The Three Teachings Converge into One: The Path of the Mortal and the Saintly is the Same

Poetry:

A hundred calamities leave only ashes on the path to the underworld; a single sword strikes with frost-like chill, startling even ghosts and gods.

Who says the ways of Heaven are unpredictable? Those with discerning eyes can see clearly.

It is said that the True Martial Emperor has arrived.

At this moment, the atmosphere in Blackwater Prison was extremely heavy.

The 100,000 Xuanwu Guards were as imposing as a prison, sealing off all directions.

The True Martial Emperor stood alone in the void, facing the rolling demonic shadow on the altar.

Emperor Song sat slumped to one side, his face ashen.

Yu Xiaozi's remnant soul huddled in a corner, trembling.

Only then did the True Martial Emperor turn his gaze back to the demonic shadow.

A cold glint flashed in his eyes, as if frozen for eternity:

"Demons, the Netherworld is a place of reincarnation, not a place for you to come."

Now that I'm awake, I'll stay forever.

He slowly raised his hand and pressed it against the sword at his waist.

"Clang!"

Before the sword was even drawn, the sounds of dragons roaring and tigers howling resounded throughout the netherworld!

A pure and extremely sharp killing intent.

Soaring into the sky, locking onto the demonic shadow!

This sword intent contained no fancy techniques whatsoever.

Only the most fundamental "annihilation" and "destruction of evil"

They seemed born to slay demons and monsters.

The demonic shadow writhed violently, emitting a sharp screech.

His mind was filled with rage and a fierce exterior masking a cowardly exterior.

"Zhenwu! You are but a junior emperor, yet you dare to presume to keep me here?"

"If I weren't not in my prime, I could annihilate you with a flick of my finger!"

"So noisy!"

The True Martial Emperor spoke with icy clarity, his thumb lightly pushing against the sword guard.

"bass!"

A clear, resonant sword cry rang out, like the first ray of light to illuminate the world.

Slicing through chaos! The sword is drawn—only three inches long.

The three-inch sword blade gleamed with a cold light.

A sword light whose color cannot be described.

It burst forth from that three-inch sword tip!

The sword light was neither black nor white, neither blue nor green, neither gold nor yellow...

It seems to contain the essence of all "slaying" in the world—

Slay demons, slay evil, slay falsehoods, slay illusions, slay phantoms...

Cut off everything that should not exist in this world!

This is the foundation upon which the True Martial Emperor attained enlightenment, and one of the Heavenly Court's clan-protecting divine powers.

—The light of the demon-slaying sword!

This sword does not cut the physical body or the primordial spirit; it is specifically designed to cut down things that "should not exist."

The control over demons and evil spirits reached an unbelievable level.

It's almost at the level of the laws of nature!

Where the sword light passes, space is not cut open, but rather "erased".

All laws, all matter, all energy, before the sword light...

All are like dreams and illusions, easily shattered, returning to the most primordial "nothingness".

Moreover, the primary target is this demon's "thoughts".

The demonic shadow let out a terrified scream and began to shrink frantically.

Transformed into a point of ultimate darkness.

At the same time, the Yama Seal, which had fallen to the ground, was forcibly seized by Emperor Song.

Extract the remaining Netherworld authority from it.

It stirred up the Yin energy of the entire Blackwater Prison's earth veins.

Layer upon layer of dense, dark barriers were erected in front of him.

Each barrier contains the pure power of the laws of the underworld.

It is powerful enough to withstand the full force of a peak Grand Luo Golden Immortal's attack.

However, before the light of the Demon-Slaying Sword, all barriers are illusory.

The sword light appeared slow, but in reality, it arrived in an instant.

The layers of netherworld barriers seemed to vanish without a trace, passing right through them.

Not even the slightest obstacle was created.

The sword light struck precisely the point of darkness that had shrunk to its limit.

There was no earth-shattering explosion, no dazzling clash of light and shadow.

