Chapter 45

Born in a yin year, yin month, and yin hour, Xue Ming’s life was destined to be difficult, with no close family and a rough path ahead.

Growing up, Xue Ming lived a tough life. She finally found a job and rented a small place, living a simple life and working overtime to save money. But one day, she was thrust into this bizarre world. She never had grand ambitions or desires, nor did she crave affection. She just wanted to live quietly as a small office worker and live her life well.

Sometimes, Xue Ming couldn’t understand what great mistake she had made to deserve such a hard life. Was she some villain in her past life? Some people are born into wealth and love, while others face endless hardships. Why is life so unfair?

Looking at the Hundred Ghosts Flag fluttering in the wind, many unfamiliar thoughts arose in Xue Ming’s mind, even a strong sense of resentment.

Those who enjoy life and power should be me. Life may be full of hardships, but there are so many people in this world that it shouldn’t fall on me. I was born different, destined to command ten thousand ghosts, to become the emperor, the ruler of the world.

The black mist that the Hundred Ghosts Flag released encircled Xue Ming and nearly obscured her blood-red eyes. Her pale skin made her look sickly, and her black ghost claws tightly gripped the flagpole, making her look like a fierce ghost. The thunderclouds in the sky pressed lower and lower, almost touching people’s heads, vast and endless. The moonlight was obscured entirely, and silver lightning flickered more and more frequently in the dark clouds. The center of the cloud vortex began to spin rapidly, directly above Xue Ming’s position. The rumbling thunder seemed to be brewing a lightning bolt that could split the heavens and the earth.

Hundred Crow and Gu Jinglan had already ceased fighting, standing on either side, staring at the gathering thunderclouds.

Even Hundred Crow, who had remained calm despite being forced to retreat earlier, finally changed his expression, his eyebrows showing surprise, “Heavenly thunder?”

The thunder from the ninth heaven could kill all evil spirits in the world.

Hundred Crow glanced at Gu Jinglan and sneered, “I wondered why only a few young lads came. Turns out you have backing.”

“Although we are all ghosts, there are distinctions, aren’t there?” Gu Jinglan said leisurely, fanning himself. “The previous Ghost Emperor caused chaos in the human world, and you have been committing atrocities, killing innocents. How could the higher-ups sit idly by and allow a new Ghost Emperor to ascend? I advise you to abandon the dark and join the light lest the heavenly thunder strike you.”

Hundred Crow crossed his arms and laughed, pointing a ghost claw at Xue Ming, “Look carefully at who the thunder is going to strike.”

Gu Jinglan frowned and looked over, seeing Yan Yuhe already in front of Xue Ming. It was impossible to approach hastily because of the Hundred Ghosts Flag’s enchantment and black aura surrounding her.

Yan Yuhe called Xue Ming’s name twice, but she didn’t respond. He raised his hand to summon his sword, intending to cut the Hundred Ghosts Flag. Just as he was about to strike, Black Impermanence threw the broken chain around his wrist and shouted urgently, “Hero Yan, you mustn’t!”

Yan Yuhe’s eyes turned cold, and he cut through the chain with a reverse strike. At the same time, White Impermanence flew forward, using his mourning stick to block Yan Yuhe’s sword, which broke into two pieces. He hugged Yan Yuhe’s waist and shouted, “Hero Yan, think twice! If you destroy the Hundred Ghosts Flag, all our efforts will be in vain!”

Yan Yuhe shook his sword, trying to throw White Impermanence off, but heard him shout again, “Miss Xue has a discerning heart and will not be bewitched by the Hundred Ghosts Flag. Hero Yan, you must not act impulsively now!”

Before Yan Yuhe could be persuaded, Hundred Crow suddenly rushed out, moving swiftly past the two, his ghost claw reaching for Xue Ming. He wore a fearless smile, seemingly unconcerned about the impending heavenly thunder above, and said, “The position of Ghost Emperor is mine!”

At that moment, Jiang Ruoming appeared, colliding with him. She clung to Hundred Crow’s strong body, and the two began to struggle. “This is what my father left for me. Do you still want to usurp the throne? The Hundred Ghosts Flag is mine, and so is the position of Ghost Emperor!”

