Immortal of the Nine Realms

Wen Fan and the woman in black stood respectfully in front of Fang Chen. Wen Fan bowed, then looked at Fang Chen with eagerness. ”Master Fang, about my husband...”

Fang Chen smiled and reassured her, ”I have not yet returned to the mortal realm. Once I do, I’ll look into your husband’s matter.”

He hasn’t returned to the mortal realm yet?

Wen Fan felt a bit disappointed but didn’t voice any complaints. Instead, she respectfully said, ”I’ll trouble you, my lord. For someone of your stature to take on this matter, I am deeply grateful.”

Fang Chen waved his hand with a smile and chatted casually with the two women for a moment before asking Fang Yuan to escort them out.

Just as the two women left, the Old Master arrived to pay a visit.

Fang Chen asked, ”Old Master, you’re quite the busy man. What brings you here today?”

The Old Master laughed awkwardly. ”Master Fang, please don’t mock me. I never expected that your first foray into the Underworld would land you in such a high position. I’m here today to ask if there are any vacancies in the Nether Guards Division....”

”The city guards are equivalent to Yin Soldiers, and since you belong to the lineage of the city lord, you are directly under the Judgement Division,” Fang Chen said with a knowing smile. ”Are you planning to take a post in the Nether Guards Division? If you do, you’ll still just be an ordinary Yin Soldier, no different from your current role.”

The old master pleaded with a fawning expression. ”Master Fang, surely someone of your caliber can secure a small official position for me? I won’t ask for much... Just a squad leader role in the Nether Guards Division would do.”

Fang Chen pondered for a few moments before nodding lightly. ”Go find Qing Sui from the Nether Guards Division. Ask him to make arrangements for you. He’s the one you met earlier at the bridge.”

”Thank you, Lord Fang! I remember Lord Qing Sui. I’ll go find him right away!”

Grinning broadly, the old master bowed repeatedly before leaving with great satisfaction.

Turning to the black and white paper figures, Fang Chen smiled. ”Follow me to the imperial capital. You’ll get to see the most prosperous place in this little Underworld. Once this matter is settled, it’ll be time for me to return to the mortal realm.”

***

In the capital’s Nether Guards Division, Du Yunxu stood with the Day Walker Gods stationed in Shangjing outside a bamboo tower. This group of Day Walker Gods had already received the news. They all had varied expressions. Some looked worried, others indifferent, and a few gloating.

One of the Day Walker Gods gave a bitter smile and said, ”Du Yunxu, you’re close to that Day Walker Monarch. Tell us, what’s his plan? If he really goes through with this decision, it will undoubtedly change the current structure of the Underworld. It’ll take away many people’s livelihoods....

”If the Yin Monarchs are displeased and collectively impeach him, I’m afraid that Day Walker Monarch might even lose his official position.”

Another Day Walker God spoke calmly. ”Exactly. We’ve followed these rules for countless years. If he does this, even the Yin Walkers will have significant objections. I don’t really care myself, but those Yin Walkers have overly complicated networks. Some Yin Monarchs even have close ties with them.

”Among us Day Walker Gods, quite a few are Yin Walkers as well. When the time comes, how will this be calculated? Taking four out of ten as commission... It’s too much.”

Another Day Walker God interjected, ”I disagree. If the Day Walker Monarch implements this plan, the distribution of Yin Lifespan Coins to us will finally be fair and equitable. No one would be able to argue about it anymore,”

The scene hints at brewing tensions between factions in the underworld over Fang Chen’s impending decision, suggesting far-reaching impacts on power structures and economic networks.

As the group continued to argue and voice their differing opinions, Du Yunxu reminded them, ”The temperament of this Day Walker Monarch is not to be underestimated. You all saw what happened to Fu Jin. He didn’t even give that person from the Judgement Division any face. What you think doesn’t matter; what matters is how the Day Walker Monarch thinks.”

The murmuring immediately ceased. The group of Day Walker Gods exchanged glances, falling into an uneasy silence.

