Chapter Seventy-Five: The Demon Lord Encounters the Victim
Si Ge, Jiang, and Xue were deeply moved. What could be more touching for a ghost than their leader affirming their abilities? The three high-ranking officials of the underworld bowed in unison, their voices resounding: "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty!" At this moment, even the candlelight in the hall seemed to brighten a bit because of this harmonious atmosphere between the ruler and his ministers.
The Chief Judge, the Four Ghost Kings, and the Ten Kings of Hell are all high-ranking officials in the Underworld. If they weren't exceptionally capable and trusted confidants of Rong Jiang, how could they have reached these positions? Si Ge is in charge of the laws of the Underworld, impartial and incorruptible; Jiang guards the First Hall, with keen insight; Xue oversees reincarnation, meticulous in every detail. Each of them has undergone countless trials, standing out from thousands of ghost soldiers to reach their current positions.
Si Ge, Jiang, and Xue were among the earliest ghosts to follow Rong Jiang, and they enjoyed her complete trust. In the old underworld, when various factions were vying for power, Rong Jiang single-handedly quelled the chaos and restored order. They had witnessed firsthand how Her Majesty swiftly quelled rebellions and then used appeasement to pacify the people, ultimately winning the reverence of all ghosts.
Rong Jiang smiled gently, like a spring breeze, dispelling some of the solemnity in the hall: "I still have unfinished business in the mortal realm, so I'm sorry to trouble you all during this time." Her gaze swept over the three high-ranking officials, "Especially Jiang, make sure to interrogate that ghost that Chayin sent over carefully. If necessary, you can mobilize the underworld officials to assist."
"Serving His Majesty is our duty!" the three replied in unison once again.
"You should all go back and take care of your own business," Rong Jiang said gently, waving her hand.
"Yes!" Si Ge, Jiang, and Xue accepted the order, bowed, and left the main hall. Only after the heavy hall doors closed behind them did the three ghosts straighten up, exchange a solemn look, and then transform into three streams of light and depart.
Rong Jiang rose gracefully, her moon-white skirt flowing like water across the jade steps. She prepared to leave the Underworld. But then Manhua approached hesitantly, her fingers twisting the hem of her dress, looking as if she wanted to say something but couldn't. "Your Majesty," she said, "will you stay in the mortal realm for a while longer? Why don't you take Manhua with you? Manhua can serve you!" She raised her small face, her eyes full of expectation. "The sun is so bright in the mortal realm, Manhua can hold an umbrella for you; there's so much dust in the mortal realm, Manhua can brush it away for you..."
"I won't stay in the mortal realm for long." Rong Jiangwen said gently but firmly. "Manhua, you should stay in the underworld and assist Manluo in handling palace affairs." Manluo is Manhua's older sister. She has a calm personality and is the chief eunuch of Luofeng Palace.
Rejected, Manhua immediately wilted, her little lips pouting so much they could hang an oil bottle. She was about to burst into tears! Manhua was originally a red spider lily by the River of Oblivion, less than a hundred years old, with an innocent and carefree personality. She met Rong Jiang shortly after her transformation, and with the mindset of a fledgling bird, she valued Rong Jiang more than anyone else. Every time His Majesty left the Underworld, she would be sad for a long time.
"Alright then!" Manhua concealed her mournful look, then suddenly remembered something, her eyes lighting up as she exclaimed excitedly, "Your Majesty! Manhua has made you a new dress! You can wear a new dress in the mortal realm!" She presented it with her hands like a treasure, and a fiery red silk dress appeared in her palms. The fabric, as soft as flower petals, was incredibly light, shimmering with an eerie luster in the dim candlelight. The hem was embroidered with several lifelike red spider lilies in gold thread, as if one could almost smell their delicate fragrance.
Little Manhua said that as long as the dress was there, she was there too. She looked at Rong Jiang expectantly, her eyes sparkling as if filled with starlight.
A helpless smile flashed across Rong Jiang's eyes. With a wave of her hand, she put the clothes away. "Thank you for your thoughtfulness." She paused, then added, "When I'm not here, cultivate diligently and don't be tempted to play around."
