Published at 7th of May 2024 6:16 pm

Book 08 Chapter 077: Trust Is the Foundation!

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Everlasting Nether Capital, the nether realm:

The skeleton Gu Hai conducted a solemn ritual in synchrony with his true body, advancing the Han Imperial Dynasty to a heavenly dynasty.

“Long live His Holy Eminence! May His Holy Eminence live for ten thousand years!”

“Long live the Han Heavenly Dynasty! May the Han Heavenly Dynasty last for ten thousand years!”

Cheers echoed throughout Everlasting Nether Capital.

Everything was under control in the northern region of the nether realm. No hostile factions threatened them.

Just like in the land of the living, Gu Hai granted amnesty and implemented benevolent policies during the assemblies.

The Han Heavenly Dynasty became renowned across the land.

The captured figures, like Ancestor Mang Shan, remained anxious, unsure of their fate under Gu Hai’s rule.

At one point, Sima Changkong ventured into the depths of the prison to meet with these ancestors.

He extended an offer for them to join the Han Nation, inquiring if they were willing.

Sima Changkong’s attitude was nonchalant, as if the choice was entirely theirs.

The ancestors, seeing a lifeline, readily agreed, with only a few displaying reluctance. However, Sima Changkong was an expert at manipulation. His subtle hints dispelled their reservations. They feared rejection by the Han Nation more than anything else.

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Half a month later, in Ground Control Palace’s assembly hall:

Gu Hai, dressed in black imperial robes with gold thread embroidery, sat on the throne, gazing down at the ancestors.

Silence pervaded the grand hall.

Ancestor Mang Shan, positioned at the forefront, knelt before Gu Hai, while Kong Xuan, Shangguan Hen, and the other officials stood respectfully in two columns on the sides.

“Sima Changkong said you are willing to accept the Han Nation’s offer of recruitment?” Gu Hai’s voice echoed from above.

“Yes, we, your subjects and humble servants, offer salutations to Your Holy Eminence!” Ancestor Mang Shan bowed respectfully.

Ancestor Mang Shan felt somewhat nervous as he uttered the three new appellations.

“Salutations, Your Holy Eminence! Long live Your Holy Eminence! May Your Holy Eminence live for ten thousand years!” the other ancestors saluted in unison while kneeling.

“Since you have joined the Han Heavenly Dynasty, you will initially serve as commoners. You will be temporarily enlisted in the Nation Suppression Army, accompanying our forces in various battles. Through your efforts in capturing cities and pacifying the populace, you will earn merits and rewards. Later, you will be duly promoted and rewarded,” Gu Hai declared.

“Thank you, Your Holy Eminence!” The ancestors expressed their gratitude with deep bows, visibly relieved. This arrangement ensured their security.

As for gaining their freedom or attempting to escape the Han Heavenly Dynasty? They now had second thoughts as they looked at Kong Xuan and the others. Joining the Han Heavenly Dynasty seemed more promising. The merits practically came as gifts since they already controlled most of the cities in the first place.

Aligning with the Han Heavenly Dynasty also meant protection from external threats. After all, the struggles in the nether realm remained perilous.

At this moment, the ancestors finally comprehended the bigger picture. Kong Xuan, the Mosquito Daoist, and the other four commanders were just deputy commanders. Above them stood Mo Yike as the supreme commander of the Nation Suppression Army, and higher still was the Han Nation’s heavenly emperor.

With the Nation Suppression Army under Mo Yike’s command, their responsibilities shifted from city conquest to city management and administration.

The Han Heavenly Dynasty rapidly expanded its influence in the nether realm, quickly earning the hearts of the people.

The largest faction in the northern nether realm slowly took form.

Word of the Han Heavenly Dynasty’s rise in the nether realm spread like wildfire, sparking a significant upheaval in the nether realm.

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A dimly lit hall named Yin Tiger Deity Hall, the western nether realm:

Yin Tiger Deity Hall was shrouded in darkness, with a hazy figure sitting in the host’s seat, appearing both material and immaterial at the same time.

Standing below were two individuals, the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon and the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon.

“Milord, the Han Nation has successfully advanced to a heavenly dynasty and simultaneously established a secondary capital in the nether realm,” the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon reported grimly.

“As for the land of the living, Ji Dihong has perished, and the Huang Heavenly Dynasty has collapsed,” the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon added with a troubled expression.

