After ordering the dragon’s severed head to be hung in the streets of Chang’an so the people would know the strange tale, Emperor Taizong rewarded Wei Zheng handsomely. But once back in the palace, he couldn’t shake the guilt gnawing at his heart. He kept thinking about Dragon King of Jing River, whose desperate plea in that dream still rang in his ears.

That night, just as the palace sank into silence, a blood-curdling wail rose from outside the sleeping chambers. Emperor Taizong jolted awake and nearly fainted. There stood Dragon King of Jing River. He was cradling his own dripping head and glaring with ghostly fury.

“Emperor Taizong!” he howled, “Didn’t you promise to save me? And now you break your word? Give me back my life!”

The ghost lunged and latched onto Emperor Taizong like a shadow made of ice. He was trying to drag him down to the Hell for justice.

Just as the palace descended into chaos, a golden light burst from the southern skies. Riding in on lotus clouds came none other than Guanyin Bodhisattva. With a flick of her sleeve, she banished the dragon’s ghost, who let out a pitiful wail and floated westward like fog caught by the wind.

It turned out to be Bodhisattava Guanyin who had been temporarily residing at the local Earth Temple, on orders from Tathagata Buddha himself, seeking a scripture pilgrim in the East. The dragon’s cries had reached her ears. So, she came to calm the storm.

Emperor Taizong bolted upright from sleep, shouting, “Ghosts!” His panic echoed through the palace, keeping all three palaces and six courts up for the rest of the night.

By dawn, the officials assembled for court, but Emperor Taizong never arrived. Hours passed before an announcement was made: His Majesty had fallen ill and court would be suspended for seven days.

When Empress Dowager summoned the imperial physicians, they emerged pale-faced and grim. “The vital energy of Emperor Taizong is fading. He speaks of ghosts. His organs are out of balance. If we’re honest… he may have only seven days left to live.”

The court turned to ice. Panic spread like fire.

In desperation, Empress Dowager summoned three of the empire’s most trusted generals: Xu Maogong, Yuchi Jingde, and Qin Shubao. Emperor Taizong saw them and broke down. “I took the throne at nineteen and fought through a thousand storms, but this ghost business? I’m terrified.”

Yuchi Jingde thumped his chest. “Your Majesty founded the dynasty. What’s a ghost or two to a man like you?”

“But every night,” Emperor Taizong muttered, “there’s wailing at my door. It’s enough to keep anyone up.”

Qin Shubao stepped forward. “Leave it to us. We’ll guard the gates tonight and see what fiend dares make a sound.”

True to their word, the two warriors stood vigil that night in full armor. The ghosts didn’t show, and Emperor Taizong slept like a baby. In gratitude, he heaped rewards upon them and made them the official nightly guards.

For several nights, peace returned. But Emperor Taizong grew weaker by the day. Not wanting to exhaust the aging generals, he had their portraits painted and pasted on the palace doors as spirit warding talismans, giving birth to the tradition of “Door Gods.”

That worked… until the back door started wailing.

Head pounding, Emperor Taizong called his advisors. Xu Maogong suggested, “We’ve covered the front with generals. Why not assign the rear to Wei Zheng?”

Emperor Taizong agreed.

That night, Wei Zheng suited up, blade at his side, and sat at the back gate like a warrior-monk. Lanterns stayed lit until morning. Not even a shadow dared approach.

Still, the health of Emperor Taizong kept declining. Empress Dowager began preparing for the worst. Emperor Taizong handed over state affairs to Xu Maogong and began saying his goodbyes.

Then, in the middle of a whispery, candlelit conversation, Wei Zheng gently tugged the sleeve of Emperor Taizong. “Your Majesty, don’t panic. There may be a way back.”

Emperor Taizong gave a tired chuckle. “With this sickness in my bones? I don’t think so.”

Wei Zheng handed him a letter. “Take this with you to the Hell. Give it to Judge Cui Jue. He served your father and is my sworn brother. He now manages the Book of Life and Death. If anyone can get you a second chance, it’s him.”

Emperor Taizong nodded, tucked the letter into his sleeve, and calmly closed his eyes.

The palace erupted in wailing. The coffin was laid in the Hall of White Tiger. The people mourned in the streets.

