As expected, Yu Daohen's words indeed stunned the ghost messenger.
"This..." The ghost messenger also knew this rule and shook his head, saying, "This ghost messenger indeed has no authorization, but special circumstances call for special treatment. I can get the authorization later when I return."
Hearing this, Yu Daohen became even more brazen. "No matter what the circumstances, without authorization, we have the right to refuse to go with you."
The ghost messenger knew he was in the wrong and said, "Daoist friend, you should also know what we want to ask. This is a matter of great importance concerning the common people of the world."
Upon hearing this, Yu Daohen was momentarily speechless.
If he insisted on not going, it would mean abandoning the common people of the world.
Seeing Yu Daohen's silence, the ghost messenger raised the chain in his hand and swung it towards Zhou Fu beside him.
Zhou Fu had intended to dodge, but the chain was too fast, arriving in front of him in the blink of an eye.
Just as the chain was about to wrap around Zhou Fu, Yu Daohen suddenly reached out and grabbed it.
The ghost messenger's expression turned grim, and his tone became serious. "Daoist friend, what do you mean by this?"
Yu Daohen looked at the ghost messenger, equally serious. "I apologize, esteemed ghost messenger, but without authorization, I cannot comply."
"Presumptuous!" the ghost messenger suddenly roared. He tried to pull back the chain, but Yu Daohen held it tightly.
Yu Daohen glanced at Zhou Fu beside him and whispered, "Step back, leave this to your master."
The ghost messenger looked at Yu Daohen, knowing that the young man in front of him was not easy to deal with, and decided to try persuading him again.
"Daoist friend, do you truly intend to oppose the Underworld?"
Yu Daohen chuckled and retorted, "Shouldn't I be the one asking you, esteemed ghost messenger? Arresting cultivators from the mortal realm without authorization, if this were to spread, it would surely cause dissatisfaction among the various sects in the mortal world."
This matter was inherently in the wrong, and even if it escalated, it would be them who suffered.
The ghost messenger also knew he was in the wrong, and even if the situation escalated, it would be him who suffered.
However, he had to apprehend this person today.
Both feared escalating the situation, but neither was willing to back down.
Just as they were about to reach an impasse, a gust of chilling wind swept through, and a figure suddenly appeared beside the ghost messenger.
When Yu Daohen saw the newcomer, his expression changed drastically, and he cursed inwardly.
Damn it, another one.
The arriving ghost was dressed in white constable attire, with the words "The Deceased Soul Comes" written on his official hat.
Generally, these soul-reaping ghost messengers worked in pairs.
"That evil ghost was quite fast to escape. It took some effort to eliminate him."
The white-clad ghost messenger, seeing the unusual atmosphere, looked at Yu Daohen in front of him and then at the black-clad ghost messenger beside him, asking, "Old Qiu, what's going on?"
The white-clad ghost messenger tried to pull back the chain forcefully, but Yu Daohen's strength was too great.
Seeing that his companion did not reply, the white-clad ghost messenger looked at Yu Daohen again, cupped his hands, and smiled.
"My apologies, Daoist friend. Whatever misunderstanding there may be, could you please release the chain first, and then we can resolve the misunderstanding."
Seeing that the white-clad ghost messenger spoke politely, Yu Daohen finally released his grip on the chain.
The black-clad ghost messenger retracted his chain, his expression terrifyingly grim. Just as he was about to swing it again, the white-clad ghost messenger beside him raised his hand to stop him.
The black-clad ghost messenger glanced at the white-clad ghost messenger beside him and then at Yu Daohen in front of him, saying, "Old Luo, help me extract this brat's soul first."
Seeing his partner so eager to extract the young man's soul, the white-clad ghost messenger did not act and shook his head. "Old Qiu, we are partners. Tell me first why you want to extract this kid's soul."
The black-clad ghost messenger seemed unwilling to explain. Seeing this, Yu Daohen spoke directly, "Your partner wanted to snatch my soul to the Underworld without authorization from the Spiritual Affairs Bureau."
Upon hearing this, the white-clad ghost messenger's expression turned slightly displeased, and he looked at his partner. "Old Qiu, is that true?"
The white-clad ghost messenger knew well that apprehending the soul of a mortal cultivator without authorization from the Spiritual Affairs Bureau would result in punishment.
At best, it would be dismissal from office; at worst, instant soul dissipation.
Seeing this, the black-clad ghost messenger finally began to explain. "Old Luo, do you know about the Cult of the Divine?"
The white-clad ghost messenger nodded. "Of course, I do. What about it?"
The mortal realm and the Underworld were currently in turmoil due to the Cult of the Divine.
The higher-ups had also specifically instructed them to pay attention to people from the Cult of the Divine when reaping souls.
If any were found, they were to be executed.
The black-clad ghost messenger continued, "The higher-ups have also issued a secret mission."
"Secret mission?" the white-clad ghost messenger was somewhat surprised. "How come I don't know about it?"
He and his partner held the same rank, so if he knew, he should know too.
"This mission hasn't been officially announced yet, so it's normal that you haven't received it."
The black-clad ghost messenger finished speaking and began to explain, "The higher-ups have issued an order that we are to pay attention to anyone in the mortal realm who has had contact with the Cult of the Divine and bring them back to the Underworld for questioning."
Hearing this, the white-clad ghost messenger became half-believing, half-doubting. "Then what is this now?"
The black-clad ghost messenger looked at Yu Daohen, seemingly trying to change the subject. "I originally intended to bring him back to the Underworld for questioning and then let him return, but I didn't expect him to resist arrest."
"This..."
The white-clad ghost messenger looked at his partner's annoyance and became somewhat troubled. He looked at Yu Daohen in front of him and said apologetically.
"Daoist friend, my partner's actions just now might have been a bit excessive. I apologize on his behalf, but we truly have no ill intentions. We merely wish to invite you to the Underworld to ask some questions."
Yu Daohen was somewhat surprised by the white-clad ghost messenger's conciliatory tone but still refused. "I'm sorry, but without authorization from the Spiritual Affairs Bureau, unless my lifespan has ended, you have no right to drag my soul to the Underworld."
Yu Daohen's words left the white-clad ghost messenger speechless.
The young man was correct. For mortal cultivators, unless their lifespan had ended, they had no right to apprehend them.
The white-clad ghost messenger became troubled.
His partner was difficult to handle.
After all, they had been partners for so many years. If this matter caused a rift, they would have to see each other face-to-face in the future.
But what the kid said was not wrong; they had no authorization to drag his soul to the Underworld.
This was truly a dilemma.
Seeing the white-clad ghost messenger's predicament, Yu Daohen said, "Esteemed ghost messengers, there have been instances in the past of collusion with Underworld officials to commit evil deeds. I am certainly not referring to you two, but the martial world is full of dangers, and one must be vigilant."
The white-clad ghost messenger remained silent but agreed with Yu Daohen's words.
The martial world was indeed treacherous, and if one wasn't careful, they wouldn't even know how they died.
The black-clad ghost messenger glared fiercely at Yu Daohen, as if he could devour him, gripping his chain tightly.
As long as Old Luo was willing to act, he was confident he could extract this brat's soul from his body.