Corpse Retriever.

Chapter 445

The metal playing cards were heating up and trembling in Li Zhuiyuan's pocket, eager to be played.

However, when this ancient armor appeared at the entrance, when the tomb's occupant stood there in his final form.

Resistance would then lose its meaning.

The invisible pressure is not deliberately targeted at you, but its very existence naturally intimidates this area.

Even if the two generals were released, they could not stop the tomb owner's steps.

They themselves knew it.

At this moment, volunteering for the mission is more like an instinctive, subjective expression.

This is not loyalty in the absolute sense, but rather the inertia of blindly following the crowd and jumping from one betting game to another. Because they are used to winning, they are more excited and eager to rush into games where there is little hope of winning.

The White Crane Boy's steady rise to power was the best catalyst for their all-or-nothing gamble.

Even if there's an iceberg in front of them, they will not hesitate to accelerate their ship and crash into it.

This stands in stark contrast to his self-preservation during the crucial moment when he was under the Bodhisattva's tutelage.

Ah Li raised her hands, and the red Qin family training uniform she was wearing today fluttered slowly.

The light in the girl's eyes gradually faded, turning into deep indifference.

Anyone who poses a threat to the boy is her enemy.

From her perspective, the tomb owner and the little water snake were essentially the same.

Li Zhuiyuan raised his right hand.

The armor lay still in the pocket.

Ah Li's eyes gradually regained their focus.

Without a pre-built grand formation and without powerful enough allies in front of him, when he was face to face with the tomb owner at such close range—no, when the tomb owner sat up in Fengdu County and looked at him from afar—Li Zhuiyuan had already lost all chance of winning.

However, in reality, within the Fengdu area, the fact that the emperor could easily kill himself by using the tomb owner's name did not change the fact that he could use it at will.

This was unnecessary and was intended to exert pressure in the upcoming negotiations.

His "master" wanted to tell him that He had not only suppressed the Bodhisattva, but also successfully controlled the tomb owner.

With such success and such arrogance, it's not impossible for Li Zhuiyuan to try and take something from Him.

but……

Need to pay more.

The bigger the spectacle, the bigger the appetite.

Li Zhuiyuan realized that the two bargaining chips he had originally prepared to put on the table were, firstly, the Valley of Living Hell, and secondly, the short-sighted approach that drained his own sustainable resources for long-term gain...

Unable to satisfy the appetite of his "master".

He wanted more, and wanted to make even greater concessions.

Difficult.

Li Zhuiyuan had to put himself back on the scale and count his parts again to see if there was anything else he could sell for a high price.

The boy turned to look at the girl, extended his hand, and smiled:
"Come, I'll take you to see my master."

Ah Li stepped forward and handed her hand to the boy.

After grasping it, Li Zhuiyuan looked at the tomb owner, his smile vanishing as he met the deep, dark gaze beneath the helmet:
"Lead the way."

The tomb owner turned around and walked towards the staircase. With each step, the light and shadow around him were distorted, as if he were torturing reality.

Li Zhuiyuan held A Li's hand and followed behind.

During the journey, loud noises came from every room on both sides.

Screams, wails, and cries of pain rose and fell.

Some room doors turned bright red, with lava overflowing from the cracks at the bottom; others were covered in frost, completely frozen, and exuding a chilling aura.

Inside the room, the sizzling sound of hot oil filled the air, releasing an irresistible aroma of meat.

This is not hell, but it is hell.

The Emperor has arrived at this hotel.

Li Zhuiyuan paid no attention to the changes in his surroundings; he was not bothered by them.

As Ah Li walked hand in hand with the boy, she would look here and there from time to time.

Compared to when she faced the tomb owner who suddenly stood at the door, she now seemed much more relaxed and at ease.

The most terrifying thing is nothing more than the unknown.

And when you find that what you are facing corresponds to and fits with the scenes you are familiar with in the past, the pressure immediately eases.

Li Zhuiyuan suspected that if he hadn't been holding A Li's hand, the girl might have tried to push open some doors to peek inside.

Compare the real hell with the one in her dream, and see what subtle differences there are.

Let's even judge which one is more hellish.

Li Zhuiyuan looked at A Li.

Sensing the boy's gaze, the girl looked away and lowered her head.

