Master, This Poor Disciple Died Again Today

Chapter 572: As the Realm Dies

At last, the rings engulfed the entire Underworld. Hui paused, leaning on his knees and panting. The reaper stood opposite him, cool and collected on the outside, though rage burned in her eyes. She advanced.

Hui held up his hand. Its enough, its enough, Elder Sister! Small cultivator has learned his lesson.

Has he, the reaper murmured. She didnt stop.

Yes, yes, he has, he absolutely has, Hui said, nodding. He backed away slowly.

Around them, the Underworld burned out, collapsing into ash. The life qi ring passed over the ash. Life flickered where it passed, little golden sparks darting here and there in the gray.

The reaper lifted her sword.

Elder Sister, could I get a stay of execution? At least until after I rejuvenate the Underworld, Hui begged.

She paused, twisting her lips thoughtfully. After a moment, she shook her head. Request denied.

Its time to switch tactics, Hui thought to himself. Standing up tall, he looked down on the reaper. Elder Sister, its no good. Even if you slay small cultivator here, the world will still know that you like stepping on people. Its better to admit ones preferences and live earnestly than to repress them. Elder Sister, I know it might be hard, but please, look inside yourself. You know you like stepping on people. You know I know, and so do the seniors here. Theres no need to continue to deny it.

The reapers face grew even darker. Her knuckles turned white on the hilt of her sword.

Yes! Excellent. This is the right tactic. Hui threw himself on the ground. Elder Sister, please! Step on me, just this once. Ill allow it this time only! Vent your anger with one good stomp. Youll feel much better afterward, Im sure. Im sure of it!

The reaper halted. A vein throbbed on her forehead. You

Ah, this is indeed a dangerous route, a dangerous route indeed! Any route taken from Ying Lins romances is dangerous, and this is a route straight from the trashy romance segments of my favorite novels back home! Im playing the part of the jade beauty in the tactic of provoking the CEO to the extent that he cant help but give in, and that role usually involves the jade beauty getting er, well in any case, Elder Sister, if you must take me, then please at least use a small illusion technique so my friends mother doesnt have to watch!

Across the realm, Black Dragon abruptly snorted.

The reaper drew up to Hui. She stared down at him, her face so black that he could barely see it.

Hui braced himself for impact. With glittering, limpid eyes, he looked up at the reaper, trembling just a little bit. Be gentle, Elder Sister. The jade-beauty-provoking-the-CEOs killer line! Take that, Elder Sister! Theres no way you can resist. Now, step on me, just this once, and vent all your hatred!

The reapers jaw clenched. Her vein throbbed, and her knuckles were so white he could see the bones. Her body shook, but not from fear.

Ah, Elder Sister, its not good to hold back so much. Go ahead, you can kick me. Just once! Hui said, still trembling.

Without a word, the reaper kicked him.

Hui flew backward. His chest caved in, his bones snapped, and his limp body thrashed along. He hurtled through the void where the Underworld had been, rolling over and over as he zoomed by.

As he flew, he circulated his qi, using the flame transfer technique to turn it into life qi. His body healed, bones straightening and chest reforming. Whenever the rotations turned him back to face the reaper, he stole glances. Huh. Her face still looks dark. Was one kick not enough? Elder Sister, please. Restrain yourself! Or rather this is what happens when you repress your true desires for too long. Ahh, to be the unfortunate target of Elder Sisters venting she should be more like me, and live out her true self every day. I play dead every day, after all!

Not bothering to stop rolling, Hui gestured. In the distance, the three enormous rings that surrounded the Underworld and the Night Market collapsed, falling in on themselves. All the power they had collected from burning through the realms poured back into the realms, fueling the sparks of life qi in the ashes. The sparks of life qi burned brighter and brighter, then burst into flames. All the ashes swirled around, gathering up into a ball of ash, life qi, and raw energy. Beneath Hui, the realm began to take shape.

But how should I shape it? I dont want to have to manually handle the transferal of souls ah, though that will still be Zhu Diyus job or someones. Im not becoming the Lord of the Underworld.

Still, part of the issue of the original Underworld was that souls would get lost and not properly reincarnate. Hmm Hui gestured. The Underworld altered itself below him. Instead of a broad plain, it became a funnel. Although I cant shape the Yellow Springs, the springs themselves a fundamental part of the realms, I can shape the Sanzu River! Hui drew stone to the springs and created a channel, sending the water coursing down the channel across the funnel. A bridge formed over the channel. Beyond the funnel, a small space opened up. A throne and a courtroom appeared.

