Gentlemen, it's time to enter the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

Chapter 456 The world is so small
The mere mention of Yu Xing's name filled Chen Ye with inexplicable irritation.

He disliked the guy from the very first meeting.

He doesn't have the demeanor of a cultivator at all. His mind is like a single thread, and he's extremely stubborn, especially when it comes to twisted logic that others can't understand.

Half of his conflict with the Mirage School was due to Yu Xing.

Therefore, when Ye Chen killed Yu Xing, Chen Ye didn't feel anything special. He just felt that the man's life or death was none of his business.

Later, by chance, Ye Chen rescued Yu Xing from the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, intending to let him return to the Mirage Sect on his own.

As a result, that guy actually said that he was a man of his word, and if he lost, he should have sent ten thousand soul banners. Now that Ye Chen was dead, he could not break his promise and should have his soul scattered.

Chen Ye immediately thought the man was mentally unstable and ignored him.

Later, the Mirage Sect fell into internal strife and split up, eventually ending in the complete extinction of the entire sect.

Chen Ye, on the contrary, felt that Yu Xing, this fool, was actually lucky, at least he escaped the tragedy of his entire family being wiped out.

Now, to find the real culprit, we need the help of Yu Xing, who has a deep connection with the Mirage Sect. The murderer is very likely his fellow disciple, and with him as a lead, the search shouldn't be too difficult.

Upon hearing Chen Ye mention this name, Qiqi Gesang quickly asked Sun Xiucai for help, even though she was literate but not very literate.

In handling these complicated documents, he was far less skilled than the scholar.

The sound of pages turning continued for a moment before Sun Xiucai looked up from the mountain of documents and gave Chen Ye an answer.

"Reporting to the sect master, that Daoist Yu Xing has taken up a post in the Department of Criminal Justice and is now considered a half-ghost soldier."

Chen Ye frowned: "Yu Xing is a disciple of the Mirage Sect. How can we allow someone from outside the sect to serve in the underworld of my Yellow Springs Sect?"

Although the position of Yin soldiers is not considered important, the current Underworld Office is unique to the Yellow Springs Sect, and strictly speaking, it is the sect's private property.

Having a disciple like Yu Xing, who was sent from elsewhere, help with the work seems against all the rules.

He remembered that the head of the Department of Criminal Justice was Yang Chongguang, who had followed him the longest. He was a steady and reliable person. How could he make such a basic mistake?

Sun Xiucai quickly explained, "Sect Master, the rules of the Underworld have always been that the capable should be appointed. As long as one can withstand the tortures of hell and be confirmed not to have any evil intentions, one can take office. When the rules were first established, it was not stipulated that only people from the Northern Frontier or disciples of the Yellow Springs Sect could serve as underworld soldiers."

"..."

Chen Ye immediately understood that this was his own problem.

When the rules were initially formulated, we were too hasty and completely overlooked this loophole.

At that time, he never imagined that disciples from other sects would fall into the underworld of the Yellow Springs Sect after their deaths, nor did he ever imagine that anyone would be willing to stay and serve as a ghost soldier for the Yellow Springs Sect.

Has that idiot Yu Xing come up with some earth-shattering idea again?
Chen Ye was getting anxious and turned to head towards the Department of Criminal Justice.

The four departments of the underworld were not far apart. Chen Ye had not walked far when he heard faint wails coming from ahead.

The surrounding scenery became increasingly desolate, and not a single wandering ghost could be seen on the road anymore.

It's likely that all the spirits know this is not a good place.

The gate tower of the Prison Department was shorter than that of the Soul Locking Department, but the all-black building appeared even more gloomy, exuding an inviolable majesty.

Even Chen Ye felt uncomfortable looking at it; the murderous aura was too strong, putting immense pressure on his soul.

The two ghostly soldiers guarding the entrance wore armor unlike any other, a deep, dark red like congealed blood. Their appearances were also incredibly ferocious, as if the word "fierce" was etched onto their faces.

They stood like statues. When Chen Ye approached, the two guards did not kneel down to pay their respects like the other ghost soldiers. Instead, they clenched their right fists and pounded their left breast armor hard with a dull thud before stepping aside to make way for him.

Chen Ye didn't care about these formalities; on the contrary, he preferred the simplicity and directness of the Ministry of Justice, finding it more comfortable than kneeling or bowing.

As Chen Ye stepped through the gate, the previously indistinct wails instantly became clear and shrill.

Screams, pleas for mercy, and curses mingled together, emanating from the depths of the long tunnels, as if countless souls were enduring unimaginable torture.

"Where is Yang Chongguang?" Chen Ye stopped a passing underworld official and asked.

The underworld official was clearly taken aback when he saw Chen Ye, and quickly bowed and said, "Reporting to the sect master, the chief judge is interrogating a newly arrived serious criminal in the 'Tongue-Pulling Prison'."