At that moment, Fang Chen entered the bamboo grove with the black and white paper figures in tow. Upon seeing him, Du Yunxu stepped forward promptly and cupped his hands in salute. ”Greetings, Day Walker Monarch.”

The other Day Walker Gods followed suit, bowing in unison. ”Greetings, Day Walker Monarch.”

Fang Chen nodded slightly, then requested a roster of all the Day Walker Gods under his jurisdiction from Du Yunxu. After scanning the list, he began calling out names one by one.

As each name was spoken, regardless of what they were doing at the time, the respective Day Walker Gods materialized within the bamboo grove.

Some of them hadn’t set foot in the Nether Guards Division of the imperial capital for years. When they found themselves suddenly summoned by their superior, many were momentarily stunned.

Including Du Yunxu and the others already present, a total of 107 Day Walker Gods had gathered.

It didn’t take long for the newly arrived Day Walker Gods to recover from their surprise. They looked toward Fang Chen with varied expressions, cupping their hands in salute. In their gazes, there was a mix of wariness and scrutiny.

Truthfully, news of Fang Chen’s appointment had reached them not long after he took office. Despite that, none of them had taken the initiative to visit the imperial capital to meet him. Most were merely watching from the sidelines, curious to see how long this newcomer could hold his position.

Unexpectedly, Fang Chen had taken the initiative to summon them all today, leaving them puzzled and uncertain about his intentions.

Fang Chen smiled faintly and said, ”The reason I’ve summoned you all today is to inform you of an important matter and to request your full cooperation.”

One of the Day Walker Gods cupped his hands and respectfully said, ”Please instruct us, my lord.”

Fang Chen then repeated to the group what he had previously shared with Du Yunxu.

As his words unfolded, the expressions of the Day Walker Gods grew increasingly grave.

Before Fang Chen could finish speaking, one of them interrupted, stepping forward with a respectful tone. ”My lord, I fully understand your intentions, but implementing such a plan will undoubtedly be fraught with difficulties. It would place the Day Walker Division in an awkward position and might provoke opposition from both the Commander of the Nether Guards Division and the Night Walker Monarch.”

Following his lead, other Day Walker Gods began voicing their opinions one after another. Their words were uniformly respectful, carefully avoiding any phrases that could be construed as insubordination. None of them wished to share Fu Jin’s fate.

However, behind their reverent tone, their collective message was clear: they opposed the plan Fang Chen intended to implement.

Each argument, though cloaked in deference, highlighted potential challenges, risks, and resistance the initiative might face. The resistance, though subtle, was undeniable. It was a united front of polite dissent.

”It’s fine. Everyone, share your suggestions. I’m here to listen,” Fang Chen said.

Encouraged by his attitude, some of the Day Walker Gods who had remained silent hesitated before eventually voicing their opinions.

About half an hour later, the results were clear. Out of the 107 Day Walker Gods present, only around 20 explicitly expressed unconditional support for Fang Chen’s proposal. Over 50 politely but firmly opposed the plan. The remainder chose to stay neutral, neither supporting nor opposing the initiative.

Fang Chen nodded lightly. ”I’ve heard all of your suggestions. You’ve raised valid points. It is indeed a challenging matter to implement.”

The 50-odd Day Walker Gods who opposed the plan exchanged glances, collectively feeling a sense of relief.

From the outset, they had understood the stakes and believed that as long as they expressed their opposition tactfully, Fang Chen would not force the matter. After all, they represented not just themselves but also the Yin Monarchs who supported them.

However, what Fang Chen said next shattered their relief.

”Pack up your things. Collect your salaries for this year, and return home to await further orders. Once new appointments are decided, I’ll have Du Yunxu notify you,” said Fang Chen.

His tone was calm, almost casual.

The Day Walker Gods froze, staring at him in disbelief. The air grew heavy with shock as they processed his words. That was especially the case for the 50-odd who had opposed him. They were utterly stunned. Their hearts raced as a chilling realization sank in.

He’s dismissing all of us?

This wasn’t just a warning or a reprimand; Fang Chen was decisively removing every single one of them who had dared to oppose him, regardless of their rank or backing.