In the distance, a massive defensive barrier built at the mountain pass stretched all the way to the foot of the peak. Ghosts flew back and forth atop the ramparts, and construction was still underway.
On a broad road up the mountain, I saw a long procession transporting supplies. Yuna Ji was explaining the situation here in detail to Isabelle Frost, constantly complaining.
"Yvette, do you think these people are all useless? Even such simple tasks, they can't get right. They're already a month behind schedule—I have no words. I really don't know how they became Underworld Court officials."
At this moment, I saw quite a few Underworld Court members keeping their distance. Though their faces showed reluctance, they still kept ordering their subordinates to work.
It seemed the Underworld Court was truly anxious. Many ghosts were busy nearby, looking utterly exhausted, but under the supervision of the Hell's Registrar, they dared not rest—if they did, they'd be beaten.
"It really is a disgraceful way to do things."
I truly detest such methods. Clearly, we could sit down and negotiate, but no one is willing. So now war is on the table, and both the Living and Infernal realms are dragged in.
Past Ethan Justice, this approach is indeed inappropriate, but there's no way out now. In the Searing Plains, we've temporarily taken fourteen cities and are gradually building defensive works, but the remaining seven provinces of Hell are vast. The fourteen cities in the Blazing Fields only cover about a third of the area, serving as our outer line of resistance. This is the furthest we can reinforce—any farther and the front would be stretched too thin. What's puzzling is that Emperor God and his side haven't made any moves yet.
"What about the other places?"
Ray Lin pointed west as he spoke.
"In Ironlands, bordering the western edge of Netherhell, Lord Malice has already led his followers to build defensive works. There are fewer entrances there—just three—and construction was completed a few days ago."
Ray Lin then told me that ten million condemned souls from Hell had been urgently mobilized to help, but even that number is far from enough. Many ghosts cannot leave Hell, so this is the largest force we can muster.
"Why can't they leave?"
I looked at Ray Lin in confusion. He smiled, saying he had no idea why. If all the condemned souls from Hell could help, the construction would surely go faster.
At this moment, I saw several Underworld Court officials, each pushing the other forward, seemingly wanting to report something to Madam Ji, but none dared approach. Finally, a blue-robed official stepped forward slowly.
"Madam Ji, about that matter from before..."
"By the way, Past Ethan Justice, what do you need?"
"Speak. What's the problem?"
"There are ten thousand sets fewer of armor and weapons than counted, so the numbers don't match. And..."
A green glow spilled from Yuna Ji, and in an instant, the official before her was so frightened he fell to his knees.
"Are you messing with me on purpose? You idiots have driven me crazy these past few days—I can't take it anymore!"
Yuna Ji grabbed the official, while everyone else kept silent, lowering their heads in terror.
"Enough, Yuna Ji."
I hurried over and pressed down Yuna Ji's hand. The Underworld official before me looked at me, deeply moved.
"Justice, stop interrupting. I have no idea what these people do all day. With such simple tasks, if it's not one thing wrong, it's another. There can't be any mistakes with supplies—if there are, when war breaks out, many soldiers will die. I won't tolerate such carelessness."
I gave a quick acknowledgment and stepped aside.
"They really do obey."
In my mind, the Underworld Court members were always arrogant and overbearing. But now, looking around, not a single official or general dared defy Yuna Ji.
"Yuna Ji is the overall commander of Netherhell. The Infernal Judges have delegated authority to her, so every Underworld Court official, general, and soldier here must obey her. She's the highest commander, along with the other Ghost Sovereigns. In the world of ghosts, the strong rule. Ghost Sovereigns have always been second only to the Infernal Judges. Now, the Ten Marshals have been assigned under Basil Bertram and Mona Ouyang, two Ghost Sovereigns."
I was amazed by all this. But thinking it over, Yuna Ji really knows how to command troops—after all, this place has been at war for years, and she was once the leader of a tribe. Now, she's regained her strength.
"Listen up! I'll give you one last chance—if this happens again, bring me your heads!"
