I showed a look of surprise as I gazed at the Fifth Tribunal Yama. The Seven Ghost Sovereigns actually wiped out the Immortality Society in the past? I had no idea about this at all.
“Zhang Qingyuan, you must have heard from that Immortality Society member outside that Xu Fu was injured by John Chou and still hasn't regained consciousness, right?”
Lan Yin seemed to understand what I was thinking, and I nodded.
“Yes, I heard that guy outside mention it.”
“This was something Lan Miu told me. After the Seven Ghost Sovereigns rose to power, the seven of them once secretly did something—they wiped out some people who hid behind history and operated in secret. At that time, besides Lan Miu, probably only the Ten Judges knew about this.”
The Fifth Tribunal Yama sighed and walked over, looking rather helpless.
“This could be considered a secret deal between the underworld and the Seven Ghost Sovereigns. In exchange for wiping out an organization that disrupted the order of the living world, we in the underworld would acknowledge their status as Ghost Sovereigns and not reignite another war.”
Then, the Fifth Tribunal Yama continued. At that time, even the Seven Ghost Sovereigns didn't tell their own followers, but disappeared for three days in secret. In those three days, they struck directly at the Immortality Society's headquarters and fought fiercely with the nine Golden Mask Men who were there. The battle lasted three days and nights, and in the end, it was John Chou who defeated Xu Fu, finally bringing things to a halt.
The underworld had noticed this force long ago and had secretly sent many ghost soldiers and ghost generals to bring in these villains—people who should have died but used sorcery to steal others' lifespans—for judgment, but they failed.
Anyone in the underworld above the rank of Underworld Marshal or Judge is forbidden from freely using their powers in the mortal realm, as this would anger the heavenly laws. So from the moment they take office, a restriction is placed on them by the underworld, preventing them from using their original powers in the mortal world. Only one person is an exception—Nathan Chung.
Quentin Kue can ignore the underworld's restrictions and freely operate in the mortal realm, carrying out ghost-hunting missions.
I recalled the memory of the Bridge of Remorse I had seen before. Back then, Quentin Kue wanted to go to the mortal world to capture John Chou and his group, who had just gained notoriety, but was stopped by the Fifth Tribunal Yama. What happened between them?
“You should tell me now, old man. What is it that the Golden Mask Men fear? You know the saying—there’s always something that can overcome another.”
“Even if you knew, Lan Yin, you wouldn’t be a match for him.”
At this moment, Hugh Thompson stepped forward, adjusted his glasses, and smiled.
“Honorable Yama, I suppose what that guy fears is related to his heart, right?”
The Fifth Tribunal Yama looked at Hugh Thompson and then nodded.
“If I remember correctly, that guy’s heart was taken from a certain raptor.”
“A bird?”
I looked at the Fifth Tribunal Yama in astonishment, and he nodded.
“Those guys’ hearts are quite special. How exactly they were created, no one really knows. Remember this, Lan Yin—even though your life is bound by my Yama Life-Locking Chain, no matter how badly you’re injured, you won’t die. But you must keep in mind what your goal is this time.”
As soon as the Fifth Tribunal Yama finished speaking, his expression suddenly changed dramatically.
“Honorable Yama, the Seventh Tribunal Yama has sent someone over. We should hurry back to avoid being exposed and escalating the situation.”
Mr. White walked up to the Fifth Tribunal Yama and whispered. Suddenly, a red light flashed, and the Fifth Tribunal Yama and the Twin Reapers vanished without a trace.
Lan Yin seemed quite satisfied and smiled.
“Old man, I don’t need you to tell me. I know—protect these kids from being snatched away by the hawk, haha.”
I looked awkwardly at Lan Yin. It’s true—we really are like chicks beside the mother hen, while the guy outside is like a vicious hawk.
“It’ll take a little while for this barrier to disappear—at least half an hour. For now, I should rest and think of a plan.”
I looked outside the barrier. The Hell Detention Flow hadn’t vanished yet, and the Immortality Society people were nowhere to be seen. We’d just been dragged into the Detention Flow—most likely, the Twin Reapers rescued all of us from inside and brought us here.
Thinking back, I once fought fiercely with them to save Rachel Lan. But back then, I was so weak. They kept holding back against me again and again. I sighed.
“Qingyuan, they really are good people—oh, no, good ghosts...”
Rachel Lan said this beside me, and I nodded.
“Sigh, didn’t Quentin Kue say he owed the Lan Family? So why is it the Fifth Tribunal Yama...”
“Hehe, after all, Quentin Kue and the Fifth Tribunal Yama are more than just friends. So, naturally, the Fifth Tribunal Yama helps Quentin Kue repay that debt. See, even the worst guys have their good sides. Thinking about Lan Miu, I finally understand—most of the secrets of the Netherworld probably leaked when that old man was in bed. Damn.”
Lan Yin cursed loudly, and we all burst out laughing. Hugh Thompson squatted on the ground, looking worriedly at the red light barrier outside, where the Hell Detention Flow was still writhing.
I checked the time—it was only 9:30. There were still two and a half hours until midnight, when Mr. Brown and John Chou would arrive. And right now, I couldn’t reach Redmond and the others.
Just then, Lan Yin suddenly raised his Phoenix Blade, spread his wings, and charged toward an empty spot behind us—right in front of the dormitory.
“What’s wrong, Lan Yin...”
“Are your noses just for decoration? There are several strong ghostly presences. Sigh, I’m heading underground to avoid getting caught up in the chaos.”
As the traitor spoke, Rachel Lan and all the Ghost Burial Squad members looked toward the space that was starting to crack.
Suddenly, I heard the roar of a car engine. Lan Yin swung his Phoenix Blade down without hesitation.
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“Stop!”
I shouted urgently. A taxi sped out of the Shadow Realm—it was Ray Lin. Lan Yin quickly pulled back, but part of the car’s front was still chopped off.
With a bang, Ray Lin’s taxi landed on the ground. He exhaled deeply.
“Hey, be careful! My car is my main source of income. Oh, Qingyuan, I figured you might be in trouble, so I brought some help. You should know all of them.”
With a bang, the car door was yanked open, and clusters of green light flew out. I stared wide-eyed—every ghost in the courtyard was there: Evan Zhao, Samantha Simons, Julian Chu, and the furious Helen Chen.
“Qingyuan, where are those guys?”
Helen Chen shouted fiercely, and at that moment, Samantha Simons seemed to sense something.
“Little sister, don’t be anxious. You’re not even a match for a Red Mask Agent out there.”