Immortal of the Nine Realms

Huang Wenqing and the others were already suppressed by Fang Chen’s aura, so they couldn’t put up any resistance when Qiu Jing and Jing Xue took action. It was as simple as crushing chicks.

The ease of it only deepened their shock at Fang Chen’s strength. In fact, it gave rise to a trace of dread inside Qiu Jing and Jing Xue. The two of them had previously assumed Fang Chen acted so domineeringly only because he was backed by Monarch Yan. But now, it seemed he had every right to act this way.

Which Monarch in the underworld could truly claim to defeat Yin Walkers of equal cultivation from the Mortal Realm one-on-one?

Little Black’s eyes flashed with emotion. When he had first met Fang Chen, the latter had been nothing but a fledgling of the cultivation world. Now, in just a few short years, he had risen to prominence in the underworld, killing Immortal King-level Yin Walkers as easily as flicking dust from his sleeve.

Behind him, Wu Wei watched it for the first time, his scalp tingling as he saw one Yin Walker after another, some equal to him, some far stronger, fall one by one.

In a very short span of time, over 3,000 Yin Walkers had almost all perished, their residual lifespan collected under Qiu Jing’s orders and finally presented to Fang Chen for him to verify personally.

”Little Black, count how many Yin Lifespan Coins there are,” Fang Chen ordered.

Little Black nodded and glanced at Wu Wei, who quickly caught on and joined him in counting the Yin Lifespan Coins.

Everything happening here had already drawn attention from the outside, especially from the members of the Judgment Division. Though they had not revealed themselves, they were watching in secret.

Seeing Fang Chen so effortlessly suppress Huang Wenqing and the others, several judges who had earlier proposed confronting Fang Chen immediately went silent.

”Lord, now that his fire has latched onto the Spirit God Sect, I fear it’s only a matter of time before it spreads to our Judgment Division...” someone said with worry, looking toward Shen Tucang.

Shen Tucang was silent for a few moments before speaking. ”The Judgment Division has existed since ancient times. We are not the same as the Spirit God Sect. Even if the fire reaches us, it won’t be as devastating. I will find an opportunity to meet with Monarch Yan and see if I can learn the reasoning behind all this.”

Having each counted it twice, Little Black and Wu Wei reported the number of Yin Lifespan Coins confiscated to Fang Chen.

”Lord, the total Yin Lifespan Coins collected is 94,320 years.”

”Only this much?” Fang Chen looked toward the still-living Huang Wenqing. ”Your Spirit God Sect collects lifespan from your followers every day. Where has it all gone?”

Huang Wenqing gave a bitter laugh. ”Every link in the chain needs greasing, and cultivation requires resources. There’s not much left. Half of this came from the 732 Spirit God Temples in the capital over 5 years.”

He fixed his resentful gaze on Fang Chen. ”You people from the underworld are all two-faced liars. The Spirit God Sect only gained a foothold here because your Monarch Yan allowed it. And now you want to wipe us out? The Spirit God Sect will remember this!”

”Nonsense. As if the likes of you could ever be associated with Monarch Yan,” Qiu Jing scoffed coldly.

Jing Xue also frowned. ”Monarch Yan has overseen the underworld for many years. He would never involve himself with the likes of you. Stop spouting nonsense.”

Huang Wenqing laughed madly. ”Me, spouting nonsense? Years ago, your Monarch Yan took who-knows-how-many benefits from us. Don’t believe me? Go ask Shen Tucang. He was Monarch Yan’s confidant. Oh wait... now it’s this Monarch Fang.”

Facing death, he feared nothing anymore. If not for the fact that he couldn’t move, he might have lunged at Fang Chen to bite him.

As he spoke, the remaining few Yin Walkers finally perished.

Qiu Jing looked at Huang Wenqing and turned to Fang Chen. ”Monarch Fang, should we kill this one too?”

”Finish up everything else. I’ll take him with me,” said Fang Chen.

Reaching a hand out, Huang Wenqing floated into his grasp. Fang Chen held him by the neck and took him away.

Qiu Jing and Jing Xue recognized the direction Fang Chen was headed. It was toward the Judgment Division. Their expressions immediately became serious.

Could it be that Monarch Fang actually believed what Huang Wenqing said?

This matter involved Monarch Yan. If it were them, they would have killed Huang Wenqing on the spot. There was no need for any extra complications.

Suppressing their doubts, Qiu Jing glanced at Jing Xue and said, ”Monarch Jing, we worked well together today. I hope we continue to do so.”

”You are only temporarily acting as the Monarch of the Nether Guards Division,” Jing Xue said calmly.

Qiu Jing smiled without replying. Even if temporary, as long as he performed well, who could take that seat?

***

The Judgment Division.

When Fang Chen arrived, the judges had already sensed his presence and were about to hide.

Fang Chen carried Huang Wenqing into the Judgment Division and spoke calmly. ”Don’t bother hiding. I already knew you entered the capital.”

His voice echoed in the ears of the ten judges who gathered. They looked at each other, then decided not to hide, stepping out with Shen Tucang to greet him.

Shen Tucang glanced at Huang Wenqing and cupped his fist at Fang Chen. ”Monarch Fang.”

”Is it convenient to speak here?” Fang Chen asked, smiling.

Shen Tucang seemed to understand and nodded. ”Please, come with me.”

The two of them entered the inner chamber of the Judgment Division. Shen Tucang said flatly, ”There’s no one else here. What would you like to say, Monarch Fang?”

”This man says that the Spirit God Sect gained a foothold in the underworld because Monarch Yan permitted it?” Fang Chen asked.

Huang Wenqing, as if seeing hope, quickly turned to Shen Tucang. ”Monarch Shen, explain it to Monarch Fang. Wasn’t it Monarch Yan himself who allowed the Spirit God Sect to establish itself in the underworld?”

Shen Tucang looked at Fang Chen and, after a long silence, replied calmly, ”Now that you are Monarch Yan’s trusted aide, Monarch Fang, wouldn’t you know the answer better than I do?”

Fang Chen sighed inwardly. How would I know. That senior brother of mine is already gone.

Clearly, Shen Tucang and the others were in the dark and believed Monarch Yan remained in his palace.

If it were true that maintaining the barrier between realms required constant infusion of Yin Lifespan Coins, this arrangement of his senior brother would be quite reasonable.

”He said you knew the details, Monarch Shen. I’d like to hear your understanding,” Fang Chen said.

”Very few know of this matter,” said Shen Tucang. He shared, ”The Spirit God Sect doesn’t have a great reputation in the Mortal Realm, and in the underworld, many wandering souls consider them enemies. But... long ago, the very first Spirit God Temple in the underworld was indeed approved by Monarch Yan. Most Yin Walkers back then were scattered and disorganized. Only the Spirit God Temples spread like wildfire. Hasn’t Monarch Fang ever considered that?”

Huang Wenqing quickly chimed in, ”You see, Monarch Fang? We’re the same, really. The only difference is that we don’t have official titles. Back then, we provided Monarch Yan with more Yin Lifespan Coins than you could imagine! Surely you won’t burn the bridge after crossing it?”

”It’s not about burning bridges. It’s that the times have changed,” Fang Chen said. ”Even if you once had an agreement with Monarch Yan, from this day forward, no Spirit God Sect cultivator is to appear in the underworld again.”

Huang Wenqing stared blankly at Fang Chen.

Shen Tucang’s expression turned solemn. ”Monarch Fang... is this Monarch Yan’s will?”

Fang Chen nodded. ”Let’s say it is.”