Immortal of the Nine Realms

The Lesser Underworld. A remote city.

Normally, even Yin Walkers would not deign to come here. If not for a batch of new wandering souls that had suddenly moved in some years ago, this place’s state would have remained unchanged for decades.

A squad of Nether Guards patrolled the streets. Their leader’s gaze was sharp and cold. Wherever his eyes landed, wandering souls would look down and quicken their pace. Everyone was familiar with this captain’s methods. Ever since he took his post, his ways had been ruthless. He also had powerful connections.

He had brought order to a market district that had once been chaotic. Even wandering souls with powerful relatives in high places dared not show off in front of this captain.

”Captain Lin, come have a bowl of noodles at my place.”

”Captain Lin, these buns just came out of the oven, have one.”

”Captain Lin—”

The nether guards under his command looked at their leader with a mixture of respect and awe as they saw the enthusiasm of these wandering souls.

”Captain Lin, you’re out on patrol again? Actually, no one’s causing trouble here anymore. You could just stay home and focus on your cultivation. No need to waste time here,” came a voice.

A plump middle-aged wandering soul approached. The nether guards showed signs of caution. He was a Day Walker from the Underworld Official Division, wielding great influence. But recently, one of his relatives had a dispute with a Nether Guard. The matter fell to the Nether Guard Division to handle, and Captain Lin took charge. The dispute was over the wandering soul failing to fulfill a promise and owing the Yin Walker two years’ worth of Yin Lifespan Coins.

After Captain Lin dealt with it fairly, tension arose between him and this Day Walker. Lately, the Day Walker had been giving him trouble, either mocking him openly or sabotaging him behind his back.

Captain Lin sneered. ”Don’t trouble yourself with my cultivation. The patrol hours are set from above. How could a mere captain like me dare slack off?”

With that, he didn’t bother with the plump middle-aged man, trying to lead his men past him.

Unexpectedly, the man wouldn’t let go, dragging him into a long conversation.

At that moment, a figure hurried over. He looked at Lin and said in a deep voice, ”Soldier Lin?”

”That’s me.”

”You are to return for debriefing. As of today, you will no longer serve as squad leader of this post.”

The Day Patrol Soldier’s eyes lit up. Clearly, this was a superior officer! He hurriedly moved to ingratiate himself, trying to probe the details of Lin’s dismissal.

”Dismissed? Who said anything about dismissal? A new division has been established in the capital. Soldier Lin is to come with me to the capital.”

The newcomer’s gaze was cold, staring icily at the plump Day Walker.

G-going to the capital?! A new division?!

Although the plump Day Walker was out of the loop, he knew that the Lesser Underworld had undergone major changes recently. There were already three newly established divisions, and now another one was to be founded? Not only that, but someone had come specifically to transfer Captain Lin!

He immediately thought of the rumors about Captain Lin. His face went pale, and he looked helpless.

Eyes filling with hope, Captain Lin asked, ”Is it... the Monarch?”

The person’s gaze eased as he turned to Captain Lin. He nodded lightly. ”Yes.”

At once, Lin gave instructions to his subordinates, reported the matter to the Nether Guard Division, and then hurried away with the messenger, vanishing across the bridge.

Similar scenes were happening all over the Lesser Underworld. Countless wandering souls were being summoned to converge upon the capital.

***

In the capital, between the Martial God Division and the Spirit-Slaying Division, a brand-new division hung its plaque.

Passersby couldn’t help but pause to look.

”The Hidden Guard Division?”

”That’s strange. What is this Hidden Guard Division? What kind of authority does it have?”

”No idea. It must be another division started by Monarch Fang. It must have a purpose.”

”Right. First, the Yin Walker Division was established, reining in the reckless Yin Walkers of the Lesser Underworld. They have to follow the rules here now, with fewer shady dealings.

”As for the Martial God Division, I have a junior who joined it and heard they learned a cultivation method with great prospects!”

”In the past, such cultivation methods were only accessible to officials and nobles. With the Martial God Division, ordinary people finally have a chance to get ahead.”

”Since another division is about to be formed, they’ll definitely be needing staff. I have to go find out more.”

Most of the wandering souls who stopped quickly dispersed. To live in the capital, everyone must have their own connections.

Xu Ge, Tie Ma, Huang Sihai, Yuwen Shang, and others followed closely behind Fang Chen, excitedly observing the scene.

They all came from the Grand Xia Hidden Guard and hadn’t expected that after so many years, they would still have the chance to witness the establishment of the Hidden Guard Division.

From now on, they could get back to their old line of work! Behind the four were many elders who had once been part of the Grand Xia Hidden Guard. Some, like Zhao Sixing from the Grand Brilliance Bureau, had already passed away from an exhausted lifespan. Others, like Zhang Xiaoke, had since achieved modest success in cultivation.

Hundreds of them gathered here, with over a million soldiers on their way. These would form the backbone of the new Hidden Guard Division.

”Xu Ge, your current cultivation level is roughly equivalent to the Foundation Building Realm in the Mortal Realm. Your cultivation speed is a bit slow, but fortunately, the authority of the Hidden Guard Division doesn’t depend on cultivation level but on ability. You don’t need to have direct conflicts with others. In the years ahead, you can steadily cultivate.”

As Fang Chen stopped in front of the main hall, those behind him immediately halted like disciplined soldiers.

In truth, the training they had received was far stricter than that of ordinary Grand Xia soldiers, so this quality was ingrained deep in their bones.

”With you as the boss of the Hidden Guard Division, we will surely carry out all orders well and not disgrace the division!” said Xu Ge excitedly, cupping his hands.

Fang Chen gently shook his head. ”I’m not here to be the boss.”

Everyone was stunned.

If not him, then who else?

”Unfortunately, Little Yu has encountered some problems and won’t be able to be with us; otherwise, she would’ve made the perfect boss.”

Fang Chen sighed inwardly, then looked past them and smiled. ”If you had arrived any later, I would have handed the lord position of the Hidden Guard Division to someone else.”

Xia Ji, with hands tucked inside his sleeves, looked at Fang Chen with a half-smile. ”Who else can do better than me?”

”It’s the third prince!” exclaimed almost everyone, their eyes lighting up.

They all cupped their hands and saluted.