Chapter 348: Being Schemed

Inside the Hall of the Yama Emperor.

Shen Tu and Yu Lei, with an indifferent look, pressed the Nether deity and stood inside the hall.

Behind the front desk stood the three Yama kings—King Chujiang, Lord of Mount Tai, and Wheel King—with Judges Zhong, Lu, Cui, and Wei on the left and right, and the remaining spots occupied by the ghost spirits from Luo Feng Six Heavens.

Mu Yi, with a pained expression, stood beside Shen Tu and Yu Lei, bearing the scrutiny of the assembled elders.

After a long pause, the judge Zhong Kui, clad in a red robe, his face covered with a tangled beard, and looking extremely fierce, suddenly spoke out in reproach:

"Shen Tu, Yu Lei, you two deities, as Eastern Ghost Emperors, are tasked with guarding the Ghost Gate; now you have abandoned your post and openly released evil spirits—what crime have you committed!"

"Alas, Judge Zhong, where do these words come from? Those two also defended against foreign foes, captured the foreign god that invaded our Underworld; the evil spirits' escape was merely accidental—what crime do Shen Tu and Yu Lei have?"

Before Shen Tu and Yu Lei could speak, Judge Lu on the other side began to explain.

"In that sense, the two cannot be wholly blamed; the Underworld deities are all occupied with their duties, and the incursion of this foreign god indeed required the two to act!" Hearing this, Zhong Kui seemed to fall into thought, then, using Lu's steps, prepared to descend.

As the two judges sang in harmony, they seemed to lightly dismiss the charge of the Ghost Gate's evil spirits escaping.

However, while the judges sought to downplay the matter, someone refused.

"Judge Lu, are you trying to exonerate the Eastern Ghost Emperors of abandoning their post? How could such a foreign demon god allow both Ghost Emperors to leave?"

The ghost spirits from Luo Feng Six Heavens, displeased, rebuked Judge Lu's exoneration.

"The Ghost Gate is the gateway of the Underworld, a duty of great importance; to let over a hundred evil spirits flee just because of this foreign demon god—where is the Underworld's authority? Do we even lack the capacity to handle such a foreign incursion, requiring the two Ghost Emperors to abandon their watch and duties to resolve it?"

"Clearly it is Shen Tu and Yu Lei, driven by personal greed, deliberately releasing evil spirits and disturbing the mortal realm; such derelicts should have their divine offices stripped and be cast into reincarnation for atonement."

The ghost spirits from Luo Feng Six Heavens rose in anger, gazed at the changing faces of Shen Tu and Yu Lei, and loudly condemned the two deities' negligence.

"Zhou Jue Yin Celestial Officer, you speak too harshly; you speak too harshly. The two Ghost Emperors left the Ghost Gate for reasons; the foreign god is the true culprit. We should judge that foreign god—how can we arbitrarily decide the fate of the Eastern Ghost Emperors?"

King Chujiang wore a helpless expression, acting as a mediator.

Mu Yi looked at the various parties present, his face thoughtful; he had originally thought he was summoned because the incident originated with him, which is why they brought him.

But now it seemed not so; the Underworld was far from calm.

The Four Great Judges, the Five Ghost Emperors, Luo Feng Six Heavens, and Ten Courts Yama all share the same rank, each a third‑rank deity of Jiuzhou.

Luo Feng Six Heavens serves as the Inspector directly under the Great Emperor of Fengdu, also the Taoist Six Heavens Palace, responsible for overseeing the Four Great Judges, the Five Ghost Emperors, and Ten Courts Yama.

Although the Four Great Judges are nominally under Ten Courts Yama's jurisdiction, they have served in the Underworld longer than Ten Courts Yama, once secretaries directly under the Lord of Mount Tai, and are Underworld elders.

The Five Ghost Emperors are also Underworld elders, but essentially borrowed from elsewhere, just as Shen Tu and Yu Lei themselves were ancient war generals later summoned to guard the Ghost Gate as Eastern Ghost Emperors.

Ten Courts Yama and the Buddhist Sect's Sacred Mountain have ambiguous relations, primarily responsible for the Underworld's normal operation, seeking stability without chaos.

Thus, faced with Shen Tu and Yu Lei's abandonment of the Ghost Gate, Luo Feng Six Heavens wishes to strip their Ghost Emperor titles; the Four Great Judges naturally shield them, while Ten Courts Yama remains neutral and muddles the issue.

These stances themselves reflect each side's position; Luo Feng Six Heavens' desire to strip Shen Tu and Yu Lei's titles could be to insert their own people, or could represent the will of the Great Emperor of Fengdu.

The Four Great Judges and the Five Ghost Emperors, both Underworld elders formerly under the Lord of Mount Tai, naturally choose to protect Shen Tu and Yu Lei, after all the matter can be big or small.

