Chapter 595: Heartless Demon King, Myriad Ghosts Myriad Faces

The secluded Nether Land stretches vast and boundless.

This place, recently opened, ought in theory to be empty and lifeless.

But it is too special.

The destination of the dead!

The origin of new life!

As a waystation for human souls, the monopolistic trade shouldn't be too good; in the shortest time, the Nether Land gained vitality.

How vast is Honghuang?

Immeasurable.

How many living beings are there?

Endless.

Where there is life, there is death—no matter how one dies, after death everyone must come to this Nether Land at least once!

Azure Skies and Yellow Springs, red spider lilies bloom, the Book of Life and Death erases this life.

Numerous souls traverse the Netherworld; the underworld's ghost count inevitably surges explosively.

Moreover, after reaching a limit, it did not stop but raced wildly down a strange path.

It exceeds common sense.

By rights, this shouldn't have happened.

Because ghosts not only arrive, they must also depart, being sent off for rebirth.

But now, a problem has arisen……

Stagnation!

Ghosts linger, unwilling to reincarnate!

Or rather, reincarnation is possible…… but they desire even more!

Moreover, faint rumors spread in secret, delighting the ghost crowd and deviating from the original purpose of samsara.

"Family!"

Ghosts gather to give speeches; the fire of ambition burns.

"We are already dead!"

"But our demonic lives have not ended!"

That ghost rallies the spirits' fighting spirit, frenziedly agitating, "Why did we die?"

"Because while alive, we never attained the Dao and longevity!"

"Thus, upon death, our lifespan ends, our bodies shatter, leaving only souls, deprived of much motivation to feel joy…… we are deficient!"

"And why do we lose the chance at longevity?"

"Because initially, we could not participate in the primary allocation of Honghuang's resources!"

"Those lofty strong clans ruthlessly seized our last bits of cultivation resources, trampling us in the dust, forcing us to kneel and earn money, ultimately still dying badly!"

"That is a cold, heartless world!"

"Perhaps the only light is you, fellow members of the Samsara Divine Sect!"

"We are all pitiful…… but we will only be pitiful once, never again!"

"Reincarnation is impossible——the problem cannot be fundamentally solved; another life would be useless, wasting energy."

"Fortunately, Lady Houtu, merciful and compassionate, pitied our plight and thus opened this Nether Land…… this is our final pure land!"

"Here we can rest and recuperate, huddling together for warmth……"

"But!"

"We cannot forget the lessons of the past!"

"We must not repeat past mistakes; otherwise even this remaining peace will be shattered, ushering in an oppressive, rule-bound world!"

That ghost rose and cried, "For countless kin…… I propose!"

"We want to possess equal dignity in death, the rights ghosts deserve, and establish a non‑oppressive, free ghost nation!"

"Oh oh oh oh oh!"

Below, thousands of departed souls howled, shouting in fervent unison.

……

"……The Samsara Divine Sect is actually unsuitable for publicity, unfit to appear openly."

In the Heavenly Court, Di Jun earnestly instructed Taiyi, "Their development strategy focuses solely on recruitment speed, extremely seductive; originally meant to counter our Heavenly Court's strikes, yet in allocating key resources and letting all participants share benefits, they fall far short."

"The steps are too big, sure to cause trouble."

Di Jun smiled, "The moment they step into the light is also the start of the countdown to collapse."

"Their desire to change the era's system is strong, but also blind."

"Lacking the tempering of sacrifice, without reflection on failure, and again being tainted by erroneous paths……"

"Thus, from the moment their rebellion succeeds, when the organization formally gains the right to set rules……"

"It is——demons dancing chaotically!"

"Human selfishness, clamorous freedom, indulgent desires…… cause even the strongest, most mighty fortress to begin collapsing from within and without."

"Nüwa succeeds here, or may also fail here."

……

"Counterattack! We will counterattack!"

Ambitious ghosts plot to found a ghost state, waving the banner of doing good for kin.

Meanwhile, vengeful souls burn with angry spirits, emitting howls.

I died too tragically!

A dan shen dog spirit let out a mournful howl: "All my life, I've been sliced and bled... just because my flesh is delicious!"

I have lost all dignity as a living being!

Back then, in the prison cell, I was thinking... if there's no chance, then so be it.

