Chapter 7 Nine Netherworld Emperor
Although he harbored some doubts, Qin Wuyan understood that the old man was right: only when someone was of value would others plot against them. What puzzled him, however, was that he was new to the Underworld and didn't know anyone, yet the old man seemed to have known he was coming. But time was of the essence, and he couldn't afford to dwell on his thoughts. He quickened his pace, and not far from the wasteland he had just left, the Hehuan Bell in his hand indeed began to shake violently in the southeast direction. Overjoyed, he followed the direction indicated by the Hehuan Bell.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, Qin Wuyan saw a dark, looming mountain in the distance, appearing and disappearing amidst the clouds and mist. Atop the mountain, it did indeed seem to be a palace. Meanwhile, the Hehuan Bell shook more violently in the direction of the mountain, emitting a series of clear, ringing sounds. At this moment, the fourth petal of the Heartbreak Flower was just beginning to emerge, and he quickened his pace towards the mountain.
Upon reaching the palace gates at the summit, he found only two guards wearing bronze fang masks standing watch. He took a deep breath and stepped forward, but the guards stopped him. "Who goes there?" both guards asked simultaneously. Qin Wuyan didn't answer, but simply took out the token given to him by the white-bearded old man. The two guards took a closer look, immediately stepped back, opened the palace gates, and said in unison, "Please come in!"
Qin Wuyan was pleasantly surprised; things had gone so smoothly. Yet, a vague unease lingered. The ease with which things went made him suspect the dangers that lay ahead. He paused for a moment, then strode into the Underworld Palace, the gates immediately closing behind him. Before him lay a grand hall. The entrance was blank, bearing only a large, round plaque with a flame pattern, flanked by two birds. However, both the flames and the birds were black and gold, giving it a solemn and imposing appearance that commanded respect.
He entered the hall, but it was empty; the entire hall looked very desolate.
Suddenly, a loud voice resounded throughout the empty palace: "You've finally arrived!"
Qin Wuyan looked around in surprise, and a tall figure appeared before him, dressed in a magnificent black silk robe embroidered with a nine-headed monster. He had his hands folded at his waist, his back to Qin Wuyan, exuding the air of a king.
Qin Wuyan took a small step forward, carefully observed his figure, and asked, "Did you know I was coming?"
The man slowly turned around, revealing a handsome face. However, his dark eyes were like a deep, unfathomable lake, revealing neither joy nor anger.
He smiled and said loudly, "As the ruler of the underworld, if I can't even detect an uninvited soul intruding into the Nine Netherworld, then I've truly wasted my time as the Underworld Emperor!"
Qin Wuyan was startled: "You are the Nine Netherworld Emperor?"
"What? You don't think so?" His booming voice echoed in the hall, and the faint smile on his lips sent a chill down Qin Wuyan's spine!
Qin Wuyan composed himself: "That's not it. I just didn't expect to meet you so soon! Now that you know my identity, I suppose the Underworld Emperor doesn't need to explain my purpose for coming here!"
The Nine Netherworld Emperor burst into laughter, his voice echoing deafeningly throughout the hall. Qin Wuyan frowned slightly; the laughter sounded somewhat familiar… He pondered, then suddenly realized something, “Was that white-bearded old man who gave directions earlier you?”
"Hahahaha," the Nine Netherworld Emperor laughed again, looking at him with considerable admiration, "You're quite clever, kid! You figured it out so quickly!"
Qin Wuyan immediately stopped smiling, clasped his hands together, bowed slightly, and said earnestly, "Since that's the case, then I beg the Underworld Emperor to spare Biyao's life!" His tone was sincere yet urgent, mixed with a hint of expectation.
The Underworld Emperor walked up to him, helped him up, and said with a smile, "I can release her now."
Qin Wuyan looked up at him, her eyes filled with surprise and delight. "Really?"
The Underworld Emperor still smiled: "I know you want her soul to return to its place, and I can agree to that. But whether she can return to the mortal realm depends on your consent."