Emperor Taizong’s soul, meanwhile, found itself floating above the Five Phoenix Tower, light as mist. A squad of ghostly guards greeted him, saying they’d escort him on a royal hunt. Emperor Taizong followed, intrigued, but after a while, the guards vanished. He stood alone in a wilderness more shadow than land.

“Emperor of Tang! This way!” someone called.

He turned to see an old official in court robes. It was Judge Cui Jue himself. “The Hell has summoned you,” he said, “to answer for the matter of Dragon King of Jing River. I’ve come to bring you in.”

Emperor Taizong pulled out the letter. Cui Jue read it and his face softened. “Ah, a letter from Brother Wei. Worry not. I’ll do what I can to help you return.”

Just then, two green-robed spirit boys arrived, carrying a parasol and standard. “Yama is waiting for you”

Together, they crossed the Ghost Gate and entered the great halls of the afterlife. On the road, Emperor Taizong ran into his father, Emperor Gaozu, and his brothers Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji—who were none too pleased to see him.

“You owe us!” the brothers shouted, lunging forward.

Cui Jue quickly summoned Hell guards, who dragged the furious siblings away.

They proceeded to the grand Senluo Palace, where incense curled like clouds and all ten Kings of Hell were waiting him.

“Welcome, Emperor of the Living,” said King Qin Guang. “A rare guest indeed.”

After formal greetings, King Qin Guang got down to business. “Why did you promise to save Dragon King of Jing River, only to let him die by Wei Zheng’s sword?”

“I meant to help him,” Emperor Taizong answered honestly. “But fate had other plans. Wei Zheng slew the dragon in a dream. I didn’t lift a finger.”

The Ten Kings exchanged looks and nodded. “We’ve investigated. The time of Dragon King of Jing River was up. He refused to accept it and dragged you into his case. He’s already been judged and sent off to reincarnate.”

The judge then opened the Book of Life and Death. “Your lifespan is marked at thirteen years on the throne.”

Cui Jue, sly as ever, quietly added two strokes to the “one” in “three,” turning it into “thirty-three.”

“How long have you reigned?” one King asked.

“Thirteen years,” Emperor Taizong replied.

“Perfect,” the King smiled. “You have twenty more. Time to go back!”

They ordered Cui Jue and Marshal Zhu to escort him safely home.

Just before leaving, Emperor Taizong asked with a curious smile, “So, how are things back at the palace?”

One of the Ten Kings replied, “Nothing serious, except… your royal sister doesn’t have much time left.”

Emperor Taizong nodded, grateful. “When I get back, I’ll send over some fruits to thank you all.”

The king chuckled. “We’ve got plenty of melons from the east and west. What we’re missing is a pumpkin from the south.”

Emperor Taizong laughed. “Consider it done. I’ll send the biggest pumpkin you’ve ever seen!”

With that, he clasped his hands in farewell and began the journey back to the world of the living.

Marshal Zhu led the way, carrying the soul banner high, while Judge Cui Jue followed close behind, making sure nothing went wrong on the emperor’s way out of the Hell.

As they walked, Emperor Taizong noticed the path looked unfamiliar. “Wait… why aren’t we going back the way we came?”

Judge Cui Jue smiled. “In the Hell, the roads only go one way. This path leads to rebirth. But first, we’re giving Your Majesty the grand tour and preparing the way for your return to life.”

Emperor Taizong swallowed hard and kept walking.

Soon, a towering black mountain loomed ahead, shrouded in ghostly mist and heavy clouds.

Emperor Taizong froze. “Master Cui… what mountain is that?”

“That,” said the judge calmly, “is the Shadowy Mount of Hell.”

Emperor Taizong’s knees nearly gave out. “How do I get across that?”

“Don’t worry. We’re right here,” said Cui Jue reassuringly.

Emperor Taizong gritted his teeth and climbed. The mountain was steeper than anything in the land of the living. No grass, no wind, no birdsong, just swirling shadows, wailing ghosts, demon faces, ox-headed guards roaring, and hungry spirits sobbing in the cold, fishy air.

Executioners shouted orders. Judges barked out sentences. Chaos ruled. Emperor Taizong clung to Judge Cui Jue’s side, barely making it through in one piece.

Next, they passed row after row of ghostly courthouses, echoing with cries and laments.

“What’s this awful place now?” Emperor Taizong asked, eyes wide.

