Immortal of the Nine Realms

Fang Chen walked into the Yellow Springs, crossed the Forgotten River, and ascended the grand bridge.

Figures lined the bridge, their auras impressive and not inferior to the Day Monarch Lord Yun Xu he had encountered earlier. ”Welcome, Day Walker Monarch!”

Fang Chen gave a slight nod and looked toward the two presences that were on par with his own.

These were the two he had seen earlier from outside.

One of them, dressed in white like a graceful scholar, smiled and spoke softly. ”Yin Monarch Fang, I am You Fang, the Division Monarch of the Nether Guards Division.”

The other figure was tall, clad in the armor of a Yin Lord. She wore a cold yet subtly alluring expression. She indifferently said, ”I am Jing Xue, the Night Walker of the Nether Guards Division.”

Fang Chen cupped his hands in respect. ”Greetings, I am Fang Chen. I’m not sure why the two of you sought me out. Is there something important?”

You Fang chuckled. ”Nothing in particular, really. Considering that you have just taken office, I thought it might be best to pay a visit in secret, without disturbing you. However, the Judge Division has received a report stating that you have thrown the City Lord of Baiyue City into the Forgotten River. Is this true?”

The surrounding officials of the underworld all looked toward Fang Chen.

Fang Chen gave a slight nod. ”It is true.”

You Fang sighed. ”If it concerns someone from the Nether Guards Division, you may handle the matter as you see fit. We will naturally not interfere. However, the city lords below are all under the jurisdiction of the Judge Division.

”The Judge Division is quite dissatisfied, and they reported the matter to us. I thought I’d invite you so we can talk about this since we are colleagues. Perhaps there’s been some misunderstanding that we can clear up. This would be for the best, as we often see each other in passing.”

At that moment, a dozen figures hurriedly arrived, and at the forefront was Du Yunxu, someone Fang Chen had met before.

Du Yunxu and the others stepped forward, cupping their fists in greeting. ”We pay our respects to you, Day Walker Monarch!”

Fang Chen gave a slight nod.

The auras of Du Yunxu and the others were nearly identical, which meant they were all Day Walker Gods, second only to Day Walker Monarch within the Day Walker lineage. As Du Yunxu had said before, apart from the ten or so Day Walker God stationed in the capital, the others were stationed in various cities.

Fang Chen casually asked, ”Have all the Day Walker God stationed in the capital arrived?”

Du Yunxu’s expression slightly changed. He responded in a low voice, ”There’s one more who hasn’t arrived yet. He went to the Judge’s Division, so he should be arriving shortly.”

Fang Chen smiled and then turned to You Fang. ”What’s the Judge Division’s opinion regarding this matter? Do they think I acted inappropriately?”

You Fang pondered for a moment then asked, ”May I ask what exactly the City Lord did to deserve being thrown into the Forgotten River?”

Fang Chen thought for a moment and then shook his head lightly. ”He didn’t really do anything wrong. I just found him unpleasant.”

You found him unpleasant?

Not just the officials brought by You Fang, but even Du Yunxu and the others instinctively looked at Fang Chen with bemused expressions.

Jing Xue shook her head lightly and said, ”It seems you have quite the temper, Yin Monarch Fang, but this is a matter concerning the Nether Guards Division. You Fang and I must manage it. At the very least, we need to make sure the Judge Division is satisfied. If this is why you threw him into the Forgotten River, I am afraid we can’t satisfy them.”

Fang Chen asked curiously, ”Is this position one that was granted by all of you?”

You Fang and Jing Xue paused for a moment. They exchanged a glance before shaking their heads.

”Can the Judge Division strip me of my position?” asked Fang Chen.

You Fang and Jing Xue shook their heads once more.

Fang Chen smiled. ”Then why should I offer any explanation at all? Is there a Yin Monarch from the Judge Division here? I’d like to speak to him face-to-face.”

You Fang froze for a moment. A bitter smile appeared on his face. ”Monarch Yin Fang, you’re newly appointed, so there are some rules you might not be familiar with… ”

Fang Chen asked, ”Was the Yan Monarch the one who set these rules?”

You Fang was stunned again.

Jing Xue slowly shook her head and coldly answered, ”No. It’s an unspoken role in the capital. If you want to hold your position here, you must follow this rule. Otherwise, you won’t go far.”

Du Yunxu quietly transmitted, ”My lord, the Night Walker Monarch is speaking the truth. Even our lineage is somewhat constrained by the Judge Division.”

Fang Chen glanced at Jing Xue and then at You Fang.

Just as he was about to speak, a lazy voice interrupted, ”Yin Monarch Fang, you really do have quite the air about you. Since ancient times, every Yin Monarch who was promoted immediately came to the capital to meet with their colleagues, at least to become familiar with the faces there…

”You’re the only one who required me to inform You Fang and Jing Xue before they would come to find you. If I hadn’t spoken up, I imagine it would have been a while before we got the chance to see you.”

Everyone turned their heads to see a scholarly middle-aged man donning Yin Monarch battle armor walking toward them. Behind him, several officials from the Judge Division followed, their auras no weaker than Du Yunxu’s. One of them seemed to be even more powerful than Du Yunxu and approached the level of the Yin Monarchs present.

The middle-aged man looked at Fang Chen with indifference, but there was a hint of hostility in his gaze.

”Yin Monarch Fang, let me introduce you. This is Shentu Cang, the Judge Division Monarch. Lord Shentu, this is Fang Chen, our newly appointed Day Walker Monarch from the Nether Guards Division. It’s a great coincidence that you two could meet today—let’s clear up any misunderstandings and head to my residence for a drink,” said You Fang with a hearty laugh, introducing the two of them.

Fang Chen nodded slightly at the refined middle-aged man. ”Monarch Shentu, it’s an honor.”

Though he said it was an honor, he didn’t even raise his hand in greeting. At least, when he faced You Fang and Jing Xue, he had made a gesture of respect.

The crowd’s expressions subtly shifted as they witnessed this exchange. Shentu Cang remained silent for a moment, only quietly observing Fang Chen. After a long pause, he casually said, ”Yin Monarch Fang, I don’t know what your background is, but the position of Day Walker Monarch in the Nether Guards Division has been vacant for a long time.

”Unexpectedly, an imperial decree suddenly appointed you. I assume you must have the strength to hold such a position, or you wouldn’t be here. However... the Day Walker lineage has its responsibilities. Your role is to patrol the living world during the day, judging good and evil. When the night falls, the responsibility falls on the shoulders of the Night Walkers.”

He paused briefly, then continued with a faint smile, ”Everything you record must be sent to the Judge Division for review, and I will decide if any punishment is necessary. Now, you acted without my approval and disposed of one of my city lords. Though his cultivation is weak, he is still under my command, a city lord responsible for overseeing many wandering souls. Such a decision cannot be made lightly. I hope you can give me a reason.”

Fang Chen’s expression remained calm, smiling. He replied, ”My apologies, had I known this was the case, I would have informed you beforehand. However, whether I informed you or not, I would have still dealt with the City Lord of Baiyue City all the same.”

The atmosphere on the bridge suddenly became tense.

Shentu Cang fixed his gaze on Fang Chen, his expression unreadable. Suddenly, one of his subordinates spoke up. ”Day Walker Monarch, the Day Walker lineage has never dealt with matters in such a manner. Your actions have overstepped your boundaries.”

Fang Chen turned his attention toward the speaker. ”Oh? And who might you be?”

The man’s face was cold and indifferent. ”I am Fu Jin, a Day Walker God from the Nether Guards Division.