Chapter 12 — Northern Pole Subduing Demons, Promotion Through Accumulated Merit!

The young Daoist’s Primordial Spirit relied on the Northern Pole Exorcism Token, and in the blink of an eye, went straight up to the Exorcism Institute in the Heavenly Court.

This was a divine ability that the Heavenly Officials and Immortal Officials temporarily in the mortal world could naturally perform, even if their physical bodies were extremely far away from the Heavenly Court’s offices, they could still come and go in an instant, the young Daoist’s Primordial Spirit transformed into the black clothes and black robes of the Exorcism Institute, a mask covering his face, and he removed the hair ornament bestowed by his Teacher, because he no longer had the Primordial Spirit armor of the Star Lord level, nor that Violet Jade Golden Crown, his black hair hung loose, with only his temples white.

He went straight into the Exorcism Institute, and the young Daoist raised his eyes and saw that the many Divine Generals of the Exorcism Institute were all solemn.

Yet he did not know that some amusement had already arisen in their hearts.

Looking up, he saw that the one at the head was a gentle man wearing armor and a battle robe, with an ordinary appearance and a calm gaze. The young Daoist saw that he was in the principal seat and already knew his identity. He slightly bowed and addressed him as True Lord. Great True Lord Tianpeng seemed to be reading through the records. Here in the Exorcism Institute – situated hight above the firmament – the figures were not of ordinary human scale. As they were in a state of semi-combat readiness, they towered in stature.

Approximately a hundred zhang tall, and the surrounding Divine Generals were likewise so, wearing battle robes and black boots, clouds of qi rising beside them, all displaying the majesty of Divine Generals.

Great True Lord Tianpeng’s voice was broad and gentle, “Dangmo, what matter is there?”

“Hm, you came here first, your previous merit has not yet been given to you, Tianyou, how much merit does Dangmo have? In terms of achievements, what office and what position can he be promoted to?”

True Lord Tianyou flipped through the records, raised his eyes, and said concisely, “Although there is merit, it has not yet qualified for an official rank.”

The many Divine Generals were all astonished; with this young man’s achievements, his accumulated merit should already have been enough for him to be conferred a rank, but they all believed in Great True Lord Tianpeng’s judgment and said nothing.

Only Tianyou knew that this was because the young Daoist’s origins were too weighty.

He needed merit a hundred times greater than that of an ordinary person before he could advance through the ranks and accumulate offices in this Northern Pole Exorcism Institute, thereby obtaining the assistance of a divine office.

Yet the merit recorded by the Northern Pole Exorcism Institute would not be deducted in the slightest.

He could normally use it to exchange for various Daoist canons.

A Thunder General slightly raised his eyes and said heavily, “It shouldn’t be this little, let me take a look…”

He went over and looked, and his expression eased somewhat, looking toward the young Daoist Dangmo over there, he explained, “Although you have not been conferred a rank or title, you are already extremely close, enough to compare with another person’s merit of a hundred years.”

The actual treatment received by Heavenly Officials and Immortal Officials differs greatly.

Heavenly Officials only receive some Heavenly Emperor Coins.

Immortal Officials, however, have their own supply of pills, talismans, and various immortal items.

Ordinary Heavenly Soldiers, when meeting a Heavenly Official, must pay their respects, and even when encountering certain immortals, they can interact with them as peers; whether it is the South Sea Dharma Assembly or matters concerning the Penglai immortals, they can also go there for immortal excursions, they can already have an acolyte attending them, when going in and out they can also have Divine Generals protecting them, and they can even directly enter through the Southern Heavenly Gate of the Heavenly Court, rather than being able to enter the Heavenly Palace only after receiving an order.

Great True Lord Tianpeng nodded, his tone rather relaxed, and said:

“Your merit is already quite considerable, afterwards you can naturally go to the Northern Emperor’s Treasure Vault and select a treasure.”

“Now, tell me, Dangmo, what matter have you come here to report?”

Thus, the corners of the mouths of the many Divine Generals, who all maintained hundred-zhang bodies within the Exorcism Institute, showed faint smiles.

