Chapter 6: The Trial of the Council of Elders

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Asura Hall.

The Ghost Sovereign still held the pot containing the "Iron Tree." He extended his fingertip to touch it, and his essence blood was absorbed by the tree. The wound on his fingertip, which should have healed instantly, still dripped blood. His blood was not particularly nourishing, but the "Iron Tree" thrived upon it.

The Ghost Sovereign brought his fingertip to his mouth, sucking gently. When the wound stopped bleeding, he applied some ointment, and the scar vanished. In the past, minor injuries on his body would heal immediately, but now things were different.

Several knocks sounded on the door, and the Ghost Sovereign’s footsteps paused as he approached the bedside. "What is it?"

A black slave stood outside and said bluntly, "The Underworld's Judge, Ghost Lantern, requests an audience."

"Let him in," the Ghost Sovereign said softly. He sat quietly beside Yan Yunqing's bed, as usual, vigilantly watching over him. Ghost Lantern entered and saw the scene. Both the Ghost Sovereign and Yunqing had yet to return, and Yan Nianqing, the young man, had been anxiously pacing nearby every day, nearly driven mad.

It was known that the Ghost Sovereign had sent word about Yunqing’s condition, but seeing it firsthand left Ghost Lantern feeling powerless, even more so than when he first learned about it. He clearly understood that perhaps only the Ghost Sovereign could save Yunqing’s life.

Ghost Lantern entered the room and closed the door behind him. The Ghost Sovereign’s gaze remained fixed on the figure lying on the bed, afraid to miss any sign of awakening. Ghost Lantern sighed softly, "How is Yunqing? You have been gone so long, Nianqing is nearly frantic."

The Ghost Sovereign’s outstretched hand hesitated. "When you return, bring Nian a treat he likes. Yunqing needs my care here. Given my current condition, it’s not convenient for me to leave."

Ghost Lantern understood the gravity of the situation and directly stated his purpose. "Master, are you aware of the Book of Life and Death?"

The Ghost Sovereign admitted plainly, "I created it." Having made it himself, he naturally dared to acknowledge it. The Book of Life and Death was his deposit in the Underworld; why be ashamed to admit using his own creation?

Ghost Lantern pondered deeply, then immediately grasped the situation. "Master, are you using the Book of Life and Death to save Yunqing?"

The Ghost Sovereign lowered his gaze and said nothing. Ghost Lantern sighed silently. If it was for Yunqing, he would have dismissed the elders from the Elder Council. After all, that council only owed loyalty to the former King of the Underworld, who saw some utility in them and thus allowed them to guard the Book of Life and Death.

Now it seemed the Elder Council had become far too arrogant. No matter how mighty, they could never surpass the Underworld or the King of Hell’s Hall. Such obvious truths—did those old fools not understand?

The Ghost Sovereign stared unblinkingly at Yan Yunqing, then asked, "Has the Elder Council come to cause trouble?"

Ghost Lantern was momentarily taken aback. The Underworld had been chaotic recently. Though he and his ghostly deputies had resolved much, he knew he was still unfit to govern the Underworld. His management was nowhere near as skillful as Yunqing’s.

He bowed and answered frankly, "Yes."

A faint smile curled on the Ghost Sovereign’s lips as he looked at Yan Yunqing tenderly. "Yunqing has always been too soft-hearted. The Underworld has its rabble; when they act out too brazenly, at the very least, they must be sternly warned. Leave this matter to me. Tell Nian that soon I will return with Yunqing to see him—let him focus on his studies with his master." As he spoke, the Ghost Sovereign tossed a storage ring to Ghost Lantern. "Inside is something Nian likes. Take it back for him."

Ghost Lantern took it, nodding knowingly. He glanced once more at the still-unconscious Yan Yunqing before turning to leave, a helpless sigh escaping him. He was well-versed in medicine—not a master, but versed enough in observation and diagnosis. Despite the Ghost Sovereign’s efforts to conceal it, even he could see the Sovereign was more gravely injured than Yunqing, likely sacrificed for him.

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Yunqing, oh Yunqing, even if you are a millennia-old icy being without emotional roots, that is no excuse for everything. When you awaken, how will you repay such a heavy debt of affection? You, who always handle everything with care—if you betray this person, I fear I will not look up to you...

The Ghost Sovereign bent closer and whispered by Yan Yunqing’s ear as usual, "Yunqing, I must go out to resolve a small problem for both you and me. Wait for me calmly. Don’t run off, understand?"

After speaking, the Ghost Sovereign gently kissed Yunqing’s slender, well-cared-for fingertip. He smiled faintly, eyes full of affection and reluctance. "You foolish ice block, not knowing to flee danger, standing still without dodging. Do you know how much I cherish you? Now you lie here, and I am so heartbroken..."

Having settled Yan Yunqing, the Ghost Sovereign left Asura Hall without looking back.

Within a breath, he arrived outside the Elder Council. The guards stared in surprise at the sudden visitor. The Ghost Sovereign smiled gently, "The Underworld’s Black Impermanence comes to apologize."

