Immortal of the Nine Realms

”Let these people live for now. I will establish a new department, called the Yin Walker Division,” Fang Chen said.

Shen Tucang was slightly stunned. ”Yin Walker Division?”

Fang Chen said, ”From now on, all cultivators who pass between the realms must be registered. If they wish to travel to another city, they must report in advance

”Any dealing between a Yin Walker and another party must be filed at the Division, and a formal contract will be drafted. This way, no matter where they go, the capital will be able to know immediately. We will know how much every Yin Walker makes and the taxes they must pay.”

Shen Tucang immediately thought of the most difficult part behind this matter, and his expression grew heavy. ”But if that’s the case...”

”I’m afraid it will cause unrest. Traditionally, Yin Walkers would grease some palms with Yin Lifespan Coins to make their affairs go smoothly. Once the Yin Walker Division is in place, and they stop handing out bribes, many will become discontent. Even among the Day Walker faction... the same will happen.”

The underworld had existed for countless years, and such unspoken rules had persisted just as long. No one dared to break them. If the entire underworld grew restless, even Monarch Yan himself might find it hard to keep things under control.

Fang Chen smiled. ”That’s why we need the Spirit God Sect to be the sacrificial chicken.”

Shen Tucang gradually gained some understanding. As he thought it through more carefully, he couldn’t help but draw in a sharp breath.

He was killing the chicken to warn the monkeys!

If all regions in the underworld witnessed the fate of the Spirit God Sect, from low-ranking soldiers to the monarchs, they would surely grow wary, fearing the blade might fall on them next. In such a climate, if a new department were created. Even if it meant taking a cut of their fat profits, no one would dare be the first to object.

With time, the entire situation would stabilize.

”Monarch Yan, how should the personnel for this Yin Walker Division be assigned?” Shen Tucang asked.

If nothing went wrong, the department would soon become the most powerful office in the underworld, surpassing even the Nether Guards Division and the Judgment Division.

Fang Chen answered, ”Once the Spirit God Sect is mostly dealt with, I’ll step down from my role as Day Walker Monarch, and Du Yunxu will take over. I will then become the first Monarch of the Yin Walker Division. As for staffing... we’ll completely reshuffle the personnel from the Nether Guards Division, Judgment Division, Underworld Official Division, Soul Capturing Division, and Reincarnation Division.

”You and You Fang will both help manage the new department. Your role as Monarch of the Judgment Division will go to someone else, don’t take it personally.”

Shen Tucang quickly clasped his hands and bowed. ”I wouldn’t dare. Monarch Yan may assign as you see fit.”

Fang Chen grinned. ”When the time comes, bring those judges who were close with the Spirit God Sect into the division yourself. Keep an eye on them. See what moves they try to make next.”

Shen Tucang nodded. ”Understood.”

He could already envision that once the Yin Walker Division was established, the Spirit God Sect’s revenue and the gray income of officials across the land would all be funneled into the new department, then ultimately to Monarch Yan’s Palace.

That would be an absolutely terrifying amount of wealth!

”In the meantime, help oversee matters concerning the Spirit God Sect. If they’re smart, they won’t be sending any more Ascension Realm experts into the underworld.”

”As you command.”

Soon after, the various departments suddenly noticed that Shen Tucang of the Judgment Division had joined the campaign against the Spirit God Sect.

When Qi Tianran of the Underworld Official Division saw this, he no longer dared to stay hidden. He personally led Deputy Officials Liu Xuan and Zhang Gao to launch their own crackdown on the sect.

Several renowned city lords also responded at this time. Only then did the other monarchs realize that the forces under Qi Tianran’s command were still not to be underestimated.

The Nether Guards Division, Judgment Division, Underworld Official Division, and even the Soul Capturing Division all joined forces to launch a comprehensive, multi-directional strike against the Spirit God Sect throughout the underworld.

In just a few days, significant results were achieved. As report after report poured into the capital, Fang Chen knew the Spirit God Sect was beyond recovery, unless they truly chose to fight to the death and send Immortal Kings into the underworld.

Fang Chen turned to Jiang Yushu with a soft smile. ”Old Jiang, how about you take over as Monarch of the Judgment Division after some time?”

The man had once served as Minister of Justice in the Grand Xia Empire. It was fitting credentials for leading the Judgment Division.

Jiang Yushu looked amused. ”Me, as Monarch of the Judgment Division?”

Although he had absorbed a fair amount of Yin Lifespan Coins recently and his strength had skyrocketed far beyond what it had been during his lifetime, he still fell short of a true monarch.

After thinking it over, he didn’t refuse. Instead, he asked, ”Lord, do you believe someone of my strength can truly suppress the judges?”

He had seen some of the judges before. Most looked terrifying; someone like Shen Tucang was already considered quite normal.

Would such figures accept a weak wandering soul as their superior?

Fang Chen smiled. ”Once you’re in that position, you’ll have the corresponding authority. Power isn’t the key. All you need to do is delegate tasks. Once the Spirit God Sect is wiped out, even if a few dissenting voices remain in the underworld, they’ll quiet down quickly. This is the best time to adjust personnel.”

”If that’s what you need, I’ll gladly assume the role,” replied Jiang Yushu, nodding and not saying anything more.

With matters temporarily resolved, Fang Chen made another trip to Monarch Yan’s Palace.

The Yin Lifespan Coins Shen Tucang had given him had already been absorbed by Monarch Yan’s Seal. The amount had now exceeded one million, reaching the threshold required by his master, Yun He.

Fang Chen hadn’t expected to gather the needed coins so quickly. It was thanks to Shen Tucang’s lack of greed. Had he embezzled them, recovering that amount would have been extremely difficult.

”Although Master gave me 100 years, it’s better to get things done early.”

Fang Chen arrived at the barrier between the two realms. He could vaguely sense someone on the other side attempting to break through.

Their cultivation was likely far above that of the Loose Immortal who stood at the top of Qiufeng. As their assault continued, the barrier between realms showed faint signs of crumbling, though not yet apparent to the naked eye.

Fang Chen chuckled and placed his palm against the barrier. ”Take your time. I’ve got all the time in the world.”

With a thought, the Yin Lifespan Coins stored within Monarch Yan’s Seal began to surge out.

10,000.

50,000.

100,000.

300,000.

As the full million Yin Lifespan Coins poured out, the barrier visibly thickened severalfold.

On the other side, the silhouettes seemed stunned. Then, in frustration, they intensified their attack.

Fang Chen smiled, patted his robes, and walked away. For now, those fools were wasting their effort.

In the Mortal Realm, at the Long Family Manor.

When news of Fang Chen’s return spread, the first to arrive was not Li Changsheng, but Long Ruo.

”You’re still alive?” said Long Ruo, confounded.

She looked him up and down with an odd expression, as if she’d seen a ghost in broad daylight.

Even Fu Donghai looked bewildered. He still couldn’t understand why Zhao Mingxuan and his men were the ones who died, while this man survived.

What exactly happened back there...?