Unlike the noisy Heavenly Court, this place was eternally steeped in a dim, bluish gloom, with the sound of water dripping from stone ceilings: the Underworld.
Once considered the darkest corner of the Three Realms, it had now been completely reformed—paths paved with spirit stones, lanterns glowing with ambient light according to the seasons, and the reincarnation system running automatically via high-tech formations. Truly the age of civilization—now even the Underworld couldn't remain untouched.
At the center of the eighteenth level, the largest building remained lit as always. On its doors were three large characters inscribed in blood mixed with gold: Black Shadow Hall.
Inside, a lone figure sat atop the Obsidian Throne, still as the air itself—but a single glance from him could make hundreds of minor demons bow so low their heads nearly touched the ground.
Hàn Mặc Uyên—the Supreme Demon King who once wreaked havoc across countless realms—sat reading an ancient book, utterly at ease.
In the corner, incense curled lazily from a censer, and the reddish-gold light twisted through the purple mist, making the room feel more like a wellness chamber than the headquarters managing billions of souls.
Outside, thousands of spirits queued for judgment, little demons scurried back and forth to maintain order, and the adjudicating officials busied themselves with life-and-death registers. Yet here—he leisurely sipped oolong tea, one leg crossed over the other, immersed in his book.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Three measured raps echoed. Without a word, the three highest-ranking demon officials appeared and bowed before him.
"Your Excellency summoned us for some matter?"
Hàn Mặc Uyên didn't lift his head. He slowly pulled out a document sealed with fire-resistant charms—golden paper, red edges, black seal.
"Confirm one thing for me."
The three officials glanced at it.
A retirement approval form—Subject: Hàn Mặc Uyên (self-signed).
One couldn't hold back a murmur: "He… actually signed it himself?"
Another held their breath: "The seal… it's the Underworld's sovereign jade seal…"
The last trembled as he asked: "And… the financial benefits after retirement… are still fully funneled into Hàn Mặc Uyên's personal account?"
Hàn Mặc Uyên nodded calmly:
"Starting tomorrow, I'll take the role of Supreme Advisor of the Underworld. Unpaid. Still with shares."
He pointed to the plaque on the throne:
Supreme Advisor – Underworld Headquarters
"From next month, any documents requiring approval can go through the new Demon King. I'll only receive reports on Wednesdays. And—"
"No meetings. No emergency summons. No interruptions while I'm reading."
The three officials: "…."
"We… deeply admire Your Excellency," one stammered.
Hàn Mặc Uyên laid down another ledger and a second document on the table.
"That's not all."
One of the three glanced at the asset register and the accompanying document; his expression stiffened:
"…Besides the title of Supreme Advisor, Your Excellency also owns the entire chain of properties on the eighteenth level, three resorts in Black Water Valley, five hundred acres around the Spirit Pond, a series of tea houses in the Underworld, and shares in the soul transportation company 'Reincarnation Logistics'…"
The second official flipped through the supplementary ledger: "Also… the rights to the Shadow Fire Bamboo wine brand, the Hidden Library of the Dark Realm, and… um… even a pet fish shop by the Nai River."
The last one added: "There's also a private villa on the thirteenth level of the Underworld, with its own lake, spirit stream, air-cultivating formation, and… a tea room overlooking the River of Lost Souls."
Hàn Mặc Uyên poured another cup of oolong tea and nodded:
"Yes, for wellness, of course."
Then, as if merely stating an obvious fact, he said:
"All of this—had I not reformed the Underworld, managed the formations, expanded trade connections—it would still be a swamp of yin energy and poisonous mist."
All three: "…."
"Your Excellency truly… prepares more thoroughly than even the Heavenly Emperor."
Hàn Mặc Uyên nodded lightly, closed the book, and rose. His black cloak swept softly; each step was leisurely, yet still carried the majesty of one who had ruled the Underworld for countless years.
Just as he was about to leave the hall, a little demon rushed in:
"Your Excellency! Hot news! Từ Tĩnh Nhạc of the Heavenly Court… has officially retired!"
Hàn Mặc Uyên paused. A few seconds of silence.
"…Really?"
The little demon nodded rapidly: "Yes! Heard he even threatened the Heavenly Emperor with his sword, forcing him to sign the retirement contract after being ignored for two hundred years…"
The corner of Hàn Mặc Uyên's lips curved slightly.
"Oh… so he's retired too, huh?"
No one knew what that smile truly meant. Cold as ice, yet with a strangely hidden undertone.
"Interesting," he murmured.
Turning, he signaled that no one should follow. His black silhouette gradually dissolved into the cold, spectral mist, leaving the little demons behind in a flurry of whispered speculation.