483: Ox-Head and Horse-Face emerge from the pass

Shang Wan Ning's spiritual consciousness projection paced a few times within the System Space.

"Let Him be?" She shook her head. "For Zhulong to respond with seven characters means He has already taken the initiative to step in."

"What I need to do now is not to rush to uncover His secrets, but to slowly extend the line, making Him feel that this game is interesting."

"Once He lowers His guard, once He gets used to bickering with the Abyss Church's priests every day..."

She paused, a faint smile playing on her lips, her eyes hiding an unspoken amusement.

"That will be the time to close the net."

Xiao Si seemed to understand, a plump question mark floating on the surface of its light orb.

But it didn't ask any more questions, simply setting the monitoring data to real-time broadcast and quietly retreating to the background.

Shang Wan Ning's spiritual consciousness withdrew from the System Space.

Opening her eyes, Jiaotai Palace was so quiet she could hear the sound of incense ash falling. The Concentration Incense was almost burnt out, its last wisp of smoke slowly twirling twice before dissipating.

She rose and walked to the window.

What was Zhulong doing at this moment?

Perhaps He had just finished a live broadcast and was removing His makeup in front of the Xuanbing Mirror, or perhaps He was leaning on the Hanyu Couch, sifting through the mountain of private messages.

Would He be waiting for the Key of the Abyss's next letter?

Shang Wan Ning tapped her fingertips on the window lattice.

Perhaps!

For a being who had lived for hundreds of thousands of years, novelty was rarer than spiritual energy. And the appearance of the Abyss Church undoubtedly added a fresh flavor to this role-playing game.

She turned and walked back to the soft couch, taking out a jade slip from her Storage Ring.

Her spiritual consciousness sank into it; it was the daily brief from the various departments of the Underworld.

From the Department of Reincarnation, the soul tide in R Nation had been largely dealt with, the Realm of Beasts' passage was operating smoothly, and the new 'residents' of the Eighteen Levels of Hell were gradually settling in—if constant wailing could be considered settling in.

News came from the Research Institute that Institute Director had led his team in an overnight effort, completing the final data collection for the Annihilation Tower, which officially entered the construction phase.

The Cultural Propaganda Department submitted the final plan for the new season of '101', and the budget was indeed forty percent higher than the previous season; the reason given was that 'this season's stage will be built on the Wangchuan River, and the special effects costs are high'.

Shang Wan Ning scanned through the reports, her vermilion brush swiftly approving or rejecting them with decisive strokes.

Halfway through, her fingertips paused.

She recalled what Ling Qi had said before leaving, "Ox-Head and Horse-Face are about to emerge from their seclusion."

These two capable subordinates had been stuck at the peak of the sixth stage for twenty years. If they succeeded in breaking through to the seventh stage during this seclusion, the Underworld would gain two more powerful generals.

She closed the jade slip, rose, and walked towards the outside of the hall.

As soon as she stepped out of the hall door, the maidservant on duty in the corridor came forward. She was dressed in a Qing Dai palace dress, her hair meticulously combed into a bun, and she bowed her head in present: "Is Your Majesty going out?"

"Mm." Shang Wan Ning responded, her gaze sweeping across the empty plaza in front of Jiaotai Palace. "Go take a look at where Ox-Head and Horse-Face are in seclusion."

"Understood."

The maidservant acknowledged, but then paused, looking up cautiously to ask: "Your Majesty, the honor guard is currently undergoing extensive training in the Ghost Domain and has not yet been recalled. Should a light palanquin or a sedan chair be prepared?"

Ever since her identity as the Judge was exposed, Shang Wan Ning had directly sent the entire honor guard to the Ghost Domain Special Training Camp.

It was euphemistically called "extensive training," but in reality, it was punishment for their silence regarding Tudor's matter.

At present, there was indeed no ready honor guard to use.

Shang Wan Ning didn't mind this, waving her hand: "A light palanquin will do; no need to alarm too many people."

"Yes."

The maidservant breathed a sigh of relief and turned to make arrangements.

Before long, a black light palanquin stopped in front of the hall.

