Chapter 117: The Corpse King’s Surrender

In the quiet grove of the Corpse King’s Mansion, the Corpse King sat on a stone stool, gazing at the projection of the city outskirts. With a faint sigh, he turned to Zhou Tong, who was standing nearby, and said, "You see it now, don't you? The Si Mansion has risen to a point where we can no longer shake its foundation. With him at the helm, the Si Mansion will likely scale new heights, perhaps even dominate the entire Underworld."

Zhou Tong nodded. "Corpse King, what shall we do next? Do we surrender, or leave Ghost Abyss City to establish our own territory?"

The Corpse King smiled thinly. "Leave? Do you think he would let us?"

Zhou Tong looked puzzled. "I don't understand. Please, Corpse King, speak plainly."

"I currently hold a massive force," the Corpse King explained, "and these one hundred thousand elite troops originally came from the Si Mansion. He is eager to reclaim that command; he would never let us depart safely."

"That is true." Zhou Tong nodded, his eyes sharpening. "Then we kill him."

"Ha!" The Corpse King laughed. "His strength is superior to mine. Even if we wanted to, we couldn't kill him."

"Then does the Corpse King intend to submit to the Flying King?" Zhou Tong asked.

The Corpse King nodded. "Yes, submit to the Si Mansion. I only hope he doesn't push things to the extreme. Come, accompany me to the Si Mansion."

Meanwhile, inside the Si Mansion, Jiang Xiaofei was drinking and celebrating with Su Muhe and Meng Feixue. Beautiful female ghosts danced and sang, leaving Elder Song and the various generals dazzled. They desperately wanted to reach out and embrace them, but Jiang Xiaofei’s previous orders kept them in check. Still, their eyes remained glued to the chests of the beautiful ghosts, and they could barely suppress their drool. This caused the ghosts to giggle incessantly.

From his seat of honor, Su Muhe drank deeply and asked, "Lord Fei, having that 'Flying Dog' return with a message and challenging them to the Abyss of Ghost Howls—is that truly wise?"

"What is unwise about it?" Jiang Xiaofei took a sip of wine and frowned.

Su Muhe replied, "Although we won our last battle, Heaven Ghost City commands a million soldiers. We are vastly outnumbered. Furthermore, the Heaven Ghost King is at the peak of the Dao Extremity Realm. If they are truly in league with external forces, the disparity in strength is clear."

"So, that is what you are worried about." Jiang Xiaofei smiled. "You need not worry. Do we not still have the Corpse King? With his assistance, we are not without a chance of victory."

"But the Corpse King has been reluctant to submit," Su Muhe noted. "I fear he will not help us."

Jiang Xiaofei laughed. "Do not worry about that. I am certain he will submit, for he has no other path left."

"Very well," Su Muhe nodded. "But even with the Corpse King's help, what if we lose the battle at the Abyss of Ghost Howls?"

Jiang Xiaofei’s gaze sharpened. "Even if we lose, we must fight with such ferocity that our reputation is established, and all factions will understand the resolve of the Si Mansion."

"Oh." Upon hearing this, Su Muhe immediately understood. "So that is your strategy, Lord Fei! A brilliant move. Even in defeat, our position in the Si Mansion will be solidified."

Jiang Xiaofei said no more, drinking his wine in silence. While the battle three days hence weighed on him, what troubled him most was the mysterious force that could so easily intervene in Underworld affairs. It was clear that the power behind them was immense and not coincidental.

Just then, a guard entered and reported, "Reporting to the Flying King, the Corpse King requests an audience."

"Let him in," Jiang Xiaofei waved his hand, signaling for the beautiful ghosts to withdraw.

As the ghosts departed, the Corpse King entered. His presence immediately made the atmosphere heavy; after all, the Corpse King was, in essence, a traitor. Sensing the tension among the generals, Jiang Xiaofei smiled. "Everyone, do not be nervous. We are all on the same side."

He turned his gaze to the Corpse King and asked with a smile, "Right, Corpse King?"

The Corpse King remained silent. He stepped forward, bowed, and said, "I have come today to submit to the Si Mansion and pledge my allegiance to the Flying King."

"What?" The entire hall was shocked by these words, though the generals soon felt a sense of relief. With the Si Mansion currently rising like the midday sun under the Flying King's rule, it was only natural for the Corpse King to seek a path to survival.

Jiang Xiaofei was momentarily stunned by the Corpse King's declaration, then burst into a hearty laugh. "Corpse King, there is no need for such grand gestures. Your words are enough!"

"The Mansion Master's dignity is paramount; this subordinate would not dare overstep. This is the command seal for the hundred thousand underworld troops. Please, have a look." With a hint of reluctance, the Corpse King produced a gray carved plaque from his robes, inscribed with the characters for "Si Mansion."

Jiang Xiaofei smiled and said, "You keep the command of these troops."

The Corpse King frowned, looking surprised. "Do you trust me that much?"

Jiang Xiaofei chuckled. "Naturally, I do not. But I believe you are not a man who forgets favors. Therefore, you remain the Corpse King, and you remain the Third Protector of the Si Mansion."

"I..." The Corpse King was left speechless, his emotions complex.

Seeing this, Jiang Xiaofei laughed. "Enough talk. Sit, have a drink, and let us discuss our next plan."

"Then I shall accept your hospitality," the Corpse King nodded.

Meanwhile, in the distant Heaven Ghost City, a great event had occurred. Countless malevolent ghosts were bowing in worship, celebrating their City Lord. Just moments ago, he had broken through to the Dao Extremity Realm.

The Dao Extremity Realm! Such individuals were few and far between even in the entire Underworld. With a new powerhouse of this caliber, Heaven Ghost City was surely blessed by the heavens. Who could say they wouldn't dominate the Underworld? Perhaps even uniting it and crowning himself king was not impossible.

"Rise!"

Above the sea of bowing ghosts stood a tiered platform with a throne, upon which sat a middle-aged man in black robes. His face was sharp as if carved by a knife, and his expression carried an inherent, terrifying majesty. He was Yang Guang, the City Lord of Heaven Ghost City, known as the Little Heaven Ghost King.

As he spoke, all the ghosts rose in respect.

Standing beside Yang Guang was a man in long, golden robes. He was tall, handsome, and truly a man of impressive appearance.

"Congratulations, City Lord Yang, on becoming a master of the Dao Extremity Realm," he offered his regards.

"Ah," Yang Guang waved his hand with a smile. "Young Master Wuji is too kind. If not for the help provided by Young Master Wuji, I could not have broken through so quickly!"

"What did you say?" Young Master Wuji’s expression clouded with displeasure.

Realizing his lapse, Yang Guang quickly corrected himself. "I meant myself. Young Master Wuji, please, do not be angry! It was a slip of the tongue!"

"That is better," Young Master Wuji said coldly. "Do not forget the conditions you agreed to. If you perform well, the position of Underworld King will naturally be yours. But if you fail, I have the power to destroy it all."

Yang Guang bowed repeatedly. "Young Master Wuji, your words are taken to heart. I will do my utmost to serve you."