The young Daoist said, “It was because I was taken into the Netherworld by the Impermanence.”

The many Divine Generals understood.

They looked at the young Daoist’s Primordial Spirit.

Knowing that this should have been the damage caused by the previous sword strike, causing the Impermanence to mistake him, heh…

But this matter also did not belong to the Exorcism Institute.

Young people ah, they always feel that matters involving the Impermanence’s soul-hooking and life-and-death affairs must mean that the order of Heaven and Earth has been touched, and so they come to report to the Exorcism Institute. The many Divine Generals revealed smiles on their faces, although such matters were not many, there were some, considering certain strict actions of the Underworld to be violations of order.

The Divine Generals watched a junior make his own mistake, their expressions understanding and at ease, occasionally the gazes of some Divine Generals crossed one another, the corners of their mouths carrying smiles, neither quite smiling nor quite not smiling, as they shook their heads.

The young Daoist said, “I saw Fengdu City.”

Thus, the smiles instantly froze.

???!

Hm?

What?!

Clatter, clatter, accompanied by the violent shaking of tables and chairs, an unknown number of Divine Generals stood up, pressing down on the jade tables, stirring up waves across the sea of clouds, bending down, their eyes wide open, all looking toward the young Daoist, and in an instant their voices were like rolling thunder as they simultaneously demanded:

“What place?!”

“What did you see!”

“Fengdu City?!”

Great True Lord Tianpeng’s eyes were calm, faintly feeling that this young Daoist had brought him an enormous surprise, and said: “Dangmo, continue.”

“Yes.”

The young Daoist said, “The Ghost Gate of Fengdu City has opened.”

“?!!!”

“Where is my weapon?!”

“We underestimated you. This truly is a major matter!”

The many Divine Generals wore solemn expressions, faintly feeling that their work had finally come, rubbing their fists and rubbing their palms, all sensing that something major seemed about to happen. The young Daoist said, “After that, I encountered the Five Ghost Emperors.”

The atmosphere within the Exorcism Institute had already grown heavy. Tianyou slightly furrowed his brows and said, “The Five Ghost Emperors. They were existences who stirred up trouble in the Netherworld during the Third Kalpa Era.”

“They’re actually still alive?”

“Appearing suddenly in this era.”

“I wonder what they intend to do?”

The many Divine Generals spoke among themselves, quite astonished by such a change in affairs, but the situation still seemed to be within their grasp and expectations. They were merely somewhat uncertain about the actions and objectives of these Ghost Emperors. In an instant, they thought of several possibilities, yet none could be confirmed.

The young Daoist said, “The Five Ghost Emperors deliberately attempted to break out of Fengdu City, intending to slaughter the Ten Yama Lords.”

“I had come into contact with them for a period of time.”

“I learned of this objective from them, only I do not know whether it is true or false.”

All the battle-generals of the Exorcism Institute paused in their movements, looking in unison toward the young Daoist over there.

Previously, there had been the three-thousand-six-hundred-year grand formation, intended to disrupt the circulation between orthodox and evil.

Now, he had stated it in the most direct terms.

The Yin Office was at risk of great turmoil, and the boundary between life and death was about to be broken.

The Thunder General frowned, still puzzled, and said, “Why did you encounter the Five Ghost Emperors?”

The young Daoist thought for a moment before answering, “Because I caused a bit of a disturbance.”

“What disturbance?”

“I took an ancient qin from the treasure vault of the Netherworld Palace.”

The many battle-generals of the Exorcism Institute were left dumbfounded. Then they realized which qin the young Daoist was referring to, and they looked at one another in dismay. They truly had not expected that this newcomer, on his very first visit, would cause such a major incident. Previously, they had thought this newcomer was merely a little fellow, and they had all been smiling at one another, but now none of them could quite manage to smile.

This was no small matter; a truly big job had landed in their laps.

Who could have known that this little fellow, on his first outing, would cut down Donghua Shaoyang Great Emperor?

The second time he appeared, he had drawn out the Five Ghost Emperors, the two-thousand-three-hundred-li-long Fengdu City, and the seventy-two Divisions of evil ghosts.