To be born as a human being is to enter the world and thus enter its rules.

You will inevitably apply or follow a certain template.

How others see you, how you feel about yourself, how others expect you to be, and how you expect yourself to be.

Stepping out of the home and leaving one's comfort zone, people become more eager to find a place to belong.

The more scenery I saw on this trip, the more I realized how out of place I was in this world.

Ah Li was trying her best to make herself more suitable to stand beside him, subconsciously restraining any behavior that didn't fit this mold.

Li Zhuiyuan held the girl's hand and leaned close to her, their faces very close together.

The boy's other hand pointed to the door diagonally in front of him.

“I have been to hell. Hell does have eighteen levels, but that is only what I saw. The eighteen levels do not refer to the number of spatial levels, but rather to time and punishment.”

The soul is not bound by the body, so it can more easily deceive in terms of the perception of time, and the experience of punishment can be made more elaborate. For example, behind this door is the Hell of Tongue-Pulling…

Li Zhuiyuan is like a tour guide.

He patiently and meticulously explained things to the girl.

Furthermore, he even reached out and pushed open some doors so that the girl could see and experience what was inside.

The Great Hell is divided into Lesser Hells. Outside the gate is a hotel corridor, and inside are various scenes piled up together. They appear to be vertical, but are actually flat. In each scene, various punishments for serious sins are constantly being performed, not bound by ancient forms, but evolving with the times.

Because, in essence, it is to allow the souls of the dead to experience more pain here, so as to generate more karmic debts to be repaid.

The evil deeds of ordinary souls in the human world are used to neutralize and offset the evil of the Heavenly Way caused by the lingering presence of the high-ranking officials of Fengdu, led by the Great Emperor.

Therefore, you need to make the deceased's experience more immersive, and the choice of punishment should be designed based on their understanding during their lifetime.

The boy's dawdling forced the tomb owner to slow down as well.

Li Zhuiyuan didn't pay attention to this.

Even the most terrifying being can be left aside if it's not there to kill you.

The most important thing right now is to make sure the girl next to me has a good time.

Ah Li's eyes were constantly reflecting all sorts of horrific and inhuman scenes.

She went from being reserved at first to gradually becoming immersed in the moment. After looking at the door for a while, she would take the initiative to look up at the boy beside her who was giving her a detailed explanation.

Li Zhuiyuan knew that the terror of the dream had already permeated the girl's reality, passively but also actively, otherwise the girl would not have been able to continue to retain her sense of self in this world.

Taking the girl out for a walk along the river is so that she can overcome and conquer her fears, not so that she can adapt to the outside world and put on a new layer of disguise.

Li Zhuiyuan had grown tired of playing non-existent characters since childhood, and he didn't want the girl to follow in his footsteps.

Deep within the helmet of the tomb's occupant, a sliver of light appeared, fleeting and ephemeral.

Li Zhuiyuan raised his head and glanced at the armor in front of him.

No one is willing to be enslaved and oppressed forever.

The Bodhisattva is like this, and so is the person whose tomb is located.

They are all actively revealing this attitude to themselves.

There was also a hidden hope that one day in the future, when the master and disciple completely turned against each other, they would have the opportunity to regain their freedom.

Compared to the ghost officials in Fengdu Underworld, they seem to recognize their identity as "Young Lord of Fengdu" more.

Indeed, they deserve credit for being accepted by the Emperor.

After walking around and stopping to look around, we reached the stairwell at the end of the corridor, marking the end of this brief tour of hell.

It felt like taking the girl through a haunted house in an amusement park.

Go downstairs.

At this hour, there were very few people in the lobby of the guesthouse. However, considering the special nature of the place and the fact that a meeting was to be held here, in addition to the staff at the front desk, there were also several staff members on night duty to provide tea for the small meetings.

As the tomb owner walked past, the originally brightly lit lobby of the guesthouse was divided into two distinct scenes: one with bright colors and the other with cold black and white, with the tomb owner as the dividing line.

The tomb owner remained in place and did not move.

Li Zhuiyuan saw that Old Master Zhai was sitting on a sofa in a tea house not far away.

Old Master Zhai had just arrived at the guesthouse, holding a document in his hand, rubbing his tired brow as he flipped through it.

"teacher."

Old Zhai raised his head, adjusted his glasses, and looked at the young man walking towards him.

