Chapter 20: King Huai

Daylight broke, yet the ghosts walked in the sun.

Dense, swarming ghostly shadows stood atop the high platform, encircling Ren Ye in a wide arc. Their hollow, resentful eyes were fixed upon the assembled officials. These vengeful spirits still bore the horrific marks of their violent deaths; some were mangled masses of flesh, others were severed at the waist. Even in the air above, countless hanged ghosts floated, their long tongues lolling out, limbs stiff and rigid, wreathed in black miasma that blotted out the sky. A single glance was enough to make one’s hair stand on end.

On the platform, Ren Ye wielded the arts of Yin and Yang, throwing wide the gates of Fengdu. Battered by the backlash of the nether energy, his entire body radiated the stench of the dead, his eyes bloodshot, his cheeks bruised and purple.

"Tell me, where is the blade that was meant to kill me?!" Surrounded by the host of ghosts, Ren Ye roared once more at the officials and soldiers below.

His voice echoed, yet no one dared to answer.

The reverberation lingered. The officials bowed their heads, their minds racing. Anyone who stepped out now would be a complete idiot, a blatant traitor. The "worthless" Prince Huai on the platform was clearly prepared to fight to the death.

The path of Yin and Yang placed the greatest weight on cause and effect. For a mortal to open the gates of the underworld and summon the dead into the world was something the "Heavenly Dao" would never tolerate. By shouting like this, Prince Huai was clearly acting on the premise that since he was going to be consumed by the backlash anyway, he might as well see who was truly hell-bent on saving Liu Ling'er, and then wipe them all out in one fell swoop.

Old Man Xu, his body shattered and broken, lay on the ground like a scrap of paper, his features unrecognizable. Who wouldn't fear such a fate?

Even the Emperor's own advisors hadn't managed to best that "worthless" Prince Huai, so what made them think they could? Furthermore, if they stepped forward, there was no guarantee the others would back them up. Power struggles here were too complex; until the very last moment, no one could be sure who their true allies were.

Keeping one's head down was the best strategy.

The officials calculated, and the soldiers, lacking a leader, dared not act rashly.

Quiet. Silence.

Ren Ye waited on the platform for a moment. Seeing no response, he walked to the hall entrance, grabbed Liu Ling'er by her hair, and shouted again: "If there is no blade to kill me, then I shall execute her!"

Below, Chief Clerk Li Yan’s gaze flickered, but he chose to remain silent.

The Prefect of Qingliang, Wu Asi of the Secret Scout Battalion, and the other high-ranking officials all lowered their heads further, refusing to even look at Liu Ling'er.

"So, this female thief has no accomplices after all. You noble gentlemen were truly just concerned for my safety." Ren Ye sneered at the officials and waved his hand at the servants holding Liu Ling'er. "Haha, I am very pleased!"

As the maids retreated, Ren Ye faced Liu Ling'er and beckoned with his finger. "Rise, spirits."

*Whoosh! Whoosh!*

Two vengeful spirits that had been pinning Liu Ling'er down surged out of her body and drifted into the courtyard.

With the spirits gone, Liu Ling'er came to with a gasp. Her eyes were filled with shock, but she quickly caught the sight of the scene around her, including the corpse of Old Man Xu.

It’s over. Even he is dead. That’s impossible. How did that worthless Prince Huai manage this?

Liu Ling'er’s heart turned to ash. She collapsed onto the ground, lacking the strength to even stand. This was the consequence of having been tainted by those foul things—it felt like recovering from a grave illness.

Ren Ye slowly bent down, his gaze fixed stubbornly on Liu Ling'er’s pretty face. He pointed a finger at the officials below the steps and asked, "Take a good look. Is there anyone here you recognize? If there is, you can say so... I might just let you live to keep Liu Jishan company in the dungeon."

The high officials below maintained an air of indifference upon hearing his words.

Kneeling on the ground, Liu Ling'er truly wanted to name a few "accomplices" to save her own life, but her circumstances didn't allow it. She had only communicated with a player named "Little War Wolf" via the Disc Order, but she had no idea who that person actually was.

There were two teammates in this Star Gate who had come with her from reality, but she couldn't say it—she couldn't say it even if it meant death!

The two locked eyes. A vicious, cold light erupted in Liu Ling'er’s eyes, and she whispered, "I belong to an organization in the real world. You must have heard of it—the Bell Society. No one who provokes these people ends up well. What do you say?!"

The Bell Society? What kind of bullshit organization is that? Never heard of it. Before I came in, I was in prison operating a sewing machine! What do you mean, you want to play games with me in the real world?

