Chapter 153: A New Official Takes Office

Yun Jiao instinctively unfolded the letter in her hand. A flash of white light appeared, and Wen Qing’s voice filled the room — low and miserable, carrying a tone of tragic self-pity.

“Little junior niece, long time no see. How has our master been? Has he mentioned me at all? No matter — as long as he still remembers me, that’s enough! And how is Nephew Bai? Ah, it’s been over a month since we parted — I miss you all dearly. I miss you, I miss our master, I miss Nephew Bai, and even the flowers and plants in the temple!”

The only one not mentioned, Yuan Jiang: “…”

“Don’t worry. Han Shu and I have already found your senior uncle. With him watching over us, and the heavy yin energy of the underworld aiding our cultivation, a few more decades of training should set things right. Originally, I intended to return that very day, but you don’t know what my senior brother has become… sigh! Anyway, I can’t come back for now.

But since Han Shu is one of the domain lords of the underworld, his departure means no one is managing the Youling Domain. That region lies close to the mortal world — if unrest breaks out, it would be disastrous. So, your uncle has a small favor to ask: I’d like you, my capable little niece, to temporarily manage the Youling Domain in your senior brother’s stead until he emerges from seclusion.

Oh, and do you remember the square seal you picked up last time? That’s actually his Royal Seal. With that seal and the Yama Decree, you can command all the spirits of the Youling Domain. I’ve already asked that brat Ji Qi to deliver the decree to you. You are exceptionally talented, highly capable, and favored by our master. Managing one underworld domain should be no problem for you — I have full confidence in you! Also, please convey my regards to our master.

— Wen Qing.”

When the voice ended, the white glow on the letter slowly faded.

Yun Jiao: “…”

Her face darkened instantly — she had the sudden urge to throw the paper straight back into someone’s face. Was he just dumping his mess onto her?!

Across from her, the black-robed Ji Qi didn’t notice her expression at all. He obediently pulled out a black, square wooden token and handed it over.

“Junior Sister Yun, this is the Yama Decree. The Youling Domain will be in your care.”

Yun Jiao’s expression grew darker still. She glanced at the token, inhaled deeply, and asked, “Why would Uncle Wen hand the Youling Domain to me? Senior Brother Ji Qi, you’re a ghost cultivator yourself — couldn’t you just manage it?”

Ji Qi paused, then smiled.

“Junior Sister may not know — though the underworld is divided into seven domains, the Dark King decreed millions of years ago that the domains may not interfere with each other. I already oversee the Diyin Domain. Even though Senior Brother Han and I share the same master, I cannot directly take charge of Youling.”

“You’re one of the Seven Yama Lords?!”

“Indeed.” He nodded.

Yun Jiao blinked. Wasn’t Uncle Wen someone from the Immortal Realm? Why were all his disciples ending up in the underworld?!

“What about Uncle Wen then?” Yun Jiao pressed. “If it’s inconvenient, couldn’t he just manage it himself? Why dump it on me?”

“Master is still with Grandmaster…” Ji Qi shivered at the thought, forcing out a single word after a pause: “Inconvenient.”

“…” Inconvenient? What is he, a woman on her period every month?!

“Master said the Grandmaster dislikes being disturbed. It also wouldn’t be proper to bother the elders in the Celestial Realm, so Junior Sister, you’re the best candidate.” Ji Qi smiled awkwardly.

The mention of the Grandmaster made Yuan Jiang nod in agreement. “That does make sense.”

Little junior niece really was the best choice.

“…” Sense your head!

“Junior Sister Yun needn’t worry,” Ji Qi continued encouragingly. “The Youling Domain has many underworld guards and several ghost judges — managing it won’t be difficult… probably.”

“…” Could you please remove those last two words?

“My Diyin Domain is close to Youling,” he added kindly. “If you ever have questions, feel free to come to me.”

Yun Jiao’s mouth twitched slightly. She took a long, deep breath.

“I already have one question.”

“Please, go ahead.”

She inhaled again, then said slowly, emphasizing each word,

“Have you all forgotten that I… am still alive?”

You want me, a living human, to go to the underworld and manage a bunch of ghosts — do you want me dead faster?!

Ji Qi: “…” Huh? Junior Sister isn’t a spirit?

Yuan Jiang: “…” Huh? My niece hasn’t ascended yet?

---

In the end, Yun Jiao still agreed to take over Han Shu’s mess.

First, because she needed a legitimate reason to continue investigating the matter of life force.

Second, because the difference between the human realm and the underworld was too great. If anything happened in the underworld, the human world would suffer as well. Having a formal channel of communication with the underworld was a good opportunity.

Third, Ji Qi explained that the Yama Decree had already been extracted from Han Shu’s soul and could not remain ownerless for long — otherwise, it would automatically seek a new master, fusing with a random soul. Only the Dark King himself could retrieve it afterward, so they couldn’t delay.

Fourth — Ji Qi forgot to mention the third point until too late.

Because of that hesitation, the Yama Decree chose a new master at random — the old man who had returned a moment too late…

Yun Jiao: “…”

Yuan Jiang: “…”

Ji Qi: “…”

This was a Yama Decree with an attitude.

After a long silence—

“Ahem!” Ji Qi coughed awkwardly, clasped his hands. “The item has been delivered, so I shall take my leave.”

And with a whoosh, he vanished.

“…” As expected, not a single one of Uncle Wen’s disciples was reliable.

The old man, who had just stepped inside, was suddenly struck by something that knocked his soul out of his body. His ghostly form hovered midair, utterly confused.

“…” What’s going on?!

“Girl! Yuan Jiang!” he yelled, looking down at his own body on the floor, horrified. “Am I dead? Why am I floating?! How do I get back?!”

He tried to drift back into his body, but his soul passed straight through — he couldn’t possess it again. “Why can’t I get back in?”

“Calm your mind and draw the Yama Decree into your consciousness,” Yuan Jiang, who had also been startled by the sudden turn of events, quickly reminded him.

The old man froze, then followed the instruction, adjusting his spirit. Within moments, he felt his body grow heavy. When he opened his eyes again, he was back inside his body — only now his forehead felt cold, as though something new was there.

“Girl, what… what just happened to me?”

“Uh…” Yun Jiao glanced at the black mark now visible on his forehead, her lips twitching. Then she quickly changed the subject.

“Well… old man, I remember you once said that when you finally achieve enlightenment, you’d make every ghost in the underworld tremble at your name, right?”

The old man blinked, nodding instinctively. “Yeah?” What did that have to do with his out-of-body experience?

Yun Jiao stepped forward, pulled the square seal from her bag, and placed it firmly in his hand.

“Congratulations,” she said clearly, “you’ve done it.”

“Huh?”

“From now on, you’re the second-in-command of the underworld.”

Every ghost will definitely tremble at your name.

“…”

(￣△￣；)

(End of this chapter)