Chapter Twenty-Four: Willing to Be the Emperor’s Sword, Cutting Down All Enemies in the World…

The voice of the Underworld Emperor was calm and deliberate, yet each word landed with a resounding force. It resonated with boundless confidence, carrying an air of absolute dominance, as if proclaiming that none but he could hold sway. When his words fell upon the ears of those present, they exploded like thunder, igniting a fervent desire deep within every heart—a longing for glory.

For a true man, there was no greater honor than to stain the battlefield with his blood, to carve out a legend in the name of war. The Blood Asura had become the very embodiment of their aspirations—the one who would suppress an era, revered by countless beings, basking in infinite glory. This invincible faith could not be swayed by riches, nor altered by power. There was only one path—battle.

Battle—not for the masses, not cloaked in lofty justifications, but for the honor of warriors, to conquer the fields of war and annihilate every enemy beneath the heavens. In a world where the strong preyed upon the weak, only the powerful survived. As soldiers, they had long since come to accept this truth. In these chaotic times, it was their duty to stand invincible and quell every source of turmoil, to pacify the stars and dominate an era.

Once, such thoughts might have seemed too grand to entertain, but now… they had the Underworld Emperor, the god of the Netherworld.

At this realization, a resolute light gradually emerged in Qing Li’s weary eyes. She knelt on one knee, her right hand pressed to her chest, and bowed respectfully to the Underworld Emperor, her voice unwavering:

“Qing Li is willing to be the long sword in Your Majesty’s hand, to cut down all enemies in this world!”

As she spoke, the aura of the Dao flowed faintly around her—she had made a sacred vow.

Immediately after, the thousands of ghostly soldiers, their eyes bloodshot with determination, followed suit. Each knelt on one knee, right hand to chest, as the Dao’s aura circulated around them, and together they shouted:

“We vow to follow the Emperor unto death!”
“We shall tread upon the myriad realms, purge evil spirits, and wash the stars with blood!”
“We shall have no regrets, even in death!”

In that instant, their voices crashed like mountains, shaking the heavens and earth.

“In my name, the Underworld Emperor, with the intent of slaughter, I now confer upon you the title of Asura!”

The Underworld Emperor’s serene gaze swept across the assembly, a hint of disdain flickering in the depths of his eyes as he issued his command:

“All generals, heed my order!”

“At your command!”

At once, Qing Li and the assembled warriors, eyes filled with determination, responded in unison. Seeing this, the Underworld Emperor wasted no time. With a wide sweep of his sleeve, the illusory lake before him quivered, and thousands of phantom droplets suddenly shot forth.

Counting them, there were exactly six thousand three hundred and twenty-one.

As the strange, ominous power within the droplets surged and writhed, they transformed before the naked eye into ancient, white masks. Then, a cold light flashed in the depths of the Underworld Emperor’s eyes. A terrifying, unprecedented aura of killing intent erupted from him, enveloping the six thousand three hundred and twenty-one masks.

In an instant, the murderous intent fused with the bizarre power within the masks, causing intricate, blood-red patterns to surface, each mask emanating an unspeakable aura of doom. Only after a long moment, when a faint black sheen flickered across the masks, did the glint in the Underworld Emperor’s eyes return. With a wave of his hand, he distributed the masks before each subordinate, speaking softly:

“Qing Li, take my decree. In the name of Asura, pacify the Northern Frontier.”

No sooner had he spoken than an image of the snowy Northern Frontier appeared in the illusory lake, radiating a terrifying surge of teleportation energy.

“Qing Li, I accept the command!”

With that, Qing Li seized the mask before her, a resolute gleam in her eyes. She cupped her fist and bowed. Then, donning the eerie mask, she turned to the ghostly soldiers and called out coldly:

“All soldiers, march with me!”

Every ghostly soldier shuddered, responding in unison:

“As you command!”

Without further delay, Qing Li led her forces, stepping into the illusory lake, their forms gradually fading from sight.

“My Lord…”

Watching the departing figures, hesitation flickered in Ling Ye’s eyes. She whispered softly, then paused, not continuing.

The Underworld Emperor understood Ling Ye’s mind. After a brief pause, he waved his hand, and in his palm appeared a fierce, blood-hued demon orb, radiating a baleful light.

“This object was taken from the Western Territory. Its nature is obscure and does not accord with the Dao of Heaven.”

“I can refine it into an external treasure for you, granting you power to rival an Emperor while you wield it.”

“But it will affect your heart of the Dao.”

Having said this, a profound light flickered in the Underworld Emperor’s eyes. After a moment’s silence, he looked at Ling Ye:

“Do you still wish to accept this?”

At his words, contemplation flickered in Ling Ye’s gaze, but was soon replaced by resolve. She cupped her fist and bowed deeply, her voice firm and clear:

“Though I have not yet begun my cultivation, I already understand that there is no safe path to power in this world.”

“To become strong, one must endure suffering that others cannot bear and overcome obstacles others cannot surmount.”

“I, Ling Ye, though unworthy, am willing to risk my life to try!”

With these words, Ling Ye knelt respectfully before the Underworld Emperor, saying no more.

“Since you understand the risks, I will not stand in your way.”

After a gentle response, the Underworld Emperor summoned a drop of water from the River of Oblivion. With a gesture, the drop merged into the demon orb, and a wave of frenzied, ominous killing intent surged forth. In only a few breaths, the orb contorted and transformed into a grotesque, blood-red mask, covered in dense, white, sinister patterns, exuding a sense of unspeakable doom.

“Remember, do not unleash this item’s full power.”

“Otherwise, the demon’s intent will merge with your own, and you will be forced to abandon your human form…”

After this warning, the Underworld Emperor said no more. His gaze drifted to the gray sky as he murmured:

“It’s about time to draw in the net…”

After a brief pause, his eyes fell on Ling Ye, and he spoke:

“Come with me.”

“I, Ling Ye, will follow you unto death!”

Without hesitation, Ling Ye knelt on one knee, her right hand to her chest, bowing respectfully.

Without delay, the Underworld Emperor swept his sleeve, drawing Ling Ye and Xiao Jin’er up beside him. With a light step, their forms vanished in an instant.

When they reappeared, they were in the Western Territory, at the Xiyue Tribe.

The tribal chief, Mosen, had gathered the Xiyue clansmen in a wide clearing, quietly awaiting their arrival.

When the Underworld Emperor appeared, Mosen immediately sensed it. With reverence in his eyes, he bowed deeply and spoke in his aged voice:

“Emperor, the Xiyue Tribe, more than three hundred souls, await your command at all times.”

A subtle, enigmatic smile played at the Underworld Emperor’s lips as he gestured to Ling Ye behind him and spoke:

“From this day forth, Ling Ye shall be master of the Xiyue Tribe.”

“This…”

A flash of astonishment crossed Mosen’s eyes, but he dared not object. After a moment’s hesitation, he bowed respectfully to the Underworld Emperor and intoned:

“As you command, Your Majesty…”

Then, turning to Ling Ye, he bowed deeply once more:

“Mosen pays his respects to the Chieftain…”

Immediately, the three hundred members of the Xiyue Tribe all bowed to Ling Ye in unison:

“We greet our Chieftain…”

At that moment, a coarse voice rose from outside the tribe:

“What demon dares trespass in the Western Territory!”

“The chieftain of the Tianlan Tribe is here—monster, come forth and kneel for your execution!”