The Envoy of Abundance from Onphalus

He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully: "Ordinary demonic bodies originate from the mental wear and tear brought on by the long years, eventually leading to the collapse of reason and the transformation into abundant evil creatures."

“But this one before us…” Bai Li’s voice lowered, “It attacks rapidly and primarily erodes the body. Patients experience extremely similar, severe physiological changes, ultimately leading to an irreversible mutation. Rather than a disease attack…” he frowned, “it’s more like some kind of… deadly poison.”

“A potent poison?” Walter’s eyes flashed sharply behind his glasses. “Could you explain in detail?”

“Because the symptoms are highly consistent, and those infected… are most likely members of the Cloud Cavalry.” Bai Li lowered his voice. “Many colleagues suspect this is a large-scale poisoning. But to cause such a disturbance in Luofu, it’s definitely not something that the remnants of the Medicine King’s Secret Sect could do. There’s probably something behind it…”

He gave a wry smile and explained the reason: "We, the Compassionate Pharmacists, are ultimately outsiders, and it's difficult to persuade the native forces of the Immortal Ship to investigate further. Without substantial evidence, convincing them will be extremely difficult."

"The Secret Teachings of the Medicine King?" Xing keenly caught the phrase. "You mean that Abundance Cult? Didn't they say..."

“That’s right,” Bai Li nodded. “If it weren’t for Mr. Huai Xiu’s attitude and the position of Luofu Immortal Ship, the remnants of the Medicine King’s Secret Teachings in Luofu would probably have been completely wiped out long ago.”

"They have been completely wiped out by Mr. Huaixiu in other worlds outside the Immortal Ship. We dealt with them more than ten years ago... If we are talking about such insidious methods as poisoning, the fierce demonic energy that Luofu has now unleashed is indeed in line with their style."

“I don’t know the specific details.” Bai Li looked at the busy medical staff in the distance, “but the Earth Balance Division, which is responsible for handling such matters, must have more clues.”

"If you want to investigate further, you might as well ask those overwhelmed officials; they might be able to provide some useful information," he said with an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry, the patients are still waiting for me. I hope this information will be helpful to you." After saying that, he nimbly slung his medical kit over his shoulder and strode towards the depths of the temporary ward, where the little dragon girl Bailu was standing on tiptoe to administer acupuncture to a Yunqi soldier whose face was bluish-purple.

"Wow, Dr. Bai Li is really... never stops." March 7th exclaimed, watching his hurried figure.

“Doctors are benevolent and compassionate, and most pharmacists are like that.” Walter nodded. “That is the belief they uphold.”

“Yes, as gentle as Mr. Russell,” Xing added thoughtfully.

“Since we suspect poisoning, the Earth Balance Division is indeed a breakthrough point.” Walter looked around. “Waiting for approval is the same as waiting for a long time. We might as well split up and ask around the neighborhood to see if we can find more clues about this disease or the Earth Balance Division.”

March 7th and Xing immediately nodded in agreement. The new clues led to a new goal, which was in line with the spirit of exploration.

"Okay! I'll go ask over there!" March 7th pointed to a corner where a group of worried-looking residents were gathered, and skipped over. She grabbed an elderly man with a sorrowful expression: "Grandpa, excuse me! Do you know what the officials of the Earth Balance Bureau have been busy with lately? I heard that many people have fallen ill with strange diseases..."

The old man sighed and began to ramble on, "Ah, who can argue with that? My neighbor's kid, Yunqi, was perfectly fine a few days ago, and then suddenly..."

"The Earth Balance Bureau? They're incredibly busy right now, setting up a temporary station in Changletian to register reports, reassure the public, and trace the source... It's going to be tough!"

At the same time, Xing's gaze was drawn to several craftsmen whispering among themselves around the notice board.

She approached discreetly, and overheard one of them whisper, "...Have you heard? The Earth Balance Division has seized several warehouses at the Pill Refining Division. Apparently, they found some medicinal herbs of unknown origin that taste very strange..."

Another craftsman chimed in, "Shh! Keep your voice down! I also heard that a couple of nights ago, the Earth Balance Bureau intercepted a small boat at the Liuyun Ferry dock, and it was covered in some kind of black powder..."

Xing silently noted down these fragmented pieces of information.

On the other side, Walter approached a Cloud Cavalry captain responsible for maintaining order: "Captain, excuse me. May I ask where the Earth Balance Division is currently focusing its investigation? We are unnamed passengers on the Star Train and hope to offer some small assistance."

The captain sized up the composed-looking outsider, then glanced at the Star Train emblem behind him, and pondered for a moment: "The Earth Balance Division is currently focusing all its efforts on investigating the flow of medicinal materials and the list of those who came into contact with them."

