Chapter 930: Yuan Er

Chapter 930: Yuan Er

The Underworld? The King of Hell? Bai Lingmiao’s mouth hung slightly agape as she stared at the Xinsu in front of her, utterly stunned. She truly had not expected that these people, having endured such immense hardship to reach this place, were here for such a purpose.

She tried her hardest to believe their words, but they were simply too preposterous. What did they mean by the Underworld? What did they mean by ascending to the ranks of the immortals?

"You..." Er Shen interjected hesitantly. "You don't think you've been deceived by the Zuowangdao, do you?"

Er Shen’s words struck a nerve with the Qingqiu Xinsu, whose faces twisted into expressions of pure malice. "Don't you dare mention those swindlers to me! They could never deceive us! Get out of here, now! Or don't blame us for being inhospitable!"

Sensing their hostility and the mounting tension in the air, Bai Lingmiao and Er Shen quickly conferred in their minds.

It was clear that persuasion would not work for now; they needed to stabilize the situation first. With so many Xinsu, resorting to force was out of the question. If they were to handle this, they would have to find another way.

After a moment of deliberation, Bai Lingmiao spoke again. She did not refute their claims, but instead followed the thread of their own logic.

"Since you wish to become the Kings of Hell, yet you have been here for so long without success, you must have encountered some difficulties, haven't you? To stump eleven Xinsu, the challenge must be quite formidable, no?"

Bai Lingmiao dared to say this because she was certain they could never become the Kings of Hell. The true place for the dead lay beneath Qingqiu; this place was not the Underworld at all. Furthermore, the Heavenly Dao of Death was clearly governed by the Wusheng Laomu—if there were any Kings of Hell, it could only be her.

Regardless of whether these Xinsu had been deceived by the Zuowangdao or something else, if she didn't pierce the obsession in their hearts, they would never leave with her.

Resorting to violence was something Bai Lingmiao had already ruled out; dealing with eleven Xinsu by force would be no easy task.

"How about we strike a bargain? We help you resolve this trouble and see you crowned as the Ten Kings of Hell. In exchange, once it is done, you come away with me—consider it a favor to me?"

"Not interested!"

The blunt refusal came from the leader, whose eyes burned with deep hostility as he and the other Xinsu began to retreat.

It was clear he did not trust this strange woman with two upper bodies at all; he had no intention of negotiating.

Sensing they were about to leave, Bai Lingmiao clenched her fists and stepped forward. "How much longer do you intend to waste your lives here? You might be able to endure this world, but what about your loved ones in the other? Can they endure it as well? Have you ever thought about how they have been living all these years?"

The Xinsu, who had just turned to leave, froze. They glared at Bai Lingmiao, their expressions shifting instantly; clearly, she had struck a raw nerve.

Bai Lingmiao’s experience with Xinsu was no mere boast. Having spent so much time by Li Huowai’s side, listening and observing, she truly understood their nature.

Seeing the exhaustion and numbness hidden beneath their resolute gazes, Bai Lingmiao realized that, like Tuoba Danqing, they were merely holding on. These Xinsu were not as steadfast as she had imagined.

With this, Bai Lingmiao and Er Shen quickly formulated a new strategy in their minds.

"Haven't you suffered enough in this place? It has been so many years; I know you must have felt regret. You had no choice before, so you had to walk this path to the end, but now, you have a choice."

"Look at our attire. We entered voluntarily only yesterday; if we can get in, we can certainly get out."

"So, I can help you. I can take you out of here and remove the innate Qi within you. You will never be confused again. Once your identity as Xinsu is lifted, you can live the life you truly desire!"

"And you need not worry. Xinsu are priceless, but with eleven of you together, my subordinates and I are no match for you."

"That's right, just try it. What have you got to lose? It’s better than wasting away here," Er Shen chimed in.

Bai Lingmiao’s persuasion gradually softened the tense atmosphere. Now, everyone’s gaze was fixed on her face.

When Yuan Er saw the expressions of the surrounding Xinsu beginning to shift, he realized he could not let this continue. If he let this woman sway them any further, his people would lose their resolve!

"Don't listen to her! Everything this woman says is a lie! She might be one of the Zuowangdao! As long as we ascend to the ranks of the immortals and become the Ten Kings of Hell, the world over there will be under our control as well!"

"Is that truly the case? Is this your own idea, or the idea of everyone else? Why are you so arrogant as to assume they all want to be Kings of Hell? Why are you so certain that becoming Kings of Hell will grant you control over the Underworld of the other world? Have you ever seen a single soul from there in this place?"

"Why force your own ideas onto others? Can you not listen to what they think? Or have you turned everyone else into tools for your own selfish gain?"

Er Shen’s voice cut in, pressing the advantage. "And you, who are clearly confused about everything—you, who doubt the very existence of this world—how can you speak with such certainty?"

Bai Lingmiao’s words were relentless, their content sharp enough to make Yuan Er’s face turn ghastly.

Yet, he could not kill her now. If he were to make a move, it would only sow discord among his companions.

"No, I cannot let this woman lead us by the nose!" Yuan Er waved his hand. "Fine! You don't believe me, do you? Then follow us and see for yourself! We shall do as you say! We have indeed encountered trouble; if you help us, we shall naturally help you!"

Yuan Er had found no solution for years, and he did not believe this young woman truly had a way.

Whether she helped him become a King of Hell or died in the Palace of the King of Hell, it was a win for him.

"Very well, it's a deal!" Bai Lingmiao stepped forward firmly.

Glancing once more at the other Xinsu, Yuan Er turned and headed up the mountain. "Follow me."

Bai Lingmiao nodded slightly and followed. She was not afraid of these Xinsu turning on her; for one, they would not abandon a new path without cause.

Secondly, there was no Heavenly Dao of Death in this place; even if they ambushed her, they could not kill her.

The two groups walked up the gravel path toward the mountain, and along the way, Yuan Er spoke coldly of their predicament.

"To become the King of Hell, one must obtain the Book of Life and Death, but that book is hidden within the throne room of the Palace of the King of Hell."

"That palace is extremely dangerous. When we first arrived, there were hundreds of us, but now only eleven remain."

"Hundreds of Xinsu?!" Bai Lingmiao’s voice rose in surprise.

"How could that be? Just some offerings, some servants, some family members."

"And where are they now?"

"Dead."

Bai Lingmiao’s hair swayed gently as she shook her head. "That is absolutely impossible. There is no Heavenly Dao of Death here; people cannot die."

"Hmph! If the King of Hell calls for you at the third watch, who dares keep you until the fifth? The Book of Life and Death is held by the Judge. With one stroke of the Judge’s brush, it matters not what Heavenly Dao you follow—your soul is reaped and cast into the eighteen layers of hell!"

At this, Yuan Er sneered at her. "Well? If you want to leave, now is your chance."