The palanquin body was made of Yinhan Wood, carved with simple cloud patterns, with bronze bells hanging from its four corners, and the curtains were heavy dark silk, drawn tightly to cover it completely.

Pulling the palanquin were two Netherworld Steeds, entirely black, with faint green nether flames Entanglement around their hooves, standing quietly in place.

Shang Wan Ning lifted the curtain and sat inside.

The interior of the light palanquin was small, with only a soft cushion, and on the small table were a tea set and two idle books.

She casually picked up one scroll, rubbed her fingertips on its cover twice, and then put it back.

"Let's go!"

A soft reprimand came from the maidservant outside the palanquin, the Netherworld Steeds moved their hooves, the bells rang dully twice, and the light palanquin smoothly drove off.

Heading west along Fengdu City's main thoroughfare, through the gaps in the curtains, she could see the streetscape slowly receding.

The buildings in Fengdu City mostly had black tiles and white walls, with ever-burning lamps hanging from the eaves, and the bluestone paths were smooth from years of wear.

Shops lined the street, selling incense and paper money, Funeral Cloth and burial shrouds, and several newly opened "Yin-Yang Department Store" branches, with advertising slogans made from soul-summoning banners fluttering at their entrances... "Underworld Dream Delivery - Express Line."

"Didn't you say you'd burn paper money if you dreamed of me?"

"Supports real-time dream delivery, dream recording playback, and instant cross-border incense offerings. For urgent service, ancestors can dance 'Subject Three' in your dreams to rush orders."

"Life boring? Come down and explore!"

"Immersive experience of 'Blade Mountain KTV' and 'Oil Pot Sauna'. Check in for seven floors and get a Coke Soup coupon; check in for eighteen floors and get... direct access to the fast lane for reincarnation."

"Office worker goes out, aura fully open!"

"20XX Autumn/Winter Runway hottest item, personally endorsed by Black Impermanence. Lightweight titanium alloy material, can bind evil spirits and hang express packages."

"Buyer's pick: 'Perfect for tying up my boyfriend, he can't go messing around with ghosts anymore...'"

"Underworld meng pos soup - new zero-calorie version."

"Forget your ex, forget your worries, forget your boss's work pings at 3 AM."

"Lady Meng's selection, one bowl is enough. Add a note 'extra spicy' to experience a ghost's life on fire and unlock the crying rivers of tears skin (physical)."

Ghost messengers walked by in twos and threes, some wearing standard black robes, others dressed casually. Upon seeing the Emperor's light palanquin, they all stopped and bowed.

Shang Wan Ning leaned on the soft cushion, closing her eyes to rest. Yet, her mind was still pondering those advertisements, wondering which genius ghost came up with them—they were quite catchy!

They truly suited the goofy temperament of the contemporary young people in the Underworld.

The light palanquin exited the west gate of Fengdu, and the scenery abruptly changed.

The sides of the road were no longer neat houses, but rugged strange rocks and withered ancient trees.

A faint fishy smell filled the air, and in the distance, dog barks could be faintly heard, one after another, sharp and ferocious.

Evil Dog Ridge had arrived.

This was a naturally formed ominous place in the Netherworld, where countless evil dog souls, formed from sins, roamed, preying specifically on treacherous and evil souls.

Ordinary ghost messengers were unwilling to approach; the Yin energy was too strong, and staying too long would damage their soul bodies.

Niu Mengmeng and Ma Sanqiang choosing this place for their seclusion truly showed their knack for picking locations.

At the edge of Evil Dog Ridge, the Yin energy was so dense it condensed into solid gray mist, creeping along the ground. As the light palanquin entered the mist, the ringing of the bronze bells was muffled by half.

The maidservant outside the palanquin softly said, "Your Majesty, the road ahead narrows, and the light palanquin can no longer proceed."

Shang Wan Ning lifted the curtain and alighted, her feet barely touching the ground.

Beneath her feet was soft soil with the scent of damp, decaying leaves, and the gray mist automatically dispersed when it touched the hem of her clothes.