"The key areas are the Dan Ding Division's medicine workshops and supply points in several specific camps. However..." he lowered his voice, "there seem to be disagreements within their ranks; some believe the source lies within, while others point to the outside world..."

"The sea route to the Dan Ding Division is now blocked. Perhaps something serious has happened at the Dan Ding Division."

Thank you for your information.

……

Meanwhile, guided by General Jingyuan's personal guards, Russell stepped into the most mysterious and gloomy place on the Luofu Immortal Ship—the Ten Kings' Division.

The air instantly became thick and cold, and the rich, seemingly ancient scent of incense penetrated the nostrils, carrying a chill that went straight to the bone.

As far as the eye can see, there are oppressive black buildings in dark tones, with a chilling aura lingering between the carved beams and painted rafters.

In the dimly lit corner, several ghostly blue orbs, resembling will-o'-the-wisps, floated silently, their shadows flickering.

Thick, almost solidified grayish-white mist flowed slowly through the corridors, obscuring the distance and leaving only blurry, distorted outlines, making the place seem like a ghostly realm.

Russell looked around with great interest. This place... would be perfect for filming a supernatural movie.

Jing Yuan's personal guards respectfully took their leave at the door, and the duty of leading the way was taken over by two silent jailers wearing the distinctive black armor of the Ten Kings' Division.

Leading the way was a petite fox-woman judge named Huo Huo, carrying an imperial edict. Her small shoulders seemed to tremble slightly under the weight of the edict, which was half her height.

“Mr. Russell…” Huo Huo’s voice was soft, with obvious nervousness, “Please…please stay close to me. There are many places in the Ten Kings’ Bureau that are alive.”

“If you take the wrong path and get trapped in a maze of traps… then… then it’s very difficult to get out.” She tried to make her words sound more believable, but her eyes were like those of a frightened deer, warily scanning the drifting mist and will-o’-the-wisps around her.

Russell nodded gently: "Thank you for leading the way, Judge Huo Huo." But his gaze was involuntarily drawn to the fluffy tail behind Huo Huo, which was swaying slightly and restlessly.

The tail had a peculiar color; it wasn't the warm-toned fur of ordinary fox-people, but a strange substance that seemed to be burning, constantly shifting between a ghostly blue and a ghastly green light.

What surprised this envoy of abundance even more was that there were two bright yellow talismans attached to the tip of the tail, and the cinnabar runes on the talisman paper faintly flowed with the power of suppression.

He could clearly sense that the burning tail was emanating a life force completely different from that of Huo Huo's main body—it was independent, and even carried a hint of...mania?

Russell's curiosity was completely piqued. This was no illusion. Just as he was about to ask about the origin of this strange tail—

"Hello--!!!"

A rough, violent roar, like the rubbing of sandpaper, suddenly shattered the silence!

The burning tail behind Huo Huo suddenly swelled and twisted, its eerie light surging! In an instant, a huge fox head with a ferocious outline, made of pure eerie blue flames, appeared out of thin air!

The fiery fox head stared intently at Russell with its burning, ferocious eyes.

"What are you looking at?! Haven't you ever seen such a handsome tail before?! If I don't tell you, are you planning to stare at me the whole way?" Its voice shook the surrounding mist, causing it to churn.

"Tail...Tail Master!" Huo Huo was so frightened that she almost jumped up, frantically trying to cover the "mouth" of the flame fox head, but only managed to grab a handful of cold spiritual flames.

"No...you mustn't! This is a distinguished guest of the Ten Kings Division, Mr. Russell! A distinguished guest of Lord Huaixiu! You cannot be rude!"

The fiery fox head—the tail-wearing old man—completely ignored Huo Huo's protests, still glaring fiercely at Russell, spitting out two sparks from his nostrils: "Hmph! Distinguished guest? I don't care if they're distinguished or not! Daring to stare at me like that, they deserve a beating!"

Suddenly, Tail seemed to sense a great threat, and his anger subsided by three points as he looked at the smiling young man in front of him.

"Fine, fine, I'll give you face today." The foxfire, which was known as the tail, gave itself a way out and turned back into its tail form.

Grandpa Tail chickened out.

Russell looked at the fiery fox head that had transformed from a tail and could talk and curse, and the little judge beside him who was almost crying. His surprise quickly turned into a gentle smile that was a mixture of inquiry and interest.

The Ten Kings' Division... truly lives up to its reputation.

“Interesting,” Russell said softly. “An independent life form, a powerful psionic aggregate… and it’s sealed by a talisman. Judge Huo Huo, it seems your tail has a story even more fascinating than the mysteries of the Ten Kings’ Court.”

.........

