Red dust swirled all around me, completely different from the green haze I’d seen before. But I had already spoken my destination, and I knew Ray Lin would take me where I needed to go. Part of the memory of the Earth Soul had made it clear to me what Hell truly was.
The matter of Hell's Eye surprised me, but what truly shocked me was what the King of Reincarnation said—that when the three of us were born, Hell's Eye opened.
Now I finally understood why, after death, one must endure punishment in the underworld before reincarnation. Having learned all this, I became increasingly convinced that so-called reincarnation was merely an ideal. The current problems with the cycle stemmed from the fact that, back then, everything was built without considering the consequences. I still remember every time I met the Saint of the Underworld—he never seemed like a serene, enlightened monk, but always had worry in his eyes.
This is a problem that no one can solve. What started as minor issues have accumulated since the founding of the underworld, reaching a point where they can no longer be resolved.
Originally, perhaps letting ghosts die naturally and enter the shadow world, turning to dust, might have been a safer solution. But now, even that method no longer works—after death, ghosts revive in the shadow world. All of this is the result of the three former rulers of Hell.
The reason I’m seeking out the Judges is because I’m furious, especially about what happened to the Underworld Denizens.
"Qingyuan, what are you thinking about?"
Ray Lin asked, and I replied.
"You already knew, didn’t you—what really happened in Hades? Why didn’t you tell me?"
"It happened just recently, and I found out right away. Let me put it this way: the Judges don’t want you involved in matters of the living world."
I looked at Ray Lin in surprise, then continued asking.
"Isn’t the Underworld Court worried that the Arcane Society might side with the Emperor God and his faction?"
"That’s only natural. Forcing them to choose—if they can’t, it’s better to eliminate them early on."
I swallowed hard, eyes wide.
"Such shameless behavior."
"Qingyuan, in matters like this, I think there’s no need to be so serious. The people in the Arcane Society have their own calculations. Why do you think they’re so hesitant?"
I immediately understood what Ray Lin meant, eyes wide. Many people are probably waiting to see how this war unfolds—whichever side looks stronger, they’ll support, hoping to gain some benefit. But the Underworld Court is using this method to force those in the Arcane Society within the living world to make a choice.
Many in the Arcane Society, including those from major families, are deeply connected to the authorities in the living world. If chaos erupts there, the authorities won’t stay silent. So, they have to act to maintain order, and ultimately have no choice but to negotiate with the Underworld Court.
As for those in the Arcane Society leaning toward the Emperor God’s side, they’ll probably be purged without mercy. Some will try to play both sides, but this war is a life-and-death struggle between Old Hell and the Underworld Court. No matter who wins, the outcome will be brutal. In a war this ruthless, only black or white is allowed—there’s no room for gray.
"Don’t overthink it, Qingyuan. If you can’t control any of this, all you can do is pick a side. Rules are dead, but people are alive."
At this moment, I noticed the red currents around us began to slow down. We were almost at our destination. After some violent shaking, the car’s speed dropped completely, and a black opening appeared ahead. The car drove through it.
A vast, endless black plain stretched before me. In the ground was a massive fissure, and at its center stood a huge black stone pillar reaching up to the sky—just as in the Earth Soul’s memory. Far off, a narrow crack resembled a canyon; that was where Hell’s Eye was located. The eye had already closed quite a bit.
The car stopped. After I got out, it vanished. Ray Lin pointed toward Hell’s Eye in the distance.
"Qingyuan, do you have any impression of that thing? From before?"
I looked at Ray Lin in confusion and shook my head.
"Why do you ask?"
Ray Lin smiled with his lips pressed together, then spoke.
"Just wait a bit. The Judges will be here soon."
I quietly took in everything around me. It was nothing like the Hell I’d seen before—this place was filled with deathly silence, the air heavy and oppressive. Though slow, I could sense a strange aura creeping in. I focused, probing carefully, then my eyes widened and I swallowed hard.
It was the negative emotions of countless ghosts—so overwhelming I couldn’t see anything else. The moment I sensed it, it was like being plunged into the deep sea. I immediately withdrew my senses.
