Yama Rising

The light had already passed through the Gates of Hell, where it encountered a massive black river up ahead.

This was the Acheron River, the river of pain.

The ferryman, Charon, was responsible for transporting deceased spirits across the river, but a fee of one silver coin had to be issued. Otherwise, the deceased spirits would be forced to wander on the banks of the river of pain for all of eternity, unable to find a home.

Charon was already very old, but he didn't want to give up this lucrative job. Right as the silver light began to appear in the darkness, he habitually declared, "One obol... "

Boom!! 

Before he even had a chance to finish, he reflexively ducked down as a terrifying aura swept across the heavens, completely ignoring him.

One minute passed, then two, then three... Charon finally stood up again. He was wearing a tattered grey cloak that concealed his facial features, but two violently trembling scarlet netherflames could be seen beneath his hood. In his panic, he had even dropped the oars of his boat into the river.

"What was that?" His voice was trembling as he sat down heavily onto his boat before frantically scrambling towards the boat's stern, trying to get as far away from that fearsome Yin energy as possible. "Th, this isn't Yin energy from the Argosian Underworld! On top of that, they didn't take the path for esteemed guests! Th, th, this is an invader!!!"

His terrified voice echoed across the surface of the Acheron River, and he suddenly noticed that a Hell's Note had appeared on his boat.

He didn't know which country the note was from, but the text on the note provided a clear answer to that question.

There was no Yin spirit who didn't recognize the language of Cathay.

"That was a Cathayan Yin spirit! Raise the alarm!! A high-grade Cathayan emissary has invaded our Argosian Underworld! Someone, anyone! Raise the alarm!"

The streak of silver light paid no heed to him whatsoever as it continued onward.

Beyond the Acheron River was a vast grey plain; these were the vastly renowned Elysian Fields. There were two paths connected to the fields, leading to the paradise of happiness, Elysium, and the purgatory of misery, Tartarus.

Right beneath a row of tall trees stood three massive tables, each of which was over 10 meters tall, and three giants that were in excess of 20 meters in height were seated behind the tables.

They wore pristine white robes with olive branches on their heads, and they were all extremely handsome. In addition to that, all three of them had extremely intricately crafted accessories adorned around their necks and wrists, as well as on their chests.

These were the Three Judges of the Argosian Underworld, Aeacus the Just, Minos the Strong, and Rhadamanthus the Enigmatic.

All of the Yin spirits that passed through here would be subjected to their judgment, and those who were pure and virtuous would be able to live happy lives in the beautiful and peaceful paradise of Elysium, where they would never have to worry about food or lodging. However, those who were sinful and impure would be banished to the boundless purgatory, Tartarus.

Behind them stood a grand palace, upon which were carved the gods of Olympus, and beneath those gods were statues of countless Yin spirits that were howling in despair and anguish. That palace was the home of the twin gods.

The three judges raised their heads in unison, and death god level Yin energy erupted from their bodies at the same time.

"I'm not sure if I should commend you for your bravery or scoff at your foolishness!" Aeacus strode forward as a cold smile appeared on his face. "To think that you would dare to trespass upon the Elysian Fields; even Tartarus is too good a place for you!"

"Which nation are you from?" Rhadamanthus asked as he extended a hand forward, and countless Yin runes were flowing over his fingertips. His expression remained indifferent as he said, "You must be quite powerful to have been able to pass through Erebus, but you are now facing the almighty Three Judges of the Underworld!"

Minos didn't say anything, but the smile on his face was unspeakably cold, and Yin runes were also forming at his fingertips before flowing onto the ground like a river. "You dare to provoke the Argosian Underworld? I hope your master can handle the flaming wrath of the twin gods!"

Immediately thereafter, the three gods let loose a collective screech, and their chins instantly elongated as they crouched down onto the ground.

A streak of light flashed through the air; it was light that was shimmering from a sword.

However, the three death gods could only see the streak of light, but the sword itself was too fast for their eyes to track.

In that instant, time seemed to have completely stood still.

For the very first time, the death gods themselves experienced the fear of death that they had inflicted upon so many others, and they weren't even able to catch a clear glimpse of their assailant before a gust of Yin wind swept through the entirety of the Elysian Fields, sending chills running down their spines.

Only after a full two minutes had passed did the three death gods stand up again before looking down at their trembling hands. The netherflames in their eyes had shrunk down to the point that they were barely even visible anymore, and at this point, all of the trees in the Elysian Fields had been sliced cleanly in half.

