Chapter 532: Preparing for Departure
“It’s been six weeks since I’ve started imparting to you the knowledge pertaining to Hell’s legacy, and I could tell that you clearly exhibited a surge in your intellect in the last three weeks. But that’s simply impossible! It violates all laws of human growth and development…” Xu Yangyi furrowed his brows as he stared at Qin Ye, “Or are you simply being motivated and driven by stress? Did I not put sufficient stress on you previously?”
Xu Yangyi didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he frowned and thought for a moment, “Yesterday, I taught you about your function of administering laws. Why don’t you give me a quick rundown of that, together with the function of Abyssal Prefects?”
“People sin, and they would be meted out punishments commensurate to the extent of their sins. Abyssal Prefects are in charge of punishments, with each Prefect in charge of a specific type of punishment, some of which would be carried out in the lives of these sinners in their subsequent lives.”
“To that end, the Yanluo has the power to determine the measure of punishment applicable in each instance, such as whether a person should simply suffer a minor burn, or be put to death, as well as the measure of pain and suffering to be inflicted. In a nutshell, while Prefects are the masters of individual punishments, the Yanluo is the one who decides what the punishment is. Furthermore, the Yanluo has the right to overturn the conviction of all Prefects. Finally, the Yanluo has access to the vital information and particulars of all persons, including their date of birth and death, and the things they have done in their lives…”
Xu Yangyi gazed deeply at Qin Ye, and then nodded with approbation, “You’re getting the hang of it. Generally speaking, that is correct. But as for the specifics… well, I’m sure you’d come to deal with it in due course.”
“It’s all because I had a good teacher.” Qin Ye smiled with much flattery, just like how Qin Hui used to smile at Qin Ye.
… Is it not because I’m seeking your validation? Qin Ye grumbled in his heart, but continued to smile genially, “Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just that Teacher has been working so hard, and I’d be letting Teacher down if I don’t learn well.”
Xu Yangyi raised his eyebrow quizzically. Then, after some deliberation, he probed, “You have something to ask of me?”
Alas… you actually would do something like that… Xu Yangyi understood Qin Ye’s nature, and therefore nodded in a non-committal fashion.
Here it comes!
Xu Yangyi’s eyes wavered slightly as he saw Qin Ye pull out two airplane tickets, “It would be winter in two months’ time. I’d have undergone studies for a full term by then. Logically speaking, it would be about time to take a winter vacation…”
I’ll play along with you.
Qin Ye’s voice rose with enthusiasm, “You might not know where the Daehan Tower is, but surely you’ve heard of the Daehan show, My Love from the Star, or Legend of the Blue Sea! That’s right, the Daehan Tower overlooks an entire city below! It’s practically a place of pilgrimage!”
Xu Yangyi nodded, and then got straight to the nub of the issue, “And where might the Daehan Tower be located?”
Xu Yangyi chortled, “Not bad, huh… To think that the eminent Third King Yanluo of Hell has even mastered the art of bending time and space over this short span of time! Do you think I don’t know a thing about the geography of the world?”
Xu Yangyi nodded, “Not too shabby. But did you notice that your reaction has changed?”
Xu Yangyi continued, “Two years ago, your first reaction upon encountering trouble would’ve been to hide and avoid. Now, even though you’re still a coward--... I mean, although you’re good with matters of self-preservation, you still choose to seize the opportunity to make the first move.”
That’s right… I’ve unknowingly changed.
Even though inviting the Second King Yanluo along with me was a rather bold and blatant move, at least there were no longer any thoughts of shirking responsibility or escape.
“You’ve got something that you’ll need to confront, so I won’t be going along with your suggestion.” Xu Yangyi flatly refused, “If I’m there, you’d always have that reliance on me, and you’ll never develop a sense of independence. Unfortunately, the fact remains that you’ll have nothing to rely on in just two months’ time. You’ll be on your own, and left to your own devices entirely.”
Qin Ye frowned, “But… wouldn’t we already be heading down after the event?”
He glanced at Qin Ye’s sullen expression, and then sighed softly, “Ah, fine.”
“With it, you’ll be able to contact me on three separate occasions. Remember, it only allows you to ask me a question, and not to make a move. So long as I’m still within the boundaries of these three realms, I’ll definitely answer your call.”
“Certainly.”
He sat down, took a sip of tea, and then gnashed his teeth with regret.
Xu Yangyi had never offered to protect him.
“Did I really choose to confront the problem?!” He slapped his hands hard on his cheek and pulled a long face, “That’s not right! This isn’t like me at all! I didn’t even realize it until I said it myself! Am I being possessed by something?!”
And since he’d already made the promise, then there was clearly no reason for him to shirk responsibility any longer. Thus, he began to wrack his mind about the things he needed to pay close attention to in the upcoming visit to Daehan.
“Arthis is right… I can’t let anyone know about our relationship. Otherwise… I wouldn’t be repaying the favour. I’d only be placing her in even greater danger.”
If he visited Hanyang with a great procession led by gongs and drums, then every single move he made would most certainly be subject to close scrutiny. That being the case, it meant that it was far better to travel light and head there alone, or at best with few people.
Since Liu Yu dared to send the invitation straight to Hell, he would most definitely have responded with the most luxurious honor guards to dazzle and blind Liu Yu’s eyes!
Sure, the Harken could create a huge procession in the likeness of the processions of old. However, the splendour of the old Hell didn’t lie in the numbers that made up the procession, but more in the materials involved and symbolism with it. It was impossible to counterfeit such opulence and majesty!
In fact, it would be completely inappropriate to fabricate a fake procession right now. Liu Yu might be fooled, but it was going to take far more than that if he were to fool the man acting in the shadows, Tsar Arturo.
He was a true, blue Yama-class god of death lording over his underworld.
“There’s no way I’d be able to conceal it from him…” Qin Ye raised his head slowly, revealing slightly bloodshot pupils. He squinted slightly, “Tsar Arturo is orders of magnitudes more experienced than I am, and he would know full well how Hell’s procession should look like. He’d be able to tell at a single glance if I were pulling a fast one on him. If he dares to reach out to me through Liu Yu, there’s a good chance that he’ll be there himself!’
After all, Cathay had traditionally always given others the impression that it was the land of gold. Nobody would ever believe that Hell was lacking just because their King Yanluo decided to dress shabbily for once.
Travelling light was his last resort, but it was also the best move available to him right now. And since there were no other options, then the next best thing to do would naturally be to make preparations for every step of this journey.
Seconds later, he picked up King Yanluo’s Token and infused it with his Yin energy. In an instant, several men answered his summons and appeared in the room.
“Your humble servant, Liu Changhe, Special Lord of the Springlight County City along the Cathay-Rus border, greets the esteemed King Yanluo of Hell.”
“Your humble servant, Pei Shao, Special Lord of Brisk County, Longsky City, located along the Cathay-Rus border, greets the esteemed King Yanluo of Hell.”
1. Canada.
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