Immortal of the Nine Realms

Du Yunxu sighed inwardly, a trace of helplessness flashing across his eyes. He had spent considerable time working alongside these Day Walker Gods in the imperial capital. He was well aware that, while many had expressed their support for Fang Chen’s plans, that wasn’t truly what they thought.

However, when these same individuals heard Fang Chen’s words, they were both relieved and alarmed.

The Day Walker Monarch dismissed 50-odd Day Walker Gods, just like that?

If word of this spread, wouldn’t the Day Walker Division become a laughingstock in the eyes of others?

The Day Walker God who had first voiced his opposition managed a strained smile. ”My lord, did I mishear just now...?”

”You didn’t mishear,” Fang Chen replied with a faint smile. ”Hand over your duties to your colleagues and then return home to await further orders.”

”My lord... technically, you do have the authority to appoint Day Walker Gods. However, to dismiss a Day Walker God, you’d need an edict jointly issued by the Commander of the Yin Soldier Division and the Night Walker Monarch. Are they aware of this decision?”

Fang Chen turned his gaze toward the speaker. ”Your name is Wu Liu, isn’t it? The Wu surname isn’t common. You’re both a Day Walker God and someone who successfully overcame the tribulation in the mortal realm. Getting to this point must not have been easy.”

Wu Liu’s expression tightened. He replied respectfully, ”Indeed, my lord. It hasn’t been easy for me to reach this position. I hold no objections to your decision, my lord. I only hope that you’ll take the Underworld’s dynamics into account and act accordingly. I humbly ask for your wise judgment.”

Fang Chen nodded slightly. ”You’re right. Weighing the pros and cons is indeed my responsibility.”

Wu Liu’s eyes flickered with hope. Could he be reconsidering his decision?

A glimmer of relief began to settle in Wu Liu’s heart.

Fang Chen maintained his faint smile. ”Since you’re aware that weighing the pros and cons is my duty, then you should also know that your duty is to follow orders, not to concern yourselves with the pros and cons on my behalf, correct?”

Wu Liu froze for a moment, momentarily unable to respond. Before he could open his mouth, Fang Chen continued, his tone calm but firm. ”Since you have failed to understand the responsibilities of your own position, then you clearly aren’t suited to be a Day Walker God.”

”From this day forward, you are relieved of your positions as Day Walker Gods. You will have no further ties to the Day Walkers. Everything under your jurisdiction will be handed over to the remaining Day Walker Gods.”

Wu Liu and the other dismissed officials grew increasingly pale. The territories they had carefully managed over the years were not just the foundation of their authority, they were also where most of their wealth was tied.

They were expected to give all that up without protest?

However, despite their growing indignation, they dared not voice their objections. The chilling fate of Fu Jin, though not witnessed firsthand, had been vividly described by others. This Day Walker Lord was ruthless. Monarch Yan himself seemed to favor him.

Du Yunxu was the one who broke the tense silence. ”Everyone, surrender your battle armor.”

The unaffected Day Walker Gods finally processed what was happening. If everything managed by the dismissed individuals fell under their control, their future gains, including the allocation of Yin Lifespan Coins and other resources, would multiply several fold!

The realization made their breath quicken. The opportunities and benefits concealed within this decision were beyond imagination.

Wu Liu hesitated for several breaths, then reluctantly began to remove his battle armor. Just as he was about to hand it over to Du Yunxu, hurried footsteps echoed through the bamboo garden.

Everyone turned to see two figures rushing over. It was You Fang and Jing Xue.

Their arrival caused a ripple of unease among the gathered crowd.

Were they here to plead for the dismissed officials, or was something more significant unfolding?

You Fang and Jing Xue weren’t alone; many of their subordinates were accompanying them.

Wu Liu’s hand paused in the air, holding the armor. Instead of handing it over to Du Yunxu, he cupped his fist at Jing Xue. ”I pay my respect to you, Night Walker Monarch.”

Jing Xue nodded toward Wu Liu but didn’t speak to him. He turned to Fang Chen and asked with a serious expression, ”Monarch Fang, I heard that... you’re planning to change the rules?”

