It was deep into the night.

In the Netherworld, atop the Dayang Mountains.

With great difficulty, Zhao Chong avoided the encircling soldiers from the Ghost King's army around Falling Shade Mountain and reached the summit.

Seeing that it was Zhao Chong who had personally come, Clan Leaders Wu, Zheng, and Wang were quite surprised, feeling an unexpected honor.

At this time, their three clans' allied forces, originally near fifty thousand, were now reduced to just over ten thousand, having reached the brink of exhaustion. Meanwhile, around the base of Falling Shade Mountain, roughly thirty thousand soldiers from the Ghost King's army lay in wait, hungrily eyeing the summit, ready to launch an attack at any moment.

The three Clan Leaders ordered the last wild chicken on the mountain to be killed, and the last jar of millennium-aged grape wine to be opened to entertain Zhao Chong.

At the banquet, Zhao Chong did not rush to state his purpose but engaged in rare, lively conversation with the three Clan Leaders about the past incidents of the Netherworld and the age-old grudges between the Eight Great Clans.

Listening to Zhao Chong, the Clan Leaders of the three Wu, Zheng, and Wang clans alternated between laughter and sighs, as if the generations of gratitude and resentment between the great clans were all dissolved in this one feast, hinting at a drunken oblivion of past enmities.

After feasting and drinking their fill, Zhao Chong shook his sleeves and then got to the main topic.

"My dear Clan Leader Wu, Clan Leader Zheng, Clan Leader Wang, I've come to visit today to discuss a matter," Zhao Chong said.

Upon hearing Zhao Chong's words, all three Clan Leaders put down their cups and listened intently.

"I wonder if you have heard of Chen Hao?" Zhao Chong inquired.

"Ah, Clan Leader Zhao, don't hold us in suspense; just speak your mind," said Wang Yun, the Clan Leader of the Wang family, with a worried frown—the flush on his face indicating that he was somewhat inebriated—"Now who in the Netherworld doesn't know of Chen Hao? Who doesn't know that he's within your ranks, Clan Leader Zhao? Who doesn't know that he's still alive!"

The corners of Zhao Chong's mouth turned up slightly, and he continued to ask, "Then do you gentlemen know on whose orders Chen Hao is confronting the Dharma Kings?"

This question from Zhao Chong made the three Clan Leaders exchange silent, confused glances.

"Isn't it you, Clan Leader Zhao?" Zheng Yang, the Clan Leader of the Zheng family, asked bluntly, staring wide-eyed at Zhao Chong.

Zhao Chong shook his head and then stood up.

After a lengthy silence, he said expressionlessly, "The person behind him is actually the Fourth Generation Nether King, Yuqiao!"

"Ah!"

The words Zhao Chong said stunned everyone present, leaving them all astonished.

It was a while before Wu Kun, the Clan Leader of the Wu family, managed to ask in a trembling voice, "Clan Leader Zhao, wasn't the Fourth Generation Nether King long since sealed the gate of the Nether King with his Yin Soul?"

"But she never died!" Zhao Chong declared.

Although his explanation was hard to believe, it left the three Clan Leaders without a retort.

"Is what you're saying really true, Clan Leader Zhao? The Fourth Generation Nether King is truly not dead?"

"Do you gentlemen truly think that an Onmyoji from the mortal world could defeat four Dharma Kings with mere Yin Yang Arts?" Zhao Chong countered.

The three Clan Leaders had nothing to say, only murmuring with heads bowed, "Indeed, that's also true."

After some time passed, Zhao Chong approached the three Clan Leaders and said solemnly, "Since the Great Ancestor ascended to the throne, we, the Eight Great Clans, have always served the Nether Kings with unswerving loyalty, never faltering. Although we once acknowledged the Ghost King as emperor after he seized power eighteen years ago, the Fourth Generation Nether King is aware that you did so reluctantly, for the sake of all beings in the Netherworld, hence she will not condemn you for it."

As Zhao Chong spoke, the three Clan Leaders nodded repeatedly, indicating their agreement.

"Now, with the Fourth Generation Nether King's return to power and the former dynasty on the verge of restoration, she has specifically commanded me to come here to Falling Shade Mountain today, to ask you..."

...

Dawn.

The mortal world.

"Chen Hao, hurry and save me!" Ye Yuqiao, trapped and surrounded by blazing flames, cried out to Chen Hao for rescue once again.

Instantly, Chen Hao opened his eyes.

Seeing that Ye Yuqiao was fast asleep beside his bed, he let out a long sigh of relief, realizing it had only been a dream.

"How come I've had that nightmare again!" Chen Hao muttered to himself.

He then reached out and hooked his arm around Ye Yuqiao's waist, his body pressing tightly against her from behind, leaving a kiss on her smooth shoulder.

Suddenly, he noticed something strange: Ye Yuqiao's body was burning hot, as if she had a high fever.

Hastily, he got up, turned Ye Yuqiao over, and placed the back of his left hand against her forehead.

At that moment, two bright lights flickered in the dark room, and Ye Yuqiao opened her eyes. Her eyes were still enchanting, like two clear and cold springs.

"What are you doing?" Ye Yuqiao asked with a lazy voice, her face looked weary but flushed.

"You're burning up," Chen Hao said, placing the back of his hand against her forehead again.

Ye Yuqiao squinted her eyes and shook her head, saying, "Probably because the blanket was too stuffy, and you were too much last night, so..."

"Are you really okay?"

Ye Yuqiao smiled and shook her head, then wrapped her arms around Chen Hao's neck, her voice becoming more languid, "Really!"

Chen Hao lifted the blanket and held Ye Yuqiao in his arms.

"Suddenly I feel cold!"

"You're lying," Chen Hao retorted, "Your body is obviously getting hotter and hotter."

Ye Yuqiao's complexion darkened, and she looked worried. In reality, she was concerned, afraid that Chen Hao would find out that the reason her body was so hot was because of the Netherworld Azure Bird's blood flowing in her veins.

"By the way," Chen Hao abruptly changed the subject, "do you still remember the promise you made to me not so long ago?"

"I've made many promises to you."

"But this one is important."

"Is it the eternal vow?"

Chen Hao looked disappointed and said heavily, "You promised me that after we get rid of the Ghost King, you would marry me."

"I haven't had the soy milk and fried dough sticks downstairs for a long time."

"Don't change the subject. Are you going back on your word?"

"Fool!" Ye Yuqiao smiled triumphantly, "Who else would I marry if not you?"

Chen Hao was overjoyed with Ye Yuqiao's answer. However, he always felt something was off; in his memory, when talking about such serious matters, Ye Yuqiao would always show a dreamy smile.

But at this moment, Ye Yuqiao seemed somewhat mischievous.

"Don't you like the lively Yuqiao?" Ye Yuqiao asked, having already overheard Chen Hao's thoughts.

"I do!" Chen Hao nodded, "I like all your ways."

"Then let's hurry up and defeat the Ghost King!" Ye Yuqiao hugged Chen Hao tightly.

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