Seeing Ren Ye stunned, Liu Ling'er assumed he was afraid. "This Star Gate is strange, and many organizations are watching it. Your identity in the real world won't be hidden for long. If you make this a blood feud, not only will you be in danger, but your family won't have it easy either!"

Hearing the word "family," Ren Ye’s previously hollow pupils suddenly contracted.

He leaned in closer and asked, "What did you say? Say it again."

"I said your family won't—!"

"Do you know, before I came in here, I was a prisoner serving time in jail?" Ren Ye interrupted, his face expressionless, whispering into Liu Ling'er’s ear. "The reason I went to prison was that two idiots, just like you, tried to use me and my friend’s family as leverage. In the end, I put seven bullets into them and blew their heads apart."

Liu Ling'er froze instantly upon hearing this.

"No more questions. I want your head too!!!"

Ren Ye stood up abruptly, raised his sword without a moment’s hesitation, and struck directly at Liu Ling'er’s neck.

*Flash!*

The sword glinted. Liu Ling'er stared at the edge of the Sword of the State, her expression vacant. All sound vanished from her ears; time seemed to stand still in that moment.

***

I am Liu Ling'er.

In the eyes of most people, I am a bitch.

I don't know why, but the moment the blade descended toward me, the face of that little brat, that little ungrateful wolf, flashed into my mind.

I lost. I am about to die...

My little brat, your mother, who is not clean in your eyes, is leaving. From now on... may the world be kind to you.

*Hum!*

The wind of the blade was piercing. The edge grew closer and closer, without a hint of hesitation.

*Thud!*

Liu Ling'er’s head flew off and landed on the ground, her eyes lingering with a hint of reluctance as it rolled down toward the steps.

Her headless corpse sprayed blood and slumped to the ground with a heavy thud.

Ren Ye looked at her without a trace of pity. He had never been a soft-hearted man. Besides, he had seen too much of the darkness of human nature at the border and in prison. The only way to protect himself was to ensure there were no loose ends.

[Congratulations, Prince Huai, for successfully killing a player. You have obtained the "Songstress" token, "Illustration of Spring Breeze and Satisfaction." With this token, you may bring one player into this Star Gate.]

Standing on the high platform, a cold notification sounded in his ears.

At the same time, players hidden within the Prince's mansion, beneath the great hall, and as far away as the capital and other regions all received a notification from the Star Trace Gate.

[Special Notice: The Imperial Court faction layout has failed, and a player has been killed. Act I, "Dark Piece," has ended prematurely. This Star Gate will enter a dormant state in ten minutes. Players, please prepare to depart.]

In an inn in the capital, a woman who appeared quiet felt a sudden palpitation. Her eyes snapped open, and she thought to herself, "Someone died?"

On the imperial road to the southern frontier, a man on horseback muttered in disbelief, "A kill in the first act? So fast?!"

Beneath the great hall, a player hidden among the crowd whispered to himself, "That woman must have been from the Imperial Court faction. No panic, no panic...!"

Ren Ye did not know what the other players were thinking, but he understood the rules: he had ten more minutes before he left the Star Gate.

With this in mind, he stepped down from the high platform, walking alone toward the officials and soldiers.

He had already done the deed and paid the price for it, so why the hell wouldn't he cut the weeds and pull up the roots?

This was Ren Ye’s most honest thought at that moment. He prepared to finish off two more tall poppies.

*Clack... Clack...*

In the silent courtyard of the great hall, the hundred ghosts stood like statues, watching the officials without moving.

Seeing Ren Ye walking in his direction, Chief Clerk Li Yan couldn't help but frown.

*Clack... Clack...*

The entire courtyard was so quiet one could hear a pin drop. Only the sound of Ren Ye’s footsteps hitting the ground drummed against everyone’s heart.

The officials stood with their backs slightly hunched, stealing glances at the disheveled Ren Ye, their hearts pounding wildly. They could clearly feel that Ren Ye still intended to kill.

At that moment, the previously silent Li Yan cupped his hands and spoke: "Your Highness, we are ministers of the Imperial Court, and naturally, we are also ministers of Prince Huai. The sun has risen on a new day; in this busy life, the Sage Emperor has use for us, and Your Highness still has use for us as well, does he not?"

Ren Ye did not respond.

He continued to walk slowly toward Li Yan, dragging the heavy Sword of the State, which clattered against the ground with a crisp, rhythmic sound.

The other officials breathed a sigh of relief at this sight, but the players hidden among them secretly prepared to fight to the death.

