Chapter 118: How Interesting!
Piercing shrieks echoed through the air.
These ghosts all dissolved into wisps of azure smoke, surging into the "feather duster" held in Ling Qiu's hand!
Ling Qiu’s wrist vibrated slightly, and the ghostly smoke flowed along the "feather duster," seeping from his arm into his body.
Looking closely, this feather duster was actually crafted from some strange, withered bone. The feathers upon it, upon closer inspection, were quite large and certainly not from a chicken. A small bell hung from the very top.
With every wisp of ghost absorbed, the bell gave a crisp chime, like a signal guiding wandering souls along the Bridge of Helplessness in the netherworld.
The item in Ling Qiu's hand, which resembled a feather duster, was truly called a "Ghost-Beating Rod." In folklore, however, it was more commonly known as a "Mourning Staff" or a "Prestige-Slaying Rod."
For instance, the artifact held by Xie Bi'an, the White Impermanence, which resembled a feather duster, was known as the "Mourning Staff" and was entirely snow-white. The one held by the Black Impermanence was called the "Prestige-Slaying Rod" and was pitch black.
In truth, these weapons shared a collective name: "Ghost-Beating Rods."
It was simply that many ghost officials preferred to name their own artifacts; "Mourning Staff" and "Prestige-Slaying Rod" were merely names the Black and White Impermanence had given to their beloved weapons.
In the underworld, there were several types of artifacts, each used by officials of different ranks.
The lowest-level ghost soldiers possessed no artifacts at all.
Once one reached the rank of Ghost Constable, one became qualified to carry an artifact.
A Ghost Constable's artifact was called a "Soul-Binding Chain."
A Ghost Catcher's artifact was called a "Ghost-Beating Whip."
An Impermanence's artifact was called a "Ghost-Beating Rod."
A City God's artifact was called the "Ghost-Commanding Seal."
A Soul-Detaining Envoy's artifact was called the "Soul-Detaining Fork."
A Judge's artifact was called the "Judge's Brush."
...
The Ten Yama Kings were beings who reigned far above all other ghost officials.
Although Ling Qiu no longer possessed the peak strength he once held as the King of Yama, his primordial spirit remained, and with the Yama Ring on his finger, as long as he possessed sufficient soul power, he could wield any artifact of the underworld!
Currently, the soul power Ling Qiu could command was just enough to wield the Ghost-Beating Rod.
...
Gulp.
As the dust settled, Ling Qiu slowly steadied his breathing, swallowing all the malevolent, chilly energy into his belly.
Over twenty ghosts in total, including six fierce ghosts and one vengeful spirit.
Ling Qiu wiped his mouth, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
"Chief Inspector Xing, thank you for the hospitality."
These words were like a blade, suddenly piercing into Chief Inspector Xing's heart!
Xing stood there, dazed.
With his head full of white hair, he had long been a person of stature who remained unfazed by favor or insult. But today, what had transpired had utterly shaken him to his core!
"You... you..."
Xing Mantang retreated several steps, his eyes wide, staring at Ling Qiu in disbelief. "You... you are an Impermanence... no... even an Impermanence could not... could not possibly..."
Xing Mantang’s face turned pale, his lips trembling.
He knew very well that even an official at the rank of Impermanence could not achieve this!
Over twenty ghosts, including six fierce ones and a vengeful spirit!
To kill them in a single stroke! And to devour them all!
"Who... who exactly are you?"
Xing Mantang’s breath stalled; his expression changed completely as he looked at Ling Qiu as if facing a formidable enemy.
He placed his hands behind his back, and after a ripple of energy, a long Ghost-Beating Whip radiating a ghostly green light was drawn out. Yet, intimidated by Ling Qiu’s methods, he dared not act.
Seeing Xing Mantang’s state, Ling Qiu shook his head helplessly. "You won't cry until you see the coffin."
With that, Ling Qiu’s figure shifted, disappearing from the spot in an instant.
The next moment, Ling Qiu appeared behind Xing Mantang like a phantom!
"!!!"
Xing Mantang’s heart pounded violently! He instinctively spun around!
At that moment, Ling Qiu suddenly twisted the Yama Ring. The powerful malevolent energy and spiritual pressure hidden within his body erupted like a geyser in a third of a second!
Hiss!
Suddenly, it was as if ten thousand ghosts were wailing, and the heavens themselves changed color! The entire room seemed to sink into the infinite hell!
Before Xing Mantang’s eyes, the young man Ling Qiu, who had appeared somewhat slender, had completely transformed!
Ling Qiu now seemed to have grown as tall as Mount Kunlun! Majestic and imposing, he stood within a terrifying, sunless netherworld surrounded by the horrific karmic fires of hell!
Ling Qiu stood there like a peerless deity of the underworld, capable of covering the sky with one hand. His eyes were like twin flames of ghostly hellfire.
"Perhaps I should eat you, too."
At that moment, a voice that seemed to emerge from the deepest abyss of hell made the Chief Inspector shiver uncontrollably!
He was struck as if by lightning, frozen in place, utterly unable to harbor any desire to oppose Ling Qiu! This overwhelming pressure made him feel an urge to kneel and worship!
Terrifying, powerful, supreme!
Could it be that he was a... City God of some region?
No! Impossible!
In all of China, there were only five City Gods in total! While he was not entirely clear on their specific identities, they certainly could not be this young man, whose records were as clear as water!
Then... who was he?!
Before he could dwell on it, Ling Qiu suddenly placed his hand upon his forehead!
In an instant, a surge of spiritual consciousness flooded into his mind!
The next moment, everything in Xing Mantang’s sight changed! The surroundings had transformed into the underworld!
Everything of the netherworld appeared before him: the Bridge of Helplessness, the Office of Reincarnation, the Yellow Springs, the Flowers of the Other Shore...
Countless wandering souls, an endless procession of demonic spirits from purgatory, and beneath the Mountain of Rebirth, streams of ghostly fire led in groups toward a majestic and solemn giant palace...
Above the palace, three seal-script characters struck his soul with terror:
[Yama's Hall]!
As his consciousness was pulled away, Xing Mantang felt as if he were riding a high-speed train, charging straight toward the Hall of Yama!
In an instant, he arrived at the very center of the hall!
At the far end stood a giant, supreme throne. A king who looked down upon all things sat rigidly in his royal robes; a single glance from him was enough to scatter his soul!
Xing Mantang dared not meet his gaze, but his consciousness seemed controlled, forcing him to look up.
Finally, he saw the face of this king clearly.
It was... Ling Qiu!!
Hum!
After he saw that face on the throne, his consciousness vibrated, and the surroundings returned to normal!
The quiet study... and a young man standing before him, his expression calm, his eyes cold, yet possessing an awe-inspiring dignity...
Thump!
Xing Mantang stood stunned for a long time. Finally, he fully regained his senses, and without a word, he immediately knelt hard on the ground!
He performed the rite of three kowtows and nine bows, and with endless piety and fear, he said to Ling Qiu: "This lowly one, Xing Mantang, pays... pays respects to Lord Yama!!"