Chapter 101: The Underworld Trap

“Stop teasing me—just tell me, what exactly happened?” Wei Qi’s words made me anxious.

“More people have died. Their souls were drained, and some had their hearts literally torn out.”

“What do we do now? Has Master Li gathered everyone?”

“He’s assembled part of the group. Master Xing Yun has also returned from Mount Wutai. Tonight, everyone is heading to Mount Fulai. Master Xing Yun plans to forcibly break through the underworld’s barrier using yin-yang techniques. We intend to launch an attack on the Netherworld,” Wei Qi explained.

The moment I heard about the assault on the Netherworld, my spirit soared. I had long wished to storm the Underworld, find the King of the Dead, and settle matters once and for all. When I inquired about Yueyue, Wei Qi said that Master Xing Yun had mentioned it during his trip to Mount Wutai: Yueyue was abducted by the King of the Dead and forced to master the art of soul absorption.

It was all both expected and unexpected. Regardless, at least now the attack on the Netherworld was imminent.

Back at home, Shangguan Wan’er was deeply worried, her face clouded with anxiety. I asked her what was wrong. She couldn’t explain, only saying she had a foreboding feeling that something bad was about to happen. She even urged me not to go to the Netherworld.

I smiled bitterly and put my arm around her shoulders. “Sister, no matter what the Netherworld says, I have to go. My enemies are there! Yueyue was taken by the King of the Dead, and Wang Ying might be there too. How can I not go in?”

Wan’er furrowed her brow. “Yes, you’re a real man. I know you’ll go, but I don’t want you to.”

“Wan’er, we’re taking many people this time, so you really don’t need to come. It wouldn’t be convenient, and people would gossip. I don’t want you to come—the Netherworld is perilous enough trying to find the barrier. Last time, the King of the Dead let Wei Qi and me go, but this time he’s my mortal enemy. He won’t open a way back for us. It’s almost impossible. That’s why I don’t want you to come.”

“Brother, what kind of excuse is that? You’re my brother, I’m your sister. If I don’t accompany you, then who will?” Wan’er’s gentle face bore a trace of sadness. She was having a hard time—on earth, I was her only family.

“Wan’er, honestly, I’m conflicted. I don’t want you to be alone at home. What if I don’t come back? What will you do?”

“Exactly. You can’t just heartlessly leave me behind. Since I recognize you as my brother, then you’re family. Saving sister-in-law and avenging mom are our responsibilities!” Wan’er stood beside me, her eyes reddened but her expression resolute.

I said we’d see how things went; if necessary, I’d bring her along. When I mentioned taking her to the Netherworld, she smiled brightly, but I felt an indescribable ache inside. Whether I went or not, neither choice was perfect.

While Wan’er packed at home, I went to Wei Qi’s place. Yingzi had cooked spicy chicken for him as a send-off. Seeing me, she handed me a wine glass. I didn’t know why, but despite the attack on the Netherworld starting tonight, I couldn’t feel happy; I was instead filled with melancholy.

After a few drinks, I spoke to Wei Qi about Wan’er. His response surprised me: he said Wan’er should come with me because she depended on me. Hearing this, my spirits settled somewhat.

After some wine, I slept a little at home. As dusk approached, the three of us went together to Dinglin Temple on Mount Fulai. When we saw Master Xing Yun, his face looked troubled. It seemed he was deeply worried about Yueyue’s abduction by the King of the Dead.

This time, there were more people—counting, there were over ten. Master Xing Yun gave a detailed briefing at the Meditation Hall. Around ten o’clock at night, we left the temple and headed straight to the mountainside.

Walking the mountain path, my heart fluttered. Once inside the Netherworld, everything would become clear. The ancient tomb’s secret passage, which we had previously sealed, was reopened by people Master Xing Yun had brought.

One by one, everyone entered the tomb. At the spot where we had last entered the Netherworld, we searched for the barrier but couldn’t find it. Master Xing Yun sat down near a wall, clasped his hands, then pressed his palms against the cave wall.

Suddenly, with a ripple, the wall shimmered, becoming transparent like a mirror, its surface undulating gently. This was the barrier we had crossed before.

I gave Wei Qi a glance, took Wan’er’s hand, and stepped through.

One by one, five of our group entered. Counting heads, we realized that Master Xing Yun hadn’t come in. After waiting a while, we concluded that opening the barrier must have drained too much of his energy, so he stayed outside to rest. We couldn’t wait any longer and forged ahead.

In this gray, misty world, curiosity soon faded into boredom. We traveled far, finding nothing. The houses and residents from our memories had vanished. The chilling wind howled, no one appeared—a desolate scene.

Wei Qi came beside me. “Da Chuan, what’s going on? Could the Nether City have been massacred?”

“That’s impossible. Who could do such a thing? You’ve seen the King of the Dead’s power. Besides, who would he have grudges against? Only me,” I replied.

Before I finished, a sudden crash echoed behind us. Turning back, about a meter away, a dark hole appeared, and Li Danian and the others fell in.

We were stunned. What was going on? Had the King of the Dead anticipated our arrival and set a trap?

“Uncle Qi, what do we do?” I asked, though I doubted we had the power to help.

“I’ll go down and check. You two wait here,” Wan’er said, staring at the black hole.

“That’s not a good idea—it's so deep down there.” I didn’t want Wan’er to go; I was too worried about her.

“What else can be done? Neither of you can go, so it’s up to me.” Wan’er was always the one who considered the bigger picture.

Just as she prepared to descend, the ground trembled. The chasm suddenly sealed, the earth smoothing over as if nothing had happened—except Li Danian and the others were gone.

We stood there for a long time, the earth calm again. Wei Qi shouted loudly, but no one answered. In the end, we had no choice but to leave. Before even meeting the King of the Dead, we had lost seven or eight people. This was a serious setback.

“What now?” Wei Qi asked.

“We have to find the King of the Dead. Master Li and the others must be imprisoned by him.” I was anxious.

“No need to look further—the King of the Dead doesn’t want to see you.” Just as I spoke, a figure appeared before me in a flash: an elderly man with white hair and a youthful face, emanating an otherworldly aura.

“Who are you?” I sized him up. He looked about seventy, with snowy hair and a serene, almost immortal demeanor.

“I am Left One, the King's protector. The King sent me to deliver a message: stop stirring trouble and go back to living your lives,” Left One said.

“Hmph! Go back? What a sweet thought! You killed my uncle and mother, kidnapped Wang Ying and Yueyue, and captured my companions. You expect us to just leave? Impossible.” I had already decided: this time, I wasn’t going back.

“Nonsense. Who told you the King killed your uncle and mother? Who said he took Wang Ying and Yueyue? Your companions have already been released—they returned to the mortal world through the barrier. You should go back too. Walk a mile ahead; there’s a ginkgo tree. Three palm strikes will open the barrier. The King refuses to see you,” Left One said, turning to leave.

I reached out and grabbed him. “Trying to leave? Not so easy.”

Left One shivered. My hand that had gripped his collar suddenly found nothing but air. He stood several meters away, smiling at me.

Damn! How formidable! I clenched my palm, summoning a thunderbolt into my hand. “Will you take us to see the King? If not, I won’t be polite.”

“No way, not a word. What can you do to me?” Left One smiled mischievously despite his age, like a playful old rogue.

Normally, I wouldn’t harm an innocent person, but I was desperate. We had lost most of our people shortly after entering and couldn’t afford to hold back. I released the thunderbolt with a bang.

Left One was surprisingly agile. The moment the thunderbolt exploded, he darted off toward the distance. The three of us hurried after him.