That darkness, as if painted by the most skilled artist,

Gently erase the stains on the drawing board with an eraser.

Silently and cleanly, they disappeared from this world.

Even the Soul-Devouring Nail it inhabited let out a mournful cry of resentment.

All the crimson runes on the nail simultaneously dimmed and vanished...

The entire nail, starting from the base of the altar, turned into fine ashes.

It drifted away with the wind, leaving no trace.

The Demon Lord's distracted thoughts were annihilated by a single sword strike!

The Soul-Devouring Nails are completely destroyed!

"No--!!!"

Yu Xiaozi's remnant soul uttered its last cry.

A howl filled with endless resentment, unwillingness, and despair—

Also in the aftershocks of the demon-slaying sword light that swept away everything,

Like ice and snow under the sun, it melts quickly and eventually turns into nothingness...

A century of grudges, a century of lurking, a century of planning, a century of scheming.

With that, the matter was resolved completely.

……

Emperor Song stared blankly at the Soul-Devouring Nails that had turned to dust.

Looking down at the ground, he saw that the light had completely dimmed.

The Yama Seal is covered in cracks and is almost ruined.

His face was ashen, his eyes were vacant, and he was completely limp as a rag doll.

He knew he was finished, completely finished.

Colluding with demonic forces, privately forging demonic artifacts, imprisoning benevolent souls, and sacrificing to the Demon Lord...

Any one of these would be enough to bring him to his doom.

Moreover, the evidence is irrefutable, with the True Martial Emperor himself present.

One hundred thousand Xuanwu Guards witnessed this.

The True Martial Emperor sheathed his sword with fluid and natural movements.

It was as if I had just done something insignificant.

His gaze swept over the chaotic scene and the still slightly trembling Blackwater Prison.

Then he looked at the outline of the continuous palaces in the depths of the netherworld.

The sound clearly resonated throughout every corner of the underworld:

"The Demon Lord's divided thoughts have been eliminated, and the Soul-Devouring Nails have been destroyed."

However, within the netherworld, Yama, the King of Hell, colluded with the demonic path.

They set up private prisons, harmed good souls, and shook the foundation of reincarnation.

Such actions violate divine law and defy moral principles; they are unforgivable sins.

He slightly turned his head to look at the man behind him dressed in black armor.

The imposing general said, "General Xuanyou."

"Your humble servant is here!" The divine general stepped forward.

He clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply, his voice as resonant as metal.

"Issue my decree." The True Martial Emperor's voice turned cold.

With an unquestionable determination.

"The Xuanwu Guard shall immediately take full control of the Song Emperor's territory!"

Block all major roads, passes, palaces, and treasuries.

All documents, files, and personnel must be registered and strictly verified!

Without my imperial decree, no one may enter or leave this territory!

Anyone who resists will be punished as an accomplice, and executed without exception!

"Your humble servant obeys!" General Xuanyou replied sternly.

Turning around, his voice boomed like thunder as he issued orders to the entire army:

"The Emperor has decreed! All units of the Xuanwu Guard shall proceed according to the pre-arranged plan."

Take full control of the Song emperor's territory!

Block off key roads, check documents, and take a headcount!

Those who disobey orders will be killed without mercy!

"Yes, sir!"

One hundred thousand Xuanwu Guards responded in unison, their voices like the sea, shaking the netherworld!

Immediately, well-trained heavenly soldiers and generals surged forth like a tide.

They quickly dispersed and flew to various parts of the Song emperor's territory to carry out orders.

An aura of death permeated the entire underworld.

Only then did the True Martial Emperor turn his gaze to Su Qingxuan.

His gaze softened slightly: "Palace Master Su."

Su Qingxuan stepped forward and bowed again: "Your humble servant is here."

"Your parents' souls are severely damaged, and the yin energy of the underworld is extremely heavy."

A deathly silence pervades the place, unsuitable for nurturing the soul.

