Read Novel Full Book 8 Chapter 38
Book 8 Chapter 38
Withdrawing his vast soul awarenesss from the celestial screen, Bai Qiuran sat back down in his chair.
Jiang Lan sat down beside him as well; she had made no move when those five bursts of soul awarenesss clashed earlier. By keeping her capabilities concealed rather than flaunting them, she demonstrated an art of restraint that was, at times, even more intimidating to others.
Bai Qiuran glanced around and noticed that the Immortal Venerables present all wore expressions of bewilderment.
Everyone there was an elite immortal; naturally, they could sense the clash of divine wills occurring between the Immortal Emperors.
“Ahem.”
Bai Qiuran gave a soft cough, then spoke to Venerable Yin with an air of nonchalance:
“Venerable Yin, please continue.”
“Yes.”
As the others snapped back to reality, Venerable Yin bowed and continued:
“The next matter requiring Your Majesty the Ghost Emperor’s ruling concerns the Three Venerables of the Ghost Realm—starting with the traitor, Venerable Ran.”
“Mm.”
Bai Qiuran asked:
“According to the laws of the Ghost Realm, how should his crimes be punished?”
“Rebellion and insurrection. His actions disrupted the cycle of life and death across countless worlds. Had Your Majesty and Her Majesty not turned the tide, he would have caused the total collapse of the Asura Path—one of the Six Paths of Reincarnation. Even more grave is his collusion with the Celestial Gods, the mortal enemies of our human race.”
Venerable Yin lowered his head and said:
“I consulted King Yama on this. Under the latest Ghost Realm statutes, Venerable Ran’s cultivation base should be abolished, and his soul suppressed in the Avici Hell for one hundred thousand years. He would endure the Hell of Blazing Flames for nine thousand years, followed by the Hell of Extreme Cold for another nine thousand years. Only then could he enter the cycle of reincarnation—starting from the most perilous and cruel Hell Path—and eventually reach the Human Path, where he might have a chance to reincarnate and cultivate anew… However, the Ghost Realm’s legal system has never before adjudicated a case involving an entity at or above the level of an Immortal Venerable.”
“Then this shall be the precedent.”
Bai Qiuran said without hesitation:
“Whatever the law dictates, let the judgment follow the law.”
“Your Majesty…”
Hearing this, Lie Zun, who was standing nearby, looked hesitant. “Does Venerable Lie have any thoughts to share?”
Bai Qiuran looked at him.
“Feel free to speak your mind; even if you were to curse me, I would not take offense.”
“I would not dare.”
Venerable Lie replied:
“It is just that… after hearing what Venerable Ran said in the Asura Realm, I felt that while his crimes were unforgivable, his motives were, in a sense, understandable…”
“Then, King Yama.”
Bai Qiuran asked the dark-faced middle-aged man:
“Has the Ghost Realm ever taken such factors into account when sentencing ordinary ghosts?”
“For grave offenses like those committed by Venerable Ran, we generally do not consider mitigating circumstances.”
King Yama shook his head as he answered:
“The destruction caused by his actions far exceeded the limits of what could be excused by such considerations.”
“Precisely. Do you hear that, Venerable Lie? The havoc Venerable Ran wreaked went far beyond what he could possibly answer for. The casualties resulting from the Ghost Realm’s inability to apprehend the malevolent spirits he unleashed—casualties I witnessed firsthand—were countless. And that is to say nothing of the fact that the Underworld is inextricably linked to the life and death of more than just this one world.”
Bai Qiuran said to Venerable Lie:
“I know what you are thinking. Venerable Ran’s desire to change the situation where Immortals recklessly interfere with life and death was well-intentioned, certainly, but his methods were foolish. He lacked the capability to use figures like Xing Tian or the Five Immortal Emperors as pawns. His punishment stems from his actions and his stupidity, but it also serves to demonstrate the Ghost Realm’s stance to the Immortals. Do you understand?”
“I understand.”
Venerable Lie bowed.
“I shall leave the supervision of this matter to you.”
Bai Qiuran instructed:
“If you wish, you may even relay exactly what I have said today to Venerable Ran.”
