The Netherworld.
Bleak winds moaned, and black mist stretched endlessly.
Whoosh-
A streak of golden light wrapped around a gust of black wind
and landed before the Ghost Gate. It was Wukong and Bajie.
On the Yellow Springs Road before the Ghost Gate, soul-reaping ghost officers were handing over their captive souls.
Looking up, they actually spotted the monkey in the Netherworld.
In the next instant, pandemonium broke loose. A dozen or so ghost officers abandoned even the souls in their custody, scrambling and stumbling as they scattered in every direction.
Quick of eye and hand, Wukong caught one and hoisted him up by the back of his collar.
The ghost officer shook like grain in a sieve, his teeth chattering:
"G-g-g... Great Sage, spare my life!"
Wukong gave him a friendly grin.
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Old Sun hasn't come to fight this time."
He set the ghost officer back on the ground and patted his shoulder.
"Go announce us at the Hall of Senluo. Tell them Old Sun and his junior brother have come to visit and have a little business to attend to. Can you do that?"
As though granted a pardon, the ghost officer nodded like a pestle pounding garlic.
"Y-yes, yes! This humble servant will announce you at once! Please rest a moment, Great Sage!"
With that, he scrambled through the Ghost Gate as though fleeing for his life and vanished in the blink of an eye.
Before long.
Judge Cui, dressed in bright red official robes, hurried out to greet them, leading the two underworld marshals, Ox-Head and Horse-Face.
While still a long way off, Judge Cui bowed deeply.
"Great Sage, Marshal Tianpeng, my greetings to you both!"
He straightened, his face wreathed in smiles.
"Upon hearing of your arrival, the