The gray mist that had encircled the Bridge of Helplessness for countless years suddenly receded like the tide.
The mist dissipated, revealing the mottled, neither-gold-nor-iron-nor-copper-nor-wood surface of the bridge.
The Yellow Springs flowed beneath the bridge.
A human figure stood on the bridge.
The figure was thin and ethereal, like a fragment of an incomplete soul, holding an eight-foot sword, with eyes wide in anger:
"Li Yuanji! My Xuanwu Gate in the mortal realm could kill your living body; now in this Underworld, on this Bridge of Helplessness, can't I kill your soul in death?"
"I, at nineteen, led troops, campaigning north and south, east to west, endured hardships for years, having slain many in life, am I now to fear you, this evil spirit!"
The figure swung the sword but suddenly sensed something amiss, looking around in confusion, finding the Ten Halls of Yama had vanished,
