Chapter 836: This Time, Even If You Want to Return to Life, It's Difficult

Ma Minlong smirked and taunted, "Fellow Daoist Fang, it has been several months since we last parted. I've come to Youhuan City several times, but I never saw you. Are you... afraid?"

His tone was dripping with sarcasm.

The wandering souls he brought with him grinned with contentment and mockery.

Fang Chen smiled calmly. "What brings you here, Fellow Cultivator Ma?"

Ma Minlong sighed lightly. "Are you playing dumb? When I first saw you walk through the Underworld, I didn't make trouble for you even though you broke the Underworld's rules. I even offered you some good words of advice. Yet look what you did; you dismissed my kindness, killed my brother, and took over Wen Fan's business.

"Not only have you offended me, but you've also offended every wandering soul in Youhuan City."

Fang Chen asked in surprise, "Can you represent every wandering soul in Youhuan City, Fellow Cultivator Ma?"

"Of course I can," Ma Minlong replied confidently. He continued, "We wandering souls have our own rules. You've broken those rules, so you must accept the punishment."

"Without rules, there can be no order. Don't think this is the human world."

Voices of agreement echoed from all sides. Fang Chen hadn't noticed when, but wandering souls had appeared in all directions. Their presence caused the nearby souls to scatter and hide, watching from a distance in silence.

When Wen Fan and the woman in black heard that Fang Chen had reappeared in Youhuan City, they rushed over at once. Upon arriving, they saw Fang Chen surrounded by Ma Minlong and his men.

The woman in black's expression grew serious. "Yound Lady, this looks bad..."

The scene was tense, with at least a hundred wandering souls surrounding Fang Chen. Many of them were no ordinary beings. Some had traversed the Underworld four or five dozen times, while others had crossed it over a hundred times. Their cultivation levels were on par with Ma Minlong's, making this group a formidable force, roughly one-third of the total number of wandering souls in Youhuan City.

This was a power that could easily overwhelm anyone.

Wen Fan's resolve wavered, but she gritted her teeth. Just as she was about to rush over to Fang Chen, the woman in black held her wrist tightly, preventing her from moving.

The woman warned, "Young Lady, don't go. It will cause a huge mess. We are already struggling in Youhuan City. You can't act rashly,"

Wen Fan's face paled with fear. She maintained, "If something really happens to Daoist Fang... there will be no one left to find my husband."

"Let's wait and see. Daoist Fang isn't a small figure. He should have a way of handling this," the woman in black reassured her.

Meanwhile, on the second floor of a nearby tea house, Lin San and several of his former subordinate Nether Guards watched the scene unfold.

"Brother Lin, shouldn't we warn Fellow Cultivator Ma? This Fang fellow seems to be no simple character. Even your position as Wu Chang was taken by Wang Hu and the others. If Fellow Cultivator Ma goes against him, he might suffer a big loss," one of his men suggested.

"Warn him? Why bother?" Lin San replied, his voice calm and indifferent. "This matter started because of him, and it's a good opportunity to see who he really is. Ma Minlong and the others worship the Spirit God, and I heard that one of his senior brothers is a wandering soul from Bijiang City, who's sworn brothers with the Yin Walker there. With that connection, it won't be easy for him to be controlled."

At that moment, one of Lin San's former Nether Guards seemed to have been hit with a realization. They gave a thumbs up and said in admiration, "Ah, I see now. No wonder Brother Lin didn't want us to share any information about this fellow. He was worried that Fellow Cultivator Ma would choose to let it go."

This method of using others to test someone's strength was brilliant. Without them lifting a finger or facing any risk, they could find out Fang Chen's true abilities. It was a perfect way to gain insight while remaining in the shadows.

Meanwhile, outside the tea house, the master cautiously peered out. His colleague, a fellow guard at the city, tugged at his sleeve.

"Old Zheng, didn't we agree not to get involved in this? You know Ma Minlong's temper. This Fang fellow has already offended him. If things go wrong, it's his own fault. Don't get too close, or you'll end up in trouble."

