Chapter 1434: Abuse of Power
Before the chaos of Yin, every Guardian in the Underworld Office commanded thousands of Emissaries of Death, and each Guardian possessed the right to appoint Emissaries of Death.
After the chaos of Yin, the number of Emissaries of Death under each Guardian drastically decreased, and even the number of Night Watchers significantly shrunk. This was because each Emissary of Death could only support a limited number of Night Watchers; too many, and they couldn't be sustained. However, by comparison, the salaries and benefits for Emissaries of Death had now risen considerably, allowing them to support more Night Watchers than before the chaos of Yin. This meant that the number of Night Watchers under each Emissary of Death far exceeded those prior to the chaos of Yin, which explained why Yang Haoran still commanded thousands of Night Watchers.
Although the number of Emissaries of Death under each Guardian had decreased, the Guardians' authority was not revoked. Guardians still retained the right to promote Emissaries of Death and alter their physical bodies. Most importantly, there was no reduction in the quantity they could promote; meaning, each Guardian could still promote thousands of Emissaries of Death, just as in the past, and change their bodies, allowing these individuals to acquire physical forms that would not naturally perish.
While Guardians possessed such rights, none dared to exercise them to that extent. One reason was that too many Emissaries of Death would be unsustainable, and there wouldn't be enough territory to allocate them. But this wasn't the primary reason. The main reason was the sheer audacity required to do so. The Underworld Office had not revoked these rights, but that didn't mean every Guardian could act recklessly according to their whims. Promoting thousands of Emissaries of Death and altering their bodies, especially when one's jurisdiction only encompassed a little over a hundred cities, would undoubtedly lead to an investigation by the Underworld Office, and perhaps even severe punishment, including the deprivation of certain authorities.
Yang Haoran, of course, understood the stakes involved. Therefore, despite his considerable financial resources, he had never dared to promote as many Emissaries of Death as he wished in the past. In his view, that would be inviting trouble. If his rivals were to use it as leverage, he would undoubtedly suffer a great loss, which was why he had never dared to act in such a way.
But the situation was different now. He had already rebelled against the Underworld Office, not only killing two Underworld Office Guardians but even eliminating one Underworld Emperor, leaving not even a trace of their souls. If he dared to do such things, why would he still care about abusing his authority to promote a certain number of Emissaries of Death or altering the bodies of how many of them?
He didn't care; he didn't care in the slightest. He simply wanted to secure as many benefits as possible for his subordinates before leaving Jingling Continent, and simultaneously, to strengthen the power he commanded. That was why he decided to have all of his Night Watchers, including those with Spirit Power who were not officially Night Watchers, undergo the baptism of Heaven and Earth's laws, thereby acquiring physical bodies that would not naturally perish.
While this method wouldn't significantly enhance the Spirit Power within these Night Watchers, possessing a body that wouldn't naturally perish offered countless advantages. Many spent their entire lives unable to elevate their strength to a level acknowledged by Heaven and Earth, thus never acquiring such a body. Yet, these Night Watchers, due to Yang Haoran's abuse of power, effortlessly gained such physical forms. How immense this benefit was, and how incredibly fortunate they were, could easily be imagined!
Undergoing the baptism of Heaven and Earth's laws to achieve the goal of physical transformation didn't require Yang Haoran's own strength. In fact, even if it did, his power alone couldn't accomplish it, as he fundamentally lacked such an ability. Only the laws of Heaven and Earth could achieve this. He merely needed to leverage his status and authority to activate the Underworld Iron Tome. Thus, although the current scene was earth-shattering, it didn't cause him much personal impact.
It wasn't just the high-ranking members of the Flock of Demons Society and the Medicine God Society who were envious; even the immediate superiors of these Night Watchers were consumed by extreme envy, verging on jealousy. After all, they had expended countless efforts, paid enormous prices, and escaped death multiple times, accumulating countless merits to finally become Emissaries of Death and gain immortality. Yet, these more than six thousand Night Watchers had so easily obtained immortality. How could they not be envious?
Of course, this wasn't to say that these more than six thousand Night Watchers lacked ability or had never performed meritorious deeds. Some among them truly had considerable achievements, qualifying them to become Emissaries of Death and to receive the baptism of Heaven and Earth's laws for an immortal body. It was simply that there were no positions available for them to ascend, forcing them to remain as Night Watchers.
However, such Night Watchers were ultimately a minority. The vast majority of Night Watchers completely lacked such qualifications. As Yang Haoran had stated, they relied entirely on luck: fortunate enough to encounter a master like Yang Haoran, and fortunate enough to witness this great rebellion!
The envy and jealousy of the crowd were clearly etched on their faces. Yang Haoran's own Emissaries of Death were slightly better off; while they felt envy and jealousy, they had, after all, already attained immortality, making their mindset a bit easier to adjust by comparison.