It is advisable to quickly return to the realm of Yanghe, with pure Yang spiritual energy.

The gentle medicinal effects may gradually nourish and potentially salvage the condition.

The True Martial Emperor said slowly, "I must remain here to oversee this matter."

A thorough investigation of this case is needed to eliminate any remaining perpetrators; I will not be able to leave in the short term.

You can take your parents back to Trinity Palace for treatment first.

The necessary elixirs can be obtained from the Heavenly Court's Medicine Immortal Department upon presentation of this token.

As he spoke, he flicked his finger, and a stream of dark light flew toward Su Qingxuan.

Su Qingxuan took it, and it was a palm-sized, dark-colored token—

The front is engraved with the two ancient seal characters "真武".

The reverse side features a pattern of a tortoise and snake intertwined.

It contains a trace of the solemn imperial aura of the True Martial Emperor.

"This is my imperial token; seeing it is like seeing me in person. Recognized by the Chief of the Medicine Immortal Bureau."

The True Martial Emperor said, "As for this matter of the Netherworld,

I will personally report the details to the Jade Emperor.

Your merit in saving your loved ones and vanquishing the demon will not be forgotten by Heaven.

Su Qingxuan was deeply grateful, carefully put away the token, and bowed deeply.

"Thank you for your great kindness! This favor and virtue are truly immense."

Su Qingxuan was deeply grateful and would never forget it!

The True Martial Emperor nodded slightly and said no more.

The gaze has turned back to the depths of the underworld.

That's the direction of the majestic palaces belonging to the Ten Kings of Hell.

His eyes were deep and thoughtful, as if he were pondering something...

……

After a long while, the True Martial Emperor withdrew his gaze from the depths of the netherworld.

It landed on the faceless demon king who was standing to the side.

This former ghost king, though still emaciated,

His forehead was dark and his eyes were tightly closed.

But that awe-inspiring righteousness, though hidden for many years, remained dormant.

However, this was fully revealed in the battle just now.

"Faceless".

The True Martial Emperor called out, his voice not as cold as when he addressed the Song Emperor.

Instead, it carried a hint of approval.

The Faceless Demon King trembled and hurriedly stepped forward.

He bowed and asked, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

"You dared to speak frankly about the 'Soul Devouring Division' case three thousand years ago."

He offended powerful figures, yet he resigned from his official post and went into seclusion, remaining steadfast in his principles.

You once secretly wrote to me, asking for my help...

It is not that I have failed to act, but rather that the secrets of Heaven are subtle and mysterious.

The time wasn't right... I'm sorry you had to suffer all these years!

The Faceless Ghost King suddenly looked up, his Netherworld Eyes flashing with a fleeting light.

The True Martial Emperor sighed softly, and then said:

"Alas... Three thousand years later, you are able to retire without holding grudges."

Despite old grudges, he still held a heart of justice and assisted the imperial envoy in investigating the case.

If there were more ghost kings like you in the underworld...

Why allow such a petty and wicked emperor as the Song emperor to run rampant for thousands of years?

The True Martial Emperor slowly said:

"You have been operating in this area for a long time and are most familiar with the underworld network and outdated customs of the Song Dynasty's jurisdiction."

Today, this place is in a power vacuum, and chaos abounds.

We need someone as upright and incorruptible as you, who is also well-versed in the affairs of the underworld.

The Faceless Demon King was startled upon hearing this.

Even those usually calm and collected eyes were stirred by a ripple.

"I will temporarily keep you in the Blackwater Prison to assist the Xuanwu Guard in investigating the case files."

To examine the crimes committed by the Song emperors over the years and to comfort the souls of those who suffered.

Once this matter is resolved, I will personally report to the Jade Emperor to clear your name.

The True Martial Emperor's gaze was profound, and his tone carried an undeniable determination:

"At that time, not only will I restore your position as Ghost King, but I will also recommend you."