Black Dragon stepped forward. Xiao Hui, create a Night Market for me. If Zhu Diyu chooses to abdicate the throne, then Ill handle it.

From his place on the floor, Hui glanced at her. Can Elder Sister handle it? She ran the casino in the Night Market and seemed like a major player, but Im not sure, fundamentally, that I can trust a dragon with human lives and human morality. The Underworld has to judge mortal souls as well, after all. The majority of the souls it handles are human. If it isnt run by a human, will the Underworld function properly?

No. Ill do it, the reaper said, stepping forward.

Ah. The reaper is responsible. Shes someone who can be trusted! Shes

Someone who wants to step on me. Can this small cultivator trust her?

The reaper crossed her arms. So?

Hui pushed himself upright. He looked at her. Ultimately, I trust her more than I trust Black Dragon. Someones preference is nothing to get too hung up on. As long as she properly handles her preferences and vents them according to her needs, its nothing to worry about. I have no problem with that.

I wasnt asking you, the reaper said. She looked at Zhu Diyu.

Zhu Diyu waved his hand. Something snapped. You are no longer a reaper.

The reapers skin and hair suddenly seemed to glow. Her body grew softer, and she took on a lively radiance she hadnt before. She smiled slowly, then held out her hand, palm out. I, Ming Hailen, accept the title of Lord of the Underworld.

Something shifted inside Hui. He didnt know why, but he held out his hand to her. A drop of blood flew from his palm and struck hers.

Everyone froze. All eyes turned to Hui.

Er, what? Hui asked. He looked at Black Dragon. Ah, Senior, if this is about the Night Market, I can add a space behind the courthouse

Black Dragon waved her hand. Of course I want that, but Hui, the three realms have recognized you as not the Lord of the Underworld, but the owner of the Underworld.

Hui licked his lips. Is that bad? Did I cause a problem? No, no. The last thing I want to do is cause problems! Not this small cultivator. Please tell me I didnt, Senior!

Its it means that anyone who becomes Lord of the Underworld is essentially subordinate isnt the right word, but She tapped her chin, brows furrowed.

A tenant? If I own the Underworld, then renter? franchisee? Hui tried. Franchises of the Underworld? What would that even look like? The Night Market?

Such a thing has never occurred. Not since the three realms were formed, Zhu Diyu said seriously.

The Underworld pinged in his mind. Hui turned back to it, adding a space for the Night Market just behind the courthouse, and some quarters for the clerks as well.

Turning back around, he nodded at Zhu Diyu. Then no one knows what it means, and that means I can make it up.

Zhu Diyu opened his mouth. After a moment, he shut it again. Thoughtfully, he put a hand on his chin.

In which case, Elder Sister, please act as Lord of the Underworld. If you ever need my help, you can always reach out to me, Hui said, bowing.

The reaper or rather, Ming Hailen, nodded back. If I ever need to step on someone, Ill know who to call.

Ah, no, no. Small cultivator isnt suited to being stepped on. Im the kind of small bug whos hard to squash, not satisfying to step on at all! Hui said, waving his hands. I mean the Underworld I feel as though I can still shape it. If you need me to fix it, please let me know!

Ming Hailen nodded. Of course.

Hui pointed at the empty space hed created for the Night Market and turned to Black Dragon. Is there anything else you need?

No, no. To see my darling son but thats too much to ask, Black Dragon said, chuckling.

Hui nodded. Ill see what I can do, Senior. He turned to Zhu Diyu and Qian Liqiu.

Zhu Diyu crossed his arms. I think Ill try ascending again. Its better than staying here forever.

As for me my people Qian Liqiu said.

Hui nodded. If youll come with me a while, I have a clone technique that can create a near infinite number of bodies that can be customized to ones choosing. Its not a permanent solution, but its a first step toward your people returning to being physical beings from being trapped as qi constructs for so long.

Qian Liqiu nodded. Thank you. That is acceptable.

At last, Hui turned upward. He held his hand out to Qian Liqiu, and she stepped to his side. Lets go to the surface. My children are waiting!

They flew upward together, hurtling toward the Underworlds surface.