I was silent for a moment before nodding. "Your bargaining chips aren't enough!"

Before Qiao Gongliang could speak, I added, "I also want that red-robed ghost official. Alive."

Qiao Gongliang was stunned for a moment, then laughed. "No wonder the scholar faction says you're vindictive. You truly live up to your reputation as the head wolf of Liangjie Tang (Two Realms Hall). The person you want, I captured long ago, and he's being held under that book over there."

I nodded slightly. "Tell me about your deal."

The reason I only asked about the other party's conditions at this point wasn't out of arrogance, but because I knew this was the best outcome.

Qiao Gongliang said, "I want to ask you to retrieve the remains of my Qiao family's ancestor from the Confucian's Zhenmo Lin (Demon Suppression Forest) and rebury them elsewhere."

Seeing that I didn't immediately agree, Qiao Gongliang continued, "If our Qiao family ancestor has truly become a demon, you can eliminate him. All I want is for my ancestor's remains to find peace."

"Of course, I'm not asking you to do this immediately. You can wait until you're strong enough or have a suitable opportunity."

I nodded. "Deal!"

Qiao Gongliang's deal was quite difficult, but the conditions were equally lenient. Besides, a deal meant risking your life. What reason did I have to refuse?

"Thank you!" Qiao Gongliang stood up, his hands hanging down.

The Soul-Chasing Rope in my hand instantly flew out and bound Qiao Gongliang securely.

Qiao Gongliang calmly said, "Hall Master Li, please begin!"

"Now is not the time!" I shook my head. "Have your soldier souls put in a bit more effort."

Qiao Gongliang was slightly taken aback, then suddenly laughed loudly. "Heaven has been kind to Qiao Gongliang. At least, before my death, I found someone I can entrust with this."

As Qiao Gongliang spoke, he raised a hand from under the Soul-Chasing Rope and performed a hand seal. The scene outside quickly appeared on the wall in front of me.

Qiao Gongliang said with a hint of pride, "Book ghosts can become kings because we can see the whole picture. You can watch outside and wait for the right moment."

Outside, Ye Yang had already mobilized the Third Battalion of Yin Soldiers, and the sound of battle resounded across the fields.

Fortunately, only sorcerers could see the mobilization of Yin Soldiers. Otherwise, this scene of an army traversing the sky would have already caused panic.

Ye Yang pointed his sword at the mountain peak. "The entire army advances! If you can't open the tomb passage, the vanguard will be executed!"

"What great prestige!"

A cold laugh suddenly came from the void behind Ye Yang. A red-robed ghost official, leading hundreds of ghost soldiers, stepped out from between Yin and Yang. Facing Ye Yang, he sneered, "A mere Yang Jian Jie Ming Ren (Borrower of Life from the Yang Realm), dares to spout such wild claims of executing Yin Soldiers? Who gave you the gall?"

Ye Yang didn't even look at him. "Get lost—"

The red-robed ghost official was stunned for a few seconds before roaring angrily, "What did you say?"

"Get lost!" Killing intent flared in Ye Yang's eyes. "Otherwise, die!"

The red-robed ghost official sneered, "Threatening an official of the underworld, you..."

Before he could finish speaking, the long sword in Ye Yang's hand had already transformed into a stream of light, pointing towards the other's heart.

"Ye Yang..." Feng Ruoxing wanted to stop Ye Yang, but it was already too late. Before she could even shout "Stop," Ye Yang's sword had already struck the other's chest.

A sound like metal cracking suddenly erupted from the tip of the sword. The red-robed ghost official flew back several meters and crashed into the crowd. The long sword in Ye Yang's hand was also deflected back, almost falling to the ground.

Ye Yang's sword strike wasn't at full strength, but it was enough to kill his opponent with one blow. Not only did the opponent not die, but he also forced Ye Yang back a step.

That red-robed ghost official had long been prepared. His purpose in appearing was to provoke Ye Yang and force him to attack.

The red-robed ghost official laughed and stood up. "Yang Jian Jie Ming Ren (Borrower of Life from the Yang Realm) Ye Yang, assassinates an official of the underworld. An unforgivable crime! Men, seize him!"

As the ghost soldiers he brought with him unfurled their chains and rushed towards Ye Yang, a pressure filled with anger descended from the sky, instantly forcing all the ghost soldiers to kneel on the ground.

Hei Wuchang (Black Impermanence) and Bai Wuchang (White Impermanence) arrived together, standing side by side with Ye Yang. Hei Wuchang waved his hand, recalling the Yin Soldiers, while Bai Wuchang said in a deep voice, "When did it become your turn to bully our brothers' disciple?"

That red-robed ghost official raised his head. "Do the two divine lords, as righteous gods of the underworld, intend to bend the law, and protect a criminal?"

Bai Wuchang coldly said, "Whether Ye Yang is guilty is not for you to decide."

The red-robed ghost official laughed. "Are you saying it's up to the two divine lords to decide?"

The red-robed ghost official pointed at Ye Yang. "Ye Yang and Li Po, have mobilized Yin Soldiers without authorization, their first crime."

"Overeager for merit, recklessly advancing, leading to evil spirits slaughtering the innocent, their second crime."

"Openly resisting arrest, plotting to murder an official of the underworld, their third crime."

"I fear that these three major crimes are difficult even for the two divine lords to excuse!"

Hei Wuchang and Bai Wuchang were expressionless, but their hands at their sides were already clenched into fists. The red-robed ghost official still maintained his smile. "This humble official will take Ye Yang back to the underworld for questioning. The two divine lords will not interfere, correct?"

"Of course, if the two divine lords wish to bend the law and kill this humble official, that is also no problem. This humble official fears not death for the sake of justice in the underworld!"

The red-robed ghost official looked at Hei Wuchang and Bai Wuchang with a smile that wasn't a smile, the provocation in his eyes clear for all to see.