You Fang sucked in a long breath. ”Monarch Fang, this isn’t a rule you can change as you wish. If you bring chaos to the Underworld, we won’t be able to bear the consequences. Monarch Yan will definitely vent his frustrations on us.”

Fang Chen maintained his calm demeanor, a faint smile playing on his lips. ”I will change the rules today no matter what. Are you going to try and stop me?”

Jing Xue’s expression darkened slightly.

The air grew heavy with tension. Around them, the gathered Day Walker Gods and subordinates held their breaths, watching the standoff with wide eyes.

How could the Day Walker Monarch issue a threat like that? If his words incited a war, the Underworld could very well be thrown into chaos!

”I need to deal with some matters. If you have nothing else to do, why don’t you head over to the Judgment Division for a nice chat?” Fang Chen laughed. ”Yunxu, send them off.”

You Fang looked conflicted. In the end, he flung his sleeves and turned to walk away.

Jing Xue remained silent for a moment. ”I hope you aren’t playing with fire here, Monarch Fang. If you cause too much trouble, Monarch Yan might not sit by idly and watch it unfold.”

”Lord Jing, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself over this matter. You should instead think about how to arrange things for Wu Liu.”

Fang Chen smiled faintly. ”Now that he’s no longer a Day Walker God, do you have any vacancies among the Night Walker Gods for him to fill?”

Wu Liu was astounded. He knows everything?

Wu Liu glanced at Du Yunxu. It must have been him who said something!

Jing Xue cast Fang Chen a few glances and let out a cold snort. ”This matter doesn’t need Monarch Fang’s concern. I will handle it appropriately.”

With that, she turned and left.

Du Yunxu looked at Wu Liu and the others and ordered, ”Everyone, hand over your battle armor.”

The Day Walker Gods had initially believed that the situation would turn for the better with the arrival of Jing Xue and the Night Walker Monarch. Unexpectedly, the two merely went through the motions of expressing their positions before leaving, leaving them to face the consequences alone.

These Day Walker Gods suddenly felt a twinge of regret. They shouldn’t have been so quick to make their stance clear. Their complacency from years of managing the outer cities had fostered bad habits, and now they were paying the price.

As Wu Liu surrendered his armor, the others could only follow suit, handing over their armor with stoic expressions.

Without their armor, they were effectively stripped of their official titles and privileges as Day Walker Gods in the Underworld.

From now on, if they wished to traverse the Underworld, they would have to spend their own Lifespan Coins to cross the Forgotten River. What’s more, they could no longer travel freely to other cities. Any journey would now require the payment of significant amounts of Yin Lifespan Coins.

The benefits that some of the Yin Walkers had offered them ultimately failed to reach their hands. All in all, this was a massive loss for them.

However, they still held a glimmer of hope in their hearts. If the various Yin Monarchs expressed their disapproval of Fang Chen’s plans, his arrangements may not come to fruition, and they might be reinstated.

After Wu Liu and the others left, the remaining Day Walker Gods realized that only about fifty remained, half of the original number.

Fang Chen smiled lightly. ”You all go and handle the handover. Convey my words to everyone, as well.”

The group of Day Walker Gods exchanged excited looks. They quickly took their orders and left.

Du Yunxu respectfully handed over the battle armor they had collected to Fang Chen.

Fang Chen took two pieces from the pile and tossed them to the black and white paper figures.

”You don’t need to remain as Day Walker Generals anymore. You’ll be starting directly as Day Walker Gods. I believe it won’t take long before your cultivation can gradually catch up.”

The black and white Paper Figures exchanged glances, then curiously donned the golden-red armor of the Day Walker Gods. Immediately, their expressions changed.

They felt a very strange sensation. Not only did their cultivation seem to rise, but they also seemed to gain some mysterious divine powers.

”Yunxu, this matter won’t be resolved in the short term, but you can keep an eye on the situation. If there are any obstacles, don’t worry about them. Just let me know when I return to the capital next time.

Fang Chen instructed, ”Little Black and Little White are my trusted friends; please look after them for me.”

With that, he left the bamboo garden.

Du Yunxu was filled with mixed feelings. He cupped his hands in respect toward the paper figures. ”Lord Black, Lord White, I look forward to working with you in the future.”

Little Black and Little White smiled slightly and cupped their hands in return. ”You’re too polite.”