Where is Yu Xing?

“Master Yu… Master Yu?” The underworld official’s expression turned somewhat strange. “He should be over at the Stone Mill Prison, trying to persuade a stubborn soul to confess his sins.”

Persuade someone to confess their guilt?

With a hint of doubt, Chen Ye walked in the direction indicated by the underworld messenger.

There were no guards at the entrance to the "Stone Mill Prison," only a heavy stone door tightly shut. The door was engraved with complex runes, completely isolating any sound or breath from within.

Chen Ye reached out and gave it a gentle push.

The stone door opened silently inward.

Chen Ye couldn't help but frown after just one glance.

Huge stone mills hung in mid-air, emitting a faint bluish light.

Hundreds of souls were lined up, being forced into stone mills by ghostly soldiers, and ground into rotten flesh and blood.

The sound of bones shattering, the sight of blood splattering, mixed with countless shrill screams, truly lived up to the name of hell.

Were these methods used in previous punishments? Or did the ghostly soldiers of the Prison Department come up with this chilling torture by innovating?
Although Chen Ye was reluctant, he knew that this punishment was necessary.

As long as you have no sins, falling into the millstone will only take you for a short while before you come out. Chen Ye saw several ghosts dressed as soldiers laughing and talking as they jumped into the millstone, then walked out unharmed and joined the executioners to push the millstone.

It must be a rule of the Yellow Springs Sect that the Yin soldiers must periodically use torture to interrogate people to confirm that they have not committed crimes such as abusing their power for personal gain.

I just didn't expect them to be so casual, running over these sinners and then jumping down themselves. It seemed a bit too casual, but it was also quite open and honest.

After asking a few ghost soldiers, Chen Ye was taken to a corner of this stone mill prison.

There is also a large stone mill here, but unlike other stone mills that turn continuously, here there is only one soul being tortured, and only one person is pushing the mill.

A semi-transparent soul, bound by countless chains to the bottom of a millstone, was cursing venomously, while his lower body was slowly recovering from its mushy state.

The person being tortured was none other than the demon Ye Chen.

Opposite him, Yu Xing, dressed in a simple Yin soldier robe, sat cross-legged on a futon. Yu Xing closed his eyes, ignoring Ye Chen's curses, and only muttered incantations.

"I've told you many times, since I lost, I should accept my defeat and be subject to your torment under the Ten Thousand Souls Banner. But you were incompetent and were defeated by Chen Ye. Now, not only has the Ten Thousand Souls Banner been taken, but you are also being tortured. What can I do? I can only help you atone for all your sins as soon as possible, and once you are free, I will be taken into the Ten Thousand Souls Banner."

"You say, isn't this the truth?"

Yu Xing's tone was calm, even somewhat impatient, as if he had said these words countless times, while Ye Chen shouted hoarsely, "You might as well kill me and give me a quick death!"

Yu Xing continued, "Why kill me? The rule of the Yellow Springs Sect is to atone for sins. There is no such thing as dying and being done with it. You have done so many bad things. How can you not let people take revenge? Now I understand why the Yellow Springs Sect set this rule. Watching you being crushed into mincemeat again and again, suffering unbearable pain, is quite interesting."

Having said that, Yu Xing ignored Ye Chen's roar.

He stood up, walked to the millstone, grabbed Ye Chen who had just recovered his form, and stuffed him back into the gap of the millstone like a chick.

Then, he stretched out his hands, placed them on the huge millstone, and began to slowly push it.

As the millstone turned, Ye Chen's heart-wrenching screams made Chen Ye's ears ache.

Brutal, but deserved it.

Chen Ye hadn't come to watch others being tortured, so he quickly stepped forward to greet him, saying, "Fellow Daoist Yu, it's been a long time."

Upon hearing Chen Ye's voice, Yu Xing turned around and, seeing an old friend, immediately released his grip, exclaiming in surprise, "Sect Leader Chen, what brings you to the Ministry of Justice? Could it be that you've also committed a crime and are here to be punished?"

Chen Ye: ...

Long time no see, this guy is still as annoying as ever.

Chen Ye said irritably, "You, Yu Xing, are not worth any of my politeness. I should be the one asking you why you became a Yin soldier of my Yellow Springs Sect, just for revenge?"

I thought this guy was a complete idiot, but I didn't expect him to seek revenge. It seems he's not so stupid after all.

Yu Xing replied, "Revenge, that's partly true, but let me be frank. I just said I wanted him to atone for his sins as soon as possible before I was taken into the Ten Thousand Souls Banner. Otherwise, wouldn't I, Yu Xing, be a person who breaks his promise?! You know, life and death are minor matters, but breaking one's promise is a major one!"

Chen Ye rolled his eyes; this guy was definitely not right in the head.

