For these underworld rats, even a retired Black and White Impermanence was a figure of immense significance.

Chen Yi didn't bother explaining much to the rat and cat duo but simply told them to take care, then headed toward the courtyard with Yin Weiyin in tow.

...............

Within the uniquely decorated courtyard, most of the banquet guests were fellow ghost messengers. Jar after jar of rare underworld spirits was opened, the heady aroma wafting through the air, intoxicating enough to redden cheeks into a tipsy flush.

The concubine hadn't even arrived at the estate, yet the feast was already underway.

The matter of taking a concubine was a trivial excuse—the real purpose of the banquet was to rekindle old ties with former colleagues under the pretext of the occasion.

The "Lord Impermanence" in the rat girl's mouth naturally sat at the place of honor. Draped in red robes, he occupied the head seat, while both sides were filled with fellow ghost messengers currently serving at the gates of the underworld.

There are Ten Halls of Yama in the underworld, and each Yama Hall has similar official ranks. The Lord Impermanence who had entrenched himself at Soul Hook Valley was none other than the Black Impermanence of the First Yama Hall. After serving as an official for several millennia, he stepped down, refusing to reincarnate through the cycle of karma. Instead, he became a local tyrant in the borderlands between the First and Second Yama Halls.

Such actions wouldn't go unchecked by the underworld. However, with Yingdu Ghost City under the Second Hall already plunged into chaos, there was no energy left to deal with border disputes. Moreover, Lord Impermanence's connections ran deep within the First Hall, ensuring no one dared intervene.

Thus, this once-masterless Soul Hook Valley now had a self-proclaimed mountain king ruling over it.

"I thank all of you for gracing my humble abode with your presence today."

Lord Impermanence sat at the head table, clasping his hands in a gesture of gratitude as he scanned the room.

"I'm taking a new concubine tonight. The banquet may not be grand, so I hope you'll pardon the simplicity."

As soon as the host finished his polite remarks, the crowd responded with a boisterous cheer.

"What nonsense! What nonsense!"

"Oh my, such fine wine! You've really gone all out!"

"What's this talk of going all out? It's just the tribute those underworld rats delivered—first their daughters, then their money. Hahaha!"

......

The hall buzzed with jubilation. The number of guests was so overwhelming that no one noticed the arrival of two living humans, each plastered with talismans, quietly slipping into the gathering.

Chen Yi and Yin Weiyin both bore talismans known as the Yang Qi Breath Symbol. These seals momentarily suppressed their living energy, ensuring they wouldn't be detected.

Chen Yi surveyed the room before surreptitiously using secret transmission to introduce the figures to Yin Weiyin.

He pointed to a pig-faced ghost and said:

"That pig-faced overseer is the housekeeper here. Don't be fooled by his bloated face; he's actually very cunning. Lord Impermanence has taken many concubines, which has naturally displeased his wife. The housekeeper secretly carries on an affair with her. And because he manages the estate so well, Lord Impermanence hasn't the faintest clue."

Then he gestured toward a pale-faced scholar.

"You should know that all souls passing through the gates of the underworld must first be registered. The registrar at the gates is often filled by failed scholars from the mortal realm, their ambitions unfulfilled. For this one to be here at the banquet, it's clear he's let countless wicked souls slip through under his watch."

"What about that armored fellow over there?"

"That's the campaign envoy of the underworld, one of the instructors for the ghost soldiers. Since ghost soldiers guard the gates, where there are troops, you'll find generals. And where there are generals, there's corruption."

......

Chen Yi seemed to know every single soul in attendance, recounting their numerous offenses with ease. As Yin Weiyin listened, his gaze grew increasingly astonished.

It was as if nothing could escape Chen Yi's eyes.

Was this truly the power of Heavenly Vision? Could Heavenly Vision really be this all-knowing?

The thought made Yin Weiyin's fingers tremble uncontrollably.

I used to oppose someone like him…

And after defying him, I managed to survive—even if it meant living as nothing more than a human furnace… How many martial masters, as countless as fish swimming upriver, died miserably at his hands?

I truly…

Am worthy of the title of Taichua Goddess!

Yin Weiyin felt an odd pride swelling within him.

But at the same time, how does he know so much about the underworld's inner workings?

With that thought in mind, Yin Weiyin cast a sidelong glance at Chen Yi.

Chen Yi's gaze was fixed on the doorway, watching as the last of the guests entered the banquet hall. Once the exterior was empty, the doors slowly closed.

The hall was filled entirely with fiends…

The Lord Impermanence rose from his seat at the head table, clasped his hands to the crowd, then waved and said:

"Bring out the best wine and meat we have in the house, or else you'll catch hell from me later!"

Amid the cheers, a massive iron pot was carried in by ghost servants, its contents steaming and releasing an enticing aroma. The rich yellow broth, imbued with a savory fragrance, seemed to have been simmering for an eternity.

As a chef climbed onto a stool to stir the pot with an enormous ladle, bits of its thick stew began to surface.

Yin Weiyin's pupils shrank sharply.

Serving as the mountain king of this road, Lord Impermanence had intercepted countless living humans who accidentally stumbled into the underworld, and…

Whether the concubine was delivered or not didn't matter to Lord Impermanence. Winning over his colleagues was far more important—relationships like these needed constant attention and maintenance.

As long as he maintained these ties, his reign as mountain king would endure.

As for the concubine's treatment, Lord Impermanence had no care. She could merely be thrown into an empty room to fend for herself.

In the mortal realm, parents went to great lengths to send their daughters as concubines to powerful officials, indifferent to how they'd be ravaged. Some even offered their beloved wives the same way.

The guests settled into their seats one after another, except for two who remained standing.

Though the banquet was filled with merriment, Lord Impermanence eventually noticed the two lone figures and, with a frown, called out, "Why haven't you sat down yet?"

The man, however, paid no attention. He continued pointing to individuals seated around the hall, softly muttering introductions.

"The housekeeper is having an affair with the mistress. If we threaten to expose him, he'd agree to betray Lord Impermanence. But he'll need to gather manpower to do so.

The campaign envoy is bloodthirsty by nature. Promise to make him the next mountain king, and he'd join without hesitation.

The scholar might be trickier. However, promise him one of Lord Impermanence's beauties, coupled with a few threats, and he'd defect as well.

But inevitably, everything would be exposed. The housekeeper would confess to Lord Impermanence, who'd then orchestrate a plot to eliminate them all. Yet, at the critical moment, the mistress would secretly attack Lord Impermanence, stabbing him half to death, and then everyone would strike together…"

The man's voice grew louder and more impassioned as he spoke.

The assembled ghosts, who had initially exchanged baffled glances, gradually became unnerved, their faces pale with fear.

Lord Impermanence glanced at the housekeeper, who looked panic-stricken as he turned to the mistress, clutching a dagger hidden in her robes.

The scholar had risen to his feet, ready to berate the man for his slander, while the campaign envoy sat in brooding silence, his murderous intent plain to see…

Anger, panic, disbelief—this hall became a microcosm of the underworld's manifold sins and struggles.

Only the man, under the gaze of the female crown, stepped forward slowly. The Brocade Spring Blade at his waist began to slide from its sheath.

"But there's no need for such trouble today.

We'll simply kill them all instead."

As the broth bubbled and churned,

The air grew thick with the scent of death.

The man's killing intent was palpable.

The second cycle of the game. At last, the bloodbath could begin.

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