Immortal of the Nine Realms

Wei Yuan’s expression kept shifting. If it were anyone else who dared to call his life cheap, he would have torn them apart on the spot. But he didn’t dare refute the words of the person standing before him.

His heart was filled with doubt. Why has Liu Xuan suddenly appeared?And why is he saying such things?

”This place used to be the City God’s Office, and you were the City God for quite a few years. Have you forgotten your responsibilities?” Liu Xuan’s smile carried a hint of mockery. ”Good advice is wasted on ghosts who are destined to die. I’ve said all that needs to be said, you know what to do.”

Wei Yuan’s gaze flickered as he looked at Profound Green. ”Could it be... her?”

A wave of shock surged through his heart. Who exactly is she? No, most importantly, who is this master she spoke of? How could they summon a figure as formidable as Liu Xuan?

The Underworld Official Division might have fallen from grace and had been pushed to the fringes of power, leaving figures like Qi Tianran and Liu Xuan unable to interfere in most official matters of the Underworld. But Liu Xuan was still a powerful force.

As a being on par with a Monarch of the Underworld, he stood among the very peak of underworld elites.

Wei Yuan was about to speak, but before he could, Liu Xuan had already turned and left, never once addressing Profound Green.

This left Wei Yuan even more bewildered.

A subordinate stepped up beside Wei Yuan, his face solemn. ”My Lord... this matter... must be handled with extreme caution.”

”Wang Xuanqing has far reaching connections. His hand reaches all the way to the capital,” said the man gravely. ”And now, a long-absent Lord Liu has personally come to Unreturning City...”

”I’m afraid this matter... is tied to the power struggles in the capital.”

Wei Yuan’s expression tensed as he paced back and forth. ”Are you saying... a Monarch of the Underworld might be involved?”

”How did something like this end up on my plate? This is pure bad luck. If the person Liu Xuan is targeting happens to be from the Nether Guards Division or the Judgment Division, what am I supposed to do?”

”Perhaps... we should observe the situation first before making a decision?”

Wei Yuan nodded immediately. ”Observe first, huh... that might work.

He then turned to Profound Green with a friendly smile. ”Young lady, I’ll accompany you on this trip.”

”Many thanks, my lord,” replied Profund Green, letting out a deep breath.

Her understanding of her master’s influence in the underworld grew once more.

***

Meanwhile, Liu Xuan arrived at the gates of the Nether Guards Division, where he reunited with Qi Tianran and Zhang Gao. Standing beside them were Victorious Buddha and Du Yunxu.

Glancing at Qi Tianran, Liu Xuan softly said, ”Wei Yuan should know what to do by now.”

Qi Tianran let out a wry smile and turned to Du Yunxu. ”Du Yunxu, I appreciate you giving me this favor. Wei Yuan and I had some past ties, and I don’t want to watch him walk straight into a fire pit.”

Liu Xuan had spoken with restraint. His words were never absolute. What happens next would depend on Wei Yuan’s own choices.

”Monarch Qi, there’s no need to be so formal. We should go and meet the City Lord of Unreturning City now.” Du Yunxu smiled. ”Once today’s matter is settled, the future of the Underworld Official Division will surely become smoother. I must offer my early congratulations.”

”You’re too kind.” Qi Tianran chuckled. ”If not for that great lord’s righteousness, the Underworld Official Division wouldn’t have made it this far. I’m no fool. When the time comes, all the lord needs to do is say the word, and I will know exactly what must be done.”

Qi Tianran remained exceptionally courteous. Although Du Yunxu was merely a Day Walker God whose cultivation was far inferior to his, the man held the trust of that esteemed figure.

In fact, even the appointment of the previous Day Walker God had been personally fetched from Yan Jun’s palace by Du Yunxu himself.

A trace of suspicion arose in Qi Tianran’s heart regarding Du Yunxu’s true identity and background.

***

A guard stationed at the entrance finally lost his patience. His eyes swept over the unfamiliar faces before him. ”You all have been whispering outside the gates of the Nether Guards Division for quite some time. What exactly are you scheming?