“You are useless.” Hundred Crow simply lifted her up, holding her above his head, and said, “You block the heavenly thunder for me, and I’ll have a grand tomb built for you later.”

The two of them screamed and shouted in front of Yan Yuhe, annoying him. Dragging White Impermanence, who was clinging tightly to his waist, Yan Yuhe swung his sword, cutting off Hundred Crow’s arm and slicing Jiang Ruoming’s long hair. Both of them screamed in shock and anger.

Wrapped in a black aura, Xue Ming’s ears were filled with voices urging her to become the Ghost Emperor, oblivious to the chaos outside. Voices urged her to raise the Hundred Ghosts Flag, command the ten thousand ghosts to submit, and stand at the pinnacle of power. However, Xue Ming stared blankly at her hand, not reacting for a long time. Through the dense black mist, she saw her pale, bloodless skin and ink-black nails, which had turned into ghostly claws. Xue Ming, human to the core, was startled by the changes in her body. The incessant whispers in her ears disturbed her mind. She gradually realized that these mysterious voices were inciting resentment in her, recounting the difficulties and hardships of her life, forming a force that urged her to use the Hundred Ghosts Flag. Strange incantations hovered in her mind, suggesting that if she recited them, she could do whatever she wanted and obtain everything.

But Xue Ming had a beautiful quality: she never compared herself to those better off, always comparing herself to those worse off to comfort herself that her life was still okay. Therefore, she rarely complained about her life. She knew some people were born into wealth and love, enjoying higher education and easily obtaining what they wanted, with a happy family and many people who loved them. But she also knew that there were people born abandoned, who might die in infancy or grow up struggling, tormented by accidents or illness, unloved and uncared for, even buying medicine one pill at a time when sick.
This world was full of suffering, and Xue Ming knew that some people lived even harder lives than she did. She had grown up well, had a healthy body, the ability to earn money, and a good mindset. That was enough. Power and money were not what she sought.

Xue Ming inappropriately thought of her evil boss. He only managed one department, but his hairline was already bald and shiny at over thirty. Every time he stood in the office scolding people, his head reflected a bright light. Sometimes, during department dinners, he would drink too much and always touch his big bald head, saying, “If it weren’t for managing you all, my hair wouldn’t fall out so fast.”

Xue Ming might not be a great person, but she would never be a bad person, let alone become the leader of these evil spirits. The Hundred Ghosts Flag could not seduce her heart.

“I don’t want it.” Xue Ming didn’t know who she was talking to; she just wanted the whispers in her ears to stop, so she refused, “I just want to live, I don’t want to be a ghost, and I don’t want to be with you.”

In an instant, the black mist surrounding her retreated like a tide, and the Hundred Ghosts Flag, which had become taller than her, quickly shrank back to the size of a palm. When her vision cleared, Xue Ming first saw the rolling thunderclouds almost pressing down on her head, with lightning flashing within, as if the sky was about to collapse.

Xue Ming had never seen such a scene before, but she guessed a bit in her heart. This scene, which looked like a tribulation, was probably related to the Hundred Ghosts Flag and the position of the Ghost Emperor. If she had nodded just now, the thunder would have struck her immediately, leaving not even ashes behind.

At this moment, she heard a commotion beside her. Turning her head, she saw a lively scene. Hundred Crow and Jiang Ruoming were wrestling together, while Yan Yuhe stood nearby with a sword, being tightly hugged by White Impermanence. He was the first to notice that Xue Ming had broken free from the control of the Hundred Ghosts Flag. At this moment, he looked at her through the commotion of Hundred Crow and Jiang Ruoming.

Yan Yuhe’s eyes were always as clear as water, like a bottomless lake, always beautiful no matter when you looked at them. But the calm lake surface began to ripple when his gaze fell on Xue Ming. Though it was not obvious, Xue Ming still noticed the difference. She couldn’t help but smile slightly.

Xue Ming didn’t speak. She turned her eyes to the noisy Jiang Ruoming, suddenly ran a few steps on Jiang Xing’s back, and leaped towards Jiang Ruoming.