The high-ranking members of the Flock of Demons Society and the Medicine God Society were entirely different. Though their strength was considerable, it hadn't yet reached a level acknowledged by Heaven and Earth. Thus, even if their physical bodies aged much slower than ordinary people, they were still deteriorating day by day. Witnessing these low-ranked Night Watchers suddenly gain immortality, a massive boon falling from the heavens, their feelings could well be imagined. Some even felt dissatisfaction, believing Yang Haoran was being overly partial to the Underworld Office's side.
Yang Haoran took in everyone's reactions, understanding what was on their minds at this crucial moment. Of course, he wouldn't shoot himself in the foot at such a critical juncture.
"If it were possible," Yang Haoran said, "I would also want all members of the Flock of Demons Society and the Medicine God Society to undergo the baptism of Heaven and Earth's laws and gain immortality. However, I am simply unable to do so. With my status and authority, I can only allow those with Spirit Power within their bodies to receive this baptism. If one does not possess Spirit Power, not only can I not do it, but no one in the Underworld Office can."
Yang Haoran's words were naturally directed at the high-ranking members of the Flock of Demons Society and the Medicine God Society, intending to assure them not to overthink the situation. It wasn't that Yang Haoran was showing favoritism; it was simply the limit of his abilities.
As expected, upon hearing Yang Haoran's explanation, the expressions of the Flock of Demons Society and Medicine God Society high-ups visibly improved. While lingering envy could still be seen on some of their faces, the discontent in their hearts was no longer as intense as before. Yang Haoran, seizing the opportunity, continued to speak.
"Once we are settled," Yang Haoran declared, "I will bestow generous rewards upon everyone in the Flock of Demons Society and the Medicine God Society, from the highest-ranking members to the newest recruits!"
Yang Haoran's words immediately brought joyful smiles to the faces of the Flock of Demons Society and Medicine God Society's high-ranking members, and the last vestiges of dissatisfaction in their hearts dissipated like smoke.
"Thank you, Boss! ! !"
Everyone bowed and expressed their gratitude. Yang Haoran smiled and nodded, then turned his gaze to the Emissaries of Death he had personally promoted. "You are already immortal, so you don't need to undergo the baptism of Heaven and Earth's laws again. Therefore, once we are settled, I will bestow upon you a massive quantity of Soul Pills. Consider it both a reward and compensation. The amount will absolutely exceed your imagination and leave you satisfied."
These Emissaries of Death had initially thought that all the benefits this time would be claimed by the Night Watchers under them. They hadn't expected Yang Haoran to remember not only the Medicine God Society and the Flock of Demons Society but also them. This filled them with both joy and a sense of profound gratitude.
"Thank you, Lord Emissary!"
"Thank you, Lord Emissary!"
The first shout was the chorus of the Emissaries of Death, and the second was the collective reply of the six thousand-plus Night Watchers. The latter's voices were clearly louder and more excited than the former, some even trembling with emotion!
Yang Haoran's face broke into a satisfied smile. Immediately after, he issued a command.
"All Emissaries of Death, heed my command!"
The "Emissaries of Death" referred to here, of course, were not the six thousand-plus Night Watchers. Although those Night Watchers had been lucky enough to have their bodies transformed by the laws of Heaven and Earth, their status was, after all, not that of Emissaries of Death. No matter how happy or excited they were, they would not forget their true identities.
"Your subordinates are present! ! !"
All the Emissaries of Death responded in unison, their attitudes respectful.
"Take out your Underworld Iron Tomes and discard them. No one is permitted to keep this item. Anyone found with it will be treated as a traitor."
Yang Haoran spoke, and though a smile played on his face, his tone was unquestionable, leaving no room for discussion.
As his words fell, he gently waved a hand at the Underworld Iron Tome floating in the air above. The Yin Qi coiling around it dissipated, and the tome fell from the sky, landing with a thud before him, yet he didn't spare it another glance.
This Underworld Iron Tome originally belonged to Yang Haoran. Due to its numerous uses, he had always meticulously kept it. However, at this moment, he discarded it here as if it were trash.
The crowd did not understand Yang Haoran's intention, but none of the Emissaries of Death present disobeyed his command. One after another, they retrieved their Underworld Iron Tomes from their personal spatial dimensions.
Yang Haoran watched this scene, unable to stop himself from sighing to himself.
"This Underworld Iron Tome is a fine item, yet a pity I cannot take it with me. Even destroying it is difficult, so I can only abandon such a treasure here like refuse. What's even more regrettable is that I still have too few Night Watchers under my command. Over six thousand people, and it's still not the limit for promoting Emissaries of Death? If I had more Night Watchers, I would have more immortals under me. What a pity, a true pity!"
While watching the Emissaries of Death, some bewildered, some reluctant, discard the Underworld Iron Tomes from their hands onto the ground, Yang Haoran continued to sigh. As his sigh faded, all the Emissaries of Death had cast aside their respective Underworld Iron Tomes. It was then that Yang Haoran shifted his gaze to Old Master Wu.
"Old Wu," Yang Haoran instructed, "immediately activate the teleportation array and organize everyone for withdrawal."
With the last matter handled, Yang Haoran naturally wouldn't waste any more time here. He issued the order to Old Master Wu for an immediate retreat.
"Understood, Boss!"
Moonlit Night God
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