Once I find that opportunity... I will make this world feel pain!

Once, I was utterly desperate.

But now, the Underworld has given me hope!

In here, there are enough loopholes to exploit; I don't need to reincarnate immediately, I can barely maintain my self!

So, I will take revenge!

Revenge upon the world of the living!

Brothers!

Gun in hand, follow me!

Open the Gates of Hell, I will make the Honghuang world feel pain!

Vigorous and high-spirited, this dan shen dog spirit's organization is strong; it quickly formed a team, eager to try charging into the world.

However.

He hadn't gone far when his angry gesture gained a new target.

Hoo... hoo... hoo...

With a forceful exhale, his eyes turned blood-red.

What did he see?

He saw his mortal enemies, who daily liked to torment the dan shen dog clan, eating their flesh and drinking their blood; they too had been brought into the Underworld, awaiting rebirth!

Upon seeing these sworn enemies face to face, their eyes burned with hatred!

For a moment, this dan shen dog troop no longer spoke of breaking out of the Underworld; they went straight to slaughter in Honghuang.

They made a snap decision and started fighting right there!

Kill!

The shouting of slaughter was so fierce it shattered the Underworld's silence.

Such small-scale clashes occurred from time to time, scattered everywhere, secretly brewing a storm.

……

... Fairness and freedom are an important issue of the Reincarnation Divine Sect, but not the whole.

Di Jun was still personally instructing Taiyi, explaining in detail.

There is one more thing that can penetrate myriad ages... that is hatred!

Grudges of the living world cannot be repaid.

What about in the netherworld?

Di Jun gave a faint smile: "Nüwa's ancestral witch form—Houtu—has already been placed upon the divine altar."

Compassion, justice, kindness... such a flawless sage, should they come to deal with this problem?

However, this is hard to resolve.

Di Jun walked out of the palace, his eyes deep, as if he directly saw the scene in the Underworld, with dark currents surging.

Regarding her reincarnation mechanism, when a living being dies and a soul emerges, entering the netherworld, it should logically be considered a 'new ghost'.

Since it's a 'new ghost', how can it inherit the karmic grudges of the former body?

In that case, how does the logic of reincarnation work? A system that accepts the dead, yet interferes with grudges from life... taking the netherworld's sword to slay my Heavenly Court's demons?

Absurd!

Cross-boundary law enforcement, Houtu truly wields great authority... I wonder if the mortal realm will buy it?

And if she adheres to the principle of reincarnation, disregarding the past... then how can the grudges of those once oppressed be vented?

In that case, Houtu would not violate the law, but lack morality; someday she cannot escape criticism, saying her compassion is false, hypocritical.

She can't even plead for the people; how dare she call herself the Guardian of Reincarnation?

Or perhaps she should quickly abdicate and let the worthy take over!

Di Jun chuckled softly.

Taiyi stood behind him, making a look of shock.

After a moment, Donghuang finally composed his expression: "In that case, the netherworld side has instead become a flood outlet for the contradictions of my demon race?"

Exactly!

Di Jun nodded, "For this, I have long been prepared."

I have specially observed for a while, the operational mechanism of this new version of reincarnation...

After a living being dies, where will the Underworld's rules guide them to?

The Underworld is so vast; how to arrange slots so that a pair of enemies meet precisely?

This isn't difficult, but it's rather tedious.

One must analyze some interpersonal relationships, feelings of gratitude and grudge.

One must also calculate an individual's mindset... after entering the Underworld, faced with new things and a new world, what path will they choose? How will they survive?

In the end, by extreme coincidence, those who ought to meet do meet.

The Heavenly Emperor spoke, his expression gradually growing indifferent.

So, many demons must have died then? Donghuang heard the implication.

Not bad. Di Jun nodded leisurely.

The netherworld is so vast.

To secure a precise position, heavenly timing, earthly advantage, and human harmony are all indispensable.

The victims are already positioned in the netherworld; the former perpetrators, wanting to walk so precisely before someone… such a coincidence, behind it all is a clear arrangement.

How is it arranged?

Died by 'taking the initiative'!

Die at the right time, the right place, as a fitting ghost!

"As an appetizer, I sent a trillion down."

