Immortal of the Nine Realms

Under Qi Jian’s urging, a dozen large tables were quickly set up inside the spacious hall. Exquisite dishes were served one after another.

Li Daoye, unconcerned with formalities, immediately picked up his chopsticks and started eating. However, after taking just one bite, he frowned for a long while.

Qi Ran chuckled. ”What’s wrong? Why did you stop eating?”

Li Daoye tossed his chopsticks aside. ”This is tasteless, like chewing on wax. You say you want to give us a grand send-off, yet you’re being so stingy? That’s not very hospitable.”

Curious, the others took a bite as well, only to immediately put down their chopsticks. It was as if they were chewing on candles.

These dishes looked exquisite, fragrant, and mouthwatering, but why did they taste so bland?

Someone tried the wine and tea on the table. This time, they revealed a satisfied expression. The beverages, at least, were decent.

”Tasteless, like chewing wax?” mused Qi Ran.

He then nodded with a smile. ”You’re absolutely right. This is how food in the underworld tastes. But you have no choice but to eat it. If you don’t, you’ll start losing your memories and eventually go mad.

”I’ve been dead for so many years. I have been eating this stuff every single day. You all had just one bite and already can’t stand it? You should know, for ordinary wandering souls, even getting a chance to eat food like this is a luxury. Many simply can’t afford it.”

Qi Jian laughed lightly and turned to Fang Chen. ”My son has suffered much over the years since his death. He speaks bluntly, but it comes from the heart. I hope you won’t take offense, Sword Leader Fang.”

Fang Chen waved his hand dismissively. ”Why would I take offense? I haven’t been the one eating ghost food for years.”

Qi Jian’s smile froze instantly.

Qi Ran turned to look at Fang Chen, not expecting that.

Despite being in such a situation, he still had the nerve to make sarcastic remarks.

Qi Ran asked, ”Sword Leader Fang, weren’t your disciples supposed to report to the Nether Guards Division and the City Lord’s Manor? Why haven’t they returned yet? Do you want to go check on them in case something happened?”

Fang Chen shook his head. ”There’s no need. They’re not children. It’s unlikely that reporting a case would lead to any trouble.”

Wang Xuanqing looked at Fang Chen with a half-smile. ”I’ve been observing you for a while now, and I still can’t figure out why you’re not the least bit afraid. Can you tell me why? Even if you’re not afraid of death, are you not afraid of something worse than death?”

Li Daoye’s expression shifted, and he exchanged a glance with Fang Zhixue. Based on what they knew about Fang Chen, and with Wang Xuanqing’s remark, they both had the feeling that Fang Chen’s trump card wasn’t just reporting the case. It was probably something else.

Fang Chen said calmly, ”I still believe that even in the Underworld, there are laws, and no one can act without restraint.”

”Is that all?” Wang Xuanqing chuckled bitterly. ”You really are naive. If there was any movement from the Nether Guards Division or the City Lord’s Manor, it would have reached here by now. I’m not bragging. This matter involves me, and whether it’s the God of Nether Guards Division or the City Lord, neither of them would interfere. They don’t fear me, but they would definitely fear the backing I have in the capital.”

Fang Chen looked taken aback. ”You have backing in the capital?”

Qi Jian and Wang Xuanqing noticed Fang Chen’s expression finally changed. They couldn’t help but exchange glances. Their desire to speak up was growing stronger.

Fang Chen continued, ”As far as I know, the Nether Guards Division in the capital is controlled by two figures. You Fang, the Monarch of Nether Guards Division, and Night Walker Monarch Jing Xue. These two are highly skilled, controlling the Nether Guards Division across various regions and commanding countless Yin Soldiers and Night Walkers. Could your backing be one of them?”

Qi Ran couldn’t help but laugh. ”Impressive.”

Wang Xuanqing also displayed a faint smile. ”You know quite a lot, so it’s true you’ve ventured into the Underworld before. But have you been to the capital?”

Fang Chen nodded. ”Once.”

Wang Xuanqing was surprised that Fang Chen had actually been to the capital. But in his mind, a single trip to the capital didn’t mean a transformation from a wild chicken to a phoenix.

Wang Xuanqing smiled. ”It seems you have connections in official circles. Otherwise, with your cultivation, you wouldn’t be able to reach the capital. Who’s behind you?”

”The Day Wanderer General of Shuangye City, Li Badao.” Fang Chen smiled. ”Have you ever heard of him?”

A Day Wanderer General?

Wang Xuanqing and Qi Ran exchanged amused smiles, clearly not impressed by the name.

