Everyone present froze on the spot because of the Southern Ghost Emperor’s words.

Vice President Ding was no exception. She carefully studied the Ghost Emperor beside Ye Wangxing. Broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted, and strikingly handsome, he indeed had the qualities to live off someone else, but…

That statement was truly absurd.

Turning to look at Ye Wangxing, she saw him frozen on the spot, like a small ground squirrel lifted by the scruff of its neck.

He looked utterly bewildered and lost.

Not only Ye Wangxing, even Xie Jiu froze for a moment, but then he seemed to understand something. He floated forward, put his arm around Ye Wangxing’s shoulder, and asked in return: “Live off someone else? Are you giving me a reason because we haven’t sparred in a long time?”

Seeing Xie Jiu’s action, the Southern Ghost Emperor became even more agitated, his face dark, his aura overwhelming.

This made everyone present nervous, and they quietly drew their weapons, even Zhou Tianning, who was lying on the ground, was no exception.

Ye Wangxing instinctively stepped in front of Xie Jiu, as if Xie Jiu were someone who needed protection.

This caused Xie Jiu, in the brief moments when he gathered yin energy, to twitch the corner of his mouth upward.

—Then he saw Lu Shi standing in front of him, holding a heavy rifle.

Xie Jiu’s mouth immediately drooped.

Everyone was ready, but…

“You still want to hit me!”

The Southern Ghost Emperor complained extremely aggrievedly.

“Look at the living employees behind you, then look at the orderly reincarnation process in your domain. A month ago, your land wasn’t even as well-managed as ours! If you aren’t living off someone else, then what are you?!”

The Southern Ghost Emperor spoke passionately, leaving Xie Jiu stunned.

“Nowadays, the living world sends millions of ghosts downward every day, not counting insects or plant spirits. All hands have been assigned to maintain the reincarnation pool, and I even had to come personally to recruit people!”

As he spoke, his thick eyebrows drooped. He looked like the classic general in an ancient painting—broad-shouldered and strong-faced—but in his aggrieved, almost curling-up posture, he looked pitiful.

Tang Fang, having regained her composure, felt some sympathy. Clearly, this was a person driven mad by workload.

Every time she needed to investigate materials or fill forms, Tang Fang’s mood had been similar, though she was curious—did the Ghost Emperor really need to recruit people?

Ye Wangxing seemed to have thought the same, and then he heard the Ghost Emperor speak: “This… recruit people?”

Hearing the question from the nearby fellow Taoist, the Southern Ghost Emperor replied irritably: “Yes, recruit people. All the ghosts in the underworld who could work and had no punishments left have already been drawn into service. They’re all at work now. There’s no ghost-hand in the underworld, so I have to come to the human world to find them.”

Tang Fang again marveled that even the underworld had labor shortages. Then he wondered if he could…

While Tang Fang’s thoughts drifted, Xie Jiu seemed to finally recover. The yin energy he had gathered dispersed.

He tried hard to maintain a serious expression, but the uncontrollable corner of his mouth betrayed his inner thoughts.

“Ahem, living off someone else? This is mutual affection.”

Xie Jiu said stubbornly, but his ghost drifted closer to Ye Wangxing quite sincerely.

Ghost Emperor: “…”You say I’m fat, and now you’re even panting, right?

Tang Feng looked on speechlessly. Ghost Emperor, at a time like this don’t even pretend—who can’t see your mouth is practically raised to the heavens?

Seeing Xie Jiu looking so smug, the Southern Ghost Emperor erupted in anger again. The weather in the secret realm darkened as his resentment manifested, lightning flickered through the clouds.

“However, I’m not such a heartless ghost. For the sake of a colleague, I can let my partner help smooth relationships and even help find a few living people.”

Xie Jiu, with a corner of his mouth even harder to suppress than an AK, said a bit proudly to the Ghost Emperor.

Southern Ghost Emperor: “…Are you serious?”

As Xie Jiu nodded, the clouds in the secret realm vanished, the sun shone perfectly.

The Taoist beside him wanted to speak, to say he wasn’t Xie Jiu’s partner, but a hand quickly covered his mouth.

Tang Fang was startled and turned to see Vice President Ding covering Ye Wangxing’s mouth, her eyes shining as she looked at the Ghost Emperor.

Seeing Vice President Ding like that, Tang Fang thought for a moment and immediately realized the enormous benefits—return on investment comparable to a school spending funds on statues.