A moment later, Ren Ye stopped a step away from Li Yan. The Sword of the State in his hand shimmered with a ghostly glow, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Li Yan slowly straightened his back and immediately lowered his head: "Today, Master Xu sacrificed a force-body, and that female thief was cut down by Your Highness’s sword. The matter in the Jingxin Hall is settled. Isn't this a good outcome?"

"Hehe!"

A look of exhaustion-induced excitement appeared on Ren Ye’s face. He smiled at Li Yan and slowly raised the Sword of the State.

*Flash!*

At the same time, he raised his arm and gestured, whispering, "Ghosts of a hundred lengths, obey my command!"

Above the hall, the phantom of the female Daoist wearing a black crown suddenly opened her eyes.

*Wooooo...!*

A cold wind surged. The wandering ghosts that had been fixed on either side of the high platform collectively floated into the sky, gathering in an instant.

The hundred ghosts walked against the daylight, floating above the sky as if emerging from the Yellow Springs, pressing down upon the officials and soldiers.

A ghastly aura permeated the air, and the officials broke out in goosebumps. They dared not look at the vengeful spirits drifting above their heads, only watching the madman that was Ren Ye out of the corners of their eyes, their muscles tense.

Li Yan gritted his teeth, his composed expression vanished. He spoke with rapid speed: "Your Highness! Although Wang Jingzhong is dead, the Sage Emperor has issued a decree to have his family arrested and tried in the capital. However, before I came here, I already brought Wang Jingzhong’s family to the outside of the Prince's mansion. If Your Highness agrees, these people can naturally be handled by you personally. As for the Imperial Court... I can manage it!"

As his voice fell, the Sword of the State stopped in mid-air.

A smile hung on Ren Ye’s face. After a long silence, he spoke in a hoarse voice: "Chief Clerk Li, you truly know how to advance and retreat."

"This humble official must obey the Emperor’s decree while remaining loyal to Your Highness. It is a dilemma indeed...!" Seeing Ren Ye’s reaction, Li Yan felt a sense of relief, his posture relaxing significantly.

*Flash!*

Suddenly, the smile on Ren Ye’s face vanished, his eyes turning cold and sinister.

*Slap!* He tapped the tip of his sword against Li Yan’s official robe, tracing it lightly across his chest. "However, I really do not like your attitude when speaking to me."

The surrounding officials, who had begun to relax, suddenly grew tense again.

The courtyard was silent.

The two stared at each other for a long moment. Li Yan noticed Ren Ye’s expression, and suddenly the veins on his forehead bulged. With great stubbornness, he raised his arm.

*Slap!*

With a sharp sound, Li Yan pushed the blade of the Sword of the State away with his hand.

The officials sweated. *Is the Chief Clerk backed into a corner and preparing to fight to the death?*

*Thump!*

Before they could figure it out, Li Yan dropped to his knees with a thud, stretched his arms out to their limit, and prostrated himself.

"Long live Prince Huai! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years!"

Li Yan shouted while kowtowing, his form perfectly standard.

"Hahaha!"

Ren Ye was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. He held the Sword of the State and turned to look at the other officials and soldiers.

Everyone looked at each other, then at the kneeling Li Yan...

*Whoosh!*

The crowd retreated like a tide. More than two hundred officials and armored soldiers knelt on the ground and shouted in unison:

"Long live Prince Huai! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years!"

"Long live Prince Huai! Your achievements cover the ages!"

The shouting swept through the Jingxin Hall like a wave. The hundred ghosts standing above the heads of the crowd finally dissipated.

"Haha, you are truly a model of an imperial power-broker—you know how to bend and how to stretch." Ren Ye withdrew his gaze and turned toward the high platform. "Wang Jingzhong died for me; I should protect his family. Get out, all of you!"

As his voice fell, he walked to the hall entrance and reached out to help the "Second Fool" up. "Let Lian'er take care of your daily needs from now on."

"Your... Your Highness, is that true?" Though weak, the Second Fool had not forgotten his obsession.

A moment later, Ren Ye returned alone to his bedroom, lying on the bed in complete exhaustion, waiting quietly.

I do not know how much time passed, but a flash of light appeared. He saw a star appear on the ceiling, which then slowly spread out into a dazzling door.

*Whoosh!*

The surroundings twisted, and Ren Ye’s body vanished from the bed, returning to the real world.

...

Prince Huai’s Mansion, Dungeon.

Liu Jishan, who had been brutally beaten by Ren Ye at the very beginning, stared at the ceiling in despair, his breath faint and thin...