Chapter 1013: Everyone Moves Out

At the great gates of the capital, countless Nether Guards formed ranks and set out, crossing bridges that appeared one after another, heading to various places.

Shen Tucang and others stood in the void, watching this scene from afar, each with a more serious expression than the last.

"The capital has a million Nether Guards. Including those from various other places, the number is staggeringly high. Looking at this setup, it seems he intends to mobilize all the Nether Guards. The last time I saw such a scene was during the invasion of the Yin Demons from the Floating Pagoda Realm."

"Brother You, you mentioned that the cause of this was due to a Spirit God Sect member making a move on that Day Walker Monarch?"

Everyone turned their gaze toward You Fang.

You Fang nodded. "That's what he said. Someone attempted to assassinate Fang Chen recently, and indeed, that's true. During this time, there have also been attacks on Fang Chen's close followers, including the new Day Walker God of Hujiao City. After the assassination attempt failed, the clues left behind pointed to Zhou Ning, the city lord of Lingkong City."

Surprise crept on the faces of everyone present.

Isn't Zhou Ning one of Shen Tucang's close followers?

Shen Tucang looked at You Fang. "And?"

He believed there was more to the story. If not, the Nether Guards would be heading toward the Judgment Division, not elsewhere.

"Then Fang Chen concluded that the Spirit God Sect was causing trouble, framing the Judgment Division, wanting to stir up chaos in the underworld," answered You Fang coldly. "So now he's dispatching troops to purge the followers of the Spirit God Sect in the underworld. His targets are both the Yin Walkers and the wandering souls."

"Does the Spirit God Sect have a grudge against him? Why would they send someone to assassinate him? I've seen the monks from the Spirit God Sect, and they all seem quite reasonable; they wouldn't want chaos in the underworld."

"The Spirit God Sect's pills and Yin Lifespan Coins are somewhat similar. Their effects are even stronger. I've heard from some Day Walker Gods that the Spirit God Sect's influence in the Mortal Realm is terrifying."

Shen Tucang spoke gravely. "Let's not speak of this matter right now. If any members from the Spirit God Sect come seeking help during this period, I advise you to ignore them. Perhaps all of this is really instigated by Monarch Yan."

Everyone exchanged glances, nodding thoughtfully. However, a few looked dissatisfied as they watched the Nether Guards.

***

The Nether Guards Division.

Du Yunxu brought over detailed information about the Spirit God Temples in the capital.

Taking a glance at the report, Fang Chen was struck by surprise. "732 Spirit God Temples?"

Just in the capital, there are 732 temples?

With these figures before him, if anyone told Fang Chen that the Spirit God Sect had no collusion with the officials of the capital, Fang Chen would never believe them. It was only a matter of how deep that collusion was.

Qiu Jing softly said, "Monarch Fang, the Spirit God Temples give a lot of benefits, so many people have excellent relationships with them. Besides, the Spirit God Sect's influence in the Mortal Realm is extraordinary; many Yin Walkers comply with them, and many more are from the Spirit God Sect themselves... Having a good relationship with the Spirit God Sect is like having a good relationship with them."

"Which is the largest temple?" Fang Chen asked, smiling.

Du Yunxu brought out a map of the capital and lightly pointed to the central area.

Fang Chen nodded and got up to go outside. "Let's go. Let's start by clearing out the Spirit God Temples in the capital."

***

"May the Spirit God bless my descendants in the Mortal Realm with peace and a life free from illness."

"May the Spirit God help me find my parents, please."

In the grand temples, people continually bowed before the statues of the Spirit God, then stood up and went to the temple attendants, giving half a coin or a full Yin Lifespan Coin.

That was an offering to the Spirit God. The more incense money given, the more effective the Spirit God would be. Scenes like this unfolded in Spirit God Temples everywhere at every moment.

A dignified middle-aged man walked through the Spirit God Temple, surrounded by many monks of the Spirit God Sect.

"Has the underworld been peaceful lately?" remarked the man.

The middle-aged man's aura wasn't particularly impressive. At most, he was as powerful as an Immortal King in the Mortal Realm, the level of a Monarch in the underworld.

"Lord Huang, it has been relatively peaceful. However, we need to pay taxes soon, and these taxes are not light. Our Spirit God Temples are spread throughout the underworld, and the amount of Yin Lifespan coins we collect daily is substantial. We already provide benefits to various parties. If we are taxed on top of that, we will incur heavy losses."

"I've heard that this taxation method was proposed by a newly appointed Day Walker Monarch. Now, not only do we have to pay taxes, but Yin Walkers do as well."

Someone eagerly suggested, "Lord Huang, perhaps we should try to send a small gift over there, see if we can get an exemption for our Spirit God Temples from this tax?"

Huang Wenqing frowned. "They're really causing trouble... It was much better before when things were peaceful. Every year our Spirit God Temples have paid our respects without fail. Have you spoken to the Monarchs of various departments, especially Monarch You Fang of the Nether Guards Division? What did he say?"

"We tried... to no avail."

"Monarch You said that this matter is the firm intention of the newly appointed Day Walker Monarch. They are of the same rank, and if he really wanted to interfere forcefully, it would cause internal strife within the Nether Guards Division, so we have to pay the tax."

Huang Wenqing snorted coldly. "Our Spirit God Temples give them so much every year, yet they still exploit us like this. These guys are really shameless."

As they spoke, the group entered an inner hall where Huang Wenqing took the main seat. After a short wait, about a dozen Yin Walkers of equal standing slowly entered the hall.

Huang Wenqing and these individuals exchanged glances, nodding indifferently as a sign.

"Take your seats," said Huang Wenqing.

These Yin Walkers sat down one by one, their demeanor proud and slightly disdainful, as if they disliked each other.

"Everyone here is the core of our sect, each with huge backgrounds; otherwise, you wouldn't be able to enjoy such benefits and stay in the capital, unlike some people who have to endure their loneliness in remote places," Huang Wenqing said with a smile.

He paused. "Why are your recent earnings so poor? I hope no one is embezzling."

"Huang Wenqing, watch your words."

"What do you mean by embezzling? The situation in the underworld has been unstable lately. It's normal to earn less."

People glared at each other, unwilling to show weakness.

Huang Wenqing waved his hand with a smile. "Alright, alright. I'm just reminding everyone. You should have brought the earnings from the Spirit God Temples around the capital, right?

"Let's tally it up and balance the books. The five-year period is up, and I need to report the accounts here to the higher-ups."

"I have 3,464 Yin Lifespan Coins left after expenses and salaries."

"I have 2,235 Yin Lifespan Coins left after expenses and salaries."

"I have...."

Huang Wenqing's expression grew more displeased as he listened. "732 Spirit God Temples in the capital, and this is all you've collected? Not even 50,000 underworld coins in 5 years?!"

Someone retorted with a cold laugh. "Huang Wenqing, some of the worshippers don't even have a single Yin Lifespan Coin on them. How do you expect them to contribute? That's the reality. We give out so many benefits, and now we're getting taxed on top of it. It's already pretty good that we even have this much.

"You should go down there and see how much they can save in a year after expenses... 300 each? 500? Yin Lifespan Coins are needed in every aspect; you wouldn't know if you don't go down there."

Huang Wenqing was about to respond when suddenly one of his subordinates rushed in with a pale face. "Lords, we are in trouble! We've been surrounded by the Nether Guards Division!"