…No wonder even Lu Shi, who had already pulled out his portable rocket launcher, was pressed down by one hand from Vice President Ding.

For the Religious Association, this was all benefit, no harm.

Tang Fang watched Vice President Ding bravely stand before Lu Shi and start speaking with the Southern Ghost Emperor, and couldn’t help thinking…

The thoughts he had just had instantly took root and grew in his mind.

…Perhaps he could also recommend himself?

The more Tang Fang thought about it, the more possible it seemed. His position in the entire Association had become rather awkward. After all, he had once climbed to Director Tang’s position, but now he had been kicked back down, returning to being “Little Tang.”

Even relying on his personal skills, he would not fare too badly in the Association. He might even climb back to Director Tang’s position, but that would cost him five to ten wasted years.

Even if Zhou Tianning’s path worked, with his own brain and the fact that Vice President Ding had repeatedly warned him, trying to seize the Tongxin Array would make his future in the Association difficult.

But…

Tang Fang looked at the Southern Ghost Emperor, who was clearly eager for talent, and his eyes brightened.

First, the Ghost Emperor desperately sought talent, and although Tang Fang’s ability could not compete with the bigshots who passed the civil service exams, he had at least gotten in and his management skills had been trained in the Association.

Moreover, if the Ghost Emperor were genuinely willing to let him work there, as a bridge between the Religious Association and the Ghost Emperor, his position in the Association would naturally rise.

Even though he could not hold any important post, after being demoted, there was no way he could hold a key position anyway.

Thinking this, Tang Fang’s eyes brightened further. He looked up and saw that Vice President Ding and the Ghost Emperor had finally finished their discussion and were now bickering about when to send talent to the Ghost Emperor.

Vice President Ding had wanted to wait a few days and assign the positions after returning to the Association, but the Ghost Emperor was already anxious and urgently needed people to work.

“…But Your Majesty, we truly need time to select talent suitable for you who are also willing to work in the underworld.”

Vice President Ding said reluctantly, while the Southern Ghost Emperor raised his eyebrows.

“I think you’re looking down on me. You and that Xie Jiu are on the same side, wanting me to favor Xie Jiu, right?! I tell you, if you don’t send someone over, I won’t spend a penny on your wedding gift!”

The last sentence was shouted at Xie Jiu.

Vice President Ding said helplessly: “Your Majesty, mainly we really don’t have the manpower. Even the remaining people do not have the qualifications to enter this secret realm.”

But the Southern Ghost Emperor ignored this. He knew the living person had already promised to send someone over, if needed, he could send people to transport the staff himself.

But today, Vice President Ding had to send at least one person.

The entire underworld was overwhelmed by the doubling of ghost numbers caused by the spiritual energy explosion from the living world. The original reincarnation system in the underworld was still the old method, causing the reincarnation queue to almost reach Anubis domain.

So administrative reform was necessary this time!

While the Ghost Emperor was thinking, Vice President Ding also cursed inwardly.

‘Sure enough, no Ghost Emperor is easy to deal with. Even this one, who seems like just a reckless brute, isn’t. He calculated that most of our clerical staff have little loyalty to the Association, and the loyal ones wouldn’t be sent to do dangerous work. He wants to cultivate his own people…’

Vice President Ding frowned, lost in thought, when he felt someone approach. He looked up and saw Tang Fang smiling as he walked toward him. He whispered: “President, I really want to improve.”

Ten minutes later.

“Pleasure doing business with you, pleasure doing business with you.”

The three laughed broadly, showing teeth but not eyes.

Everyone was happy: the Southern Ghost Emperor got the talent he longed for, Tang Fang got his new offer, with hundreds of subordinates to manage immediately, and Vice President Ding established a connection with the Southern Ghost Emperor, also receiving a gift from him.

That gift was the Tongxin Array.

“This thing is useless here. Every time we release information, it’s just to lure Taoists like you to work for us. Better give it to you. Remember to send a few more people to me later.”

The Southern Ghost Emperor said this, now looking more like a smiling Buddha than a general.

He patted Tang Fang on the back with one hand and stroked his long beard with the other, eyes twinkling.

Vice President Ding naturally did not pass up the opportunity. After receiving the array, he politely spoke with the Southern Ghost Emperor and reminded him to watch out for the black-slime-like creature.

“…That creature feeds on resentment. Your Majesty, please pay attention. From the information we obtained and its growth rate, its true form should now cover an entire town.”

Vice President Ding said seriously, and the Southern Ghost Emperor naturally did not take it as a joke. Even Xie Jiu became very serious when mentioning the creature.

