I walked quietly along the stone-paved road, gazing at the grand hall ahead. The plaque above read "Fifth Tribunal." Everything was already over.
Footsteps echoed behind me. I turned back quietly. Members of the Immortality Society were walking slowly, chatting and laughing. I clenched my fists. Behind me, Heavenly Soul patted my back. The Ghost Sovereigns in front looked pale, each face filled with anger.
This was something I never expected. Ever since the Union of Three Souls, I had been waiting. Ethan Zhang had indeed grown stronger—it was only a matter of time. Once this ordeal was over, John Chou would surely guide Ethan Zhang further.
So Heavenly Soul and I didn’t immediately leave Ethan Zhang’s body. We waited, letting him continue to use this power and help John Chou reclaim what was his.
“In hindsight, we should have...”
“Enough, Earthly Soul. It’s all in the past. Now I just want to return to the living world as soon as possible. Will you come with me? To Rachel Lan’s place—let’s inform her in person. The Ghost Sovereigns will handle the others.”
I nodded slightly. This was something Heavenly Soul and I should deliver personally, but I didn’t know how to begin, nor what to say.
At that moment, John Chou stopped, a faint smile on his lips and a glimmer in his eyes.
“Don’t lose yourselves—Earthly Soul, and you too, Heavenly Soul. If even you are lost, then everything Ethan Zhang has done will be meaningless, leaving no trace in this world.”
I let out a small cry, looked up, and turned to see Xu Fu smiling. The other members of the Immortality Society were the same—no one felt like fighting anymore.
Divine Law was preserved, and because of Ethan Zhang, it was reborn.
“What’s wrong, Earthly Soul, Heavenly Soul? Have you forgotten everything Ethan Zhang said at the end? As humans, you cannot defeat us.”
I ignored Xu Fu. I never liked him, and Heavenly Soul felt the same about the Immortality Society—we only had hostility for them. All I wanted now was to enter the hall and question the Infernal Judges about what they were truly thinking.
I stopped, turned around. All thirteen members of the Immortality Society halted as well. I clenched my fist, black lightning slowly coursing over my knuckles.
“What you said about the Ghost Burial Squad—is it true?”
“I can vouch for that, Earthly Soul. Why don’t you trust us?”
Xu Fu chuckled and walked slowly up to me.
“If it hadn’t been for me, Divine Law would’ve been taken away by those three. And if that happened, you’d be facing even greater hardship—maybe the Underworld Court itself. So, for this war, wouldn’t the Underworld Court do whatever it takes, even forsake honor, and choose to cooperate with us? It’s the safest move.”
I turned and kept walking, feeling a bit irritable. I glanced sidelong at Xu Fu on my right.
“Don’t even think about it, Xu Fu. The Blood Jade will never be yours. If you try, I promise you’ll never make it back.”
As I spoke, Xu Fu raised his hands, grinning mischievously and shaking his head.
“Let’s set these things aside for now. We’ve arrived.”
“Everyone...”
As we approached the grand hall, a booming voice rang out, followed by streaks of red light. In an instant, the Ten Judges descended before us.
“Thank you for your efforts, John Chou, Basil Bertram, Redmond, Yuna Ji, Lord Shenyan, Yvonne May, Mona Ouyang.”
Fifth Tribunal Yama stepped forward and bowed. I noticed the expressions of the Ten Judges had softened, and some even seemed apologetic.
“There’s no need for these hypocritical pleasantries. Honestly, it’s nauseating to hear!”
Mona Ouyang muttered sarcastically, but none of the Ten Judges responded.
“When can I reclaim the Bloodbane Power? This is my last time asking. Next time, I won’t bother.”
John Chou spoke with a hard edge.
“Within a month, once everything is running smoothly, you’ll be able to reclaim the Bloodbane Power.”
The Third Hell Magistrate spoke. At that moment, the Immortality Society approached, and Xu Fu burst out laughing.
“In other words, if you can’t manage it, there’s no point in continuing this discussion. Only war can solve the problem, right, John Chou?”
Xu Fu said as he walked past. Instantly, seven Ghost Sovereigns turned their gaze on him. He quickly raised his hands and retreated several steps.
“Don’t look at me like that—I haven’t done anything! The ones playing everyone for fools are the Infernal Judges. If word gets out, it’ll be a laughingstock for Hell’s rulers!”
“Xu Fu, shut up. None of this matters anymore. If you came here just to run your mouth, then go home!”
The Ten Judges glared at Xu Fu, who immediately covered his mouth and backed away.
John Chou glanced at Xu Fu again.
“Where’s Lady Meng? Have her come out.”
John Chou glared furiously at the Infernal Judges. I sat cross-legged on the ground, sneering. Inside, I was close to exploding with rage—if Lady Meng hadn’t interfered, Ethan Zhang would have destroyed Divine Law, and the Endbringer's Power would have been injected into its core.