Nobody knows how to be a villain better than me.

"East of the Bohai Sea, countless miles away, lies a great chasm, truly a bottomless valley, its depths unfathomable, named Guixu. All the waters of the eight directions and nine fields, the flow of the Milky Way, pour into it, yet it neither increases nor decreases..."

This should be the underworld in the legends of the Chinese mythological era, and it is also recorded in the "Northern Mountain Classic" of the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

The environment of the underworld was perfect for him.

Having obtained the information he wanted, Samael decisively asked questions.

"Now that we have the people and the supplies, when do we set off?"

There's no need to rush.

Jiang Ziya slightly raised his hand and pressed down, then pondered and explained.

“Kunlun Heavenly Gate was once the hub connecting the three realms. Now that you have reopened the connection between heaven and earth, you should be able to use the magic array inside.”

Then, Taigong Wang paused for a moment, and added.

"However, after being sealed for a thousand years, the operation of the Heavenly Gate is inevitably somewhat malfunctioning. Just in case, I still need to test it."

"about how long?"

"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, one day should suffice!"

"Alright, we'll set off for Guixu before sunset tomorrow."

Samael made the final decision, giving the other side no chance to bargain.

"Very well, I will do my best..."

Feeling pressured, Jiang Ziya touched his nose and nodded with a wry smile.

Subsequently, Jiang Ziya, intimidated by Samael's tyranny, lost his interest in drinking and enjoying the scenery with everyone and stood up to bow.

"Gentlemen, important matters must be addressed first. Please forgive me for being unable to keep you company. I must take my leave now."

Everyone nodded in understanding and tactfully ended the banquet early, then dispersed.

The First Emperor walked straight to the northwest with his hands behind his back.

Faced with such a treasure trove as Kunlun, it would be a betrayal of the original purpose of this trip if we didn't make the most of it and collect some materials for alchemy.

Hinako Akuta, on the other hand, adopted the demeanor of a literary young girl, getting up and heading towards the library at the top of the mountain.

As his companions gradually departed, Samael patted Tamamo-no-Mae, who was still whimpering in his arms, and rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Alright, everyone's gone. Stop pretending, you fox..."

Tamamo-no-Mae stopped shrugging her fragrant shoulders and stood up sullenly.

There wasn't a single tear on her beautiful face.

That despicable, cold-blooded worm! You see through me but don't say anything. Can't you be a little gentler with people? *sobs*

The vixen, whose true nature had been exposed once again, ground her fangs and muttered in frustration.

As a scoundrel who single-handedly ruined the reputation of all the celestial maidens, Tamamo-no-Mae's mental fortitude is clearly not that fragile.

Moreover, given her intelligence, she knew from the moment of the Investiture of the Gods that she had become a pawn.

I've already tried everything I could: crying, cursing, and making a scene.

Transforming into Bao Si, she stabbed the Great Zhou dynasty in the back, a fate that should have lasted for eight hundred years—that was her revenge.

Although the price was high, he was expelled from his homeland of China and could only live a life of hiding and running away.

But now, Kunlun is deserted, and those old enemies have all gone far away.

She might be a little disappointed, but definitely not much.

The commotion just now was mostly an excuse to make that Taigong Wang suffer a bit and vent her pent-up anger from all those years.

"They're just a spokesperson, is it really necessary to take direct action against them?"

Faced with the vengeful vixen, Samael rolled his eyes and complained, completely ignoring the cover he had just provided.

"A spokesperson? You're underestimating them!"

Tamamo-no-Mae pursed her lips and smiled coldly, her gaze towards Jiang Ziya's departure carrying a profound meaning.

"If Kunlun weren't so desolate, and immortals and gods hadn't vanished, you might even respectfully address him as—the Heavenly Emperor..."

Chapter Eighteen: The Beauty Under the Moon

Samael frowned, his probing gaze fixed on Tamamo-no-Mae.

"What do you mean?"

The celestial maiden from Kunlun leaned against a tree with her arms crossed, raising an eyebrow and scoffing.

"You don't really think that the person who controls the Investiture of the Gods, wields the God-Slaying Whip, and can restrain all the gods is just a mere pawn of Kunlun, do you?"

"The Investiture of the Gods has been decided, and the Investiture of the Gods list is already..."

Samael instinctively wanted to retort, but he suddenly paused, his face darkening.

If, as Taigong Wang said, the Investiture of the Gods had lost its power, why could it still mobilize a trace of the true spirit of 365 gods?

When the two armies clashed before, the strength displayed by the gods and immortals was in no way inferior to the mythical beasts and heroic armies summoned by the First Emperor.

"Do you understand?"

As the devil, a master of deception, was unusually reduced to a victim, Tamamo-no-Mae raised her cherry lips, a hint of mockery in her eyes, and spoke earnestly.

"You'd better watch your step, that old geezer is wicked."

"That's right, a great villain disguised as a loyal one!"

Samael looked in the direction Taigongwang had left, nodded in agreement, and gave a retaliatory harsh review.

But then, the ancient serpent frowned and turned to Tamamo-no-Mae to ask the question that had been bothering him.

"However, you just said he is—the Heavenly Emperor?"

"To be precise, he could have become the Heavenly Emperor..."

Tamamo-no-Mae pondered softly, abandoning her usual charming and frivolous demeanor, and began to recount the secrets she knew.

"Kunlun has three great books: Heaven, Earth, and Man, which can determine the order of the three realms."

The way of Heaven is eternal; it takes from those who have more and gives to those who have less.

The Heavenly Book "Investiture of the Gods" emerges whenever there is a calamity in the world. It can eliminate the karmic forces of cause and effect in the world and can appoint 365 main gods, 2,000 deputy gods, 84,000 divine demons and heavenly soldiers and generals to carry out punishments on behalf of Heaven, reconstruct the heavenly order, and be upheld by the Heavenly Emperor.

