In the front hall of the Yin Manor, Fang Yuan and Fang Xi, the brother and sister, respectfully brewed a pot of tea for Fang Chen. After placing it before him, they retreated to the corner.
Fang Chen took a sip. The tea was rich and mellow, sweet and refreshing. It was like a trace of cool Yin energy flowed down his throat and spread through his limbs and bones.
"Who brought this tea?" Fang Chen casually asked.
Fang Yuan quickly responded with respect, "Master, Lord Wang was the one who sent it."
Fang Chen nodded lightly. "Mhm."
He turned to the black and white paper figures and inquired, "Little White, Little Black, have you noticed anything unusual during your time in Youhuan City?"
Little White answered, "In Youhuan City, there are many followers of the Spirit God Sect. Additionally, the relationship between the Yin Walkers and the Official Divisions is very close. They often send gifts, including valuable Yin longevity coins."
Fang Chen nodded. "I plan to intervene and regulate these Yin Walkers, setting some rules for them. However, I have few people at my disposal. Would you two be willing to stay in the underworld?"
The black and white paper figures paused slightly.
Fang Chen smiled faintly. "The Yin energy here is mixed with the force of karma. This is precisely what you need for your cultivation. As for how you will remain here for a long time... haven't you noticed that I've been gone for a long time, yet neither of you has felt any discomfort?"
The black and white paper figures froze, exchanging an awkward glance. Now that Fang Chen mentioned it, it was truly unusual.
"Have you experienced any memory loss?" Fang Chen smiled faintly. "I can see the sealing marks on you. You were once Yin Soldiers in the underworld, which is why you have displayed such remarkable strength in the human world. The Daoist you followed back then might also have been a Yin Walker."
"Memory loss... Yin soldiers…?"
The two fell into a moment of confusion, seemingly trying to recall anything. However, in the end, they shook their heads in frustration.
Fang Chen smiled and said, "You two were able to deal with a Soul Splitting Realm cultivator together before. Your cultivation should have improved during this time, so dealing with an early-stage Soul Splitting Realm cultivator alone shouldn't be a problem. Among Yin Soldiers, you aren't weak. In the Lesser Underworld, you could even serve as Day Walker Generals.
"When the time comes, I'll arrange two vacancies for you to guard the Lesser Underworld."
The white paper figure frowned slightly. "Young Master... what if you find yourself in danger in the mortal realm?"
Fang Chen showed a calm smile. "I can summon you at any time; it won't consume much of my Yin Lifespan."
At that time, the Yin Lifespan consumed would not be his own but the one stored in Monarch Yan's Seal. As long as Monarch Yan's Seal's Yin lifespan was sufficient, he could freely tap into the power of the Underworld whenever needed.
Upon thinking of this, Fang Chen lightly stamped down with his foot and called out, "Du Yunxu."
In the next moment, Du Yunxu appeared before Fang Chen. He immediately realized what had happened and quickly clasped his hands in salute, saying, "Greetings, Day Walker Monarch."
Fang Chen wore a faint smile. "Yunxu, I have something I'd like to discuss with you."
Du Yunxu respectfully responded, "Please give me your command, my lord."
The black and white paper figures exchanged a glance and sensed a dense Yin energy emanating from Du Yunxu, far surpassing their own. A flash of seriousness and shock crossed their eyes. They vaguely understood that their lord had likely gained significant opportunities in the Underworld.
Fang Chen asked, "Currently, there are 107 Day Walker Gods, with 1 position still vacant, right?"
Du Yunxu replied respectfully, "That's correct. Xu Maoran recently contacted me and said that he is searching for high-grade spirit stones in the mortal realm. Once he finds them, he's willing to fill the vacant position of the Day Walker God."
"Mm." Fang Chen nodded slightly. "The position of Day Walker Monarch has been vacant for many years. Among the 107 Day Walker Gods, to which factions do they belong?"
Du Yunxu's face showed a hint of nervousness. He took a deep breath and revealed everything he knew.
As Fang Chen had suspected, because the position of Day Walker God had been vacant for so long, the 107 Day Walker Gods each had their own factions and were closely connected to several Yin Monarchs in the capital. This included You Fang, the Head of the Nether Guards Division in the capital, and Night Walker Monarch Jing Xue.
Fang Chen said, "As far as I know, the Yin Walkers are on good terms with your faction and often send beneficial gifts."
Du Yunxu nodded, "That's true. Since Yin Walkers sometimes need our help in the Underworld, and we also require their assistance in the mortal realm, they are on good terms with the government."
Fang Chen continued, "With so many cities, the amount of Yin Lifespan Coins flowing from the small pools to the large pools each year must be quite staggering, right? After a portion stays in your hands, does the rest eventually end up in the hands of the various Yin Monarchs?"
Du Yunxu showed a wry smile. "Lord, I can manage 800 years of Yin Lifespan Coins per year. Most of it is used to improve my cultivation, leaving little to spare."
Fang Chen nodded slightly.
In addition to being a form of soul currency in the Underworld, excess Yin Lifespan Coins can also be used to enhance cultivation, which makes it quite valuable. There was only a limited amount circulating. Only by the continuous influx of wandering souls into the Underworld could new Yin Lifespan coins enter the economy. This created a vicious cycle.
There would be different tiers to the distribution of Yin Lifespan Coins. While a Day Walker God might not receive more than 1,000 years' worth of Yin Lifespan Coin, the amount that ended up in the hands of the Yin Monarchs should be quite significant.
"Lord, for someone like Fu Jin, he could keep around 1,500 years' worth of Yin Lifespan Coin each year," Du Yunxu revealed. "The exact amount kept depends not only on one's strength but also on one's methods. Some Day Walker Gods can only manage 200 to 300 years' worth annually."
Fang Chen casually remarked, "Aside from the benefits from the Yin Walkers, there must be some surplus in other areas as well, right?"
Du Yunxu nodded, not denying it.
"I don't care about those benefits, but the fees from the Yin Walkers need to have a unified standard," Fang Chen said. "From now on, it will be ten for four. If they earn ten Yin Lifespan Coins, they must pay four. I don't care how others divide it, but for Day Walkers, we need to take one coin from the share. Do you think this can be implemented?"
"That's..." Du Yunxu hesitated for a moment, looking confused. "Lord, this involves many parties. If the various Yin Monarchs in the imperial capital disagree, it will be very difficult to implement... Also, many of our Day Walker Gods have been outside for a long time and might not listen, so I fear there could be internal conflict."
"If there's internal conflict, let them relinquish their Day Walker God positions and let someone else take their place," Fang Chen said lightly. "As for the Yin Monarchs in the imperial capital, we don't need to worry about them for now. We'll see how they respond and adjust accordingly. You return to the imperial capital first, I'll follow shortly and call the Day Walker Gods together for a meeting."
Du Yunxu's expression grew serious as he nodded lightly and turned to leave. He understood that this time, there would likely be significant turmoil.
At that moment, a guard appeared at the entrance and said respectfully, "My Lord, two young ladies wish to meet with you,"
Fang Chen nodded. Let them in."