Chapter 1029: Chapter 68: Three Strategies to Stabilize the Netherworld, Immortal Aid to the Netherworld
Qin Chuan listened to Xiao Jie’s explanation, his eyes growing sharper with insight. He fell into deep thought again, his finger tapping faster against the desk, clearly weighing the pros and cons at high speed. The more he thought about it, the more brilliant the plan seemed! This was practically turning a burden into the strongest weapon!
“Good! Good! Good!” He slammed the table, saying “good” three times in a row, his face clearing up to reveal enthusiasm, “No wonder you’re an Immortal from the Upper Realm! So thorough in your thinking, you’ve come up with such a well-connected strategy! ‘Desperation soaks straw’, ‘Anticipation relieves thirst’, ‘Drive the tigers to devour the wolves’! With these three strategies combined, the deadlock that has plagued the Netherworld for thousands of years finally sees hope for a breakthrough!” This update is available on novel-fire.net
Xiao Jie secretly breathed a sigh of relief, finally he had managed to appease this nobleman. He struck while the iron was hot, saying: “Since Your Majesty also finds this plan feasible, then this ‘Reincarnation Disaster’ mainline task, perhaps we don’t need to…”
“Alas~” Yama Emperor Qin Chuan immediately adopted an expression of “Immortal, your words are awry”, interrupting, “Immortal, this won’t do. As they say, ‘adapt to circumstances’, though the strategy is good, it is ultimately just talking on paper, the battlefield changes rapidly, with unknown variables. If that Netherworld Emperor is cunning, sees through the plan, and devises some cunning scheme to break it, how should we respond then?”
His tone became earnest: “I think that this grand plan to bolster reincarnation and save the Netherworld still requires a talented individual like you, Immortal, to personally assist and strategize, constantly plugging any leaks, only then can success be possible. Thus… it would also be more convenient and secure for you, Immortal, to seek out those few friends of yours, ensuring nothing is missed, would it not?” He glanced meaningfully at Xiao Jie.
Xiao Jie was speechless for a moment. Damn it, has he just pinned this on me? Soft and hard tactics, just won’t let go, huh!
He looked at the still-floating task prompt in front of him, with a penalty of up to 1000 Cause and Effect Points, and made his decision: there’s no way I’m taking this thing! The idea of “Cause and Effect” just sounds mystical, best to avoid it if possible. This problematic task difficulty is off the charts, with failure penalties twice the rewards, this is clearly a losing business, whoever wants to do it, let them!
“Your Majesty,” Xiao Jie displayed an earnest yet helpless expression, “It’s not that this humble Immortal is unwilling to share Your Majesty’s worries, it’s truly that I’ve only recently ascended to the Immortal Realm, with shallow cultivation, having yet to gain much mastery over advanced Immortal Laws. Even if I were to stay, I’m afraid my contribution to the bigger picture would be limited, if not burdensome.”
He shifted his tone, revealing the hidden dagger: “However! In Gu Yun State, there are hidden talents with the resolve to save the world and the ability to support it!
By chance, I happen to know a few such warm-hearted individuals! Why don’t I return to Gu Yun State, and find a way to bring them to the Netherworld to assist in the battle! Wouldn’t that be a hundred times more powerful than my own strength? What does Your Majesty think?”
“Immortal, your words…” Yama Emperor Qin Chuan squinted, a hint of doubt in his tone, “Are you perhaps trying to evade and push me off? The Group of Immortals in Gu Yun State have avoided worldly affairs for long, withholding from Yin and Yang matters, would they truly be willing to venture here into danger?”
Xiao Jie immediately showed a displeased expression at the doubt, solemnly saying: “How can Your Majesty underestimate the heroes of the world, or the dedication of my fellow Immortals to saving the world! An Immortal’s promise is weightier than Mount Tai, priceless! I, Hidden Moon Following Wind, having uttered these words, am not one to go back on my word or speak carelessly.”
