LEGENDS OF OGRE GATE CHAPTER 77: THE SKULL OF RUAN THE FLAMINGO

At Wuxia World, you can follow the story of Sunan and Bao in the Legends of Ogre Gate series by Deathblade. The latest chapter is available HERE. If you want to start from the beginning, check out the INDEX. I've been posting support to go with the Legend of Ogre Gate story. Here is the latest entry. 

THE SKULL OF RUAN THE FLAMINGO
According to legend, when people die they appear before the Eight Magistrates for judgment, to determine how they will be reborn and if they should be punished before rebirth. The truth is most people, even good ones, must suffer some form of penalty. They say that Ruan the Flamingo had many great talents and he forged numerous powerful artifacts. But, some also say, he was a tremendous liar and when he appeared before the Eight Magistrates, this landed him in a good deal of trouble. One of the magistrates took great exception to this and decided to make an example of him. He was sentenced to be roasted for several thousand years over a great flame. This eventually reduced his body to bones, and ultimately a charred skull. Before the skull could be consumed in the flames, a servant of the Ghostly Emperor grabbed the skull and took it to the world of man, where it is believed to remain to this day. 

This skull has no magical ability that it can impart to its user, but it can speak, and has Ruan the Flamingo's memories of his past and his punishment. Memories of his punishment are more immediate and so he tends to encourage everyone to live by the Dehuan virtues, lest they suffer his fate. He can also tell people about the time of Sunan and Bao. But more than that, he is a master craftsmen and can advise anyone trying to create powerful objects.