Di Jun's tone was composed, yet it exuded an indescribable bloody aura; his sudden display was that of a cold-blooded, ruthless emperor who holds power over life and death.

"Just listen for a reaction, see the effect…… if the effect is good, I'll continue to add."

Di Jun was very nonchalant.

Just these words made Taiyi's mouth twitch: "…As rulers, deliberately slaughtering our subjects like this—isn't that inappropriate?"

"Is there? Is there?" Di Jun said, bewildered: "I don't feel I've done anything wrong."

"I'm just carrying out belated justice……" the Heavenly Emperor said casually, "These demons who died accidentally were themselves the perpetrators, normally doing little good."

"But they're quite 'smart,' knowing how to exploit loopholes, bribe law-enforcement personnel, to escape the law."

"Considering they're otherwise well-behaved, knowing how to exploit the lower classes and create wealth, I don't want to spend effort investigating; I'll just harshly suppress them."

"Now, the Heavenly Court faces some difficulties; we need to use them to fill pits…… whether they're willing or not, they must die."

"Not only must they die, they must die properly, their deaths being of greater value to the Heavenly Court."

"We will list their crimes to prove the Heavenly Court is just and effective…… previously we couldn't stop those man-made disasters because someone below was deceiving."

"Now we've reacted, conducted strict investigations, and will surely return a bright, clear world to the demon people…… belated justice is still justice!"

"So please, all members of the demon race, rest assured, enthusiastically contribute to the Heavenly Court; when the witch-demon battle comes, each will do their part for the clan!"

"One move, multiple gains—you say, isn't that wonderful?"

Di Jun asked Taiyi with a smile.

"Wonderful…… very wonderful." Taiyi had to agree, "We've eliminated some calamities, won over the demon hearts, and finally poured the contradictory calamity water into the netherworld, giving the Princess Wa a headache."

"This is truly wonderful."

Taiyi sighed in his heart.

As a ruler, he still has much to learn from Di Jun.

"I feel the same." Di Jun nodded, "Sitting in the demon sovereign's position, one must be flexible in one's actions!"

"Like Donghua, single-mindedly pursuing fairness and justice, acting according to the law…… though the reasoning is correct, in the end one will become a solitary practitioner of the path."

"The outcome isn't good either…… dying at the hands of humanity."

Di Jun gazed afar at Kunlun.

There, Donghua's tomb lies lonely and desolate.

Fortunately, occasionally a disciple of the Daoist sect sweeps the tomb, preventing the grass from growing three feet high.

……

"We have shed blood for the Divine Teaching!"

"We have sweated for the Divine Teaching!"

"We want to see the leader!"

In the netherworld, all kinds of chaotic matters arise simultaneously, leaving no moment of peace.

Some shout for ghost rights and freedom, some yell for fighting and killing to avenge grudges…… besides that, there is a type of ghost eager to see the leader of the Divine Teaching.

"What do you want to do?"

A little wizard blocked the way, furrowed his brow, and earnestly inquired.

"Sir, please listen to me……"

A big ghost spirited up: "We initially joined the Reincarnation Divine Teaching, devoted ourselves body and soul to the great cause of the Divine Teaching, dying thereafter…… no, now we are truly dead."

"To speak frankly…… what are we striving so hard for? You must be able to understand."

"Just to rise to mid-high rank, gain sufficient contributions, so that in the next life our starting point directly surpasses the lifetime of effort we've put in this life."

"I'll be frank, I'm not loyal enough to the organization, but you should be able to understand."

"Okay, I understand." the little wizard replied.

"Understanding is good, understanding is ten thousand……" the big ghost sighed, "But now, we hold sufficient merit, when we go to check the specifics of reincarnation, we discover…… we hardly have any excellent targets to choose!"

"Huh?" the little wizard was moved, intuitively sensing something wrong.

"Write down the details of what happened, I'll help you submit it to the leader, to help you solve the problem." the little wizard directly said.

"This…… good! good! good!" the big ghost beamed, then turned to the ghosts behind him with the same purpose and said, "I just said, the leaders are reasonable and understanding……"

"Don't believe outside rumors, hearing wind and thinking it's rain, saying the upper echelons will tear down bridges after crossing the river…… everyone should be like me, having faith in the organization!"

"Perhaps the reincarnation issue is merely a system malfunction……"

(End of chapter)