“Every war in the human world stems from collective karma and fixed karma formed by people’s past acts of killing creatures. Ordinarily, fixed karma cannot be altered. To truly change fixed karma, one needs the power of great good karma to transform it. Generally speaking, only with the power of the Buddhas together with tremendous wholesome karma force can people stand a chance of changing their fixed karmas. Even so, such change can merely minimize the destructive impact of fixed karma. Nowadays, people are inclined toward unwholesomeness, making fixed karma extremely hard to change. That is why the publication of The Inexorable Nether Laws is a good thing, for it can guide and transform people’s minds.
“Before mortal wars erupt, the netherworld army arranges all relevant details ahead of time, such as which side will win and the casualty toll. All arrangements are made in accordance with past karmic causes and effects. Even before fighting begins in the human realm, the outcome is already settled by the netherworld. My duty is to deploy troops and manage all matters arising during wars.
“Wars in the netherworld differ greatly from mortal wars. People in the human realm possess physical flesh and blood; wounds may lead to lifelong disability or death. By contrast, conflicts in the netherworld are battles of spiritual power and mental resolve — an entirely different matter.
“For crimes including persecuting loyal officials and corruption, Qin Hui now endures punishment in Mount Tai Hell. Once his sentence there concludes, he will be sent to the tongue-pulling hell, arrow-shooting hell and other hells to receive further punishment. Qin Hui accumulated grave unwholesome karmas during his mortal life. It will be an extremely long time before he can escape the sufferings of hell and gain freedom.
“Even so, I hope he may be freed from hellish torment soon. After all, we once served the same ruler and lived within the same nation; our official positions merely differed. To me, that is of little consequence. Everyone ought to faithfully fulfill their duties, safeguard the nation, and bring peace to common folk. Personal life and death, joy and comfort are trivial. One needs only three daily meals and a bed to rest. There is no need for excessive cravings. What truly matters is to bring benefit to countless ordinary people.
“How vital people’s hearts and thoughts are! I and Qin Hui both reside in the netherworld now, yet our circumstances could not be more vastly different. I remain occupied each day with various military arrangements. Some subordinates who followed me in the human world continue to serve under me here after they passed away. By contrast, Qin Hui dwells in the netherworld enduring boundless, age-long torment in the hells.
“I urge all people in the human world, especially officials: never accept bribes, bend the law for personal gain, or abuse public power for private interests. If you neglect your duties, deceive the nation, exploit common folk and treat ordinary people as worthless, failing to seek wellbeing for your compatriots, you may evade mortal law while alive, yet you cannot escape the inexorable laws of the netherworld after death. If you serve the nation loyally, cherish the people as you cherish infants, prioritize the welfare of common mortals, shoulder the mission of safeguarding peace across the land, do not deceive your sovereign, maintain integrity even in the dark, and diligently practise wholesome deeds, then after your mortal life ends, your loyal spirit shall ascend to the heavens and enjoy bliss for many thousands upon thousands of years.
“You asked about the ci poem Man Jiang Hong. It was indeed composed by me, written from the emotions stirring within me at that time. As for the legend that I am the reincarnation of Zhang Fei of the Three Kingdoms era, it is merely folklore and untrue. I could never match Zhang Fei’s valour.
“Let me tell you: the laws of the netherworld are utterly impartial and flawless. There are no wrongful convictions, unlike many ambiguous miscarriages of justice in the human world. Moreover, the netherworld has no anti-corruption agency such as those in the human realm. All netherworld officials abide by the laws faithfully; there are no corrupt officials or officers. Everyone is equal upon arriving here. Every mortal injustice unfolds truthfully before the karma-manifesting mirror platform. The inexorable nether laws bind only those who commit evil; they cannot detain people of great virtue.
Shangguan Yuhua! You must write The Inexorable Nether Laws carefully. Countless beings are falling into the hells nowadays. May this book be published soon. When mortals read it, they may abandon evil and practise goodness, cultivate themselves and influence others. Then weather will be favourable, and wars will cease across the nation.