Sitting in the host’s seat was the illusory image of the Unrestrained Heavenly Demon.

The Unrestrained Heavenly Demon nodded. “I am already aware of this.”

“Ji Dihong’s grand schemes have ultimately come to naught. What a pity!” The Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon knit his brows.

“He was too hasty,” the Unrestrained Heavenly Demon replied calmly.

“Indeed. However, Milord, what about the enmity between the Heavenly Demon Holy Land and Gu Hai? Are we just going to let it go?” the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon asked while looking at the Unrestrained Heavenly Demon.

Enmity? The Heavenly Demon Holy Land once had twelve peak masters; now, only four remained. Most of the peak lords had met their demise at the hands of Gu Hai. The grudge ran deep, but with Long Zhanguo guarding the Han Heavenly Dynasty, the Unrestrained Heavenly Demon felt somewhat constrained.

“Milord, you mentioned you met Long Zhanguo, but why hasn’t he appeared? Is he afraid of the Six Paths Immortal?” the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon inquired, his brow furrowed.

“That is a mystery I cannot fathom,” the Unrestrained Heavenly Demon replied in a deep voice.

“Milord, could it have been a deliberate ploy by Gu Hai? Perhaps Long Zhanguo wasn’t real; he just looked too similar, leading you to a misunderstanding?” the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon suggested, his brow still creased with worry.

The Unrestrained Heavenly Demon fell into a contemplative silence.

When he first saw Long Zhanguo, he had harbored doubts, but a thorough examination confirmed the reality of the situation. However, now…

If he was real, why hasn’t he shown himself?

“What if Gu Hai deceived Milord, intentionally preventing us from acting so that he could gather a group of experts to deal with Ji Dihong? Divide and conquer?” the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon theorized seriously.

The Unrestrained Heavenly Demon also began to doubt. After a brief silence, he said, “True, we need to investigate whether the Han Heavenly Dynasty’s Long Zhanguo is real.”

“If it’s the real Long Zhanguo, so be it. If it’s fake…humph! I’ll make Gu Hai regret being born into this world!” the Unrestrained Heavenly Demon declared coldly.

“Yes!” the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon and the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon responded in unison.

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Palace’s garden, Great Desolation City, Yan Heavenly Dynasty, the land of the living:

“Elder Sister, you were amazing earlier, defeating Ji Dihong so thoroughly!” Jingwei exclaimed with a look of awe.

Ba took a seat, and a servant brought her fragrant tea.

After sipping the tea, Ba replied, “Ji Dihong was provoked by Gu Hai. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have suffered such a defeat.”

“Gu Hai again? He can’t possibly compare to you, Elder Sister. Didn’t you say he hasn’t even reached the consummation of the Upper Heavenly Palace Realm?” Jingwei said dismissively as she picked up a cup of tea.

“You’re mistaken. Gu Hai is a formidable figure. Ji Dihong’s death is mostly due to him,” Ba asserted in a serious tone.

“That’s impossible. I know the whole story. It was mainly because you took everything from Ji Dihong that he suffered such a defeat.” Jingwei shook her head in disbelief.

“Believe it or not. As I told you before, I will help you leave Lin Waner’s body and inhabit a new one in three days. That body will also have a fire cauldron physique,” Ba said as she sipped her tea.

Jingwei’s expression suddenly changed, and she exclaimed, “What? No, I don’t want that, Elder Sister. I want this body. I don’t want to switch!”

“Huh?” Ba’s face sank as she looked at Jingwei.

“Elder Sister, are you afraid of Gu Hai?” Jingwei inquired anxiously. “He hasn’t even reached the consummation of the Upper Heavenly Palace Realm!”

Ba shook her head. “Afraid of him? No, there’s no one in this world who can make me afraid. However, a person’s credibility is important. In my life, what I detest the most are those who don’t keep their word. Ji Dihong was like that, which is why I turned against him. Gu Hai saved your life from a perilous situation, but you possessed Lin Waner’s body. That was already something unscrupulous, yet Gu Hai didn’t kick up a fuss. I also agreed on your behalf that once you found a new body, you would return Lin Waner. Now that everything is in place, are you going to go back on your word?”

“No, Elder Sister, is there no other way? I can’t give this body to Gu Hai!” Jingwei pleaded anxiously.

