Crazy …
Qin Ye stared intently at the wine glass in his hand. His heart was already at 120% vigilance.
A lunatic … a clear-headed lunatic.
A rational madman.
Arthis' words echoed clearly in his ears - All Emissaries of Hell are Yin spirits of Hell, and they are governed by Hell's strict 'system'. As soon as the 'system' is gone, these Emissaries of Hell … will become hundreds of times more terrifying than any evil ghost!
For example, Cao Youdao.
"To be frank, you're just a Soul Hunter, and I'm just a Netherworld Operative.
On the other hand … I've seen cultivators who are above the Hunter-class in the human world. "He deliberated over his words as he spoke carefully.
Cao Youdao smiled.
Then, he gently placed his hand on Qin Ye's hand, "That's why I say that you and I are the only ones who understand each other in this world."
"So what if it's a Judge-class cultivator?"
He patted Qin Ye's hand gently, "The only ones who can see Emissaries of Hell are Emissaries of Hell."
"Who cares if he's an Anitya Hellguard, an Infernal Judge, or even an Abyssal Prefect or Yama-King?
No one can see us, only you and I can see each other.
In other words … humans will never find me, even if I am standing right in front of them. "
"We will forever be two different existences from those low-level ghosts."
Qin Ye calmly retracted his hand and smiled faintly, "That said, the government will continue to suppress the existence of the supernatural. So long as we invest sufficient manpower, we'll be able to clear away any signs of supernatural activity …"
Before he could finish, Cao Youdao shook his finger and interrupted him, "No, new player.
You seem to have forgotten something. "
His gaze was deep and dangerous, and there was even a hint of fiery bewitchment in it, "Have you forgotten … that we have a hundred billion Yin spirits standing behind us?
These are the countless souls that were washed into the mortal realm along with the great collapse of Hell! "
"As long as there is a suitable method to induce them, they will sooner or later turn into vengeful spirits, or even evil spirits.
How many people do you think there are in the Special Investigations Department?
Do you think they can handle it? "
"All souls would instinctively gather in the City of Salvation as soon as they sense the aura of an Emissary of Hell.
We're only in the initial stages of Hell right now. Once we become Infernal Judges, or even Abyssal Prefects … "
His body was trembling with excitement. "All the souls in the surrounding provinces will gather here!
Think about it. When billions of Yin spirits gather, even if there isn't a single evil ghost in sight, this place would still become a forbidden zone for the living! "
He stared intently at Qin Ye, "To put it another way, it's … Hell's Paradise."
Qin Ye drew a deep breath.
Lunatics are not scary.
A madman with a high IQ and rationality was the scariest.
He didn't even know that he was crazy anymore.
He understood, even though the other party's words were vague.
But his ambition was obvious.
He wanted to … rebuild Hell!
As long as they followed the other party's plan, it was highly possible that it would come true!
The only thing they cared about was time. However, as people whose names were no longer in the Book of Life and Death, did they care about time?
In Cao Youdao's eyes, Qin Ye's silence was seen as a sign of consideration. He stood up and gently knocked on the glass window, speaking in a hoarse voice, "Newbie, I'm not the only one. Every ghost that's lucky enough to survive is doing the same."
"You haven't been here for long. A hundred years?
But before he could even register his name in Hell's register, Hell had already collapsed.
That was why he wasn't brought to the Pure Land of Bliss by Lord Ksitigarbha.
That's why … you've never really interacted with other colleagues, and you know nothing about the current society. "
Ripples spread out from his fingertips, and a map of the entire Insignia Province appeared above him.
The City of Salvation was the largest red dot on the map.
Elsewhere, there were four other red dots on the map.
Although it was more popular than the City of Salvation, it wasn't expanding as quickly as the City of Salvation.
"Do you know what this is called?" He looked at Qin Ye leisurely, slowly breaking down the defenses in Qin Ye's heart, "It's called a hunting zone."
"Ever since the collapse of Hell, I've been to every province and city in the Southeast over the last hundred years.
The ghosts that are lucky enough to survive have already carved out their own territories.
These territories are known as hunting zones, and each hunting zone is home to an evil ghost that is at least an Operative-class Netherworld expert.
They're waiting. They're afraid, afraid that the Emissaries of Hell will rush out of Hell like a tidal wave.
That said, time can make people forget many things.
The last few years have been somewhat unstable because some of the ghosts can't wait any longer. "
"Without the pressure from Hell, it's only a matter of time before Cathay experiences a full-blown confrontation between the mortal realm and the netherworld.
When that time comes … how are you going to hide? "
"No matter where you go, there will be ghosts everywhere. Are you going to carry out your duties as an Emissary of Hell and slay the evil ghosts?
It's not that I'm looking down on you, but do you really think a puny Operative-class Netherworld expert like you will be able to fight your way through? "
"There aren't many Hunter-class ghosts that survived Hell, but there aren't a few either. In fact … I can even sense the aura of a Hellguard-class ghost in the Pearl River Delta.
It's right under the Pearl River.
Hell has already fallen, and there's no way for you to advance any further.
Once the confrontation between the mortal realm and the netherworld erupts, where are you going to go? "
Cao Youdao turned around and looked at Qin Ye playfully, "Are you going to the mortal realm?
You've violated the rules of Hell. Hell should never interfere in the affairs of the mortal realm. "
"Stand on the side of the Yin spirits?
Then you've also violated the rules of Hell. The existence of Hell is to support the normal operations of the mortal realm. "
"So … where do you go from here?"
Qin Ye didn't respond. Instead, Cao Youdao walked up to him and spoke with a deep voice, "Newbie … do you understand?