"Xiao Yuan, what are you doing here? Are you here on behalf of your teacher for the meeting?"

"Ah."

"Who is this?"

"Qin Li".

"Oh." Old Master Zhai instinctively wanted to exclaim that they were a perfect match, but considering their ages, he simply gave them a kind smile.

The waiter brought tea.

Li Zhuiyuan: "Teacher, it's not good to drink such strong tea at night."

Old Zhai: "Hehe, I still have some things to take care of, which are for relieving my predicament."

Li Zhuiyuan prepared to pour tea.

Ah Li picked up the teapot first, poured three cups, and placed one of them in front of Old Master Zhai.

Old Zhai stood up with a smile and picked up the cup of tea.

"Hehe, a very good, very nice girl."

When Old Zhai sat back down, he was surrounded by black and white tones.

As Elder Zhai said those words, Li Zhuiyuan was also enveloped in this black and white color scheme, and even the clothes on his body lost all color.

Ah Li, on the other hand, remained seated in the spotlight.

The girl noticed.

But the boy held her hand, first applying slight pressure, then releasing it on his own.

The girl remained seated, holding her teacup.

Old Zhai: "In my youth, when I was young and carefree, Xiao Yuan, the first time I saw you, I saw the shadow of my youth in you."

But gradually, I realized that my youth was nothing like yours.

Li Zhuiyuan: "Different eras create different landscapes, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time."

Old Zhai: "No, Xiao Yuan, if you were born in my time, you might have been able to get ahead faster and more easily. Although the conditions back then weren't as good as they are now, there weren't as many rules either."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Teacher, I just want to make the most of the present moment."

"This is the right way of life: looking to the future while living in the present."

Old Master Zhai raised his teacup, gesturing for the young man to drink tea with him instead of wine.

Li Zhuiyuan raised his teacup and clinked it with his.

"Xiao Yuan, I believe that in the future, I may feel proud to have been your teacher."

"You have taught me a lot and helped me a lot. You were, are, and will always be my teacher."

"Haha, alright, then let's keep our word?"

"It's hard to chase a horse."

The two of them each took a sip of tea from their cups.

Have you seen this document?

Old Zhai handed the documents in his hand to Li Zhuiyuan.

Li Zhuiyuan took it and glanced at the cover: Ailao Mountain.

“I’ve seen this document in your project team.”

Are you interested in this place?

"very interested."

"This place is both ancient and mysterious. It has appeared many times in historical records, but each time it was only briefly mentioned and then faded away. I once presided over a project in that area, and at that time, many strange things happened."

Ji'an was a thorn in Luo Tingrui's side for a long time. I'm a bit older than him, so the thorns in my heart are even more numerous.

"It's a pity I'm old. Unlike your teacher, I have the will but not the strength."

"Teacher, I am still young."

"Next, there will be a new project there."

"I go."

"This is a great opportunity for you to get experience, and I will do my best to secure and arrange it for you."

"Thank you, teacher."

"Come on, let's have another toast. I wish you success in your project and a bright future for Xiaoyuan."

Li Zhuiyuan raised his teacup again and clinked it with Elder Zhai's.

Two toasts represent two conditions.

The chips that should have been offered by Li Zhuiyuan were taken out by "Master" on his own initiative and served as two appetizers.

Next up is the main course.

“Xiao Yuan, when we were in Jinling, your teacher Luo and I discussed your future development. Your teacher was quite blunt with me.”

But I know you're right, teacher. I'm so old, and the little light I have left will go out on its own if I leave it there unused. I might as well use it to light the way for the children.

For the next period of time, you will be officially assigned to my project team. I will do everything I can to secure resources, opportunities, and training for you.

The only thing that will bother you is, well, to give you an example, that is, my name has to be on the first page of the signature.

"Don't worry, anyone with eyes can see that I didn't personally work on the project. I'm just lending my name to address your lack of qualifications and age."

Mr. Zhai is right. If it's just about personal career development, this approach is tantamount to Mr. Zhai using his reputation and status to endorse Li Zhuiyuan.

If Li Zhuiyuan does the project well, the honor and benefits will be his own; if he messes it up, it will be equivalent to ruining Zhai Lao's reputation in his later years.