The many Divine Generals looked at one another and sighed, saying, “If that is the case, then the Netherworld should have suffered a slight collapse, and 【Slaying Buddhas, Beheading Emperors】?”

“You actually brought this thing out?”

Only Yisheng burst into loud laughter. “Hahahahaha.”

“Slaying Buddhas, Beheading Emperors, delivering and destroying all living beings!”

“This qin is indeed worthy of you!”

“Come, Dangmo, tell us, what did the Five Ghost Emperors say?!”

The young Daoist said, “Eight thousand years ago…”

“Dangmo.”

When Qi Wuhuo mentioned this year, his voice was interrupted. Great True Lord Tianpeng rose to his feet, his gentle expression slightly restrained, yet still amiable, and said, “Come with me.”

The young Daoist was brought by the Great True Lord into the interior of the Exorcism Institute. The Great True Lord displayed neither an arrogant nor a condescending manner, but instead carefully questioned the young Daoist about what had happened. Qi Wuhuo then recounted everything concerning how the Five Ghost Emperors had taken him away, including how he had been taken away, how they had tried to deceive him through names, how they had deliberately offered him tea, and how he had responded.

Great True Lord Tianpeng suddenly extended his hand and pressed it against the young Daoist’s right hand.

In an instant, thunder raced across the young Daoist’s Primordial Spirit. Great True Lord Tianpeng’s right-hand fingers pinched onto something, then violently pulled it outward. A turbid, pitch-black object was directly pulled out from the young Daoist’s right hand, and was then blasted into scraps beneath the light of the thunder. Great True Lord Tianpeng said slowly: “Although you are clever and did not drink that tea.”

“But among the Five Ghost Emperors, the Central Ghost Emperor is the most cunning. You cannot even make contact with anything of his.”

“You stay here. As for how this matter is to be handled, I must go seek the Northern Emperor.”

“Give me your sword. The sword sheath may not necessarily be safe.”

Great True Lord Tianpeng spread his five fingers and took hold of the Blood River Sword. Before this, he had never expected that the young Daoist before him would cause such a great disturbance. The young Daoist sat here quietly waiting, and afterward a Thunder General came here, taking him to the North Emperor’s treasure vault to exchange for an item of merit.

“Although your foundation is solid, it was affected by that one sword strike, and the damage is quite severe at present.”

“My suggestion is the same as Taibai’s. We both feel that you cannot rely on external objects to make up for this. Among the many cultivation methods and ancient texts, I recommend that you choose the [True Scripture of the Purple Tenuity Emperor’s Qi], personally written by His Majesty the North Emperor. After cultivating it, it will be enough to repair your foundation and allow you, at the stage of [Qi Refinement], to possess a foundation surpassing that of ordinary people.”

“Of course, the choice is still yours.”

The Thunder General’s voice was calm and even. Before them, jade slips one after another emitted brilliant streams of light.

The young Daoist extended his hand and still chose that scroll of [Primordial Ancestral Qi]. The moment his palm touched this object, his vision suddenly grew slightly hazy. He caught a glimpse of the Netherworld Yin Office, of the place where Yin Virtue Settled Rest True Lord resided, and of what he had encountered within that jade slip, seeing the scene from thousands of years ago when the Ten Netherworld Palace Yama Lords had attacked the Yuanshi Great Heavenly Venerable.

Before his eyes, the Great Heavenly Venerable appeared lofty and indifferent, his eyes deep and profound, seeming to encompass all things as he gazed down upon him.

Only this time, for some unknown reason, the [Yuanshi Great Heavenly Venerable] Qi Wuhuo saw was not the majestic Daoist of the true body, but was instead formed from strands of pure white primordial qi, combining and transforming.

This was not the true body of the Yuanshi Heavenly Venerable arriving in the Netherworld, the Yuqing Great Heavenly Venerable who had supposedly defeated the Ten Netherworld Palace Yama Lords and passed down the Ten Great Divine Powers.

It was merely a transformation of a single breath of qi.

