182: Destiny and You

Golden light, like a waterfall, poured down from the top of the Netherworld Hall.

Lin Chuping's voice echoed within the hall, each word seemingly carrying a majesty that made heaven and earth resonate.

Zhou Mingde stood stunned, watching countless golden runes emerge from the Void Realm, swirling around him.

"Judge... Divine position?"

This was something Zhou Mingde had never heard of, but at this moment, knowledge, as if by some magical means, flooded into his mind.

Zhou Mingde murmured, his Soul trembling uncontrollably.

This was not fear, but a resonance from the depths of his Soul.

Lin Chuping raised his hand, and three items slowly descended from the golden light.

A vermilion brush, its handle carved like blood jade, its tip glowing faintly;

A book, its cover as black as night, with countless names vaguely visible flowing within;

A bronze seal, its knob a xiezhi treading on a ghost, with the four characters "Bright Mirror Hanging High" engraved on its base.

"Zhou Mingde, receive the seal."

That voice was no longer human, but carried a majesty that transcended all.

Zhou Mingde involuntarily extended his hands, and the three Magical Artifacts simultaneously fell into his palms.

In an instant, Zhou Mingde's tattered Soul began to reshape. A black official robe adorned him, an jade belt spontaneously formed at his waist, and the xiezhi beast embroidered on his chest patch glowed with golden light.

The most striking change was in his face—the originally handsome scholar's face gradually became covered with a bronze luster, finally settling into a half-green face, exuding an imposing aura without anger.

"This is..."

Zhou Mingde unconsciously touched his cold left cheek.

"Judge's Dharma Aspect."

"The green face signifies impartiality, and the human face represents a compassionate heart."

Zhou Mingde looked down at his transformed self, feeling that all of this was very dreamlike.

Even if he were dreaming, this was too incredible.

"This humble official dares to ask, why did Milord choose me?"

Zhou Mingde asked himself, he did not have such a grand background or ability; he was just an ordinary person, and even as an official, he was among the least distinguished.

He had inexplicably become a sacrifice in the games of the powerful.

"Milord, there should be many more upright and discerning individuals than me in the Netherworld..."

Lin Chuping: "..."

Good question, young man, you've hit the nail on the head. Lin Chuping himself didn't know the answer to that question.

He couldn't possibly say that the System recommended him as the best candidate, could he?

Lin Chuping stood with his hands behind his back, his dark official robe fluttering without wind, a profound smile appearing on his face.

"Zhou Mingde, do you know what a 'Judge' is?"

Zhou Mingde was startled, subconsciously touching the Judge's Seal at his waist: "To control life and death, to discern good from evil..."

"Wrong."

"The most important thing for a Judge is not ability, but—a pure heart."

Lin Chuping raised his chin, glad he managed to maintain his composure.

At this moment, no matter what Zhou Mingde said, he had to say "Wrong."

To guide Zhou Mingde onto his predetermined path.

"Zhou Mingde, you do not need to hesitate too much; this is destiny. A new era is about to arrive; this is a destined battle between fate and you, the Host."

Seeing Zhou Mingde's lost-in-thought reaction, Lin Chuping knew there was a chance.

Good, with this tone, Lin Chuping felt he was becoming more and more credible.

"The Netherworld Judge is a crucial piece in this heaven and earth chess game!"

"The Three Realms have already experienced a 'Chaos Tribulation' rarely seen in a thousand years and are about to welcome new life. After a thousand years of Chaos, the lines of Karma on the Book of Life and Death have long been in disarray, and you are the one to break this deadlock!"

"Remember, from today onwards, you are no longer a chess piece to be manipulated! This Netherworld, and even the Six Realms, will change because of you! You bear not a divine position, but the expectations of the entire heaven and earth!"

* * *

Zhou Mingde stood rooted to the spot, feeling as if his Soul had been struck by lightning.

"I... am that important?"

He looked down at the black Judge's robe on his body, then touched the bronze mask on his left cheek. The sensation was cold and hard, as if reminding him—all of this was real.

But the problem was, he didn't feel there was anything special about himself.

During his life, he was merely a poor scholar, studying diligently for over a decade. After much difficulty, he passed the imperial examination and became an official, but before he could even realize his ambitions, he was caught in the political infighting, inexplicably becoming a scapegoat and dying unjustly.

He never expected such good fortune after death.

Perhaps he had other merits he hadn't discovered himself?

"Slap!"

Zhou Mingde suddenly raised his hand and slapped himself hard.

"Hiss... That hurts!"

It wasn't a dream.

He had truly become the Netherworld Judge, in charge of the Book of Life and Death, wielding the Judge's Brush, and could even judge those who had once harmed him.

"This... This is too outrageous, isn't it?"

Zhou Mingde muttered to himself, his mind in a jumble.

Fortunately, after Lin Chuping put on a show, he left directly and did not witness this scene.

After Lin Chuping exited the Enter Dream divine art, he temporarily put Liu Chongshan's matter out of his mind.

Do not use a suspicious person; do not suspect a person you use.

If Zhou Mingde, with the Judge's Brush and the Book of Life and Death, still couldn't handle Liu Chongshan, then he would have to appoint a new Judge.

* * *

Lin Chuping flashed and arrived at the southern border of Qingzhou, standing high in the sky, overlooking the Ten Thousand Mountains in the distance.

The mountain range was like a Dragon, Demonic Qi soaring into the sky.

The Ten Thousand Mountains were not literally "Ten Thousand Mountains," but referred to the endless, towering peaks of this mountain range, as if they would never end.

Looking from afar, the mountains resembled giant, dormant Dragons, winding and coiling. Ancient trees covered the dark brown mountain bodies, their canopies like ink, obscuring the sky and sun.

Grayish-black miasma perpetually shrouded the mountains, unable to be penetrated by even the strongest midday sun through the thick mist.

And what was most heart-pounding was the Demonic Qi that soared into the sky!

It wasn't just a wisp or two, but a surging, tidal wave of Demonic Qi, churning from the depths of the mountains, condensing into a crimson cloud in mid-air, where countless Demonic shadows could vaguely be seen wandering and roaring.

It was wilder here, without morals, without rules, only power.

The Great Yan's incense offerings were already fully under control.

The System had previously issued a mission: once Liu Chongshan died, the Old Capital would return to Li Shun, and his jurisdiction would directly expand to the entire Great Yan.

The Netherworld mission could not be rushed.

Next, it was time to consider further expansion.

"Host, do you want to enter the Ten Thousand Mountains?"

"Yes, you know me, with such a large territory, I can't help but be tempted."