“Manhua understands!” The little girl nodded vigorously, and a smile returned to her face.
Rong Jiang said no more, her figure gradually fading away, like moonlight dissipating at dawn. The next moment, she had returned to the mortal world.
At the same spot in the underworld, there was still a set of ghost bones hidden on the ground by Rong Jiang's illusion magic. At that time, it was still dark, the east was just beginning to show the first hint of dawn, and Changshao City was still immersed in sleep, with only the occasional chirping of early birds.
Rong Jiang waved her hand, dispelling the illusion and revealing the pile of bones. These were the remains of the culprit who had plunged Changshao City into panic; she had already taken the culprit back to the underworld. So, these ghost bones would serve as an explanation to Changshao.
Remembering that she had previously instructed Jiu Ya to show mercy, she herself had brought back a pile of bones. Rong Jiang shook her head and chuckled, pointing at the pile of ghost bones from afar. As the power of the underworld flowed, a thin layer of flesh quickly covered the bones, making them appear as if they were painted skin ghosts again. The newly formed "flesh" was as pale as paper, with empty eyes, but a strange smile appeared on its lips.
She watched with satisfaction as the "painted-skin ghost" grinned and snarled. Rong Jiang had cast an illusion on the pile of ghost bones and imbued it with a portion of the painted-skin ghost's consciousness. Even if Chang Ji himself saw it, he'd probably think he was looking in a mirror. It was realistic enough to fool the people of Changshao and give them an explanation.
"I'm leaving," Rong Jiang said softly, turning and walking towards the inn.
The painted-skin demon followed stiffly behind, its appearance terrifying, yet invisible to ordinary people. This was another layer of illusion cast by Rong Jiang; only those who cultivated themselves or under specific conditions could glimpse its true form.
As agreed, Rong Jiang leisurely returned to the inn. She encountered the Painted Skin Ghost, but naturally, she wouldn't run into Jiu Ya and the other two. The streets gradually filled with the sounds of people; early-rising vendors began setting up their goods, and the aroma of breakfast wafted through the air.
Rong Jiang waited at the inn until dawn, but the three demons did not return. She sat down by the window, brewed a pot of tea, and watched the sky outside change from indigo to bright. The morning light shone through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the table.
Night was slowly falling, and the sky was tinged with a faint blue. Rong Jiang had finished her tea but hadn't seen a single demon, and couldn't help but wonder, what had those three demons done? Could it be that there was something interesting in the mortal realm that kept them there?
However, after releasing her divine sense, Rong Jiang discovered that the demonic auras of Jiu Ya and the other two were indeed still within the city, and were moving. However, their direction of movement was opposite to that of the inn. Finally, the three demonic auras stopped moving in one place.
That place...it seems to be the yamen (government office) of Changshao? Rong Jiang frowned slightly. Don't ask Rong Jiang how she knew it was a yamen; it's simple, the aura is different. Ancient yamen were like modern police stations; regardless of whether there were individual cases of corruption, they were all places imbued with an aura of righteousness, unlike other places. That special aura, combining law, authority, and popular support, is easily discernible to cultivators.
"You were supposed to be looking for the monster, so what are you doing at the government office?" Rong Jiang said, not wanting to talk. She rubbed her forehead; these demons really didn't play by the rules.
Rong Jiang had thought they might return by dawn, but the sun had already risen, and the three demons still hadn't moved an inch. She put down her teacup and decided to wait another incense stick's time. If they still hadn't returned, she would go to the yamen to see what those three rascals were up to this time.
Now, let's talk about Jiu Ya's experience that evening.
After parting ways with Rong Jiang, Jiu Ya walked alone on the dark street, not a soul in sight, only the moonlight casting a long shadow of her. Every now and then a small breeze would blow, swirling fallen leaves around them; the atmosphere was truly terrifying, straight out of a horror movie. Jiu Ya couldn't help but hug her arms; although she was the Demon Lord, her fear of the dark was a lifelong habit she couldn't shake.
