The Transaction Between John Chou and Quentin Henderson Part 9

At this moment, King Quentin no longer had the sharp edge he once did. I finally understood why John Chou was certain this deal would succeed: the Underworld was caught in a dilemma. This is the most difficult moment—no matter which way they turn, the future looks grim.

Three hundred billion ghosts—this number sounds alarmist, but coming from the King of Reincarnation, it seems they've accurately determined the minimum number of enemies.

"May I ask a question?"

At this moment, John Chou smiled and spoke.

Go ahead, John Chou. King Quentin is listening.

Judge Bao stared at John Chou with a grave expression.

"Logically speaking, those ghosts living outside the Underworld's control shouldn't be naive enough to think they can overthrow the Underworld and act as cannon fodder. Can you tell me what's really going on?"

The other Ghost Lords and I watched Judge Bao with interest. He remained silent, not saying a word.

"At a time like this, it's better to be open with each other. Since we dared to cooperate with the enemy, it's not like we came here without thinking—especially me. Although I'm now the Eleventh Judge in name, you haven't given me any real power, just an empty title. Heh, if you keep hiding things, it won't lead anywhere."

I looked helplessly at Redmond. He was still brooding over what happened after the Feast of Ten Thousand Ghosts years ago, because the Underworld only gave him an empty title and no real authority. His goal in this negotiation was now obvious: he wanted to truly become the Eleventh Judge.

"Let me put it another way—when you seized control of this Hell years ago, did you use the same method?"

How did you find out, John Chou?

For a moment, King Quentin couldn't sit still; it seemed his pride had taken a hit.

"I can guarantee that no one present today will leak anything about the Underworld."

With a long sigh, Lady Meng stepped forward and shook her head helplessly.

"Let this old woman explain. After all, for us, it's not something worth mentioning—it's the Underworld's shameful past."

Back then, when Old Hell erupted in rebellion, the chaos was mostly on the outskirts, beyond direct control. After various factions defeated Old Hell's ruling forces, they started fighting each other for dominance.

Within true Hell, the Triumvirate remained untroubled, their overwhelming power unchallenged. After one failed assault, the outer ghosts gave up any thought of overthrowing Hell's rulers.

Everything should have remained peaceful. The three rulers planned to gradually resolve the overcrowding and the emergence of thought-forms inside Hell before dealing with the chaos on the outskirts.

However, at that moment, the outer rebellion gradually calmed and began to regroup, preparing to attack the Underworld—and it was all because of Lady Meng.

"I created thought-forms. Using my power, I cleansed the accumulated thought-forms and produced ones with an intense desire for battle. I implanted them into those ghosts, so they would obey only their controller's orders and fight recklessly."

"Back then, there was no other choice. The Triumvirate underestimated the problem of Remnants, and I, this old woman, had to act because Hell was reaching its capacity. As more people died, it would eventually collapse. But the Triumvirate only cared about resurrecting the Wraithlord, so I helped the Judges create Remnants."

As Lady Meng spoke, I saw a bitter look on the faces of the Judges. She continued.

The three-versus-eleven battle was fiercely contested. In Old Hell, they fought day and night, but no matter how hard either side tried, neither could break through. In the end, Lady Meng decided to persuade Ksitigarbha.

With Ksitigarbha joining the battle, the tide shifted. The Triumvirate finally fell, their souls scattered. After the regime change, the twelve of them established the Six Paths of Reincarnation and founded the Underworld Court. The problems caused by overcrowding in the Living World were resolved, and order was restored.

"To repay them in their own coin—ha, what an irony."

John Chou said coldly. King Quentin snorted.

At the time, there was a clear power gap. The Ten Palace Yamas plus Lady Meng—eleven in total—faced the three old Hell rulers. Even a five-to-one advantage didn't guarantee victory. The best strategy was to keep attacking old Hell and strike when the three rulers were stretched thin.

As Lady Meng spoke, I saw a bitter look on the faces of the three Judges. She continued.