"Fine, think what you want. I'm here to tell you some bad news." Chen Ye paused, wanting to prepare Yu Xing mentally, but seeing his carefree appearance, he chose to speak frankly: "The Mirage Sect has been wiped out, and your master has also perished."

Yu Xing's previously calm expression froze instantly. He grabbed Chen Ye's arm excitedly and asked, "How could the Mirage Sect be destroyed! Chen Ye, don't lie to me!"

It seems this guy still has some affection for the Mirage Sect.

He didn't seem to do very well at the Mirage Party.

When Yu Xing was on his way to the Yunlu Immortal Sect, he was abandoned halfway and almost died on the road.

Later, he was killed by Ye Chen, and the Mirage Sect didn't bother with him at all. In fact, they had initially treated Yu Xing as a pawn to be given to Ye Chen.

Chen Ye had no choice but to tell Yu Xing everything he had seen. After hearing it, Yu Xing seemed to lose his mind and slumped to the ground, unresponsive no matter how Chen Ye called out to him.

Chen Ye even saw Yu Xing's soul slowly dissipating.

How could my soul dissipate when I haven't suffered any harm at all?

Chen Ye was shocked. Could this be the legendary sorrow of a broken heart? When grief reaches its extreme, even the soul can collapse?
That won't do. Chen Ye quickly summoned a bronze bell with the mouth of a beast and struck it hard in front of Yu Xing.

A loud clang snapped Yu Xing back to his senses.

This bronze bell is meant to awe and intimidate, having a powerful, wake-up call effect. If one is not stubborn and unyielding, it can even bring them back to the right path.

Yu Xing was shocked by Chen Ye's words. Although he came to his senses, tears of blood streamed from his eyes as he said in great grief, "Who, who harmed the Mirage Sect! I will tear him to pieces!"

Their hideous appearance began to distort and become unrecognizable, their forms shifting towards that of monsters.

Chen Ye couldn't bear to watch Yu Xing's sudden outbursts, so he struck the bronze bell a few more times until Yu Xing calmed down completely.

Chen Ye comforted him, "You don't need to be so sad. I think you were being quite harsh on the Mirage Party."

Yu Xing replied, "I was born and raised in the Mirage Sect. No matter how my elders treated me, how could I forget their kindness in raising me?!"

Chen Ye could only express his sympathy, and then explained, "I was just about to ask you for help in finding the murderer. Don't worry, if the real culprit is caught, I will also send the murderer to the Ministry of Justice, and you can personally administer the torture."

Yu Xing gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I'll help you, no matter what it takes, I'll do it!"

“Alright, as long as you recite the prayer of the Emperor of Fengdu, I will lend you the divine power of the Heavenly Punishment Hell. You can trace the cause and effect, find the location of the murderer, and then I will go and bring the person back.”

Chen Ye carefully taught Yu Xing the entire process, and Yu Xing listened attentively, afraid of making even the slightest mistake.

Once Yu Xing had memorized everything, Chen Ye had him try reciting the prayer.

Yu Xing sat quietly for a moment to calm his mind, then slowly recited: "May the Heavenly Emperor bestow blessings, and may Fengdu suppress calamities. May evil spirits be driven away, and may calamities turn to dust. May the Nine Netherworlds command that life be protected and longevity attained. With a heart that upholds the righteous law, no demon can invade..."

The phantom of the Fengdu Emperor appeared and enveloped Yu Xing.

The next moment, Yu Xing's body trembled, as if he was startled by what his divine sense had seen.

Countless threads of cause and effect extended outwards, some connecting to Ye Chen, who was still weeping after half his body was crushed, others to the many familiar Yin soldiers in the Stone Mill Prison, and still many more, stretching far into the distance.

All causes and effects are in the past. In this instant, Yu Xing relives most of his life.

Tears welled up from her tightly closed eyes once again, but this time they were not tears of blood, but two clear streams of tears.

Chen Ye didn't rush him. It was his first time sensing the cause-and-effect relationship, which could easily cause a shock to his soul. He needed time to adapt. Only when he could calm his mind and focus on pursuing a certain cause-and-effect relationship could he find the murderer.

To prevent Yu Xing from being disturbed, Chen Ye simply kicked the millstone, crushing the remaining half of Ye Chen completely, so that his noise wouldn't affect Yu Xing's enlightenment.

Several hours later, Yu Xing opened his eyes and said in an almost numb tone, "Found it."

Chen Ye asked, "Do you know where the murderer is?"

Yu Xing explained, "The location can only be vaguely sensed. It's roughly underground, to the east, but the exact location is uncertain. We can only follow it there."

Chen Ye then asked, "Do you know who the murderer is?"

Yu Xing nodded and squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth: "She is my senior brother Qin Ze's betrothed, senior sister Qinglan."

Chen Ye was speechless. What a small world. Another old friend's wife...

(End of this chapter)