Even blood relatives like fathers and sons, grandfathers and grandsons, would find it difficult to go to such lengths as to share their historical experiences to pave the way for future generations.

In most industries, there's an unspoken rule: if you're not old enough, it's difficult to get in; and among those who do get in, the youngest often has a greater advantage.

Mr. Zhai: "I have my own selfish motives, but they are also for the public good. Xiao Yuan, I recognize your abilities, and you have demonstrated them. You should move up the ranks quickly so that you can create greater value."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Thank you, teacher."

Old Zhai: "Then I'll have to trouble you for a while?"

As he spoke, Old Zhai raised his teacup again.

Li Zhuiyuan held the teacup, but did not raise it immediately.

The person he was talking to was not only his teacher, but also his master.

main course:

Next, when you encounter powerful evil spirits or mysterious beings while traveling along the river, after dealing with them, you must send them to Fengdu Hell.

The Emperor of Fengdu wants to be the true receiver; He wants to expand His Hell with more oppressors.

The Great Emperor is truly a very pure being.

He was able to choose to avoid conflict when the giant tortoise came ashore, leaving himself there to fend for himself;

Once they truly recognize their own abilities and potential, they can immediately change their mindset and seize the benefits.

Given enough changes in value, Yin Changsheng could instantly transform from a cautious, undisturbed hermit into a gambler blinded by greed.

Li Zhuiyuan saw what true existence meant through his "master".

All other beings regard immortality as a goal or a pursuit, but Yin Changsheng has always been earnestly pursuing immortality.

Li Zhuiyuan: "Teacher..."

Old Master Zhai: "Yes, this matter is indeed very serious. Although you have long since changed your address to 'teacher,' you were the first treasure that Luo Tingrui discovered. Out of courtesy and respect, you should greet Luo Tingrui."

"Although, this was your teacher's arrangement. He really cares about his students; he practically wants to come to their homes, chew me up, and feed me to his students to help them grow, haha."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Teacher, I have a junior classmate named Yin Meng..."

When Li Zhuiyuan uttered the name, the black and white tones that enveloped him and Elder Zhai trembled violently.

The tomb owner, who had been standing at a distance without moving, turned his helmet and looked in this direction.

Killing intent.

A wave of murderous intent surged toward Li Zhuiyuan.

Before coming, Li Zhuiyuan knew that Yin Meng's condition was not negotiable, and would not even be allowed to be put on the negotiating table.

The emperor did not value his own bloodline.

For immortal beings, bloodlines not only have no meaning, but also become their weakness.

Just like Yin Meng, ever since she followed Li Zhuiyuan, the young man has developed various secret techniques targeting the Great Emperor.

However, Yin Meng was a card that the Emperor kept in his hands to restrain Li Zhuiyuan.

Even though the Great Emperor was afraid of hurting himself by using the sword of Heaven, he had to keep a hidden card in advance so that it could be used in a special way when needed.

However, even knowing it was impossible, Li Zhuiyuan still brought up Yin Meng as a condition.

He needs an explanation.

This explanation is not meant to comfort oneself; the hidden agents are mutual, and so are the checks and balances.

Despite the signs that Heaven intended to break him before he reached adulthood, he never lost heart or gave up.

Emperor,

Master,

Can you compare to the Way of Heaven?
You want to take action before this knife hurts you, but doesn't Heaven want to try to stab you before breaking this knife?

If you don't agree to return the person to me now, fine; I will try my best, and one day in the future, even if you are willing to send the person out, I will make sure Yin Meng stands there and doesn't move, and I will personally go to hell to pick her up.

Although the terrifying killing intent was still emanating, a glint of light flashed in the eyes of the tomb owner. Compared to the Bodhisattva, the tomb owner actually lacked an understanding of the purely master-disciple relationship between the two.

Tonight, it found out.

The black and white tones are still trembling violently, and when they crumble, it will signify a breakdown in negotiations.

Li Zhuiyuan deliberately waited a little longer, wanting his master to clearly understand that he had not forgotten him.

Just before the pot was about to boil, Li Zhuiyuan raised his teacup.

“Master, I agree.”

The black and white tones dissipated, the murderous intent vanished, and the tomb owner disappeared. The lobby of the guesthouse returned to normal.

The deal is done.

