Chapter 1729: Traitor |
Two Venerables of the Motian Division arrived before the Forgotten River, leading over five hundred thousand ghost soldiers.
One of the Venerables glanced at the Forgotten River beneath his feet and sighed. "This place hasn't appeared in the world for far too many years. Within the Buddha Realm, there are countless regions like this. Even though our Motian Division is powerful, we still cannot control them…"
The other Venerable sneered." Sooner or later, the Underworld will regain its former glory. With the Division Lord's methods, as long as the Lesser Underworld is taken, he can attain the Dao through it."
"When that time comes, it won't matter if the Nine Mortal Realms or the Immortal Realm falls into chaos. Whether it's the Demonic Beast Race or the Human Race, they will all have no choice but to bow down to the Motian Division Demon Race. None of them can continue their lineage without passing through our cycle of reincarnation."
Above them, hidden within the shadows, Fang Chen was speaking with Abbess Qing He.
Fang Chen sighed. "You heard it too. The Motian Division's goal is to take the Lesser Underworld. And now, as Monarch Yan of the Underworld, I am the rightful authority. They aim to kill me and seize the inheritance of Monarch Yan.
"The demon race and the beast race orchestrated the Three Realms Upheaval. Motian Dizang remained hidden, preserving his strength. Meanwhile, the previous Monarch Yan nearly sacrificed herself for that war, and even the Underworld's True Gods were almost entirely wiped out. I know you are reluctant to kill, but when one's race faces calamity, a choice must be made."
A thoughtful look appeared in Abbess Qing He's eyes. After a few breaths, she nodded heavily, her clear gaze fixed on Fang Chen. "Lord Fang, I believe you are the rightful ruler of the Underworld. That is the true orthodoxy. As for Motian Dizang, I can already guess his intentions. He merely wishes to use the Underworld to attain the Dao and become the new Heavenly Dao. But if that day truly comes, the Underworld will still be in chaos. If we are to bring peace to the Three Realms, this place is the foundation. Other places may fall into disorder, but this one cannot."
A relieved smile appeared on Fang Chen's face. "You're still reasonable, little abbess."
The two Venerables didn't even have time to react before they felt their control over yin energy get sealed. They could not even move a finger.
A ninth-transformation Immortal has descended through the Underworld!?
Terror rose in the two Venerables ' hearts. Only that could explain what they were experiencing.
Then they saw Fang Chen and Abbess Qing He descending through the air. They didn't sense anything unusual from Fang Chen. It was Abbess Qing He who displayed an unfathomable and terrifying depth.
"May I ask how to address the two of you?" Fang Chen asked with a smile.
Instead of answering, one of the Venerables questioned them in return, "Who are you?"
Abbess Qing He smiled. "Gentlemen, Lord Fang is the rightful Monarch Yan, and the very one the Motian Division has been searching for. If you are willing, Lord Fang can grant you positions as True Ghost Gods of the Underworld."
Shock appeared on their faces.
The current Monarch Yan?!
It took them ten entire minutes to process this new revelation.
One of them quickly thought of something, his expression turning grave. "Were Venerable Dizang and Venerable Jinglan killed by you?"
Fang Chen nodded.
A chill rose in their hearts. The deaths of those two had caused a massive stir within the Motian Division.
They had never imagined that it was the current Monarch Yan who had acted, nor that he had a ninth-transformation Ghost Immortal serving under him! Even within the Motian Division, aside from the Division Lord himself, there were no ninth transformation Ghost Immortals!
At that moment, they finally understood why those two had died so suddenly.
Fang Chen's smile deepened. "Have you considered what the abbess just said?"
"We are Venerables of the Motian Division, and the Motian Division is the true orthodoxy of the Underworld today. Do you really think we would betray the Division Lord and defect to you?" said one of them coldly. "You are the rebel in today's Underworld. And the Lesser Underworld is currently in your control? If you are willing to hand it over, our Division Lord will be able to attain the Great Dao. At that time, the Underworld will be more stable than ever before, and will stand above the Three Realms!"
"Motian Dizang wants the Underworld to stand above the Three Realms?" Fang Chen asked calmly.
The Venerable replied proudly, "Of course. Throughout history, who else possesses such grand ambition as the Division Lord? Only he is worthy of sitting upon the throne of Monarch Yan."
Fang Chen shook his head. "The prosperity of the Three Realms depends on balance. If the Underworld becomes supreme, that balance will be broken, and chaos will arise again."
Even as the current Monarch Yan, he did not believe the Underworld should stand above the Nine Mortal Realms and the Immortal Realm. Balance was akin to yin and yang; once disrupted, disorder would follow.
"Only fools and incompetents think as you do. I suggest you join our Motian Division instead. With your unique identity, the Division Lord would surely grant you a position that is second only to him yet above all others."
The Venerable's eyes burned with fervor as he attempted to persuade Fang Chen.
Fang Chen chuckled. "You have two choices. First, become Ghost Gods of the Underworld and serve under my command. Second, perish with your soul utterly destroyed."
"What a joke. I have only one path—to die serving the Division Lord! Everything I have today is due to him. I will never betray him!" one of the Venerables declared.
"Is there no third option?" asked the other Venerable, his voice hoarse.
Sensing hesitation in his tone, the first Venerable immediately glared at him. "What are you thinking? Don't forget, whether the current Monarch Yan or the previous one, they have always been the Division Lord's sworn enemies!"
"I just don't understand… why must the Motian Division assist the demon race?" the second Venerable said calmly.
The first Venerable grew furious at the other's wavering stance. "That is the Division Lord's will! His vision and understanding! How could a mere eighth-transformation Ancient Immortal like you comprehend it? Helping the demon race is only a temporary expedient. Only this way can we more quickly open the path to the Lesser Underworld!"
The second Venerable shook his head. "But we shouldn't allow foreign races to run rampant, sweeping through the Taicang Realm like this. With the Division Lord's capabilities, he should take from the demon race, not collaborate with them."
He turned to Fang Chen. "Monarch Yan, I bear the Division Lord's seal. Unless it is removed, I cannot escape his control. Do you have a way to deal with it?"
"Traitor!" the Venerable beside him roared, wishing he could tear him apart.
