Immortal of the Nine Realms

Huang Wenqing was dead. To the very end, he never imagined that Fang Chen would dare kill him right in front of Shen Tucang, and that Shen Tucang would do nothing, merely frowning in silence.

At that moment, across the Mortal Realm, countless Spirit God Sect cultivators’ bodies began to wither. The phenomenon had already drawn the attention of higher-ups.

Shen Tucang spoke. ”The Spirit God Sect was indeed allowed to take root in the underworld with Monarch Yan’s approval. But many years ago, Monarch Yan suddenly stopped appearing, and I could no longer deliver their tribute of Yin Lifespan Coins. I suppose that’s when Monarch Yan had already lost interest in them.”

He sighed softly and sized up Fang Chen. ”Why were you favored by Monarch Yan?”

”I don’t know. Maybe because I’m handsome,” joked Fang Chen with a faint smile. ”You just said the Spirit God Sect’s tribute couldn’t be delivered to Monarch Yan. How much are we talking about?”

”That’s none of your business. That was a task Monarch Yan entrusted to me, and I answer only to him,” Shen Tucang replied coldly.

”But you can’t see Monarch Yan. I can. I’ll deliver it for you,” Fang Chen said.

”If no one can meet Monarch Yan, then no one gets the coins either,” Shen Tucang replied calmly. ”Even if you deal with me the way you did with You Fang, it still won’t fall into your hands.”

A curious look appeared on Fang Chen’s face. ”You really don’t mind losing your position as Monarch of the Judgment Division? That position puts you just under two people.”

”Puts me under one,” Shen Tucang corrected him, frowning.

Fang Chen’s words clearly carried a deeper meaning, but he was unwilling to acknowledge it.

Fang Chen smiled. ”Fine. You can go yell over the Forgotten River. Maybe Monarch Yan will want to see you this time.”

After leaving these words, he turned and left.

Shen Tucang was surprised. He’s really leaving?

Shen Tucang followed him out, watching as Fang Chen truly walked away from the Judgment Division without taking further action.

As Shen Tucang’s expression turned uncertain, the ten judges immediately surrounded him.

”My lord, what did he say?”

Shen Tucang shook his head. ”He didn’t say anything.”

Nothing?

Everyone let out a quiet sigh of relief, but their doubts only deepened. Huang Wenqing hadn’t been seen again, and they had begun to suspect the truth. Huang Wenqing was surely dead. Perhaps that was Fang Chen’s way of declaring his stance. The Spirit God Sect in the underworld would never return to its former glory.

”I’m going out for a bit,” said Shen Tucang.

He then hurriedly exited the Judgment Division.

***

By the Forgotten River, Shen Tucang took a deep breath and bowed toward the misty expanse of the river. ”This is Shen Tucang of the Judgment Division, requesting an audience with Monarch Yan.”

In no time, a bridge extended from the void.

Shen Tucang was stunned. So fast?

Even when Monarch Fang requested an audience, Monarch Yan did not respond so quickly!

Delight surged in Shen Tucang’s heart, and he quickly stepped onto the bridge. As if familiar with the route, he soon arrived at the grand doors of Monarch Yan’s Palace. Overcome with emotion, he knelt and paid respects.

”Shen Tucang pays my respect to Monarch Yan!”

”I heard you’ve been getting quite cozy with the Spirit God Sect lately. What is it? Have you joined their ranks like some ignorant commoner?”

Shen Tucang shivered all over. Though the voice sounded a bit off, this was Monarch Yan’s Palace. Who else could speak here but Monarch Yan himself? He dared not delay and quickly responded, ”Never, my lord. Though many from the Spirit God Sect have approached me, even tried to install their Yin Walkers into official positions, I have never agreed. At most, I gave them some small favors and arranged a few unimportant posts.”

”And what if I now wanted to eradicate the Spirit God Sect? What would you say?” the voice came from within the palace again.

”I swear to serve Monarch Yan to the death. If Monarch Yan wants them eradicated, then I will see them eradicated!” Shen Tucang swore.

The voice came again. ”Good. Then raise your head.”

Shen Tucang, trembling with anticipation, slowly raised his head, only to see a familiar face gazing down at him with a smile.

Shen Tucang instinctively fell backward, scrambling several feet away on hands and feet, staring at Fang Chen in shock and disbelief. ”You...”

A faint smile was playing on Fang Chen’s lips. ”Now you understand why Monarch Yan favored me?”

He wore the azure Monarch Yan’s armor, his aura unfathomable, vast as the sea. Just by standing there silently, he seemed to merge with the heavens and earth, radiating an oppressive majesty that crushed all thought of resistance.

Shen Tucang’s voice was hoarse. ”Why is it you...?”

”The previous Monarch Yan has already passed. I am the new Monarch Yan. Come with me,” said Fang Chen, smiling.

He turned, entering the palace.

Shen Tucang took a deep breath and quickly followed. All along the way, he remained silent, secretly observing Fang Chen. The more he looked, the heavier his thoughts became.

There was no mistaking Monarch Yan’s armor. Whoever wore it was the ruler of the underworld.

Has Monarch Yan really passed away? That’s impossible... How could Monarch Yan’s lifespan be shorter than mine?

Unease gnawed at him until he saw the body of the former Monarch Yan.

”Monarch Yan...” he murmured in disbelief.

Shen Tucang stared at the corpse, dazed. After a while, he bowed deeply, his expression mournful.

”This official respectfully sends off Monarch Yan.”

Fang Chen extended his hand. ”Hand it over.”

Shen Tucang let out a bitter laugh and took out a bamboo tube from his sleeve, handing it over. ”My lord, this contains the Yin Lifespan Coins the Spirit God Sect offered in tribute over the past few years.”

”How many are there?”

Fang Chen opened it and took a look.

This was no ordinary bamboo tube. It was made from a spiritual material of the underworld, functioning like a storage ring. It was packed with dense underworld Yin Lifespan Coins.

”Roughly 800,000,” Shen Tucang answered in a low voice.

800,000?

”The Spirit God Sect has been offering tribute for years, and this is all there is?” Fang Chen asked indifferently.

”After Monarch Yan stopped appearing, the Spirit God Sect gradually ceased their offerings. I once reminded them, but though they were respectful on the surface, they were full of arrogance underneath and never took me seriously. It’s been years since they’ve given anything.”

”And with your authority, you couldn’t control them?” Fang Chen asked with a slight smile.

Shen Tucang sighed. ”How could I? The Spirit God Sect could send endless Yin Walkers into our underworld, all with cultivation on par with Huang Wenqing. Only if Monarch Yan personally took action would they show any fear.”

As Shen Tucang glanced at Fang Chen, everything suddenly became clear to him.

”The Spirit God Sect may be powerful in the Mortal Realm, but here, they have no say. Now that you know who I am, are you willing to serve under me? If not, I can assign you a quiet post in an office somewhere on the outskirts,” Fang Chen said casually.

Shen Tucang didn’t hesitate. He immediately dropped to one knee and saluted. ”This official is willing to give his life in service of Monarch Yan!”

Knowing now that the man before him was the new Monarch Yan, all his earlier assumptions had vanished.

Still, one doubt remained in his heart. If the previous Monarch Yan had vanished for so many years, how had Du Yunxu entered Monarch Yan’s Palace and obtained the imperial decree appointing Fang Chen as the Day Walker Monarch?

”You must know how many of your judges have ties to the Spirit God Sect, don’t you?” Fang Chen said with a smile.

Shen Tucang was slightly startled but quickly nodded. ”Yes, I’m aware. Monarch Yan, are you suggesting...”