The Great Emperor got what He wanted in the future, and Li Zhuiyuan got what He wanted in the present.

At the same time, both sides set aside sensitive disputes.

Old Zhai asked with some doubt:

"Xiao Yuan, what did you just say? I didn't hear you clearly. Sigh, I'm getting old, my hearing is getting worse."

"Thank you so much for your guidance, teacher!"

……

They escorted Mr. Zhai back to his room.

Li Zhuiyuan turned off the desk lamp and forced him to go to bed early to rest. Old Zhai reluctantly agreed, took off his coat, and lay down on the bed.

Although he knew that Mr. Zhai would get up and continue working after he left, at least for now, both sides had gotten what they needed.

After closing the door, Li Zhuiyuan and A Li returned to their own room.

"Tired?"

The girl shook her head.

"Well, let's not delay then."

Even though the agreement had been reached and the Emperor had agreed, Li Zhuiyuan still had to personally go through the process of the Crown Prince seizing power.

As Li Zhuiyuan passed by Liu Changping's door, he heard noises coming from inside.

Liu Changping was still awake; he was huffing and puffing as he did sit-ups and push-ups.

Li Zhuiyuan first went to his own room, took his backpack, and then returned to Liu Changping's room and knocked on the door.

Liu Changping opened the door, his hair was wet. He had not only exercised that night, but also taken a cold shower, more than once.

"Hehe, I don't know why, but I've been feeling unusually energetic at night lately, and I can't sleep. I've developed insomnia."

"Then let's go outside for a walk to clear our heads."

"Okay, Brother Yuan, where are you going?"

"Ghost Street".

I got into a taxi.

As Liu Changping started the car, he tried to make amends for his earlier behavior when he opened the door:

"Haha, I think I might be homesick."

Li Zhuiyuan: "That's normal."

"Hmm." Liu Changping drove the car out of the guesthouse gate, and when the security guard opened the gate, he picked up the bottle of purified water next to him and drank the whole bottle in one go.

With the commencement of the large-scale project, part of the old county town of Fengdu will be submerged, but the ghost town will continue to exist.

It is conceivable that in the future, it will become an increasingly famous and popular tourist attraction.

However, at this hour, Ghost Street is also asleep.

Li Zhuiyuan held A Li's hand as they walked down Ghost Street.

Liu Changping, who had been waiting in the car, came out from the alley entrance.

Li Zhuiyuan turned around and looked at him.

Liu Changping: "It's late at night, it might not be safe. How about I go up with you?"

He was embarrassed to say it, but he was scared because the car was so gloomy.

Li Zhuiyuan shook his head: "Wait for us to come back in the car."

"Okay... okay."

Liu Changping sat back in the car, reclined the seat, and lit a cigarette.

Take a deep breath and try not to let your eyes wander to either side. There are many paintings, sculptures, and details that, if seen by a stranger late at night, would lead to too many unnecessary associations.

Liu Changping kept smoking, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

Suddenly, he noticed that the windshield was somewhat dirty.

He picked up a handkerchief, sat up, and wiped himself.

The more I wipe, the blurrier it gets, but it's definitely inside.

He opened another bottle of purified water, poured the water onto a cloth, and wiped the area again.

"Ok?"

He blinked hard, and through the windshield, he saw a group of people dressed in white marching in an orderly fashion from the alley where he had parked.

Liu Changping thought he was seeing things, so he strained his eyes to look ahead and then habitually wiped the car window.

This wipe had a significant effect: the line of people passing through the alley stopped and all turned to look at him.

"what."

Liu Changping was so frightened that he dropped his handkerchief, lifted his leg, and huddled in his seat, trembling.

In his mind, he could already picture the group of eerie men in white surrounding him, as if they were standing all around his car, their faces pressed against his car window, staring intently at him.

After an unknown amount of time, Liu Changping finally mustered up his courage and cautiously opened his eyes a crack. There was nothing outside the front window, and nothing outside the door either.

"Huh...huh...huh..."

Liu Changping, gradually relieved, kept breathing heavily.

"I must have taken too many cold showers tonight, caught a cold, and my head is spinning."

In fact, if there had been a Taoist practitioner who could travel to the underworld nearby, they would have witnessed a strange scene: the procession that had come ashore from the dock carrying a sedan chair to worship at the Gate of Hell, suddenly shuddered as they passed the alleyway, and then looked at the taxi parked inside.