But when they described the creature’s appearance and true form, the Southern Ghost Emperor suddenly became thoughtful. He furrowed his brow and said: “This creature… I think I’ve seen it in the secret realm.”

Now both Vice President Ding and Tang Fang, who had just received the new offer, looked serious.

Taoist Ye almost rushed in front of the Southern Ghost Emperor.

The Southern Ghost Emperor did not withhold anything and directly said: “Three days ago, that creature you mentioned roamed the secret realm. It did not start conflict with me. It only absorbed some resentment and then left.”

“This creature indeed grows a bit after absorbing resentment, as you said, but not as fast as you claimed.”

As the Southern Ghost Emperor spoke, everyone present frowned.

—Because three days ago, they had received no news that the monster was coming this way.

Even before entering the secret realm, the official tracking still showed the monster in City A.

Everyone’s expressions turned unusually grim. Even Zhou Tianning, who had quietly climbed back to the crowd from the ground, looked slightly less unpleasant.

However, he did not care much about the monster.

After all, the monster had saved his life, so from that perspective, it might be a good monster.

Moreover, from the previous information, the monster did not devour human lives, it only consumed yin energy and similar things.

Perhaps in the past life some incident had caused the monster to go on a killing spree, but now Zhou Tianning saw it as little threat.

—Although he would still keep his distance if he encountered it.

So, Zhou Tianning’s grim expression was not because of the monster.

It was because of Tang Fang.

Tang Fang was going to serve as the Chief Steward under the Southern Ghost Emperor!

This news transformed in Zhou Tianning’s mind into bloody, large characters, making him feel short of breath.

‘Ho***! ****! this! b***h!’

Zhou Tianning screamed in his mind.

He could not accept that while he was still in decline, Tang Fang had climbed up—and to the Southern Ghost Emperor’s side, no less.

Officially, it was to assist the Ghost Chancellor, nominally temporary, but everyone knew Tang Fang was essentially the Southern Ghost Emperor’s man!

The more Zhou Tianning thought, the uglier his expression became, and his eyes reddened. Fortunately, he lowered his head in time and controlled the spiritual energy in his body to prevent anyone from noticing his agitation.

For a moment, he even thought about volunteering to oust Tang Fang, but that was too crazy, so he did not do it.

Yet…

Just thinking about it made Zhou Tianning’s blood boil, and even his spiritual pressure wavered.

He knew Tang Fang had become his mental demon. When he was in control, he could restrain his actions, but now he was close to losing control.

Fortunately, Tang Fang would return to the Religious Association. Perhaps killing him, scattering his soul, would restore Zhou Tianning’s composure.

As for what to do afterward if Tang Fang were killed?

—There were so many people in the Zhou family.

Zhou Tianning silently clenched his fists. He looked at the confident Tang Fang, thought to himself, and followed Vice President Ding out of the secret realm.

However, once outside, Zhou Tianning nearly lost control when Tang Fang approached him, wearing a brazen expression and speaking politely.

He even mentioned keeping in touch in the future.

Even though Zhou Tianning restrained his murderous intent, the enemy was right in front of him, chirping like a little bird.

No matter how much he tried, a trace of killing intent slipped out.

Fortunately, he retracted it the next second, though he still felt uneasy. After all, Vice President Ding had reached his position because of his perception abilities.

…He could keenly sense someone else’s killing intent.

And Vice President Ding… should have sensed it.

Yet when Zhou Tianning held his breath and looked at her, she was speaking on the phone in disbelief, as if he had not noticed his fleeting killing intent at all.

Then he heard hus exclaiming into the phone with wide eyes:

“Yu Yi’s spending record disappeared from City A three days ago!?”

Before Zhou Tianning could wonder when Vice President Ding had noticed Yu Yi, he spoke rapidly like a machine gun: “No record of him on the highway at any checkpoint? The bus? Plane or high-speed train? Nothing? Even public transport shows no spending record? He drove himself or took a ride—are you saying three days ago our car was the only one exiting the City A to the Ancient Town highway?”

Everyone saw Vice President Ding’s shock.

Zhou Tianning noticed Ye Wangxing seemed to have realized something, his eyes wide, body slightly unsteady.

The Ghost Emperor Xie Jiu and Lu Shi also looked solemn.

Finally, Vice President Ding ended the call. He looked seriously at everyone behind him and said: “Everyone, the situation has changed. If my guess is correct, we have little time left. Everyone return to the hotel immediately. You have ten minutes to pack important items, the car is waiting downstairs. We must leave immediately!”

