Sun Wukong Strikes Out the Netherworld Book, King Yama Is Relieved!

"If I'm going to strike something out, I'll strike out the Netherworld Book!"

"Don't try to fool me with that fake Book of Life and Death!"

Within the Nether Hall, Yin energy permeated, chilling the air.

Sun Wukong's expression was wild, his golden pupils glinting with untamed coldness, his Fiery Eyes blazing as he stared intently at King Yama.

Upon hearing this, King Yama's heart skipped a beat, his face instantly turned pale, and the Book of Life and Death and Judge's Brush in his hands nearly slipped from his grasp. He exclaimed:

"What?! You want to strike out the Netherworld Book?!"

This Netherworld Book was one of the Three Books of Heaven, Earth, and Man, formed from the petals of the Chaos Green Lotus, specifically in charge of the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

It recorded the lifespan of all living beings in the world.

As for the so-called Book of Life and Death and Judge's Brush, they were merely projections of the Netherworld Book!

In other words, just a copy!

Even if Sun Wukong burned the Book of Life and Death, it would have no effect on the Underworld!

The Netherworld Book could project another Book of Life and Death at any time!

And whatever Sun Wukong had struck out before would be completely nullified!

King Yama took a deep breath of Yin energy, suppressing the panic in his heart. His voice trembled, yet he forced himself to remain calm, staring intently at Sun Wukong. He said:

"Immortal... This Netherworld Book concerns life and death and reincarnation, how can you act so rashly! If karma is damaged and reincarnation is disrupted, causing turmoil in the Six Paths, no one can bear the consequences!"

Hearing this, Sun Wukong's lips curled into a cold smile, his tone slow but carrying undeniable authority:

"King Yama, you're the one who told me not to strike it out."

"If you don't want me to strike it out, then I'll leave! As for the consequences... you can explain them to Buddhism and the Heavenly Court yourself."

Hearing this, King Yama gritted his teeth, cold sweat trickling down his temples.

Seeing this, Sun Wukong continued:

"Besides, I'm only striking out the names of a few of my old companions from Flower-Fruit Mountain who have followed me for a long time, about two hundred people at most. I'm not striking out the names of all the monkeys on Flower-Fruit Mountain, nor am I striking out the entire demon race. It won't have much of an impact on the Netherworld Book!"

After hearing this, King Yama nodded. After considering it, he took out the Netherworld Book and handed it to Sun Wukong.

"Immortal, this is the Netherworld Book! It governs the birth and lifespan of all living beings in the world! Once a name is struck out, it can never be restored!"

"I hope the Immortal will keep his word!"

Sun Wukong narrowed his eyes, took the Netherworld Book, and gently caressed its pages with his fingertips. The aura of the green lotus flowed faintly, as if he could hear the whispers of countless beings.

He let out a cold snort, his expression indifferent yet filled with deep determination:

"Don't worry, King Yama, I know what I'm doing."

With that, he sat cross-legged on the spot, spread the Netherworld Book on his lap, and began to read.

The ancient pages rippled like water, lines of names floating and sinking within them, a faint aura of death lingering in the air.

Soon, he found familiar names.

[Marshal Ma, Red-tailed Macaque Monkey, one of the Four Mixed Monkeys, understands Yin and Yang, knows human affairs, skilled in coming and going, avoids death and prolongs life. Lifespan: 542 years.]

[Marshal Liu, Red-tailed Macaque Monkey, one of the Four Mixed Monkeys, understands Yin and Yang, knows human affairs, skilled in coming and going, avoids death and prolongs life. Lifespan: 568 years.]

[General Beng, Long-armed Ape Monkey, one of the Four Mixed Monkeys, can grasp the sun and moon, shrink mountains, and manipulate heaven and earth. Lifespan: 438 years.]

[General Ba, Long-armed Ape Monkey, one of the Four Mixed Monkeys, can grasp the sun and moon, shrink mountains, and manipulate heaven and earth. Lifespan: 395 years.]

