A bone-chilling coldness intertwined with pure Yin Qi slowly pulled Judge Lu back to reality from a deep coma.
He opened his heavy eyelids, and what met his gaze was an unfamiliar Meditation Chamber. The chamber was not large, its furnishings simple. The four walls were constructed from a deep blue Cold Jade, emitting a stable Profound Yin Qi that helped stabilize the Soul Body. The air was filled with a faint, cold fragrance, like that of a snow lotus.
He was lying on a Cold Jade bed, covered by a thin silk quilt condensed from pure Yin Qi. His Soul Body still felt waves of weakness and intense pain, especially in his left shoulder, which was wrapped in thick bandages soaked with medicinal fragrance. A gentle yet tenacious icy cold power was continuously repairing the wound that had nearly been split open, preventing it from worsening.
He was still alive, and someone had saved him.
Memories surged back like a tide: the siege at Vicious Dog Ridge, the fierce breakout, the chaos caused by the Nether Hounds, the sudden appearance of Fairy Lingbo, and... the Data Crystal he had entrusted away.
His heart tightened, and he instinctively patted his chest; it was empty. The crystal was no longer on him.
“You are awake,” a cool voice came from the doorway.
Judge Lu looked up and saw Fairy Lingbo walking in, holding a bowl of medicinal soup emitting swirling white vapor. She was still dressed in a water-blue palace gown, her face exquisitely beautiful, yet seemingly shrouded in an unmelting layer of frost.
“Fairy Lingbo.” Judge Lu struggled to sit up but was gently restrained by a soft force.
“Your Soul Body is severely damaged, especially your vital Soul Source, which has suffered excessive depletion. You should not move rashly.” Fairy Lingbo placed the medicine bowl on the jade table beside the bed. “This is a medicinal soup brewed from ‘Nine Hells Soul Returning Grass’ and ‘Profound Ice Marrow,’ which will benefit your injuries.”
“Thank you, Fairy, for saving my life, and for the medicine.” Judge Lu expressed sincere gratitude, then asked impatiently, “That crystal…”
“I have examined it.” Fairy Lingbo’s tone carried an unprecedented gravity. “The contents… are shocking.”
Judge Lu’s heart sank: “Does the Fairy believe what it says?”
“The technical style of the Workshop, the recent anomalies in the Northern Territory, the suspicious attack on the Well of Reincarnation… numerous clues connect, leaving me no choice but to believe.” Fairy Lingbo walked to the window, gazing out at what seemed to be a Secret Realm, its scenery deep and secluded. “I just never expected their ambition and madness to reach such a degree. Reconstruct Reincarnation… do they truly believe they are creators?”
Her voice held a hint of mockery, but deeper still was worry.
“That crystal…” Judge Lu asked with concern.
“I have already made a replica through the most covert channels and submitted it to His Highness King Biancheng.” Fairy Lingbo turned around, looking at Judge Lu. “As for the original… I have not yet decided how to dispose of it.”
Judge Lu was stunned: “What does the Fairy mean?”
“Submitting it directly to King Qinguang is certainly the most straightforward method,” Fairy Lingbo said slowly. “But the current situation in Fengdu is treacherous. Among the Ten Halls, who can guarantee absolute trustworthiness? King Chujiang’s attitude is ambiguous, King Pingdeng maintains close ties with the Northern Territory, and even around His Highness King Qinguang, things may not be entirely clean. This item concerns too much; if entrusted to the wrong person, or if the news leaks, it will not only alert the enemy but could bring about utter disaster for you, me, and even His Highness King Biancheng.”
Her words voiced the worries Judge Lu had harbored all along. The Ten Halls were not monolithic; internal spies were like malignant tumors, difficult to eradicate.
“Then what is the Fairy’s plan?” Judge Lu asked.
Fairy Lingbo pondered for a moment, a flash of resolve in her eyes: “This matter cannot be handled solely within the Ten Halls. We need broader support, and we also need… an irrefutable chain of evidence that no one can refute.”
“Broader support?” Judge Lu mused.
“The Underworld does not consist only of the Ten Yama Kings and the Five Ghost Emperors,” Fairy Lingbo pointed out. “There are also those Ancient Beings whose status is transcendent; they do not directly participate in governance but possess immense influence and formidable power. For example, the Dojo of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva—though the Bodhisattva has not manifested in ages, the Dharma Protectors and Venerables under him are still a force that cannot be ignored. Furthermore, the Former subordinates of Lord Taishan who guard the eighteen layers of Hell, and… an eternal Existence like Meng Po.”
Judge Lu’s eyes lit up. Indeed! If they could secure the attention or even the support of these transcendent powers, it would undoubtedly put immense pressure on the Northern Ghost Emperor and the Workshop! Especially the Dojo of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva; although it does not directly govern Underworld affairs, its grand vow of “I will not become a Buddha until Hell is empty” is intrinsically linked to maintaining the Cycle of Reincarnation Order, and they would never stand idly by while someone attempted to Reconstruct Reincarnation.
“As for the irrefutable chain of evidence…” Fairy Lingbo continued, “Relying solely on this Data Crystal, while its information is astonishing, the Workshop and the Northern Territory can completely deny it, or even falsely accuse us of forging evidence. We need more direct proof, such as capturing key Workshop members, or finding substantive physical evidence or correspondence proving their collusion with the Northern Territory.”
Judge Lu nodded in agreement: “The Fairy’s considerations are thorough. However… the Workshop’s movements are secretive, and the Northern Territory is heavily guarded. Obtaining direct evidence will be extremely difficult.”
“Therefore, we need a plan,” Fairy Lingbo walked to Judge Lu’s bedside, her gaze fixed intently on him. “A meticulous plan that can lure the snake out of its hole, allowing us to gather evidence amidst the chaos.”
“Lure the snake out of its hole?” Judge Lu’s heart stirred.
“According to the information in the crystal, the next major target for the Workshop and the Northern Territory is likely the ancient Ruins in the Depths of the Sea of Blood, which may be related to the Primordial Code.” Fairy Lingbo analyzed. “Their initial creation of chaos and the attack on the Well of Reincarnation were all meant to divert attention, preparing for the Sea of Blood operation. If we can foresee their specific action plan in advance, or even… find a way to ‘leak’ this information to certain members of the Ten Halls…”
Judge Lu immediately understood her meaning: “Does the Fairy intend to… use possible spies to transmit false or incomplete information, thereby disturbing their deployment, forcing them to act prematurely or expose a flaw?”
“Precisely.” Fairy Lingbo nodded. “Simultaneously, we secretly organize reliable forces to wait for the opportune moment. Once they move, it will be the best time for us to obtain direct evidence, or even severely strike them!”
This plan was extremely bold and extremely dangerous, like walking a tightrope over a bottomless abyss. But at this moment, it seemed to be the only way to break the deadlock and expose the conspiracy.
Judge Lu looked at the cold, stunningly beautiful, yet deeply strategic Fairy before him, and a sense of admiration involuntarily arose in his heart. To analyze the situation and formulate such a decisive plan in such a short time was far beyond that of an ordinary woman.
“Judge Lu, what are your thoughts?” Fairy Lingbo asked.
Judge Lu took a deep breath, suppressing the weakness and pain in his body, his eyes regaining their firmness: “The Fairy’s strategy, though perilous, is the only path to break the deadlock. I, Judge Lu, am willing to follow in your wake and await your command!”
He knew that from this moment on, he was no longer fighting alone. He and Fairy Lingbo, and the faction of King Biancheng behind her, now stood on the same front, jointly facing the massive storm that was about to sweep across the entire Underworld.