Seeing Sun Qingcang adopt such a respectful demeanor, Lu Chen felt a surge of joy in his heart. He immediately clasped his hands and returned the salute. “Patriarch Sun, you are too kind. My name is Lu Chen. The title ‘Mister’ is far too grand for me to accept!”
A rare smile appeared on Sun Qingcang’s face. He nodded and said, “Then I shall call you Little Friend Lu. I never would have imagined that someone as young as you could accomplish such earth-shattering feats. In my forty years, I, Sun Qingcang, have witnessed countless heroes. But someone like you, Little Friend Lu? I might not encounter such a person once in a decade. Today has truly broadened my horizons!”
Lu Chen waved his hand modestly and steered the conversation back to the matter at hand. “Patriarch Sun, it is getting late. We should act quickly. Also, making offerings to the Netherworld bureaucracy is different from worshipping Heavenly Gods. Fewer onlookers… the better.”
Sun Qingcang nodded. “I understand that perfectly.”
He turned toward Zhao Zhihong, who stood nearby. “Supervisor Zhao, I must trouble you to fetch a few incense sticks for King Yama. Little Friend, which type would you prefer?”
Lu Chen replied, “This will be my first time worshipping Yama. My Divine Attunement Level is currently at zero. In that case, please prepare three incense sticks for me.”
Sun Qingcang was momentarily stunned. “Three sticks will be enough?”
Lu Chen nodded firmly. “Success or failure will be determined within three sticks!”
If three sticks did not yield success, then in all likelihood, it was simply not meant to be.
Sun Qingcang took a deep breath and solemnly agreed. “Very well! It shall be as you say, Little Friend! Supervisor Zhao, we must trouble you to do this!”
Zhao Zhihong was utterly exasperated, feeling like he had drawn the short straw.
When they needed him, it was “trouble you to do this.”
When they didn’t need him, it was “shut up” and throwing their weight around.
These powerful figures, it seemed, were none of them decent people.
Initially, Zhao Zhihong wanted to stall a bit longer, perhaps dredge up past grievances and take a few more verbal jabs at Lu Chen.
But seeing Sun Qingcang’s stance, he realized that uttering even one extra word would only invite ridicule.
Left with no choice, he could only excuse himself to go fetch the incense for Lu Chen.
Damn it all! I, a Third-Rank Spirit Master, the steward of the Zhao family, the director of the Zhao Family Temple… forced to fetch incense for a rankless nobody!
The more Zhao Zhihong thought about it, the more aggrieved he felt.
Lu Chen led the way, with Sun Qingcang and his wife Madame Song following closely behind.
Sun Xingwen glanced up at the darkening sky and thought about the place they were heading to. A shiver involuntarily ran down his spine. He whispered to Sun Yourong, “Sis, do we really have to go to that place?”
Sun Yourong shot her younger brother a sidelong glare and spat coldly, “Where did all that bravado from earlier go? Keep up!”
Sun Xingwen ducked his head and, having no alternative, reluctantly followed.
The onlooking worshippers, sensing that the spectacle had a “Version 2.0” in store, all intended to follow and watch. However, the Sun family bodyguards unceremoniously blocked their path, forming an impenetrable human wall that not even a mosquito could fly through.
Meanwhile, as the path grew narrower and the surroundings more desolate, coupled with the encroaching darkness, the group felt a strange sensation, as if they were truly walking along a gloomy path to the netherworld.
“Little Friend Lu, there is one matter I do not fully understand and would like to ask you about.”
Sun Qingcang was, after all, a man of the world. He paid no mind whatsoever to the eerie surroundings.
“Please, Patriarch Sun, go ahead.”
“You mentioned earlier that King Yama can grant additional years of life. Is there any specific basis for this? Forgive my ignorance, but this is the first time I’ve heard such a claim. I always believed King Yama’s authority was limited to commanding ghostly bailiffs and deciding the moment of life and death. I never knew he possessed such a divine ability. Had you not spoken with such conviction, I would have asked about this earlier.”
Although Sun Qingcang’s knowledge of the Underworld’s Yin Deities was limited, he at least possessed basic common sense. Everyone says King Yama hunts souls and demands lives; the sudden notion that he could bestow blessings and extend life was truly novel.
“Patriarch Sun, you said it yourself: King Yama’s divine power lies in deciding life and death. If he can decree death, naturally, he can also decree life.”
Lu Chen maintained a brisk pace, glancing back at Sun Qingcang as he walked.
“If you insist on evidence, King Yama possesses a magical artifact known as the Book of Life and Death. The lifespans and fates of all living beings in this world are recorded within that book. If one can beseech King Yama’s favor and have him make a small addition to the Book of Life and Death, your father would naturally not have to die.
Even if, for the sake of argument, adding years directly to the Book of Life and Death proves impossible, think about this: Who is it that hunts souls and demands lives?
It is the Black and White Impermanence!
And who commands the Black and White Impermanence?
King Yama!
If King Yama chooses to show leniency, tell me, how could your father possibly die?
This is what is meant by ‘The county magistrate is not as influential as the immediate official in charge.'”
Listening to Lu Chen’s explanation, Sun Qingcang suddenly felt like a raw recruit standing before a seasoned veteran—completely dumbfounded.
Most importantly, upon reflection, he could find absolutely no flaw in the logic!
“The Book of Life and Death? This is the first time I’ve heard of such a magical artifact.”
Just then, Sun Yourong’s puzzled voice came from behind. “Mister Lu, where did you hear such strange and fascinating tales?”
Lu Chen: “…”
No way… they don’t even know about the Book of Life and Death?