His serious expression made everyone nod instantly. No one asked what had happened, they knew he would not harm them. They only needed to obey.

Normal people rarely delayed in urgent moments asking questions.

Besides, they already suspected it was related to the young boy that Master Ye had rescued earlier.

‘Could that boy be a spy? Or sent by another organization?’

They thought, hurrying from the secret realm entrance with rapid steps. Some masters even stuck Wind Riding Talismans to their legs, including Vice President Ding.

Unfortunately, when they arrived at the hotel, it was too late.

—Not only because it was late at night, but because the Yu Yi Vice President Ding had mentioned—the seemingly weak, helpless boy—stood at the hotel entrance.

He smiled like a little white flower upon seeing them return.

But after a glance, his smile instantly vanished.

“…Brother Ye, where are you going?”

He asked softly.

Yu Yi held some snacks, apparently to deliver them, and the attention of everyone present focused on Master Ye.

At this moment, Master Ye looked very serious, his hand never leaving the peach wood sword at his waist.

He instinctively positioned himself in front of everyone, even blocking Vice President Ding.

Vice President Ding still tried to manage the situation. He hoped to take the clerical and weaker staff away.

—Besides, there were still many ordinary people present.

He forced a smile, looking like an ordinary elder: “Are you here to play with Junior Ye? Oh, what a coincidence, our business is done, we plan to leave.”

He gestured for others to move back from Yu Yi, but…

Vice President Ding noticed the familiar black mud—appearing in reality for the first time—blocking those trying to run back to the hotel.

He forced them back to Yu Yi’s side.

His expression stiffened, he clearly realized one thing.

—This one really did not plan to pretend.

The scene became tense.

Yu Yi quietly watched Ye Wangxing standing in front of everyone, while the black mud, which had just pushed the few back, thrashed violently.

It seemed to reflect Yu Yi’s restless inner state.

Zhou Tianning clenched the jade gourd around his neck. Seeing Ye Wangxing’s expression as if facing an enemy and the fearful looks around him, he realized it was a perfect opportunity.

Only he knew the black mud monster was not entirely evil, it had saved him.

If he stepped forward to express thanks, adjusting his attitude toward the monster according to the reactions around him, maybe he could earn recognition.

Zhou Tianning did not plan to act saintly, saying the monster was good. He wanted to claim his due status in front of everyone, but he was not foolish.

He clenched the jade gourd, ready to flee with Pei Si if things went wrong.

Yet outwardly, he appeared shocked and stepped forward: “Y-You… were the one who saved me at the old execution ground! But how did you appear here, and—”

In a single sentence, Zhou Tianning’s expression shifted from shock to confusion, and he was about to shift to grief when suddenly everything went black.

Physically black.

The black mud rushed at him. He had no time to react and was engulfed.

The next second, his eyes reappeared, but his body was wrapped tightly, even silencing his mouth.

He had to be thankful the black mud left his nose free to breathe.

Still, he struggled to breathe.

—He had a slight pollen allergy, and now only one nostril was clear.

Zhou Tianning’s struggle broke the stalemate.

Yu Yi spoke first, looking at Ye Wangxing expressionlessly. His delicate face seemed slightly strange: “Brother Ye, you know now… will you kill me?”

His voice was still weak and pitiful, but everyone felt a chill.

No one dared speak, all eyes turned to Ye Wangxing.

After a long silence, Ye Wangxing finally asked: “Do you feed on resentment?”

“Have you killed anyone?”

“Have you ever harmed anyone?”

The question stunned everyone, at such a moment, Ye Wangxing was still asking for information?

Unexpectedly, Yu Yi answered.

“Yes, no, no.”

His obedient appearance even shocked Vice President Ding. Wasn’t thus monster too compliant?

He gradually regained his composure, relieved Ye Wangxing was reliable.

Even if everyone died here, at least they could transmit information back.

‘Worth it.’

Just as he thought this, he heard Ye Wangxing speak: “…Finally, about last night.”

Vice President Ding focused immediately, and Zhou Tianning held his breath. Everyone’s attention turned to Ye Wangxing.

“—The person who came to my room last night, treating me like a mango pit—was that you?”

Vice President Ding, stunned and blushing, glanced at the furious Ye Wangxing and then looked at the boy across, noticing the monster’s wavering gaze.

…No, now it felt guilty?

 

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