CHAPTER 290: CHAPTER 290 HUMAN WORLD, HELL, HEAVENLY COURT_1

The Ghost Mask, although only a one-star artifact, can actually fuse?

Fusion items were rare, after all. The original Demon Night Umbrella, having now fused, had transformed into the Night Demon Blade, radiating overwhelming power.

Chu Hao burst out laughing, finally feeling somewhat consoled.

Only then did Chu Hao turn his gaze to Emperor Bai Jiang. With his unconventional silver hair, Emperor Bai Jiang’s face looked displeased. He never expected Chu Hao to possess a talisman of such potency. Were his claims true? Did he really have ten thousand of them?

"Silver Fur, do you have anything else to say?" Chu Hao narrowed his eyes.

Emperor Bai Jiang’s mouth twitched. He called me ’Silver Fur’ again. There were indeed very few who dared to call him that.

Such a large commotion could not have gone unnoticed by the Underworld.

At this moment, the Netherworld Soldiers guarding Ghost Gate Pass immediately noticed the situation and reported it to Black and White Impermanence.

After the death of Shen Tu, one of the Five Ghost Emperors, Black and White Impermanence took over guarding Ghost Gate Pass. The checkpoint to enter Ghost Gate Pass was now the Impermanence Palace. As heads of all Ghost Officiants in the Underworld, Black and White Impermanence naturally held a distinguished status.

White Impermanence was dressed in snow-white robes, his eyes spirited. He often wore a broad smile. Tall and thin, with a pallid complexion, a long tongue lolled from his mouth, and his official hat was inscribed with four characters signifying ’Prosperity Upon Sight.’

A Ghost Officiant came forward to report, "My lord, a living person has intruded outside Ghost Gate Pass, causing a riot among the Wandering Wild Ghosts."

White Impermanence frowned slightly, biting his long tongue. "Who is so bold?"

The Ghost Officiant replied, "We do not know yet, but we can be certain that this person’s cultivation is very high; he is potentially an Exorcist."

White Impermanence said, "For a living being to enter the outskirts of Ghost Gate Pass, there are no more than ten such individuals in the Yang Realm. Send the Five Wicked Ghosts to see who has intruded."

"Yes."

The Five Wicked Ghosts, upon hearing that a living person had intruded, took two Ghost Officiants and went to investigate.

...

Emperor Bai Jiang’s expression turned ugly. He simply couldn’t fathom who this kid was! As far as he knew, the True Sun Scorching Flame Array was one of Taoism’s most powerful talismans. It belonged to ancient arrays, long vanished from the world. Yet this kid knew how to create it? And its power was so terrifyingly formidable!

However, Emperor Bai Jiang was no ordinary person. His displeasure was fleeting, and his handsome smile quickly returned as he said, "Chu Hao, you indeed have some skills. Consider joining my Nether Cult."

Chu Hao responded indifferently, "Do you want me to replace you as the Cult Leader?"

Emperor Bai Jiang laughed heartily. Standing on the peak of the rocky mountain, hands clasped behind his back, his appearance striking, he said, "Making you the Cult Leader is also a possibility."

What on earth is Emperor Bai Jiang thinking? Does he really want me to become the Cult Leader?

Staring at Chu Hao, Emperor Bai Jiang said, "The Yin and Yang Realm will soon be swept by an undercurrent; a great rebellion is imminent. The ruthless characters from eighteen years ago will return, even perhaps the ultimate ruthless figure. When that time comes, even you, possessing the True Word Brush, might not be able to hold your ground. You need to consider carefully which side you’ll stand on."

Chu Hao, puzzled, asked, "What side?"

Emperor Bai Jiang shook his head, looking at Chu Hao oddly. "Do you truly not know, or are you pretending not to know?"

What on earth is this Emperor Bai Jiang spouting! Still, it sounds quite intriguing.

Ever since the System arrived, my perception of the world has completely changed. If a person opens up a new world, their horizons will undoubtedly broaden far beyond those of an average human. Yet, regarding this new world, I’m still as ignorant as a frog in a well.

Chu Hao felt he had entered a new world. He was filled with an urge to make his mark—to show off—in the Yin and Yang circles, driven by an endless curiosity.