Old Zheng's brows furrowed, and he said, "I'm just taking a look. To be honest, if something happens to Daoist Fang, I'd feel a bit guilty. You don't know, but there aren't many capable disciples left in my Daoist temple in the mortal world. If Daoist Fang could help me out, I'd be able to rest easier. Otherwise, I'm afraid my few disciples and I might end up meeting in Youhuan City soon enough."

He sighed and added, "I don't have enough Yin Lifespan to go meet them."

"Then what can we do?"

"Let's do this. You go inform the Nether Guards Division and see if they'll take any action," Old Zheng suggested.

"You're overthinking it. The Nether Guards Division won't get involved in the affairs of wandering souls. If you want to interfere, go ahead, but I won't join you," his colleague replied, waving him off disdainfully.

The atmosphere tensed as Ma Minlong smirked, his eyes flickering with a mix of amusement and menace. "I have some influence in Youhuan City. These friends of mine support me and the rules we've established here. If you choose to break those rules, you'll have to ask them whether they agree with you."

Fang Chen glanced around at the group of Yin Walkers and then back at Ma Minlong, clearly unfazed. "And how do you intend to handle this situation?"

Ma Minlong's smile deepened, but it was void of any warmth. "You ask me how? Simple. You've taken Yin Lifespan Coins from Wen Fan, haven't you? Hand them over, all of them. As for my little brother, Zhao, his life isn't worth anything. I'd say 200 Yin Lifespan Coins for his life. You'll state that you owe me the amount."

He leaned slightly forward, his voice cold. "From now on, every time you travel through Youhuan City, bring me 20 Yin Lifespan Coins. Do this 100 times, and I'll consider this matter settled."

Fang Chen smiled, a playful glint in his eyes. "And if I refuse...?"

"If you refuse," Ma Minlong's smile widened, "not only will you never walk the Yin path again, but getting back to life will also be nearly impossible for you."

The tension in the air was palpable, but before Fang Chen could respond, a new voice interrupted, "What are you doing here?"

A stern-faced Qing Sui, accompanied by a group of Nether Guards, stepped forward and blocked the path between Fang Chen and Ma Minlong. His eyes locked on Ma Minlong and his entourage, filled with warning.

Ma Minlong's gaze sharpened as he recognized Qing Sui. "You? You've been promoted to squad leader? Looks like you're doing well for yourself."

Qing Sui's expression didn't change. "You're all Yin Walkers, so it's best not to gather here. You don't want to startle the souls of Youhuan City."

The two sides stood locked in a tense standoff, with Fang Chen caught in the middle, his eyes quietly scanning the unfolding situation.

Ma Minlong glanced at Fang Chen and then at Qing Sui before suddenly laughing out loud. "Is it because he took your business, that's why you're stepping in for him? Have you forgotten? How can the Nether Guards Division interfere in the matters of my Yin Walkers?"

His expression darkened. "Take your people and get out. I won't hold it against you this time, but if there's a next time, I'll personally visit your officer and ask him how he manages his subordinates."

Qing Sui's expression changed several times.

The wandering spirits behind the black and white paper figures had already gripped their knives tightly.

Wang Hu strode over, his gloomy gaze moving back and forth over Ma Minlong. "Ma Minlong, you've really become arrogant in Youhuan City. Do you really think you can disregard the Nether Guards Division?"

"Is it Day Walker Wang Hu!?"

"Why is Lord Wang also here?"

The Yin Walkers around exchanged glances, looking surprised.

Could it be that this Fang guy is so bold because of his connection with Wang Hu?

The black-clad woman was slightly pleased. "Young Lady, there's a turning point."

Wen Fan's expression brightened a little.

"Fang Daoist is quite powerful, how did he manage to get in touch with Lord Wang in such a short time?"

The old temple master's expression was odd.

His colleague curiously asked, "Did you and Lord Wang already know each other beforehand?"

"How would I know?" The old temple master muttered.

On the second floor of the tea house, Lin San and several of his former Nether Guards exchanged glances.

The former Nether Guards looked toward Lin San with slightly grim expressions.

Lin San smiled faintly. "No need to rush. I recently got some information. Ma Minlong's senior brother is probably already in Youhuan City. That Ma guy isn't foolish; his methods are quite thorough."