Chapter 108: The Current Situation

“Good heavens! Lord Fei is actually the Corpse King’s lifesaver.”

In the sitting room, both women found Jiang Xiaofei’s words utterly astonishing and almost impossible to believe. It was not that they lacked the emotional capacity to bear it; the news had simply come too suddenly for them to process. After all, the Corpse King was now a traitor, yet he was also an old acquaintance of Lord Fei’s. They feared that, because of this connection, Lord Fei might hesitate to act against him. Their hearts were heavy with concern. The Corpse King wielded tremendous power, and should he rebel, the entire situation would become uncontrollable.

After a long while, Su Muhe finally recovered herself and said, “Lord Fei, you aren’t joking with us, are you?”

Jiang Xiaofei smiled. “Do I look as though I am?”

“No.” Su Muhe nodded. “But the Corpse King has already developed rebellious intentions. If he revolts, it will be disastrous for the Si Manor. I hope, Lord Fei, that you will put the greater good first.”

Jiang Xiaofei naturally understood what Su Muhe was worried about. He smiled and said, “Don’t worry. Although the Corpse King is ambitious, he is also loyal and sentimental. I believe he will remember the favor I once did him and will not act against the Si Manor.”

Though Jiang Xiaofei had said this, Su Muhe remained worried. “What if he does rebel?”

Jiang Xiaofei gave a cold laugh. “If he truly intends to rebel, I will kill him without hesitation.”

“Then that is good.” Su Muhe immediately let out a breath of relief.

Seeing this, Jiang Xiaofei smiled. “Enough of that. Tell me quickly—what is the current situation in the Netherworld?”

Su Muhe replied, “The situation in the Netherworld is far from optimistic. The Heavenly Ghost City is causing trouble in the south, while local clans in the north are forming alliances. Recently, a mysterious power known as the Limitless Sect has also emerged in the Netherworld, openly declaring its intention to compete for the position of Netherworld King.”

“It seems the position of Netherworld King is truly enough to make anyone envious.”

Jiang Xiaofei let out a faintly mocking laugh. “What stance has Ghost Marshal City taken?”

“Ghost Marshal City has always maintained a neutral stance. However, I doubt things are that simple. The times have changed, after all. Clearly, it is no longer possible for them to merely defend their own territory. And who would fail to leave themselves a way out?”

“That is true.” Jiang Xiaofei nodded. “By the way, what is the current state of the Si Manor? Aside from the Corpse King, who else harbors rebellious intentions?”

Su Muhe thought for a moment before saying, “The Si Manor is now like a withered tree standing in a violent storm, liable to collapse at any moment. Ever since the battle in the Ghost Domain, our experts have suffered devastating losses. Then, after enduring another assault from the Heavenly Ghost City, many of our strongest fighters were killed or wounded. The elders who survived have all shifted the blame onto the Master, claiming that she has ruined the Si Manor and lacks the ability to protect Ghost Abyss City. They want to overthrow her rule and submit to the Heavenly Ghost City.”

“Damn it! They’re nothing but a bunch of fair-weather cowards.” Jiang Xiaofei was instantly furious. “Tell me. Which elders are they?”

Su Muhe replied, “Elder Wang, Elder Song, and Elder Zhu.”

“Good. Very good.”

Jiang Xiaofei was consumed by anger, and a murderous intent appeared in his eyes.

Seeing how enraged he was, Su Muhe hurriedly asked, somewhat uneasily, “Lord Fei, what are you planning to do?”

Jiang Xiaofei’s voice was cold. “Naturally, I’m going to kill them.”

Su Muhe quickly tried to dissuade him. “You mustn’t act rashly!”

Jiang Xiaofei frowned. “Why not?”

Su Muhe explained, “Because the three elders possess great prestige and the respect of the people. Now that Ghost Abyss City is in decline, if you kill the three elders just like that, panic will spread throughout the ranks. The situation will not improve—instead, it will deteriorate, and there will be no way to bring it under control.”

“Although you are eager to protect your wife, Lord Fei, I still beg you to consider the greater good. I believe the Master would not wish to see such a result either.”

“Very well. I’ll let those three old bastards live a few more days.”

Jiang Xiaofei calmed the fury in his heart and nodded. “By the way, where is your Master in seclusion? Take me to her. I want to see her.”

Su Muhe hesitated before saying, “Lord Fei, I know you miss the Master terribly, but she ordered that no one be allowed to disturb her. That is also why she previously forbade me from telling you where she was. She was afraid you would worry and be distracted from more important matters.”

Jiang Xiaofei was displeased. “Am I not even allowed to see her once?”

Su Muhe hesitated again. “But—”

“There is no ‘but,’” Jiang Xiaofei said coldly.

At that moment, a woman’s voice suddenly sounded in Su Muhe’s mind.

“There is no need. I have already come out of seclusion. Bring him to my secret chamber.”

Having received Jun Yao’s transmission, Su Muhe rose and nodded. “Lord Fei, please follow me. The Master has ordered me to bring you to her.”

“Good.”

Jiang Xiaofei was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly.

…

Under Su Muhe’s guidance, Jiang Xiaofei arrived at an underground chamber concealed beneath the bottom of a lake. As they walked along the passageway, he noticed strange ghost-script inscriptions carved into the stone walls.

He could not understand a single one of them. Curious, he asked, “Protector Su, what are these ghost inscriptions?”

Su Muhe explained, “They are ancient ghost-script inscriptions left behind by the previous Netherworld King. According to the Master, when connected, they form an image of a hundred ghosts paying homage. They contain profound truths that reach the heavens and should constitute a powerful ghost art. Unfortunately, even the Master has yet to decipher them.”

“So that is what they are.”

Jiang Xiaofei nodded slightly, unable to resist his curiosity about the ghost inscriptions. He took another look—and in that instant, he discovered that the inscriptions seemed to have come alive.

A chill ran down his spine. Yet when he looked again, the ghost inscriptions were lying motionless against the stone wall.

Could I have seen incorrectly? Was it merely an illusion?

Jiang Xiaofei felt increasingly perplexed.

At that moment, Su Muhe noticed his strange expression and realized that he had stopped walking. Frowning, she asked, “Lord Fei, what is wrong? Why have you stopped?”

Jiang Xiaofei came back to himself and smiled. “Nothing. By the way, how much farther is it?”

“We are almost there. It is just ahead.”

Under Su Muhe’s guidance, Jiang Xiaofei reached the end of the passageway. There stood a door decorated with a ghostly pattern. On either side was a hideous ghost face, as though guarding whatever lay beyond.

Jiang Xiaofei studied the pattern on the door. “Is this the place?”

“Yes. Please wait a moment, Lord Fei, while I open the door.”

Su Muhe nodded, then placed her palm against the door.

At once, under the force of her palm, the door opened by itself.

Beyond it lay a vast darkness whose limits could not be seen. It seemed almost like an independent space. Jiang Xiaofei narrowed his eyes at the sight.

Su Muhe stepped inside.

Jiang Xiaofei hurried after her.

The moment he entered, the door behind him closed automatically.