Immortal of the Nine Realms

Qi Tianran was visibly stunned. ”Zhang Gao?”

His expression gradually darkened as he stared at Zhang Gao, his gaze flickering with uncertainty.

”This... has nothing to do with me!” Zhang Gao exclaimed in shock, glancing between Qi Tianran and Fang Chen. ”I may have accepted some Yin Lifespan Coins, but all within legal limits! I knew nothing of Liu Xuan’s dealings with the Floating Pagoda Realm!”

Liu Xuan looked somewhat suspicious. ”That day, you invited me for drinks without much explanation, just said you were feeling down. I didn’t think much of it. And it was that very day I stumbled upon a hidden path to the Floating Pagoda Realm. It was a dilapidated bridge. Places like that... we wouldn’t normally go near, let alone happen upon by chance.

”Curiosity drove me, and I didn’t know it led to the Floating Pagoda Realm. I crossed, and ended up in Dangyin Mountain...”

Liu Xuan’s face turned solemn. ”And then I met the Young Mountain Lord. Everything just... fell into place.”

”Liu Xuan, you made your own mistakes! Don’t pin them on me!” Zhang Gao snapped. ”To think I even pleaded for you earlier! I’ve misjudged you!”

”I’m not shifting blame. I’ve already admitted what I did. But since Monarch Fang asked for details, I had to report truthfully. This is exactly how it happened,” Liu Xuan said seriously. ”If this really has something to do with you, then you used me to stay hidden, didn’t you? You’re the one actually working with Dangyin Mountain?”

Zhang Gao’s face darkened. ”Let’s talk about facts. You’re the one who promoted them. You’re the one who took their coins. What proof do you have that I ever collaborated with Dangyin Mountain?”

Fang Chen suddenly asked, ”Zhang Gao, where were you from in your past life? Why does your record in the Judgment Division only mention the Ancient Desolate Realm, without a specific location?”

Zhang Gao turned to Fang Chen and cupped his hands. ”I asked the Judgment Division to erase that. I was afraid of provoking certain people, afraid they’d track my origins and harm my kin. I wasn’t the only one who did this.”

”I don’t believe he was deeply involved with Dangyin Mountain,” Fang Chen said to Qi Tianran with a nod.

Zhang Gao looked shocked, then his expression brightened. He quickly said, ”You’re a just man, Monarch Fang! I would never conspire with Dangyin Mountain!”

Fang Chen said softly, ”You’re just a cultivator from the Spirit God Sect, taking the chance to help things along. You made Dangyin Mountain a scapegoat. That way, your sect could promote its people while keeping your hands clean. Even if it were discovered and Liu Xuan, or even Dangyin Mountain, were exposed, the trail would end there.

”The Spirit God Sect truly never gives up. Still trying to stir chaos in the Lesser Underworld. If you can name a few accomplices, I may spare your life and exile you to the Floating Pagoda Realm. How about that?”

”Lord Fang, accusations without proof mean nothing. You say I’m a Spirit God Sect cultivator, but does saying so make it true?” Zhang Gao’s eyes gleamed with hostility. ”I’m an official! Even if you hold great power here, you can’t suppress dissent so blatantly. Above all of us stands Monarch Yan! Do you not fear divine judgment?”

Qi Tianran let out a light sigh. ”Now I understand why Monarch Fang didn’t bring you two to the Floating Pagoda Realm that day.”

They were underworld officials, equivalent to Immortal Kings. Though their foundations were weaker, they should still have qualified to receive decrees. Yet that day, none of the officials from any division had been granted a decree.

Clearly, Lord Fang had long suspected that the Spirit God Sect had already infiltrated even the highest ranks of their divisions.

Zhang Gao turned to Qi Tianran and said, ”Monarch, what are you implying? We’ve known each other for years. Even if I haven’t done great things, I’ve worked hard. And now, Monarch Fang wants to suppress Liu Xuan and me using his authority. I am not handing over my armor like a fool. Monarch Yan granted me this post personally, and only he can take it back!

”Monarch, with your status now, it shouldn’t be hard to seek an audience with Monarch Yan. Please go and tell him that someone in the Underworld is abusing power and biting like a mad dog!”

Zhang Gao glared venomously at Fang Chen, his eyes like a snake’s.

”There’s no need for me to seek an audience,” Qi Tianran replied. ”Monarch Yan... is right here. If you’ve got something to say, say it to him.”

With that, he turned and left the hall, hands behind his back.

In that instant, a terrifying surge of Yin energy swept through the hall, sealing it off completely.

As a first-transformation Ghost God, Qi Tianran’s methods ensured that even if Zhang Gao and Liu Xuan had a thousand tricks, they couldn’t send a single message out of this space.

As Qi Tianran disappeared, a cold stillness settled over the hall.

Liu Xuan stared in disbelief at Qi Tianran’s retreating figure, then nervously turned to look at Fang Chen. In his mind, Qi Tianran’s final words echoed.

Monarch Yan... is here?

Suddenly, he thought of all the recent changes since Fang Chen’s arrival. Even someone like Shen Tucang showed deference to him. It was like respect was etched in his very bones.

Liu Xuan’s legs gave out. With a thud, he dropped to his knees before Fang Chen, forehead pressed to the ground, his voice trembling. ”Condemned official Liu Xuan... pays respects to Monarch Yan.”

Zhang Gao’s expression was a storm of shifting emotions. ”Impossible... he can’t be Monarch Yan! Monarch Yan is from...”

Fang Chen smiled calmly. ”Oh? So you’ve seen Monarch Yan? Or rather, someone told you what he looks like?”

With a casual gesture, an item belonging to the Monarch Yan lineage responded. The Yin Lord armor Zhang Gao was wearing immediately rejected him, slipping off and flying into Fang Chen’s hand.

Zhang Gao turned pale, swaying unsteadily. At that moment, he could no longer deny Qi Tianran’s claim.

”So that’s why...” Zhang Gao gave a bitter, self-mocking laugh. ”So that’s why all these strange things have been happening in the Underworld lately. Why there’s suddenly a campaign against the Spirit God Sect.”

He glared at Fang Chen. ”I understand now. I know who you are. That message... it’s already been sent to the Spirit God Sect. You think hiding in the Underworld will protect you? Can you stay here forever? Where will you hide in the Mortal Realm? Who could protect you?!”

Fang Chen grinned. ”Oh? The Nine Mortal Realms are vast. Once your message reaches them, how long will it take for them to arrive? As far as I know, the Spirit God Sect has grown large. It’s even fractured in places, with some branches acting as independent fiefdoms. Tell me, have your allies found the teleportation formation that leads to my realm?”

Zhang Gao’s face darkened. His reaction proved Fang Chen had hit the mark. He suddenly looked toward the exit and laughed bitterly.

”Qi Tianran! The Underworld Official Division owes its prosperity to me! I’m the one who planned the assassination of the former monarch! If not for that, the Judgment Division would still dominate! And now you won’t even speak up for me? Pretend you knew nothing? I know your nature! You figured it out long ago. Back then, you could play dumb. But now, you’ll just stand by and watch me die here!?”

Qi Tianran, who had been gazing wistfully at the void from outside the hall, suddenly burst in, eyes bloodshot and locked onto Zhang Gao. ”You bastard!”