This Taoist Master is too Frivolous

This Ghost King was plump, his face filled with the same laughter as Chen Jingzhou’s, a clear sign of a Smiling Tiger!

Xu Yang couldn’t be bothered with him. Instead, he looked at the golden – armored general, “General, I heard that you wanted to see me?”

After downing a cup of wine, the general calmly replied, “A character like you has arisen from our territory of Xi Xia. It’s only natural we should get to know you, especially since you’ve killed three of our main Ghost Market administrators and taken away Miss Yates. We definitely must meet.”

“If you wanted to meet me, you could have done so any time. Why detain my wife?”

Xu Yang spoke with a clear air of hostility, kill intent flickering around him.

“Insolence!”

Behind the general, one of his female ghost servants suddenly teleported outside the door.

Dressed in a fitting black leather outfit and emanating a cold aura, she fixed her gaze on Xu Yang coolly, “You really have guts, daring to speak to the general like that. Kneel, apologize… otherwise, today, you’re definitely not leaving the premises of General’s Mansion alive!”

“Scram!”

Xu Yang let forth a surge of energy comparable to that of the late stage of the Innate Realm, along with the magical power of the late phase of the Entering Dao Realm. Thunder surrounded him, the flames igniting. He threw a punch directly at the female ghost servant, sending her flying into the room. He then looked at the general and the other three Ghost Kings, coldly stating —

“I will give you ten seconds. In ten seconds, if I don’t see my wife… Today, I will level this General’s Mansion and overturn this Xi Xia Ghost Market!”

“How dare you!”

“Impudence!”

“Iron Hammer Taoist, your audacity is boundless, daring to speak to this general in such a manner?”

Xu Yang suddenly made his move, and threw out a threatening ultimatum at the general.

This turn of events made the general and the other three Ghost Kings jump and rise to their feet. The Yin aura around them erupted, and they seemed ready to strike…

But at this moment…

Whoosh!

Xu Yang took out a special token.

The token emanated a unique aura, causing the general and the ghosts to pause in surprise. Xu Yang then raised his hand to stop the general and the others, saying, “Hold your hands for a moment. Let me finish my words. There will be time to kill you later.”

The token in his hand started to tremble slightly.

Next thing, with a “bang”, the token vanished in a puff of green smoke. From the smoke emerged the incarnation of Lord Cui, his face a picture of amiability. “Xu Yang, it has been awhile… how have you been?”

He greeted by clasping Xu Yang’s hands.

In terms of demeanor and tone, he made it seem like Xu Yang was his closest friend.

However, once Lord Cui spoke, Xu Yang realized…

Lord Cui must have already tried and realized he himself was the only one who could burn weapons for ‘the underworld’.

As to why it was this way, Xu Yang himself wasn’t too clear. But he knew… He now had the Underworld Palace’s Chief Judge, Lord Cui, under his control.

Immediately, he laughed, “Busy Brother Cui, what brought you to mortal world today? If you have a matter, a simple text message would suffice.”

“Text message?”

Lord Cui looked puzzled.

Xu Yang explained, “Like shaking the token and having words appear…”

“Oh, I see. So, that’s what you mortals call it? That is a pretty good way to describe it.”

Lord Cui said, “Brother Xu Yang, truth be told, I purposely manifested myself here in the mortal world today because there’s an important issue to discuss with you… Come, let’s find a tavern… Oh, where are we?”

He looked around and only then did he react, saying, “Is this… the Ghost Market?”

Meanwhile, the golden-armored general and other ghost kings, after the initial shock, had finally recognized the identity of this newcomer. Their faces changed in fright as they all knelt, exclaiming, “We humbly greet Your Honor, the Judge!”

Lord Cui’s Judge attire was too distinctive.

But to these ghosts, Lord Cui held a different significance.

When a ghost enters the Underworld Palace and walks the path of Yin-Yang, it first must pass through Fengdu City and face Lord Cui’s judgment. Only then is it decided whether they are sent to the eighteen layers of hell, given Mengpo Soup to be reincarnated, or sent to the “small prisons” controlled by the Ten Halls of Yama!

You could say that their fates were all within the grasp of this “big shot” in front of them.