Hundred Crow was still arguing with her. Seeing Xue Ming pounce over, he instinctively wanted to extend his ghost claws to attack. However, as soon as he raised his arm, he felt a chill in his shoulder blade, and his entire arm was cut off and fell. Yan Yuhe held the sword, his breath very close, giving Hundred Crow a cold stare. The next moment, the sword was raised again, his long black hair flying, and the golden blade exuded a chilling aura.

Seeing this, Hundred Crow had to let go of Jiang Ruoming and dodge, only to see Xue Ming catch her. She hugged Jiang Ruoming’s body, and they fell down together.

“What do you want to do?” Jiang Ruoming glared at her, struggling with her limbs.

Xue Ming grasped the flag in her hand, raised it, and waved it hard. The Hundred Ghosts Flag immediately released a large amount of black gas, and the patterns on the flag seemed to sense something, dancing wildly. The flagpole quickly grew larger, instantly becoming a complete flag, fluttering in the strong wind. At the same time, the thousands of ghosts kneeling below all let out a loud cheer, seemingly excitedly welcoming the new emperor’s ascension.

Xue Ming recited the unfamiliar incantation that had been circling in her mind.

“Jiang Ruoming.” Then she stuffed the Hundred Ghosts Flag into Jiang Ruoming’s hand and smiled, “Your flag, give it back to you, go be your Ghost Emperor.”

“What…” Jiang Ruoming hadn’t reacted yet when Xue Ming kicked her hard. The two separated in the air, and Xue Ming used the momentum to escape the black mist, her body plummeting downwards.

A crane’s cry pierced the sky as Jiang Xing spread its wings and flew over, ready to catch Xue Ming, but someone was faster.

Xue Ming only felt her body losing weight, the rapid descent making her heart race uncontrollably. The wind roared in her ears, and she vaguely heard Jiang Xing calling. She thought Jiang Xing would catch her, but the next moment, she fell into a warm, solid embrace.

Surprised, Xue Ming looked up and saw Yan Yuhe’s profile and smooth chin. He held her tightly, summoned Jiang Xing to land, and still didn’t let go, only ordering, “Fly far away.”

Jiang Xing flapped its wings vigorously, descending rapidly and flying almost at ground level so fast that the scenery on both sides blurred. At such a speed, Xue Ming couldn’t open her eyes at all. Yan Yuhe held her in his arms, his hand pressing on the back of her head, burying her in his chest.

Xue Ming simply didn’t struggle. She found a comfortable position in Yan Yuhe’s embrace and smelt the faint lotus fragrance in his clothes. At the same time, Gu Jinglan and White Impermanence flew away in another direction. Hundred Crow looked up and glanced, then shifted his gaze to Jiang Ruoming, who was holding the Hundred Ghosts Flag in the air and finally had to turn and retreat.

At this moment, thousands of ghosts knelt and shouted, “Long live the Emperor—”

Jiang Ruoming was wrapped in black gas, her eyes blood-red. The flag clearly bewitched all her senses. She raised the fluttering Hundred Ghosts Flag high and laughed triumphantly, “Heaven and earth, only I reign supreme!!”

As her words fell, the world instantly brightened like daylight, as if ten suns hung in the sky, illuminating every corner eroded by darkness. But it was only for a moment, and then it fell again. Immediately, the whole world darkened, dark clouds pressing down as if one couldn’t see their hand before them, and the world fell silent.

“Boom—!!”

A silver-white thunderbolt suddenly struck down from the center of the cloud vortex, carrying the force of a thousand thunders as if to shatter the world. It fiercely hit the ground right where Jiang Ruoming stood.

Centered on Jiang Ruoming, the ground within a radius of several miles erupted in waves of soil, and the earth completely shattered. The thousands of ghosts who had been kneeling and bowing let out a piercing wail in the instant the thunder struck, then turned to ashes in the blink of an eye. The corpses on the ground turned to dust, and the fierce wind waves spread out in layers as if to destroy everything.

Under the heavenly thunder, any evil would be completely wiped out.