Yuna Ji roughly shoved the Underworld official off the platform, then swept her gaze around the crowd.
"I don't care how weak you were before, but now, show me some backbone. If anyone is still half-hearted, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Yuna Ji held her forehead, looking exhausted as she sat down. Isabelle Frost was carefully reviewing some documents, making notes with her pen.
"It's all thanks to Yuna Ji. Without her, it would be nearly impossible to coordinate everything. She's truly capable—no wonder she can keep this place under control."
Ray Lin couldn't help but sigh. I stared at Yuna Ji in surprise—I'd always thought of her as carefree and easygoing, and her management style was usually quite relaxed, nothing like an emperor at all.
"By the way, Justice, what do you need?"
"I need to find John Chou. I may have his Specter Web, but to locate him, I need a map."
I only know John Chou's general location, but flying straight there is impossible. It's wartime, and he should be somewhere in the northwest. All I can sense is his direction—because this is the Ghost Domain, if he's within a hundred kilometers, I might be able to pinpoint him. But beyond that, the Ghost Domain is full of tangled energies, making it impossible to find him without moving closer.
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After rummaging through a pile of things for a long while, Yuna Ji finally produced a map—a detailed one, crowded with place names large and small. She pointed to Purelands.
"According to Lord Shenyen's deduction, he should have gone to this province."
I glanced at the map. Sure enough, it was in the northwest, right between the two Wildlands provinces. The Wildlands are directly opposite Hell, and I’m fairly familiar with that region, having been there twice. The powers there are chaotic now, but they should have already been absorbed by Emperor God’s forces.
Purelands shares a small border with Searing Plains. If you head north from here, then move west, you should reach Purelands.
"Where are Lord Shenyen and his people now?"
Yuna Ji pointed to Searing Plains, directly north of Netherhell, to a place called Flame City, located just below the center of Searing Plains. It was almost the heart of the province.
Further north lay the enemy’s territory. After studying the map for a while, I decided to set out immediately. I glanced at Ray Lin.
"Sorry, Past Ethan Justice, I can’t take you all the way there. If I go, I’ll surely be discovered. All the Underworld Court’s spies in other Hell provinces were eliminated the moment Lord Shenyen attacked—not a single one remains."
I stared in shock, eyes wide.
"So it’s certain they have a way to spot Underworld Court agents. But Past Ethan Justice, you’re just a regular Specter now. Going there shouldn’t cause any problems, as long as you don’t stir up trouble yourself."
I had no idea what John Chou wanted in Purelands, but if he called me there, he must have his reasons. I planned to talk with the Infernal Judges after I returned.
"Get in, Past Ethan Justice. I can’t take you all the way to Purelands, but I can get you to Flame City."
I nodded. Just then, Isabelle Frost called out to me.
"What is it, Miss Yvette?"
"Be careful. The Specters born in the old Hell may be different from the ones you know, and so are the ghosts that have existed since that era."
I nodded and got in the car. Ray Lin immediately drove the taxi into a space filled with swirling red currents.
"Past Ethan Justice, once John Chou regains the power of Blood Fiend, it’ll be a huge boon for us—especially for this war. It’s crucial."
Ray Lin spoke up. I just nodded, unsure what to say. Even now, I still felt some resistance to this war.
"Maybe you’re still hoping this war can be stopped, Past Ethan Justice."
"Why do you say that?"
I stared blankly at Ray Lin.
"Well, I’m one of the people who watched you grow up, so I think you wouldn’t want to see this happen. After all, if war breaks out, no one can predict how things will unfold."
"That’s true, Ray Lin. May I ask—what do you really want? As an Underworld Court agent roaming the world of the living, it can’t just be about loyalty, can it?"
Ray Lin didn’t answer. He just smiled and shook his head.
"Let me put it this way, Past Ethan Justice: I’m not sure myself what I’m after. Over the long years, I’ve always existed as a driver—taking people or ghosts from one place to another. Maybe that’s my purpose. Helping the Underworld Court gather intelligence is just a side job."