Yama Rising

Qin Ye was somewhat startled by their identities. The three named by Shadowless were all figureheads who had etched their marks of notoriety in the annals of history. All of them were somehow related to the fall of a dynasty back in their lifetime. Most, if not all, would consider their crimes unforgivable. Who would have thought that after thousands of years, these infamous people would escape the clutches of eternal death and set foot in the mortal realm once more?

“Lord Sasori, the daolord of the asura has never concealed their true names from us. In fact, all of the important, trusted aides under his command know of the names of the daolords.” Shadowless responded in great detail, “In fact, he has been in correspondence with the other daolords, and there were several occasions where he would instruct us to read the contents of the messages and respond on his behalf. That’s why we know their names. But, that said, that’s also the extent of all we know of their interactions.”

He would have denied it vehemently.

After mulling over his thoughts for several more minutes, Qin Ye continued, “What about the forces that are under Qin Hui’s command? How was it back in the three eastern provinces?”

He hesitated for a moment, before finally steeling his heart and continuing with great determination, “Has already become a nest of ten thousand captive ghosts, and the daolord was already in the process of transforming their base into an underworld altogether. It’s going to take another ten years at best. The concentration of Yin energy there… at least, according to the daolord himself… is no weaker than that located in Hell.”

We’re both Yin spirits, so how could we be handling our interactions with the mortal realm that differently? Perhaps this must be why we’re considered the orthodox Hell, while the other is just a rebel force in the making…

Since when… is there a procedure pertaining to surrender?

Shadowless trembled, and his jaws dropped. He couldn’t conceal the abject shock and horror on his face. But before he could even retort and make any form of resistance whatsoever, Qin Ye added, “I’ve got something that I’ll need you to hand over to Qin Hui. Once you have done so, let him know that my old master would like to meet with him.”

Shadowless’ pupils narrowed abruptly. There seemed to be many startling pieces of news today. First, there was the appearance of the ridiculously powerful Infernal Judge, and then… this Judge even mentioned that he had an old master?

Boom!!

He held the scales with both hands, with a frozen, reverent expression.

What the hell… is this?!

It was almost as though an ineffable being from a distant place had transcended time and space, and were staring straight into the depths of his soul.

Where in the world is the Hidden Sand Village? Who in hell is Lord Sasori supposed to be?!

“Tell him to consider what I’m saying carefully if he doesn’t want to be placed underneath the six paths of reincarnation again.” Qin Ye stood up and vanished in a cloud of Yin energy, “Additionally, don’t even think about absconding with that scale. I can assure you that your soul will dissipate in an instant the moment you do so.”

Abscond? Would I even dare contemplate something like that?

In that instant, he even questioned whether it was the right move to defect to Qin Ye’s side. After all, he might well have come out of the frying pan and into the fire.

After approximately five more minutes to his own thoughts, he finally sighed wistfully, and transformed into a nethergale as he vanished into the distance.

Hell can’t destroy Kong Mo, but the daolord definitely can!

“Shadowless might not appreciate what that scale was, but I’ve got no doubts that Qin Hui would know at a glance that this is none other than one of the Harken’s scales. A Yin spirit that can pull out and hand over a piece of the Harken’s scales cannot possibly be a small fry. So… I wonder what his decision is going to be?”

“And to that end, the fear of Hell is something that has already been etched deep in their bones. Qin Hui would probably accede to my request.”

And then, he grew taciturn.

Furthermore, a particularly cowardly Yanluo had previously divulged the entire truth about Hell in exchange for keeping himself alive! Who would’ve thought that we’d meet each other face to face so soon! Qin Ye couldn’t resist the urge to give himself two tight slaps across the cheeks!

“But where am I going to find someone like that…” Qin Ye chuckled bitterly.

He would have to appease the hearts of the citizens, stabilize the economy, and then, only when he had sufficient backing could he finally start recruiting fresh troops and delving into his research endeavours.

He’s an Abyssal Prefect… The sheer thought of that already makes my legs weak. Should I ask someone else to go on my behalf? But no matter how I think about it, Arthis is the only other possibility. Sure, her martial abilities might be there, but she’s no different from a piece of shit when it comes to politics. If I throw her into the open arms of the daolord, I’m quite certain that it wouldn’t take more than a minute for war to break out…

“Pfft, you irreverent child. I’m a daolord and an Abyssal Prefect, while you’re just a measly Infernal Judge. How dare you look me in the eye like that?”

“I dare you to try it again.”

Arthis perishes.

I truly hate that Hell lacks talents right now…

Then, just as he was about to delve deeper into that train of thought, he suddenly paused.

It felt as though he had entered a pitch-black realm. It was strange, but he also had the sense that so long as he willed it, he would be able to leave this peculiar dimension at a single thought.

Just as he was considering these things, the void in front of him suddenly rippled, and a black-and-white image appeared right in front of his very eyes.

There were two other men in black suits kneeling beside him as well, both of whom also had their hands clasped together. They, too, were chanting together with the middle-aged man.

“Is this… the language of Daehan?” Qin Ye furrowed his brows. Daeians… are praying to me?

Qin Ye was fraught with bewilderment. But, just then, the man on the left suddenly spoke up with perfect Cathayan, “Lord of Hell, Director Kim was personally tasked by the chairman of the board to entreat you with this request. If Hell can hear us, please reap her soul…”

“Open your eyes to us… We call upon you from the faraway lands of Daehan. And… this may be the only shot we have at that! She’s not a human… she has to be an evil spirit! She… she has to be an undead evil spirit! Please… take her soul away with you! We’ll do anything you ask of us!”

Qin Ye was just about to leave when he suddenly froze in place.

The ones who possess the requisite knowledge to reach out to Hell are by no means ordinary mortals. After all, such rituals have already long ceased to exist. If I accede to their request… would I perhaps… be able to locate Xia Jinse’s whereabouts?

…………………………………………

It was a very large room in what appeared to be a quaint temple. The incense pot was only sparsely filled, because they were currently in a temple that was dedicating offerings to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

An entire series of bodyguards stood right outside the temple. The entire temple was empty. Even the abbot and monks were nowhere to be seen.

“Nobody can prove the existence of gods or demons in the first place. This temple is already supposed to be the most numinous temple of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. But even then--...”

“You say that the existence of gods and demons are but legends and myths, but… Mr Quan, have you forgotten how long that terrible monster has been alive?!”

“Meanwhile, I’ve gotten married, had a child, and my son is already 18 years-old this year! Yet, she still looks exactly the same as she used to!”

“She’s a monster… an ageless and immortal demon! We, the Samsung Group, cannot afford to let a monster sway us!”