Chapter 3: The Invitation of the Ghost King

Page 1 of 3

Jiang Xiaofei glanced over carelessly and saw what looked like clusters of crimson blossoms drifting his way. But on closer inspection, they were not flowers at all, but rather a procession of bright red paper umbrellas. Beneath each umbrella walked a beautiful female ghost, all arrayed in order, their steps graceful as they moved forward, umbrellas held aloft.

They were all tall and voluptuous, clad in red cheongsams that revealed glimpses of white thighs with every movement—a subtle allure that could easily intoxicate the senses. Even Jiang Xiaofei found himself momentarily entranced by the sight, but he soon regained his composure. Scenes like this generally heralded something significant, so he instinctively asked, "What business brings you here?"

One particularly striking female ghost stepped out from the group, placing her hands on her waist and bowing slightly with courtesy. She smiled and replied, "Greetings, Master Fei. My name is Ah Huan. We have come here especially to invite you."

"You said you're here to invite me?" Jiang Xiaofei was surprised by her words.

Did these female ghosts know him? He was certain he had never met any of them before. He searched his memory but nothing came to mind.

After a moment, Jiang Xiaofei frowned slightly and asked, "Who is your master?"

Ah Huan smiled and answered, "My master is the Ghost King of the Underworld."

"That would be my sister-in-law."

With Ah Huan’s reply, Jiang Xiaofei immediately recalled his wife’s younger sister, Jun Qian, who was indeed the ruler of the Underworld.

Realizing he was dealing with family, Jiang Xiaofei allowed a rare smile to surface and asked, "So, Ah Huan, what does your master want with me?"

"To be honest, Master Fei, I am not privy to our master’s intentions. She simply ordered us to bring you to the Underworld. If persuasion failed, we were to carry you there by force." As Ah Huan spoke, she gestured toward a distant, shadowy corner.

Jiang Xiaofei followed her gaze and saw a beautifully crafted redwood bridal sedan chair drifting toward him, finally coming to rest before him.

"Master Fei, please enter the sedan," Ah Huan invited.

"Alright," Jiang Xiaofei nodded slightly and stepped into the sedan.

Once he was inside, Ah Huan signaled with a wave, and four lovely female ghosts came to the sedan's sides.

"Lift the sedan."

At Ah Huan’s command, the four ghosts hoisted the sedan, and, amid laughter and cheerful conversation, the procession vanished into the darkness.

...

Page 2 of 3

The Underworld—a realm shrouded in perpetual darkness, where sunlight never reached.

Jiang Xiaofei did not know how long he traveled through the gloom before the outlines of subterranean palaces began to emerge in his vision. Above them, a massive palace floated in the air, radiating an obscure aura that seemed able to disturb the mind—proof enough of the power of its master.

Jiang Xiaofei remained calm in the face of all this, unshaken by the spectacle. He knew well enough that this was the realm of ghosts, and that his sister-in-law was its sovereign.

As they neared the grand palace, Jiang Xiaofei saw rows of black-clad figures standing ramrod straight in the palace square. Each exuded an imposing aura.

He could not help but remark to Ah Huan, who was floating nearby, "This must be your Ghost Shadow Legion? I never expected them all to be of the Heavenly Fiend rank. Such formidable strength!"

Ah Huan smiled. "Master Fei, you have a discerning eye. You saw through their power at a glance."

Jiang Xiaofei only chuckled in response.

"Master Fei, we have arrived. Please step out," Ah Huan said.

With a slight nod, Jiang Xiaofei left the sedan and followed Ah Huan toward a palace.

As they walked, Ah Huan began to introduce him to the Underworld, hoping to ease the atmosphere with a bit of sightseeing.

Examining the ancient and imposing architecture, Jiang Xiaofei could not help but marvel inwardly—no wonder the Underworld’s power was second only to Mount Mao in all of China.

From Ah Huan, Jiang Xiaofei learned about the current state of the Underworld: there were seventy-two Earthly Fiends and thirty-six Heavenly Fiends, divided into minor, major, and supreme ranks, each inhabiting their own palaces or islands.

Above these were the Thirty-Three Ghostly Fiends—ghost envoys and realm envoys—composed entirely of emperor-rank Heavenly Fiend ghosts, a testament to the immense strength of the Underworld. Higher still stood the four guardians by the Ghost King’s side.

With Ah Huan’s practiced guidance, they soon reached an ancient, open doorway. Through the entrance, rows of furnaces stretched endlessly away, disappearing into the distance.

Ah Huan gestured with a light laugh. "Master Fei, please follow me."

"Alright," Jiang Xiaofei replied, accompanying her through the door.

As they walked the long corridor, Jiang Xiaofei sensed an intense heat radiating from the stone walls—a heat so powerful it seemed as if some fierce beast was lurking within.

Frowning, Jiang Xiaofei could not help but ask, "Ah Huan, what is the source of this heat?"

She answered with a light laugh, "I can tell you, Master Fei, that beyond these walls lies the Sea of Ten Thousand Flames."

Page 3 of 3

"The Sea of Ten Thousand Flames?" Jiang Xiaofei was utterly shocked, finding it almost unbelievable.

Ah Huan was not surprised by his reaction. It would have been strange not to be astonished.

After all, the Sea of Ten Thousand Flames was formed over millennia by celestial fire from beyond the heavens—a priceless treasure. If one were to forge a sword within such a sea, it would surely become the most powerful fire-elemental weapon in the world.

Ah Huan went on to explain with a gentle smile, "Our master encountered the Sea of Ten Thousand Flames by chance and managed to subdue it, bringing it back to the Underworld and refining it into a domain sea."

"I see," Jiang Xiaofei smiled. "Your master is truly fortunate."

"Of course," Ah Huan replied proudly. "Ever since our master refined the Sea of Ten Thousand Flames, Mount Mao has been even more wary of our Underworld."

Jiang Xiaofei could not help but smile at that. In his view, the Sea of Ten Thousand Flames alone was not enough to make Mount Mao fearful—after all, that sect had stood unshaken on Chinese soil for thousands of years, its foundation unimaginably deep.

Their conversation carried them to the end of the corridor. Before them lay a vast hall, grand and solemn, filled with an air of sanctity. In each of the four corners stood a massive furnace, each blazing with purple flames that seemed inexhaustible, bathing the entire hall in an eerie violet glow.

Looking up, the ceiling was shrouded in darkness, like an immense swirling black hole. At the head of the hall stood a throne forged of black jade.

Seated upon this throne was a figure in black robes, her face veiled by a black gauze, her features hidden. Yet from the pale, flawless skin visible at her cheeks, one could tell she was a peerless beauty.

Upon seeing Jiang Xiaofei enter, her unmoving veil fluttered ever so slightly, and she spoke.

"Brother-in-law, you’ve arrived."

"What? Master Fei, you’re actually the master’s brother-in-law?" Ah Huan was stunned, only now realizing how much she had underestimated Jiang Xiaofei’s identity.

Jiang Xiaofei paid her no mind. Instead, he looked directly at the Ghost King and asked with a smile, "Sister-in-law, why have you summoned me here?"