Minos gulped nervously as he turned toward the other two judges, looking as if he had seen a ghost. His voice was trembling slightly as he asked in an unsteady manner, "Was that... a being above the death god level!"

"It has to be!!" Rhadamanthus exclaimed as he frantically rushed toward the palace behind them, and the netherfire in his eyes had turned completely red. "Only a being above the death god level can be capable of unleashing such formidable power! What are you all standing around for?! We have to protect the twin gods!! Hurry!"

Whoosh whoosh whoosh! Three gusts of Yin wind swept toward the divine palace in a panicked frenzy, and behind them, countless spear-wielding armored Yin beasts rose to their feet amid a sea of flowers.

This was the Macedonian military formation that had once been unmatched across the entire continent of Europa!

One, two, three, four... In the blink of an eye, several dozen formations had been set up, carrying golden-armored cavaliers that rushed toward the divine palace like an unstoppable wave. In the sky above, countless Two-faced Fallen Angels with inky-black feathered wings emerged while wielding different weapons in their six hands, screeching sharply as they descended from the heavens. At the same time, dazzling golden light glowed from beneath their feet, forming an extremely complex Yin rune.

This was the imperial army of 100,000 troops combined with the death god military formation!

Even before the army had arrived at the divine palace, the gates were flung open, revealing the twin gods seated on their thrones with extremely grim looks on their faces.

…………………………………………………..

Whoosh... Yin winds howled violently, forming a vortex in front of the divine palace, and streaks of Yin energy were surging out of the wind vortex without reckless abandon.

The approaching army was immediately struck by an unprecedented sense of pressure. This was Yin energy that could strike fear even into the hearts of death gods!

Thanatos and Hypnos were seated upon their thrones, and having gotten over their initial shock, their Yin energy had settled once again. However, their hearts had completely sunk.

The invader really is above the death god level... Another Yin spirit has reached this legendary level! 

Thanatos was cursing his own luck as he held an hourglass in his hands and asked, "Who are you?"

"That's the creation-grade divine artifact, the Hourglass of Endless Death... I didn't think you would bring out something like this so soon." A placid voice rang out in mid-air. "I am one of the Sixfold Ghost Kings, Zhao Zilong."

Zhao Zilong? 

The two death gods were so envious that they felt like they could die!

Cathay now had two beings above the death god level! They already had the second King Yanluo, and now, they have this Sixfold Ghost King!

How was any other Underworld supposed to compete with them?

"I see. Greetings, General Zhao." Hypnos forcibly repressed the urge to swear out loud as he put on a smile and began speaking in fluent Cathayan. "You are an esteemed guest, why don't you show yourself?"

"Sure."

Whoosh... The Yin winds abruptly dissipated, revealing a handsome figure with a head of black hair resembling the feathers of a raven, wearing a suit of silver armor and a scarlet cape. He slowly slid his Radiant Azure Sword back into its scabbard, and the dazzling light glowing from its blade instantly faded.

The eyelids of Europa's two paramount death gods twitched slightly upon seeing this, and only then did Zhao Yun cup his fist in an unhurried manner as he greeted, "Long time no see, esteemed death gods. Have you been well?"

Have we been well? We were thriving before you showed up! The fact that you've broken through to beyond the death god level makes us want to die, do you understand?! 

Of course, no matter what they were thinking, the two death gods had to maintain a polite and respectful smile. "We've been doing just fine, thank you for asking. You're still looking as handsome and dashing as ever, General Zhao."

A white stone chair rose up behind Zhao Yun, yet Thanatos was still keeping a firm grip on the Hourglass of Endless Death.

It would be downright idiotic of him to set this divine artifact aside at a time like this!

"Is there something you need from us, General Zhao?"

If not, then hurry up and piss off! 

"There's something I would like to inform you of." The smile on Zhao Yun's face faded as he rose to his feet before cupping his fist. "On 1st October, we'll be holding the inauguration ceremony of the third King Yanluo of Hell, Lord Qin Ye, as well as the founding ceremony of Cathay's new dynasty, the Qin Dynasty. I'm here to extend an invitation in the hope that you'll attend this grand event."

Dead silence.

