Yama Rising

Chapter 718: Kong Mo\'s Execution

“Well then, I guess that brings things to some form of closure. Ghost King Zhao, what do you plan to do next?” Qin Ye smiled and picked up his cup of wine, “On second thoughts, allow me to pose the question slightly differently. Ghost King Zhao… how familiar are you with Forbidden Arts?”

“Not too shabby.” At once, Zhao Yun’s expressions turned grave once more, “Yin Talismans can be considered the building blocks of the netherworld. You can think of it as akin to the protons, neutrons and electrons in the mortal realm. The more you know about these things, the quicker you can advance. But I have to add a caveat that understanding doesn’t immediately translate to advancement in cultivation. Correlation doesn’t necessarily mean causation. That said, it still remains true that the deeper one’s cultivation, the better their understanding of Yin Talismans.”

“And why is that so?” Qin Ye probed deeper. He was deeply interested in Yin Talismanology.

“Thus, most of the research was instead delegated to Hell’s academicians, fellows, and other talents that we’d earmarked from talent scouting programs. Even our Abyssal Prefects don’t have the time to delve into these studies. After all, people are dying at every moment of the day, and there are a multitude of tasks to handle to keep Hell going as an underworld. Besides, it was already stated at the International Underworld Development Conference that the greatest issue to be addressed in the next 300 years or so would be energy-related issues.”

“... I’m just explaining it in terms you would better understand. These are only things that I’ve only recently been exposed to after all. In the past we used to call our equivalent of university scholars the Hanlin Academy. But don’t you think it’s better to keep with the times?” The Harken rolled its eyes, before turning to Zhao Yun, “Back to the topic at hand, what I’m trying to say is that even though General Zhao might not be a specialist in the field of Yin Talismanology, his understanding of Yin Talismans should still be the highest among all Yin spirits in Hell at present. Moreover, having been in close contact with the initiation module for such a long time, I think it’s safe to say that he should have some insights on its constitution and functionality by now.”

Qin Ye raised his glass and paused for a moment, and then sighed softly without saying anything.

…………………………………………………

The human bone lamp hanging from the eaves of the carriage tinkled violently as the carriage sped along. Meanwhile, the carriage was tailed by hundreds of humanoid paper effigies riding on paper horses. That said, most of these paper effigies appeared to be somewhat incomplete. Some appeared to be charred and burnt, while others appeared to have mutilated limbs. All in all, the entire procession of troops appeared no different from an army that had been routed.

“Keep going!!” A shrill voice echoed from the chamber of the carriage. Then, a withered hand drew up the curtain slightly, and a skeleton that appeared to be wearing the loose skin of a man peeked out and gnashed his teeth.

It had been ages since his last change of skin. The current one no longer fitted him well, and it was clearly coming loose at every part of the body. In fact, if one looked close enough, he would even be able to see ripples flowing along the surface of the loose skin as a result of the fierce wind battering against his body. However, he couldn’t care less about these inconsequential details at this point. He stared intently behind him with scarlet dots in his eyes.

These were the night hounds of the Daolord of the Asura, Qin Hui!

Qufu had been lost, and his own army had been crushed in the confrontation with the Daolord of the Asura. Without reinforcements of the Mythic Palace of Reflections, he was completely helpless against such a terrifying force!

Is he looking to devour me?

No… He must’ve gone mad! He’s hell bent on killing me! He’s even gone out of his way to chase me to the edge of this grand formation of the Second King Yanluo!

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the time to be mulling over these things. After all, escape was of the utmost priority!

“Yes!”

“Just you wait… If I can’t be a feudal lord of this glorious warring states era, then nobody can! The chaos in Hell… is only just beginning!”

Time passed by quickly. Thirty minutes… One hour… Then, finally, after an hour and a half, the evil ghosts travelling across the waters finally saw a glorious golden curtain of light appear across the seas. Countless intricate symbols of Yin Talismans glowed on its surface, just like the dazzling stars in the night sky.

So long as the forces of Yomi-no-Kuni are around, then my problems will be resolved. And then, I’ll at least be conferred an honorary title of a daimyo or higher!

It was a woman.

Her hair was scattered everywhere, and her head was massive. Her body was somewhat slender, save that her belly was disproportionately large. Furthermore, her scarlet tongue hung loosely from her lips, all the way down to the surface of the seas. Her pupils were blazing with scarlet netherflames, almost like two demon stars that shone down with foreboding omen.

“Hungry… SO HUNGRY!!!”

The behemoth stood right before the golden curtain of light, stirring up roaring waves that swept everywhere with terrifying destructive force. It was like a roaring rainstorm. Following that, a series of scarlet netherflames began to light up all over her arms, belly and head. And then, an unprecedented shriek of anguish filled the air.

“Daolord of the Hungry Ghost… Su Daji…” Kong Mo’s lips trembled, and his heart sank to rock bottom.

How did I end up getting targeted by two Daolords?!

“Stop the carriage…” He clutched tightly at the wooden armrest, and then… proceeded to kowtow to the ground.

It was frustrating. He was already at the edge of the great formation, and Izanami was likely already waiting on the other side with Yue Wumu’s soul. But unfortunately… he couldn’t take a further step from here.

“Your servant, Kong Mo, humbly greets the two esteemed daolords.” His heart thumped wildly as he bowed deeply to the ground, “Your servant doesn’t know how it might have transgressed or offended the two esteemed daolords, but I would be grateful if the daolords could be merciful and leave me a way out! I will find some way to repay this favour in the future!”

“There shouldn’t be any reason to kill you.” Su Daji muttered softly, “And there shouldn’t have been any need for us to expend our resources hunting you down. After all, you’re nothing more than a dog to the Confucian Family.”

As if he could sense the confusion in his heart, Qin Hui sneered, “Because someone else wants you dead.”

In that instant, Kong Mo understood everything.

“The new Hell doesn’t have anything right now! How many Abyssal Prefects do they have right now?! One? Possibly even none! Do you really have to defect to them?!”

But before he could even go on, Su Daji immediately kicked him, sending his head flying off his body and hanging loosely from what remained of his skin. And then, Qin Hui opened his mouth and sucked hard. At once, a soul screamed and flew right out of Kong Mo’s body and into his lips.

“I’ve heard that he’s already consolidating his army of 150,000 troops. He’s getting ready to duke it with the new Hell.”

Then, just as the two daolords were about to vanish into a wisp of Yin energy, Su Daji abruptly held up her hand, “Hang on.”

A cold sea breeze swept by, causing waves to crash on the surface of the ocean.

They could vaguely make out a hazy sight just beyond the curtain of light!

No! It’s more than one! A fleet of ships! And a fleet of ghost ships at that?!

What’s a fleet of ghost ships doing at the edge of Cathayan waters?!