CHAPTER 404: CHAPTER 171: TOOLS, CROSSING INTO THE NETHERWORLD (5K)_2

I originally thought this was just some garbage game, but then the prompt said you need to prepare some other stuff before logging in, otherwise, there could be danger.

Luckily, getting those things ready was pretty easy, I’ve got them at home."

"What things?"

"Paper money, scripture scrolls, crossbow machine, paper, rabbit hair brush, incense candles, and some old clothes I’ve worn for over a year—just have those ready and you’re good."

"Hold up..." Wen Yan frowned, "You actually have all that stuff at home?"

"Yeah, didn’t we have major flooding a few days back? My old man said the funeral shop profiteers hoarded a ton of this stuff, thinking more people would die and they could make a killing.

After the flood, people would still go sweep their ancestors’ tombs, and they’d cash in again.

But turns out, it was just a mountain flood, never even reached where people live. The heavy rain stopped the next day, and the water receded.

No one died, not even the cemetery got touched. Those profiteers’ stockpile is enough to last until next year’s Chongyang Festival.

In the end, the costs were too high, cash flow problems—so they sold some at cost.

My old man took the chance to buy some, said he was getting a deal off those crooks, considered it a good deed."

"..." Wen Yan opened his mouth and for a second had no clue what to say.

"Your dad really knows how to live, huh, has to stockpile even this stuff."

"My old man says, keep these things at home and let them soak up some human qi, and when you burn them for grandpa, their purchasing power increases."

Wen Yan was too tired to go on, just waved his hand dismissively.

"Alright, alright, keep talking. How’d you get in?"

"Oh, after I got everything ready, I spread my old clothes under me, kept the rest on me, and just hit enter game."

Then I was in. This place really does feel super real.

Only thing is, there’s absolutely nothing on the map. I wandered forever before I found this place.

And the senses... aren’t all that. My body feels kinda floaty.

And the worst part—there’s a stamina system. I feel like I’m about to get forcibly logged out."

Wen Yan glanced at Fu Guangfei, and sensed it clearly—the yang energy in this guy’s soul body was almost completely depleted.

So that must be it—when the yang energy runs out, he’ll be kicked out of here.

Wen Yan felt a bit regretful—everyone else comes in as a soul body, but he entered with his actual flesh body. The method Little Thief used to get in and out would never work for him.

Other stuff, like farming, maybe he couldn’t even tell a seedling from a weed, but those things Fu Guangfei mentioned? He used to help out at funerals, and now works at a funeral home—of course he gets it.

Paper money, scripture scrolls, crossbow machine, paper, rabbit hair brush, incense candles—these are the old traditional funeral offerings for the dead.

Even now, in some places, people still prepare these for funerals.

But most places have simplified it to just incense, candles, and paper money now.

In the "Miscellaneous Records of Youyang," it’s recorded: for the dead, they use yellow scrolls, wax coins, rabbit hair brushes, crossbow machines, and paper notes, even hang them in trees.

All that stuff is for the dead.

As for the old clothes, that has its own tradition too—that’s called soul clothing, it helps the dead ascend to heaven.

The old meanings have faded with time. Now, only the custom itself remains.

Like right now, in some parts of Guanzhong County, when you bury the dead, you add old clothes because you’re worried they’ll be cold.

Down south, not much is said about it—they just throw the clothes in the fire during cremation.

Often, it’s more of a superstition, so they chuck it in for good luck.

What the hell is this game, logging in? It’s straight-up a funeral ritual for the deceased.

So that’s how it sends people’s souls into this so-called Netherworld.

Wen Yan felt a headache coming—he’d become an NPC, and there really is some kind of game happening out there.

"Just one login? Nothing else? No game guide? Main story quest? Nothing?"

"Nothing, just told me to explore on my own."

"Trash game."

"Exactly, exactly." Fu Guangfei nodded hard, "Nothing at all, just a desolate wilderness, not a single weed. Oh right, Brother Wen, how’d you get this manor? Is this a farming sim? Do you have to build it yourself?"

As the two chatted, Fu Guangfei suddenly shouted.

"Shit, I’m out of stamina! This trash game, I’m getting logged out!"

Wen Yan basically understood now why his character description said he could restore yang energy for others.

"I’ll give you a number. When you get logged out, call this person. Someone will come get you. Just tell them everything that happened today, got it?"

"Yeah, got it." Fu Guangfei didn’t dare not remember—it was probably all set up by some Professional, and now the uncles in the Scorching Sun Department had noticed, and that guy definitely doesn’t have a game license. Released it without approval—uncle’s iron fist is coming for sure.

"And remember, my name here is Su Yue."

As Wen Yan finished speaking, Fu Guangfei suddenly saw a blurry, pixelated cloud above Wen Yan’s head, then a few lines of text appeared from it.

"Su Yue, hidden NPC, a living person walking in the Netherworld.

Gaining his favor may allow you to restore yang energy in the Netherworld.

Traits: greedy for money and treasure, but loyal and never holds a grudge."

Then, another line appeared in his vision.

"Current NPC Favorability: Friendly."

Just then, a soft light appeared around Fu Guangfei. The glow carried him skyward, and in an instant, he vanished.

Back at Fu Guangfei’s home, he opened his eyes, his face showing excitement and shock.

"That was insane!"

He hadn’t even figured out how to play, but his Brother Wen was already an NPC, with a whole manor and an army of paper servants.