King Yama

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	King Yama (阎王)
Alias(es)	Yama King; Lord Yama; Great Lord Yama; Old King Yama
Species/Race	Underworld deity; one of the Ten Kings of Yama 18 22
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Underworld; Hall of Yama 21
Occupation/Role	Ruler of the Hall of Yama; judge of yin and yang; keeper of life-and-death order 18 21
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 18 (identified); Chapter 21 (first manifestation)

Background / History

King Yama presides over the Hall of Yama in the Underworld, where he reviews cases submitted by judges while Ox-Head and Horse-Face stand guard. His office is part of the Ten Kings of Yama system, whose positions are subject to competitive selection and replacement rather than permanent tenure. This institutional pressure contributes to his suspicion of rivals and his strict concern for Netherworld law. 21 22

Despite his authority over life and death, King Yama is an exceptionally obscure deity among mortals. People consider worship of an underworld god unlucky, leaving him with little incense and only a memorial tablet rather than a proper divine statue or temple. 18 22

Lu Chen summons him with the Yama Heart Mantra to seek an extension of Sun Dechang's life. King Yama initially rejects the request as an unlawful alteration of the Book of Life and Death, suspects Lu Chen of being another Yama King's agent, and threatens punishment. He becomes willing to negotiate after Lu Chen offers to build him a Hall of Yama and cast him a golden body. 21 22

The two establish a mutually beneficial arrangement: King Yama grants Sun Dechang seven additional days, while Lu Chen must secure worshippers and expand the Underworld's mortal incense offerings. King Yama later accepts Lu Chen's ancestor-service and spirit-money plan, allowing Lu Chen to manage matters concerning Underworld incense offerings in the mortal realm. 23 24 28

In exchange for Lu Chen's service, King Yama appoints him Underworld Martial and Virtuous General, grants him authority to commune with the Underworld and dispatch its emissaries, bestows divine power, extends his lifespan by three years, and leaves him with Yama's Command Token. 29

Over time, King Yama becomes Lu Chen's adoptive father figure. Although he frequently complains about Lu Chen's recklessness and refuses requests that violate Netherworld law, he repeatedly provides advice, investigations, political connections, and direct support when Lu Chen faces Underworld-related threats. 84 106 289 335

Appearance

King Yama's presence is defined by immense size, oppressive yin energy, and a deliberately frightening Underworld aura. He can appear as a colossal ghostly shadow through a memorial tablet or manifest a mountain-like divine body in the Hall of Yama. 21 41 333

• Reclines on his throne with a wine gourd of enormous size. 21
• Possesses scarlet eyes and a massive, general-like body. 21
• His arrival can bring black mist, howling yin winds, ghostly cries, bone-piercing cold, and an aura of death. 21 41
• Can restrain his intimidating manifestation after Lu Chen asks him not to frighten his family. 28
• The Hall of Yama is guarded by Ox-Head and Horse-Face and illuminated by green soul-guiding lamps. 21 333

Personality

King Yama is irritable, blunt, suspicious, and highly conscious of the risks attached to his office. He is quick to accuse Lu Chen of lawlessness, especially when asked to alter lifespans, interfere with reincarnation, or falsely assume a divine office. His caution stems in part from the replaceable nature of Netherworld appointments and the consequences of violating Yin Laws. 22 289 335

He is also ambitious and pragmatic. The promise of a temple, a golden body, and flourishing incense offerings immediately changes his attitude toward Lu Chen's proposal. Once convinced that Lu Chen can make the Underworld profitable in the mortal realm, he supports innovative arrangements such as ancestor services and spirit money. 22 23 28

Behind his complaints, King Yama is protective of Lu Chen. He investigates the Heavenly-Triggered Killing Intent, confronts the Prefectural City God over Madam Zheng's case, helps plan against Spirit Cypress Immortal's scheme, and ultimately assists Lu Chen in seeking an audience with the Supreme One. 84 106 289 335

Abilities & Authority

Judgment of Life and Death

King Yama governs life and death, judges good and evil, and maintains Netherworld order. His authority extends to determining mortal lifespan and the handling of souls. 18 21

• Wields the authority to reward good and punish evil. 18 21
• Can inspect a mortal's remaining lifespan through the Book of Life and Death. 24
• Has the authority to grant additional years of life, though he treats such changes as matters constrained by heavenly and Netherworld law. 18 22 24
• Can threaten punishment through soul-hooking and the Underworld's hellish penalties. 21

Book of Life and Death

The Book of Life and Death is a black, radiant book used by King Yama to review the life information of humans and beasts in the mortal world. It records lifespans and is described as an innate spiritual treasure with immense authority over life and death. 24

• Identified Sun Dechang as having less than six hours remaining to live. 24
• Serves as the basis for King Yama's refusal to casually alter a person's allotted lifespan. 22 24
• Is associated with the power to return souls to mortal life and alter longevity. 18

Netherworld Manifestation

King Yama can answer incense-based summons and project an avatar or phantom into the mortal realm. His manifestations create a deathly domain saturated with yin energy. 21 41

• Responds to the Yama Heart Mantra, King Yama's dedicated summoning incantation. 21
• Can appear through memorial tablets and divine statues. 21 28 304
• His phantom can infuse cleansing Netherworld divine power into Lu Chen's ritual talismans. 304
• His projected aura can transform the nearby area into a grim ghost domain. 41

Underworld Command

As ruler of the Hall of Yama, King Yama commands Underworld personnel and can authorize their deployment. 21 29

