Immortal of the Nine Realms

On the banks of the Forgotten River, the various Yin Monarchs were waiting quietly with varying expressions.

Shen Tucang suddenly glanced at Qi Tiannan and said, ”Monarch Qi, you didn’t hire someone to assassinate Monarch Fang, did you?”

You Fang and Jing Xue’s pupils dilated.

Stone Dragon and Empress Ci turned to look at Qi Tiannan.

Qi Tiannan was taken aback momentarily. He angrily replied, ”Don’t slander me. I have no enmity with Monarch Fang. Why would I hire someone to kill him? It’s you, Shen Tucang! You’re the one who made enemies with Monarch Fang as soon as he took office. I think you’re the most suspicious. If it weren’t for the Judgment Division leaking Monarch Fang’s whereabouts, how could a dignified Yin Monarch be assassinated?”

The Monarch of the Reincarnation Division wore a faint smile. He said, ”Monarch Shen, you’d be the one who benefits the most if Monarch Fang really ends up dead.”

The Monarch of the Soul Capturing Division nodded. ”Right now, the Nether Guards Division and Judgment Division hold the most power in the Underworld, and Lord You listens to your every word. It seems you are the true Monarch Yan of the Underworld.

”Could it be that the emergence of Monarch Fang made you feel threatened, and you hired someone to assassinate him? I advise you to confess early, so as not to implicate the rest of us.”

Shen Tucang sneered. ”If what happened really was my doing, I would naturally admit it. If not, I won’t allow anyone to pin the blame on me. You’ve all been idle these years, keeping close relations with the Yin Walkers. Don’t think I don’t know.”

As these words left his mouth, Qi Tiannan and the others’ expressions changed drastically, looking uncomfortable. Just as they were about to retort, they heard Jing Xue speak.

”Stop talking. Monarch Fang is back,” she said.

Through the vast mist, a bridge suddenly appeared, and a figure grew closer and closer. It was Fang Chen.

Everyone’s expressions became serious.

Empress Ci visibly relaxed.

”Did you meet with Monarch Yan, Yin Monarch Fang?” Shen Tucang asked.

Qi Tiannan and the others stared at Fang Chen, their eyes flashing with anticipation.

Fang Chen nodded with a smile. ”I did.”

”Monarch Fang, what did Monarch Yan say?” Qi Tiannan asked eagerly.

Fang Chen smiled and tossed them a pile of armor. ”Monarch Yan said, ’Each to their own duties.’”

When Qi Tiannan and the others saw the armor, they nearly shed tears of joy. With these armors, the Underworld Official Division and the Soul Capturing Division could finally function properly.

Stunned, the Lord of the Reincarnation Division asked, ”Then what about our Reincarnation Division...?”

Fang Chen replied, ”The matters of reincarnation still have some issues that need to be studied further.”

The Lord of the Reincarnation Division smiled bitterly and said no more.

”How could Monarch Yan give such an order...” You Fang muttered, stunned.

Shen Tucang looked toward the vast Forgotten River and suddenly cupped his fist. ”I, Shen Tucang, Monarch of the Judgment Division, request an audience with Monarch Yan.”

His voice echoed over the Forgotten River. Everyone turned to look at him. Even after a long time, no response came from the river. Clearly, Monarch Yan did not wish to meet him.

”Monarch Shen, Monarch You Fang, the two of you still need to complete the handover with the other division heads,” Fang Chen said with a smile. ”This is Monarch Yan’s will, so please do not ignore it.”

With that, Fang Chen turned and left, accompanied by Stone Dragon and the others.

***

Du Yunxu hesitated to speak along the way. Seeing this, Fang Chen couldn’t help but laugh. ”What is it that you want to say?”

Du Yunxu recounted Shen Tucang’s suspicions about Qi Tiannan from earlier.

Fang Chen nodded. ”So, in the end, who benefits from this?”

”Naturally, it’s the Underworld Official Division and the Soul Capturing Division,” Du Yunxu replied. ”Now that the two divisions can operate again, their power in the Underworld will grow day by day. Though they won’t surpass the Nether Guards Division and the Judgment Division in the short term, they are already far better off than before.”

Fang Chen smiled. ”So Shen Tucang’s suspicions are not entirely unfounded.”

Seeing Fang Chen’s lack of surprise, Du Yunxu suddenly had an epiphany and exclaimed, ”So you have suspected it all along!”