“Yes.”
“Now, for the next matter.”
Bai Qiuran turned his gaze toward Lord Yin. “The next matter also concerns the Three Venerables of the Ghost Realm.”
Venerable Yin continued:
“Venerable Li is dead, and Venerable Ran has been punished; of the original Three Venerables, only Venerable Lie remains. Your Majesty, to maintain the normal functioning of the Ghost Realm, we must select new Venerables.”
Bai Qiuran understood his point. Although he had appeared as the Ghost Emperor—giving the Ghost Realm a legitimate supreme ruler—he was essentially a new official taking office. He was unfamiliar with the intricacies of the realm, relying for information mostly on the tall tales previously told by Xue Ling.
The Ghost Realm was vast; if a newcomer like him were to take charge of the affairs governing life, death, and reincarnation, chaos would be inevitable.
Therefore, the Ghost Realm still required the Three Venerables. Until Bai Qiuran—the Ghost Emperor—mastered the management of the realm, their assistance was essential to keep the cycle of life and death running smoothly.
Even in the long run, Bai Qiuran would need the Three Venerables to manage the realm on his behalf.
After all, his presence was merely a temporary measure to serve as a deterrent; he couldn’t stay holed up in the Ghost Realm forever. For one thing, if he stayed here, how would he ever complete his Foundation Establishment?
“This is indeed an urgent matter.”
Bai Qiuran nodded.
“In that case, Venerable Yin, Venerable Blood, and Venerable Bone—would the three of you be willing to step forward and help manage things?”
“We shall naturally obey the Ghost Emperor’s command. However, having lived in seclusion for so many years, we fear we are no longer well-versed in the current affairs of the Ghost Realm.”
Venerable Bone, standing nearby, lowered his head and spoke:
“Thus, the three of us have a candidate to recommend.”
“Who is it?”
Venerable Yin, Venerable Blood, and Venerable Bone all turned their gazes toward Xue Ling. Venerable Blood gave a charming laugh and said:
“Regional Commander Xue Ling possesses the cultivation base of an Immortal Venerable despite his youth. He is conscientious, reliable, and exceptionally capable. He performed brilliantly during the recent ‘Rebellion of the Two Venerables.’ Your Majesty, we believe that Regional Commander Xue Ling is fully qualified to fill one of the positions of the Three Venerables.”
“Mm, I agree.”
Bai Qiuran smiled and looked to the side; Venerable Lie and King Yama also nodded in agreement. “This…”
Xue Ling hesitated slightly.
“Your subordinate feels his abilities are still lacking.”
“Shortcomings can be remedied. I believe that with your talent and diligence, Regional Commander Xue, you will certainly bridge that gap very quickly.”
Venerable Yin said with a chuckle:
“Besides, His Majesty the Ghost Emperor has already personally designated you for the role. Surely you wouldn’t wish to defy His Majesty’s will?”
*Damn it, I’ve been roped into this by this guy.*
Xue Ling glanced at Bai Qiuran, then bowed to him:
“In that case… I humbly accept His Majesty’s gracious favor.”
“Then there is one vacancy left.”
Bai Qiuran looked toward King Yama.
“How about King Yama takes that role?”
“If that is Your Majesty’s will, I naturally have no objection.”
King Yama hesitated.
“However… I would still prefer to continue serving as King Yama.”
Venerable Yin and the other two also spoke in unison:
“Your Majesty, it would be better to let King Yama remain in his current position.”
“Why?”
Bai Qiuran asked curiously.
“Because the judgment of the dead requires a powerful adjudicator.”
Venerable Yin replied.
“I see. Then King Yama shall remain in his original post.”
Bai Qiuran mused:
“As for the remaining vacancy… are there any other native Immortal Venerables in the Ghost Realm?”
Everyone in the hall shook their heads.
“Very well, then we shall have to leave it vacant for the time being.”
Bai Qiuran sighed.
“Furthermore, I wish to improve the current situation… Venerable Yin, may I examine the cultivation techniques and divine abilities currently stored in the Ghost Realm?”