Chapter 1413: You Take Two Steps Back, But People Take Three Steps Forward

This group of wandering souls seemed to have some backing. They were smashing the noodle shop on the streets of the capital without any hesitation. Even after sensing the aura of a Yin Walker on Fang Chen, they didn't pay it any mind.

Jue Wudi was now just an ordinary wandering soul, no longer possessing the cultivation he had in the living world. Facing the siege of more than a dozen wandering souls, he could only desperately shield his wife.

One of the wandering souls attacking Fang Chen swung a chair at his head, but was swept by a kick to the lower body and immediately dropped to his knees with a thud.

He tried to get back up but was stomped back down again with overwhelming force. Unable to move, he resorted to cursing, "Scum, how dare you step on me? Don't you know that the Day Walker Lieutenant Hu on this street is my third uncle?!"

Before he finished speaking, the weight on his back increased, causing him to scream in pain as the Yin energy on him began to dissipate.

The dozen wandering souls inside the shop were shocked and immediately stopped their attacks. One of them pointed at Fang Chen and shouted, "Release your foot! Are you crazy?"

Jue Wudi and his wife, both wounded, supported each other and approached Fang Chen. When Jue Wudi saw the wandering soul under Fang Chen's foot, a look of horror crossed his face.

"Daoist Fang, let him go quickly. This person has a powerful background!"

Day Walker Officers in the Underworld held power comparable to mortal cultivators at the Golden Core or Nascent Soul Realms. Even newly appointed Day Walker Officers were at least Golden Core Realm cultivators. Though such strength wasn't remarkable in the Capital, on this street, it was top-tier.

Moreover, the person under Fang Chen's foot was backed by the Day Walker lineage, which, though it has no dedicated division, held an exalted position in the Underworld and had close ties with major divisions. Even ordinary wandering souls knew this!

Jue Wudi's face turned pale. He'd rather offend Fang Chen than the person under Fang Chen's foot. The former was just a Yin Walker who couldn't remain long in the Underworld. But the latter was a true local tyrant!

The commotion inside the noodle shop attracted many wandering souls nearby who stopped to watch. Shopkeepers from surrounding stores peeked in, and upon seeing the situation, showed expressions of pity and regret.

"Shopkeeper Jue is finished. I doubt he'll be able to keep a foothold in the capital anymore."

"That's Lord Hu's nephew, right? How did Shopkeeper Jue offend such a fierce ghost?"

"I heard that when he was still mortal, he was already a fierce ghost. Later in the Underworld, it was his uncle who personally received him. The bond between uncle and nephew is clear. Now that the nephew has been beaten, his uncle won't let it go easily..."

Several Yin Walkers happened to pass by and, upon realizing that another Yin Walker was involved, showed curiosity. But when they overheard the whispers around, they became solemn, keeping their distance and dared not get involved.

Outside the noodle shop, the murmurs continued without end.

The atmosphere inside the noodle shop grew increasingly cold.

"Where did this Yin Walker come from? Is he blind?"

The wandering soul under Fang Chen's feet struggled and cursed, trying to break free.

A dozen or so wandering souls nearby hesitated, afraid to act rashly. One of them had to pretend to be calm. He kindly said, "Sir, this is just a misunderstanding. Please release Young Master Hu. Let's sit down and have a proper talk. There's no need to cause such a scene over a little noodle shop owner. If Lord Hu finds out about this, things won't end well."

After speaking, he glanced at Jue Wudi and gave a sharp look.

Jue Wudi inwardly sighed. He turned to Fang Chen and said in a low voice, "Daoist Fang..."

"Daoist Jue, back then, although you and I were not on the same path, your spirit and resolve were absolutely not like what they are today," said Fang Chen calmly. "Even if you became a wandering soul, so what? Is there really no other path for you to take? You take one step back, people take one step forward; you take two steps back, people take three steps forward. You want an ordinary, simple life, but have you ever thought about whether you can protect your wife and children?"

Jue Wudi gritted his teeth, his expression a storm of shifting emotions.

Just then, a small wandering soul came running over holding a string of candied hawthorn. He cheerfully said, "Dad, Mom, these candied hawthorns are so sweet! You should have one too."

Jue Wudi and his wife's expressions changed drastically.

The little wandering soul looked about five or six years old, innocent and pure. As soon as he appeared, the other side grabbed him abruptly, and the candied hawthorns fell to the ground.

The other party grinned with malice. "Release Young Master Hu, or his soul will scatter."

The little wandering soul was so scared that he froze before crying out loudly.

Jue Wudi and his wife were frantic, repeatedly looking at Fang Chen.

At that moment, greetings suddenly came from outside.

"Lord Hu, you're here!"

"Young Master Hu is inside! He has been taken hostage by a Yin Walker."

"Make way, let me in."

The not-so-busy street had become very crowded. A burly man stood at the noodle shop's entrance with several Day Walker Guards.

The cold, piercing gaze flickered back and forth between Fang Chen and the young man beneath his feet.

After a moment, he suddenly let out a light laugh. "Sir, first release my nephew. If there's any misunderstanding..."

"What misunderstanding? Come and tell me."

The crowd behind suddenly parted, and a group of people walked over. The leader wore a smile and looked quite young. He was an attractive gentleman. However, the wandering souls beside him all wore the standard robes of the Hidden Guard Division.

"It's the Hidden Guard Division!"

"That... hiss, the Yin Monarch Armor!?"

"The Hidden Guard Division Head!?"

Among the onlookers, some were knowledgeable and immediately recognized the Yin Monarch Armor on Xia Ji.

Lord Hu was stunned for a moment and hadn't yet reacted when another group approached from the other side.

The leader had a crew cut, a resolute face, and walked with the fierce strides of a dragon and tiger. It was none other than the Martial God Division Head, Xing Jintuo.

He was accompanied by a large group of Marital God Division experts.

"Another Yin Monarch Armor!?"

"Martial God Division Head!?" someone exclaimed in surprise.

Lord Hu's expression shifted slightly. Just as he was about to speak, yet another group arrived.

The newcomer looked middle-aged, his face dark and grim, like a vicious wolf in the midst of a hunt. Anyone caught in his gaze felt a chilling cold seep through their bones.

Most of the experts beside him were similar.

"The K-Killing Spiritual Division H-Head..."

Lord Hu was astounded. He had met Marshall Xiao Lang before, as for some time, the Day Walker faction had cooperated with the Killing Spiritual Division to purge the Spirit God Sect's remnants in the Underworld.

"What's everyone crowding here for?"

Accompanied by a faint laugh, Shentu Cang appeared, leading a group of high-ranking members from the Yin Walker Division.

The Yin Walkers on the street gasped upon seeing Shentu Cang. The wandering souls present all showed expressions of fearful reverence.

Shentu Cang's former identity was that of the head of the Judgment Division.

In that era, the Judgement Division and the Nether Guard Division had the two most powerful functional divisions in the Underworld.

Following him came the Soul Capturing Division, Division Head Kong Jin.

Underworld Official Division, Division Head Qi Tianran.

Nether Guard Division, Division Head Qiu Jing.

Then, Lord Hu saw the highest official of his own faction, the Day Walker Monarch, Du Yunxu. And also, the Night Walker Monarch, Jing Xue.

One could say that the most illustrious figures of the capital had all gathered on this inconspicuous little street—one that might not see such visitors even once in a hundred years—in less than ten breaths of time.

"Day Walker Officer Hu Lin. Greetings, all the commanders!"

Lord Hu immediately turned around, uncertain of whom to kneel to. After hesitating, he lowered his head and knelt before Du Yunxu, his expression exceedingly respectful.