112: Chapter 112 Judge's Mediation and Ideological Work

As the "protest team" of thousands of malevolent ghosts surged from all corners of the Barren Bone Plain toward the center like a gray tide, waving crooked signs, beating broken gongs, and shouting slogans, the howling yin winds and soaring resentment made the scene momentarily chaotic and terrifying.

Little Red Clothes, who had been hesitant after Lin Chen's "contract" proposal, now seemed to have found her backbone. A trace of smugness and ferocity flashed in her pale eyes as her resentment surged again. The ground beneath her began to frost over with black ice, and the bone puppets and ragdoll monsters also emitted threatening low growls.

Zhang Hao's legs went weak as he looked at the ghosts covering the hills (though he was a ghost now and didn't technically have calves), and he instinctively tried to shrink behind Lin Chen. "Boss... this... the public anger is a bit high! Should we make a strategic retreat first?"

Su Qingyu’s expression was also grave; she had already pulled up the combat command interface on her nether talisman tablet, waiting for Lin Chen’s order. The fifty thousand Yin soldiers turned in unison, shields raised and spears pointed forward. Their cold killing intent clashed with the soaring resentment from the other side, and the atmosphere became tense, with a great battle ready to erupt at any moment!

However, Lin Chen remained as calm as ever, even finding the leisure to comment: "Tsk, the crowd is quite large, but the signs are too crude, the slogans aren't unified enough, and they lack organization."

Just as the Hanged Ghost at the front, beating a broken gong with his tongue lolling out, was about to rush in front of Lin Chen and tear at him with ghostly claws—

"Silence!"

A low, majestic shout, seemingly carrying the power of the world's laws, suddenly rang out!

The voice wasn't loud, but it was like a great bell, exploding directly in the depths of every malevolent ghost's soul! Even the churning resentment surrounding Little Red Clothes was shaken into a brief stall.

All the charging ghosts stopped abruptly as if blocked by an invisible wall, looking toward the source of the sound with uncertainty.

Beside Lin Chen, a phantom had appeared at some unknown time, wearing ancient black official robes and a black gauze cap. His face was stern and old-fashioned, and he held a scroll emitting a nether aura. He was surrounded by a faint but soul-shivering official pressure!

It was a genuine Underworld Magistrate!

"It's... it's the Lord Magistrate!"

"Why is he here?"

"Lord Magistrate, please seek justice for us!" A commotion of awe-filled whispers rose from the crowd of ghosts. The lead Hanged Ghost also quickly lowered his broken gong, let his tongue droop, and shrunk his neck, not daring to act up again.

The Magistrate's phantom first scanned the crowd expressionlessly. Wherever his gaze landed, the ghosts lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes. Then, he turned to Lin Chen, and a stiff, but clearly well-intentioned... smile actually squeezed onto his stern face?

"Boss Lin, the paperwork has been completed. This is your 'Underworld Development Zone Franchise License' and 'Level 1 Land Development Ownership Certificate'." The Magistrate's phantom handed over a document composed of pure nether energy, glowing with official seals.

Lin Chen took it casually and stuffed it to Su Qingyu without even looking. Then he nodded to the Magistrate and patted the phantom's shoulder quite familiarly (his hand passed right through, but the gesture was there): "Thanks for the hard work, Old Cui. I'll buy you a drink later."

The corner of the Magistrate's mouth twitched imperceptibly, but he still maintained that stiff smile: "Boss Lin is too kind; it's just my duty."

This scene completely dumbfounded all the ghosts present, including Little Red Clothes!

A Magistrate! That was a high deity of the Underworld, a major figure who controlled the Book of Life and Death and judged the souls of good and evil! Why was he so polite to this living human named Lin Chen? He even called him "Boss"? And personally delivered the license? What was their relationship?!

Zhang Hao’s ghostly eyes widened even further as he screamed in his mind, "Holy crap! Boss is amazing! He even bribed the Magistrate?! How many nether talismans did that cost!"

The Magistrate stopped paying attention to Lin Chen and turned to the crowd of completely stunned ghost protesters. Resuming his stern and majestic expression, he cleared his throat and began his "thought work":

"You wandering spirits, gathering here to obstruct a key Underworld development project—how unseemly!"

His voice carried the power of rules, striking the heart of every ghost.

"Do you know that Boss Lin's development of this place was specially authorized by the Ten Kings of Hell? It is aimed at revitalizing the Underworld economy and improving your living environment. It is a great undertaking that benefits the present and lasts for generations!"

The ghosts looked at each other. Improving the living environment? What was there to improve in this wasteland full of bone fragments?

The Magistrate continued, his tone carrying a "this is for your own good" vibe: "You are currently homeless, your soul bodies are dim, and you can only rely on instinct to absorb meager yin energy or even devour each other, living precariously. How tragic!"

