Last week we talked about the 10 Kings of the Underworld, so how about we look at some of the lower-ranking spirits and deities that populate the afterlife, shall we?
First up, the Chinese grim reaper, or rather reapers as there are two of them. Collectively called the Heibai Wuchang and individually Hei Wuchang and Wei Wuchang, these guys are responsible for what's essentially clean up duty. They go and find wandering souls that haven't passed on and bring them to the Diyu. I guess that means if you see a ghost they've been slacking off, huh? Hei, literally meaning black, wears all black robes and carries handcuffs with a nasty scowl on his face. Bai, which means white, naturally wears white clothes and had an umbrella and a smile. Seeing them is bad luck, as they have exactly one job to do: take you to the underworld.
Next are the pair that you'll see guarding the gates, Niutou (ox head) and Mamian (horse face). Well don't they sound handsome? Originally independent deities in their own right, they got reincarnated into human form (reluctantly, in Niutou's case). They end up as friends that take the official exam in the capital, but while Niutou is a hard worker Mamian is a hard schmoozer and passes by sucking up. Niutou is so pissed he full on beats Mamian to death.... and then drops dead himself from exhaustion from all the way too much studying he'd done. When they get to the Diyu and face King Yama, Niutou furiously argues what a lazy kiss ass Mamian is for a whole day. Yama is convinced.... until Mamian speaks up in his own defense and charms the king of the underworld into not punishing him. 110% DONE with this, Niutou breaks out of hell and goes straight to the Jade Emperor. The song and dance repeats, and the Jade Emperor commands them to become guardians of the gates of the underworld. Yama is reasonably worried they might duke it out again, though, so he has them drink this special forget-things soup. They made nice, and are still standing guard to this day.
Lastly we're gonna talk about this magic soup, or rather the nice old lady who makes it. Her name is Mengpo and she has a very important role to play in the cycle of reincarnation. Before crossing the river out of the underworld every soul has to drink a bowl of her special soup that makes you forget everything before you get reborn. However, as I said she's a nice old lady who will sometimes cut people (specifically lovers) a break and give them watered down soup so they can find each other in the next life. She can also sometimes make a bad batch of soup that doesn't work as well (she's old, give her a break).
Honestly I think it's really cute how thoe last person you see on your way out of the diyu is this cute old grandma who gives you a warm bowl of soup and a pat on the back. Isn't that just the most wholesome thing you've ever heard about the underworld?