Although I am a fifth‑rank deity, having earned the Hou Tu Niangniang label, my role here is probably just to bear witness?

"Since Zhou Jue Yin Celestial Officer deems my two brothers guilty, my brothers will now capture all the evil spirits, then resign from the Eastern Ghost Emperor duties, and leave the Underworld to hide elsewhere!" Shen Tu, hearing the dispute, calmly said.

Mu Yi's eye twitched; he then realized that the two had long intended to resign and flee, and releasing the evil spirits was part of the plan?

Judge Lu looked at Luo Feng Six Heavens, his gaze full of displeasure: "You're making a mess; these two have run off, who can you assign to guard the Ghost Gate?"

Everyone's rank is indeed the same, so why choose these two to guard the Ghost Gate?

Because both are ancient war generals, pure martial officers, terrifying in combat.

They can be called the first tier beneath the Imperial Lord level.

Even against superiors, the Heavenly Court's Erlang Xiansheng Zhenjun and the Three Altar Sea Assembly Great Deities would still be challenged.

Otherwise, why would the Lord of Mount Tai specifically seek the ancient Emperor to loan the two gods over—because they can fight.

Don't be fooled by the humbled foreign god kneeling on the ground; once out of the Underworld, neither Luo Feng Six Heavens nor Ten Courts Yama can reliably defeat each other, leaving only Shen Tu and Yu Lei able to seize victory outright.

For beings like the foreign god, the Ghost Gate suppresses anywhere from eight hundred to a thousand; if we replace the guard, who knows how many would flee.

Even among Jiuzhou's third‑rank deities, there are differences.

"Right, right, since my brothers are an eyesore, they'll leave the Underworld immediately, with no complaints!" Yu Lei added, causing the present Yin spirits' faces to darken.

"Shen Tu, Yu Lei, don't think that once you're gone no one can take the guarding duty!" The ghost spirits of Luo Feng Six Heavens hadn't expected Shen Tu and Yu Lei to be such easy prey.

A divine seat that no one can even beg for, one that radiates across Jiuzhou and myriad realms, Shen Tu and Yu Lei can simply refuse it.

For a brief moment they truly couldn't find anyone to replace them; they had only intended to use the chance to trouble Shen Tu and Yu Lei, and to plant a foothold for future replacements.

But Shen Tu and Yu Lei outright quit, and the others were instantly left speechless.

"I've long wanted to quit!" Shen Tu snorted.

They aren't worshipped deities; even after being stripped of the Eastern Ghost Emperor title, they may suffer some impact but can still fight.

Better yet, for freedom they willingly forfeit some power, to help Jiuzhou expand its frontiers, and they won't have to be imprisoned here.

They schemed in every way to have Mu Yi summon them out, simply to move their bodies and chase that exhilarating combat feeling.

"You!" The ghost spirits of Luo Feng Six Heavens froze for a moment; they realized those two bastards truly dared to quit.

They, without seeking the Great Emperor of Fengdu's approval, actually dared not let Shen Tu and Yu Lei truly resign.

"Alright, alright, you and I are both Underworld deities; as colleagues, there's no need to make a scene over a trivial matter—just a few escaped evil spirits!"

The Lord of Mount Tai spoke to smooth things over, providing a step down from the tense atmosphere.

Shen Tu and Yu Lei's desire to resign isn't new; if they truly quit, they would have done so long ago—everyone here is a millennia‑old fox, why play ghost stories?

If Shen Tu and Yu Lei didn't resign for legitimate reasons, even if they returned, they would be kicked back to continue guarding the Ghost Gate.

So it's merely Shen Tu and Yu Lei wanting to use the chance to go out and hunt ghosts for fun.

Those of Luo Feng Six Heavens, though they dislike ghosts, still have that duty; they didn't expect Shen Tu and Yu Lei to be so bold, leaving them unable to step down.

Fortunately today is a three‑session review; if Luo Feng Six Heavens handled the case alone, chaos might truly erupt.

"I have already investigated: these evil spirits, using the Yellow Springs Path, fled into the lower realm, apparently to evade pursuit, and have already reincarnated by borrowing bodies!"

"The lower realm is currently in the Song Dynasty era, a perfect time for calamities; soon these evil spirits will reveal their true forms, and then Shen Tu and Yu Lei can capture them."

The Wheel King continued speaking, following the Tai Shan King's words.

"As for that foreign god, believers still remain; even if the divine soul is beheaded, it will be reborn, which would then disturb the operation of heaven and earth. So, according to the old rule, we should prepare to imprison it in Avici Hell!"

"Avici Hell has not yet opened; the eighteen layers of Hell cannot be used for confinement, so we shall first seal it beneath the Ghost Gate, awaiting Avici Hell's opening, then send it into Avici Hell's reincarnation grind."

