The commanders of the Yin Messenger department beside Qin Shuyao could walk sideways in the mortal realm, but in the underworld, they were hardly significant. They became Yin Messengers, like me, merely because their physiques made them suitable. I have a pure yin constitution, making me suitable for traversing the underworld. They, including the young King Yama himself, are of pure yang constitution, allowing them to manifest normally in the mortal realm without being burned by the omnipresent yang energy.
As for me, I'm just a novice. Besides the Swift Wind Art and the Dagger Gun, I have no skills to speak of, only capable of ambushes.
Therefore, the only experts I can rely on at present are Li Yuanba and Dongfang Jibai.
Dongfang Jibai, with curiosity, came into the courtyard. I called Li Yuanba over and instructed him to spar with Princess Dongfang, but to be careful not to injure her.
Dongfang Jibai curled her lips and smiled, "In this underworld, with billions of people, you probably can't find ten who can injure me."
"You're talking about humans, or perhaps your ghost and demon races. You haven't included them in your count, have you?" I asked with a smile.
Dongfang Jibai's face darkened, "That's true. Come on, boy, this princess will test your mettle!"
"Princess, please," Li Yuanba, perhaps accustomed to being a servant, didn't even dare to look up at Dongfang Jibai.
Dongfang Jibai was not polite. She drew her braid and swung it at Li Yuanba. Li Yuanba calmly moved back just as the whip struck, dodging it precisely. The tip of the whip snapped in front of his disheveled hair, shaving off two strands.
"Not bad!" Dongfang Jibai praised, dropping the whip aside and moving forward bare-handed to fight Li Yuanba.
However, Li Yuanba merely retreated, evading all of Dongfang Jibai's moves. It wasn't until Dongfang Jibai cornered him, with nowhere left to retreat, that he, as Dongfang Jibai's flying kick came towards him, raised his left arm to block. This was their first physical contact. Dongfang Jibai's kick was solid. I estimated that if it were me, I would have been kicked straight into the wall.
Yet, Li Yuanba planted his stance, and with one hand, he steadily caught Dongfang Jibai's kick, absorbing some of the force. He then flicked his arm, directly pushing Dongfang Jibai into the air. Dongfang's body, like a kite with a broken string, flew seven or eight meters before she adjusted her posture in mid-air and landed steadily.
Dongfang Jibai flexed her right ankle and nodded slightly, "Indeed formidable. This princess cannot defeat you."
A true expert reveals their skill with their first move. Li Yuanba didn't need to attack; Dongfang Jibai could gauge his combat power.
"What do you think," I asked, "his chances are against Long Ju?"
Dongfang Jibai pondered, "Still not enough. If you and I joined forces, we might be able to contend with Commander Long, but we still wouldn't have a winning chance."
"And what if we add this?" I took out the Dagger Gun. Dongfang Jibai knew it was a projectile weapon, appearing to be a dagger but actually a sophisticated "hand cannon."
However, Dongfang Jibai still shook her head, "Lord Wu, you might not know, but Long Ju is different from Han Li. Although Han Li was a formidable fighter, you could kill him because he hadn't practiced the Iron Shirt technique. But as far as I know, Long Ju's Iron Shirt skill has reached the peak of perfection. Ordinary swords, sabers, and crossbows cannot harm him. I estimate your little gadget's destructive power wouldn't be greater than a heavy crossbow, would it?"
This was the truth. The power of my Dagger Gun was comparable to a regular small-caliber handgun, not particularly formidable. A powerful crossbow, infused with energy, could even surpass an ordinary handgun.
"If this isn't enough, then..." I thought for a moment, "How about this: you proceed with the plan first. While Long Ju's main army is away, take the initiative to defeat the rebel forces in the city. Preferably, persuade them to surrender and incorporate them into your ranks. I will return to the mortal realm to get some suitable weapons for you to help kill Long Ju!"
Long Ju was a war god among the rebels, and even in the entire underworld. Defeating him alone was almost equivalent to annihilating one hundred thousand rebel troops!
Dongfang Jibai chose to trust me and immediately issued orders to convene a meeting of mid-level and above officials of the Three Yin Palace, preparing to launch their uprising.