Chapter 1723: Chapter 1754: Factional Strife and Family Planning
“I am guilty, unable to properly welcome you!”
“Please, Supreme Deity, step into the inner hall!”
The portly old man on the ground was filled with fear and trepidation.
As the venerable of the Yamen in the Netherworld, he naturally knew the purpose of Baihe Boy’s visit. This esteemed guest had only one reason to appear: to slay ghosts!
They were all Netherworld Messengers, so how could they not be frightened?
“Lead the way.”
Baihe Boy couldn’t speak, so Li Xiaobai handled it all.
The Yamen was grandly constructed, and along the way, Li Xiaobai counted that there were at least over fifty Netherworld Messengers, all lurking within the county Yamen.
The portly old man was very nervous, endlessly recounting how he managed the livelihood within Ghost Gate and that under his governance, there hadn’t been any major incidents within the towns.
This old man was named Liu Dalang, he had stayed in this Yamen for over a hundred years, very familiar with all tiers of the Netherworld, an experienced hand, smooth and slick.
Li Xiaobai listened to his words absent-mindedly; suffice it to say, just the claim of no major incidents within the town made his words utterly lacking credibility.
“The Yamen is somewhat desolate, is it always like this?”
The three sat in the inner hall, Li Xiaobai sipped tea and asked.
“Of course, that’s because the town is well-managed, the people live and work in peace, the Netherworld prospers, naturally there are fewer visitors to the Yamen.”
Liu Dalang replied cheerfully.
“But I found over ten missing person notices in the town and discovered that these missing cultivators are all dead, suspected to be caused by demonic disturbances. Are you aware of this?”
Li Xiaobai asked, smiling.
“I have heard of this matter, to be honest, I have secretly ordered an investigation into this matter.”
“What have you found?”
“Only that it is associated with the Liu Family, but the details remain unclear.”
“I and Great God White Crane just came from the Liu Residence. To be honest, it pains me deeply. Demonic disturbances cause chaos in Ghost Gate, yet Netherworld officials are ineffective. Great God White Crane thinks the Netherworld does not house useless officials. What do you think?”
Li Xiaobai’s eyes gleamed with crimson, the air was filled with a bewildering murderous intent.
Liu Dalang shivered in fear, knelt again, folded his hands in plea: “Two Great Deities, this is not my fault. The Liu family’s daughter-in-law is too involved, it’s not that I don’t care, it’s simply that the Yamen lacks authority!”
“You are a Netherworld official, capturing evil and suppressing unruliness is righteous and proper. Why don’t you have this authority?”
Li Xiaobai frowned, although this official kneeled to beg for mercy, for some reason he felt the other party suddenly seemed less tense.
“This matter is lengthy, do you know Liu family’s daughter-in-law has been pregnant for ten months?”
Liu Dalang asked.
“Naturally I am aware, I heard what is conceived is a ghost fetus that has harmed many.”
Li Xiaobai followed Liu Dalang’s words.
“That’s precisely the problem!”
“If it were simple demonic disturbances, I could request military action from the Asura King to suppress it, even slaying first and reporting later if the situation warranted would be reasonable. However, the matter with the Liu family’s daughter-in-law cannot be ruled upon this way.”
Liu Dalang sighed with a bitter face.
“What does this mean?”
“Since it is confirmed Liu family’s daughter-in-law carries evil, she should be expelled, what is the hesitation?”
Li Xiaobai asked.
“You’ve said it, it’s a ghost fetus, it’s in the pregnant woman’s belly, hasn’t been born yet. Strictly speaking, it’s within the domain of family planning, a part of the reincarnation process, this realm is directly governed by the King of Underworld. Even handling it is the task of Black and White Impermanence, if I rashly intervene, it would equate to Lord Asura King disregarding the authority of King of Underworld.”
Liu Dalang explained.
In the Netherworld, the hierarchical division is very strict, as are the detailed distributions of authority. The Yamen where Liu Dalang resides is under the jurisdiction of Asura King, meaning Liu Dalang belongs to the faction of Asura King.
This matter involves the fetus, thus concerns the reincarnation governed by King of Underworld, and should be dealt with by Black and White Impermanence.
Black and White Impermanence are the right and left hands of King of Underworld, belonging to the faction of King of Underworld lineage. Unless situations are special, neither side should rashly interfere in each other’s jurisdictions.
Liu Dalang’s worry stems from this.
“Since you understand this clearly, why haven’t Black and White Impermanence eliminated the demon?”
Li Xiaobai listened, exasperated, the authority divisions were so meticulous, greatly reducing execution efficiency.
“Lord Black Impermanence said, although reincarnation belongs under King of Underworld lineage’s jurisdiction, this fetus has ultimately been disturbed by evil, and should be first dealt with by Asura King’s faction to remove the evil, then they will guide the spirit and preserve Liu family’s daughter-in-law’s fetal lot.”
“But I don’t know the exact condition of the fetus in Liu family’s daughter-in-law. If it’s a normal fetus disturbed by evil, Netherworld Messengers can still expel evil without harming the fetus, but if this woman indeed carries evil, then the fetus can only be put to death.”
“Neither Lord Asura King nor Black and White Impermanence Deities reveal anything about this fetus’s circumstances, no information was given, it’s very difficult for me.”
Liu Dalang said with a troubled face, this matter was thorny for him, mishandling it could cost more than just his official hat, it could cost him his life.
Li Xiaobai understood, a simple demonic disturbance had turned into factional conflicts.
There is risk in the matter of the fetus, neither Asura King nor King of Underworld has complete assurance, neither wants to act first, both want to wait for the other’s forces to move and then follow up. In this way, even if something goes wrong, the blame can be shifted onto the other.
Ultimately, it’s a normal case of demonic disturbance, there’s no reward for getting it right, but if it’s wrong, the consequences are dire, naturally no one is willing to take this risk.
“I heard Asura King and King of Underworld also went to Liu Residence to see the fetus?”
“The management echelon personally inspected, yet still no action?”
Li Xiaobai continued to ask.
“Wise one, the change in the case nature from Netherworld Messenger expelling evil to family planning was precisely by Lord Asura King and King of Underworld. It’s said there was disagreement on that day, ultimately no conclusion was reached, leaving the mess for subordinates to handle.”
Liu Dalang replied.
Serving for so long, anyone could see this was a power game between the upper echelons, the fate of the fetus was insignificant, they were only trying to seize the chance to grasp each other’s weaknesses, weaken each other’s power.
Li Xiaobai rubbed his chin, deep in thought: “So it’s stuck here.”
“Wise one, indeed, neither I nor Black and White Impermanence dare to act rashly, without a foolproof plan, no one is willing to act. At present, we can only wait for the ungoverned ghost patrol of the Ghost Mansion to remove the evil.”
Liu Dalang said.
This situation largely aligned with Li Xiaobai’s previous speculation, but he always felt something was amiss, as if a piece of the puzzle was missing.
“So you’re very clear about the matter, but restricted by factions from acting.”
“Yes, wise one, I understand this matter very thoroughly, unfortunately there are too many hindrances.”
“Can you tell me how the evil fetus kills people?”