As the two drew closer.
The bridge's outline grew clearer.
It was a stone arch bridge.
Built from rough blocks of stone, it looked weathered by the ages. Unlike ordinary ancient bridges, it had no moss or weeds, but its surface was covered in cuts left by swords and blades.
It seemed a world-shaking battle had erupted here many years ago.
The traces of that battle.
Had still not been erased.
Aside from that.
Although it spanned the River of Forgetfulness less than three meters above the water, not a single drop had touched it, nor had any filthy creatures climbed onto it. Overall, it looked quite neat and clean.
"This bridge isn't what I imagined," Jiang Qiao said.
The bridge wasn't long.
Because this stretch of the river was only a little over twenty meters wide.
Nor was the bridge wide.
It could only accommodate one person at a time. Even standing side by side would feel cramped, giving people the sense that they might be squeezed off the bridge.
"A lot of people say that." Fang Xun smiled.
"According to ancient legends, the Bridge of Helplessness is the only route to the true underworld."
"The bridge is crowded with departed souls."
"An endless stream of them."
"But everyone who's come here has seen only a very narrow bridge. Its length changes with the width of the river, but the width of the bridge itself has never changed."
"Only one person can fit."
The two paused where they stood and observed it for a little while before approaching.
At the head of the bridge stood a broken stone tablet.
The remaining inscription read "of Helplessness."
The upper part was gone, but there was no question that the missing section had read "Bridge."
Beside the tablet stood an earthen stove.