Chapter 956: Disciple Fang Chen Greets Master

You Fang spoke. "Yin Monarch Fang, let's not even mention the Underworld Official Division and the Soul Capturing Department, but the Reincarnation Division... how can you expect them to perform their duties? Monarch Yan hasn't opened the Naihe Bridge for many years, and ordinary wandering souls have no chance of reincarnation. Naturally, the Reincarnation Division has nothing to do."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "As for the Soul Capturing Department, the number of wandering souls in the Underworld is increasing. If they continue bringing souls from the human world, the Underworld will surely descend into chaos.

"And the Underworld Official Division, the duties of the City Gods in the Underworld Official Division can be carried out by our Day and Night Walkers in the Nether Guards Division. There's no need to keep an extra batch of people just to waste Yin Lifespan."

Shen Tucang chimed in, "Indeed. Given the present situation, the Reincarnation Division, the Underworld Official Division, and the Soul Capturing Department no longer serve a necessary function.

"Their Yin Monarch's identities can be preserved, but the armor that represents their official ranks has already been recalled by Monarch Yan. This is not something the Judgment Division or the Nether Guards Division can decide; it's the will of Monarch Yan."

Qi Tianran shouted angrily, "You're talking nonsense! The tyranny of the Nether Guards Division and the Judgment Division is the cause of all this. If it weren't for you all constantly sowing discord, the Underworld Official Division and the Soul Capturing Department wouldn't have fallen to this point.

"Fortunately, Yin Monarch Fang is reasonable and understands that this situation is unacceptable. If not, over time, you two would become existences akin to Monarch Yan, and the true Monarch Yan would no longer hear our voices!"

Qi Tianran's anger was palpable, and the other Yin Monarchs seemed to tense in response to his outburst.

Jing Xue was a little surprised. In the past, Qi Tianran had been cautious and always wore a flattering smile in front of Shen Tucang and You Fang. She hadn't expected him to show this side of himself.

You Fang glanced at Qi Tianran. Then, he looked at Fang Chen. "As we've said, this isn't our decision. Yin Monarch Fang, if you find this matter inappropriate, you can go to Monarch Yan Palace and request the armor that represents the official rank of the three divisions."

Fang Chen smiled. "Speaking of which, I indeed wanted to visit Monarch Yan Palace this time. However, I don't know where it is."

Qi Tianran replied respectfully, "Yin Monarch Fang, if you wish to meet Monarch Yan, you just need all the Yin Monarchs to gather at the Forgotten River. If Monarch Yan wishes to see you, the bridge to Monarch Yan Palace will naturally appear."

He added, "We have visited Monarch Yan several times before, but Monarch Yan has refused to meet us every time. However, since Monarch Yan holds you in high regard, I am sure he will be willing to meet with you, Yin Monarch Fang."

"All the Yin Monarchs must gather?"

Fang Chen suddenly understood. No wonder he had never discovered the location of Monarch Yan Palace. There was actually such a condition.

Before the Forgotten River, the white mist was vast. The area within five miles had been completely sealed off, and ordinary wandering souls could not approach.

One after another, the high-ranking figures of the Underworld, clad in Yin Monarch battle armor, stood before the Forgotten Riven. They all bowed toward the mist while chanting incantations.

A while passed, yet the Forgotten River remained the same, misty and still as ever.

Shen Tucang sneered and said coldly, "Monarch Yan has not summoned us for many years. I suppose this time will be no exception."

Qi Tianran and the others looked serious. If Monarch Yan refused to meet with Yin Monarch Fang, restoring the glory of the various departments would be nothing but a dream. Without the official armor that represents their rank, they would always remain mere figureheads.

You Fang said, "Yin Monarch Fang, why not resolve the matter of today's incident in the capital by making it a minor issue instead of letting it develop in a negative direction? You already know where Shangguan Tong is cultivating in the human world. There's no need to let things escalate further."

Just as these words left his lips, the vast mist was swept away by the wind, and a bridge appeared in the void, stretching out before them.

The crowd was shocked.

You Fang and Shen Tucang were especially astounded. They hadn't expected that Monarch Yan would be willing to meet Yin Monarch Fang.

Empress Ci's gaze moved slightly, and she glanced at Stone Dragon.

Stone Dragon proposed, "Lord, I do not know what lies beyond this bridge, but perhaps it would be better if I accompany you to see for yourself."

Shen Tucang sneered coldly. "How dare a Yin Demon go to Monarch Yan Palace? Don't they fear being suppressed and killed by Monarch Yan?"

You Fang added, "Yin Monarch Fang, if you wish to meet Monarch Yan, you should strictly adhere to the laws of the Underworld. Bringing a Yin Demon with you is an act of desecration."

"You two keep calling me a Yin Demon... It's really getting tiresome." Empress Ci chuckled. "What the lord chooses to do is none of your business."

You Fang and Shen Tucang's expressions turned grim as they looked at Fang Chen in silence.

Fang Chen turned to Du Yunxu. "Yun Xu, when Monarch Yan summoned you, did you cross this bridge?"

Du Yunxu nodded.

"Have you seen Monarch Yan?"

"No, I only stood in front of Monarch Yan's palace. After a while, I received a decree and a Day Walker Monarch's battle armor."

Fang Chen fell into thought. Soon, he smiled at Stone Dragon. "Lord Stone Dragon, please wait here for me. I'll be right back."

With that, Fang Chen stepped onto the bridge and walked towards the depths, gradually disappearing in the mist.

Empress Ci grew visibly worried, and she immediately turned to Stone Dragon. "Lord Stone Dragon, this is not appropriate."

Shi Long's brow furrowed slightly. He suddenly turned into a blue light and flew toward the bridge. However, as soon as his feet touched the bridge, he was repelled by a force and thrown back to the shore. He retreated several steps before the force finally dissipated.

Empress Ci was surprised. Stone Dragon was very close to a second-rank Great Yin Demon, yet he couldn't even traverse the bridge!

Does this so-called Monarch Yan of the Lesser Underworld possess such strength?!

Seeing this, Shentu Cang and others couldn't help but reveal a sneer in their eyes. They were also rather relieved. It seems that Monarch Yan's strength far surpasses the two Yin Demons.

***

Fang Chen quickly reached the end of the bridge.

Just as he stepped off, he saw a grand hall looming a hundred meters away through the dense fog. As he approached the grand hall, the fog gradually thinned, allowing him to finally see the full view. In front of the grand hall, two statues of mythical beasts stood. Upon closer inspection, they turned out to be statues of Candle Dragons.

Their faces appeared more mature, one male and one female; it was unclear whether they represented Yin and Yang.

Zhu Long poked its head out from Fang Chen's body, curiously examining these two mythical beast statues. Behind the statues, there were hundreds of steps extending all the way to the blue doors of the hall.

The hall doors suddenly opened, and a figure walked out, waving at Fang Chen. "Come in. Don't just stand there."

Fang Chen smiled and quickly walked up, approaching the figure. The figure appeared somewhat aged, dressed in a pale blue Daoist robe.

"Disciple Fang Chen greets Elder Yun He."

"You've already joined the Three Thousand Dao as my disciple. Why still call me Elder Yun He?" Yun He replied with a light smile.

Fang Chen knelt down and kowtowed 9 times.

"Disciple Fang Chen greets Master."

Yun He nodded in satisfaction. "Get up. Follow me."

As Fang Chen followed Yun He, he looked around. He asked, "Are you Monarch Yan of the Lesser Underworld, Master?"

"No."

"..."

Fang Chen looked slightly bemused. If he wasn't Monarch Yan, why would he be in the hall?