Yama Rising

Wilderness.

If one looked close though, they would be able to see innumerable spots of netherflames hovering about atop the mountain range. Massive tents stood stoically at the top of the ridges, while countless Yin spirits were seen coming and going from its midst. Massive ballistas were erected along the edge of the coastal ridges, and there were even large machines resembling Yin beasts that appeared to be stationed around the vicinity in strategic locations.

There was a lamp hanging in the middle of each tent, powered by a pitch-black crystal rock and emitting a dim light. The largest tent was located right in the middle of all the other tents, and there was a wreath of human skulls hanging from the lamp that burned with a cold, red flame.

It was so grim that it almost looked like a demonic scarlet star in the middle of the night sky.

There were twelve spots of soulfires blazing atop the wooden plaque. But one of them had just fizzled out a moment ago.

“How is that possible?” His shriveled hand tightened its grasp around the wooden plaque, “He was tasked to guard Qufu with three other evil ghosts. How could he possibly be dead?”

He immediately shot to his feet at such a thought. However, he soon flopped back down to his seat again.

The Yin spirits outside heard the commotion in the room. At once, an attendant dressed in likeness of a Tang Dynasty official immediately drifted into the room, “Lord Kong, it’s time for you to change your clothes again.”

“Yes.”

The person had already passed out a long time ago. The attendant promptly lowered the veil after him, while a bloodthirsty smile soon crept up the corners of Kong Mo’s lips. Then, he pulled out a pair of scissors.

Without any hesitation, he plunged the scissors into the human being’s belly button, and then began to cut open the man and strip him of his skin as though he were doing arts and crafts!

The lamp in the room flickered softly. Ten minutes later, Lord Kong called out to his attendant once more, “Come in.”

Nothing seemed different about the tent, save for another human skull that had ostensibly been added to the wreath of human skulls. Lord Kong’s appearances were now completely different.

“How?!” The attendant gasped in horror, “I’ve not received word that Qufu is under siege. It’s safe to say that they’re not facing any situation right now! The daolord of the asura has also been kept at bay by our forces over here, especially given the high-quality Yin artifacts at your disposal right now. So, who could possibly kill the Lord of Darkriver?!”

He raised his eyes sharply and gazed deeply into the eyes of his attendant, “Sha Xiangzu and his army of a hundred thousand were decimated in an inordinately short amount of time. If there’s someone in this world that can do something like that… then, it has undoubtedly got to be them…”

Are they finally coming?

But… who’s even supposed to be considered Hell at this point in time?

“Are you thinking that Hell might be gathering Yin spirits under its wings once more? Or perhaps… that they even know of the existence of Qufu right now?”

“Yes!” The attendant responded affirmatively, but he couldn’t help but worry about this location, “But, what about here?”

“Anyhow, I want you to take my tiger talisman with you. If you should discover that someone has turned traitor against us, I give you the authority to purge them without question. But if everything still seems peaceful back in Qufu, then you must inquire exactly how and where Sha Xiangzu died, and then go to the scene of the crime immediately to conduct the necessary investigations. I want a detailed report.”

With that, the Yin spirit went away.

“By Hell’s Dictum, all rabble shall disperse. These aren’t just words, you know…”

Sss… All of the Yin soldiers that had surrendered themselves gasped in horror when they witnessed the execution of Sha Xiangzu by way of the sky lantern punishment.

Sha Xiangzu is dead. The tyrannical Lord of Darkriver is burning in a sky lantern right in front of our eyes. Innumerable spears, and projectile weapons were all pointed at the Yin spirits that had earlier been rounded up. Not a single one of them dared make any sudden moves. No. They couldn’t. Their entire beings were paralyzed with an intense fear that permeated the depths of their hearts.

Crackle… crackle...The stifling sound of the sky lantern punishment weighed heavily on their hearts. The atmosphere in the area was still and heavy. Ten full minutes later, Qin Ye finally stepped forward and addressed everyone.

He spoke without any haste, “You were a part of Kong Mo’s army of insurgents. Logically speaking, you should be executed for your crimes.”

“But the heavens have eyes as well. You’ve been deceived by Kong Mo and his lies. The ignorant shall be spared. Therefore, I’m willing to give you a chance to make amends for your crimes.”

In order to quell any lingering embers of resistance and snuff out all possible sources of rebellion, all officers of the Alliance of Darkness had naturally been executed together with Sha Xiangzu. Otherwise, how could the sky lantern be blazing so vigorously right now?

The heavy atmosphere in the plaza loosened up slightly as soon as Qin Ye gave them the low down.

Qin Ye responded calmly, “That’s a given. Don’t forget that these are Yin spirits who have perished in recent years. None of them possess any of that foolish loyalty of bygone eras. These days, people are only loyal to their own country. Bring up the fact that we represent the orthodox Hell of the nation, label them as traitors and spare their lives, and they naturally would take a certain course of action.”

He sighed softly, “People these days… are truly afraid of death…”

Arthis glared at him fiercely - Aren’t you just talking about yourself?!

Naturally, not a single Yin spirit stood to Qin Ye’s left at all.

The Yin spirits did as they were told. Qin Ye watched as the number of names within the Book of Life and Death slowly increased, and he fervently repressed the surging joy in his heart. He kept a placid expression on his face as he continued to address the Yin spirits, “Everyone. First of all, welcome to the new Hell. Hell is the orthodox underworld of Cathay. Everything else that exists apart from Hell is heretical, and cannot be condoned. You may treat the eastbound expedition that we’re on as a test of sorts. Once we succeed, you will be treated the same as any other citizen of Hell. You’ll be given benefits and jobs, and everything will be reminiscent of life back in the mortal realm.”

Can’t be bothered about these things?

As soon as he said these things, countless Yin spirits immediately looked up at Qin Ye with great astonishment.

He was content to leave all other arrangements to Yang Yanzhao.

“Your Excellency needn’t worry. Everything has already been prepared. All Yin soldiers will be broken up in pairs and separated from the rest of their forces. There’s no way any chaos can ensue this way.”

Thoughts about how we are to attack Qufu!

Fortunately, Arthis had been to the Shanhai Pass of the underworld, and still had some impression of it left to work with.

“How big is the city? What are the strategic choke points? What spell arrays are there? Are there any traps? It’s going to be practically impossible to take down such an indomitable pass unless we have intelligence on all of these things!”