To fill the gap in the Song emperors' "Third Hall"

To judge those who commit serious crimes of disobeying their elders and breaking faith.

He is in charge of rewarding good and punishing evil in the netherworld, and ranks among the Ten Kings of Hell!

Upon hearing this, the Faceless Ghost King trembled violently.

Ranked among the Ten Courts! The Third Court!

This is a crucial position among the Ten Kings of Hell!

He never dared to hope that, three thousand years after resigning from his official post and retiring from public life,

There is still a chance to return to the top, or even go further.

He took a deep breath and suppressed his turbulent emotions.

He bowed deeply to the True Martial Emperor, his soul's voice firm and clear:

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for recognizing and appreciating my talents! I am willing to give my life, even at the cost of my life."

"Assist in investigating this case, cleanse the netherworld of its filth, and live up to the Emperor's trust!"

The True Martial Emperor nodded slightly.

He turned to look at the Netherworld Mountains and Rivers guarded by 100,000 heavenly soldiers.

His eyes were filled with the resolute determination to cleanse the world.

Su Qingxuan watched this scene from the side, and was also filled with emotion.

The faceless demon king, Zhongyi, ultimately reaped a good reward.

The emperor of the Song Dynasty was treacherous and wicked, and he met a tragic end.

This great upheaval in the Underworld finally ended with justice being served...

He didn't delay any longer, embracing the cocoon of light that nurtured his parents' souls.

Farewell to the True Martial Emperor:

"Your Majesty, please take care. Qingxuan will return to the Sanyi Palace to heal my parents' wounds."

Su Qingxuan knew that the True Martial Emperor had to deal with the upcoming upheaval in the Netherworld, and it was not advisable for him to stay any longer.

He bowed again, then said to Yun Miaozi, Chi Ying, and the others, "Let's go."

"yes!"

The crowd responded in unison.

They were protecting Su Qingxuan, escorted by a team of Xuanwu Guards.

Retrace your steps and leave quickly...

……

As they traveled on, they saw that the underworld had changed dramatically.

Originally, they were ghost soldiers and messengers under the command of Emperor Song.

They were either disarmed and placed under guard, or left bewildered and helpless.

The Xuanwu Guard, with impeccable discipline, took over key locations and verified documents.

The headcount was conducted with extremely high efficiency.

The air was thick with tension and a sense of impending doom.

Many of the ghost messengers hid far away, whispering among themselves.

They were clearly stunned by this sudden turn of events.

Su Qingxuan had no time to spare; his entire focus was on the souls of his parents in his arms.

He carefully maintained the input of the true meaning of the three religions.

Too much, lest it disturb the fragile soul.

It can't be too little, or it won't be enough to sustain life.

The two strings of Bodhi prayer beads emitted a warm, Buddhist light.

With the calming scent of the cleansing handkerchief.

It also became the most important barrier protecting the soul.

He has already dissolved three of the pills given to him by Xiao Lingxi.

The medicine penetrates slowly and continuously.

They barely managed to cling to that last glimmer of hope.

However, it will take a long and painstaking process to achieve complete stability.

……

Having escaped the gates of hell and returned to the celestial realm, a pure and ethereal aura greets you.

Sunlight fell on their shoulders, and everyone felt as if they had stepped into another world.

The short journey through the underworld was fraught with danger, and the journey involved several brushes with death.

They finally rescued their loved ones and vanquished the evil spirits.

He also witnessed firsthand the earth-shattering changes that occurred among the higher-ups of the Netherworld.

"Return to the palace!"

Su Qingxuan didn't want to waste a moment and rode the smoothest cloud light.

She carefully protected the luminous cocoon in her arms.

It transformed into a hazy, three-colored stream of light.

They sped directly toward the Wenru Tian Sanyi Palace.

Yunmiaozi and Chiying followed closely, protecting him on either side.

