The Crimson Necromancer's Substitute

Supernatural beings.Supernatural abilities.These things were considered impossible, fictitious, and nonexistent by the living beings on Earth, but they had yet to discover their world's coexisting universe, where these things they believed were unreal actually existed. This unknown world was called "Plaillon."Magic ruled this world, but only those born with spiritual energy could use it. This spiritual energy was called "nenha," and a person born with nenha was called "mejinsu." Nenha enabled every mejinsu in this world to master and perform many types of magic, but there was one type of magic they were not allowed to use.This was the dark arts magic.Five hundred years ago, following the Black Dragon era, the Wind God had outlawed the use of dark arts on Plaillon and had declared death as the penalty for anyone caught practicing them. Dark arts had remained untouched for five centuries until the appearance of this anonymous necromancer called "The Crimson Necromancer," who had become the enemy of every mejinsu in the present era of Plaillon."Master, is there no other way for us to obtain this soul without you infiltrating the underworld?" asked He Jin, the only disciple of Li Yuan."There is none," Li Yuan replied. He had just completed the ritual array for infiltrating the underworld."But this technique is far too dangerous. What if you cannot return?""Of course, I can return. Have you forgotten who the Crimson Necromancer is?" Li Yuan asked, smiling. He then pointed to himself cheerfully. "That is me. I am this era's genius dark arts caster!"Naturally, he was only allaying his disciple's uneasiness. He had been secretly practicing dark arts for many years and had performed countless forbidden techniques in the past, and he had not failed a single one, no matter how dangerous and intricate they had been. However, regardless of how skilled he was, infiltrating the underworld was a different matter. But he did not have much of an option. He needed to obtain the soul and bring it back to the living world."Master...""We should not waste time. Let us begin." Li Yuan sat cross-legged in the center of the ritual array, his eyes closed and his hands on his thighs.He Jin hesitated for a moment, but eventually obeyed his master. He erected a strong barrier around the cave to prevent anyone from discovering the forbidden ritual, and then sat in front of Li Yuan, holding a wooden lyre harp. He opened the scroll and took a moment to contemplate the music score before starting to pluck the strings. The soothing song he was playing on the lyre harp echoed throughout the cave, and as he plucked the strings in time with the rhythm in his head, the ritual array began to glow.Li Yuan felt a strong vibration beneath the ground, giving his feet a stinging pain that quickly crawled up to his upper body, but he managed to endure it. The vibration lasted a few minutes, and by the time his eyes opened, he found himself in front of the three gates of the underworld. The place was so stygian that it appeared as if nothing else existed there apart from the gates. He could not help but feel uneasy in the eerie silence and coldness of the place. It was as if someone imperceptible was gently running their fingers over his skin.He raised his right hand at eye level and left his index and middle fingers unfolded. He then closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and recited the soul navigating spell silently. A moment later, a scarlet leaf appeared between his index and middle fingers. By the time he raised his lashes, the leaf floated in the air for a moment before coming to a halt, as if deciding which gate to enter.Each gate had its own color. The left gate was scarlet, the middle gate was silver, and the right gate was gold. He was agitated as he observed the leaf, but when it flew through the golden gate, his face instantly brightened, and he sighed in relief. Things may not be quite as difficult as he had anticipated.He walked towards the golden gate and passed through it without a problem. Of course, no living being could pass through the gates of the underworld, but there would not be much of a problem as long as the song of concealment was played nonstop.The place behind the golden gate was not much different from the living world, but he did not expect it to be peaceful and pleasant. It was said that the underworld was divided into three regions, with the region behind the golden gate being the easiest to enter.More and more souls appeared around him as he walked. Souls of men and women of all ages were talking, laughing, shouting, or crying, but he did not have time to pay attention to them. He followed the leaf until it landed beneath a white-leafed tree, where a soul of a young woman was peacefully napping.It was the soul he was looking for.He wasted no time and approached it immediately. The soul seemed to have perceived his presence, as a frown suddenly formed on its serene face. It then raised its lashes, and its eyes landed on Li Yuan's handsome face.Li Yuan smiled. "Do you mind if I rest beneath this tree as well?"The soul did not say anything and simply stared at him, still with a frown on its face.Li Yuan then sat cross-legged and leaned against the trunk. "I am Li Yuan, and I died from food choking. How about you?"The soul was still silent, but eventually responded after a few moments, "The water must have been a joke to you.""Well, I prefer liquor.""Are you saying that if there had been liquor and not water at that time, you would not have died?""Hehe."The soul cast a complicated glance at Li Yuan, unsure whether he was serious or not, before changing the subject. "I am Fen Lei. I was killed."Fen Lei's eyes remained fixed on Li Yuan, contemplating his entire appearance. Li Yuan was dressed in a black robe that was tucked into a crimson ankle-length pleated skirt; the robe sleeves were wide and long enough to cover his arms. He wore his long hair back in a high ponytail, and several chin-length hair strands were left untied on each side of his forehead.Li Yuan had no idea how strange he appeared to Fen Lei. Why was he dressed that way? Why was his hair so long that it was even longer than a woman's? Even so, his flawless features did not fail to enthrall her."Please excuse my intrusion, but who was it?" Li Yuan's cheerful demeanor abruptly shifted to solemnity.Fen Lei shook her head. "I do not know.""Would you bring justice to your death if you had the chance to live again?"Fen Lei heaved a sigh and leaned back against the trunk, closing her eyes. "Such a thing is impossible.""What if I say it is possible?""Stop spitting nonsense."Li