Stop it, Taoist, Your Fight almost Ruins the DAO!

The clashing of eight gongs and eight bells rang out, and amid a chorus of calls and a following crowd, an old man dressed in a bright red and gold robes, wearing a crown, took measured steps to his seat of honor.

Unexpectedly for Yi Chen, the Sinister Specter King carried no imposing aura on him, being short and appearing much like an old farmer, with only a pair of beady eyes vaguely emitting a sharp glint.

Stationed half a step behind him stood a sleazy old man with a goatee, whose body was enwreathed by demonic energy, exerting a pressure characteristic of the early stages of the True Person Realm, shadowing the Specter King's every step. That was none other than the king's favorite and his adviser, Mr. Shu.

This demon was originally a rat that had achieved enlightenment and had taken on this name to masquerade his origins and feign elegance.

Amidst the myriad of candles, a uniform bow to the dragon robe.

The crowd of evil cultivators and the Specter King exchanged greetings before taking their seats.

The Specter King's gaze shifted and landed on Yi Chen, his cold voice transmitted, "This Daoist from Yin Mountain, you have spilled blood on my birthday celebration, do you care to give me a reasonable explanation?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of all the evil cultivators in the cave were fixed on Yi Chen, as if they were watching an exciting show.

Qian Yueru and the others couldn't help but hold their breath, uncertain how Yi Chen would respond.

Although Yi Chen had suddenly killed the yellow-skinned demon, this act merely postponed the crisis, and if he misspoke now, they would still be exposed.

Yi Chen cursed his bad luck internally, as he had only acted to choose the lesser of two evils when he publicly killed the yellow-skinned demon. Now confronted with the Specter King's questioning, he had no choice but to stand up 'outraged' and make up an excuse on the spot, "Your Majesty, that yellow-skinned creature had long held a grudge against me in Yin Mountain."

"I committed a transgression and was pursued relentlessly by the Peacekeeping Division, with no escape to the heavens or entrance to the earth. Hearing of the great deed Your Majesty achieved, one that even the Peacekeeping Division and the Crimson Flame Army cannot touch, I brought significant offerings and came with my brothers to celebrate Your Majesty's birthday, hoping to find a way out.

The yellow-skinned creature had neither a generous gift nor cultivation level yet dared to slander me, and in a fit of righteous indignation, I accidentally killed it, thus disturbing Your Majesty's birthday."

"Every man is responsible for his actions, and once today's celebration is over, do with me as you wish—death or dismemberment, I submit to your authority, my life is in your hands."

Reporting work requires skill, and while Yi Chen appeared to be defending himself, his words never strayed from flattering the Specter King and belittling the yellow-skinned spirit, thus giving plenty of face to the king while fashioning himself as a figure of great righteousness.

He even audaciously offered the king a pie in the sky, saying that after his birthday, any punishment was acceptable....

With attitude, sincerity, and the initiative for his own disposal placed in the leader's hands, any sane person would know how to choose, as opposed to a useless creature Yi Chen had bludgeoned to death.

Upon hearing Yi Chen's words, the Specter King indeed looked a bit more cheerful.

Just as Yi Chen silently breathed a sigh of relief, an unexpected change arose abruptly.

"How would you explain the depth of the Darkest Spring in Yin Mountain? That yellow-skinned creature before its death claimed you were mistaken. You're not an undercover agent from the Peacekeeping Division, are you?" The person speaking was none other than the Wooden Corpse Daoist, who had encountered Yi Chen once before at the Eight Immortals Inn.

This person's eyes flickered, his thoughts unknown.

In an instant, the atmosphere tensed up again,

"You mongrel, your cultivation is nothing special, but you have quite the cunning mind, don't you? Are you afraid that once I join the king's forces, I'll be seated higher than you?

I am here, and you can send people to Yin Mountain tomorrow to verify the truth. If I win, you fight a duel to the death with me; if I lose, my life is at your disposal after today, how about that? Let everyone here bear witness."

"Wooden Corpse, give me a straight answer, do you dare to bet?"