Emperor Bai Jiang continued, "Eighteen years ago, the Song Emperor left the Underworld and is about to return. The great reckoning is about to begin. If you do not choose a side, I fear that when the time comes, you won’t even know how you died."

Interest piqued, Chu Hao asked, "What are the factions?"

"The Human World, the Underworld, the Heavenly Court—none of these three factions, nor anyone within them, will escape the reckoning."

Chu Hao pressed further, "Why the reckoning, and who is being reckoned with?"

Emperor Bai Jiang replied, "The Demon Emperor wants this reckoning. The Underworld is the place closest to the Human World, followed by the Heavenly Court. He plans to settle scores one by one."

The Demon Emperor! This is way too fantastical, isn’t it?

Chu Hao furrowed his brow and asked, "What happened eighteen years ago?"

Emperor Bai Jiang shook his head, finding Chu Hao very strange. He clearly possesses some strength, yet he knows nothing. He said, "The Demon Emperor initiated an uprising. When that happens, the Yang Realm will descend into great chaos. It won’t just be the mortals of the Yang Realm facing disaster; you won’t even be able to save yourself."

"Regarding eighteen years ago, the Song Emperor withdrew from the Underworld and has already joined the Demon Emperor’s faction. Therefore, you must choose a side if you wish to survive unscathed."

The Song Emperor, who betrayed the Underworld eighteen years ago, joined the Demon Emperor’s side! This is utterly inconceivable.

Chu Hao, astonished, stroked his chin and asked, "Which side do you belong to?"

Emperor Bai Jiang answered, "I naturally belong to the Human World, siding with the Demon Emperor."

Chu Hao let out a cold laugh. "What Demon Emperor? Humans rule the Yang Realm now. What does this Demon Emperor even amount to?"

Emperor Bai Jiang sneered, "You’re too ignorant. Do you really think the Human World is that simple? Since ancient times, how many ancient eras have seen uprisings in the Human World? How do you think humans evolved?"

Chu Hao had read about history: the debates by so-called experts about human origins from deep-sea cells, which evolved in the ocean and later transformed into vertebrates that came ashore.

Animals! This reminded him of demons—Fox Demons, Snake Demons, and the like.

Chu Hao chuckled. "You’re not trying to tell me that humans evolved from animals and are also part of demons? Are you out of your mind?"

Emperor Bai Jiang looked at him, unoffended, smiling without speaking.

Are humans really a part of demons?

Chu Hao didn’t believe it for a second and said coldly, "I don’t care about any Demon Emperor or whatever; anyone who messes with me won’t have an easy time."

Emperor Bai Jiang shook his head. "You’re too arrogant."

Chu Hao waved his hand dismissively. "I, this Taoist Master, have the capital to be arrogant. Even if there’s a reckoning, who would dare target me? As for you, you’re really starting to annoy me right now."

Emperor Bai Jiang’s expression turned ugly. Despite all he had said, Chu Hao clearly didn’t care in the slightest.

Emperor Bai Jiang said, "As long as the True Word Brush remains with you, you will inevitably be drawn into this reckoning."

"The True Word Brush, one of the Seven Human Treasures, if gathered together, will cause unimaginable events. Even if the Demon Emperor pays you no mind, Taoism won’t allow the True Word Brush to fall into the hands of an outsider like you."

Having said that, Emperor Bai Jiang chuckled. "The mysterious Heavenly Court will compel the Taoist sects of the Human World to retrieve the True Word Brush. I believe you’ve already had a taste of hardship, but this is just the beginning."

No wonder Taoism is so eager to get the True Word Brush. But the one I have was exchanged from the System; it would be useless to them. Besides, why should I ’return’ it!

Chu Hao retorted, "Whoever wants the True Word Brush can come and try. Right now, what I really want to do is give you a good thrashing."

Emperor Bai Jiang resumed his sneer. "Chu Hao, you will gradually realize just how terrifying the reckoning can be. You are nothing but a pawn in the game."

With a wave of his hand, the Yin Yang Mirror appeared. Emperor Bai Jiang stepped into the mirror, and the ancient bronze mirror vanished along with him.

The guy ran away! Seriously lacking in spine. I, Brother Hao, was still in the mood to show off.