That was all!

In an instant, the scene dispersed once more, and the young Daoist was already holding the [Primordial Ancestral Qi].

This jade slip was plain and simple. Were it not for the two words “Primordia(Yuanshi)l” written upon it, and were this jade slip not in the North Emperor Palace, it would almost seem like an ordinary worldly object. The young Daoist remained absent-minded for a long while. Looking again at the [Primordial Ancestral Qi], it was still utterly unremarkable, merely recording one plain character after another, all written in ancient Cloud Seal script, seemingly containing profound mysteries.

“Of the lineage of Uncle-Master Taishang, his way is the most lofty and profound. The Dao foundation of Taishang can be called unparalleled.”

“As for Uncle-Master Shangqing, his attainment lies in killing and conquest.”

“And my Master, the Yuqing Yuanshi Great Heavenly Venerable, was transformed from Ancestral Qi. In the transformations and circulation of qi, he can be called the foremost.”

“If you can cultivate this method, it will naturally be of great benefit to you.”

The voice was broad and gentle. Qi Wuhuo turned his head and saw that Great True Lord Tianpeng had already returned. The young Daoist gave a slight bow.

Great True Lord Tianpeng said, “I have already reported this matter to the Northern Emperor.”

“The Imperial Lord said that he has his own considerations regarding the matter of the Five Ghost Emperors. You discovered an anomaly this time and reported it, and that is a merit.”

“But you previously also disguised yourself as the Northern Emperor’s envoy.”

“The Imperial Lord has also given thought to this matter.”

The young Daoist slightly cupped his hands and replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, “That was something I did in a moment of urgency.”

“Even if it was done in a moment of urgency, you must still accept punishment.”

Great True Lord Tianpeng seemed stern, yet still answered with a smile, “The Imperial Lord says that a ruler does not speak in jest, let alone the Four Emperors.”

“Since Dangmo, you have put it this way, then whether it is true or false no longer matters. From today onward, you are the true and genuine Northern Emperor’s envoy! You will be responsible for matters concerning the Yin Office and the Netherworld under the Northern Pole Exorcism Institute. As for those Five Ghost Emperors, you will be responsible for the first-line confrontation with them. You must ensure the Netherworld remains stable and must not allow disorder to arise in life and death!”

“Weapons are for killing and conquest. We are the final line of defense, but within the Yin Office and Netherworld there are the seventy-two Divisions of ghosts and gods. Once they engage in battle, if the seventy-two Divisions of ghosts and gods are released, it will inevitably cause an imbalance in the cycle of life and death, so they cannot be mobilized lightly; moreover, the Five Ghost Emperors were once subordinates under the Imperial Lord. Out of consideration for their old relationship, they cannot be exterminated at the first opportunity.”

He raised his hand again, and suddenly a streak of flowing light flew directly toward Qi Wuhuo. That sword returned to the young Daoist’s hand.

Qi Wuhuo grasped the sword and sensed that the killing intent of the Blood River had dispersed, or rather, had been restrained.

He raised his eyes again and saw that this sword had the Blood River as its blade and the Yellow Springs as its plain sheath.

Only now, strands of starlight had appeared upon the sword sheath, forming the aspect of the North, then transforming into faint tassels upon the sword hilt. This sword had lost the killing and madness it possessed before, instead taking on a sense of grand and righteous magnificence.

Great True Lord Tianpeng smiled and said, “Because this matter is quite difficult, this is a treasure advanced to you as payment.”

“The Imperial Lord is magnanimous. Your decisiveness in cutting down Donghua last time was greatly appreciated by the Imperial Lord, who has the intention of helping you achieve greatness.”

“Since this sword already has the Blood River as its blade and the Yellow Springs as its sheath, we have added the Weak Water of the Celestial River as its edge. It can serve as a blade, and also as a token, allowing you to deal with those Five Ghost Emperors. And since this sword has already been forged from the three great spiritual veins of the world’s Water element, while you, Dangmo, are also a general of the Central Heaven Northern Pole Exorcism, all that remains is for your cultivation to advance.”