Fang Chen chuckled. ”I hadn’t suspected it before. But when I found out that Qi Tiannan and the others, as department heads, had become mere mascots with few capable subordinates, I felt that there was more to this matter.”

Du Yunxu hesitated. ”Then why did you still give them the armor? If someone among them really hired a Yin Walker to assassinate you and create a rift between the you and the Judgment Division and Nether Guards Division, shouldn’t you have captured and interrogated them all?”

”No evidence,” replied Fang Chen. ”If you capture and interrogate them, do you think they will confess? It’s better to let them fight it out. If something is amiss, they will inevitably reveal their true intentions.”

”Fight it out?”

Du Yunxu thought for a few moments, and then, with a look of realization, he respectfully said, ”I understand now.”

If Shen Tucang’s suspicions were correct, then the mastermind behind this would be someone from Qi Tiannan’s group. Moving forward, as the two departments tried to regain control, they would inevitably clash with the Nether Guards Division and the Judgment Division. As for the You Fang faction, they could just sit back and watch the fight unfold.

Fang Chen said, ”As for Shangguan Tong... I will personally inspect that area and find him. I may visit Qiufeng in a while.”

Du Yunxu nodded. ”Understood.”

”As for Gai Hong... he was no fool in the mortal realm. You can take him under your wing; he will be of great use in the future,” Fang Chen instructed.

After giving his instructions, he led Stone Dragon and Empress Ci across the bridge, disappearing into the Forgotten River.

***

In Youhuan City, after finishing his shift, Qing Sui hurried home. After spending some time with his wife, he arrived at a courtyard. When he saw a figure practicing swordplay, he cupped his fist and called out, ”Brother Qin.”

Qin Hucheng paused his practice and smiled at Qing Sui. ”Brother Qing, may I go out for a walk today?”

Qing Sui appeared slightly apologetic. ”My lord said you should stay here and reflect on your actions, Brother Qin. Without the lord’s command, I truly cannot allow you to leave the residence.”

”Reflect on my actions...” Qin Hucheng couldn’t help but shake his head. ”Fine, compared to the Era Immortal King and the others, I am faring much better.”

He raised his sword and pointed it at Qing Sui. ”Brother Qing, if you have no other business, would you mind sparring with me?”

Qing Sui’s expression shifted, but he nodded lightly. ”Very well.”

***

Meanwhile, in a region of the Central Continent Empire, the Tai Yin Dragon King had transformed into a young man in black clothing. Together with True Monarch of Pan Mountain, they stood on a mountain peak, hands behind their backs, gazing at the landscape below, both lost in thought.

”Pan Mountain, whether it’s the Immortal Realm or the Underworld, how can it compare to the beauty of this Mortal Realm? It’s a pity that at the time, my cultivation wasn’t very high, and traveling through all nine realms was almost a dream.”

”Master, now that you are a Day Walker, enjoying the sights of the mortal world is no longer a difficult task,” replied the True Monarch of Pan Mountain softly.

Tai Yin Dragon King waved his hand. ”No need to call me master anymore. I am a Day Walker, and you are a Night Walker. Our ranks are equal. Don’t let Monarch Yan hear you calling me that; he might say I don’t understand the rules.”

While the two were chatting, Han Linqiu and the others were standing at a distance, quietly waiting.

Tai Yin Dragon King had already brought Victorious Buddha and the others over. When Xu Peng saw that Fang Chen had taken three demon cultivators as disciples, his impression of Fang Chen improved considerably. He began discussing matters from the Central Continent Empire, drawing continuous praise from Tiger Mountain Lord and Profound Green.

Ye Wenxiu, Liu Mu, and the others listened attentively, feeling increasingly drawn to the Central Continent Empire. Thinking that it wouldn’t be long before they could head there, they felt a bit excited.

Xu Peng suddenly sighed. ”Hey, the three of you are demon cultivators, so you should join our Green Elephant Sect. Our sect accepts all kinds of teachings. Fang Chen may have some skills, but he doesn’t know much about demon cultivation techniques.”

Su Lingzhu whispered, ”If Fang Chen hears you say this, you’re in for a beating.”

Xu Peng smiled and waved his hand. ”He hasn’t arrived yet...”

Just as he was about to say more, he stood up abruptly and cupped his fist. ”Daoist Fang.”