It seemed the Spirit Masters of this world had barely scratched the surface of developing connections with the Underworld.
Not only did they underestimate the Underworld tactically, they even held it in strategic contempt!
No wonder they were completely unaware that King Yama possessed the ability to restore life and grant extended years.
Lu Chen could not be bothered to explain such basic concepts to these novices. He merely offered a faint smile in response.
Seeing Lu Chen’s reluctance to elaborate, Sun Qingcang’s heart grew even more solemn. This young man is certainly no ordinary individual!
After a brief pause, he offered further praise: “Little Friend Lu’s breadth of knowledge and extensive experience truly amaze me. Seeing that you are around the same age as my son, the comparison only highlights how utterly incompetent my own child is.”
Sun Xingwen: “Huh?”
Wait, I didn’t even say anything this time!
But then Sun Qingcang continued, “Little Friend, your idea is unique and forges a new path, yet it remains methodical and well-reasoned. It is certainly worth trying!
However, from ancient times to the present, whenever mortals like us discuss the Underworld, we invariably turn pale with fright and avoid the subject at all costs.
As you know, my Sun family operates a temple, and we do maintain a shrine dedicated to the Underworld Court.
But that is merely to fulfill the tripartite requirement of [Heaven], [Earth], and [Man].
Establishing a temple requires these three elements; we had no choice but to include the Underworld.
Yet throughout history, as far as I am aware, aside from a few heretical cultivators who have occasionally made offerings to the Underworld in exchange for power, orthodox cultivators have always kept a respectful distance, fearing the taint of Yin energy and the risk of cultivation deviation.
Now, you intend to beseech the Underworld for blessings and extended life for my father. Regardless of the outcome, you are likely to incur karmic entanglements.
Aren’t you afraid?”
Upon hearing this, Lu Chen countered with a question rather than an answer. “Patriarch Sun, you mentioned that establishing a temple requires fulfilling the tripartite requirement of [Heaven], [Earth], and [Man]?”
Sun Qingcang nodded. “For a temple to connect with the Three Realms, naturally, the elements of [Heaven], [Earth], and [Man] are all indispensable.
However, compared to the Celestial Deities and the mortal worshippers, the Yin Deities of the Underworld are actually the simplest component to address.
Usually, one merely needs to designate a side room, hang up a plaque reading ‘Court of the Underworld,’ and casually place a few spirit tablets inside.
No specific communication is required; the space becomes linked to the Underworld automatically, thereby satisfying the [Earth] element of the [Heaven], [Earth], [Man] triad.
It’s quite unlike the Celestial Deities, where inviting each deity requires specific rituals and prayers to request their descent.
Furthermore, the process is cumbersome and requires vast financial resources.
More often than not, one must gild a statue or construct an entire palace hall.
At the very minimum, one must erect a shrine and arrange a proper ritual space.”
“So that’s how it is.”
After listening, Lu Chen suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for the Yin Deities of the Underworld.
Isn’t this just too pathetic?
They are divine beings too. How did they end up in such a miserable state?
Their treatment truly is as different as heaven and earth.
Moreover, Lu Chen perceived something else in those words.
In order to secure a foothold in the mortal realm, the entire Underworld bureaucracy seemed to exude a strong air of desperate, fawning supplication.
They had lowered the barrier to entry to the absolute minimum, practically eliminating all prerequisites.
Unfortunately, they failed to grasp a fundamental truth.
A desperate, fawning suitor gets nothing in the end but heartbreak!
Even after centuries and millennia, whenever the mortal realm speaks of the Underworld Court, it is still with trembling fear and panicked flight.
Meanwhile, the aloof and distant Heavenly Gods continue to enjoy an unending stream of incense offerings and fervent adoration.
No wonder the Underworld had collectively become the coldest of century-old stoves!
The Underworld itself likely needed to engage in some serious self-reflection.
They desperately needed to learn the principle that scarcity creates value!
Lu Chen shook his head with a wry smile before finally addressing Sun Qingcang’s earlier question. “Rest assured, Patriarch Sun, I am not afraid! Although the Underworld Court is populated by Yin Deities, they are nonetheless legitimately appointed and recognized divine officials. What is there to fear? As for the heretical cultivators you mentioned, they are even less worthy of consideration.
A cleaver used in the kitchen is a helpful tool for chopping vegetables and mincing meat; used against a person, it becomes a lethal weapon.
The blade itself is not at fault; the fault lies with the one who wields it!”
Sun Qingcang gave a hearty thumbs-up and laughed approvingly. “Little Friend Lu, your courage is truly admirable, and your insight is profound. I am in awe.”
As they spoke, the group arrived at their destination.
At the very end of the narrow path stood a tiny, thatched hut, its walls riddled with gaps that let the wind blow through freely.
Even compared to the desolate rear courtyard, the decrepit state of this hut was truly startling.
It was almost impossible to imagine that just a hundred meters away, in the main halls, any deity with even a modicum of fame enjoyed residence in a magnificent palace.
Yet this shrine, representing the entire Underworld Court, was so dilapidated that it seemed a single gust of wind could send it crashing down in ruins.
Before anyone had even drawn close, they could see a weathered plaque hanging crookedly before the ramshackle door. Inscribed upon it were four large characters, a deep, blood-crimson red:
*—Court of the Underworld. *
At this moment, the setting sun blazed like a pool of blood, casting an even more sinister and chilling glow upon the inscription.
“Hiss—”
Sun Xingwen sucked in a sharp breath of cold air. He felt the ambient temperature plummet around him, a bone-deep chill seeping in from all directions.
