While it's not uncommon for all the Dharma Protectors to be present, especially if everyone happens to be in the sect, it's rare to see someone specifically recalled since everyone is usually busy with their own tasks.
"What happened?"
"It's not exactly an 'accident,' but... Duanxian'er, your husband went to the leader and volunteered to help him purify the Netherworld."
"Huh!?"
The Gandharvas and Kinnaras all stared at her, and Ning Xian herself was dumbfounded—"Has he gone mad? What does this person think this is? He even ran up to the leader! How could the leader possibly agree to this…"
"He agreed."
"嗄嗿??"
The gloating smile on Mu Yuan's alluring face finally overshadowed her displeasure, and she patiently said, "Unfortunately, the sect leader has agreed."
"This is impossible!?" Ning Xian and Kinnara exclaimed in surprise again.
“It’s true.” Long Jue’s deep voice came, and he walked out from inside. Although his face was still expressionless, revealing little emotion, he was clearly… even more somber than usual. “The Sect Leader has officially appointed Bai Mo as the Supervisor of the Netherworld Heaven, entrusting him with the great power of maintaining order in the Netherworld Heaven. I will assist him. Therefore, Bai Mo will remain in the Netherworld Heaven for the time being, until he returns—”
"Him!? An outsider?" Ning Xian still refused to believe reality. Kinnara stroked his chin and hesitated, "He's not entirely an outsider... He's the son-in-law of the Netherworld, after all?"
The Gandharva chuckled dismissively, "It doesn't matter who it is... I think the leader is just trying to play us, isn't he?"
"this……"
Mu Yuan, Ning Xian, and Kinnara looked at Gandharva together. This... they really couldn't refute it—the leader must have found someone to replace him because he didn't have time to bother them since he slept all day.
"How can this be..." Ning Xian felt his head starting to ache. "But, is it only us in the Netherworld Heaven? Doesn't the Blissful Heaven need to be disciplined?"
Long Jue didn't even look at her and said, "The Paradise has always been strictly governed by law, so there is no need for any rectification. Besides, it is the place where the Netherworld Sect is responsible for assassinations and the darkest place. How can we allow an outsider to set foot there?"
Kinnara leaned closer to Ning Xian and asked, "Hey, Duanxian'er, what kind of person is your husband...? Is he a member of the martial arts world? In the underworld or the legitimate world? Will our lives be too difficult?"
“This…” Ning Xian’s forehead creased with black lines…
"No way..." Kinnara began to feel uneasy about his future. When it came to messing around, he was considered one of the best among the protectors. He grabbed Mu Yuan, "I'm saying, given your relationship with the leader, can't you help put in a good word for me?"
“You know the leader well. Serious matters aside, when has he ever backed down on something like this?” She pulled her clothes from Kinnara's grasp, straightened them, and smiled gracefully, “Then you all get to know the new headmaster—I’ll take my leave now…”
Ah! How cunning! They almost forgot that the leader's left and right attendants did not belong to the Netherworld!
"Wait! Mu Yuan, come back here!! You ungrateful bastard!" Kinnara chased after him, but Mu Yuan had already flown far away like an owl, leaving only gloating laughter behind.
...
Bai Mo was quite surprised when he met the leader of the Netherworld Sect.
As the leader of a demonic sect, it would be one thing if he wasn't the fierce or ruthless middle-aged man one might expect, but he was actually a pale young man as quiet as a bamboo grove. He was calm, thin, and looked obviously tired. He smiled faintly at him and said, "So you are Ning Xian's husband. Ning Xian is very grateful for your care. Thank you."
"Where..." This conversation left Bai Mo feeling inexplicably strange... He was Ning Xian's husband and family member, so why was he being thanked? However, upon seeing this leader who was neither a boy nor a man, he "understood" why the Netherworld Heaven was in such chaos—how could such a sickly young man manage such a large demonic sect? It was precisely because of the lack of discipline that the people below became increasingly lawless, immoral, and contrary to worldly norms!
(—No, Bai Momo, you've really misunderstood... This is how a demonic sect should be; following the rules and regulations doesn't make it a demonic sect.)
His resolve strengthened, and he bowed to the cult leader, saying, "I have a request, which I humbly request of the cult leader—"
"Young Master Bai, you are too polite. Please speak."
"I, Bai, wish to request a position from the leader to rectify the atmosphere of the Netherworld!"