• Is served by judges, Ox-Head, Horse-Face, and the Black and White Impermanence officials. 21 29 333
• Granted Lu Chen the rank of Underworld Martial and Virtuous General, including permission to dispatch Underworld emissaries. 29
• His subordinate officials can serve as escorts, investigators, or combat support for Lu Chen. 29 105

Netherworld Knowledge and Political Influence

King Yama possesses extensive knowledge of Underworld bureaucracy, reincarnation, divine offices, and the risks of conflicts between Heaven and the Netherworld. 124 289 294

• Explained that divine offices can function as incarnations and provide incense offerings and additional lives. 124
• Advised Lu Chen on the Wheel-Turning King's role in reincarnation and the convention protecting immortal incarnations. 289
• Identified the Fetal-Separation Pavilion Chief as a possible solution to separating the Lunar Star Lord's incarnation from Spirit Cypress Immortal's essence. 294
• Arranged Zhong Kui's assistance in investigating the Jiangdu corpse-liberation case and protecting Lu Chen. 130

Equipment / Items

• Book of Life and Death — Innate spiritual treasure that records mortal and beast life information and governs life and death. 24
• Yama's Command Token — A ghost-face mark bestowed upon Lu Chen, containing Netherworld divine abilities and enabling communion with the Underworld. 29 36
• King Yama memorial tablet — Mortal-world focus through which King Yama communicates and manifests. 26 28
• Black jade wine gourd — Used to carry rare Azureflame Wine. 85

Relationships

• Lu Chen — Worshipper, subordinate, and adoptive son. King Yama grants him the office of Underworld Martial and Virtuous General, but regularly rebukes his dangerous or unlawful schemes. 29 84 335
• Ox-Head and Horse-Face — Underworld guards and officials serving at the Hall of Yama; they announce visitors and assist with Underworld matters. 21 333
• Xie Bi'an and Fan Wujie — Trusted Underworld confidants who attend King Yama in his hall and discuss Lu Chen's actions with him. 333 334
• Zhong Kui — Long-standing friend and fellow deity. King Yama offers him future temple incense in exchange for investigating the corpse-liberation case and escorting Lu Chen. 130
• Lord God of Wealth — Lu Chen's sworn elder brother; their respective relationship titles create awkward seniority disputes for King Yama. 84 399
• Wheel-Turning King — Fellow Yama King whose authority over reincarnation is crucial to the Spirit Cypress Immortal case; King Yama describes their relationship as ordinary. 289
• Prefectural City God — Opponent in Madam Zheng's case. King Yama condemns him for disregarding an unjust death, but is unable to compel him to violate Netherworld law. 106
• Star Lord of Water Virtue — Ally in Lu Chen's Temple-Breaking plans; pressures King Yama to contribute despite his fear of offending Netherworld authority. 401

Story Role / Major Arcs

Sun Dechang Lifespan Negotiation

Lu Chen chooses King Yama instead of longevity deities because of Yama's direct authority over life and death. After a hostile first meeting, King Yama agrees to extend Sun Dechang's life in exchange for a temple, golden body, and future worshippers. 18 21 24

Expansion of Underworld Worship

King Yama accepts Lu Chen's plan to connect the living with their ancestors through spirit money and ancestor services. This turns his formerly neglected worship into a growing mortal-world enterprise, with the Hall of Yama later receiving bustling worshippers. 28 35 86

Appointment of the Underworld General

King Yama makes Lu Chen Underworld Martial and Virtuous General, gives him divine power and a lifespan extension, and enables him to dispatch Underworld officials. This becomes one of Lu Chen's primary sources of Netherworld authority. 29 121 124

Heavenly-Triggered Killing Intent and City God Conflict

When Lu Chen encounters the Plague Department's Heavenly-Triggered Killing Intent, King Yama investigates its traces and contacts the Plague Department. He later manifests to support Lu Chen against the Prefectural City God during Madam Zheng's case. 84 86 105 106

Spirit Cypress Immortal Reincarnation Scheme

King Yama advises Lu Chen on the political and legal barriers surrounding Spirit Cypress Immortal's planned reincarnation. He takes responsibility for addressing the City God and Soul-Delivering Matrons while Lu Chen confronts the Cypress Four Generals and Celestial Patrol Soldiers. 289 290 294

Matchmaker God and Meng Po Crisis

King Yama strongly opposes Lu Chen's plan to reunite the Matchmaker God and Meng Po because it would breach heavenly law. Nevertheless, after Lu Chen enters the Netherworld under a false City God identity, King Yama eventually escorts him toward Fengdu Heavenly Palace to seek the Supreme One's involvement. 333 336

Temple-Breaking Preparations

King Yama agrees to support Lu Chen during Temple-Breaking, though he fears punishment or removal from office for violating Netherworld law. He ultimately decides to report the matter to the Supreme One and cooperate with Lu Chen's broader plans. 400 401

Trivia

• King Yama is described as a civil official whose combat power is nevertheless formidable. 36
• His Underworld office is not permanently held; Yama positions may change every three thousand years. 22 335
• He enjoys drinking and has been seen reviewing official documents while draining huge wine gourds. 21 333
• King Yama initially mistakes Lu Chen's request for longevity as proof that Lu Chen worshipped the wrong deity. 22
• Lu Chen's success in increasing his incense offerings makes King Yama unusually proud and optimistic about eventually gaining millions of believers. 86