Bitter Realm: My Feet Step Through the Flames of War

Qian Yuxie picked up her teacup and smiled, "This deal seems pretty good. Please tell me the whereabouts of both of them, Martial Lord."

"Gui Fang Chi Ming is imprisoned by Yama in a top-secret location. Before he can be rescued, Yama must be released first. The Red Crown King Ring is related to Yama's sword, the Demon Heavenly Chapter. Finding the Demon Heavenly Chapter will lead to the King Ring."

"Should we release Yama first?"

"I trust you will make the right choice. Goodbye."

"For your convenience."

The night was deep and dark.

In a single apartment in Tiandu, Wangu Changkong moved his lips, uttering a soft, barely audible sound:

"Rahu possesses the three elements of demon, Buddha, and god."

"Rahu is on good terms with the Heavenly One of the Dead Kingdom."

"Luo Hou's adopted son, Shao Hao, is the son of the gods born to the former Grand Master of the Imperial Academy and Yi Xi Hai Tang."

"The people of the dead have disrupted the path to the underworld."

“Rahu’s eldest son has mastered the Three Transformations of One Body and is now separating the Buddha’s energy and the Holy energy.”

"Ji Wuxia was originally one of the three bodies of Mara, Nüya, but she has reshaped her body and soul and can no longer absorb the power of faith in the Desire Realm."

"Your Majesty, this is the information I have gathered. Report complete."

Chapter 286 A Divorced Couple, A Fake Mother and Son

At the entrance of Yizong, a sedan chair covered in dark snow appeared to float through the air.

Then, the elegant poetic chant resounded:

"The high gate offers no view, yet imperial aura rises from the nine heavens. With a single step, the winds and clouds change, and the mountains and rivers are embraced for ten thousand generations."

Xiao Se and Yan Pianpian came out upon hearing the noise, looking curiously at the luxurious sedan chair.

"Who is this distinguished guest who has come to visit this hidden place?"

The hunched old woman beside the sedan chair, leaning on her wooden cane, answered proudly: "My lord is the Black Queen of the Forest Hell, who wishes to see the Heavenly One of the Kingdom of Death."

"Please wait a moment."

Yan Pianpian went in to report, and came out a moment later, inviting the Black Queen and Mu Jingling into the central courtyard.

In the courtyard stands an octagonal pavilion with upturned eaves, surrounded by flowers and willows, with rocks leaning against the water. Copper bells on the eaves ring softly in the wind, their melodious sounds tinkling gently.

A person dressed in purple sat in the pavilion. He was elegant and noble, with unparalleled beauty. He had been meditating, but opened his eyes when Hei Hou arrived.

The Black Queen guessed that this person was the Heavenly One, and the person standing next to the Heavenly One should be the Earthly One, who was wearing a black robe with gold accents, with a cold and stern face and never smiled.

There are only stone seats in the pavilion.

After the Earth God asked Hei Hou to sit down, he and Mu Jingling retreated outside the pavilion, while Yan Pianpian went to prepare tea.

"Are you the one who broke through my realm of Yellow Springs Return Line?"

"Where is the King of Hell? Does he need a woman like you to show your face?"

Yi Dongqing sensed the disdain in Tianzhe's voice and immediately flew into a rage: "So what if she's a woman?"

"So what if the Yellow Springs Return Line is broken?"

"This means that the Kingdom of the Dead is going to be an enemy of the Black Sea Prison."

"Unless the Black Sea Forest Prison has even more rare treasures than the Yellow Springs Return Line."

Yi Dongqing came here only to test the purpose of the Kingdom of Death. After hearing the words of the Heavenly One, he realized that it was the energy of the Sound Land and was immediately relieved.

"It is said that the Dead Kingdom is barren, and the Forest Prison is another strange place with a harsh living environment. If it weren't for the balance of the Black Moon underground, the demons of the Forest Prison would have been wiped out long ago."

"Black Moon?"

"Indeed, but the Black Moon contains extremely cold magical energy, which only Yama can activate."

The Celestial Being said calmly, "You are trying to lure me into seizing the Black Moon. What benefit do you gain from doing this?"

Yi Dongqing smiled gently, her beauty blossoming softly like melting spring snow, blooming spring flowers, and spreading spring colors for miles.

"I have long since parted ways with Yama, the King of Hell."

Just as Yi Dongqing thought he had moved the Heavenly One, the Heavenly One's calm expression suddenly turned to disgust.

"As an empress, you disregard the safety of your people; as a wife, you disregard the bond of marriage. A woman like you is truly shameful!"

"Ok?"

“I abhor betrayal! Do not bring such a person before me again. Yujing, see him out.”

Yi Dongqing stood up abruptly: "Heavenly One, you do not know how terrifying the King of Hell is. If you do not join forces with me now, once the King of Hell emerges from seclusion, the Bitter Realm will be plunged into chaos and suffering!"

The Earth God entered the pavilion, frowned, and said, "How is the Bitter Realm? It has nothing to do with the Kingdom of Death. Black Queen, please."

"You have broken the Yellow Springs Return Line, and you will surely suffer the revenge of the King of Hell. I have already shown goodwill and look forward to the day when you turn back."

Yi Dongqing sat in the dark snow sedan chair and angrily turned back to Zangtian Pass.

At this moment, in the Black Sea Forest Prison, the eldest prince Xuanbin was facing an angry interrogation from Xuanli.

