178: One move away from winning

Zhao Liu stepped out from the crowd, blocking his path, frowning and staring at him.

Liu Chongshan's heart tightened, fearing that Zhao Liu would discover something.

Half a month later, although the Yin Messenger Zhao Liu in front of him was slender, the pressure emanating from him was not to be underestimated.

Even his temperament was completely different from before.

Although Liu Chongshan was not a Yin Soul, he could feel that his Aura was much stronger than Netherworld Old Ghost.

Invincible!

These three words flashed through Liu Chongshan's mind, and he tightened the veil he wore on his head.

"This lord has probably mistaken me for someone else."

Liu Chongshan lowered his voice and hunched his body, feigning old age.

"This old man just arrived here... I heard that you lords are registering Yin Souls here, so I thought of going to the back to queue up."

"A newly deceased ghost? Why are you covering yourself so tightly?!"

Zhao Liu had only felt that this Yin Soul's Aura was stronger than the surrounding Yin Souls, so he called him over to maintain order.

There was no other way; the Netherworld was too short-staffed now.

They also wanted to recruit some ghost messengers, but how to do it specifically still needed Lord Chuping's decision.

Upon closer inspection, this old man was clearly not quite right.

"Lord, this old man was dressed like this before he died, and it's not suitable to change it casually."

That was true; Yin Souls could maintain their power by preserving their death appearance.

For those who died unnatural deaths, the pain or anger of their death appearance could transform into resentment, giving the Yin Soul stronger power to seek revenge or protect things they valued in life.

But with this old man in front of him, Zhao Liu always felt something was off, the Qi was wrong.

Zhao Liu narrowed his eyes, circled Liu Chongshan once, the Soul-Locking Chain gently swaying in his hand, emitting a faint metallic clinking sound.

"Oh? Like this before death?"

He sneered, "Then tell me, how did you die?"

Liu Chongshan's heart tightened, but his expression remained calm. He sighed and said, "This old man was strangled to death while alive."

Lying!

The Awakened Zhao Liu could tell at a glance that the living Soul in front of him was lying.

That's right, Zhao Liu could now confirm that the person in front of him was a living Soul.

His Physical Body was not yet dead, but his Soul had entered the Netherworld through some unknown means.

Could he have been strangled to the point of Soul Emergence?

It could only be said that Zhao Liu was still too kind. Even after Awakening and becoming much stronger, he still didn't recognize that the person in front of him was the enemy of their brothers in this life.

He was the one for whom Zhao Liu had specifically reserved a spot in Hell.

"Strangled to death, you say? Why do I see that you're not completely dead yet?"

"If a living Soul enters the Netherworld, after a long time, your Physical Body outside will die even if it's not dead already."

Zhao Liu approached Liu Chongshan, sniffed, and became even more certain of his guess.

"That smell of a living person on you is too obvious for high-level ghost cultivators!"

"Old man, go back quickly!"

Liu Chongshan saw that although Zhao Liu had seen through his identity as a living Soul, he didn't directly attack but instead advised him to go back, and he immediately had a plan.

This kid, he is kind.

Then it would be easy to handle.

Liu Chongshan deliberately coughed twice, trembling as he said.

"Lord, you have a Wisdom Eye... This old man's lifespan is indeed not yet exhausted; I was merely harmed by someone, my Soul left my body, and I accidentally stumbled into this place."

Zhao Liu frowned: "If it was an accidental entry, then just go back quickly. There's no rush to come to this place until you're truly dead."

Liu Chongshan saw that Zhao Liu was only verbally advising him to leave but made no actual moves, so he simply took advantage of the situation.

In fact, Zhao Liu was almost fed up at this moment.

This guy talked too much; Zhao Liu wished he could just shut his mouth.

Unfortunately, Lord Chuping had said that before a judgment, violent enforcement was not allowed.

Now, they could only register first.

Liu Chongshan's eyes darted around, and he lowered his voice, saying, "Lord, you may not know, but this old man heard something in the mortal world..."