When Liu Changping uttered the "Ah!", the nobleman sitting in the sedan chair screamed and tumbled out, fleeing in a hurried and frantic manner.

Along with the nobleman's entourage of little devils, they were terrified and dropped their ceremonial regalia, fleeing in a chaotic cacophony of cries and screams.

At this moment, Li Zhuiyuan and A Li had reached the very top of Ghost Street.

When they passed by the Yin family's shop earlier, Li Zhuiyuan specifically pointed it out to A Li.

The gate to the ghost town stands tall in front of us.

Li Zhuiyuan turned his back to A Li, who opened the boy's bag and took out a pre-made flask.

After using it last time, it doesn't actually affect its reusability. In addition, there are materials in the bag, so you can add some powder and seal it in plastic, and it will be just like new.

Li Zhuiyuan tore open the plastic seal, and the candles and paper money spontaneously combusted, filling the air with the aroma of wine.

As the last disciple, opening the gates of hell doesn't need to be so complicated.

In spiritual confrontations, Li Zhuiyuan had long been accustomed to using the Ghost Gate to suppress people.

But this time he couldn't just sneak in without making a sound; he had to give the ghost officials inside a heads-up.

Although no ghost official would dare to greet me, I had to let them know that I was coming in.

As long as the Emperor doesn't intervene and lets me complete this process, what I did tonight will become a precedent.

It was about time, and Li Zhuiyuan prepared to open the door and go inside.

The boy turned to look at Ah Li.

Other people's childhood sweethearts are fishing and catching shrimp in the river.

The boy planned to take the girl on an autumn outing to hell, hand in hand.

What I experienced in the hotel was just a fleeting glimpse; what follows is the true hell of Fengdu.

However, Ah Li silently took a few steps back, while pointing to the boy's pocket.

No matter how poor Yin Meng's talent is, she is still a genuine member of the Yin family bloodline and is immune to the invasion of hellish aura. Li Zhuiyuan has not yet practiced martial arts, and if his physical body enters hell, he will most likely be contaminated.

Ah Li wasn't planning to go in. She'd already seen everything she needed to see at the hotel. She was going to stay here and protect the boy's physical body while Li Zhuiyuan wandered through hell.

Li Zhuiyuan: "It's alright, A-Li, it's safe here, nothing will happen."

Ah Li shook her head, her gaze resolute.

This is something the girl heard from Li Zhuiyuan's story about walking across the river... team discipline.

"I know a really good hot pot restaurant on this street. I'll take you there when it's open in the morning and not too crowded."

Ah Li nodded.

Li Zhuiyuan took out three decks of metal playing cards from his pocket and tossed them to A Li.

Then, the boy sat cross-legged in front of the small offering table and closed his eyes.

"Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!"

Accompanied by a profound and awe-inspiring sound, a majestic and ancient gate slowly emerged.

Actually, opening a crack would have been enough for Li Zhuiyuan to get in.

But how can the young master of Fengdu return to Fengdu with only a crack open?
With a loud bang, red lanterns appeared in front of the shops on both sides of Ghost Street from top to bottom, and countless pairs of blood-red eyes opened in the night sky above.

Tonight, the gates of hell are wide open!

Ah Li glanced at the vast, dark abyss ahead, then turned around and faced downwards.

The gate to hell is in front of the boy, and Li Zhuiyuan will handle it from the front. What she needs to guard against is the boy's back.

"Crash..."

Three decks of playing cards flew out quickly and landed.

The effects of both increases and decreases will become apparent.

The two generals, Zeng and Sun, stood on either side of the girl, while the general, Sun, stood in front of her.

Holding weapons, striking a pose, glaring, and exuding authority!
This is about revealing all your hidden charisma and image.

Generally, the statues of gods in temples are exaggerated to highlight their majestic aura, but the three of them are now depicted as statues of themselves enshrined in the temple of generals and officers, exuding a restrained and graceful air.

Mo Defa, there aren't many opportunities to shine in front of the mistress. This time it's a long time, so he has to perform well and try to leave a deeper impression on the mistress!
This wasn't purely out of respect for Li Zhuiyuan; rather, they were genuinely intimidated by this mistress and dared not be the slightest bit negligent in her presence.