“The Eighteen Levels of Hell,” said Cui Jue.

“Eighteen?”

“Yep. There’s the Muscle-Stretching Pit, the Fire Hole, the Tongue-Pulling Dungeon, the Skinning Yard, the Oil Cauldron, the Blade Hill, the Blood Pool, the Ice Chamber… all kinds. They’re for liars, swindlers, traitors, murderers, greedy officials, and unfilial sons. Listen to those screams? That’s justice in progress.”

Emperor Taizong turned pale. “That’s… horrifying.”

Cui Jue sighed. “That’s why people need to do good in life. Bad deeds always catch up with you. Sooner or later.”

They kept walking. Suddenly, ghost soldiers appeared ahead, kneeling and waving banners: “Bridge Guard welcomes the emperor!”

They led him across a golden bridge. On the other side was a silver one, for the loyal and the kind-hearted. But off to the side was a third bridge, howling winds and blood churning beneath it, the air thick with screams.

“What bridge is that?” Emperor Taizong asked.

“The Naihe Bridge,” said Cui Jue. “Beneath it lie twisted souls who died in sin. The demons stationed there make sure they never see light again.”

A chill ran down Emperor Taizong’s spine.

They moved on and soon reached the City of Unjust Deaths. From inside came a great commotion—cries of, “Li Shimin is here!”

A swarm of angry spirits rushed at him, faces twisted in rage, shouting, “Give us back our lives!”

These were soldiers and outlaws who’d died wrongly in war, with no one to pray for them. Their souls, untethered, haunted the Hell. And now they came for revenge.

Emperor Taizong stumbled behind Judge Cui Jue. “Help me!”

Cui Jue frowned. “They’ve been stuck here for ages with no money for offerings. If Your Majesty is willing to lend some silver, we can settle this.”

Emperor Taizong groaned. “I didn’t bring a single coin!”

Cui Jue smiled. “Luckily, a man from Henan named Xiang Liang left some silver here. You can borrow a vault’s worth, but you’ll have to pay it back when you return.”

Emperor Taizong agreed immediately. The loan was made, and the silver distributed. Cui Jue waved a hand. “Now that you’ve been paid, let the emperor go. He’ll hold a Water and Land Puja for you once he’s back.”

The spirits accepted the deal and disappeared one by one.

Marshal Zhu lifted the banner again, and they continued.

At last, they arrived at the Six Realms of Rebirth. Looking around, Emperor Taizong saw beasts and people, spirits and demons. All on their way to be reborn.

“What’s going on here?” he asked.

“This,” said Cui Jue, “is the cycle of reincarnation. The virtuous become immortals. Loyal ministers return as nobles. Filial children are reborn into blessed lands. Honest souls return as humans. The kind-hearted come back to wealth and peace. But evildoers. Well, they fall into the ghost path and stay there forever.”

Emperor Taizong nodded solemnly. “So it’s true. Good or bad, everything comes back around. A man should do good while he still can.”

They reached the Gate of Noble Rebirth. Judge Cui Jue stopped and bowed.

“This is where I leave you, Your Majesty. Marshal Zhu will guide you the rest of the way.”

Emperor Taizong returned the bow. “Thank you for everything.”

Judge Cui Jue gave his final advice. “Once you’re back, don’t forget the Water and Land Puja to free those wandering souls. When there are no grudges in the Hell, peace follows in the land above. If you can spread this truth, your empire will endure and your descendants will flourish.”

Emperor Taizong nodded again and again. “I’ll remember.”

Marshal Zhu led him through the gate. Inside, a tall white horse was already waiting. Emperor Taizong mounted up, and the horse galloped like the wind, carrying him to the banks of the Wei River.

Two golden carp leapt from the water and danced in the sunlight. Emperor Taizong paused and mesmerized.

Marshal Zhu called out, “Your Majesty! It’s time. Don’t miss your moment!”

But Emperor Taizong was still lost in thought.

With a sharp shout, Marshal Zhu suddenly shoved him off the horse and into the river. With a splash, the soul of Emperor Taizong snapped back into the world of the living.

End of this chapter. Thank you for reading!

This is just the serialized version of Journey to the West (modern retelling). If you want to read the full book faster, check out the complete, easy-to-read English and Chinese (Simplified & Traditional) version on Amazon.

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