Su Qingxuan had only one thought in his mind, which was extremely clear and unwavering:

We must save our parents at all costs!

……

And shortly after they left, in the depths of the underworld.

Among those nine magnificent and ancient palaces

Each one had been dormant for countless years.

A powerful intent that can be majestic, cold, peaceful, or eerie.

They awoke one after another, like primordial beasts, slowly opening their eyes.

The Palace of King Qin Guang, the Palace of King Chu Jiang, the Palace of King Wu Guan, the Palace of King Yama, the Palace of King Bian Cheng, the Palace of King Tai Shan, the Palace of King Ping Deng, the Palace of King Du Shi, the Palace of King Zhuan Lun...

The Nine Kings of Hell.

Perhaps it was because the True Martial Emperor led 100,000 Xuanwu Guards to the Underworld, forcefully intervening.

Perhaps it was because the Song emperor's collusion with the demonic path was exposed, shaking the very foundation of reincarnation.

—They were all completely alarmed!

Invisible divine thoughts converge, collide, and probe within the deepest laws of the Netherworld.

Doubt, shock, anger, fear, indifference...

A mix of emotions permeated the air.

A variety of gazes, some bright, some dim.

It was directed toward the Song Emperor's Palace, which was already surrounded by the Xuanwu Guards.

He then turned his gaze to the figure sitting in the void outside the Blackwater Prison, eyes closed, meditating.

Yet, like a pillar stabilizing the sea, it suppressed the True Martial Emperor of the entire Netherworld.

The sky in the underworld has changed color.

Undercurrents are surging, a storm is brewing...

…………

Inside the Lingxiao Palace, Tongming Hall.

The sea of ​​clouds surged, and auspicious clouds drifted in thousands of strands.

Inside the hall, there was no sign of the usual court assembly with officials lined up.

Only the Jade Emperor and the True Martial Emperor.

There were no attendants or celestial officials inside the hall; even the sword-bearing warriors were kept a hundred paces away.

This is the most central place in the Three Realms.

It is also the most direct projection of the will of Heaven.

The Jade Emperor did not sit on his throne, but stood with his hands behind his back in front of the steps.

Gazing at the endless, vast starry river outside the palace.

The True Martial Emperor stood below, eyes lowered, listening to the decree, his body as strong as a pine tree.

"You are already aware of the changes in the Netherworld."

The Jade Emperor's voice was calm, yet it carried a profound insight that seemed to survey the ages:

"Emperor Song colluded with the demonic path and secretly forged the Soul-Devouring Nails."

This didn't happen overnight.

"I have observed this omen for over three thousand years."

The True Martial Emperor's brow twitched slightly, and he said in a deep voice:

"Since you already knew, why have you tolerated it until now?"

The Netherworld is the pivot of reincarnation; the slightest mishap will cause turmoil in the Three Realms.

"Indulgence?" The Jade Emperor shook his head slightly, a profound light flashing in his eyes.

"I am waiting, waiting for an opportunity."

A legitimate opportunity to act on behalf of Heaven and restore order to the world.

He turned around, his gaze sharp as he looked at the True Martial Emperor:

"Behind the Song emperors were many connections, and the ten palaces were intricately intertwined."

Unless there is major unrest or irrefutable evidence, I will not rashly send you to rectify the situation.

This will inevitably cause the other nine palaces to grieve for the fallen and join forces to oppose it.

At that time, chaos will ensue in the netherworld, and the cycle of reincarnation will collapse.

On the contrary, it is I who have lost the fairness of Heaven.

The Jade Emperor paused, then continued:

"Su Qingxuan's departure will be the key to that opportunity."

Even with Yun Miaozi, a peak Great Luo Immortal accompanying him,

They are by no means a match for the Demon Lord's distractions.

I must send you there in person to not only sever the demonic thoughts.

We must seize this opportunity to completely eradicate this rotten cancer of the Song emperors!

"What I want this time is not just to destroy demons."