At the time, there was a clear power gap. The Ten Judges plus Lady Meng—eleven in total—faced the three old Hell rulers. Even a five-to-one advantage didn't guarantee victory. The best strategy was to keep attacking old Hell and strike when the three rulers were stretched thin.

The plan went smoothly. Faced with so many reckless ghosts, the three rulers went on a killing spree, but they also began to suspect each other and even fought among themselves. It was at this moment that The Ten Judges and Lady Meng launched their attack together.

"To repay them in their own coin—ha, what an irony."

The three-versus-eleven battle was fiercely contested. In old Hell, they fought day and night, but no matter how hard either side tried, neither could break through. In the end, Lady Meng decided to persuade Ksitigarbha.

"John Chou, I won't have you youngsters looking down on us. Back then, if we hadn't solved the problem together, both the worlds of the living and the dead would have been drenched in blood, with untold suffering. Our actions are not for you to judge."

"Enough, enough. Let's not dwell on the past. How did Emperor Shen and his group master the technique of creating thought-forms? Did you tell them?"

Red Hair stared hard at Lady Meng, while Ji Yun'er sat wearily on a chair the skeletons had brought over, deep in thought.

"According to my investigation, only the Dark Banquet possesses the technology to create such thought-forms."

King Lun Zhuan spoke, and I was shocked. Indeed, at the Dark Banquet, I sensed the existence of artificial souls. Even if they succeed, what about human emotions? Are those manufactured too? That's how they control those experimental creations.

"What else do you know about the shadow world? Maybe we can strike before they resurrect—after all, having a body or not makes a huge difference in strength."

Judge Bao spoke, glancing at King Quentin on his right, then at the numbers behind him.

"Bo Ziran, you're right. But to reach the shadow world, you have to cross the Wangchuan Sea. That's not a rational move. Back then, the Yakshas came from there to bring back all our Underworld intel, but some of you used the Yakshas as ghost soldiers for convenience."

Judge Bao spoke, glancing at King Quentin on his right, then at the numbers behind him.

"No need to discuss irrelevant matters. Next, I want to ask—how much longer until those three are resurrected?"

King of Reincarnation nodded and replied.

"Five years at most. Within five years, they'll probably launch their attack. Now, what do you all want from the Underworld?"

King of Reincarnation's sharp gaze swept across the room, nothing like an old man nearing ancient age.

"Since John Chou has spoken, it's my turn. First, I want the same rights as you Judges. Don't try to fob me off with a rotten piece of wood this time."

A burst of laughter. King Quentin looked at Redmond.

"You brat, do you know what a Judge represents? It means the supreme power of Hell..."

"No negotiation or refusal will be accepted. There's no room for discussion. If you don't agree, our Hall of Malignant Thought can withdraw completely—we're capable of protecting ourselves and won't participate in this war."

King Quentin pressed his forehead, still deep in thought. I saw the numbers behind him flickering, as if the Judges were communicating. Though I couldn't hear clearly, I caught snippets of awkward and obscure words.

"Have you made up your mind?"

Finally, the Fifth Judge nodded.

"You can have the same authority as a Judge, but you must reside in Hell and are forbidden from returning to the living world at will."

Redmond stepped forward and asked.

Redmond asked, and the three Judges nodded.

"You can have the same authority as a Judge, but you must reside in Hell and are forbidden from returning to the living world at will."

"It's settled then. Grant me Judge's authority—judging souls, sending them into reincarnation, and so on."

Redmond paused as he spoke, then looked at Lady Meng.

"Second..."

"Hmph, don't push your luck, Redmond."

King Quentin shouted angrily.

"Next is a private matter between Lady Meng and me. I only hope that after the war, if there comes a day when I need you to help me resurrect someone's Remnant, you'll agree."

Lady Meng nodded silently.

"That's not difficult."

I glanced at the Ghost Lords around me. Shen Yanjun stepped forward, clasped his fists, and bowed.

"My request is simple. I hope you can remove all restrictions around Sword City, so that the people inside can live safely around the Underworld."

"You mean Qiyin Mountain?"

Shen Yanjun nodded.

"Exactly, Qiyin Mountain."