Bai, a man nearing fifty in Zhili, was father to two sons. The elder, Bai Jia, held an official post in the south, with no word from him for two years.

Bai had a relative named Ding, a man who often traversed the realms between Yin and Yang, who paid a visit one day. Bai asked, "What are the sights like in the netherworld, and what of its customs and human relations? Are they similar to the world of the living?" Ding offered vague replies, chuckling, "Much the same, only the living world has more people, and the underworld has more ghosts."

Several days later, Ding called again. Bai, in the midst of his midday nap, hastily rose to greet him. Ding remarked, "Since there is nothing pressing now, does the respected sir have any inclination for a short tour of the Underworld courts?" Bai gladly agreed. They entered a city, and Ding pointed to a gate, saying, "This public hall here is precisely your nephew's residence." Bai was astonished. "My nephew is an official in Shanxi, how could he be here?" Ding replied, "If you don't believe me, step inside and see for yourself; one glance will tell you everything."

The two stepped in and indeed saw the nephew, clad in fine silks and robes, seated upon the dais. The yamen was thronged with bailiffs, yet not a single familiar face was present, making it awkward to announce themselves. Ding then said, "Your younger son’s official office is also nearby; it is not far. Would you care to see him?" Bai nodded repeatedly.

Soon, they arrived at a private residence. Pushing open the door, they found a giant wolf blocking the courtyard path. Bai was terrified and dared not step forward. Ding laughed, "Fear not, follow me."

They advanced slowly, pushed open another door, and entered a vast hall. All around, seated or sprawled on the floor and dais, were nothing but wild wolves. Before the hall stood a high platform piled high with bones, stacked like a mountain. Seeing this, Bai's terror intensified.

As he stood bewildered, his son Bai Jia emerged from within. Seeing his father, he was overjoyed, crying out loudly, "Someone come! Father has graced us with a rare visit; prepare the feast!" As the words fell, a wild wolf wagged its tail and bounded over, a human corpse held in its jaws, which it presented on the dais. Bai shivered all over and asked, "What is this for?" Bai Jia said, "The provisions in the underworld are meager, nothing worthy to treat Father with, only these human flesh dishes, which are quite palatable. I shall instruct the kitchen to steam a few baskets of human-flesh buns, and we fathers and sons can enjoy a lively meal together." Bai’s face changed at the words, and he roared in anger, "Rebellious son! In broad daylight, you dare to eat human flesh? Stop this at once!" Agitated, he rose, intending to leave. Yet, the wolves below were as numerous as woven threads, blocking any path forward or back, causing him to hesitate.

Just then, the sound of footsteps, like thunder, approached from afar. Hearing this, the pack of wolves all whimpered and wailed, fear etched onto their faces. Some hid beneath the beds, others scurried under the tables. Bai was shocked and utterly confused. A moment later, two golden-armored warriors burst in, their eyes blazing with anger, holding black ropes, and headed straight for Bai Jia. Without a word, they looped the ropes over Bai Jia’s head and began to drag fiercely. Bai Jia cried out in agony, collapsing to the ground, thrashing about, and transforming into a fierce tiger, its fangs sharp as knives. One golden-armored warrior snorted coldly, drew a sharp sword from his waist, and roared, "Audacious slave, for your countless wicked deeds, you still dare to be insolent? Watch me take your head!" He swung his sword, preparing to cleave downward. The other golden-armored warrior raised a hand to stop him, saying, "Hold on, hold on! This wretch’s mortal span is not yet over; his day of death is next April! Don't decapitate him yet; just knock out his teeth." He took out his personal iron hammer and brought it down repeatedly upon the tiger’s teeth. All that could be heard was a cacophony of clanging, as blood splattered everywhere, with shattered teeth falling upon the ground. The tiger roared in pain, its cries shaking mountains.

Bai was overcome with terror, startling him awake. Cold sweat poured down his forehead; it had all been a vivid, yet unreal, dream. However, the scenes from the dream were still clearly etched in his mind, and recalling them now still left him with lingering fear. Forgetting rest, he immediately summoned his second son and said, "Your brother has been gone too long, and I know not if he lives or is dead. I have a family letter here; you must take a journey and ensure you deliver it personally into your brother’s hands."

