Entering the Underworld, a Low-Budget Version of the Netherworld

The smell of blood still lingered in the valley.

Chiyo stood before Shinigami Oni, his scarlet eyes like an abyss reflecting the other's twisted, terrified face.

Shinigami Oni knelt on one knee, his khakkhara staff and Underworld Stone lying on the ground beside him.

The Underworld Stone in particular had dimmed like a dying candle in the wind.

The Underworld Power wrapped around his body was being frantically devoured by the Yin-Yang Jade in Chiyo's palm, every breath bringing pain like his soul was being torn apart.

"Where did the Underworld Power come from?"

Chiyo's voice was calm as he asked again.

Shinigami Oni struggled to raise his head, his eyes filled with madness and unwillingness.

"You... you want to lay your hands on the Underworld's power too? Hahahaha! Ridiculous!"

"Even I can only borrow a tiny fraction of the Underworld Stone's power. A demon as ignorant as you will be torn to pieces the instant you step through the Gate of the Underworld!"

"..."

"The Gate of the Underworld?"

Chiyo's gaze narrowed slightly.

It was the boundary between the living and the dead, the entrance to the Underworld, and the final destination of all life.

"Tell me its exact location."

Chiyo curled his five fingers slightly, and the Underworld Power within Shinigami Oni drained even faster.

"Ahhh! Stop! I'll tell you! I'll tell you!"

Shinigami Oni finally broke down and pointed tremblingly toward the east.

"Three hundred li east of here... there is a forbidden place called Soul Severing Cliff.

"The bottom of the cliff is unfathomably deep and shrouded in death mist all year round...

"The Gate of the Underworld lies at its deepest point. It opens once every forty-nine years...

"The next opening will be in seven days!"

He paused, a trace of cunning flashing through his