The earth's energy is abundant, and its virtue sustains all things.

The Book of Mountains and Seas records the mountains, rivers, rare animals, and mineral deposits of the world. It can transform the earth's energy for its own use, control the lifeline of the nine provinces, and command the strange beasts of the mountains and seas to fight against the rebellious. In the past, Bai Ze was ordered to present it to Xuanyuan, which strengthened the Youxiong clan to attack Chiyou.

Humanity is vast and uncertain; life and death are predestined.

The Book of Life and Death records the birth, death, and lifespan of all tangible beings in the three realms of Heaven, Earth, and Man, as well as the waxing and waning of all things…”

Samael listened intently, his mind racing, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

The three books, Heaven, Earth, and Man, should represent three kinds of authority.

The celestial book "Investiture of the Gods" corresponds to the [Heavenly Emperor];

The earth-based book, the *Classic of Mountains and Seas*, corresponds to the [Human Emperor].

The Book of Humans, or the Book of Life and Death, corresponds to the King of Hell.

For example, the First Emperor possessed the "Classic of Mountains and Seas," and his mechanical divine body, nourished by the earth's energy, and the mythical beasts from the mountains and seas at his command were all thanks to the earth's book.

The Investiture of the Gods is even more powerful, representing the will of Heaven and possessing the power to control all things.

Once the number of demon gods, Qi cultivators, and shamans in the world exceeds the tolerance limit of this divine era, the so-called "Heavenly Book" will probably automatically unseal itself, unleash a calamity, cut off the excesses and make up for the deficiencies, and balance all things.

Those demon gods, qi cultivators, and shamans who turned to ashes were either reborn as immortals to maintain the order of heaven, or were reduced to nourishment for the world.

This kind of thing doesn't have an expiration date.

Holding the "Investiture of the Gods" and acting as the executioner on behalf of Heaven, it inherently means that the chosen one will lead the celestial gods and become the next Heavenly Emperor.

Legend has it that when Jiang Ziya conferred titles upon the gods, he did indeed reserve the position of Jade Emperor for himself. However, when the conferment of titles was in full swing, one of his young servants, Zhang Youren, was very clever. Upon hearing that the Jade Emperor was to be conferred, Zhang Youren quickly climbed onto the throne. Jiang Ziya had no choice but to appoint Zhang Youren as the Jade Emperor.

Zhang Youren, also known as Zhang Bairen, is the legendary name of the Jade Emperor.

Seeing that Jiang Ziya's efforts to bestow titles upon the gods on behalf of Heaven had all come to naught, Yuanshi Tianzun took pity on him and gave him the God-Slaying Whip, telling him that wherever he appeared, all the gods had to give way.

Thus, the folk legend arose that "with Taigong here, there are no taboos."

The origin of the real Jade Emperor remains unknown.

However, such a ridiculous oversight of having one's divine position usurped would obviously not occur in such a solemn occasion as the conferment of the divine order.

Unless, someone did it intentionally...

Samael, recalling Tamamo-no-Mae's earlier remarks, looked up thoughtfully at Tamamo-no-Mae opposite him.

"He gave up?"

"So, I didn't kill him."

Tamamo-no-Mae spoke calmly, looking at the deserted Kunlun Wonderland, and shook her head with a sneer.

"The person who should have left didn't..."

Samael fell silent for a moment, then looked at the breathtaking scenery of the mountains and rivers around him, as well as the excellent fishing spot, and couldn't help but smile.

It seems he really loves fishing.

Indeed, I love this world very much...

As the sun sets in the west, the forests are bathed in golden hues.

Tamamo-no-Mae yawned, turned to look at Samael who was deep in thought, and blinked her fox-like eyes charmingly.

"It is late. Does Your Majesty still require me to serve you tonight?"

Samael snapped out of his daze and rolled his eyes at Tamamo-no-Mae.

This fox spirit was soft all over except for her mouth, which was rock hard.

Regardless of the situation, one must first gain the upper hand verbally.

Unwittingly, the ancient snake's gaze fell on that mouth that was trying so hard to maintain its composure.

Her rosy, glistening lips revealed pearly white teeth, and her pink tongue, curling like a tiny fish swimming in her mouth, led to her deep, soft throat...

It doesn't seem very hard...

Samael pursed his dry lips, covered Yang Yuhuan's ear, leaned close to her head, and whispered softly.

"Okay, wash up and get into bed and wait for me."

hiss!

In an instant, Tamamo-no-Mae's smile froze, she gasped, her body trembling, the nightmare from the previous night replaying in her mind.

"Well, it's rare for me to be back in my hometown. I'll go take a look around first. I don't know how long I'll be there. You guys go ahead and do your work, don't wait for me!"

With that, the fox spirit tucked her tail between her legs, turned and ran, revealing her true nature of being all bark and no bite.

Watching Tamamo-no-Mae flee in disarray, Samael's eyes flickered with a deep, unsettling light.

As night fell, the moon was bright and the stars were few, and the courtyard was silent.

With a soft creaking of the door, a furtive figure slipped smoothly through the crack, following the scent of a canine as it crept into the shadows.

Under the cold moonlight, a face filled with malice and mockery was revealed.

Fox, have you prepared the mugwort?

Samael grinned as he gazed at the increasingly imposing mountains in the distance.

After finally getting Yang Guifei to sleep, he naturally needed to find someone to kill some time.

Since that woman is so brave, it would be a disservice to her reputation as a vixen not to grant her her wish.

Just as the ancient serpent was slithering toward Tamamo-no-Mae's hiding place, a familiar figure passed through the woods and swayed leisurely toward the depths.

Old mustard?

Why is she out so late?