Chapter 298

Zhao Yi paid little attention to his dying appearance. His mind was still reeling from Li's astonishing maneuver. He had heard the saying "to stir up trouble on the God of the Year's head" (to do something incredibly audacious), but today, Young Master Zhao witnessed something even more extraordinary: changing locks right at the Gates of Hell. At that moment, Zhao Yi truly wanted to pick up Runsheng's shovel blade and crack open Li's head to get a better look. This wasn't merely a question of whether a normal person would dare; it was about a normal person not even conceiving such a maneuver was possible. Zhao Yi's greatest regret before his death was probably not surviving to witness the ultimate outcome of events.

At this moment, the shadow posed the same question, his voice gentle, like a benevolent teacher. It was as if his earlier neglect and indifference were merely the strict side of a teacher, hoping his apprentice would become stronger and more independent instead of relying on him for everything, even if the apprentice was currently melting into a puddle.

"How did you think of doing that?"

"Because I believed, Master, that you would win."

This wasn't flattery; it was the genuine answer. The precise details of how events would unfold were difficult to control, especially since it involved "divine conflicts." Li Chuiyuan couldn't foresee the exact course of the "gods'" struggle, so he had to seize critical junctures. Believing the Great Emperor had the upper hand, his plan simply followed that premise. The Great Emperor would win, the Bodhisattva would lose. He didn't know how the Emperor would win, nor how the Bodhisattva would lose, but the victorious Emperor would certainly return home. The path became clear in an instant. The complex problem of "gods fighting" was immediately simplified to "closing the door when coming home."

Xue Liangliang was a backup plan Li Chuiyuan had set up. Old Zhai's true identity and the power behind him were already clear at that point. The Great Emperor must have had a grand design, given how long he had been manipulating Old Zhai, who, unbeknownst to himself, had even instructed Zheng Hua to prepare the introducer's booklet. Not initially claiming the introducer's identity was likely due to concerns that taking it too soon would cause a karmic upheaval too obvious for the Bodhisattva to perceive. However, it was always meant to be acquired eventually. Having Xue Liangliang intervene at that precise moment allowed them to negotiate some compensation from the Great Emperor in advance, ensuring that he and his companions wouldn't be simply dismissed with just a basic wage (their lives spared).

Of course, Xue Liangliang's performance truly exceeded Li Chuiyuan's expectations. Li Chuiyuan genuinely hadn't expected Brother Liangliang to be so powerful, capable of holding out for so long against the Great Emperor's shadow. This was a welcome surprise. However, when formulating a plan, such uncontrollable variables couldn't be treated as constants; it was merely a shot in the dark, a chance to gain something if possible. The true ace in the hole had to remain in his own grasp. Only then could he ensure his ultimate gain.

Shadow: "You child, you have so many clever little thoughts."

Li Chuiyuan: "Isn't it because you spoiled me, Master?"

Things didn't have to be this complicated. Even if the Great Emperor did nothing and offered nothing, Li Chuiyuan was resolute in siding with him against the Bodhisattva. This decision had been made long ago; when the young group, including Zhao Yi and Runsheng, were breaking the stalemate on their return journey, they hadn't considered gaining extra benefits from the Great Emperor. There was no other way; he had personally witnessed the fate of being the Bodhisattva's pawn: after being used, the Bodhisattva would still deem you unclean, fearing your existence would tarnish his pure reputation, and then dispose of you. The Great Emperor, at least, truly wasn't angered and didn't care. Just as the shadow had walked past him earlier, he was used and then discarded.

Yet, the Great Emperor had deliberately allowed him to overhear the phrase "direct disciple" in the guesthouse. In this world, no one is omniscient, omnipotent, or perfect. Even the Way of Heaven was once severely deceived and manipulated by Wei Zhengdao, suffering from what now resembles post-traumatic stress disorder. The Great Emperor's unnecessary action was his biggest blunder, shattering the unspoken understanding between them. It must have been something he had done previously; even if the Great Emperor wasn't genuinely angry, he must have frowned and been annoyed. The Great Emperor genuinely dared not formally acknowledge him as a disciple, nor openly increase his authority. When you start calculating against me, then I can calculate against you too. After all, you started it.

Shadow: "Apprentice, you performed exceptionally well this time. As your master, I must reward you handsomely."

The conversation was brief, its rhythm and purpose clear. Li Chuiyuan's face was too thin and taut at the moment, so he couldn't manage his usual shy smile. But the young man sincerely stated:

"It is only right for an apprentice to help his master. I dare not ask for a reward."

After speaking, the young man's mind involuntarily recalled Li Lan's words to him over the phone: "Li Chuiyuan, you disgust me." The young man himself found his words repulsive, but he deliberately uttered them to provoke the Great Emperor. In comparison, the "dog's testicles" that Zhao Yi had offered were truly of a lower caliber. True anger would involve transmitting another decree from afar to instantly obliterate the Jiujiang Zhao family, not "performing anger" for him.