“There’s no other way. A promise must be kept. If you truly care about having Lin Waner’s body, you can snatch it back from Gu Hai in the future. However, your spiritual souls must leave Lin Waner’s body in three days,” Ba said firmly.

Jingwei noticed Ba’s resolute tone and felt torn.

After a moment of silence, Jingwei finally lowered her head. “Elder Sister, let me tell you the truth. My possession of Lin Waner’s body and the transformation of my seventh physical soul into the vermilion bird were all arranged by our father. He used my, Lin Waner’s, and the Flame Monarch’s special circumstances to trigger a metamorphosis in my seventh physical soul, forming the Vermilion Bird Deity.”

“Huh?” Ba goggled.

The Vermilion Bird Deity?

“You see, this body has the Vermilion Bird Deity, belonging to the physical soul. If I leave, won’t Lin Waner benefit from it? The Vermilion Bird Deity is precious, Elder Sister. Among the four ancient divine beasts—the azure dragon, the vermilion bird, the white tiger, and the black tortoise—the vermilion bird is the most esteemed. Furthermore, there’s a significant secret related to it. Elder Sister, we can’t let Gu Hai benefit from this!” Jingwei explained urgently.

Ba stared at Jingwei for a while, her brow slightly furrowed.

“Elder Sister, do you agree?” Jingwei asked hopefully.

In the end, Ba shook her head. “I stand by my decision. A person must keep their word. Besides, it’s not benefiting Gu Hai for nothing. He saved your life; is your life not as valuable as the Vermilion Bird Deity? Moreover, if you truly value the Vermilion Bird Deity, you can take it back from Gu Hai in the future.”

“What? No, Elder Sister, I don’t want to! The Vermilion Bird Deity is mine! I won’t give it to anyone!” Jingwei immediately protested.

“Stop. I will switch your bodies three days later. Grudges and favors must be settled properly; a grudge has to be avenged, and a favor must be repaid,” Ba said solemnly.

“No! Elder Sister, I refuse!” Jingwei said anxiously.

“That’s enough! You may leave,” Ba said, unwilling to discuss it further with Jingwei.

Jingwei looked frustrated. Why is Elder Sister so stubborn? The vermilion bird! It’s the Vermilion Bird Deity! Why should I give it to Gu Hai?

Jingwei realized that persisting would only anger her elder sister. With a deep sense of frustration, Jingwei plodded out of Ba’s garden.

During this period, Jingwei had never stayed in her own residence, remaining in the palace and accompanying her sister. However, she did not want to stay in the palace now and thus returned to her own residence outside the palace.

Bang! Crash! Snap!

Jingwei threw a tantrum in her residence, smashing a large amount of furniture. The servants and guards retreated hastily, lest they be swept up in the storm.

“I’m so angry, so angry!” She spent an entire day and night smashing things, continuing until the second evening.

“Hehe! Who made you so angry that you became like this?” Suddenly, a young girl’s voice rang out in Jingwei’s bedroom.

“Who’s there?” Jingwei’s eyes widened.

The voice sounds familiar, but who is it? Why can’t I remember? Besides, this is my bedroom, and nobody is allowed to enter. Who would dare to intrude at this hour?

Upon surveying the room, Jingwei noticed a young girl nearby braiding her hair in front of the vanity mirror.

“Who are you?” Jingwei asked in a stern tone.

Who has the audacity to intrude into my chambers?

As she looked closely, the young girl finished braiding her hair and slowly turned around.

When the young girl turned to face Jingwei, Jingwei’s expression changed drastically.

“You-you-you-who are you?” Jingwei trembled in fright.

The young girl was no stranger; she was Yinggou, whom Gu Hai had encountered in the past.

Jiang Lianshan had two daughters—Jiang Ba, also known as Ba, was the elder daughter, and Nuwa was the younger. After Nuwa drowned in the Eastern Sea, her spiritual souls had transformed into Jingwei. Her body had sunk into the Eastern Sea and disappeared. Initially presumed to have been eaten by the fishes, it turned out her body had sunk into the Yellow Springs Sea and become Yinggou.

One of the four zombie ancestors, the water-attributed zombie ancestor—Yinggou.

As Yinggou faced her, Jingwei was so shocked that she trembled. This-this is me, isn’t it? Seeing her past self now smiling at her present self, Jingwei suddenly felt chilled.

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