Shen Tu and Yu Lei said nothing further, tacitly accepting the Wheel King's and others' handling plan; as for terms, they demanded sky‑high prices and repaid on the spot.

People of Jiuzhou tend to favor compromise and balance; for example, if you say the room is too dark and a window should be opened, they will certainly refuse. Yet if you propose tearing down the roof, they will mediate and agree to open a window.

If they want to run off to play, the gods will certainly object; but if they resign, the gods will then permit them to go out and play.

Seeing that none of the gods in the great hall voiced any objection, the Wheel King turned his gaze toward Mu Yi and said.

"Lord Mu! This matter ultimately stems from you; although it bears no official duty, you still need to carry out a trivial task. Do you have any objection?"

"No objection!"

Suddenly addressed, Mu Yi was startled for a moment, then bowed his hands and replied.

Relying on external forces isn't easy to borrow, and in the end I can't escape this round.

"But as a minor deity my power is weak; I fear I cannot fulfill it!"

"Lord Mu, there's no need to worry; you will certainly be capable of this!" The Wheel King's gaze was playful; Mu Yi felt a vague ill‑omen, yet he had to grit his teeth and agree.

"Lord Yan, please clarify!"

"The Military Strategist General Wei Qing has sent messengers to us, wishing to establish an Underworld in the newly opened world to aid the rebirth of its lost souls. However, the Underworld currently lacks personnel, so we dispatch you to sustain the reincarnation power. Lord Mu, will you go?"

Mu Yi was momentarily stunned; this truly fell within his capabilities, for he knows the new world better than anyone. Wei Qing and Huo Qubing had nearly turned the whole world into chaos, so naturally there were no enemies.

He, by leveraging his divine seat, occupies the Nether Realm, opens the Reincarnation Barrier, and temporarily assumes the duty of reincarnation—indeed, there is no problem.

Moreover, this even counts as a boon for him, since maintaining reincarnation also serves to strengthen the Reincarnation Barrier.

Yet, despite being a clear benefit, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

Especially when he recalled the close ties between the Wheel King and the Buddhist Sect, his head grew heavier.

"A minor deity volunteers to go!"

Mu Yi ultimately consented; although something felt amiss, it was both his duty and a Military Strategist matter, giving him no reason to refuse.

"I will allocate a contingent of personnel to assist you; once the Underworld construction is complete, others will replace you in maintaining the new world's Underworld operations."

"Understood!"

After receiving the order, Mu Yi was baffled but still set out for the world where Wei Qing and Huo Qubing reside to fulfill the mission.

"Mu Yi, why have you returned again?" Wei Qing was somewhat surprised by Mu Yi's arrival.

"General Wei, by Lord Yan's command, I have come to this nether realm to sustain reincarnation and aid the beings of this world in their rebirth!"

"Lord Yan's command?" Wei Qing furrowed his brows, also sensing something amiss.

"Lord Yan said the Underworld lacks personnel; once the staffing is complete, someone will replace us to keep the Underworld running."

"You? Besides you, who else?" Wei Qing uncovered a blind spot.

"The personnel allocated by the Wheel King…" Mu Yi also noticed something off at this moment.

If the Underworld lacks people, how can it still allocate personnel to him?

"Damn!" Wei Qing's complexion shifted after a moment of thought.

"I wondered why the Buddhist Sect's people left so easily—turns out they were waiting here!"

"Buddhist Sect…"

Since the Underworld has no staff, the personnel assigned to him must be borrowed externally, to be later swapped with the Underworld's own staff; the procedure is airtight, with no issues.

However, during this maintenance period, those borrowed Buddhist Sect personnel soon directly took part in the new world's operations.

Without a single soldier, they directly intervened in the new world, snatching a piece of cake from the Military Strategist's mouth. The world was originally split between Wei Qing and Huo Qubing; now the Buddhist Sect's intrusion inevitably sparks anger.

Mu Yi finally understood what was wrong; not only could he not refuse, but Wei Qing also could not refuse.

The other side is playing tricks within the rules; the process has reached this stage, and it's not something they can simply cancel.

As for Mu Yi alone maintaining the reincarnation cycle, that is even more impossible.

If the inability of lost souls to reincarnate disrupts the new world's cosmic operation, their loss will be even greater; it feels like a mute person eating bitter medicine, unable to express the suffering.

When Mu Yi saw the personnel sent from the Underworld, he became even more convinced of this.

"Heavenly Lord, we meet again!"

Guang Jin, with whom he had once crossed paths, appeared before Mu Yi leading a group of senior brothers.

They are the assistants the Wheel King assigned to Mu Yi, and the Buddhist Sect indeed excels at liberating lost souls; with them present, Mu Yi's difficulty in sustaining reincarnation will drop dramatically.