Upon hearing this, Yi Chen 'erupted with rage', looking as if he was ready to fight Wooden Corpse to the death, dumbfounding him completely.

Why do girls prefer bad boys over honest men?n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

It's because bad boys dare to make any promise boldly, seeking immediate gains and quick scoring, then pulling up their pants and not recognizing anyone afterward.... Honest men would consider whether they can actually deliver on their promises.

The fiendishly cunning Ghost King enjoyed such a vast fortune that when the Stability Office joined hands with the Military Department, along with these few individuals, to collectively cater to the whims of a single Ghost King, Yi Chen had never once considered what tomorrow would bring, and thus, he recklessly made any promise he could.

The scumbag strategy he employed this time turned out to be remarkably effective, managing to hoodwink many.

Especially his temperament, prone to recklessness as if courting death itself, put many at ease, making any actions stemming from such a volatile disposition seem reasonable.

Shen Hui and the other five immediately stood up, their gazes fixed coldly on the wooden corpse Daoist, while inwardly they couldn't help but admire Yi Chen's acting skills immensely.

Sitting in the front row, the Lady in Green also rose to her feet and secretly exchanged a few words with the Ghost King through transmitted messages.

Sudden clarity shone through the Ghost King's eyes as he regarded them with deep suspicion. In a grave tone, he said, "As for the identities of the seven brothers from Yin Mountain, I will personally send someone to investigate tomorrow."

"Should they dare to deceive me, I will make them wish for death they shall not find, and life they cannot have."

"Let's put this matter to rest for now; however, those among you who wish to join my Fiendish Ghost Cavern must abide by its rules—fratricide is strictly prohibited."

The Ghost King's final words were specifically directed at Yi Chen, clearly having learned of Yi Chen's reprehensible fishing antics at the Eight Immortals Inn and decided to issue a pointed warning.

With these words from the Ghost King, Yi Chen and company narrowly escaped danger.

Seeing this, Rat Demon Scholar Mr. Shu astutely clapped his hands and, drawing out his words, loudly announced that the banquet had begun~

Many laypeople, apprehensively caught by the Ghost King, came forward with wines and exquisite dishes, and a swell of music from strings and bamboo flutes filled the air.

Next, a group of courtesans followed, taking seats beside the various evil cultivators.

Perhaps due to Yi Chen, impersonating the eldest of the seven Yin Mountain villains, possessing exceptional cultivation, he ended up with two courtesans to himself; one could only wonder from where the Ghost King had abducted so many mortal beauties.

"Gentlemen, with the world experiencing such strange changes, it is time for us to rise."

"Today, my Fiendish Ghost Cavern has three joys to celebrate. The first is the birthday of this old man, with many comrades coming to offer their congratulations."

"The second is that from today on, my Fiendish Ghost Cavern has its grand opening—those of you who trust in this King can go to Scholar Shu tomorrow to receive a waist token for registration. This King can assure every one of you that as long as you are sincere and diligent in your duties, secret techniques, miraculous methods, elixirs and resources will be generously rewarded by me."

At this point, the Ghost King paused in his speech, and the crowd understood immediately. A cacophony of flattering compliments ensued.

Yi Chen quietly observed the 'grand meeting,' finding it utterly ridiculous.

A fool is not frightful; it's the fool who wishes to accomplish something that is truly terrifying. It's hard to imagine where the Ghost King's confidence originates from—could someone be inciting him?

In an instant, Yi Chen thought of the treasure that had fallen into the hands of the Ghost King and let his imagination run wild.

Damn it, could there be someone backing this ghastly artifact?

Amidst the sky-high congratulatory voices, the Ghost King's crown swayed as if he truly believed himself to be a king. He spoke leisurely, "The third joy is to wish congratulations to Daoist Owl from the peak of the mountains on joining my Fiendish Ghost Cavern—let's join hands for a splendid future~"

As soon as he finished speaking, an imposing figure in black emerged from the side to sit at the same table as the Ghost King, suggesting they were peers.

Instantly, Yi Chen felt his scalp tingle~

"General, you'll need to raise the pay!"

"Your intelligence was inaccurate."