Chapter 113: Chapter 112: Erased from the Book of Life and Death!
The Messenger Netherworld Envoy let out a howl, and the grand hall immediately fell silent.
These distinguished guests instinctively slowed their breathing, devoutly kneeling on one knee.
Yu Nianzhao and Xie Jiuxiao exchanged a glance, casually sitting in their seats, quietly observing everything.
On both sides of the hall, the so-called seven Netherworld Envoys appeared one after another.
They each wore masks of Black and White Impermanence, Oxhead and Horseface, Night Patrol Deity, with only a petite female dressed as an old woman, donning the mask of Meng Po.
The lights in the hall dimmed for an instant, amidst sparks and lightning, a black figure descended from the sky, accompanied by billowing smoke and a green glow, a man wearing a King Yan mask landed steadily on the ground.
Quite a convincing act, at first glance it truly feels like one is in the underworld.
"Hail King Yan!"
A loud voice echoed through the hall; they are all devoted followers, respectfully welcoming the descent of the underworld ruler.
"Stand up, all of you."
King Yan’s voice was ethereal and majestic, having a heart-shaking effect.
Yu Nianzhao cast a deep gaze at him and whispered, "Intense evil qi, there are at least hundreds of vengeful spirits entwined around this King Yan, what’s strange is... these spirits don’t intend to tear him apart, instead they seem to fear him."
Xie Jiuxiao asked, "Is he human or ghost?"
"Currently appears human, but the insides are uncertain. If it’s a fierce ghost forcefully possessing the body, I could tell at a glance; if he willingly accepts the fierce ghost and deliberately conceals it, I’d need more contact to know, after all my Judgement Blade doesn’t run for free."
"Being human is good enough, as long as we capture him, I can pry open even the sternest mouth," Xie Jiuxiao’s voice was icy, determined to capture King Yan.
"Tonight is meant to fulfill the wishes of my devout followers, let’s begin one by one." King Yan sat on the throne, gently waved his hand.
The Messenger Netherworld Envoy then loudly declared, "First in line for incense offerings is Mr Chang, who has donated a total of a hundred thousand taels of silver, thirty thousand taels of gold, and various other treasures, truly the most devoted follower of King Yan; his wish is surely the first to be fulfilled."
A hundred thousand taels of silver, thirty thousand taels of gold?
The crowd gasped, upon hearing the incense money they glanced towards the old man arranged nearest to the main stage.
How much money is that, exactly?
Yu Nianzhao also clicked his tongue upon hearing, "A hundred thousand taels of silver? Thirty thousand taels of gold? Does he not know where to spend his money? So much incense money, it’d truly protect him if donated to my temple instead; trusting these folks is throwing money away."
"There is no wealthy Chang Family in Shangjing, but I’ve heard of a wealthy merchant surnamed Chang in Tongzhou, probably came from Tongzhou," Xie Jiuxiao noticed their every move; with his excellent memory, he could match names.
"Mr Chang, please come."
The old woman wearing the Meng Po mask is the Judgement Netherworld Envoy; her voice was vividly depicted as if a real elderly, her true face invisible through the mask.
"Thank you Netherworld Envoy, thank you King Yan." Mr Chang was already old and frail, tottering with a cane, entirely reliant on the beautiful maid beside him for support as he moved.
Personally reached the legendary King Yan, Mr Chang stumbled in excitement, humbly pleaded, "King Yan, the follower only wishes for immortality and indestructibility, the wealth of the Chang Family was earned singlehandedly in my youth, those blockheads, I wouldn’t trust anyone, only in my own hands is it most reassuring."
The scene was a hubbub.
"Immortality and indestructibility? Quite the appetite, no wonder he donated so much incense money."
"Only divine beings can grant humans immortality and indestructibility, right?"
"Isn’t the underworld King Yan a divine being? As long as he waves his hand, making selections on the Book of Life and Death, it’s not impossible to fulfill his wish."
"..."
People whispered to each other.
"Silence!"
King Yan slowly spoke, "Since you are all my followers, naturally I shall fulfill your wish; extending your life is nothing, I shall cross your name off the Book of Life and Death."
He reached out his hand, after the dark mist dispersed, a jet-black book appeared in his palm.
The book prominently displayed the golden-embossed characters ’Book of Life and Death,’ in his other hand appeared a brush; he thumbed through the Book of Life and Death, casually saying, "I found your name."
Mr Chang was thrilled to tears, "Is King Yan really going to cross off a follower’s name? Once crossed off, does that mean he won’t die?"
King Yan said, "Originally, your life ends today; now that I’ve crossed off your name, no yamen runner will come to fetch your soul, thus you transcend the three realms achieving immortality."
"Thank you King Yan, thank you King Yan!" Mr Chang was overjoyed.
He watched wide-eyed as King Yan used the brush to mark a stroke across the Book of Life and Death; suddenly, Mr Chang felt rejuvenated, his frail body underwent a tremendous transformation.
His bones cracked, his hunchbacked form suddenly became much more robust.
The wrinkles on Mr Chang’s face smoothed out, he began jumping energetically.
"I’ve really become younger, is my body transformed?" Mr Chang tossed aside the cane, his head of white hair regrew many black strands, he swiftly knelt, excitedly bowing to King Yan repeatedly, "King Yan is compassionate for granting such a great wish to the follower, the follower will continue donating incense, the Chang Family’s silver will not cease, it’ll be offered daily."
"Wow! Isn’t this too miraculous? Such tricky wish could be realized?"
"A dying man becoming young again? If this can be done, what else couldn’t be?"
"My heavens, removing a person from the Book of Life and Death, only a true underworld King Yan can achieve this!"
The followers once again became heated, eager to go on stage to seek King Yan’s mercy.
"Mr Chang’s wish has been fulfilled, let me see who’s next on the list."
The Messenger Netherworld Envoy glanced at the list, suddenly looking towards Yu Nianzhao’s direction, "Next is Miss Feiyi from Shangjing!"
"Miss, it’s your turn, please." A maid appeared behind, cheerfully reminded her.
Xie Jiuxiao’s eyes flickered with a hint of coldness, just about to protect Yu Nianzhao, only to be pressed back by her.
She rose unhurriedly, calmly walking towards the main stage, while asking, "What is my wish then?"
The Messenger Netherworld Envoy laughed, "Miss, you really are joking, forgetting your own purchased wish?"
"Forgot!" Yu Nianzhao replied confidently.