“Hold this sword, and you can command the North.”

“All waters shall follow, suppressing the Netherworld!”

He then took hold of Qi Wuhuo’s arm and walked outside with him. Although cultivating the lineage of Taishang was a hundred times more difficult for him, the things this young Daoist had done had indeed already reached the rank of one deserving promotion. His merits had truly reached that point, and he could no longer suppress his advancement.

Xuandu, ah, I understand your state of mind now.

Great True Lord Tianpeng sighed deeply.

Hearing the voice from outside, the many Divine Generals all solemnly rose to look over. They saw Great True Lord Tianpeng standing there. He was tall and imposing; even now, having returned to an ordinary human form, he still stood over two meters tall. With one hand resting on the young Daoist’s shoulder, his expression solemn, he held a jade book and scroll in his other hand and solemnly declared:

“Central Heaven Northern Pole Dangmo, Exorcising Evil and Cutting Down Emperors, breaking the tribulations of the mortal world, knowing the affairs of the Underworld.”

“Having accumulated merit, promoted in rank.”

“Advanced to the rank of Ninth-Rank Immortal Official, additionally conferred as Right Judge of the Northern Pole Exorcism Institute, concurrently in charge of the affairs of the Exorcism Institute.”

Promotion through accumulated merit, accomplished in a single day!

Yet when they looked at the records, everyone could only sigh in admiration.

In the mortal world.

The young Daoist slowly opened his eyes. The Northern Pole Exorcism Token in his palm had already changed in appearance. Faint thunder patterns now adorned it, adding to its imposing might. He was now the Right Judge, concurrently in charge of the affairs of the Exorcism Institute. Under special circumstances, he could directly mobilize a certain degree of the Exorcism Institute’s power for his own use.

Within the Heavenly Palace, there were even mighty men several meters tall carrying enormous pillars who had gone to prepare a courtyard residence for him.

Only, the young Daoist had yet to decide where he would live.

According to Great True Lord Tianpeng, wherever there were stars, he could find a quiet place and have an Immortal Official’s grotto residence built for him. The young Daoist hung the Central Heaven Northern Pole Judge Token at his side, placed the little peacock upon his shoulder, then once again circulated the Earth Deity’s earth-escaping technique, heading to find Senior Sister Yumiao.

In his heart, he was thinking about the things he would have to do afterward, thinking about the appointment from the Northern Pole Exorcism Institute.

The Exorcism Institute would not send him to his death, but neither would its missions be without danger.

Choosing him might still have been because he had declared himself to be the Northern Emperor’s envoy before the Five Ghost Emperors, so the Exorcism Institute had simply made him a genuine envoy. Fortunately, for a short period of time, the Exorcism Institute would not issue him a task requiring him to face the Five Ghost Emperors, while the [Primordial Ancestral Qi] was already in his hands. He hoped that through cultivation, he could resolve the problem he currently faced.

The young Daoist’s heart was peaceful when he suddenly sensed a trace of a familiar aura.

His footsteps paused slightly. He emerged from the Earth Deity’s earth-escaping technique and raised his eyes to look, only to see a man dressed in blue robes, with an ancient and elegant bearing. His hair was white and his appearance already aged. A strange look faintly appeared in the young Daoist’s expression, for he saw that this old man was precisely the person he had previously seen at Senior Sister Yumiao’s place—her lover.

The young Daoist sensed a trace of the aura of death.

Almost subconsciously, he circulated the method taught by Yin Virtue Settled Rest True Lord and took a look.

He saw that the old man’s spiritual radiance was dim, and that his lifespan was already nearly exhausted.

At most, he had about one month of life remaining.

But why was he here? Where was Senior Sister Yumiao?

One thought after another surfaced in the young Daoist’s heart. His heart stirred slightly, and so he revealed himself, sitting cross-legged upon a bluestone directly in the path the old man was bound to pass, carrying the qin on his back and holding the sword. His fingers moved slightly, and a faint qin melody immediately sounded, echoing through the forest.

The old man was slightly startled and was thus drawn over.