After some research, Ye Guichen discovered a problem.

The Judge's Pen was indeed a treasure. The bristles were all made of golden threads, and the pen body was crafted from pure steel, which appeared to be harder than ordinary steel.

Moreover, the Judge's Pen seemed to be specifically designed for the golden piece because there was a spring-like mechanism at the tip of the bristles that could launch the golden piece.

As for the so-called remnant page of the Book of Life and Death, after careful observation, Ye Guichen found it was not a golden piece at all; it was definitely much harder and the material was similar to the black box he had obtained from the tomb previously.

"Strange, could this remnant page of the Book of Life and Death be somehow related to the Seven-colored Lotus Jade?" Ye Guichen was puzzled but couldn't figure it out, so he put his thoughts aside and looked up.

By this time, Shang Shufang had already helped Shang Wen Dong bandage his arm.

Seems like he had something to say, Shang Wen Dong dismissed Shang Shufang, then shakily walked over to Ye Guichen.

Ye Guichen placed the Judge's Pen and the remnant page of the Book of Life and Death in front of him, "What do you want to say?"

After a slight hesitation, Shang Wen Dong suddenly knelt in front of Ye Guichen, "Mr. Ye, please accept me!"

"What do you mean?" Ye Guichen stood up abruptly, "I spared your life only for Shang Shufang's sake; don't play tricks with me here!"

"No, Mr. Ye, I, I..." Shang Wen Dong no longer had the arrogant demeanor he once had; instead, he carried a look of pleading, gazing at Ye Guichen earnestly, "Mr. Ye, I know Niu Lan's death was her own fault, and those Ghost Hiders died willingly. I dare not have any resentment towards you, Mr. Ye; I just hope you can take me in and let me help you."

"Hm?" Ye Guichen frowned, "You want to follow me?"

"Exactly!" Shang Wen Dong nodded forcefully, "Mr. Ye, I once thought I wouldn't be able to avenge Old Yama in my lifetime, but now I realize there's hope only if I follow you."

Shang Wen Dong was not foolish, but rather very clever.

After a life-and-death experience, Shang Wen Dong had come to a realization.

All his careful calculations, believing he was in an invincible position, seemed like a joke in front of Ye Guichen; not only did he suffer heavy losses, but he also almost lost his life.

If it weren't for Shang Shufang today, he likely wouldn't have escaped death.

Deep down, Shang Wen Dong felt a bit fortunate that his son could recognize Ye Guichen as his elder brother.

Moreover, a fierce thought began to grow in Shang Wen Dong's mind.

Without the remnant page of the Book of Life and Death, Shang Wen Dong's cultivation had dropped significantly, making revenge almost impossible. But following Ye Guichen, revenge was no longer a dream.

"Mr. Ye, please take me in. From today, I'll be your servant, willing to do anything!" Shang Wen Dong's head knocked heavily against the ground, not daring to lift it.

Ye Guichen was taken aback by Shang Wen Dong's actions.

What was going on here?

"Don't push your luck. I've already told you; I'm not interested in taking you in even though I spared your life for Shang Shufang's sake!" Ye Guichen waved his hand dismissively, not bothering to help Shang Wen Dong up, "Tell me more about this Book of Life and Death."

Shang Wen Dong opened his mouth but seeing Ye Guichen's stern expression, he dared not plead further, hurriedly saying, "Mr. Ye, I don't know much about the Book of Life and Death specifically, but it's definitely a treasure. According to Old Yama, the Book of Life and Death originally had thirty-three pages when Yama Hall was founded, and each generation of King Yan would tear off one page and refine it into their body."

"Refined into their body?" Ye Guichen was taken aback, puzzled, "What does that mean?"

Shang Wen Dong raised his bandaged, scarred arm, "I don't know the exact reason, but the remnant pages of the Book of Life and Death have a magical power. If one can refine them into one's body, they'll provide a mysterious force. Previously, when I was with Old Yama, relying on the strength of the Judge's Pen, my cultivation, although only at the peak of second-class, could kill first-class masters."