The second son reluctantly accepted the command and set off for the south. Upon arriving at his brother's dwelling, he saw Bai Jia looking utterly dejected, with every single one of his front teeth missing. The younger son was greatly shocked and quickly asked, "Brother, where are your teeth?" Bai Jia sighed and replied, "The other day, I accidentally drank a few too many bowls of strong liquor, then rode my horse while intoxicated, and fell hard to the ground. A perfectly good set of teeth was completely shaken out. Now, even eating is a problem. I don't know which deity I offended to deserve such retribution for no reason." The second son asked, "Perhaps Brother has done something against his conscience, is that it?" Bai Jia exploded in anger, "What act against my conscience have I committed? Merely sending some silver notes to bribe my superiors! That is what everyone in the bureaucracy does; what does it amount to? You insolent brat, daring to lecture your elder brother; your skin is itching for a beating, isn't it?" The second son replied, "How would I dare lecture you? I only mean that since Brother is the magistrate of the people, he should govern diligently and serve the populace, securing actual accomplishments. Clinging solely to favor with superiors will only lead you astray!" Bai Jia scoffed, "You know nothing! A bumpkin like you understands nothing of the secrets of officialdom. The path to promotion lies with your superiors, not the common folk. If your superior favors you, you are a good official. Can diligent service to the people get you promoted? What a joke." The second son stated, "I have no desire to argue with you. Father sent me to deliver this letter, and now that it is delivered, I take my leave." He dropped the letter and strode away.

Bai Jia was furious. He opened the envelope and recognized his father’s handwriting. The letter read: "The other day, I wandered the Underworld in a dream and saw my son transformed into a tiger; my heart was burned with anxiety. Furthermore, I heard that my son’s lifespan is nearing its end, and he is fated to die next April. You must take heed and govern yourself well." Bai Jia paid it no mind, thinking, "Father is getting older and his nerves are weaker. How can things seen in a dream be taken as truth? It is nothing to worry about." He paid no heed to his father's warning and continued his wicked ways as before.

When Bai learned of this, he wept bitterly. Helpless, he had no choice but to donate his family fortune to aid the poor and assist the unfortunate, praying day and night to the spirits: "My rebellious son brings his own suffering through his evil deeds; may my immediate family not be implicated."

The following year, Bai Jia was recommended by his superior and promoted to the Ministry of Personnel. This day, with the spring blossoms blooming, fell precisely in April. As Bai Jia returned home from an outing, he suddenly encountered bandits. The entire group was instantly seized and bound. Bai Jia, unwilling to die, offered vast amounts of his wealth, begging only for his life. The bandit leader declared, "We have come here to seek justice for the people of one county. You dog official, you have committed evil deeds your entire life, and you still wish to cling to existence? A few paltry ingots of silver to buy your life? Let me tell you plainly: not a chance." With that, his blade flashed, and Bai Jia’s head fell, his life extinguished. The bandits' fury was not yet spent. They questioned the family about one of the dog official’s henchmen, named Si Dacheng, who had abetted evil and was no better. "Where is he now?" The family members collectively pointed. The bandits seized Si Dacheng by the collar and killed him too. Then they asked about four yamen runners who had amassed wealth through corruption, whose crimes also deserved decapitation. Without further ado, they slew the four runners as well.

After Bai Jia’s death, his corpse lay beside the road, his spirit lingering. A county magistrate passed by, saw Bai Jia’s body, and asked those nearby, "Who is this deceased man?" Those around replied, "He is Magistrate Bai’s eldest son." The magistrate remarked, "Is this the elder Bai’s eldest son? Elder Bai is a benevolent man. For the sake of this old man, save his son!" Before the words were finished, one man stepped forward and picked up Bai Jia’s severed head, asking, "Your Honor, do you wish for the deceased's head to be reattached? Should it be attached right-side up, or upside down?" The magistrate commanded, "Attach it upside down. Remember: head toward the rear end." The subordinates obeyed, reattaching Bai Jia's head, and then departed.

His wife came to retrieve the body. Seeing that Bai Jia still breathed, she carried him home, forced soup and water down his throat, and after several days, he slowly regained consciousness. However, all his wealth was gone, and the couple was too poor to return to their own home, forced to lodge in an inn for half a year. Later, when Bai heard the news, he brought Bai Jia back to his ancestral home. Although reborn into the world of the living, his head was attached backward, making him a bizarre sight, subject to constant ridicule and gossip, making life worse than death.