"Alright, back to business. There are currently two places for you to choose from."
Shamhat patted down her white dress, her expression turning serious. She took the clay tablet Lin Xian had rolled up with the tip of his tail and carved routes onto it, marking the corresponding locations.
"First, the city of Kutha. Your master is the guardian deity there, so the compatibility is excellent."
"Not only is there a temple in the city dedicated to her, but this land is also closest to the Underworld. The road is easier, and it will be more convenient for you to break through."
"Second, the Mount Epiph range, the oldest Sacred Mountain in this Mesopotamian world. It connects Heaven and Earth and leads straight to the Underworld."
"But the downside is that the road is rather perilous. After some ancient beings died, vicious spirits took root there. Even after ten thousand years of erosion, their lingering souls alone are still troublesome."
"One careless move, and those things will tear you apart."
"As for the advantages, Mount Epiph is currently occupied by another goddess. She stands opposed to your master, so she probably won't be idle enough to meddle in your affairs."
Lin Xian repeatedly examined the two Underworld exits marked on the clay tablet. After pondering for a moment, he looked at Shamhat with blazing eyes.
"Teacher, if I appear in Kutha carrying a divine aura, what will happen on Ereshkigal's side?"
"Hmm, probably... you won't get very far before being caught, then your master will put you on a dog leash and drag you back to the Underworld."
Then why did you steer me toward the first option?! Lin Xian complained inwardly, powerless to retort. Annoyed, he tapped his tail against the side marked Mount Epiph.
This exceptionally learned Saint nodded without the slightest shame and began explaining some common knowledge and taboos regarding living creatures passing through the Underworld.
Things like, "Don't look too glamorous," "conceal the scent of a living creature," and "strictly avoid loud noises and emotional fluctuations."
If he encountered those wandering Garuda Spirits, he should avoid them whenever possible. Otherwise, more and more would gather.
As Lin Xian listened quietly, his brow gradually furrowed.
He knew escaping the Underworld would be troublesome, but he had never expected the conditions to be so complicated.
Fortunately, he had lived in this place for so long that he had already picked up the aura of the dead. Hiding himself while traveling through it should not be much of a problem.
Then Shamhat seemed to recall something. She looked at the ancient snake before her, a pleased curve rising at the corners of her lips.
"Of course, if you're lucky enough to escape to the surface and happen to encounter the goddess ruling Mount Epiph, I advise you to prepare some toll money."
"That one has a greedy flaw. She especially loves gemstones. But if you know how to make use of it, a flaw can become an advantage."
Lin Xian nodded slightly in strong agreement.
As long as the money was enough, getting some cash-strapped woman to lower herself and serve as a bodyguard would not be a problem.
If you could still see her restraint and integrity, it was because you had not paid enough.
The price had to go up.
This wicked creature had accurately grasped the weak point of the one on Mount Epiph. That was why he had been scavenging the burial goods of the dead in the Underworld.
"Since you've made up your mind, there's nothing more for me to say. I can only wish you a smooth journey."
Shamhat waved her hand listlessly, somewhat helpless.
"You're not coming with me?"
"Does it not matter that Enkidu is being used by someone?"
The ancient snake caught the implication in his teacher's words. Rolling his eyes, he continued to tempt her.
After a brief silence, Shamhat propped up her chin and quietly watched the snake coiled before her.
"Little Samael, answer a few questions first. Can't you just muddle along and wait for death in the Underworld? Why do you insist on leaving? I heard your master treats you quite well."
"But if I stay here, there's nothing I can do."
"This era is about to reach its end. Fate was decided long ago. You want to interfere just by yourself? You're overestimating yourself."
"Someone with a record like yours has no right to say that about me."
The ancient snake flicked his tongue in mockery. Shamhat choked on his words, her face stiffening slightly before she continued questioning him irritably.
"What exactly do you intend to do when you reach the surface?"
"Change this so-called fate and stop the Three Goddesses' Alliance from hunting."
"Are you sure you know what you're saying?"
Shamhat found it hard to believe.
"Of course. Defying the gods and destiny is something you've done too."
Lin Xian's pupils narrowed as he answered calmly, not forgetting to twist the knife.
"Uh, does your master not treat you well?"
"It is precisely because Ereshkigal treats me too well that I must change all of this!"
Did he know that among those three goddesses, his own master was one of the hunters of humanity?
Because he was grateful, he wanted to make trouble for the Three Goddesses' Alliance and stand against them?
Unlike those on the surface, who were still guessing at the origins and roots of the Three Goddesses, the ghosts of the Underworld had already inferred from their experiences of death and Ereshkigal's recent actions that she was one of them.
Besides, the mistress of the Underworld had no intention of concealing it. Anyone even slightly attentive could see it. It was hardly a secret.
Shamhat was somewhat disordered, and the way she looked at Lin Xian gained a hint of strangeness.
This snake was playing a far wilder game than she had imagined. In the future, she should keep her distance from him as much as possible.
Still, unable to put her mind at ease, Shamhat reluctantly parted her lips to remind him.
"After spending so long with her, you should understand that she is not inherently a vicious being."
Lin Xian paused to think for a moment before speaking slowly.
"I know very well. Though she was born from darkness, she longs even more for light and loves all beautiful things."
"She loves this world. She loves Mesopotamia's humans!"
"And yet now, she wants to use her Authority to gather the souls of all living and dead beings into the Spear Cage, protecting them through imprisonment."
"That is merely an escape from facing the problem."
"Once Mesopotamia's kingdoms on the surface are destroyed, their homes gone and their loved ones slaughtered, what then? Even if these living dead can continue existing for a hundred years?"
"I imagine they will only spend the rest of their days in regret and resentment, suffering as they vent all their blame and curses on Ereshkigal."
"So if I don't do this—if I don't stop her from blindly charging down this path—Ereshkigal will suffer even more in the future!"
"I cannot allow this love to become a double-edged sword that wounds both sides."
Shamhat stared at the ancient snake whose words rang with conviction. She could not help but freeze, only slowly returning to herself after a long while, her expression indescribably strange.
"I'm surprised you can actually say such sensible things."
"But why not try persuading her?"
"You are the Underworld's only living creature. You hold extraordinary meaning for her. If even you abandon her, how much pain will she suffer?"
Yet Lin Xian shook his head firmly, his expression carrying deeper meaning.
"Of course I tried, but words are ultimately pale."
"Besides, the Three Goddesses' Alliance has already formed its contract. The Third Storm that will sweep across Mesopotamia is already beginning to stir."
"Just as we would not reason with ants, trying to change a god's view through the concepts of humans and beasts would be a foolish undertaking."
The ancient snake paused, recalling the threads in his mind that tugged at Tiamat. He gazed toward the Temple of Heat at the center of the Underworld and spoke slowly.
"So, do not show understanding toward those who harbor hatred."
"Do not show agreement toward those who harbor joy."
"Do not show praise toward those who harbor pain!"
"She has her choice. I have my answer!"
"In the future, whose ideals are truly worth following? Practice is far more persuasive than words!"
At some point, Shamhat, who had been sitting with her feet dangling from the stone, had risen to her feet. She muttered under her breath, her expression shifting uncertainly, before her eyes finally lit up as she looked at that tiny being.
In an instant, Lin Xian's scalp went numb. Fast as lightning, he shot into a crack in the rocks.