This is the second 3k today, and there's one more chapter to go.

Golden Branches Through the Ages: Chapter 156 Today is Judgment Day

"I'm so...so sorry, Mr. Russell!" Huo Huo said, clutching the huge imperial edict.

Her face flushed red, and she bowed repeatedly to Russell, almost burying herself in the flag: "Grandpa Tail... he just has a bad mouth! Actually... actually he's a good guy! Huo Huo can guarantee that!"

She hurriedly explained, fearing that this powerful messenger might develop a dislike for the tail and then kill the tail-lord.

“I know that, Judge Huo Huo.” Russell’s gentle smile remained unchanged as he glanced at the “culprit” behind Huo Huo, whose tail had been disguised as an ordinary one but was now visibly stiff and taut.

The tail was desperately trying to minimize its presence, as if the arrogant, roaring fire fox head had never existed.

The tail-wearing old man was experiencing a huge uproar. The fleeting pressure from Russell had made him instinctively feel a suffocating sense of oppression originating from the level of life itself.

That feeling... it had only vaguely sensed a similarity during the legendary reign of Emperor Sui!

"Where did this Luofu Immortal Ship get such a powerful figure?" Tail wondered anxiously. "Could it be... that it's going to completely wipe out those scourges that have been impossible to kill for thousands of years in the Netherworld Prison?"

Thinking of this possibility, it became even more timid, wishing it could shrink itself into the hem of Huo Huo's clothes.

“Judge Huo Huo,” Russell’s voice broke the silence and eased Huo Huo’s unease, “walking in this fog for too long can indeed make one’s heart feel heavy. Why don’t you… tell me your story with this old man with the tail?” he suggested, his tone encouraging.

"Huh? Tell...tell a story?" Kuku was clearly stunned, her fingers clutching the imperial edict tightly. "Mr. Russell, do you really want to hear it?"

“This story…is not exciting at all, and…and Huo Huo really can’t tell a story, she might…tell it terribly and boringly…” Her voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, and her head drooped even lower.

“It’s alright.” Russell’s smile had a reassuring power. “There’s a first time for everything. Let’s just consider it… a small step forward? I believe Judge Huo Huo can handle it.”

With Russell's gentle yet firm encouragement, Huo Huo took a deep breath and finally began her narration, albeit haltingly.

She recounted the accident, the chaos and fear when Suiyang possessed her, the Ten Kings' Containment, the judges' cautious attempts, and finally, the strange symbiosis and bond between her and this awkward, powerful, and irritable tail.

A frightened young judge, and an ancient sage who is trapped but gradually gets used to it and even begins to protect his host in a roundabout way.

Russell listened quietly, a smile playing on his lips. After listening, he immediately equated "Tail-tailed Old Man" with "stubborn on the outside but soft on the inside."

This guy clearly cares about Huo Huo, but he insists on putting on a sullen face for outsiders, as if to say, "I'm just being imprisoned, and this little girl is just a guard."

The most compelling evidence? Russell clearly sensed that with the immense spiritual energy contained within that tail, it wasn't entirely impossible for it to break free of the seal if it truly wanted to.

But it chose to stay, to keep the timid fox-girl company. Since that was the case, Russell was happy not to point it out.

As the story neared its end, an extremely dense aura, as if it had accumulated countless amounts of blood and sin, like a tangible bloody swamp, suddenly rushed into Russell's senses.

The aura was thick and black, carrying a nauseatingly abundant yet twisted quality, and highly concentrated in one spot ahead. Russell knew immediately—the core area of ​​the Prison of Darkness had arrived.

Just then, Huo Huo's narration reached the point where their team arrived at the entrance of the Prison of Confinement on their mission.

Upon seeing the enormous black iron prison gate that seemed to devour all light, and the chilling death aura emanating from within, Huo Huo's face instantly turned pale, and her legs began to tremble uncontrollably.

“Uh… Mr. Russell,” Huo Huo tried to keep her voice steady and quickly bowed to Russell.

"That's...that's all for you! The guards inside will take you the rest of the way! Huo Huo...Huo Huo still has a lot of documents to review, I...I have to go back quickly!" She spoke rapidly, eager to escape this place that made her skin crawl.

"Well, thank you for leading the way, Judge Huo Huo." Russell did not point out her fear, but instead grabbed a handful of colorful candies from his candy box, which seemed to be connected to a path of joy.

These candies themselves seem to radiate a faint, pleasant energy. "Consider these candies a thank you for listening to your wonderful story, and a reward for the child who bravely took the first step to try new things."

Without waiting for a reply, he shoved the candy into Huo Huo's empty hand. "If you feel scared, eat one. I promise it will work."