I'm not doing this for the sake of my own desires.
Rather, I need someone to stand up and restore Hell to its former glory. "
"There's no end to Yin spirits. As long as Hell remains weak, it's only a matter of time before the forces of the netherworld overwhelm the mortal realm.
And the only person in the world who can restore Hell to its former glory is me … "
He tapped Qin Ye's chest, "And you."
"We're the only ones who are high and mighty, and completely different from those unbearably vulgar ghosts."
"As an Emissary of Hell, how can you tolerate those evil ghosts that we trample beneath our feet, and who bow down to us whenever they see us, becoming the lord of a realm?"
It had to be said that Cao Youdao was quite eloquent, and Qin Ye was almost moved by his words.
Unfortunately, he was only almost moved.
"There's no longer any records of Hell's achievements. How are you going to become an Infernal Judge?" Qin Ye responded placidly, "If you can't become an Infernal Judge, you won't be able to leave the province."
Cao Youdao chuckled.
He stood up and ran his hand gently along the glass window, "Do you see that thing over there?"
He was referring to the three-meter pit at the back of the stage.
Qin Ye nodded.
"So … the collapse of Hell has left me with hope …" Cao Youdao's voice was laced with a trace of madness, but he immediately calmed down, "Of course … there's a way."
However, he didn't continue. Instead, he turned around and looked at Qin Ye, "Alright, give me an answer.
I'm sincerely inviting you to stand on my side, and stand on the side of Hell, so that we can restore the order of the past.
Newbie … don't disappoint me … "
Qin Ye gently swirled his wine glass, "What if … you refuse?"
Cao Youdao smiled faintly, "Do you know why I didn't ask for your name?"
"Because … the dead don't need names."
Qin Ye finally took a sip of wine. To his surprise, the wine tasted very light and smooth.
The air around him was as sharp as a knife.
A single word of disagreement could cause blood to spill.
Seconds later, he finally smiled and set down his glass, "Then, what other reason do I have to refuse?"
Clap, clap, clap!
Cao Youdao laughed heartily and applauded, "I knew you'd make the right choice."
He pulled out a wooden plaque from his pocket. The carvings were exquisite, and it was shrouded in Cao Youdao's Yin energy.
He gently placed the wooden plaque on the table and held it with two fingers as he raised his eyebrows, "With this, you'll be able to see all of the hunting zones in the City of Salvation.
Take it with you, and you'll be able to command the Yin spirits within as you please.
The Yin spirits in the City of Salvation aren't strong. They're all Operative-class Yin spirits.
They wouldn't dare to go against my will. "
Qin Ye reached out, only to find that he couldn't pick up the wooden plaque.
"Fellow Daoist … there are some things that are easier said than done …" Cao Youdao smiled mysteriously, "So … don't you think you should prove it to me?"
"Prove that we both stand together for the rebuilding of Hell, and that we share the same ideals, hmm?"
Qin Ye smiled, "How do I prove it?"
Cao Youdao stood up with a smile on his face, walked to the window, and snapped his fingers. At once, the tempered glass window parted, and the sound of drumming music blasted into the room like a bomber.
Qin Ye listened carefully, only to realize that it was Faded …
He had already activated the shard of King Yanluo's Seal as soon as he opened the window.
That's right. It was only 'almost' convincing.
He would never stand together with this madman.
There was no other reason other than the fact that their worldviews were incompatible.
He had his own way of life, and he would live as he did in the past.
Admittedly, both of them had witnessed the vicissitudes of dynasties and the fickleness of human nature. However, he had always lived in human society, and he was different from all other Emissaries of Hell!
Qin Ye was a high and mighty ruler of the night world, and that was a fundamental difference.
Qin Ye was more human. He was lazy, and he didn't want to fight for supremacy. He hated the hypocrisy and greed of humans, but he also loved the friendliness and honesty of humans.
His seven emotions and six desires were what made up his life.
It was a life filled with complex emotions.
Why should I stand together with you?
"Everyone." Cao Youdao's voice rang out. Within ten seconds, the entire dance floor below quietened down.
All of the ghosts stared at him with a burning gaze.
He cleared his throat and slowly said, "Tonight, we may welcome a colleague. He has the same goal and the same ideals as us.
Of course, there's also the possibility that he isn't. "
"Truth be told, it doesn't matter whether he is or isn't.
Therefore, I've prepared a special welcoming ceremony for him. "
"Bring him up."
Qin Ye looked at the ambitious schemer with great interest. But soon, his eyes widened, and he quietly stood up and stared at the entrance with great disbelief.
The swarm of ghosts parted like a tide, and the two humanoid paper effigies brought a soul with them.
The soul's hair was disheveled, and it was evident that he had struggled. The soul fluctuations were strong, and both of his hands were handcuffed.
He had a square face and was dressed in a traditional Chinese tunic.
This … was Zhang Baoguo's soul!
"You see, all it takes is one stab, and you and I will be on the same side." Cao Youdao smiled faintly as he looked down, "You should know this man, right?
The first thing you did when you arrived at the City of Salvation was to meet him.
But, did you know that he's a hateful man? "
"The Special Investigations Department is our mortal enemy who stands in the way of our great progress.
And he's nothing more than an old dog under our mortal enemy's command.
The only reason I haven't killed him yet is because it's not yet the time to fall out with the mortal realm.
We've been keeping an eye on him at all times. It's also thanks to him that I've discovered you, the only colleague I have left. "
So that's how it is …
Qin Ye smiled back, "What do you mean?"