"Why?"
Qin Ye drew his saber and pointed it at the soul sphere, "Why do you all have to force me to do something I don't want to do?"
Arthis refused to budge, "I've said it before. You've used the shard of King Yanluo's Seal in exchange for your own life. That's your responsibility!"
"I understand. I don't blame you this time. The burden of making this decision is far too great. It's understandable that you would give up if you could.
But … can you do it? "
"Have you ever considered that … there's someone in Westriver who possesses the shard of King Yanluo's Seal?!
Even if he can't see you outside of the province, he's definitely stronger than an Anitya Hellguard. In fact, he might even be on par with me!
Doesn't he know how to use the shard of King Yanluo's Seal? "
"If he dares to use the shard of King Yanluo's Seal to nurture venomous venomous insects, then he's definitely a target that the Sixfold Ghost Kings have to personally capture.
How could he possibly let go of a single shard of King Yanluo's Seal?
Do you think you'll be able to sit back and relax just because you're hiding in the City of Salvation? "
The soul sphere shook its head, "Kid … you've never seen the killing techniques of an incarnate revenant or a Hellguard-class evil ghost …"
"You're already dead without anyone knowing it.
You won't even touch the supernatural perimeter. "
Qin Ye shut his eyes, and his chest rose and fell heavily. Seconds later, he retracted his gaze.
After a few seconds, he calmly continued, "I think we need to have a good talk.
Our relationship has been a little strained lately … although it's never been good. "
"There's nothing to talk about, kid. There's no room for negotiation.
Granny Meng's visit means that she's already set her sights on you.
I don't know how to avoid it either. Truth be told, if I were in her shoes, I'd be more inclined to become King Yanluo myself. "
"Think about it. King Yanluo … is the master of all of Hell!
You have the most important proof of identity as an Emissary of Hell, as well as the shard of King Yanluo's Seal. This is already a good start!
Hundreds of years from now, all Yin spirits will tremble in fear at your command. You'll even be able to sleep on the lap of beauties when you're sober. What else is there to pursue? "
"Hell will gradually be perfected under your command. You can build a new Naraka Bridge, and you can even make them drink cola!
You can appoint new ferrymen, and no one will dare to object even if you have to pay.
You can even personally interrogate some of the evildoers that the mortal realm can't convict … such as those who try to scam others, those who use their gender and age to commit crimes, and those who worship money … Good and evil will be repaid with a single word from you. "
Qin Ye didn't say anything else. Instead, he simply sighed wistfully.
"But I just want to face the sea and enjoy the warmth of spring …"
Arthis explained slowly, "Little fellow … everyone who comes to this world has their own responsibilities. From the moment you consumed the taisui fungus, you were no longer a simple human being. This is karma.
If you don't accept, then … no one can protect you. "
"The opportunity to rebuild Hell is far too tempting.
Even if he's on the brink of death because of the mortal realm, he'll still take your life first! "
Some of the things that had been covered up in the past were slowly being uncovered.
Qin Ye didn't get angry. Rather, it would be more accurate to say that he had been waiting for this day ever since he realized these things.
"Perhaps … becoming the next King Yanluo of Hell isn't a bad choice after all." After a long time, Qin Ye chuckled softly.
Arthis chuckled, "It's far more than just 'not bad' … You'll understand the feeling of accomplishment and the excitement of establishing your own underworld as soon as you begin to build your own underworld."
Qin Ye shook his head with a complicated smile on his face.
Seconds later, he puffed up his chest and raised an eyebrow, "So, we're going to dig up Hell's Records first?"
Arthis responded, "That's right. There are many treasures in Hell, and not even Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva would be able to destroy these treasures. They're probably scattered all over Cathay.
Every time you collect one, it will be a great help to you. "
"For instance, Hell's Records. With it, you'll be able to appoint your own Emissary of Hell.
Given your current level of strength, you can only appoint an Emissary of Hell who is one rank lower than you.
Maybe you can put it another way … "
Arthis paused for a moment, and then continued, "Even if the people around you die, they can still live on in another way."
Qin Ye nodded and grew taciturn.
His hand suddenly reached into the cave below.
Since it was unavoidable, there was no need to avoid it.
The premise of his hiding was that it wouldn't affect his life.
But now, his life had been completely changed, so … it was like facing the Wang family's female ghost, facing Cao Youdao.
Try to touch it, get used to it, break it, master it.
Only when he was on the verge of death did he realize how precious life was.
Laziness was only for the sake of living a better life.
The bottom of the cave wasn't a pitch-black hole.
Instead, copious amounts of Yin energy had converged to form a circular hole in the clouds.
A spot of golden light glowed brightly in the middle of the hole, almost as though it were a dazzling star.
Whoosh … A chain flew out from his sleeves and wrapped itself around something. Then, with a tug, an ancient book appeared in his hands.
It didn't look particularly outstanding.
It merely glowed with a faint golden light. The blue cover was somewhat worn, and the words "Hell's Records" were written in bold black letters on the cover.
There were several tear marks on the edges of the book, and even the cover was somewhat torn.
Qin Ye gazed deeply at the book. Seconds later, he shook his head with a smile and grabbed the book.
Boom!!
