Chapter 480: T Minus 18 Days
Several minutes later, he set down the materials and thought aloud, “So, as it turns out, there are a good number of ghosts still wandering about the surface of the mortal realm, and they can’t help but find themselves drawn to visitors from Hell who are returning to the surface…”
“Last, but not least, there are also special organizations and rogue cultivators who would kill on sight. Not only do I have to steer clear of their way, I’ve also got to keep an eye out for their magical artifacts and traps. For instance, a seemingly harmless copper coin could potentially contain so much Yang energy that it can instantly cause my soul to dissipate…”
The rest of the document pertained to the code of conduct he had to adhere to.
“Number two. You shall not come into contact with any other human being other than the one you are returning to see. What’s the rationale for this? Ah, I see… so it turns out all returning souls are still considered a Yin spirit. It’s fine to interact with one’s loved one or relative, but any other human beings would naturally be affected by the returning soul’s Yin spirit, thereby triggering a supernatural incident.”
Secretary Zhou waited patiently by the side as Zhang Zeguang continued scanning through the contents of the documents for another half an hour or so. When he was finally done, he looked up and sighed wistfully.
“Not at all. Minister Zhang, have you decided? If so, I’ll relay your decision to Lord Qin immediately. The date of departure will be final and irreversible as soon as we lock it in.”
Secretary Zhou nodded and left promptly. Zhang Zeguang lived somewhat near to the main building of administration in the inner city of the Mythic Palace of Reflections, and it didn’t take long for Secretary Zhou to return to Qin Ye’s office.
A soldier dressed in ancient armor was seated on a chair right in front of Qin Ye’s table. Being Qin Ye’s personal secretary, he knew full well that anyone who could be seated across Qin Ye and speak with him without platitudes was naturally someone important. Thus, he knew better than to interject.
“It just occurred to me that my father’s birthday is only a week later. Incidentally, it would be his first birthday ever since pledging allegiance to Hell. As his son, it’s my duty to return to pay my due respects to him.” The soldier spoke with a plain smile on his face.
“Yes.” The soldier stood up and bowed deeply, “Lord Qin, I’d like to depart tomorrow. My father also loved Cathayan tea back when he was still alive. With your permission, I’d like to take some with me.”
It was a simple query.
“Sir, Minister Zhang has already made his decision.” Secretary Zhou answered with a respectful bow, “He would like to return to the mortal realm tomorrow night. But, sir, might I ask who would be in charge of escorting Minister Zhang? We don’t seem to have any corresponding division for the dispatching of escorts at the moment.”
Qin Ye rubbed his temples. He was certain that 99% of all Yin soldiers in Ashmound weren’t aware of the proper procedures to undertake in such escort missions. Nobody knew these processes better than Arthis and himself. But were they really going to send him back to the mortal realm personally?
There’s really no one to ask!
After all, this was intended to be a huge incentive to spur the other Yin spirits of Hell to work.
Then, after some moments of deliberation, Qin Ye finally made up his mind “I want you to go look for the man who just took his leave.”
“Oda Nobutada.” Qin Ye responded, “Tell him to escort Minister Zhang before heading back to the City of Salvation. It’ll delay him for a few hours, but we’ll make it up to him. Take him directly to Minister Zhang.”
Elsewhere, in a dark mobile residence.
The nethergale that swept through the hall carried faint traces of blood-curdling cries and ghastly wails. The atmosphere was absolutely chilling.
He didn’t even dare to look up at the faint silhouette hidden behind the veil. The terrifying Yin energy pouring out of the silhouette’s body was like the vast mountain and the boundless seas. It was so terrifying that Shadowless couldn’t help but tremble in submission.
“Sasori… of the Hidden Sand Village?” The man behind the veil deliberated for a few moments, before snorting contemptuously, “What buffoonery. I’ve never heard of that name before. But the fact that a Shepherd of Souls is no match for him strongly suggests that he’s an Emissary of Hell alright.”
The man behind the veil intently. He could tell that Shadowless’ eyes were flickering wildly. The next moment, Shadowless promptly kowtowed to the ground and gritted his teeth as he completed his statement, “He said that… he’s your old master.”
Like Lai Junchen and Li Linfu, this was a sign of the drying out of one’s soulfire after having been suppressed for far too long under the six paths of reincarnation!
Rustle… There was a series of soft rustles, and Shadowless’ eyes promptly erupted with flickering flames.
They were the hands of infants.
Then, with a great burst of Yin energy, the countless hands grabbed tightly to Shadowless, plunging their dainty yet destructive fingers right into his skin, eyes and lips! Shadowless immediately unleashed a harrowing scream as he squirmed desperately on the ground!
The excruciating pain tore away at Shadowless’ soul.
This was the might of an Abyssal Prefect.
“I heard you… speak my name back in Martial City.” As Shadowless continued screaming his lungs out, he suddenly felt countless more arms emerge from within his throat and mouth! It was almost as though there was an evil ghost hidden right in the depths of his body, trying its level best to break out of the empty shell! It was an incredibly bizarre and terrifying sight!
“I’ve told you before that I would know as soon as someone says my name. Yet, despite knowing this… you still called my name?”
“And to whom?”
Just then, the man suddenly shrieked at the top of his voice. The pale hands tormenting Shadowless’ body vanished in an instant, and a dazzling golden light erupted from Shadowless’ chest with a resounding bang!
He wore a collared, scarlet robe with white embroidered flowers and a large matching belt. A jade sword with trailing brocade tassels hung by his waist. His face was unusually pale, almost as though there was no flesh and blood coursing through his veins at all. He was also practically skin and bones. There were only two tiny spots of red in his eyes.
“Haa… haa…” The fluttering veils drooped down once more, while he continued to clutch desperately at his chest, staring in shock at the scale that was floating in the sky. After a long time, he shrieked at the top of his voice, “Is this… the… the Harken?!!”
He screamed and babbled on like a madman. The fear of the old Hell swelled up from the depths of his heart in an instant. It was a nightmare that he desperately wanted to leave in the past. He didn’t want to face something as terrifying as that ever again!
And this… was undoubtedly the scale of one of the strongest entities of the old Hell - Ksitigarbha’s beloved pet, the Harken!
He’d thought about escape, but he was unable to do so. Thus, he continued to stare intently at the golden scale for the next ten minutes, until he realized that all the scale was doing was merely emitting golden light. Then, he finally loosened the tension in his mind and slumped back down onto his throne.
But as soon as he did, his chest split open right down the middle, straight through his muscle tissues, nerves and bones, revealing a gaping cavity in his chest.
“What did he say?!” The infant gnashed his teeth, “Tell me word for word. And you’d best not leave any details out…”
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