Looking at these names, a hint of softness flashed in Sun Wukong's eyes as his fingertips slowly traced across the pages.

These were his earliest brothers who followed him when he was building his empire on Flower-Fruit Mountain, braving mountains of blades and seas of fire, facing near-death situations, loyal and devoted. Many of these monkeys had mediocre talent, and according to their fate, they probably wouldn't have lived more than a few years before their souls returned to the Yellow Springs.

He sighed, then his gaze turned cold. He picked up the Judge's Brush and made a light stroke.

A faint glow flashed, and those names quietly disappeared from the Netherworld Book, as if they had never existed.

Over two hundred names, Sun Wukong struck them out one by one, without hesitation.

With each name struck out, wisps of black energy from the Netherworld Book seeped into his fingertips, transforming into karma and attaching itself to him.

Yet, he remained unfazed, allowing the heavy karma to fall upon his shoulders.

As long as these old companions could survive and cultivate with peace of mind, and eventually attain the body of a Golden Immortal, they could truly break free from the shackles of life and death and never be bound by reincarnation again.

A chilling wind swept through the Nether Hall. King Yama watched with a heart full of fear but dared not speak to stop him. He could only stand respectfully to the side, his clothes soaked with cold sweat.

Finally, the last name was struck out.

Sun Wukong gently closed the Netherworld Book, as if with a sigh, and returned the green scroll to King Yama, saying faintly:

"Alright, my business here is done."

King Yama took the Netherworld Book with both hands, relieved as if a great burden had been lifted. He bowed and said repeatedly:

"Thank you, Immortal. This humble king is deeply grateful... Now I can finally give an account to Buddhism and the Jade Emperor..."

Sun Wukong glanced at him, let out a scoff, and turned to stride out of the hall.

"King Yama, take care of yourself! I have important matters to attend to and won't waste time with you in this gloomy ghoul den."

Before his words had even faded, he flicked his wide sleeve, and the chilling ghost energy abruptly scattered. The monkey's shadow took a step forward and vanished without a trace.

The countless minor ghosts in the hall finally dared to look up, only to see a wisp of a residual image left at the doorway, vaguely the silhouette of that arrogant back and the echo of his insolent laughter, which reverberated in the Nether Hall for a long time.

King Yama stared at the spot where Sun Wukong had disappeared, his face shifting between dark and light.

Judge Cui swallowed a mouthful of saliva and muttered in a low voice:

"Your Majesty... this Mischievous Monkey is more troublesome than we anticipated!"

King Yama's face flushed and paled, and he gritted his teeth in a low voice:

"Now look at this, not only did we give that monkey so many benefits, but we have to offer tribute every year, alas! More importantly, that monkey crossed out names from the Netherworld Book!"

Judge Cui also sighed mournfully, put away his Judge's Brush, and said with a frown:

"Your Majesty, this monkey crossing out names from the Netherworld Book is a more heinous crime than burning the Book of Life and Death. Let's go report this to the Jade Emperor immediately!"

"He's merely a Grand Unity Golden Immortal. As long as the Jade Emperor issues a decree, what waves can he possibly make?"

King Yama's brows remained tightly furrowed, and he forced a bitter smile:

"I'm not worried about that monkey, just a Grand Unity Golden Immortal! It's just that with the Netherworld Book being altered, I fear Empress Pingxin might hold us accountable!"

Upon hearing this, Judge Cui lowered his voice and whispered:

"Your Majesty, of all the things that happen in the Netherworld, which one can escape Empress Pingxin's keen eyes?"

"Her Ladyship has remained silent until now, which shows she tacitly approves of this matter. Your Majesty need not worry!"

Hearing this, King Yama nodded, a relieved smile appearing on his face. He said to Judge Cui:

"Indeed, indeed, you speak wisely. I was truly out of my mind!"

With that, King Yama tidied his robes and spoke again:

"I shall go to the Heavenly Court to lodge a formal complaint!"

"Hmph, the good days for this monkey should be over. The rest is up to the Jade Emperor now!"