Looking at the pile of shimmering, sweet-smelling candies in her palm, Huo Huo was somewhat at a loss: "Tail...Grandpa Tail, these candies..."

"Tsk!" The tail that had been feigning death finally couldn't resist popping out again. The Flame Fox Head glanced at the candy impatiently. "That guy's gift is good stuff! Keep it! Why not take it? Remember his favor in the future!"

"This candy... Hmph, if he says it works, it probably does. Next time you're scared out of your wits, eat one yourself, so I don't have to go through the trouble of coming to your rescue! You hear me, you little crybaby?"

Huo Huo shrank back at its roar, but looking at the candy in her hand and Russell's gentle and encouraging gaze, she carefully put it away, whispered "Thank you, Mr. Russell," and then, clutching the imperial edict, disappeared quickly into the foggy corridor like a frightened little rabbit.

Russell turned and walked towards the ominous prison gate. The gate was open, not to welcome him, but because dozens of enormous metal containers, each comparable in size to a small starship's cargo hold, were piled up outside.

The crates emitted a cold, metallic sheen and a faint, unmistakable smell of preservatives. A hastily widened, enormous opening faced the doorway, clearly intended to allow these behemoths to pass through.

Even more striking were the porters. Busily moving between the crates and the prison gates were not the silent, gloomy jailers of the Ten Kings' Court.

Instead, they were a group of fox people dressed in the standard uniforms of the Tianbo Division and the light armor of the Yunqi Army?

Some were checking the shipping manifests with the Star Peace Company logo on their data boards, some were directing the moving machinery, and others were struggling to push heavy cargo boxes, their temples soaked with sweat.

Russell's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. If the container's interior exuded a suffocating, unsettling aroma of decaying flesh...

The presence of the Bu Liren flesh-and-blood fusion mechs in the cargo crates could be explained. But why... why did the life force emanating from these "fox people" who were carrying the cargo smell so similar to the infamous Bu Liren raiders he had personally slain?

He would never mistake that unique stench, a mixture of savagery, bloodshed, and the pollution of abundance.

Russell's gaze swept calmly over the busy figures. Several "fox people" who were taking inventory of the goods seemed to notice his gaze.

Their eyes darted away instinctively, but they quickly regained their composure and continued working. However, that moment of panic did not escape Russell's notice.

"Heh... Bu Liren has donned the skin of a fox?" Russell sneered inwardly. "Huanlong's move... is quite interesting."

He instantly understood Jing Yuan and the Ten Kings' Division's intention—to fish.

He didn't intend to expose them immediately. These imposters releasing the prisoners saved him the trouble of going through the proper procedures. He wanted to see just how far this charade would go.

He walked silently through the bustling unloading area and stepped into the inner prison. The scene before him suddenly opened up, a stark contrast to the gloomy and oppressive atmosphere outside!

The interior space is larger than imagined! Beneath the towering dome, which seems to reach the top, are layers upon layers of individual cells, densely packed together like a honeycomb, extending to the horizon.

Countless crisscrossing metal walkways and suspended platforms form a complex three-dimensional transportation network. Cold firelight shines down from the extremely high dome and walls, illuminating this vast underground space as bright as day.

Yet it added a sense of inorganic, suffocating emptiness. The air was filled with a mixture of disinfectant and metallic rust smells.

"Wow..." Even the well-traveled Russell couldn't help but let out a low exclamation, "How many prisoners can this place hold?"

“If we were to accommodate all the prisoners as Mr. Russell wishes, millions would not be difficult to manage.” A calm, efficient female voice, as detached as a precision instrument, rang out from her side. “Welcome to the Prison, Mr. Russell. I am Judge, Raven.”

Russell looked in the direction of the sound. Jackdaw was standing in front of a floating control console, his fingers flying across the light screen, while simultaneously directing the "fox people" to transport containers marked "Step-away Mech - Extremely Dangerous" to a deeper level.

She didn't even look up at Russell; all her attention was focused on the scheduling in front of her.

“General Jingyuan has authorized your unrestricted movement within the prison.” Han Ya spoke quickly, but every word was crystal clear. “However, you must report to the guard on duty when entering or leaving. This will make it easier for me to find you if I need anything.” She finally looked away from the light screen and at Russell, her eyes sharp and efficient.

"Judge Raven," Russell went straight to the point, "I've heard that the Prison of the Raven holds many prisoners sentenced to death, but who, because of their abundant power, cannot be executed and can only be imprisoned for life?"

“Yes.” The raven’s reply was concise and forceful. “The power of abundance makes it an undead nuisance. The Ten Kings’ Division tried various methods of execution, all of which were ineffective. The final solution is to isolate it to minimize its harm.”

She paused for half a second, then added, "The hidden dangers still exist."