What the Hell Are You Bragging About?

After a moment's contemplation, Jieyin said, "The situation in the Underworld is complicated. I can't send any other cultivators to help you.

"But I have another arrangement.

"After you leave Mount Sumeru, don't go straight to the Underworld.

"Go to Mount Jiuhua first. There's a small grotto-heaven there.

"Within it lives a strange beast named Diting.

"It has a tiger's head, a single horn, dog's ears, a dragon's body, a lion's tail, and Qilin feet.

"It excels at hearing all kinds of secrets, discerning good and evil in people's hearts, and identifying all things in the world.

"With this beast's help, you won't be able to act with impunity in the Underworld.

"But it can keep you safe and on your feet, at the very least ensuring you won't fall victim to some scheme for no reason.

"As for anything else, with me, a Sage, backing you, your life will not be in danger."

After hearing Jieyin's words, Ksitigarbha had no more doubts.

He immediately replied, "This disciple has no more doubts!

"I shall go forth to deliver all living beings and free them from their suffering."

Jieyin nodded. "Good!

"May your great compassion soon deliver all living beings!

"Go!"

"This disciple takes his leave!"

With that,

Ksitigarbha slowly withdrew from the cave.

Once outside, Ksitigarbha didn't delay.

He immediately used his divine powers to head for Mount Jiuhua.

A long while later,

Ksitigarbha stood at the foot of Mount Jiuhua and glanced back at the hastily erected marker for his sanctuary.

Then he looked down at Diting and said, "Let's go!"

With that, Ksitigarbha headed straight for the Underworld with Diting.

As for Mount Jiuhua?

He'd only put up a few buildings for now. They were barely enough to mark the place as claimed and show that it had an owner.

In any case, he would be stationed in the Underworld from now on and had no plans to cultivate here.

It was enough to establish ownership.

Before long,

Ksitigarbha arrived in the Underworld.

He stood before the towering Ghost Gate Pass.

Ksitigarbha looked up at the massive gatehouse.

Then he strode toward the gate.

As he approached, the Yin Soldiers guarding the pass stopped him.

"Cultivator ahead, halt!

"This is the Underworld. Leave at once!"

At the Yin Soldiers' command, Ksitigarbha clasped his hands in salute.

"Please announce me. Ksitigarbha of the Western Teachings has come to pay a visit to Empress Pingxin!"

As soon as Ksitigarbha finished speaking, the Ghost General on the gatehouse frowned deeply.

A cultivator from the Western Teachings?

They were no good.

Should he turn him away?

That didn't seem wise.

This involved a Great Sect led by a Sage. It wasn't a decision he could make on his own.

After a moment's thought, the Ghost General appeared at the gate.

"Daoist friend of the Western Teachings, please wait. I've already sent word to the Ghost Emperor.

"I expect we'll receive a reply soon."

As the Ghost General spoke, a pleasant voice rang out at the gate.

"Bring Ksitigarbha to see me!"

Hearing Empress Pingxin's summons, the Ghost General turned to Ksitigarbha. "The Empress has agreed to see you. Please follow me, Daoist friend."

Under the Ghost General's guidance, Ksitigarbha soon reached Pingxin Hall.

He stepped into the center of the hall and clasped his hands in salute.

"Ksitigarbha of the Western Teachings pays his respects to Empress Pingxin!"

Empress Pingxin asked coolly, "Have you come to the Underworld to deliver a message from a Western Sage?"

Ksitigarbha shook his head. "I have no message from a Sage. I've come to deliver the souls of the Underworld.

"Please grant me permission, Your Majesty!

"Give the countless souls of the Underworld a chance to be delivered."

Empress Pingxin's brows immediately furrowed at his words.

Not long ago, Haotian had come and helped establish the framework of Yin Si.

Now a disciple of the Western Teachings had come as well?

If you'd said this before Haotian arrived, perhaps, for the sake of the souls of the Underworld, I might have agreed.

But now?

What use do I have for you?

The Underworld has its own laws and order.

Why would it need you to deliver souls?

Isn't it just a matter of reciting a few scriptures?

There may be things the Witch Clan can't do.

But surely we can recite scriptures.

Besides, would a cultivator from the Western Teachings come here just for this?