Seeing Xiao Jie seemingly truly angry, Qin Chuan’s face showed an instant ‘ashamed’ expression, hurriedly waving his hands, saying: “Ah, Immortal, don’t be angry, it was my oversight, I am ashamed! It’s just that the Netherworld of Yan Mansion is in a critical moment of survival, concerning the fate of countless souls, forcing me to worry more. If Immortal is willing to make this promise, how could I not believe it? Then this matter… shall be entrusted entirely to Immortal!”
As his words fell, the damn [Reincarnation Disaster] task dialog box in front of Xiao Jie finally disappeared! In its place was a new task prompt box:
System prompt: Triggered storyline task [Immortal Aid to the Netherworld]. Accept? Yes/No?
Task content: Yama Emperor Qin Chuan hopes you can return to Gu Yun State, seek and persuade those reclusive Immortals to come to the Netherworld to assist in the battle, looking for powerful helpers for the upcoming Netherworld decisive battle. You need to find at least one Immortal willing to participate, and successfully bring them to Senluo Ghost City, recommending them to Yama Emperor, officially joining the Yan King faction.
Task reward: Reward of 100 Cause and Effect Points for each Immortal successfully gathered.
Task penalty: If unable to find any Immortal to assist (i.e., successfully gather 0), a penalty of 500 Cause and Effect Points.
Xiao Jie looked at the newly popped-up task, he couldn’t help but sigh again in his heart. He’s seen through it now; this “Cause and Effect Task” system is just a rip-off! The penalties are always harsher than the rewards! Gathering a single Immortal only gives 100 points, even gathering three would only earn 300 Cause and Effect Points, while failing to gather any results in a deduction of 500 points!
But honestly, the difficulty of this task is relatively acceptable. With his understanding of Lin Xuance, the Martial Arts Immortal, and those “Heaven Repair Alliance” members, if they knew the Netherworld was in such turmoil, threatening the balance of Yin and Yang, they would likely be willing to come and join the battle. In the worst case, he could always step in himself – at least as a legitimate Independent Immortal, he could earn back 100 Cause and Effect Points, rather than losing a miserable 500.
Of course, if that happened, it would be troublesome. Once he personally takes the field, retreating would be difficult. It would be best to find those “ambitious, concerned for all life” idealists… no, righteous ones, to take his place.
After weighing the pros and cons, Xiao Jie decisively chose to accept the task.
“Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will personally handle this matter. I will not fail you, I will surely find powerful support for Your Majesty!”
“Hahaha! With your words, Immortal, I can rest easy! Come, let me toast to you, Immortal, wishing you success on your journey!” Qin Chuan, in high spirits, raised his wine cup.
The two of them raised their cups, clinking them in the air and drinking them dry.
Just after a few drinks, a ghost official hurriedly rushed in from outside the hall, going straight to the side of Yama’s throne, leaning in to whisper urgently to Yama Emperor Qin Chuan.
As Qin Chuan listened, a perfectly appropriate expression of surprise and joy appeared on his face, loudly saying: “Ah! Such a thing has happened? Truly delightful news!”
Xiao Jie cooperatively showed a curious expression: “Oh? Your Majesty, what good news has occurred?”
“We’ve just received the latest military report from the front Ghost Generals! Thanks to the Immortal’s good fortune, our soldiers fought bravely, driving the pseudo-emperor’s ghost army that occupied part of the Sea of Reincarnation away! The areas where your friends’ souls are located have already been restored! They should be found soon!”
Xiao Jie felt a sense of relief at last with this sure news! But at the same time, he felt speechless: Damn, could your act be any more fake? As soon as I accepted the aid quest, there are “frequent victories” on the “front line” on your side? Truly realistic!
But well, since the other side is willing to exchange favors, it means the deal is done, and they are on the right track. He was afraid that if the night went on, they might act out another “enemy attack during the search” scene, so he quickly said:
“If that’s the case, that’s wonderful news! Please may Your Majesty expedite the summoning of those friends’ souls. Once I have settled them, I can, with no further concerns, set off early to return to Gu Yun State to bring back reinforcements for Your Majesty!”