Yuan was aware that this soul had lived in a different world. Thus, he had expected such a reaction, but he was prepared. "How about opening your eyes? You might notice something interesting about me.""Your appearance is oddly interesting. I am well aware.""Is that all?"Fen Lei's eyelids parted and her gaze met his. She spent a long moment observing him before realizing what he meant. "How-""Shhh, lower your voice." Li Yuan placed his index finger on his lips."How did a living being get in here?" asked Fen Lei with a great disbelief on her face. Souls had no shadows, but this man sitting in front of her had."I am just talented, hehe, but that is not what matters right now. I have come here to get you," Li Yuan answered.Fen Lei was confused. "What do you mean?"Li Yuan reached out an arm. "Come with me, Fen Lei. Let us return to the mortal realm."Fen Lei's face was filled with puzzlement. What Li Yuan had said was improbable and illogical to her. How was it possible for the dead to return to the world of the living? Furthermore, how was this man able to enter the underworld?Her thoughts were interrupted upon spotting a group of souls in the distance. They were all dressed in long hooded black cloaks, leaving only the lower half of their faces exposed."The soul filtrators," Li Yuan mumbled as he looked at the cloaked souls fixedly."Soul filtrators?" It was only Fen Lei's ninth day in the underworld. Thus, she had no idea what was going on."This world is divided into three regions, and this region is only for pure souls. However, the souls of recently deceased people usually go to this region, whether they are clean or not. That is why the soul filtrators filter out souls that do not belong here," Li Yuan articulated.Fen Lei was intrigued. "What happens to the souls that do not belong here?""Souls between evil and good are sent to the second region, where they are given moderate punishment for a long time. Wicked souls are sent to the third region, hell. You are probably aware of what happens to the souls who are sent to hell."Fen Lei was no longer surprised that Li Yuan was aware of these details. He could not possibly infiltrate the underworld if he did not know anything about it.All souls ceased their activities and began to gather in front of the soul filtrators. Some were tense, some were clueless, some did not care."I beg you, Fen Lei. Come with me."Fen Lei frowned at him. "Why does it have to be me? Can you not just pick another soul?"Li Yuan could only scratch his head and smile awkwardly. He really was bad at persuading people."All of you, step over here!" one of the soul filtrators announced.Fen Lei was about to join the crowd when Li Yuan snatched her right arm. "Fen Lei," he then put his palms together and bowed his head, "I beg you!""Your Majesty has arrived!"Li Yuan froze and broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this. Even Fen Lei was petrified when she grasped the situation.A huge platform appeared in front of the crowd, and a man from above, dressed in a long flowing belted black robe embellished with silver stones, descended on it. He had long, untied black hair, and his entire face was hidden behind a black mask. This man was the ruler of the underworld.Fen Lei looked worriedly at Li Yuan and nodded. Li Yuan was surprised at first, but eventually smiled and quickly returned the nod. He then began reciting a spell, and a small bottle appeared floating in front of him. This was a soul-storing bottle.Fen Lei was completely clueless as it was her first time seeing these beyond-belief things, but instead of asking questions, she chose to observe in silence.Li Yuan opened the soul-storing bottle, and Fen Lei transformed into small glimmering particles, entering into it. He closed the bottle and prepared to cast another spell to return to the mortal realm when he descried a number of blades coming straight at him. Fortunately, he was good at dodging.The entire area fell silent, and everyone's attention was drawn to the white-leafed tree at which the blades were aimed. Li Yuan was hidden behind the trunk. Thus, they could not see him. Fen Lei, despite being kept inside the soul-storing bottle, was still able to perceive the situation.Li Yuan immediately cast a disguise spell, transforming his appearance in a blink. The lower half of his face was masked with a black cloth, exposing only his brows and almond eyes. He wore an ankle-length belted black robe, covered with a long hooded crimson cloak. This cloak was well-known throughout Plaillon, and it belonged to only one person-this person was none other than the wanted anonymous Crimson Necromancer.The ghost king smirked behind his mask when this crimson-cloaked man emerged from behind the white-leafed tree. "It is no surprise you slipped so easily into this realm. Nothing is truly impossible for the Crimson Necromancer."Li Yuan was astonished. He had never imagined his renown would extend to the depths of the underworld. "It is an honor that Your Majesty is aware of this lowly mortal's existence.""The Crimson Necromancer is humble. But may I inquire as to why he desires to take that soul back to the mortal realm?" the ghost king replied.Li Yuan bowed his head a little lower. "May Your Majesty forgive this lowly mortal, as he is unable to express his reasons.""Irreverent!" One of the soul filtrators charged at him, barraging a swarm of blades all at once.Li Yuan erected a defensive barrier, and the blades dispersed upon colliding with it.The other soul filtrators swooped down on the scene and delivered another volley of strikes, which caused the barrier to finally break. However, Li Yuan's face was devoid of any alarm. He avoided the next blows as he calmly counted in his mind.Two hundred seventy-two.Two hundred seventy-three.Two hundred seventy-four.He had to wait three hundred seconds for the spell he had cast a few minutes ago to take effect.Everyone's gaze was fixated on the sight, with their mouths agape with incredulity. The ghost king, on the other hand, was pleased.The opposing side launched a new wave of attacks on Li Yuan, but he did not dodge this time. A black recurve bow appeared in his left hand, and he quickly aimed it at the swarm of approaching blades. The flow of energy emanating from the bow quickly transformed into a silver arrow.Two hundred ninety-three.Two hundred ninety-four.He discharged the arrow without hesitation, and it quickly multiplied into hundreds, counterattacking the wave of blades and annihilating them completely, leaving no trace.Two hundred ninety-eight.Two hundred ninety-nine.The crimson-cloaked man vanished in a blink, leaving only a faint trail of smoke in the area.