Netherworld, the Gate of the Nether King.

Dark clouds loomed overhead, darkening the sky and casting a deathly silence that emanated a killing aura, causing the Yin Souls who had come to report to the Netherworld to involuntarily shiver. Standing beside the gate with solemn expressions, Niu Tou and Ma Mian remained as usual, their demeanor as imposing as ever, frightening passing Yin Souls from even daring to look at them directly.

Upon entering the Gate of the Nether King, one would find themselves on Naihe Bridge. Unusually, for the past few days, a Niu Tou or Ma Mian was stationed every few meters along the sides of the bridge.

On the over two hundred meters long Naihe Bridge, nearly one hundred Niu Tou and Ma Mian stood guard. Thus, as the Yin Souls walked onto the bridge, even more fear crept into their hearts. They kept their heads low and their eyes downcast at the uneven surface of the bridge, while their ears were filled with the sound of the rushing water below.

With difficulty, the Yin Souls reached the end of the bridge. However, to their surprise, they found the end of the bridge blocked by fully equipped soldiers with indifferent expressions and murderous intent in their eyes, ready to face death without fear.

These soldiers were the Ghost King Battalion, sent by the Ghost King to guard Netherworld City, numbering exactly five thousand.

These five thousand soldiers had been blocking the bridge for half a month now, for one simple reason: they demanded that Niu Tou and Ma Mian hand over the Sun family clan leader who was hiding within the city walls of the Gate of the Nether King.

Today was the last day of the fifteen-day deadline given to Niu Tou and Ma Mian by the Dark Law King. If Niu Tou and Ma Mian failed to comply with his wishes, the five thousand soldiers would charge into Naihe Bridge and engage in a bloody battle with them.

Beyond that, outside Netherworld City, two main battalions of the Ghost King and tens of thousands of witch warriors led by King Wumeng were ready. Once the battle commenced, to prevent other families from taking the opportunity to rebel, they would advance on Netherworld City from three directions.

Inside Netherworld City, apart from Zhao Chong, the clan leaders of the six other major families did not step out of their homes. At this moment, Netherworld City was filled with invisible eyes watching them.

Where had Zhao Chong gone? No one knew.

Although the Dark Law King had sent many to watch him, they all ended up losing track of him. As for the Dark Law King, he had no choice but to let him be.

If Zhao Chong decided to start a rebellion, no one could stop him. Yet, based on what the Dark Law King knew of Zhao Chong, he knew he would not. Despite being called a war deity, he was not fond of war at all. The best proof was eighteen years ago when the Ghost King, along with the Eight Great Law Kings, fled from the Gate of the Nether King, and Zhao Chong was the first to bow down to the Ghost King to avoid warfare in the Netherworld.

Therefore, the best way to deal with Zhao Chong was to do nothing at all. Moreover, the aim of the Dharma Kings this time was to intimidate other families secretly gathering forces by making an example, and there was no need to provoke them.

If the seven great families truly started a rebellion, the consequences would be more than anyone could bear.

Among the Dark Law Kings, Qian Feng, the Qian Family clan leader with power comparable to Zhao Chong, had been very quiet these past few days, seeming to be immersed in reading and writing at his mansion, as though he intended to seclude himself from world affairs.

Seeing that the Zhao Family and Qian Family had not made any significant moves, the Dark Law King finally let out a sigh of relief. At last, the final day of the fifteen-day deadline had arrived.

..

..

Atop the city walls of the Gate of the Nether King.

After visiting Ye Yuqiao in the mortal world, Niu Tou, with heavy steps, sought out Sun Shouyi, the Sun family clan leader residing within the battlements.

Thousands of years ago, when the Dust King led an assault on Niu Tou's mountain, surrounding him and the army formed by Ma Mian and himself, it was Sun Shouyi's grandfather—the first-generation clan leader of the Sun family—who came with troops to repel the Netherworld's king, saving him and Ma Mian.

And now, it found itself in a difficult position, having to betray the kindness of its savior's grandson and exterminate the family of its benefactor.

When Niu Tou entered the battlements, Sun Shouyi, who was drinking, warmly offered him a drink.

After three rounds of drinks, Sun Shouyi's expression darkened as he said, "Today is the last day of the deadline."

"Hmm!" Niu Tou's voice was heavy.

"You and Ma Mian each have twenty thousand avatars, and with the eight thousand brave warriors from my Sun family, it shouldn't be a problem to hold off those city-guarding troops," Sun Shouyi said thoughtfully. He still didn't know that Niu Tou was planning to kill him, thinking that Niu Tou wouldn't forget the life-saving grace his grandfather had shown it in the past.

"Even if the Ghost King Battalion attacks, we shouldn't be afraid; we can at least hold off for a while." Sun Shouyi continued his analysis, "If we can drag it out for ten or fifteen days, by then the other families might take action, and the Ghost King Battalion could very well be annihilated."

Sun Shouyi's analysis was based entirely on the most ideal and optimistic scenario.

In reality, he was well aware that the situation was not optimistic. If the Ghost King Battalion outside the Netherworld City attacked, it would be difficult for Niu Tou and Ma Mian to hold out for seven days, let alone ten or fifteen;

Even if they could last ten or fifteen days, it was likely that the other major families would not intervene, because King Wanfa had gone to the Polar Ice Land in search of the Ghost King. The Ghost King could return at any time, and no family would dare to take such a risk;

Furthermore, even if other families were willing to take action, it was not certain that they could defeat the Ghost King Battalion. Apart from the two main forces outside the city and the witch clan warriors, the Ghost King also had tens of thousands of elusive Ning troops, as well as the King Battalion led by thirty-six kings spread throughout the Netherworld. Once the King Battalion gathered, it would have a force of nearly three hundred thousand.

Therefore, Sun Shouyi's words were only meant to confuse Niu Tou; in reality, he was afraid that Niu Tou would hand him over to those city-guarding troops at the bridgehead.

After Sun Shouyi finished speaking, Niu Tou made no comment but poured him a drink.

This was the first time it had poured a drink for Sun Shouyi today, and probably the last.

"Have a drink," Niu Tou said heavily, "After this drink, you should be on your way."

With a "bang," Sun Shouyi slammed the cup in his hand to the ground.

"Niu Tou, what do you mean by that?" Sun Shouyi slammed the table and rose up in a fury.

Hearing the commotion, over a dozen of Sun Shouyi's guards from outside the city wall rushed in and anxiously asked, "Clan Leader, what's happened?"

Sun Shouyi paid them no mind, his angry gaze fixed on Niu Tou.

"Sorry!" Niu Tou's eyes suddenly narrowed, "I have discharged my duty to the utmost! For the greater good, I have to do this."

"Beast!" Sun Shouyi cursed loudly. "Ungrateful beast, don't you forget that if it weren't for my grandfather, you and Ma Mian would have died on Mount Niu Tou a long time ago."

Niu Tou sighed sadly, "If there is a chance in the future, I will atone with death before his grave."

The flash of a sword!

Sun Shouyi drew his sword and thrust it into Niu Tou's chest.

However, this was just an avatar of Niu Tou, so soon after, the body of its avatar disappeared from sight.

Immediately after, a rumbling of footsteps came from outside; the Niu Tou and Ma Mian battalions were about to break in.

Sun Shouyi sneered twice and said, "Fortunately, my grandfather was wise back then, knowing to keep a fallback."

The main reason Sun Shouyi had hidden by the Gate of the Nether King was not because of Niu Tou, but because of a prisoner under the city walls—the fifth son of the Hell King, Yao.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.