Dongfang Qingming opened his eyes again, which were about to close, and finally looked at him seriously with a hint of interest. Bai Mo met his gaze directly, his eyes sincere and straightforward. He understood that his sudden arrival was an anomaly for the Demonic Sect, and that the martial arts world, the marketplace, and the imperial court all feared such an "anomaly."
But he had to face it head-on to make Dongfang Qingming understand that he had no ulterior motives and genuinely wanted to change this place!
A few barely perceptible twitches appeared at the corner of Dongfang Qingming's mouth as he continued with a faint laugh, "Why would I need you?"
Bai Mo, with a serious expression, began to explain in detail: "In my opinion, the members of the sect are not inherently evil. They are simply influenced by the environment they live in, and the sect leader's lax management has led to an increasingly chaotic and corrupt atmosphere… (500 words omitted) 'One is influenced by one's surroundings,' and the decadent and depraved environment is of no benefit to them. Ning Xian, though eccentric in her behavior, was a gentle and well-mannered wife when she entered my Bai family. Returning here has had a drastic impact on her character. Ning Xian doesn't want to go back now, and I cannot force her. However, I am Ning Xian's husband, and as her family, I have a responsibility towards her. With responsibility comes accountability… (500 words omitted) Therefore, I cannot stand idly by… (Can I continue omitting this?)"
"..." Dongfang Qingming dozed off, opened his eyes and saw Bai Mo still speaking eloquently. Calculating the time, it had been half an incense stick past bedtime. He nodded and smiled, "Alright, then let's do as Young Master Bai says."
Why should he sacrifice his sleep? If sacrifice is necessary, let the people of the Underworld sacrifice it.
"Thank you, Master."
Chapter 36 Go for it, Little White!
The gates of the Netherworld Heaven's main altar remained tightly shut, and a group of followers outside grumbled amongst themselves. Inside the courtyard, a line of men in black stood in formation. Long Jue led Bai Mo out and explained, "The Netherworld Heaven's leader, [Heavenly King], is currently on business and has not returned; [Yaksha King] is with him. The other eight guardians of the Netherworld Heaven have arrived—from the first on the left, they are, respectively, the Gandharva Kings—"
Standing at the head of the group was a Gandharva dressed in vibrant red, like a bewitching butterfly. Her tall figure was shrouded in layers of brocade robes, and her face was heavily made up, making it difficult to discern her gender. Bai Mo nodded to her, looking troubled, when Long Jue added beside him, "A man."
Uh… okay, while clothing is a matter of personal preference, and this outfit can't really be called women's clothing, it's just somewhat androgynous. Personal preferences should at least be respected… but, aren't the Netherworld Heavenly beings supposed to wear uniforms? Everyone else is clearly dressed in black…
“Gandharva King,” he bowed and said, “would you please change into your gatekeeper’s clothes?”
"No, it looks awful." Feeling a row of glares sweep over him, he seemed to only then remember that there was a row of [poor souls] dressed in ugly clothes. He smiled and added, "Black doesn't suit my face."
"Your face?" Another row of suspicious gazes swept over him, scrutinizing his exquisite and glamorous makeup. "With such heavy makeup... who can tell what your face originally looked like?"
As soon as this question was raised, everyone exchanged glances—"Have you ever seen the Gandharva's original face?" —"You haven't either?" "Has anyone seen it?—What does the Gandharva King actually look like?" —"Never seen it." "Didn't you see it?" —"No way! You must have misheard." —"Hey, didn't you used to live in the same courtyard as him?" —"Never saw him..."
Eyes darted around in the air, but finally settled on the Gandharva—how mysterious! It turns out that after knowing her for so long, no one had ever seen the Gandharva's bare face?
The series of events sparked by this day, concerning the "search for the true face of the Gandharva King," is another story.
Long Jue completely ignored their private conversations and continued to introduce Bai Mo: "The second and third are Luo Hou and Ji Du, who jointly hold the position of [Asura King]."
The second and third people standing there were two girls, neither older than Ning Xian, smiling gently, nodding to Bai Mo in return. The fourth person was also a woman, with a cool and aloof demeanor, distant but not cold. Long Jue said, "This is the adopted daughter of King Garuda. Because King Garuda has been bedridden for a long time, she is temporarily assuming the position of King Garuda." Bai Mo nodded to her, and she returned the greeting with a slight bow, giving an impression of calmness and gentleness.