Qin Wuyan frowned: "Me? What do you mean?"
The Netherworld Emperor looked up at the pitch-black sky above and said in a deep voice, "What she did was against the will of Heaven, and she should pay the price of being imprisoned in the Underworld for all eternity. But if you want to save her and bring her back to life, you must also pay the corresponding price."
Qin Wuyan wasn't too shocked; he had already considered this on his way here. At this moment, the fourth petal of the Heartbreak Flower in his hand had begun to fall. Time was running out, so Qin Wuyan no longer hesitated and asked, "Does the Underworld Emperor mean that if Biyao's soul is to return to the mortal realm, then I must stay here and bear all her sins?"
The Underworld Emperor was very satisfied to see that he had grasped the concept well: "Not bad. But I have a way to make you leave as well."
Qin Wuyan's eyes lit up with joy, but he immediately realized that this matter was not so simple, and he couldn't help but ask in confusion, "But the Underworld Emperor just said that I must pay the corresponding price."
The Underworld Emperor smiled: "The price is simple: after you return to the mortal realm, you must continue to work for me."
Qin Wuyan was stunned. This meant he was to become Qin Wuyan's servant in the mortal realm. But the Underworld Emperor ruled the Underworld and must have many subordinates. Why choose him?
As if he could see through his thoughts, the Underworld Emperor continued, "What I possess in the Underworld are merely some ghost generals. They cannot move freely in the mortal realm. But you are different; you are a cultivator, and your soul, once returned to the mortal realm, will be no different from that of an ordinary person. I need someone like you to work for me."
"What does the Underworld Emperor want to do...?" Qin Wuyan asked with a hint of suspicion. How could the ruler of a realm arrange for people to work for him in the mortal world? What exactly was his plan?
"You don't need to worry about what I'm planning. Just do as I say. But I promise you, if you work for me, I will bring Biyao back to life and give you the greatest power, making you invincible in the mortal world."
Qin Wuyan's heart skipped a beat. He was used to making deals with people, and he knew very well that the conditions offered by the Underworld Emperor were hard to resist. But soon, he also realized that what the Underworld Emperor wanted to do was definitely not simple, otherwise he wouldn't have given him power.
After pondering for a while, he added, "What if... I am unable to accomplish this for you in the mortal realm?"
The Underworld Emperor merely smiled, his deep eyes revealing no emotion: "Then you will return to the Underworld to serve me."
"What about Biyao?" Qin Wuyan asked. "What will happen to Biyao if I fail to complete the task assigned by the Underworld Emperor?"
The Netherworld Emperor's smile deepened: "You don't need to worry. If you fail to complete your mission, I will only take your life. Biyao will still live a good life. Moreover, she has the bloodline of the Heavenly Fox Clan. If she cultivates properly after returning to life, she can even achieve immortality. As for you, if you do well in the Underworld, once I have accomplished what I plan, I will also allow you to reincarnate and continue your relationship with her."
The offer sounded so tempting, but Qin Wuyan knew that the more tempting something was, the more unpredictable the danger it concealed. He remained hesitant and asked again, "How can I believe you?"
The Underworld Emperor smiled faintly: "You may not believe me, but in short, if you don't make a deal with me, Biyao will definitely not be able to return to the mortal realm. Besides, she defied the heavens and should have been banished to the extreme cold of the underworld by King Yama, never to be reborn. If it weren't for my pity for her infatuation, she wouldn't have been able to wait for you; her soul would have long since dissipated."
For some reason, Qin Wuyan knew that the Underworld Emperor had no reason to lie to him. Before coming here, he understood that taking someone from Yama was simply a matter of exchanging one life for another. Now, he had the opportunity to return to the mortal realm with Biyao, which was already extremely fortunate. Even if the Underworld Emperor's deal contained hidden motives, he had no other choice.