The shadow's hands solidified further. He clasped his hands behind his back. At this moment, the Great Emperor truly harbored murderous intent. Concurrently, the shadow's eyes grew even brighter. Having lived for so long, very few things could provoke his anger at this stage. Yet, it made him feel a renewed sense of novelty, like a small stone rippling a stagnant pool.

The shadow approached Li Chuiyuan, kneeling slowly before the young man. Li Chuiyuan simply watched him, observed his movements, how he passed by, and how he returned. The figure before him was the Great Emperor's shadow. Perhaps provoking the Emperor's wrath at this moment was unwise, yet Li Chuiyuan did it anyway. Because it was both thrilling and amusing, much like when he first opened his great-grandfather's basement book and delved into mystic arts.

"The deserved reward must still be given. That is the rule."

Only those who can sit at the table have the right to speak of table manners. Dogs beneath the table are only fit to scavenge meat dropped from chopsticks.

"Master, may I speak now?"

"Speak. Your master is listening."

The shadow raised his hand and gently stroked the young man's head, careful not to apply pressure, fearing he might accidentally tear off the already lifted skin.

"Master, originally I only desired one thing. Now I have two."

"Tell me, child."

"I want Mengmeng."

Mengmeng wasn't initially among Li Chuiyuan's demands. The young man hadn't anticipated that Yin Meng, after dying, wouldn't return to the truck with the others but would vanish. Although Li Chuiyuan didn't know the Great Emperor's purpose in "taking" Yin Meng, she was his companion. If everyone returned to find Mengmeng missing, Great-Grandpa would surely fret.

Shadow: "Very well. And the second?"

"Master, your apprentice hasn't yet undergone the formal apprenticeship ceremony."

The shadow's gaze, almost tangible, pierced the young man. Li Chuiyuan met his gaze directly, unflinching under the immense pressure. The young man knew the Great Emperor had been evading this matter. The Great Emperor knew what he truly desired, but was simply unwilling. From the Great Emperor's perspective, this boy, without an official title, already brought so much trouble and karma. If he were truly given the title, the Underworld would become far too chaotic. He couldn't even imagine how many affairs he would be dragged into, cleaning up after this kid! Most importantly, this boy was under the special scrutiny of the Way of Heaven. The Great Emperor most detested the gaze of the Way of Heaven. If a formal master-apprentice relationship were truly established, given this boy's terrifying ability to entangle himself in things, should he ever go mad and clash with the Way of Heaven, the Emperor would inevitably be drawn in.

Li Chuiyuan waited silently for the Great Emperor's assent. Yes, the young man was certain the Great Emperor would agree. Because any further delay... and the Bodhisattva, who had just been dragged down, might manage to escape again. In that event, the hard-won fruits of the Great Emperor's painstaking efforts and meticulous planning would be entirely lost. Li Chuiyuan's success in changing the lock stemmed from his formidable mastery of formations and the combined mental exhaustion of himself and Zhao Yi. However, the fundamental reason was the implicit authority granted by the Great Emperor. If Li Chuiyuan could replace this lock, then the Great Emperor could certainly replace it again. The current issue, however, was that after the Great Emperor's true form dragged the Bodhisattva into the Gates of Hell, he was likely either enacting a seal or had fallen into a deep sleep after paying a massive price. In essence, he was temporarily incapable of further action. Meanwhile, the Emperor's shadow standing before him lacked the power to accomplish this. Its purpose was to adhere to Old Zhai, and possessing excessive strength would only become an unnecessary burden, resulting in adverse effects. Li Chuiyuan was exploiting this window of opportunity.

The shadow smiled and said: "Indeed, your master still owes you an initiation ceremony."

"Thank you, Master."

"First, close the door."

"Understood."

Logically, it should have been a quid pro quo. But Li Chuiyuan was willing to deliver first and receive payment afterward. He believed the Great Emperor's promise, and indeed, he had no choice but to believe it. After all, if the Great Emperor truly wished to renege, even a fully settled transaction could be undone by him later.

"Three seven six five, eight two four nine, five six one two."

Li Chuiyuan recited a sequence of numbers. The shadow stood up, facing the Gates of Hell. Ripples appeared before him, radiating towards the Gates of Hell. Once a clear path emerged, resolving the issue of the Gates of Hell became quite straightforward. However, without these numbers denoting the formation points, he would have been utterly incapable of completing it in such a short time, nor did he possess the power to simply punch the gates shut.

*Click...*

The stationary Gates of Hell began to close once more.

Shadow: "An excellent method. The effect is superb."

Li Chuiyuan: "You likely won't take any more disciples."

Shadow: "Does that matter?"

Li Chuiyuan: "So, as your last disciple, it's only fitting that I'm adept at closing doors."

The shadow's fist solidified once more. Murderous intent resurfaced. But this time, there was no need to hide it. The fist quickly relaxed. Before the transaction was complete, his daring to provoke was understandable; but to still dare to mock him *after* the transaction was complete... The shadow found this highly admirable. He didn't want this troublesome apprentice, but having agreed, he wouldn