This Ksitigarbha before me is surely just a feeler sent by the Western Teachings to get a foothold in the Underworld.

Once I agree, the Western Teachings will pour into the Underworld in force.

Will I still be the one calling the shots here then?

After a moment's thought, Empress Pingxin said coolly, "The Underworld is already under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Court.

"All matters are governed by its laws. There's no need for outside forces to interfere.

"That is essential to maintaining order in the Underworld.

"I cannot agree to this. You should leave."

Seeing Empress Pingxin reject his request outright,

and even invoke the Heavenly Court's authority,

Ksitigarbha immediately began weighing his options.

It seemed he couldn't easily secure a foothold in the Underworld this time.

But going back just like this was clearly not an option either.

Since I, Ksitigarbha, am determined to save all living beings, how could I retreat in the face of this difficulty?

If we can't reach an agreement?

Then I'll have to force the issue.

As long as I win the Heavenly Dao's recognition, Empress Pingxin will have no choice but to grit her teeth and endure it.

Ksitigarbha immediately raised his voice. "I am Ksitigarbha of the Western Teachings!

"I enter the Underworld today to deliver all lost souls. I vow not to become a Sage until the hells are empty..."

Before Ksitigarbha could say, "Heavenly Dao, bear witness,"

Empress Pingxin had already swept her sleeve and snapped, "Get out!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Ksitigarbha had been sent to the edge of the Sea of Blood.

Staring at the vast Sea of Blood, Ksitigarbha looked utterly bewildered.

I've been thrown out just like that?

I only wanted to help all living beings. Why is it so difficult?

After glancing at the place where Ksitigarbha had vanished, Empress Pingxin's anger began to subside.

The Western Teachings had gone too far!

I'd already made my refusal perfectly clear, yet Ksitigarbha still tried to force his way into the Underworld with a Dao Oath.

He clearly didn't take me, Pingxin, seriously.

"I vow not to become a Sage until the hells are empty"?

What the hell are you bragging about?

I transformed into the Underworld, earning immense Merit, and still didn't become a Sage.

And you, Ksitigarbha—how much do you think you're worth, to use becoming a Sage as your bargaining chip?

The Two Sages of the West used a Dao Oath to borrow Merit from the Heavenly Dao and become Sages. That was one thing.

But you, Ksitigarbha, want to copy them and force your way into the Underworld with a Dao Oath?

Should I say you've truly learned from the best the Western Teachings have to offer?

If I really let you succeed, how could I explain it to Haotian?

And what authority would I have left to rule the Underworld?

Meanwhile, on Mount Sumeru,

seeing Ksitigarbha thrown out, Jieyin's figure wavered.

When he appeared again, he had brought Ksitigarbha back with him, and they stood outside Pingxin Hall once more.

Why weren't they inside Pingxin Hall?

Even a Sage like Jieyin couldn't accomplish that.

That was because Pingxin Hall had a remarkable history.

The Pangu Divine Hall of the Witch Clan had become today's Pingxin Hall.

Not even a Sage could force his way into this hall.

As it happened, this was one of the reasons Empress Pingxin dared to refuse a Sage.

Glancing at the plaque above the gate, Jieyin called out, "Daoist friend Pingxin!

"Jieyin of the Western Teachings has come to pay you a visit!"

Hearing Jieyin's voice, Empress Pingxin felt a wave of irritation.

Would the Western Teachings really not stop until they got what they wanted?

I'd already made my refusal perfectly clear.

And Jieyin had still come.

But on my own, I really might not be able to handle this.

Given the situation, I had no choice but to ask Haotian for help.

It was a good thing I'd formed an alliance with Haotian earlier.

Otherwise, I'd be hard-pressed to stand alone against a Sage.

With that in mind, Empress Pingxin immediately sent word to Haotian.

As for Jieyin?

Let him cool his heels outside for now!

What did a Sage's dignity have to do with me?

I wasn't the one who invited him here.

A short while later,

Haotian arrived.

He glanced at Jieyin and Ksitigarbha, still waiting outside the gate.

"The Sage still hasn't left?

"If you ask me, if someone doesn't want to see you, why force the issue, Sage?

"Leave while you still can. You'll spare others the trouble and yourself the embarrassment."