"But then when Yama Hall encountered trouble, a traitor killed Old Yama trying to snatch the Book of Life and Death. I was escorted by Ghost Hiders and fled desperately. Facing imminent death, I remembered Old Yama's words, tore off a piece of the Book of Life and Death, and sewed it into my arm."

"Strangely enough, after sewing it into my arm, my body seemed to be filled with endless power. Not only did my strength increase several folds, but I also didn't feel tired. It was this sudden surge that allowed me to escape luckily. Later, knowing Yama Hall wouldn't let me go easily, I stayed hidden in Yun City."

Ye Guichen heard this and became increasingly curious, fiddling with the remnant page.

This remnant page could actually grant power?

Just holding it, apart from a slight cool touch, Ye Guichen didn't feel anything unusual.

However, Ye Guichen understood that the kind of refining Shang Wen Dong mentioned was entirely different from true refining.

Shang Wen Dong's refining merely used the closest possible method to place the remnant page adjacent to his flesh, acting like an excitant, causing certain changes in the body.

Currently, Ye Guichen could achieve similar effects using certain drugs, without having to maim himself like Shang Wen Dong.

This wasn't the answer Ye Guichen wanted.

But Ye Guichen didn't want to delve deeper into these matters.

"According to you, the throne of King Yan has already changed hands in Yama Hall?"

"Exactly!" Shang Wen Dong said resentfully, "That traitor was Old Yama's adopted son. I called him brother before. I never thought he discovered the secret of the Book of Life and Death from somewhere and coerced Old Yama to hand it over. When Old Yama refused, he harbored thoughts of killing."

Ye Guichen lightly nodded, "Then, is this remnant page the only one left of the Book of Life and Death?"

Shang Wen Dong knew that if he wanted Ye Guichen's help to avenge him, he had to reveal everything he knew, otherwise, Ye Guichen wouldn't trust him at all.

Shang Wen Dong hesitated briefly, then looked troubled, "Mr. Ye, actually, I don't know where the other remnant pages of the Book of Life and Death are. At that time, Old Yama sensed that someone wanted to take the Book of Life and Death and hid them away, leaving only one piece on him. But..."

At this point, Shang Wen Dong glanced at the remnant page, "Old Yama also said this piece contains clues to the whole Book of Life and Death."

"Clues?" Ye Guichen, hearing this, examined it closely again. Apart from a thin layer, there wasn't a single word, "What exactly is the Book of Life and Death?"

Shang Wen Dong shook his head, "I don't know specifically, but it seems to hide secrets of higher martial arts levels."

"Higher martial arts levels?" Ye Guichen took a deep breath.

At least this remnant page's material couldn't be easily assessed, possibly indeed relating to higher martial arts.

After questioning for a while longer, Ye Guichen found nothing more valuable, so he gathered the Judge's Pen and the remnant page of the Book of Life and Death, preparing to leave.

Shang Wen Dong then pled loyalty to Ye Guichen, "Mr. Ye, regardless of whether you accept me or not, from today I vow to follow you to death."

"Whatever you wish!" Ye Guichen didn't bother arguing with Shang Wen Dong, not interested in the Yama Hall's grudges.

Now Ye Guichen was more intrigued by the Book of Life and Death.

But clearly, such a thing wasn't something that could be found quickly, so Ye Guichen decided not to dwell on it.

After returning home, he placed the Judge's Pen and the remnant page of the Book of Life and Death together with the black box he had obtained from the tomb.

But strangely, Ye Guichen compared the remnant page with the box and found their sizes and shapes were somewhat similar, though the remnant page was slightly smaller.

"Seems like both the Book of Life and Death and this battered box are not simple!"

Ye Guichen sighed, storing everything under his bed and was about to get a glass of water when he heard someone knocking at the door.

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