Just a thought from him and they could be scattered to the winds.

“This is…”

Lord Cui looked at Xu Yang bewildered, “Aren’t you a Daoist of Jingming Sect, the disciple of Celestial Master Xu? How did you end up mixed with a bunch of ghosts? Moreover, the ghost market is beyond the jurisdiction of the mortal world and is not ruled by the Underworld. It exists outside the rules. It’s better to stay away from such places.”

Xu Yang gave a bitter smile, “Big Brother doesn’t know but my wife has been captured by this great general… Who would want to come to such a place otherwise?”

“Your sister-in-law was captured?”

Lord Cui puzzled, “That’s not right. Isn’t your sister-in-law a Ghost Immortal? She could easily kill this bunch of useless beings with her power.”

Ghost Immortal?

You must be talking about Yue Niang, right?

Without explaining his relationship with Yue Niang, Xu Yang, blushing, lowered his voice and said, “Big Brother Cui, to tell you the truth… I have a few other wives.”

“Brother Xu Yang, you do have quite a bit of luck with the ladies.”

Lord Cui smiled. With a stretch of his hand, he caught the Golden Armored General, whose strength was above that of a Ghost King and absorbed him into a ball of Yin energy. He then waved his hand through the air and a phantom gate seemed to appear out of nowhere. With another swing of his arm, Lord Cui threw the Golden Armored General into it.

“Master!”

The beautiful ghost servant exclaimed, leaping forward to try and dive into the phantom gate.

Lord Cui flicked his finger, instantly shattering and killing the beautiful ghost servant and said coldly, “The Yin-Yang Path is not yet completely fixed. It is not easy for this officer to open a gate. You, a mere Ghost King, want to enter Fengdu City?”

The other three Ghost Kings were scared to death and begged for mercy, “Spare us, Judge!”

“Spare us, Master Xu… Capturing Miss Yates was the big general’s idea. We have nothing to do with it… We were only here to have a drink!”

Lord Cui looked at Xu Yang.

Then Xu Yang said: “They are just a few minor Ghost Kings, sparing their lives won’t hurt…”

On hearing this, the remaining three Ghost Kings rejoiced. The Smiling Tiger sprung up and said, “Master Xu, I know where Miss Yates is being held. I’ll go and bring her here.”

He scampered off hurriedly.

Not long afterward, he returned with Yue Qiluo.

Yue Qiluo looked confused…

What’s going on?

After learning from the Smiling Tiger about what had happened, Yue Qiluo entered the room and as soon as she saw Lord Cui wanted to kneel. Lord Cui quickly waved her off with a gentle force, saying: “I hit it off with Brother Xu the first time we met, and we are indeed good friends. Younger sister, you don’t need to pay such great respects. If you wish, just call me elder brother.”

Yue Qiluo was quite shrewd and immediately addressed him as elder brother, instantly forging a closer bond with Lord Cui.

Lord Cui, having sought something from Xu Yang, immediately said: “Younger sister, being a Ghost King, your strength is not weak. Considering this, I’ll give you this ghost market.”

“Ah?”

Yue Qiluo was overjoyed, but appeared a little doubtful on the surface, “Big Brother Cui, I heard that there is a master behind this ghost market, whom I’ve heard is very powerful, and almost became a Ghost Immortal.”

“Don’t worry. I will deal with the Ghost Market Master behind the scenes.”

Lord Cui pointed at the three Ghost Kings and continued: “As for you guys…”

He paused, his tone turning cold, “You three useless things, from now on you are to assist the younger sister of this officer in managing this ghost market. If you dare to have any other ideas, this officer will not hesitate to use measures, even if it means deploying the Black and White Impermanence to arrest you!”

The three Ghost Kings, trembling, hastily promised to serve dutifully.

All matters having been dealt with, Lord Cui then said: “Brother Xu Yang, let’s go… let’s talk in private.”

Xu Yang smiled and replied, “Old Brother, let’s go and have a good chat at the tavern up ahead.”

Meanwhile, he was already wondering…

This Lord Cui is so awesome, how can I take advantage of him?

PS: The first update is here, thanks to reader FTP for the 700 point reward!