A Spirit Material of Merit, and Li Shimin's Ominous Premonition!

The middle-aged man took the mask and expertly put it on, then muttered,

"What's the point of all this secrecy and deception every day? What a hassle!"

Faced with the middle-aged man's grumbling, the servant didn't reply.

The middle-aged man seemed to know the servant's personality. Naturally, he rested a hand on the servant's shoulder.

With the servant leading him, they took a winding route for a quarter of an hour.

Only then was the middle-aged man's hood removed and an Impermanence mask put on him.

The servant then lifted a trapdoor and let the middle-aged man enter.

"Didn't we say we'd all lie low for the next couple of years? Why have we been summoned back so soon?"

The middle-aged man walked along an underground passage and arrived at a hidden room.

Seeing that the table was almost full, he demanded in a low voice,

He didn't wait for anyone to reply before taking the third seat on the right.

"Heh, what else could it be? Someone must've stirred up trouble!"

The man at the head of the left side wore a King Yama mask and let out a cold laugh.

The others heard the man on the left taunting them, but not one of them responded.

There were ten tables in the room. The two main tables at the head of the room were empty.

Four low tables stood on either side, and seven people were seated at them.

The leading table on the right was still empty; its owner had yet to arrive.

But the others didn't have to wait long. A gray-clad figure wearing a little ghost mask walked in.

The newcomer didn't bother with pleasantries and went straight to the first table on the right.

As soon as he sat down, the little ghost mask immediately spoke up, challenging them.

"Back then, we formed this alliance to face His Majesty's purge together.

"Now His Majesty has put the past behind him and is still willing to employ us. He has no intention of holding our past deeds against us, either.

"So why have you summoned us here again? Are you planning another rebellion?"

At those words, everyone turned to look at the Yama mask.

Among them, only the Yama mask and the little ghost mask knew everyone's identities.

The Yama mask shifted in his seat and snorted in annoyance.

"Hmph, I wasn't the one who sent the message. Why are you looking at me?"

"If it wasn't you or me, then was it His Highness Prince Qi?"

The little ghost mask gave a cold laugh and glanced mockingly at the two empty tables at the head of the room.

Those were the seats of the former Crown Prince, Li Jiancheng, and Prince Qi, Li Yuanji.

But neither of them had ever sat in those seats.

When this alliance was formed, the two of them had already been killed by Li Er.

"Heh heh heh, General Xue, I'm touched that you still remember me!"

Black mist roiled, and a figure with a bluish-white face and handsome features appeared at the head of the right side.

Another person appeared quietly at the head of the left side. His face was deathly pale, and he radiated an air of authority.

The room's temperature immediately dropped by more than three degrees.

Whoosh!

Everyone in the room sprang to their feet, staring in disbelief at the two figures who had suddenly appeared at the head of the room.

"Yuanji, mind your manners!"

The former Crown Prince, Li Jiancheng, stood at the head of the left side and saluted everyone.

"It's been a long time, everyone. Greetings."

The others exchanged glances. Given their standing, they naturally knew that ghosts existed in this world.

But ghosts were under the jurisdiction of the Underworld.

For them to return from the Underworld to the world of the living would violate the Heavenly Dao.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

The others wouldn't dare slight Li Jiancheng after he had saluted them, so they promptly returned the gesture.

Seeing this, Li Yuanji stood up indignantly and returned the salute as well.

Only then did Li Jiancheng manage a stiff smile and speak.

"I was the one who summoned you all this time. You've gone to great lengths to gather incense offerings for me.

"I'm deeply grateful. But my second brother has found out about this, so withdraw everything that needs to be withdrawn. Don't let him discover any trace of what you've been doing!"

At Li Jiancheng's words, the middle-aged scholar who had just arrived glanced at everyone.

Unfortunately, their masks kept him from seeing their reactions.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, did you return this time just for this?"

The little ghost mask raised his head fearlessly and asked.

"Heh, you've all followed me for so long. How could I ever betray you?"

With that, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji exchanged a glance. Black mist surged around them once more.

Their figures vanished in an instant.

The entire room fell silent.

After a long while, the Yama mask spoke in a hoarse voice.

"What do you think the two princes have come back for?"

The others weren't fools, and none of them believed Li Jiancheng's explanation.

But Li Jiancheng hadn't said anything else.

"Heh, whatever it is, it has nothing to do with me.

"Starting today, I'm leaving this rotten alliance.

"One last piece of advice: His Majesty's throne is secure. Don't overestimate yourselves!"

The others exchanged silent glances, then left one by one through different tunnels.

After a while, black mist surged again.

"Big brother, how many of them do you think will go to the palace and inform on us?"

"No matter how many, we've already succeeded, haven't we?"

"Hahaha, you're brilliant, big brother!

"But what about the bastard who exposed our incense offerings?"

"Once we've done what the Bodhisattva asked, you can do as you please!"

Chen Fan, who had no idea that he'd angered a Ghost King, was at Zhao Family Village.

He gazed sadly at the black smoke rising from the earthen kiln and sighed.

"Does this thing really generate Karmic Debt?"

"Of course!"

Nezha crouched on the ground beside Chen Fan, looking just as troubled.

At his reply, Chen Fan scratched his head and let out a long sigh.

"If that's the case, then all we can do is earn more merit!"

Chapter 45: Meritorious Materials, Li Shimin's Ominous Premonition!

"Do you think merit is cabbage? You can't just get it whenever you want!"

Nezha rolled his eyes so hard they nearly disappeared over the top of his head and replied irritably.

After thinking it over, Nezha gritted his teeth and looked east.

"If it comes to it, I'll go back to Qianyuan Mountain and steal my master's Nine Dragon Divine Fire Cover!"

Everyone stared at Nezha in speechless disbelief. What a filial disciple!

Chen Fan shook his head, stood up, and said,

"Even though this earthen kiln consumes a lot, its merits outweigh its flaws!

"The steel it produces is top-notch!"