Fengdu Hell.

This place should be noisy, tragic, and like oil being poured on a raging fire.

But when Li Zhuiyuan arrived, layers of black mist enveloped the eighteen levels of hell below and also covered the area above.

The torture and the procedures continued as before, but everyone, from top to bottom, tacitly covered up for Li Zhuiyuan.

The boy's appearance caused a scene of utter silence to all the ghosts in this hell.

A group of officials surnamed Zhao from Jiujiang who were originally from Yangzhou have already been killed; no one wants to be the next to be killed.

Everyone just hoped that the boy would stay away from their government offices, stay away from them, and not even glance at them.

Li Zhuiyuan had no intention of walking through the deep, empty space in the middle to reach the platform on the other side.

The journey is a bit long and takes quite a while.

Furthermore, he didn't care much about the specific location or scale, and the desired effect had already been achieved.

The boy lowered his head and looked into the deepest part.

There, even below the eighteenth level of hell.

I didn't expect a response, but one did come.

A faint golden light flashed from the deepest part, accompanied by a faint, empty Buddhist chant:
"Amitabha!"

It's possible that the Emperor's suppression of the Bodhisattva was becoming increasingly effective, or it's possible that the Bodhisattva had chosen to conserve power and lay low.

It must be said that the Bodhisattva was very accommodating.

Li Zhuiyuan looked up again, gazing at the highest point of hell.

This place is vast, and a young person here is like a mayfly.

But Li Zhuiyuan, relying on his now-superior mental state, forcefully tried to see a thousand miles further, attempting to look towards the highest level of hell.

He saw it, a small red dot.

Unfortunately, no matter how hard we try, that's all we can see.

At the edge of the highest platform in Hell, Yin Meng is burning books.

Anyway, she's not very talented. There are so many books here, she couldn't finish reading them even in ten lifetimes, no, a hundred lifetimes. She might as well take them out and start a big fire.

If it weren't for the fact that it was impossible to ignite, Yin Meng would have planned to set the main hall, which enshrines the statue of the Fengdu Emperor, on fire and give Xiao Yuan a big fireworks display.

While burning the books, Yin Meng waved his hand downwards and shouted loudly:

"Brother Xiaoyuan! Brother Xiaoyuan! Brother Xiaoyuan!"

Her eyes were brimming with tears, but she tried to smile, not wanting Xiao Yuan to see that she wanted to leave.

Li Zhuiyuan couldn't see it, but he knew it without even looking.

How could a young woman who loves shopping for clothes and snacks willingly sit here in seclusion?

After looking down and then up, Li Zhuiyuan finally looked at the very center... the entire hell.

In the depths of darkness, higher than any mountain, sits the true form of the Great Emperor.

This should be the largest corpse in the world.

In hell, the Yellow Springs, which flow endlessly through countless years, are the droplets of the Emperor's corpse.

He doesn't need to do anything or deliberately show off; you just need to know that He is sitting there, and that sense of despair is enough to suffocate you.

Li Zhuiyuan raised his hand, and the evil dragon appeared, carrying karmic fire, and began to claim territory here according to Li Zhuiyuan's wishes.

It looks like drawing a grid.

First, draw a large grid that takes up a lot of space. Then, draw smaller grids inside the large grid. Next, label the purpose of each small grid.

After the design drawings were completed, Li Zhuiyuan focused on drawing the formation layout.

Buildings are secondary, or even unnecessary. All that is needed is the array diagram you leave behind, which can be followed to build the structure and maintained regularly. Then, this execution platform that belongs exclusively to you can also be called a sacrificial platform, and that will be enough.

From then on, a sufficient number of deserving souls would always be lined up here waiting to receive their just deserts.

They will be taken to the execution platform and sacrificed to Lin Shuyou, the Ghost General, as soon as he needs them.

There is an abundance of firewood here, which in theory can be supplied indefinitely. This means that Lin Shuyou can infuse the power from here into him without limit through the intermediary boy.

When Zhao Yi received the mission, he already sensed that the boy had a grand scheme and had a vague premonition that if the boy's plan succeeded completely, then the two sides would truly be on different levels.

His perception has always been very accurate, and it was indeed correct.

