Chapter Four: Carrying the Emperor's Mandate, Exterminate Them All!

A gentle breeze caressed the land, while the warm sunlight bathed the vast and boundless mountains and fields. A murmuring brook danced through the forests, exuding an endless liveliness as it flowed across untold hills and wilds, dense ancient woods, the tribes of the Western Domains, and even the snow-laden northern frontiers. Eventually, it wound its way around the outskirts of the Valley of Eternal Life, gathering within to form a tranquil lake.

For three days, King Chujiang had been pacifying the people outside, while the Son of Darkness had diverted the River of Forgetfulness, which ran through the Celestial Domain of Tianyuan, into the Valley of Eternal Life. He knew that one day, he too would depart. Yet this place would continue as the domain of King Chujiang, standing at the very center of all the heavens and myriad realms. Here, a new Netherworld would be established.

At this moment, deep in the valley by the shore of the Lake of Eternal Life, the Son of Darkness sat cross-legged, clad in a robe of black and gold embroidery. His gaze seemed as though it could pierce the endless firmament, staring into the distance.

“Your Majesty, I have already declared your return to the world,” a deep voice suddenly sounded. Ripples shimmered in the void beside the Son of Darkness, and a figure in a black-and-gold fur robe, wearing a strange mask, stepped forth. He folded his arms in deep respect and bowed low.

“King Chujiang, here on the other shore, you need not wear the mask that brings death,” said the Son of Darkness, glancing nonchalantly at the respectful figure nearby.

“This…” King Chujiang hesitated briefly, then answered with deference. He slowly raised his hand to his face and gently removed the mask, revealing the visage of a middle-aged man. Though there were traces of age, an unyielding chill radiated from him, impossible to conceal. After presiding over the Hell of Ice for countless eons, his very presence was enough to instill endless oppression in all living things—even in silence. Moreover, King Chujiang had once been one of the ten Celestial Emperors beneath the throne of the Son of Darkness, a slaughter-god renowned among all races of the heavens.

“The Yellow Springs now penetrate Tianyuan. With your title of Yama, the mere power of the Yellow Springs would suffice to slay even the ancient Emperors,” the Son of Darkness said calmly. “Go now. The lords of the Sacred Lands have been waiting in the Sea of the Heavenly River for some time.”

A deep significance flickered in the Son of Darkness’s eyes as he spoke. King Chujiang, seeing this, hesitated and a trace of sorrow flashed in the depths of his gaze. He folded his arms in respect and spoke gravely, “And you, my lord…?”

“In the Northern Realm’s Frost Nation, lies something we need. I must go there myself. And while you’re at it, remove the hidden agents the Sacred Lands have placed here.”

Without turning, the Son of Darkness slowly rose and issued these instructions in a soft voice before walking northward, his figure fading with each step… until at last, he vanished entirely.

“Your command is my law, my lord,” murmured King Chujiang, watching the departing Son of Darkness. He shook his head slowly and bowed deeply to the empty expanse before him. Rising, his gaze fell upon the ancient, fearsome mask in his hand, covered in strange patterns resembling faces from nightmares. After another deep, thoughtful look, he carefully put the mask away. With a single step, his figure appeared above the Valley of Eternal Life.

“By decree of the Son of Darkness!” His voice resounded throughout the valley. “Punish the twelve Sacred Lands of the Eastern Domain. For their rebellion, let none survive!”

As the deep voice echoed, tens of thousands of chilling auras swiftly converged from all directions within ten thousand miles. In the span of just three breaths, tens of thousands of ghostly soldiers had assembled.

“We obey the decree! Slay them all!”

A thunderous shout erupted, murderous intent shaking the heavens.

…

Meanwhile, on the eastern side of the Valley of Eternal Life, endless mountains stretched into the distance, descending into a vast sea—the Heavenly River. Deep within the void, twelve figures gathered, each concealing their formidable auras.

“With the Son of Darkness’s way of doing things, he should have arrived by now. Could it be they detoured somewhere else?” asked an unremarkable-looking man, whose presence, however, was chilling to the bone. He gazed at the endless sea below, doubt flickering in his eyes.

“Impossible. All our Sacred Lands have placed many covert agents. Should the Son of Darkness make a move, we’d know immediately,” replied an elderly swordsman beside him, slowly shaking his head.

“Look—quick, look at the sea!” A nervous voice rang out. The others turned to see a grotesquely fat man, horror etched across his face as he pointed at the Heavenly River.

Before their eyes, the sea was freezing over at a rate visible to the naked eye. The temperature plummeted, snow and wind swirling down in endless blizzards. The biting cold instantly enveloped them, as though the world itself had become a frozen hell.

“There’s someone there!” cried the unremarkable man, his gaze darkening as he stared into the heart of the furious snowstorm.

Within that storm, hundreds of shadowy figures were approaching, slow and inexorable.

“Lords, you’ve been waiting a long time, haven’t you?” A deep voice echoed through the deathly silent world.

“Who are you?” The Sacred Lords watched as a middle-aged man in a black-and-gold fur robe emerged from the storm. Their eyes grew grave—this man was powerful beyond compare.

“My lord, shall we slaughter them all?” From the blizzard emerged a spectral young man, clad in heavy, illusory armor and wielding a massive broad-bladed sword. He placed his right hand on his chest and spoke with reverence to the middle-aged man.

“You’re King Chujiang!” gasped the gathered Sacred Lords. Even without his mask, that icy, domineering aura was unmistakable—impossible for anyone to imitate. Not to mention, the black robe embroidered with golden patterns was unique to him. The spectral youth was none other than the Yin General under King Chujiang, whose strength was nearly that of a quasi-emperor.

“Since we meet today, let me present you with a little greeting.” King Chujiang’s eyes flashed with mocking derision. With a casual wave of his hand, the hundreds of shadowy figures behind him surged toward the assembled crowd.

“Careful!” The Sacred Lords tensed, their guards raised high.

Thud…

Thud, thud…

In the next instant, as the sound of heavy objects striking the ground rang out, the expressions of the Sacred Lords changed drastically. Those were not King Chujiang’s forces—they were hundreds of severed, blood-soaked heads!

Elder Zhang He, Li Qi of Azure Moon Sacred Land…
Elder Zhu Xian of Xuantian Sacred Land…
Elders of Tianlan Sacred Land…

“King Chujiang, you go too far!” Enraged beyond measure at the sight of their own elders’ severed heads, the Sacred Lords let out furious shouts as terrifying storms of divine power erupted around them.

“Today, armed with imperial weapons, we shall take your head!”
“Chujiang, your life ends here!”
“Heaven’s justice cannot tolerate you—prepare to die!”

Their roars thundered as the Sacred Lords unleashed their imperial weapons, gathering their might for a devastating assault. The entire Sea of the Heavenly River churned with wind and waves. In the void above, dreadful Dao energies surged, radiating waves of annihilation.

“Yellow Springs!” With a flash of murderous intent in his eyes, King Chujiang uttered a low command.