"What is it?"

Zhao Liu looked at him warily.

"I heard that there is a Netherworld Old Ghost in the Netherworld who understands matters of both Yin and Yang realms. This old man wants to ask him for help to find out who harmed me..."

Zhao Liu's expression changed slightly upon hearing this: "What do you want to find him for?"

Liu Chongshan pretended not to notice his reaction and continued to sigh: "This old man had some cultivation in life, but was ambushed by someone, and I am truly unwilling. If I can find out the truth, I will accept even Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering."

After saying that, he wiped his eyes, putting on a look of being deceived and harmed.

Zhao Liu was silent for a moment, then shook his head and said, "You go back; Netherworld Old Ghost is no longer here."

"No longer here?"

Liu Chongshan feigned surprise, "Could he have reincarnated?"

"Hmph, he committed many evils and has long since become Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering."

Zhao Liu said coldly.

Liu Chongshan was secretly alarmed, but his face showed a look of regret: "What a pity... Then, who is in charge of the Netherworld now? Perhaps this old man can..."

"You're a living Soul, why are you asking about these things?"

Zhao Liu suddenly interrupted him, his eyes sharpening, "I advise you not to meddle and quickly return to the Yang world!"

Liu Chongshan saw Zhao Liu's attitude turn cold, knowing that asking further might arouse suspicion, so he quickly cupped his hands and said, "Lord's teaching is right; this old man spoke too much."

* * *

After Liu Chongshan left, Zhao Wu hurried over.

"Little Liu, who was that just now? I found his figure somewhat familiar."

Zhao Liu's brows were tightly furrowed, the Soul-Locking Chain in his hand unconsciously swaying gently.

"Fifth Brother also finds him familiar? I just felt something was wrong. This person is clearly a living Soul, yet he can come to the Netherworld, but he said he was framed, just like us..."

Zhao Wu's mind raced, and he suddenly slapped his thigh.

"I remember now! That way of walking — doesn't it resemble Old Thief Liu?"

The Soul-Locking Chain straightened with a "clatter," and a cold light flashed in Zhao Liu's eyes: "Liu Chongshan?!"

The two brothers looked at each other, both seeing shock in the other's eyes.

Zhao Wu said anxiously, "Quickly chase him! This old thief must have come to probe our strength!"

"It's too late."

Zhao Liu gritted his teeth, "A living Soul returning to the Yang world only takes an instant. However..."

He suddenly sneered, "Since we know it's him, it's easier to handle."

"How?"

A glint flashed in Zhao Liu's eyes: "For a living Soul to leave the body, there must be a Physical Body as an anchor point. Since he can freely enter and exit the Netherworld, he must have a special passage!"

Zhao Wu suddenly understood: "You mean..."

"The Lord said that there are three Yin and Yang nodes between the Netherworld and the Yang world."

Zhao Liu quickly said, "For Liu Chongshan to maintain his living Soul state and travel between the two realms, he must have set up an altar near one of these nodes!"

As the two brothers were speaking, a deafening roar suddenly came from a distance.

The entire Netherworld shook, and countless Yin Souls scattered in terror.

"Report —"

A Yin Messenger ran over in a panic, "The Blood Trail of the Underworld has been blown up with a blood talisman!"

"What?!"

Zhao Wu was greatly alarmed, "That's the main Dao connecting Yin and Yang!"

Zhao Liu, however, sneered: "As expected, he couldn't hold back. Fifth Brother, quickly report to the Lord. I'll take people to guard near the Blood Trail of the Underworld and see if we can get out."

He gripped the Soul-Locking Chain, "This time, we will definitely make sure this old thief comes and never returns!"

* * *

At the same time, deep within the imperial tomb's underground palace in the Yang world.

Liu Chongshan's Physical Body suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, and the Netherworld incense burner in front of him "cracked" and split into two.

"Your Majesty!"

The Old Eunuch waiting by his side rushed forward in a panic.