Having walked through several streets, Jiu Ya, feeling utterly bored, strolled along with light steps, preparing to move on to the next street. This street was even more secluded, lined with high walls and large courtyards on both sides, clearly the residences of wealthy families. A night breeze blew by, carrying the distant sound of the night watchman's clapper; it was already past midnight.
The shadows of the trees swayed, hazy and indistinct. Suddenly, Jiu Ya noticed a long trail of blood, dark red in the moonlight, stretching all the way to the nearest alley. The blood was very fresh and still emitted a faint, fishy smell.
Jiu Ya was overjoyed! Yes, the chosen one was herself, Jiu Ya! She'd found a clue so quickly! However, because it was dark, and being rather timid and afraid of the dark, Jiu Ya decisively drew her Kunwu sword from her waist. The blade emitted a soft hum as it left its sheath, shimmering with a crimson light in the night. Holding the sword in one hand and lifting her skirt with the other, she rushed into the alley with a great sense of security, only to stop halfway there.
With her 5.0 vision, she could see clearly: a bloodied, skinless person leaned against the wall, their eyes wide with terror staring directly at Jiu Ya. The eyes, now devoid of eyelids, bulged dramatically, filled with endless pain and despair. A hole had been torn in the blood-soaked figure's chest; the heart was gone. Yet, the person seemed to still be breathing, extending a bloodied hand and opening their mouth to utter a soft, guttural sound.
Perhaps because his injuries were too severe, he could only utter such meaningless words. His skin was gone, his heart was gone, and he was still breathing, merely clinging to life. He wanted to say, "Kill me, this is just too painful."
Okay, this is even more terrifying. To be honest, a person without skin is more horrifying than a body covered in crisscrossing wounds. Moreover, without a layer of skin, the flesh and blood are exposed to the air, and with the slightest movement, blood will flow out and small pieces of flesh will fall off. The air is filled with a strong, nauseating stench of blood.
Comrade Jiu Ya had personally executed traitors, but even when executing traitors, she wouldn't use extremely cruel methods. She hadn't witnessed many cruel deaths firsthand; this bloodied figure was something Jiu Ya had never seen before. In the pitch-black night, with swaying tree shadows and a gentle breeze, there was another image that would certainly be censored.
The slightly sensitive Demon Lord couldn't help but cry out in surprise. The cry pierced the silent night air.
Li Yue and Bai Yu, who happened to be nearby, heard Jiu Ya's voice and, thinking their lord was in danger, rushed over. Seeing their lord's terrified expression, the two demons assumed something terrible had happened and immediately summoned their weapons, charging forward and hacking the blood-soaked figure to pieces without a word.
It was originally a human-shaped creature, but after being hacked and slashed, it was reduced to a pile of minced meat. Blood and flesh splattered, staining the walls and floor of the alley red.
Jiu Ya: Not letting them follow was definitely the right choice. Good heavens, before she could even say anything, that blood-soaked man was gone. She rubbed her forehead, looking helplessly at her two loyal but overly impulsive subordinates.
"Miss, are you alright?" Bai Yu asked anxiously, her two swords still dripping blood, but her face was full of concern.
Jiu Ya suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. "What could possibly happen to me?" Just because she was a coward didn't mean she was truly afraid of a blood-soaked person! Besides, that blood-soaked person was still breathing just now. Even in that state, their ferocious actions had rendered him instantly dead. Now, their only clue was gone.
Bai Yu and Li Yue stated that this was a routine inquiry. The two demon generals sheathed their weapons, exchanged glances, and seemed to realize that they might have done something wrong.
"Did you encounter that monster?" Jiu Ya asked, trying to salvage the situation.
Li Yue shook his head. "Miss, I did not encounter that so-called monster."
"Neither do I," Bai Yu said, carefully wiping the blood off the sword.
"Could it be that we just missed that skinning monster?" Jiu Ya stared wide-eyed at the mangled blood and flesh on the ground, suddenly realizing that tonight's mission was probably doomed.
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