In her hesitation, what flashed through her mind was the beautiful figure who defied the heavens and resisted the Zhuxian Sword when she was about to die after being knocked down into the valley by Zeng Shushu!
For love's sake, I would die without regret!
It seemed like only a moment had passed before he made up his mind!
"I agree to your conditions!" Qin Wuyan said firmly, a slightly solemn smile appearing on his face. "But I also ask that the Underworld Emperor keep his promise and bring Biyao back to life."
The Netherworld Emperor's gaze was deep and unfathomable: "I never force anyone to make a deal with me, so you should think this through. The person Biyao can't forget is never you. You risked your future and your life to save her. But once she returns to the mortal realm, she will forget everything she experienced in the underworld. In that case, are you still willing to make a deal with me? Are you sure you won't regret it?"
"Regret? Ha!" Qin Wuyan suddenly laughed. "I wonder if the Underworld Emperor has ever heard the saying, 'For love alone, even death is not regrettable!' I am also tired of the schemes and plots of the mortal world. If I can exchange my life for her happiness, then this life will be worthwhile!"
"Hahaha..." The Nine Netherworld Emperor suddenly burst into laughter: "I never imagined you could see things so clearly. If you were to receive guidance from a master and join a celestial sect, you might be able to attain enlightenment and ascend to immortality in just one or two hundred years!"
Qin Wuyan said calmly, "Underworld Emperor, please don't mock me. I come from the Demonic Sect and my hands are stained with blood. I never thought of becoming some kind of immortal who saves the world. I have my own path to walk!"
From the day he became aware of the world, he never considered associating with those who practiced immortality and Taoism but were hypocritical and righteous.
The Nine Netherworld Emperor seemed quite satisfied with his answer, and laughed, "Those who cultivate immortality are indeed nothing, just a bunch of ants who vainly seek longevity. Attaining godhood is what true heroes should seek."
"Become a god?" Qin Wuyan was stunned. Although the path of cultivation in the human world is divided into the immortal and demonic paths, they are all about seeking immortality. It seems that he has never heard of anyone pursuing the goal of becoming a god.
After all, it is said that the gods have long been annihilated, and the celestial gods have never appeared in the world. Those gods who rule the heavens are actually just humans who have cultivated to become immortals.
The Nine Netherworld Emperor did not continue the topic, but simply said, "In any case, our deal is settled. I will bring Biyao back to life, and you will bring her back to the mortal realm. In return, I will grant you power. From now on, whether in the mortal realm or the underworld, you must serve me, right?"
Qin Wuyan nodded: "That's right, I agree."
The Nine Netherworld Emperor couldn't help but laugh again: "Have you ever thought that if you made more demands of me, perhaps I would grant them?"
Qin Wuyan smiled faintly and said, "Everything has a price. The more I want, the higher the price will be. I came here only for Biyao. If I covet more, I'm afraid I won't be able to bear the consequences later."
The Underworld Emperor's eyes flickered slightly, and he said with satisfaction, "You are so intelligent; I knew I hadn't misjudged you."
The fifth petal of the Heartbreak Flower in his hand was shining brighter and brighter. Qin Wuyan knew that time was running out and said with a little anxiety, "Biyao's body in the mortal world is maintained by an array. Now that the deal is settled, I hope that the Underworld Emperor will release Biyao quickly and let her return with me."
The Underworld Emperor continued, “I can let you see her immediately. However, she has lost a part of her soul and is blind. After you replenish her soul, I will allow you to leave the Underworld Palace. But I cannot open another gate to the Underworld for you today. Your formation in the mortal realm can help you open the gate to the Underworld, but before that, you must leave the Underworld Palace, subdue the Blood Monster, and only then can the gates of the Underworld on both the Yin and Yang paths open simultaneously, and she can return safely.”
Qin Wuyan nodded, indicating that he understood.
"Let's go, I'll take you to her." With that, the Nine Netherworld Emperor strode forward, and Qin Wuyan followed closely behind.
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