According to Li Zhuiyuan's initial estimate, this place could provide Lin Shuyou with a power boost no less than the one he had received from inserting talisman needles in the past.

Moreover, in theory, as long as the boy can grit his teeth and endure this transformation and transition, the duration can be extended indefinitely without causing any overexertion or damage to Lin Shuyou's body.

In other words, it's equivalent to Lin Shuyou having the same power as before, with his body covered in talisman needles, even in a normal state.

This has turned the extreme overdraft that occurred in a short period of time into a daily occurrence.

Furthermore, the effects of the talisman needles are still present; their stimulating ability remains effective, and they can continue to provide amplification on a new basis.

This is the real qualitative change that Li Zhuiyuan wanted, and only this is worth Li Zhuiyuan personally making another trip to Fengdu. At the same time, this is also the source of Li Zhuiyuan's confidence to no longer hide his identity and travel across the river in the future!
While others on the river rely on accumulating and spending merit to wait for a windfall, this young man is making his own.

With the planning and design complete, Li Zhuiyuan prepared to leave.

Ahead, a group of figures dressed in official robes appeared, all with disordered auras. This meant that even as ghost officials here, they had been suffering recently, and they should all be surnamed Zhao.

Li Zhuiyuan himself created their suffering, but they have no choice but to come out now, because they have no other option but to hope that Li Zhuiyuan will rise to power one day so that they can be relieved of their current torment. They are already in hell and have nowhere to retreat.

Li Zhuiyuan pointed to the design drawings he had left on the ground.

The group of figures knelt down.

"I will obey the young lord's decree..."

The Zhao family of Jiujiang can build structures on the grids they draw on the ground, and they can set up the formations they leave behind. The Zhao family also has the ability to properly maintain these formations.

In hindsight, Zhao Yi was really good to Lin Shuyou.

Sending family members down to the underworld early has now been effective in taking care of and helping Ayou.

Li Zhuiyuan didn't rush to leave. Instead, he faced the very center of hell and shouted:
"Emperor!"

Because hell is very quiet now, sounds can travel further. Of course, even if Li Zhuiyuan whispers, countless ears will carefully listen to him.

"Master!"

After shouting those two times, Li Zhuiyuan turned and left.

As he walked toward the gates of hell once more, a series of faint, fragmented sounds came from behind him, cautious, reluctant, afraid to speak loudly yet also afraid to remain silent, afraid to be too enthusiastic yet also afraid to be impolite, like countless young wives who had suffered immense injustices, swallowing their bitterness, yet still having to consider the bigger picture:

"Respectfully seeing off Young Master..."

……

Ghost Street.

When Li Zhuiyuan opened his eyes, it was dawn.

All around, mist filled the air, including morning fog and miasma exhaled from the mouths of the two generals, all to prevent the flow of people on Ghost Street from colliding with and affecting the boy.

Li Zhuiyuan stood up, swaying slightly. A-Li helped the boy up, her eyes filled with concern.

"It's nothing, my legs just went numb from sitting here for so long."

Compared to the exhilarating feeling after his spiritual journey through hell, this body is still too ordinary.

Li Zhuiyuan stood still and slowly moved on. A Li tidied up the offering table and put the playing cards from the return of the two generals into the boy's pocket.

A-Li helped the boy walk down Ghost Street. It was still early, and the hot pot restaurant wouldn't open for a while. Li Zhuiyuan planned to go back to the taxi to rest first, and then call Liu Changping over to eat together.

Today must be some kind of festival, as many performance troupes have appeared on Ghost Street, and many people are already dressed in underworld costumes and makeup.

Li Zhuiyuan stopped in front of the Yin family's coffin shop.

Later, Zhang Chi and Zhang Xiuxiu, the brother and sister who rented the place, were evicted, and the coffin shop was taken back. It was Zhao Yi who went to the street office to handle this matter.

The original idea was to keep this shop, so that Yin Meng could have something to remember it by.

Logically, this shop should be vacant at this time.

But Li Zhuiyuan heard the noise inside.

"Ka...ka...ka..."

A piece of the door panel was removed from the inside, revealing the figure of the person inside.

It was a woman, dressed in a black official robe. When she put down the door panel she had just removed and looked up, she revealed a sinister face.

"Brother Xiaoyuan!"

(End of this chapter)