Suddenly, someone entered the hall, preparing to report, only to see a group of people filing in.

Both Wang Xuanqing and Qi Ran froze for a moment.

Qi Ran stood up, cupped his hands, and smiled. ”City Lord Wei is in a good mood today.”

The newcomer was none other than Wei Yuan, the City Lord of the Unreturning City.

Li Daoye and the others, seeing Profound Green behind Wei Yuan, all let out a collective sigh of relief.

Clearly, reporting the case had worked.

Wang Xuanqing maintained his smile, but a trace of suspicion flickered in his eyes.

Why would Wei Yuan bring people here, knowing full well this matter involved him?

Qi Ran glanced at Wang Xuanqing from the corner of his eye, seeking his opinion.

”Lord Wang, are we still dining?”

Wei Yuan greeted with a smile, but his eyes scanned the room, searching for the ”master” Profound Green had mentioned.

”Indeed, City Lord Wei. Since you’re here, please join us and have a bite,” Wang Xuanqing replied, instructing his subordinates to arrange a seat for Wei Yuan.

However, Wei Yuan waved his hand. ”No need to trouble yourselves. Someone came to the City Lord’s Manor today, reporting that Lord Wang and Daoist Qi are plotting against her master. Is that true?”

He warned, ”If it is, I must advise you both. The Underworld has its rules, and we mustn’t act recklessly. If this matter reaches the capital, it will surely cause trouble.”

He placed particular emphasis on the word ”capital.”

Wang Xuanqing didn’t notice the subtle tone, but his face darkened slightly, and he coldly replied, ”What do you mean by that, City Lord Wei?”

”No hidden meaning, just a reminder,” Wei Yuan responded, narrowing his eyes slightly.

Before Wang Xuanqing could retort, another group of people entered the hall. Li Taihe was leading the group, the God of the Nether Guards Division.

Wang Xuanqing’s expression shifted dramatically. After a few moments, he coldly remarked, ”Li Taihe has arrived as well? How coincidental, City Lord Wei is here too.”

”Wei City Lord is here as well? My apologies,” Li Taihe greeted with an air of politeness.

Li Taihe cupped his hands with a smile, then turned to Wang Xuanqing and said, ”Lord Wang, someone came to my Nether Guards Division today to file a report, stating that—”

Before he could finish, Wang Xuanqing, as if his dignity had been challenged, waved his hand to interrupt him, his expression darkening. ”My affairs are not for you two to interfere with. Otherwise, things might get ugly for everyone.”

Li Taihe forced a wry smile. ”Lord Wang, I believe there’s a misunderstanding. Please allow me to explain—”

”No need,” Wang Xuanqing said indifferently. ”I recently visited the capital, and Lord Night Walker was quite pleased with my tribute. Not only that, but even Monarch You Fang personally met with me. If not for my tight schedule, I might have also had the chance to meet the newly appointed Day Walker Monarch, Fang Chen.”

With this single statement, Wang Xuanqing subtly revealed his powerful connections. In his eyes, if the two insisted on making things difficult for him, they would be completely tearing apart their relationship. That wasn’t something that would end well for anyone.

Qi Jian suddenly froze, his face stiffening. He gently tugged Wang Xuanqing’s sleeve and asked in a hoarse voice, ”Did you just say... Day Walker Monarch Fang Chen?”

Wang Xuanqing replied indifferently, ”That’s right. If you, Daoist Qi, wish to take the position of Unreturning City’s Day Walker General, you will inevitably have to meet Monarch Fang in the future. No rush.”

Qi Jian fell silent, his voice turning dry and raspy. ”Sword Leader Fang... is also named Fang Chen.”

Wang Xuanqing suddenly looked appalled. ”What did you say?”

Fang Chen stood up with a smile and cupped his hands toward Wang Xuanqing. ”I didn’t introduce myself earlier. I am Fang Chen, Day Walker Monarch of the Nether Guards Division. Greetings, Lord Wang.”

Wei Yuan and Li Taihe both turned their gazes to Fang Chen. In an instant, realization dawned upon them.

Wang Xuanqing’s face turned deathly pale in an instant, his lips trembling uncontrollably. The subordinates he had brought along exchanged uneasy glances, their eyes filled with sheer terror.

They had all heard the recent rumors about this new Day Walker Lord. He had only been in office for a short time, yet he had already dismissed dozens of Day Wanderer Gods. He had even personally executed Day Wanderer God Fu Jin and had forced the usually domineering Judgment Division into retreat...

The person their lord was trying to deal with... was actually the Day Walker Monarch himself?!

Wasn’t this the purest form of courting death?