"You’d best not touch those things, Qingyuan. They might contaminate your mind."
I nodded and kept observing the surroundings. I didn’t know when the Judges would arrive. Just then, I sensed something unusual at Hell’s Eye, so I moved over.
"Zhang Qingyuan, long time no see."
I stared quietly at the yellow figure before me. His features gradually emerged—long hair, a wicked smile, golden-red eyes, and the power of Hades emanating from him. I’d heard this voice long ago, when the Marriage Trial Stone exploded.
"Are you Hades?"
I asked, and the figure nodded. I was now standing atop the eye—below me was a swirling black-and-white eye. I felt a faint tremor; Hell’s Eye was moving. A strange sensation washed over me.
"Can you bring Lan Yin back?"
I asked, and Hades burst out laughing, then shook his head and said:
"How could someone who’s already dead return? That kid came to challenge me himself, so I destroyed him. Zhang Qingyuan, I sensed you coming and came up right away. Heh, you..."
In a flash, I moved right in front of Hades and grabbed him by the throat. Hades stared in disbelief, eyes wide.
"So that’s how it is. It’s not just you—there are three of you. I didn’t even notice. You’ve gained considerable power!"
"I’ll say it again. Bring Lan Yin up."
The smile vanished from Hades’ face.
"You really are unreasonable. I wasn’t the one who went looking for trouble with Lan Yin—he came to me. He’s already dead, turned to dust. If you want him, find him yourself; I’m not going to bother."
I stared blankly into Hades’ eyes. He wasn’t lying, but what Lan Miu told me before was a different story.
"Take me there."
I said sternly. Hades helplessly waved his hand, and I let go. He sighed.
"You’re not one of the Hades Circle Born, so you’re not qualified to go down. I’ve already told you—the only way is for you to descend together with Rachel Lan."
"You’re lying."
I glared at Hades.
"He’s already exhausted. Even if you could bring him back, what would it matter? Lan Yin lost the will to live long ago. Why do you think he came to me so recklessly? Don’t disturb the dead—let him rest. Zhang Qingyuan, you’re not a god. No matter how hard you try, no matter how much you want to reach out, there are countless people in this world who won’t take your hand. That’s just how people are."
"Take me down."
I said again, looking seriously at Hades. He shook his head.
"Impossible, Zhang Qingyuan."
Hades’ form began to blur, about to vanish into a wisp of vapor. He smiled and said:
"I only came up to check on Hell’s Eye. Sure enough, the moment you arrived, Hell’s Eye started moving."
My eyes widened as I looked at the black walls on either side, now far from me. The eyeball below was still moving.
"What does that mean?"
"You are destined to be the next master of Hell, Zhang Qingyuan. Hell has chosen you. I look forward to the day you become Hell’s ruler—then we can sit down and talk about Hades at length."
As Hades was about to vanish, I grabbed him in an instant and dragged him out from the crack of the eye, throwing him onto the black ground. Hades stared at me coldly.
"What do you want, Zachary Young?"
"I'll say it again—take me down there. I have to bring Blake Lane back."
Hades stood up, and I landed right in front of him.
"And what if I refuse?"
I clenched my fists, a sizzling sound crackling, faint wisps of green smoke rising from my body.
"So that's it—a simple, brutal method."
With a whoosh, I punched without a hint of hesitation—one blow knocked Hades' head clean off. The force didn't dissipate; I controlled it perfectly. It was just an ordinary punch.
"Truly an unbelievably powerful force. But does this strength really matter to me?"
I looked around; Hades' body vanished before my eyes. I quickly heightened my awareness—he wasn't trying to escape, but was drifting around me, like yellow smoke, impossible to grasp.
"Do you really think you can defeat me, Zachary Young?"
A scornful laugh echoed around me. I closed my eyes; suddenly, my head buzzed and I stared in disbelief. The instant I shut my eyes, I found Hades' location—viewed from above. I looked up, and a giant eye appeared in the sky, while the eye on the ground had already vanished.