As soon as the book entered his hands, his soul felt as though it had flown out of his body, and his surroundings grew darker and darker.
Finally … he saw a door that led straight to the heavens!
The door was made of white marble. It was simple and unadorned, and the design of the Eighteen Abysses of Punishment was engraved on it.
It was so lifelike that it struck fear into the hearts of all who saw it.
Clatter … The door slowly opened, and an incomparably rich source of Yin energy poured out.
It was majestic and lofty. The Yin energy was so thick that it was almost tangible. Qin Ye felt his scalp go numb, and even his breathing became labored.
Ka-ka-ka … It was almost as though an invisible giant were pressing down on him. He gritted his teeth and held on. Seconds later, he finally knelt to the ground with a soft thud.
"Whose aura is this …"
"It's too powerful … It's like … I'm facing a living hell!"
As soon as he knelt to the ground, the door finally opened fully.
Inside … was a scene of unparalleled cruelty.
Countless people were hanging naked from black ropes.
They were being hacked at by countless knives and axes.
Innumerable people perished at the same time. As soon as they died, they transformed into Yin spirits and dissipated into the surroundings.
Those who didn't die were dragged down by innumerable ghostly soldiers and placed on red-hot iron rods. Miserable screams, smoke, and a burning stench filled the air at the same time.
The ghostly soldiers burned their skin and flesh.
Their bones and marrow boiled.
More and more people transformed into Yin spirits and flew away. There were also those who didn't die, who were hung on red-hot iron chains by the ghostly soldiers. Boundless nethergale blew into their bones and flesh, turning them into desiccated corpses.
There was a man dressed in black and wearing a crown in the middle of the Infernal Hell's Map.
Qin Ye couldn't see his appearance clearly, but he could tell that his back was facing Qin Ye, just like Arthis.
Suddenly, Qin Ye's body trembled. When he snapped back to his senses, he found himself back in Cao Youdao's lair.
"This is … Blackrope Hell?
Is that Emperor Song? "
He drew a deep breath. However, he didn't feel the slightest bit of fear. Instead, he simply murmured softly, "Good and evil will be repaid … I'm sure someone who witnessed such a tragic scene would never do evil again."
Almost as though she understood what he was seeing, Arthis responded softly, "That's right … ghosts aren't evil. Evil is something that comes with life.
Hell exists only to set things right, and to deal with some of the evildoers and evildoers that are difficult to deal with back in the mortal realm. "
"Someone in his seventies lies down in front of a car and extorts millions of dollars."
"Someone in his sixties or seventies comes home late to buy groceries, and forces others who are exhausted or ill to give up their seats. As soon as they refuse to give up their seats, they hurl malicious words at them, calling it 'respect the old and cherish the young'."
"Someone commits matricide at the age of twelve, but can't be sentenced because he's still a minor."
"Someone sees a few words on the internet, and spouts malicious words at them. Then, he becomes the target of public condemnation, forcing his victim to commit suicide by jumping off a building."
"Ghosts aren't evil, and humans aren't perfect.
All sins committed in life will be repaid in death.
Those who harbor evil in their hearts will be subjected to countless punishments to redeem their sins. "
Her voice softened, "What you've done is the greatest and the best thing that has ever happened since time immemorial.
There's no need to fret. Good and evil will be repaid. The Heavenly Dao has its own cycle. "
Qin Ye nodded, "Then, what's the punishment for not collecting, voting, recommending, or subscribing a book?"
Arthis responded with a somber expression, "Have a taste of all ten hells. Amitabha …"
"Is it that serious?"
"Of course. This is akin to disregarding the fruits of other people's labor … and even treating it as a habit … It's not acceptable …"
… …
Meanwhile, in Ding 'an Province, thousands of miles away.
The prayer banner hanging at the entrance of a tall temple suddenly swayed.
Lotus flower prayer banner, golden glazed roof tiles, and cedar wood pillars.
A massive incense burner that was one meter tall sat at the entrance of the temple.
It was 4.30 a.m., and the sky was filled with stars. The sound of a wooden fish could be heard in the distance, accentuating the faint wisps of smoke from the incense burner in front of the temple.
Whoosh … As though a gust of wind were blowing, the prayer banner swayed more and more violently, until it finally fluttered straight into the air and slapped against the golden words' Hall of Great Strength '.
In front of the golden Buddha, a bald old man dressed in a silk robe was kneeling on a prayer mat. As he listened to the howling wind outside the temple, he finally opened his eyes.
A split second later … the golden Buddha in front of him actually made a cracking sound, and then opened his mouth and spoke in human tongue, "My Lord, the City of Salvation has been reclaimed by the mortal realm."
"As expected." The old man responded placidly, "He's still too young."
"It wasn't easy for us to survive the great collapse when Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva became a Buddha. A mere hundred years is still too early.
The one in Westriver has been plotting for so long, yet he still hasn't dared to make a move.
Yet, he's bold enough to try and test the waters of the mortal realm. "
"Humans …" The old man gently stroked the wooden fish in front of him, "They're existences far more terrifying than we are …"
The Buddha's voice continued, "My Lord … Her Majesty has asked me to ask you, are we … just going to wait and do nothing?"