Just as Xuanzang was making up his mind about how to discuss the Dao with Xu Xiao, a cold wind swept through the Underworld.
"Zhi Cao! Immortal Zhi Cao is coming in person, why didn't you inform us brothers beforehand?"
From afar, eerie voices could be heard, followed by the sight of two figures, one black and one white, rapidly approaching from within the Underworld.
Upon closer inspection, they were indeed the two Black and White Impermanence had rushed over.
"How are you two, Impermanence?" Xu Xiao nodded with a smile. He had met these two when he first came to the Underworld for inspection, so they were old acquaintances.
"I wouldn't dare, sir. I'm perfectly fine, you have no reason to worry." Black and White Impermanence bowed with smiles.
There was no other way. Although Xu Xiao's Duty Officer of the Sky-Patrolling Bureau wasn't of a very high rank, he had the authority to inspect the Three Realms. Not to mention the mere Impermanent Ghost Generals, even the Great Emperor Fengdu had to give him some face.
Upon hearing the report from their subordinate ghost generals, the two informed the Ten Yama Kings and immediately rushed over to greet them.
"Alright, that's fine. I'm not here on official business, so please don't make a big fuss. But I do need to trouble the people of the Underworld to do me a favor." Xu Xiao nodded, looking back.
He had already seen the Yanluo's chariot behind him, and he was saying this to them as well.
"Hahaha! Immortal Master Cao is too kind. Even if it weren't official business, since Immortal Master Cao is here in person, we must give him a proper welcome."
With a King Yanluo laugh, a procession of ghost servants and soldiers carried Yanluo's carriage swiftly towards them, accompanied by a welcoming ceremonial guard.
These rules and regulations are not flattery, but rather strict and orderly.
The hierarchy among immortals is far more rigid than that of mortal dynasties. As a high-ranking immortal in the Heavenly Realm Sky-Patrolling Bureau, Xu Xiao needs to be treated with utmost care when traveling to and from the Underworld; he cannot be treated carelessly.
Therefore, even though they didn't know Xu Xiao's purpose, all the Yanluo still arrived, bringing with them a welcoming procession for the immortal.
For a time, the entire entrance to the Underworld was occupied by a huge procession, making it appear somewhat bloated.
"No need for that, no need for that. I've said this isn't official business. Please put away your ceremonial regalia and let's go inside to talk."
As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face, especially since he would need to ask for help later. Xu Xiao showed no arrogance and was quite amiable.
"It's my fault, it's my fault. Then please, sir, we'll invite you to come first!"
Several Yanluo flanked him on both sides, welcoming Xu Xiao into the Underworld, and they soon entered Fengdu City.
Since it wasn't official business, Xu Xiao didn't go to pay his respects to the Great Emperor Fengdu, but instead stopped in the palace of King Qin Guang.
At this moment, upon hearing that Xu Xiao had killed several villains and was now going to discuss Xuanzang with Xuanzang, who was Journey to the West, all the Yanluo felt a pang of unease.
'What a mess! Good things never come knocking, and when they do, nothing good does!'
If it weren't for the bet between the two, Xu Xiao wouldn't have dared to investigate the evil deeds of the bandits, let alone open the Book of Life and Death and search through it, and the Yanluo wouldn't have said a word.
Nowadays, it seems like just borrowing the Karmic Mirror Terrace to observe the lives of those wicked people, which doesn't sound like a big deal.
However, if one is not careful, this could become the beginning of a conflict between Buddhism and Daoism, or even cause a direct clash between the two forces in the Underworld.
Don't forget, besides the Great Emperor Fengdu, there's also a certain big shot in the Underworld who suddenly intervened, vowing not to become a Buddha until Hell is empty.
At this moment, all ten Yanluo were completely dumbfounded.
"What's wrong, everyone? I'm using the Karmic Mirror Terrace. I don't think I'm breaking any heavenly rules, do I?" Xu Xiao asked calmly, looking at the several Yanluo who looked troubled.
As soon as he uttered those words, these seasoned veterans of the Underworld knew it was a hot potato, so no one answered.
It wasn't until Xu Xiao pressed him again that King Qin Guang finally spoke, "Immortal, this Karmic Mirror Terrace is indeed not against the Heavenly Rules, but for the two of you to discuss such a trivial matter, won't... won't it affect our important journey to the Journey to the West?"
King Qin Guang had no choice. He was the first Yanluo, responsible for interrogation and judgment, so the Karmic Mirror Terrace, was under his jurisdiction.
If this matter causes a dispute between the two sides, then he will be primarily responsible.
When gods clash, innocent bystanders suffer. Don't be fooled by his status as Yanluo, the King of Hell; if something goes wrong, even he can't withstand it.
"I know what you mean. This is entirely my own decision, and it has nothing to do with you. If anything goes wrong, I'll take responsibility."
"This humble official is afraid..."
"What's there to be afraid of? King Qin Guang, don't forget, you are an official of the Heavenly Court. I've already said I'll take responsibility, so naturally I will."
Xu Xiao's expression turned cold, and he casually tossed his celestial official's token to the other party.
"This is my token. Keep it. If anything goes wrong, you can simply absolve yourself of any responsibility."
"This... I understand."
Now that things have come to this point, what more could King Qin Guang say?
The local official has more power than the distant one. To put it bluntly, the Sky-Patrolling Bureau really does have the right to inspect and supervise them. If they offend Xu Xiao, they can expect to be retaliated against once the Journey to the West is over.
Not to mention, Xu Xiao was involved in the Great Tribulation of the Journey to the West, and it is said that he has a powerful figure backing him up, Logan) dares not offend him.
"Immortal, this way please."
The other Yanluo dispersed, leaving only King Qin Guang to lead the way, taking Xu Xiao and the other to the Karmic Mirror Terrace.
They dared not personally witness such a spectacle; it would be troublesome if they got into trouble. In any case, as the Underworld Yanluo, they could know everything that happened here, so there was no need to get involved.
Soon, the group arrived at a special place in the Underworld, where a bronze mirror several meters tall stood on a stone platform.
"This is the true form of the Karmic Mirror Terrace. Normally, the Yanluo use its subsidiary forms to judge mortals, and they rarely come here," King Qin Guang explained.
Generally speaking, after a mortal soul enters the Underworld, it will undergo an initial selection by King Qin Guang, and then be assigned to one of the other Ten Yama Kings based on the severity of its crimes.
In order to quickly observe the good and evil deeds of a soul's entire life, this magical artifact became a shared resource, and only certain special individuals would bring it here to reflect their entire life.
Soon after King Qin Guang explained how to use it, Xu Xiao waved for the other party to leave.
King Qin Guang hurriedly dodged away, but did not go far, merely observing from a distance.
Since we've already stepped into this mess, it would be a huge loss not to try and get some of the spoils.
Seeing King Qin Guang retreat, Xu Xiao Xu Xiao his sleeve, and the souls of those dozens of bandits were thrown before the Karmic Mirror Terrace.
With hand seals formed and Magic Power poured in, the bronze mirror on the platform emitted a beam of light that enveloped the soul before it, after which patterns resembling ripples appeared on its surface.
" Master Xuanzang, watch carefully, or don't blame me for not giving you a chance later."
As the water rippled, images began to appear on the mirror-like surface.