News of Hell's new administration had already been released. Qin Ye hadn't kept that a secret as he wanted to pave the way for his inauguration in the future. As the two paramount death gods of the Argosian Underworld, Thanatos and Hypnos had naturally heard about this, but never did they think that Hell would be ready to found a new dynasty only several years after the release of that news!

"Yanluo Qin, eh?" Thanatos's eyes narrowed slightly as he said, "The founding of a new dynasty in Hell is an important event, and we'll be sure to be in attendance. However..."

A meaningful look appeared in his eyes as he asked, "Will Cathay's array be opening up when the time comes?"

"No," Zhao Yun replied with a serious expression. "The new administration has already been instated, but there's still some work left to be done. However, Yanluo Qin says that it would be unbefitting of Hell not to invite the rest of the world to attend the founding ceremony of the Qin Dynasty, so we've set up a special avenue through which everyone can attend."

"Oh?" Thanatos leaned back on his throne as he asked, "And what is this special avenue that you speak..."

However, before he had a chance to finish, both he and Hypnos stood up in unison and erupted into a thunderous rage. "You're locating our souls?! How dare you!!"

Thanatos let loose an enraged roar as fearsome Yin energy erupted from his body, and all of the grass and flowers within a radius of hundreds of thousands of kilometers within the entirety of the Elysian Fields bowed down in unison.

The singing and dancing Yin spirits immediately stopped what they were doing, and all of the Yin spirits immediately knelt down before pressing their heads against the ground while their bodies trembled incessantly.

"Do you really think we're scared of you?" His voice was full of killing intently as he strode directly toward Zhao Yun. "Indeed, you are a being above the death god level, and we respect you for your power, but this is Argos! This is the Elysian Fields! This is our territory!!"

Boom!!  

As soon as his voice trailed off, Thanatos's Yin energy also erupted forth, and it was even more powerful than that of Hypnos. The release of Hypnos's Yin energy had only made all of the Yin spirits of the Elysian Fields fall to their knees, yet now, all of them had begun howling with anguish, and countless Yin spirits that had just entered the Argosian Underworld instantly disintegrated into nothingness.

"Don't provoke us unless you want to start a war!" Thanatos made his way down the staircase, but he didn't dare to approach Zhao Yun any further as he glowered at Zhao Yun from afar.

"We are among a handful of the oldest death gods of this world. You may be above the death god level, but you're still far too young."

"I had no intention of provoking you." Zhao Yun made a simple gesture, and the Yin energy being released by the twin gods was instantly snuffed out. The two of them gave a muffled groan as they stumbled back several steps in unison, while Zhao Yun's black hair and cape rose directly upward behind him.

"I'll be the one hosting the video teleconference, which will be attended by all of the world's death gods. In order to invite everyone to attend the conference, I have to temporarily locate your souls, so please pardon my intrusion."

He made a grabbing motion with both hands as he spoke, and a streak of Yin energy emerged from each of Thanatos and Hypnos's bodies before drifting into his grasp.

After that, Zhao Yun cupped his fist in a parting salute before abruptly vanishing on the spot, leaving only a parting message echoing throughout the palace. "We welcome your attendance on 1st October."

Dead silence.

Both of the Argosian Underworld's paramount death gods had been rooted to the spot.

Boom! The gates were finally blown open as the Three Judges of the Underworld rushed in and Minos asked in a trembling voice, "My Lord, are you alright?"

Thanatos shook his head in response with a slightly dazed expression. "Don't worry, he was capable of defeating us, but it would've taken him quite some effort to kill us."

Rhadamanthus and Aeacus's brows furrowed tightly upon hearing this.

It would've taken him quite some effort to kill us... That means he could've killed them if he wanted to! 

"Upgrade all of our defenses to the highest level right away!" Hypnos suddenly ordered, "Raise them to... to the level that we prepared for the second King Yanluo of Hell!"

"But My Lord, we've tried that before, and it's still not enough to keep out the second King Yanluo..."

"Yes, but it'll be enough to keep him out!" Thanatos spat through gritted teeth, "Do you know how much of a threat a being above the death god level can pose? Don't worry about conserving Yin jade; upgrade all of the defenses to the highest possible level!"

"Yes!"

The army gathered outside the palace left, and only then did the twin gods slump back onto their thrones in a dejected manner.

'We can only hope now that all of the death gods are being forced to join the video teleconference in the same fashion. Otherwise, it would be far too humiliating if we were the only death gods to receive this treatment..."