Haotian, What Is Wrong with You?

Haotian saw that Jieyin no longer wanted to deal with him, so he naturally had no intention of making a nuisance of himself.

He had already achieved his goal this time, so it was best not to create any further trouble.

If he really pushed Jieyin too far, the man might simply walk away.

Then all his plans would come to nothing.

He would still have to let the Western Teachings' cultivators run amok in the Underworld.

So it was best to quit while he was ahead.

After glancing at Empress Pingxin, Jieyin asked, "Fellow Daoist Pingxin, what conditions do you have? You can state them now."

Having heard Jieyin's words, Empress Pingxin stopped deliberating.

She had already been considering her conditions while Haotian and Jieyin were haggling.

Now she only had to state them.

"In that case, I won't stand on ceremony.

As Fellow Daoist Haotian said just now, the Western Teachings' cultivators must abide by the Underworld's rules after entering it.

I wholeheartedly agree with that.

It is also the basis on which I agreed to continue these talks.

Since the Sage has already agreed to this basic condition, I won't repeat myself.

Apart from this condition we've already settled,

I have only two more.

First, your Western Teachings must not target the Witch Clan.

Second, I want the Eight Treasures Merit Pool.

With just these two conditions, I will arrange for Ksitigarbha to enter the Underworld."

Hearing these two conditions, Jieyin felt a pang of dismay.

He had naturally expected Pingxin to make demands that would trouble him.

After all, Jieyin knew that Pingxin was the one most affected by this matter.

But he hadn't expected her to make these two particular demands.

The first was acceptable. If they weren't to target the Witch Clan, then so be it.

The Witch Clan couldn't make waves anymore anyway.

But her demand for the Eight Treasures Merit Pool was a real blow.

This spiritual treasure ranked among the finest in the Western Region.

Though it was inferior to treasures such as the Twelve-grade Merit Golden Lotus and the Eastern Azure Treasure Lotus Banner,

it still ranked as a High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure.

And among High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures, it was one of the more powerful ones.

The water in its pool could cleanse the body.

It could also weakly wash away Karmic Debt.

Though, looking at things now, that didn't seem particularly useful.

Even so, its grade alone was enough to make Jieyin's heart ache.

After a moment's thought, Jieyin said, "Fellow Daoist Pingxin, first tell me how you plan to arrange things for Ksitigarbha.

If I'm satisfied with your arrangement, I can agree to your conditions."

Empress Pingxin replied frankly, "Didn't Ksitigarbha say earlier that he wanted to save the Underworld's Lost Souls?

As it happens, after establishing the new Yin Si, I sent a group of Lost Souls with grave sins and no hope of reform beneath the Nine Netherworlds.

So Ksitigarbha can go to the Nine Netherworlds first and save the Lost Souls there before doing anything else.

After all, the Lost Souls elsewhere are still under the Yin Si's supervision. They won't be cast into the Nine Netherworlds forever anytime soon.

But that isn't necessarily true for the Lost Souls beneath the Nine Netherworlds.

Who knows when they might die again and turn into troublesome Evil Spirits?

At that point, they would have little hope of being saved.

Unless the Lost Souls themselves managed to seize a chance at survival.

Since Ksitigarbha is determined to save the Lost Souls, he should start with the most urgent cases.

Besides, every position in the Yin Si is already occupied by a Yin God.

Assigning Ksitigarbha a post as a Yin Soldier wouldn't be appropriate."

Empress Pingxin's words had practically pinned Ksitigarbha to the Nine Netherworlds.

See?

This was what Ksitigarbha himself had asked for.

If there was a problem, it wasn't her fault.

Jieyin nearly spat blood when he heard this.

It was over!

Ksitigarbha had raised expectations far too high earlier.

What was this?

He'd asked for a beating and gotten one?

Now that Pingxin had laid out her reasoning in the open, how could Jieyin refuse?

Would he have to say Ksitigarbha had been talking nonsense earlier?

Wouldn't that prove that Ksitigarbha had ulterior motives for entering the Underworld?

That he had planned to force his way in with a Dao Oath if the negotiations went badly?

The bitter fruit of the seeds they had sown was finally theirs to swallow.

So be it!

Going beneath the Nine Netherworlds was still better than becoming a Yin Soldier.

If Pingxin had dared to say this, then she truly intended to do it.

Even if Jieyin kept arguing, the best he could hope for was a post only slightly better than that of a Yin Soldier.

Rather than accept such a lowly position, lose face, and give up his freedom,

he might as well agree to Ksitigarbha's proposal.

At least he would get a relatively free assignment, making it easier to pursue their plans in the future.

Besides, if Ksitigarbha saved those Lost Souls and sent them straight into Reincarnation, sparing them the Yin Si's punishments,

wouldn't that show how profound the Western Teachings' methods were?

It would also increase the Western Teachings' prestige. Perhaps, one day, Ksitigarbha's reputation in the Underworld might even surpass Pingxin's.

Having made up his mind,

Jieyin said, "Fine!

We'll do as Fellow Daoist Pingxin says!

Ksitigarbha will take charge of the hell beneath the Nine Netherworlds."

Seeing that Jieyin was still playing word games, Pingxin couldn't be bothered to argue with him. She simply nodded faintly.

Take charge of that layer of hell beneath the Nine Netherworlds?

If you're willing to go, then so be it.

When trouble arose, she could make Ksitigarbha take the blame.

Now that they had reached an agreement, Jieyin tossed the Eight Treasures Merit Pool to Pingxin.

Then he turned to Ksitigarbha and said, "You've seen what happened.

Think carefully about how you'll act from now on."

"This disciple understands!"

Hearing Ksitigarbha's reply, Jieyin nodded and was about to leave.

But at that moment, Haotian spoke in a quiet voice. "You may take charge there, but you must still follow the rules.

Lost Souls cannot enter Reincarnation without first being judged by the Ten Halls and having their Karmic Debt cleansed. This is an ironclad rule of the Underworld's Yin Si.

It is also one of the keys to keeping the Underworld running in good order.

Ksitigarbha, be sure to remember that!

Otherwise, don't say I didn't warn you!"

At Haotian's words, Jieyin, who had been about to leave, nearly stumbled.

What the hell was wrong with Haotian?

He had finally managed to secure a small benefit.

And Haotian had just opened his mouth and taken it away?

By the Dao Ancestor, that guy was definitely targeting him!

He was pushing him too far!

Jieyin spun around and fixed Haotian with a chilling gaze.

Then he said icily, "Haotian!

You've gone too far!

How dare you target me again and again?

Do you think I'm easy to bully?

Do you think my spiritual treasures are dull?"

Haotian replied coldly, "My Treasure Sword is no less sharp!"

As he spoke, Haotian was already in his hand.

Seeing that the situation was about to spiral out of control, Empress Pingxin didn't want any more complications.

She had no choice but to speak up. "What are the two of you doing?

These are conditions we all agreed to earlier.

Fellow Daoist Haotian should not have singled him out with that reminder.

But what he said is also true.

Why take offense over it, Saint Jieyin?"

Hearing Empress Pingxin's words, Jieyin didn't feel the slightest hint that she was trying to mediate.

Instead, he heard her supporting Haotian.

In that instant,

Jieyin began cursing them in his heart.

Wretched couple!

Two peas in a pod!

The dignity of a Saint wouldn't allow Jieyin to voice such vile insults.

Otherwise, he would have cursed the two of them until they were covered in blood.