead, were indeed rare. My sudden entry into this underworld, summoned by Emily, meant I had bypassed the usual trials of the afterlife. It seemed that only the exceptionally old or those with particularly tragic ends could navigate such a path without being fully deceased. The weight of my situation was beginning to settle in.

In modern terms, I felt like a rare commodity, placed on a pedestal by Liam Blackwood. Yet, I was acutely aware that such a position also gave me leverage. I hoped to negotiate for something more concrete. With a look of wide-eyed innocence and earnestness, I faced Liam Blackwood, though my mind raced with possibilities of rejection.

To my surprise, Liam Blackwood's brow furrowed as he spoke, "Here's the deal. I won't make you work for nothing. Once I become the City God, the position will be yours. It's better than being a lost soul in the underworld, surrounded by darkness and despair. At that point, you could seek out someone like yourself—a misfortunate soul—and accumulate some good karma…"

On the surface, this offer seemed reasonable. An actual connection to the underworld and its inner workings would be valuable. Still, the lack of immediate benefits left me feeling unsatisfied. I couldn't help but ask, "Sir, can we make this more concrete?"

Liam Blackwood's face darkened, his displeasure evident. He picked up the red document Emily had provided and muttered, "Everything's in order, but I can't show favoritism. I'll approve this. However, Fengdu City is currently undergoing repairs and is short on manpower… I've heard that drinking expired Meng Po soup makes one remember past lives. If someone is reborn as a pig or a dog, it's quite a miserable fate…"

The implication was clear: Liam Blackwood was leveraging my situation to his advantage. Despite not offering me a grand role or extraordinary powers, his promise was vague and distant. I decided to play along, making the most of what was available. Desperate to escape this grim setting, I pleaded, "Sir, I meant no offense. Dealing with hungry ghosts and lost souls is challenging without special abilities. It would be helpful to have some power or tools to assist you."

Liam Blackwood, recognizing my understanding, nodded approvingly. "You might be smooth-talking, but you're not entirely useless. I'm a Daoist from the Shenshao Sect, and I possess a volume of sacred scriptures from the Shenshao Heavenly Altar. These contain various mystical techniques you can study to capture ghosts and dispel evil."

My attention immediately focused on the mention of "mystical techniques." "Sir, do you have any useful 'cheat codes,' so to speak? Mind-reading, invisibility, a super-powered ring, or a handy old mentor? If nothing else, could you at least elevate me to the Nascent Soul stage?"

"Get lost," Liam Blackwood snapped, his irritation palpable. "I didn't even reach the Nascent Soul stage before I died." Realizing I had pushed too far, I quickly adapted, kneeling and exclaiming, "Master Xu Lang greets my teacher!"

Liam Blackwood stared at me in disbelief. My thick skin, honed from years of reporting, had served me well. I seized the moment and continued, "Thank you for the teachings, Master. By the way, how do I return? I'm eager to start my mission of saving souls."

Liam Blackwood rubbed his temples, looking pained. His gaze was less than kind, and I began to worry I had overstepped. After a long pause, he sighed and relented, "Fine, I'll accept you as my disciple."

"Let me tell you about the Shenshao Sect," Liam Blackwood began, explaining that the sect practiced the Five Thunder Technique. This technique could command spirits, summon thunder and rain, and dispel disasters. It was their distinguishing feature compared to other Daoist sects. The theoretical foundation rested on the concept of harmony between heaven and humanity, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human spirit and celestial forces. Practitioners' internal cultivation allowed them to command natural phenomena.

The patriarch once said that practicing the Five Thunder Technique could enable one to exorcise ghosts and achieve celestial status through internal cultivation. Externally, it could combat demons and evil spirits. Liam Blackwood handed me a thin volume and instructed, "This book contains various mystical methods. Study diligently and you'll find it useful."

Looking at the ancient-looking book, my disappointment was palpable. I had become a disciple and received nothing more than a manual to deal with malevolent spirits. This was hardly the grand adventure I had envisioned. I nodded begrudgingly, hiding my dissatisfaction, and prepared to leave.

Liam Blackwood, noticing my displeasure, muttered to himself, "I'll keep this document for now. If you don't perform well, I can always have the ghost messengers bring you back."

Panic surged through me. "Master, studying these techniques will take time. You wouldn't want to see me back here soon, would you? Time is of the essence…"

Liam Blackwood considered this and finally said, "Alright. You should be able to live until eighty, but after sixty, you'll be nearly useless. You're twenty-two now, so you have thirty-eight years. You need to redeem at least three ghosts a year. If you don't meet this quota by sixty, you might end up back here."

The threat was explicit. I nodded in resignation, accepting my fate. Liam Blackwood seemed satisfied with my compliance. He took out a small mirror and said, "The road to the underworld isn't easy. You should find someone to dream of you and alert the authorities. Don't let Emily's father actually kill you."

His concern for himself was evident. I pondered whom I could contact. My parents, being ordinary and not yet retired, would be terrified by such a dream. In this city, my only close contact was Evan Cole, a cab driver with whom I had a decent relationship.

"I'll contact Evan Cole, Master," I said dejectedly. Liam Blackwood nodded and performed a series of incantations over the small bronze mirror. The mirror fogged up, and he told me to step inside, indicating that it would transport me into Evan Cole's dream.

Stepping into the mist, I found myself in Evan Cole's dream. It was a luxurious bar, filled with scantily clad women and revelry. Evan Cole was living it up, and I felt a pang of jealousy. But I had more pressing matters. I appeared beside Evan Cole, startling him.

"Ethan, come on in! Tonight, I'm treating everyone," Evan Cole greeted with enthusiasm.

"This is a dream, right?" I asked urgently. "I've been dragged into the underworld. You need to report this to the police right away. Otherwise, Emily's father might actually kill me, and I won't be able to return. Forget the three hundred bucks you owe me."

"Stop joking. The underworld? That's my grandma's place. Sit down and have some fun before it's too late," Evan Cole replied skeptically.

I understood his disbelief. It was hard to accept that one could be dragged into another world through a dream. Seeing his nonchalant attitude, I grew frustrated. I grabbed a bottle and smashed it over his head, then began wrecking his dream, shattering illusions around him.

The dream world fragmented, leaving me with a sense of finality. I had done what I could. Now, I had to face the reality of my situation, with Liam Blackwood's teachings and a new mission ahead of me.

Suddenly, I found myself back in the underworld, facing Master Thornton once more. His stern gaze softened as he said, "Well done. You've managed to escape and secure your position, but remember, the true challenge lies ahead."

I nodded, bracing myself for the trials to come. The ancient book and the jade pendant were now my tools in navigating this strange new world. I had no choice but to adapt and forge ahead, knowing that my survival and success depended on how well I could master these mystical techniques and redeem the lost souls.

As I prepared to leave, I glanced back at Master Thornton. "Thank you, Master. I'll do my best to live up to this opportunity."

With that, I stepped into the unknown, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in this bizarre journey between the realms of the living and the dead.