Journey to the West: I have Nine Golden Crows Inside Me
Chapter 1704 - 1101 Ming Court_2

Chapter 1704: 1101 Ming Court_2

"Taking inspiration from the Three Religions and the Heaven Court, since you have founded a doctrine, then I shall create the Underworld Court. No matter what, I must outmatch you."

With a brief thought, Jiang Chen’s form shifted, transforming into Fengdu’s Great Emperor clad in the divine robes of the Ghost Emperor. He appeared in the Netherworld and swore an oath to the heavens:

"With the Heavenly Dao as witness, I, Fengdu, observe the chaos within the Netherworld: indistinction between humans and ghosts, uncertainty of reincarnation, unrest within hell. Thus, I resolve to model the Heaven Court and establish the Underworld Court within the Netherworld to govern the myriad ghosts, oversee life and death, and uphold the order of the Three Realms..."

A solemn and majestic voice resounded, echoing across heaven and earth. In that instant, the cosmos trembled; countless ghosts and deities emitted mournful cries, and various strange phenomena manifested one after another.

"Approved!"

At this moment, the will of the Heavenly Dao had yet to depart the Netherworld. Upon hearing Fengdu Great Emperor’s oath, it did not hesitate but instantly granted its approval.

With the widening of the Netherworld, the establishment of the Underworld Court had become an imperative. In the eyes of the Heavenly Dao, if the Underworld Court were to be founded, there was indeed no candidate more fitting than Jiang Chen.

Even if Jiang Chen hadn’t stepped forward, the Heavenly Dao would have sought ways to influence him to initiate this effort. Now that he had taken the initiative, it saved no small amount of trouble.

The moment the Heavenly Dao’s voice fell, the rules of the entire Netherworld—indeed, the rules of the entire Prehistoric World—underwent a profound transformation.

Ordinary mortals would scarcely notice the change, but those accomplished in cultivation—especially cultivators who had attained immortality—could clearly sense that the Netherworld had begun to reject them.

From this day onward, their efforts to enter the Netherworld would become significantly more difficult. Should they attempt to cross the boundaries stealthily, they risked being obliterated by the realm’s laws.

The purpose of establishing the Underworld Court was to impose order upon the Netherworld. The greatest principle of the Netherworld was that immortals and gods should not meddle in this domain.

The founding principles of the Heaven Court and Underworld Court were twofold: first, to represent the Heavenly Dao in governing the Prehistoric World; second, to manifest the Heavenly Dao’s impartiality and fairness.

If immortals and gods committed wrongs, they would face judgment and punishment by the Heaven Court.

If ghosts and spirits committed wrongs, they would face judgment and punishment by the Underworld Court.

If mortals committed wrongs, their judgment fell to human courts. Yet, humans are prone to selfish motives and partiality, often leading to corruption. Thus, the Heaven Court and Underworld Court reveal the impartial and just side of the Heavenly Dao.

When mortals err and their courts act corruptly, the Thunder Department gods of the Heaven Court may descend to mete out divine retribution. If the Heaven Court is unable to act in time, the Underworld Court may dispatch soul reapers to claim that person’s soul ahead of schedule, dragging it to hell for punishment.

Indeed, the Heaven Court and Underworld Court ultimately serve the mortal realm. Their significance lies in addressing the mortal realm’s deficiencies, filling gaps and compensating for inadequacies.

This interpretation is entirely apt, as the earth is the foundation of the Prehistoric World. Therefore, the one who governs the mortal realm, the Human Sovereign, holds an exceptional status; once they ascend to heaven, they may become the Tiandi.

...

Restricting mortals and immortals from entering the Netherworld embodies the rules of the Netherworld. Even though the Underworld Court was newly established, it was already capable of commanding the Netherworld’s laws, proving its legitimacy.

Rumbling!

At the center of the Netherworld, boundless ghostly energy surged, with countless rules faintly discernible and vague traces of the Great Dao manifesting.

Under the collective construction of these forces, it didn’t take long for a grand imperial palace to quietly take shape.

The imperial palace was black, opulent yet imbued with solemnity and dignity.

This was the Underworld Court—Fengdu Great Emperor’s residence and workplace. Formed from the Netherworld’s original source, it possessed no ranking yet was impervious to conventional innate spiritual treasures.

Encircling the Underworld Court, the outline of a massive city gradually took form. This was Fengdu City, a holy place for ghosts and gods.

The Wrongful Death City Jiang Chen originally founded was of too low a standard to serve as the Holy Land of the Underworld Court. Thus, the Netherworld’s original source spontaneously constructed Fengdu City anew.

Of course, the Heaven Court is an entity nurtured by the Heavenly Realm over countless eons, naturally possessing unparalleled sanctity and splendor. In contrast, the Underworld Court’s creation was abrupt and hasty, leaving it momentarily unable to rival the Heaven Court.