"What I want is to take advantage of this 'suppression of the rebellion' to address these long-standing problems."

The Ten Kings of Hell, a place rife with undercurrents, are about to undergo a complete reshuffle!

Reshape the order of the underworld!

"When the netherworld is not in chaos, the three realms are not in chaos. When reincarnation is orderly, the Way of Heaven will exist."

This is the bottom line, and it must never be crossed!

Emperor Zhenwu bowed and accepted the order: "Your subject understands!"

Your Majesty, I will not fail in your trust, and I will surely restore order to the netherworld.

With a flick of his sleeve, the Jade Emperor released a wisp of purple mist from his fingertips.

It seemed as if they were calculating something.

He abruptly changed the subject, his voice becoming distant and profound:

Ordinary people cannot see through the fog of cause and effect.

But you and I are both at the Supreme Saint Realm, wielding the power of the Heavenly Dao.

Then one realizes that this mysterious connection cannot be taken lightly, not even in the slightest.

"Sending you to rectify the Netherworld is merely the 'result'."

"And Su Qingxuan's rescue of his relatives from the underworld is the 'cause'."

There is no effect without a cause; there is no effect without a cause.

Every drink and every bite is preordained.

The Jade Emperor looked intently at the True Martial Emperor:

"Look back at Su Qingxuan's growth trajectory."

The human realm helped the Great Xia Dynasty usher in a thousand-year golden age and stabilize the human destiny.

The Heavenly Realm opened the Palace of Three Ones, created the "True Technique of Three Ones," and converted countless immortals.

Now, in order to save his family, he has uncovered this shocking secret of the underworld...

"The Great Dao is fifty, the Heavenly Evolution is forty-nine, and one is hidden away."

"And Su Qingxuan is that 'one'."

It's that tiny variable that slipped through the cracks of the Heavenly Dao!

The Jade Emperor's voice was not loud, yet it resonated deeply:

"According to my observations, the Demon Lord's calamity is imminent."

The Three Realms will once again face the catastrophe that occurred 100,000 years ago.

All the signs indicate that Su Qingxuan,

That is the variable that can save the three realms during the catastrophe.

"Saving the nation's fate in the mortal realm, undergoing trials in the celestial demon sea, rescuing loved ones in the underworld..."

Every seemingly accidental encounter is actually paving the way for survival in the Three Realms.

"This journey to the underworld is also an important part of his tempering of his Daoist heart and accumulation of merit."

The Jade Emperor gazed intently at the True Martial Emperor and solemnly said:

"Therefore, you must not only rectify the Netherworld, but also fully support him."

Protect his path and help him advance in his cultivation.

Supporting Su Qingxuan is supporting the future of the Three Realms.

This is in accordance with the inevitable course of Heaven!

Upon hearing this, the True Martial Emperor was deeply shaken, bowed deeply once more, and solemnly said:

"Your Majesty, I understand! I see..."

Your Majesty, rest assured, I will certainly keep this in mind.

"We will do everything in our power to support Palace Master Su and ensure he does not perish during this journey to the Netherworld!"

The Jade Emperor nodded slightly, his gaze returning to the endless starry sky.

It's as if I can already see the majestic sword strike of the True Martial Emperor in the Blackwater Prison.

……

The True Martial Emperor looked in the direction where Su Qingxuan and the others had left.

The Jade Emperor's instructions before his departure echoed in my mind.

A look of understanding and determination flashed in his eyes.

So that's how it is; Su Qingxuan was the variable.

So, this bloody storm from the netherworld...

I, Zhenwu, will personally clear away the obstacles for you.

He turned around, his gaze sharp as lightning, shooting towards the direction of the Nine Kings of Hell...

A chilling murderous aura emanated from him!

It is:

Having vanquished all demons, his might has returned, and the netherworld has been transformed.

Heaven's will has been set, and the crisis has been averted; the unexpected factor was none other than Su Gong.