After all, the one seated in the great hall ahead was the Prefect of Mount Tai himself, who governed Yin-Yang, life, and death.
If the Prefect of Mount Tai learned of his worldly notion that "people came in ranks, just as pork came in layers," and demoted him to the very bottom in a fit of anger, would he not have to taste every bitterness and hardship in the world, savoring all its flavors?
Of course, this was merely Cui Jiuyang's groundless speculation.
Although he knew his Great-Grandfather was formidable, he had no idea just how formidable he was.
Even in his wildest imaginings, his Great-Grandfather could not possibly have any friendship with such lofty figures as the Prefect of Mount Tai or the Judge.
He could never have imagined that his Great-Grandfather had actually cadged a loan of a hundred thousand fierce ghosts from the Underworld Office and still had not returned them.
So he could let his imagination run as freely as he pleased. In any case, as a creditor mindful of collecting his debt in the future, the Prefect of Mount Tai would not make things too difficult for him.
As he pondered to himself, he dared not slow his steps in the slightest, and followed Lu Pan into the great hall.
Inside, ever-burning lamps were arranged in a profound formation. The lamps floated slowly in midair, their light soft yet bright, illuminating every detail of the hall so thoroughly that people did not even cast shadows.
It was as though light shone from every direction, from above and below.
This was entirely unlike the sinister, terrifying Underworld Office people usually imagined. Instead, it gave a sense of stability, tranquility, and peace.
Cui Jiuyang's thoughts raced, and he instantly understood the reason: to the living, an immense