Reaching the Heaven Court’s level would demand Jiang Chen’s future efforts in building the Underworld Court. But this was of little consequence; what truly mattered was that the establishment of the Underworld Court finally armed Jiang Chen with the means to contend with Pangu Taiqing.

Pangu Taiqing’s attempt to divide the Netherworld through the creation of Pure Land was indeed formidable, but this amounted to little.

The Underworld Court, endorsed by the Heavenly Dao, was the sole legitimate governing authority of the Netherworld. Various entities like the Di Fu, Underworld Officials, or Mount Tai’s Eastern Yue Temple—all had become relics of the past.

At present, Jiang Chen, as the master of the Underworld Court, was the universally recognized ruler of the Netherworld. Consequently, as a part of the Netherworld, Pure Land naturally had to obey Jiang Chen’s commands.

That said, it’s undeniable that Pangu Taiqing could refuse to acknowledge Jiang Chen’s authority, yet doing so would provide Jiang Chen with justification for an assault.

If Jiang Chen had not established the Underworld Court and attacked Pure Land directly, he would be guilty of harming a rightful party and would face censure from the Heavenly Dao.

However, since Jiang Chen had founded the Underworld Court, an attack on Pure Land would now be seen as an effort to maintain the unity of the Netherworld. Far from being a wrongdoing, it would earn him accolades from the Heavenly Dao.

Working for the betterment of heaven and earth was not a valid justification for Pangu Taiqing’s fracturing of the Netherworld.

"You..."

Pangu Taiqing’s joy at the creation of Pure Land did not last long. With Jiang Chen establishing the Underworld Court, the smile that had adorned his face instantly vanished.

Though Jiang Chen’s actions in founding the Underworld Court did not completely counteract Pangu Taiqing’s maneuvers, they neutralized a significant portion, robbing him of the hard-won advantage and forcing him back into a passive position.

"Comrade, you must admit this outcome is already satisfactory. At least we’ve gained partial control over the Netherworld. Even if Jiang Chen intends to launch an attack on Pure Land later, it won’t be a swift endeavor."

Seeing Pangu Taiqing’s disappointment, Taiyi offered consolation from the side. Frankly speaking, this result was the most favorable for Taiyi’s faction.

Whether Jiang Chen had fully seized the Netherworld or Pangu Taiqing had secured a stable hold on it, either scenario would be disadvantageous to them.

Only in this current situation, where Pangu Taiqing barely managed to establish a foothold in the Netherworld but remained in a highly vulnerable position, did their group hold the upper hand.

A shaky foundation was advantageous; under such circumstances, if Pangu Taiqing wished to retain control over Pure Land, he would have no choice but to rely on them and cooperate.

Conversely, if Pangu Taiqing’s foundation stabilized, why would he have any reason to seek an alliance?

"Comrade, let us cease the fighting!"

"Pure Land is only just born, its foundation fragile. Continued warfare might jeopardize its development and inadvertently benefit the Chaos Demigods."

"For the sake of the Prehistoric World, ceasing hostilities would be wise."

Pangu Taiqing fully understood Taiyi’s motives. Thus, despite receiving his assistance, he still did not show him a pleasant demeanor but instead turned his gaze toward Jiang Chen nearby.

"Hmph, this time I’ll let you have the upper hand."

Jiang Chen let out a cold snort, retracted his divine ability, and returned to Mount Tai.

As Pangu Taiqing had remarked, with Pure Land in its embryonic stages of evolution, this battle was no longer possible. Whoever dared to strike first would inevitably face the wrath of the Heavenly Dao.

Although his plan to completely take over the Netherworld fell short, Jiang Chen did experience some degree of disappointment, though it was not overwhelming. After all, his endeavor had succeeded in part.

Considering that apart from Pure Land, the rest of the Netherworld’s territories were now entirely under his control, it was sufficient to sustain his next strategic move.

Yet there was one particularly troubling complication.

It was the abruptness of establishing the Underworld Court, done without prior consultation, likely offending certain individuals.

Such as Haotian!

Before Jiang Chen’s establishment of the Underworld Court, the forces nominally overseeing the Netherworld were those affiliated with the Heaven Court’s Di Fu.

However, with Jiang Chen’s unanticipated declaration, the Underworld Court was formed, rendering the Di Fu obsolete.

Such actions inevitably infringed on the interests of the Heaven Court, provoking dissatisfaction not only from Haotian but also from numerous influential figures within the Heaven Court.

That said, the situation had progressed to the point where Jiang Chen no longer cared about the Heaven Court’s sentiments; developing to this phase, it was inevitable he would clash with them eventually.