133: Ox-Head and Horse-Face (The End)

(This book is an ensemble cast novel, ensemble cast novel, ensemble cast novel... multiple protagonists.)

"Horse-Face, today I grant you military authority and command you to take charge of the Fifth Legion of the Underworld's Yin Soldier Army—the Lion Ridge Army."

"This legion is an elite force of our Underworld, shouldering the heavy responsibility of maintaining the order of the Netherworld and guarding the balance between the realms of Yin and Yang."

"I hope you will not fail your mission and train them into an invincible and powerful army." Shang Wan Ning sat upright on the sofa, painting a grand vision for Horse-Face.

"Furthermore, I want you to vigorously capture those lonely souls and malevolent ghosts wandering in the outside world."

"If these wandering spirits and wild ghosts are not restrained, they will surely disturb the peace of the Yin and Yang realms. At the same time, you must actively recruit Underworld Yin Soldiers to strengthen our forces, but the recruitment limit this time is set at two hundred thousand. There must be no mistakes!"

Shang Wan Ning instructed solemnly. "The Finance Department will fully cooperate with all the resources you need to ensure sufficient supplies and excellent equipment. But remember, do not repeat You Yu's mistake, where a moment of negligence led to heavy losses for a thousand-man unit..."

Shang Wan Ning's fingertips tapped on the sofa cushion, a hint of warning flashing in her eyes.

Ma Sanqiang knelt on one knee, cupped his hands, and replied respectfully, "Thank you for your great grace, Empress! This Subordinate will surely live up to Your Majesty's trust, even if I must sacrifice my life!"

"I will do everything in my power to build a blood-and-iron legion that awes the Netherworld and complete the task entrusted by Your Majesty." Having said that, Horse-Face stood up, turned, and left with firm and powerful steps.

"Tsk tsk tsk! Another good horse!!!"

Xiao Si cracked melon seeds, muttering to himself in his heart.

[The great host's vision-painting skills are even more capitalistic than a capitalist's.]

...Netherworld, Bridge of Helplessness.

Shang Wan Ning gently set down the detailed report on the legion's situation, her brow furrowing slightly as she murmured to herself, "Recruited Yin Soldiers really can't compare to summoned ones."

"These newly recruited Yin Soldiers not only have uneven combat strength, but their loyalty is also hard to guarantee, and there's even a risk of betrayal. In contrast, those summoned through the System are loyal to the Underworld unto death."

Shang Wan Ning sighed softly, a hint of worry appearing on her face. "The mission for a million-man Yin Soldier army... months have passed, and the completion rate is still less than 20%."

"Your Majesty, don't be in such a hurry!"

"Countless countries have fallen by now, and innumerable 'people' have perished in the bloody maws of Ghost Kings."

"Because of this, the Ghost Kings' power is growing day by day, and their strength is increasing at an alarming rate. Relying solely on these newly recruited Yin Soldiers to attack a Ghost King's lair is like striking a rock with an egg; naturally, it can only be in vain." Meng Jiang gazed at the surging waters of the Wangchuan River beneath the bridge and continued.

"Your Majesty wants to use those Ghost Kings as whetstones, so you should take the initial military reports a bit more lightly!"

"I am truly worried that you might get so angry it leads to breast hyperplasia." Meng Jiang tilted her head slightly, staring at Shang Wan Ning.

In the depths of those eyes as clear as water, a faint, lingering smile rippled.

"Sister Meng, I don't even know if you truly want to enlighten me or if you're just making fun of me." Shang Wan Ning gave Meng Jiang a coquettish glare.

Immediately after, she reached out and swiftly snatched the teacup from Meng Jiang's hand, tilting her head back to drain it without hesitation.

As the liquid slid down her throat and into her stomach, she couldn't help but smack her lips a few times. Her brow furrowed as she grumbled, "Oh, why does this taste so bitter?"

Meng Jiang gently lowered her eyes, a full smile still hanging on her lips. "Naturally, it's bitter."

"Your Majesty, I haven't even used Spiritual Fire to warm this cup of tea yet." After saying that, she raised a hand to cover her crimson lips and let out a soft laugh.

"Besides, Your Majesty has always had such a rash and impatient temperament."

"No wonder every time Lin Ran complains to me, she says that every time Your Majesty kisses her down there..." Before she could finish, Shang Wan Ning's face instantly turned bright red, like a ripe monkey's bottom.

She hurriedly reached out one hand to tightly cover Meng Jiang's lips, while the other hand waved at the surrounding maids, signaling them to withdraw quickly.

Only after everyone had left did she breathe a small sigh of relief, but the flush on her face hadn't faded at all; instead, it became even more vivid and dazzling.

Shang Wan Ning gave Meng Jiang a coquettish look and complained, "Sister Meng, you must never talk nonsense like that again! If word of this got out, where would my dignity go?"

"Dignity? Is Your Majesty brave enough to do it but not brave enough to admit it?" Meng Jiang curled her lips, her tone full of teasing.

Shang Wan Ning crouched down and cupped Meng Jiang's face with both hands. "The pleasures of the bedchamber... how could I dare speak of them to outsiders?"

"If I were a big mouth and went around talking about 'what happened with Sister Meng on the coffee table last time,' what would happen to you, Sister?"

The Empress narrowed her eyes slightly, her lips curling up into a cunning smile, her words carrying a clear hint of a threat.

Hearing this, Meng Jiang immediately burst into a fit of coughing, her face flushing crimson. "Cough, cough, cough... Your Majesty, please stop joking."

She somewhat frantically avoided the Empress's gaze, secretly lamenting her misfortune in her heart.

[Trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice.]

Seeing this, Meng Jiang hurriedly changed the subject, attempting to break the awkward situation.

"The Department of Reincarnation is almost fully established now, and there's about 400 million left in the budget. I was originally thinking..."

However, before Meng Jiang could finish, she was curtly interrupted by Shang Wan Ning.

"In that case, take all that money to summon Soul Reapers! Then use incense offerings to upgrade those Soul Reapers with outstanding performance, making them Tier 3 Yin Soldiers!"

Shang Wan Ning stood with her hands on her hips and waved her hand with grand ambition, her aura as heroic as one surveying her domain.

Meng Jiang couldn't help but be stunned. After a moment of hesitation, she still spoke up, "But... I feel this fund should be prioritized for training Chief Assistant Lin; that would be more appropriate!"

"Enough!" Shang Wan Ning frowned and waved her hand impatiently.

"My mind is made up; there's no need for further discussion on this matter! I am going to the Earth God Temple now to personally observe the lives of the people!"

"And while I'm at it, I'll see if there are any delicious snacks there." As she spoke, she unconsciously licked her pink lips.

"Sister Meng, do you want to come along?" Shang Wan Ning turned and asked.

"Then let's go together," Meng Jiang said softly.

Earth God Temple, Ghost Market, Yin Street Avenue

The entrances to Yin Street Avenue in the mortal realm, while perhaps not numbering in the tens of thousands, certainly number in the thousands; finding them is not difficult.

Every night at midnight, the entrance to Yin Street appears in places in the mortal realm where Yin energy is concentrated.

The Ghost Market has two gates: the Gate of Life and the Gate of Death. The sights seen upon entering through these two gates are vastly different. Entering through the Gate of Life leads to Yang Street, while entering through the Gate of Death leads to Yin Street.