”I’ve never seen any of you before. Are you from another jurisdiction? Don’t loiter here, move along, quickly.”

Qi Tianran chuckled, his face round and affable, exuding a completely non-threatening demeanor. ”Little Brother, we’d like to meet your lord.”

”Another one wanting to see the lord?” The guard sneered. ”Just now, some fool dared to play tricks on the Judge. He’s being flogged as we speak.”

His gaze swept over Qi Tianran from head to toe.

”You’re not thinking of pulling the same stunt, are you? This is the Nether Guards Division’s stronghold. If you act recklessly, you might not make it out of Unreturning City alive.”

Qi Tianran maintained his gentle smile. ”You misunderstand, Little Brother. I am Qi Tianran, the Monarch of the Underworld Official Division from the Capital. If you’re unsure, go and report to your superior. See if he’s willing to meet me.”

The guard’s expression froze.

The Capital? The Underworld Official Division? A Monarch?! ℴ

Terror flickered across the guard’s face, instantly replacing his earlier irritation.

Panic-stricken, he didn’t even stop to announce them. He simply turned and sprinted into the Nether Guards Division at full speed.

The other guards stationed alongside him exchanged glances, unsure of how to handle the presence of this supposed high-ranking official. They also weren’t certain whether Qi Tianran was truly who he claimed to be, a Monarch of the Underworld Official Division from the capital.

Unconsciously, they all bent slightly at the waist, no longer standing as upright as before.

Before long, a figure came rushing out of the Nether Guards Division, stumbling in their haste.

As this person reached Qi Tianran, they seemed to trip over their own feet and fell flat on their face. Scrambling up in a flustered manner, they clasped their hands together in a deep bow, their expression full of deference. ”This humble official, Li Taihe, lord of the Nether Guards Division in Unreturning City, greets you, Monarch Qi!”

Qi Tianran and the others saw through it instantly. This wasn’t an accidental fall. It was deliberate. A display of submission, an act steeped in the art of human relationships.

Qi Tianran smiled. ”A junior officer went inside earlier to report, but he hasn’t come back. Any idea why?”

Li Taihe felt a chill in his heart. Without hesitation, he turned his head and gave his subordinates a look.

One of his subordinates immediately rushed off and soon returned, dragging out Tiger Mountain Lord.

Victorious Buddha furrowed his brows upon seeing Tiger Mountain Lord walking unsteadily. ”Junior brother, are you alright?”

Tiger Mountain Lord grinned. ”It’s nothing serious. It’s just that my legs are sore. I must admit, the punishments here are rather mystical. A hundred strikes with the plank, each one cutting deep into my soul, yet not causing any real damage to it.”

Li Taihe’s heart sank even further. He forced a bitter smile and said, ”Ah, so you are one of Monarch Qi’s people, Little Brother. Why didn’t you say so earlier? This was clearly a case of the flood washing into the Dragon King’s temple... We’re all on the same side! Please, allow me to properly make amends. I shall prepare a banquet at once in your honor!”

”Whether or not to forgive you is no longer up to me.” Tiger Mountain Lord chuckled. ”That depends on my master’s decision.”

Li Taihe’s expression tensed. ”Your master....”

His gaze instinctively shifted to Qi Tianran. A sudden realization struck him. Why would the Monarch of the Underworld Official Division personally visit a remote place like Unreturning City?

Moreover, Qi Tianran had lost much of his influence in recent years and rarely left the capital. So why had he come here now?

Could someone of great importance from the capital have arrived?

At this thought, Li Taihe’s heart sank as he recalled what Tiger Mountain Lord had reported earlier.

Was it possible that Night Walker General had clashed with this Monarch of the Underworld Official Division?

Not daring to be careless, Li Taihe discreetly flicked his sleeve, sending out a hidden message to the outside.

”Lord Li, do you happen to be free at the moment? Would you care to accompany this Monarch for a walk?” Qi Tianran asked with a smile.

”Yes, yes, of course!” Li Taihe quickly nodded, not daring to refuse.