One hand extended before him, the other behind his back, he tore a piece of white paper. Instantly, it transformed into a beam of white light, pointing in a certain direction.

The guards hesitated but nodded silently. The Ghost Sovereign continued, "May I enter?"

The two guards seemed spellbound, slowly opening the gate. The Ghost Sovereign’s expertise was wide-ranging—not just martial arts but subtle techniques of bewilderment as well.

He nodded approvingly at the two guards and entered the courtyard. The patrolling guards froze and stepped back, clearing a path—not because of the bewildering technique but because the memory of the Ghost Sovereign’s unique Reincarnation Whip technique was still etched in their minds. They had to be cautious of him, though usually kind, they feared the Fifth Elder’s reprisals.

The Ghost Sovereign stood in the center of the courtyard and smiled calmly. "Who here can inform the elders that the Underworld’s Black Impermanence has come to apologize?"

A guard at the back nodded and went to notify the elders. Hearing that the offender had come personally to make a scene, the five elders gathered together, determined to confront this brazen troublemaker.

When the five elders arrived, they saw a solitary figure standing in the courtyard. From a distance, they scrutinized the Ghost Sovereign, sneering inwardly, "Hmph! Just a fair-haired brat, still afraid of our power, now dares to come begging for forgiveness!"

The five elders formed a formation with the Azure Dragon on the left and the White Tiger on the right. The Fifth Elder cast a sidelong glance at the Ghost Sovereign. "Are you the newly arrived Black Impermanence of the Underworld?"

The Ghost Sovereign smiled and nodded. "What do the elders intend to do with me?"

The Fifth Elder’s expression turned stern. He said gravely, "Come with me. The rest, go about your duties."

The guards dispersed.

The Ghost Sovereign followed the elders through corridor after corridor until a black cloth was tied over his eyes. When the cloth was removed, he found himself in an underground palace.

Rabble indeed—living off others’ resources while harboring unrealistic fantasies.

The palace was more magnificent than the main hall of King of Hell’s Hall. Illuminated by countless luminous pearls embedded in smooth stone walls, the floor was made of aged timber at least a thousand years old. Massive stone pillars supported the grand structure, their carvings of twin dragons playing with pearls vivid and lifelike. At a glance, the five guards could barely encircle a single pillar.

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The throne atop the palace was not gaudy gold but forged from natural diamond. The craftsmanship and cost displeased the Ghost Sovereign deeply—his Yunqing’s fortune had been squandered by these scoundrels!

A dark gleam flickered in the Ghost Sovereign’s eyes. After brief reflection, he knew what to do.

The Fifth Elder sat on the throne, the other four standing in formation beside him. With great authority, the Fifth Elder said, "You, as an Underworld Impermanence, dared to steal the Book of Life and Death. Do you know your crime?"

The Ghost Sovereign smiled warmly but replied as if ignorant, "Saving him—what crime is there?"

The Fifth Elder seized an agarwood object from the table and hurled it. "Impudent! This is the Elder Council’s judgment, and you, a mere fair-haired brat, dare to be so brazen!"

Fair-haired brat? The Ghost Sovereign’s gem-like eyes flashed red. Suddenly, a fierce wind roared inside the hall. He rose above the storm, and behind him appeared a throne far more lavish than the one on the dais—an enormous dragon scale throne.

Cloud carpets were draped atop it. The Ghost Sovereign lounged lazily on the throne, playing with a lock of his raven hair as if discussing trivial matters. Every word reached the ears of those rabble clearly: "The Underworld was opened by me, the Book of Life and Death was created by me, and ten thousand ghosts revere me..."

"What power have you to judge me?" The Ghost Sovereign’s cold gaze pinned them like throwing knives.

The pressure of a superior crushed them instantly. The four elders standing were flattened to the ground, while the Fifth Elder, drenched in sweat, gritted his teeth and endured.

The Ghost Sovereign smiled with amusement. He traced a few marks in the air with his index finger, then pressed down lightly as if activating a mechanism. With a booming crack, the throne beneath the Fifth Elder shattered, and he was thrown to the ground as well.

Half his face pressed to the floor, he still refused to heed the Ghost Sovereign’s words and shouted, "You demon spawn! A spy from the demon realm!"

As he spoke, a figure appeared from the other side of the storm. "Silence! How dare you disrespect the Master!"

The Fifth Elder stared dumbfounded. It was the former King of the Underworld. What was going on? Could the fair-haired brat’s words be true? Impossible! Such an absurdity!

How could the vast Underworld have been created by one person? And the Book of Life and Death...

The Fifth Elder’s mind wrestled with disbelief, but then he saw the former King kneel before the fair-haired brat. The former King said firmly, "I, the young king, greet the Master. Regarding the Elder Council, I will give you a satisfactory answer."

The Ghost Sovereign resumed his casual, indifferent pose. "Very well, I await your satisfactory reply."

The Fifth Elder was gripped by utter despair. Only one thought remained: it was over—their days of ease had come to an end.