"Impossible, Lord Shenyan. The countless lost souls over there have already lost their minds, afflicted with Soul Mourning, suffering from insanity. If all restrictions are lifted on that side, those ghosts will pose a threat to everything near the Styx Gate."
Fifth Tribunal Yama spoke, and John Chou shook his head.
You all know better than I do what happens over there. Back then, King Ksitigarbha provided those souls a place of peace, yet you chose to ignore them.
It wasn't that we ignored them, but that we were powerless to help... regarding those...
Lord Shenyan let out a cold laugh.
"For such injustice, I must see it through to the end. Of course, once this is over, my Swordmaster Guild will take responsibility for order in that region."
I once went to Mount Shade with Ethan Zhang. After he died, he reported to the Underworld and was sent to Limbo. John Chou went to the Underworld and took him from Limbo, then circled from Mount Shade to the Styx Gate, returning via the Underworld Path.
The Shade Trio from Mount Shade also came from there. Their minds aren’t quite right, but it’s not as bad as Fifth Tribunal Yama claimed.
"Those ghosts’ souls are already incomplete, Lord Shenyan, why persist..."
"Enough talk."
Lord Shenyan quietly stared at the three Infernal Judges. After some discussion, the Judges finally nodded in agreement.
"But Lord Shenyan, you must build a strong barrier to prevent these mad ghosts from endangering the Underworld and the Living World."
"Of course."
At this moment, Basil Bertram stepped forward, smiling as he spoke.
"My wish is simple—to enter reincarnation."
In an instant, all of us looked at Basil Bertram. Except for John Chou, every Ghost Sovereign was deeply surprised, and Serena Jing stared at Basil Bertram in utter disbelief.
"Uncle, are you out of your mind? If you enter reincarnation, won't you be reborn?"
Basil Bertram hummed in response.
"Of course, but only after my daughter dies. When she passes, I hope you can let her become my daughter again. Is that possible? That's all I ask."
The three Infernal Judges nodded at once. Basil Bertram bowed and stepped back. Serena Jing, visibly upset, tugged at Basil Bertram and whispered something in his ear, but Basil Bertram simply smiled and shook his head, silent yet resolute.
Mona Ouyang burst into laughter, then stepped forward.
"Let me speak for myself. All I want is for you to help me find my old friend. You know the details, and afterward, find a way to break the chains that bind me to the Ouyang family."
The King of Reincarnation shook his head helplessly.
"It's like searching for a grain of sand in the ocean, Mona Ouyang. Your old friend may have already returned to the Dao. If that's the case, then..."
"I don't care where he is. Just find him for me. I only want to see my old friend once more. And if possible, I'd like to try reincarnation myself."
"Hmph, you two lack ambition. Why not be like me and become an Infernal Judge outright?"
Redmond muttered. Mona Ouyang's face, once full of nostalgia, immediately turned stern as she looked at Redmond.
"You're not like us at all."
We all turned to Yuna Ji and Yvonne May. They hadn't voiced their requests yet.
"Yvonne, you go first."
Yuna Ji lowered her head, silently gazing at the black-green sky. Yvonne May, escorted by Lady Meng, slowly stepped forward. She reached out, and a bright white light shimmered instantly. The three Infernal Judges stared gravely at the glow.
"Please take away my ability to see the future. The ever-changing visions, the endless repetition—I've had enough. For so many years, my existence has not been about bearing the legacy of the Eight Ancient Clans. My life should be free. I want my freedom back."
I watched Yvonne May quietly. She had always been cold and distant, indifferent to everything. Seeing the future isn't a blessing—it robs you of hope and anticipation, leaving you numb over time.
"This won't be easy. But if we combine our powers, it might be possible."
Yvonne May nodded and slowly retreated. Only Yuna Ji remained. She hadn't stated her request yet, as she was the linchpin of this war. The enemy's vast army of Hell's Sentinel spirits could only be countered by Yuna Ji's endlessly revivable Boneguard Host—a force that could tip the balance of war.
The three Infernal Judges watched Yuna Ji with utmost seriousness.
Yuna Ji giggled, pressing her hands to her cheeks.
"I haven't decided yet. After the war is over, I'll think about it. When I know, I'll tell you. Is that okay?"
The three Infernal Judges nodded in agreement, and Lady Meng nodded as well. Then the Judges turned to me.
"Ethan Zhang, what do you want?"