Chapter 271: Punishment and Reward (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

"New judge? Substitute?" Without even discussing it with Anuo, Ji Wenchuan, drawing on his past observations, instantly understood what had happened.

Is Sheng Yuanyao pretending to be the King of Hell?

The judge isn't a substitute—that's the real judge.

The King of Hell is the substitute—the fake King of Hell…

How do you explain that? Tell Yin Feng Lao Ren? Ji Wenchuan wasn't insane.

"Where did the King of Hell go in the Bingyu Sect? What did he say?" Ji Wenchuan asked.

Yin Feng Lao Ren had asked on the spot, and Ling Qixuan had recounted the general events.

"I understand," Ji Wenchuan said solemnly. "That's not a new judge substitute—that's the original judge. They must've run into each other again and lent a hand temporarily. Don't spread gossip; watch your head."

Yin Feng Lao Ren broke into a cold sweat: "How could I… I get it now. Thank you, Mr. Ji."

Poor guy—he'd just been promoted to Western Ghost Emperor, nominally equal in rank to Ji Wenchuan, yet still feared Ji Wenchuan like a dog.

He was second-rank; Ji Wenchuan was first-rank.

The entire Yinshi Sect had been pounded into submission by Ji Wenchuan, nearly wiped out.

Fortunately, Ji Wenchuan remembered Lu Xingzhou's long-ago idea of subduing the Yinshi Sect and had granted them a reprieve—otherwise, they'd be corpses themselves now.

From this angle, Lu Xingzhou had actually done them a favor…

Yin Feng Lao Ren knew what to do; he cleared his throat shortly after: "We won't comment on the affairs of the King of Hell and the Judge. We've come today merely to become familiar faces. Future guidance from Lord Ling is greatly appreciated."

"Don't flatter me, don't flatter me," Ling Qixuan also bowed. "If the Yama Palace needs our sect's assistance, just give the word."

Their alliance, of course, wasn't merely about the King of Hell helping the Bingyu Sect—the Bingyu Sect also needed to assist the Yama Palace, primarily in rebelling against the Daqian Empire, though now wasn't the time. Yuan Muyu was still extensively networking with various demonic sects, organizing the Ten Palaces Alliance; with her current transcendent-level cultivation, progress might far exceed Lu Xingzhou's earlier estimates.

It felt as if a once-still world had suddenly sprung to life within the past year or two.

Over there, Ji Wenchuan paused, then asked Anuo: "If you want what's best for Uncle Ji, should you tell the King of Hell about this?"

Anuo wiped her face with a pouty expression: "Of course tell him—tell him loudly, embellish it heavily. Highlight how adorable Anuo is, and how much Anuo misses Sister Yu…"

Ji Wenchuan completely ignored the second half and immediately contacted Yuan Muyu.

Yuan Muyu was holding a small meeting with Dong Chengbi and others, discussing expansion matters for the Daqian Empire. Among these senior familiar faces, she had uncharacteristically removed her mask—still wearing her eternally unchanged, cute little demoness face, making Dong Chengbi and the others internally mutter.

Without the mask, this look carried zero authority whatsoever.

Upon receiving Ji Wenchuan's "call," the little demoness's expression flickered with mild annoyance: "Ji Wenchuan is becoming more and more insolent. The Dongyue Han Chuan matter has nothing to do with him, yet he scurries off to play. Now that it's done, he won't come back—what's he doing out there, loafing around?"

I was planning to ask him in detail about Lu Xingzhou and Ye Tinglan's actual situation.

After connecting the call, Yuan Muyu said coldly: "Ji Wenchuan, do you still remember you're part of an organization?"

"Uh… uh…" Ji Wenchuan's voice came from the other end: "I'm out here gathering intelligence on Lu Xingzhou for the King of Hell."

"What's there to gather about a dead traitor?! No need! Just treat him as dead from now on!" Yuan Muyu shouted, then calmed her tone: "But since you've already gathered it, go ahead and tell me the results."

Everyone: "…"

You could've used divine sense communication—you didn't need to say it aloud. Saying it out loud makes you look ridiculous.

Ji Wenchuan continued: "It's like this: Lu Xingzhou somehow learned that the King of Hell had previously promised to assist the Bingyu Sect in the Dongyue Han Chuan matter. He apparently didn't trust it, so he went to the Bingyu Sect to inquire about the specific terms. When he found out it was the Bingmo, he flew into a rage, scolding Ling Qixuan for not clearly explaining the Bingmo's situation to the King of Hell—he wanted the King of Hell to be a cannon fodder… His exact words: 'Our King of Hell'…"

Dong Chengbi and the others watched as the little demoness's icy expression suddenly brightened, her suppressed laughter nearly overflowing, yet she still spoke coolly: "Do I need a mere outsider to question my actions? Forget it. Given he still has a shred of conscience, I'll let it slide."

Ji Wenchuan then recounted the specific details about Bingmo. Yuan Muyu pondered briefly, then nodded slightly: "Understood. This matter… hmm. I'll credit you with a merit."

Ji Wenchuan said: "I didn't earn any merit—it was Old Lu…"

Yuan Muyu cut him off: "Your timely transmission of information is merit enough. As for Lu Xingzhou—what does an outsider want, a reward? Forget it. Inform Yin Feng Lao Ren: Lu Xingzhou is in Tianshuang. Have Yin Feng Lao Ren protect him. That pitiful cultivation of his—don't let him get hurt. After all, he's working for me."

Ji Wenchuan agreed and prepared to end the call.

But Yuan Muyu wasn't foolish: "Wait."

Ji Wenchuan hesitated: "Does the King of Hell have further instructions?"

Yuan Muyu said: "Lu Xingzhou went to Bingyu Sect alone—and Ling Qixuan just spilled everything? Even if he's clever, he couldn't manage that. Who's helping him? You?"

Ji Wenchuan hadn't expected to get away with deception; he had to admit: "He got someone to impersonate the King of Hell. Now outsiders mistakenly believe the King of Hell is still keeping the Judge as a concubine."

"That's not really a mistake… wait." Yuan Muyu's voice suddenly rose: "Who could impersonate me?"

Ji Wenchuan fell silent.

Yuan Muyu, connecting the dots, instantly realized: "Ye Tinglan! You're shameless!"

Ji Wenchuan's call was abruptly disconnected.

Ye Tinglan's jade token vibrated.

Ye Tinglan scanned it with her divine sense and outright rejected the call.