These words struck a chord with many low-level ghosts, and they instinctively nodded.

"But, as long as you cooperate with the relocation... ahem, I mean, cooperate with the construction of the New District," the Magistrate changed his tone and waved the phantom of the Book of Life and Death in his hand, "not only can you receive pure 'nether talismans' issued by Boss Lin as compensation based on your contribution to strengthen your soul bodies..."

He paused deliberately, watching the eyes of the ghosts below gradually light up (if they had eyes), and threw out the biggest bait:

"Furthermore, I can promise here that those who actively cooperate will be given priority in reincarnation! You can choose a wealthy family and live a peaceful, smooth life!"

"Priority reincarnation?!"

These two words were like a heavy bomb, causing an explosion of excitement among the ghosts!

For these wandering spirits who had struggled on the fringes of the Underworld for countless years with no hope of reincarnation, "reincarnation" was their deepest desire! It was the ultimate liberation! Homes and homelands seemed so insignificant in the face of "priority reincarnation"!

"Lord Magistrate... is this true?" The lead Hanged Ghost's voice trembled, and he even forgot to let his tongue loll.

"I hold a sub-volume of the Book of Life and Death; would I speak falsely?" The Magistrate kept a straight face, but his tone left no room for doubt.

"I'll cooperate! I'll be the first to cooperate!" The Hanged Ghost immediately threw away his broken gong and sign, thumping to his knees and kowtowing toward Lin Chen and the Magistrate. "Boss Lin! Lord Magistrate! I was blind! I'm willing to relocate! No, I'm willing to contribute to the construction of the New District!"

With a leader stepping forward, the other ghosts instantly erupted.

"I'm willing too!"

"I'll do anything as long as I can reincarnate!"

"Tear it down! Tear it down now! You can push over those few broken bone pillars of mine whenever you want!"

"Boss Lin! Are you still hiring? I'm very strong!"

The protest army that had been aggressive just a moment ago collapsed instantly, turning into a grand "job fair." Countless ghosts scrambled to show their loyalty, fearing they would lose a good spot for reincarnation if they were a step too late.

Little Red Clothes was completely dumbfounded, standing alone on the spot, clutching her ragdoll, and watching her "comrades" defect in an instant. The churning resentment around her froze. Her greatest reliance was gone just like that?

The Magistrate looked at the effect with satisfaction, then his gaze fell on Little Red Clothes, his tone softening slightly: "And you, Little Red Clothes. You have occupied this place for many years. Although your resentment is heavy, you haven't harmed the innocent (mainly because there were no living people to harm), and your foundation is decent. Boss Lin is willing to give you a proper job, preserve your former residence as a tourist attraction, and pay you a salary. This is your good fortune. Do not make a mistake and miss this chance to return to the righteous path."

Little Red Clothes looked at the Magistrate, then at Lin Chen, who had an "I told you so" expression, and then at her former "companions" who were already eagerly helping the Yin soldiers clear bones...

She bit her bloodless lip, and the ragdoll in her arms also let its head droop.

Finally, the soaring resentment slowly retracted like a punctured balloon. She lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito's, carrying a trace of reluctance and resignation:

"I... I'll sign..."

Lin Chen smiled, knowing it would end this way. He pushed the virtual contract in front of Little Red Clothes once again.

"That's the way. A wise person submits to the circumstances." Lin Chen watched her press a fingerprint made of soul power with a smile. "Welcome to the 'Underworld Development Zone' family, Comrade Little Red Clothes. From now on, you are the special actor and security captain of the 'Barren Bone Plain Haunted House Experience Center.' Work hard, and if your performance meets the target, I'll apply for a permanent position for your doll too."

Little Red Clothes—no, now Employee Little Red Clothes—held her doll and looked at this human boss who smiled like a fox. She suddenly felt that her ghostly life might really be heading toward a completely different, "money-filled"... broad avenue?

(Hook: Su Qingyu discovers that one of the ghosts looks very much like her deceased mother.)

Amidst this bustling "onboarding" scene, Su Qingyu, who had been responsible for recording and coordinating, caught sight of the ghosts queuing up for registration and waiting for job assignments. Her body suddenly froze, and the nether talisman tablet in her hand almost dropped.

She stared fixedly at an inconspicuous corner of the ghost crowd. There was a middle-aged female ghost dressed simply, with a soul body dimmer and more ethereal than the others, quietly queuing with her head down.

That figure, that profile...

Su Qingyu's pupils suddenly contracted, her breathing instantly became rapid, and her face turned pale. She murmured to herself, her voice carrying an uncontrollable tremble:

"Mom... Mama?"