Chapter 421

Chapter 421: The Ferryman of the Underworld

The path of immortals is solitary, while the divine path gathers followers. Both paths reach tremendous heights, their pinnacles occupied by great beings.

The frequent pairing of divine and immortal beings in speech shows how these paths ultimately converge.

Yet the divine path’s crowd-gathering nature clashes fiercely with human empires that also rely on collective strength.

A mountain can’t have two tigers. The divine path and imperial courts inevitably conflict.

Within the Great Spirit Dynasty, unapproved deities faced condemnation as wild gods and immoral spirits – their statues shattered, temples razed.

Fortunately, Mu Lin operated not in the empire’s heartlands, but disaster-ridden border territories.

Here, commoners and soldiers alike cared little whether salvation came from gods or officials. Survival alone dictated their faith.

Zhang Hemiao and Sheng Cang shared this indifference toward popular beliefs, yet remained wary of Mu Lin’s divine office.

Not all gods brought benevolence. Some wild deities spread depravity or demanded bloody sacrifices to expand influence.

"Master Mu, what divine path do you follow?"

Understanding their caution, Mu Lin explained plainly:

"My path rewards good and punishes evil. I grant rest to lost souls, guiding them to rebirth. When receiving spirits, I judge their earthly deeds and dispense fitting rewards or punishments."

"My provisional divine title is King of Hell. Beneath this ruler exist civil and military judges, Yin soldiers, ghost soldiers, local guardians, and day and night wandering spirits…"

"These righteous deities of the Yin Court shall help maintain peace throughout the lands."

…

Upon hearing Mu Lin’s core principles, Zhang Hemiao and Sheng Cang permitted his proselytizing in Tian Shi City.

They marveled at how his underworld bureaucracy showed meticulous planning – strict legal codes, complete doctrines, and solutions for every contingency.

‘The martial judge hunts ghosts, the civil judge conducts trials, wandering spirits patrol endlessly, city gods oversee districts… This flawless system – how was it conceived?’

Mu Lin noticed their astonishment and smiled knowingly.

‘Countless sages refined this system over millennia in my past life…’

Yet structures alone proved hollow. Only through concrete implementation could the underworld’s might manifest.

Fortunately, Mu Lin’s abilities already realized much of the Yin Court’s framework.

…

Assured of Mu Lin’s non-malicious intent, Zhang Hemiao and Sheng Cang aided his religious spread.

As Earth Immortals, they delegated the work.

So did Mu Lin.

After negotiations, he delegated tasks to Si Ye, Yan Yunyu, and Ji Ling Sha.

The three of them would travel between the world of the living and the underworld, spreading faith in Mu Lin through visible miracles.

“You all know my divine office and core doctrines. Can I trust you with this task?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t worry, Mu brother. I’ll get it done.”

“Good.”

After their assurances, Mu Lin rose to build his Yin Soil.

As the main base, this underground Yin Soil wasn’t finished once created.

Mu Lin had to set up formations and prisons within it, sealing it off from the outside.

“From now on, even Earth Immortals won’t see their soul reflections here without my permission.”

To turn the Yin Soil into an impenetrable fortress, Mu Lin worked tirelessly.

Unnoticed by him, after he left, Si Ye, Yan Yunyu, and Ji Ling Sha eyed each other with barely concealed hostility.

This tension was inevitable.

In Mu Lin’s Underworld Yin Spirit hierarchy, his King of Hell avatar ruled supreme.

None dared challenge his authority—Yan Yunyu and Si Ye included.

But beneath the godmaster’s position, the hierarchy shifted.

When their true names were inscribed in the True Spirit Domain Chart, each received their divine office.

Blood Cherry became Lord of the Blood Abyss.

Yan Yunyu controlled the Infinite Chains while serving as Mu Lin’s civil judge.

Though Si Ye’s name remained unrecorded, Chu Lingluo gained dominion over Manjusaka—the Other Shore Flower Sea—earning titles like Dream Master and Lord of the Illusion Prison.

Lingluo’s innocence kept her focused on serving Mu Lin, but her mother Si Ye schemed for her benefit.

‘Mu Lin’s Underworld system is a path to immortality. If listed in the Chart, I could gain eternal life.’

‘But after our past conflicts, he’d never include me… unless Lingluo becomes the Underworld Queen.’

This ambition fueled the rivalry between Yan Yunyu and Si Ye.

Ji Ling Sha, however, held the upper hand.

Not due to favoritism, but because Prince Liang had equipped his daughter richly.

Her Sky Ferry outmatched even the Mountains and Rivers Cauldron.

In the Chart, she was named both Underworld Ferryman and Naval Commander—key to moving Mu Lin’s forces.

Grateful for her resources, Mu Lin granted her prominence.

Yan Yunyu muttered, “Ji Ling Sha’s stronger now, but refining the populace’s Power of Belief could elevate me.”

Si Ye plotted, “We must make Lingluo more relatable to ordinary civilians.”

Both schemed to divert believers’ devotion toward themselves.

Ji Ling Sha consulted her team instead of acting alone.

Prince Liang’s investment went beyond the Sky Ferry—it carried 6,000 armored soldiers, hundreds of maids, and a strategy council.

When tasked with spreading faith, her advisors proposed: “Distribute eggs and rice in the North Wilderness.”

“Using the Sky Ferry and black river, we’ll transport supplies. Gifts will make civilians worship the county princess as Queen.”

Some objected: “Bribes breed impure faith.”

Knowing the risks, a strategist countered: “Build orphanages. North Wilderness has countless orphans—mold them into devout believers, even fanatics.”

While Yan Yunyu and Si Ye relied on divine roles, Ji Ling Sha leveraged Prince Liang’s resources.