The Eighth Prince, Xuan Li, was the most favored by the King of Hell back then. He was kept by the King's side and personally taught him political affairs. Although he was not made crown prince, he was a force to be reckoned with among the princes.

The recent events in Senyu were too much for Xuanli to bear.

"Eldest brother, why did you let the deposed empress go and allow her to guard the Burial Heaven Pass? That was the empire conquered by the eighteenth prince."

"Eighth Prince, of course I have my own ideas, but before answering your questions, I must first ask you, what do you want me to do to silence your doubts? A sweeping reform, or a large-scale military campaign to conquer the Bitter Lands?"

"I need to understand your policies for governing the country."

"I believe that what the forest prison needs is not just a policy of governance, but also new thinking."

Xuan Li snorted coldly, "Continue."

"Throughout history, Yama, the king of the underworld, has advocated that the strong should govern the country. However, Xuanxiao's domineering nature has led to a situation where he is unpopular internally and unable to quell external troubles. Facts have proved that the bravery of a leader is by no means essential for long-term stability."

"Oh?"

"My reason for maintaining a gentle and weak demeanor is not to represent weakness, but rather a measure and resilience that allows me to endure minor grievances and wait for the right opportunity to act. This applies both internally and externally."

You believe that softness is better than strength.

"The approach should be a balance of gentleness and firmness, applying gentleness when appropriate and firmness when appropriate. Governing the world with benevolence and virtue is the foundation of governing the country, and securing resources is the way to strengthen the nation. Only then can the nation's life be long-lasting. Military power and combat strength are merely temporary intimidation tools."

“Your ideas have impressed Xuan Li. From the perspective of governing the country, Xuan Xiao’s vision is indeed not as good as yours. However, the key issue at hand is the matter of deposing the empress. If the people of Senyu do not understand this, they will not believe that you have the courage and determination to reform.”

Xuanbin sighed, "The Black Queen is my savior. My attitude towards her is one of respect, which is also based on my love for my father and his family."

"So you tolerate her stirring up trouble."

“Eighth Prince, the problem of Black Moon has not been resolved yet. Give me some more time, and when that time comes, I will plant the Forest Prison banner all over the Bitter Realm.”

"I will wait and see what you say. Xuan Li will not stand idly by if there is any need."

"There is something I need to trouble you with, Eighth Prince."

"What's the matter?"

"Father has been in seclusion for too long, and I am very worried about his safety. I would like to ask my sixth brother to visit the Jialuo Palace."

The sixth prince, Xuan Que, is the most skilled sorcerer in the Forest Prison. He is adept at using blood witchcraft and dark magic. Only he can break into the Gara Palace, where Yama is in seclusion.

Xuan Que has always kept to himself and only befriended Xuan Li.

Xuan Li pondered for a moment. Two of the four princes of Senyu had died, and with the problems of Hei Yue and the deposed empress, it was indeed necessary for his father to come out of seclusion.

He nodded in agreement: "I will go find my sixth brother now."

Xuan Li took his leave.

Xuanbin stroked the iron armor on his leg; the armor was icy cold to the touch, and it chilled him to the bone as well.

This leg was saved by the Black Queen, but Xuanbin will never forget that this leg was also crippled by the Black Queen.

Not long after his father went into seclusion, he suddenly fell seriously ill. He was saved by the Black Queen's secret technique, but lost a leg and could only walk with a cane and an iron armor covering it.

Xuanbin was grateful to the Black Queen for saving his life, and despite the objections of his brothers, he recognized the Black Queen as his mother.

They also tacitly approved of Black Queen's unauthorized departure from the Everfrost Tree.

This caused his prestige among his brothers and his reputation among the courtiers of Mori-goku to plummet.

Not long after, Xuanbin learned from someone's tip that his sudden and severe illness was the result of a conspiracy between the Black Queen and the Wood Clan Crystal Spirit.

Hatred was thus deeply rooted in Xuanbin's heart.

Patience became a lesson that Xuanbin practiced day and night.

Now is not the time to turn against her. The more she does, the more Prince Senyu will oppose her and thus unite around her.

What Xuanbin was really concerned about was his father, the emperor. He hadn't left the palace for hundreds of years. Was his father dead or was he plotting something?

"I hope Xuanque can find out some clues so I can decide on my next move."

To Xuanbin's disappointment, Xuanli reported that evening:

"The Heavenly Ladder of the Gara Palace was guarded by the tenth prince, Xuanbao, and with the addition of stone guards, Xuanque returned empty-handed."

(Last day for double monthly passes, don't waste them!)

Chapter 287 The King of Hell, Modified by Gods and Scientists

Gui Fang Chi Ming was imprisoned by Yama in a secret realm of the Forest Prison.

Qian Yuxie pondered where else in the Forest Prison might be, places he hadn't yet searched. In the hundreds of years since he sealed Yama, he had practically turned the Forest Prison upside down.

There were only two places he had not yet set foot in:

The Great Yellow Earth Mother, only the descendants of the Senyu royal family can go there, guarded by the Ghostly Poet, where the Sound Soil is hidden.

The Black Moon Temple, located on the Black Moon Heavenly Island, is home to the Left Prophet and the Right Forecaster, as well as the prophetic stele.

In addition, there is a piece of information that the Black Queen inadvertently revealed: "Deep Mind's long discussion, Dark Secrets."

Qian Yuxie later hinted at the matter several times, but Hei never mentioned it again.