Chapter 1744: Chapter 1775: “Mr. Yu
Li Xiaobai took the oil lamp, which looked like an ordinary lamp post, swaying with the wind and with dim light.
“Considering the way the guards looked earlier, it seems quite dangerous ahead. Great God, why don’t you go first, and I’ll follow behind.”
Baihe Boy stepped into the 18th Level of Hell, appearing very light-footed, as if not coming for the first time.
“This lamp is a good thing, made with the soul of some kind of creature.”
Yang Chen evaluated the flickering flame.
Li Xiaobai nodded. He planned to buy one after this and turn a profit.
The 18th Level is an illusionary realm, practically tailor-made for him. The System is immune to all mental attacks, allowing him to traverse illusions as if no one else is present. The reason Baihe goes first is to create opportunities for him to find Second Senior Sister from the rear.
Yet, upon entering the 18th Level, even though the scene hadn’t changed, he felt something strange.
This level was built like a small town, with streets, houses, densely ordered, but lacking any human presence.
Li Xiaobai looked around and saw no places for imprisoning people.
“Great God, since both of us have entered this level, can you tell me what you need from me? As long as I can provide it, please feel free to ask.”
Li Xiaobai spoke to Baihe Boy ahead.
“I don’t know yet. Let’s observe the newcomer first, and then plan accordingly.”
Baihe replied.
Li Xiaobai: “Isn’t it dangerous? Judging by the Netherworld Messenger’s words, the prisoners here aren’t just walking corpses but possess self-awareness.”
Baihe: “Naturally, the illusions in hell differ from the outside world’s. Here, illusions can materialize; what your eyes see may not be true, while what you can’t see may not be false.”
Li Xiaobai asked, “Where are the prisoners held? This place doesn’t seem to have any cells.”
“There are four corners — east, west, south, north. You’ll know when you get there; they’re not imprisoned.”
Baihe walked ahead, his head down.
Li Xiaobai calculated in his heart that Baihe Boy wanted to check the newcomer first and then find what he wanted, meaning they would take at least two different routes, providing ample time.
The town was much smaller than imagined; within a short while, they reached one corner, ending at a barren field with a thatched hut, weak firelight faintly visible from inside.
The newcomer prisoner who scared away the Netherworld Messenger was inside.
Baihe wasted no time, kicked open the door without saying a word, and stepped in.
“What’s going on?”
Baihe stared at the thin voice inside, asking coldly.
“Isn’t this Great God White Crane? What brings you to see me specifically?”
The person inside sat up from the bed, speaking in a shrill voice, and laughed unpleasantly.
Li Xiaobai peeked from outside; the door bore a plate with “Mr. Yu” written on it, likely the name of the person inside.
He was a man, youthful-looking, thin, with deep eye sockets, appearing lacking in energy and spirit, holding a stalk in his mouth, a book in his hands.
Though he looked scholarly, his eyes revealed a wild spirit.
It wasn’t a profound book; the cover read “Postpartum Care for Sows.”
“You can indeed see me; it’s unexpected that even the 18th Level can’t trap you, unaffected by illusions. Probably the Ten Kings of Hell aren’t aware of this yet.”
Baihe Boy scrutinized the man, maintaining a stoic expression, showing no fear.
The man chuckled: “I love speaking with smart people, unlike the Netherworld Messenger earlier, who fled in a panic after a few words.”
Incense on Baihe’s head slowly burned, his eyes turning into slit pupils, revealing killing intent: “Why did you scare off the Netherworld Messenger?”
“Brother White Crane, calm down, relax, I didn’t scare him; he ran away due to his own cowardice. I merely said everyone’s life is fascinating; if turned into a book, it could be a classic passed down through generations.”
The man waved his hand, showing no urgency, appearing as if Baihe posed no threat to him.
“When he returns, apologize to him. Your situation is quite unique; I’ll report to Ksitigarbha for further actions.”
Baihe scanned the room, it was sparse, containing just a bed, a person, and a book.
“This isn’t unique; it’s merely breaking free from the illusion. My good neighbors can do it too.”
The man lay back, speaking nonchalantly.
Baihe paused, “You mean the other three are unaffected by illusions, can distinguish reality from fantasy?”
“Yes, when the Netherworld Messenger isn’t around, the five of us often gather to play cards.”
The man nodded.
“Five?”
“Pretending to be ghosts doesn’t matter; even seeing clearly won’t help you escape. Don’t waste your effort.”
Baihe didn’t believe the man’s nonsense. The 18th Level of Hell had only four prisoners; where did this fifth come from? The newcomer was merely jesting.
“Got it, got it, we’re staying well here, relaxed. Bring that snoopy guy outside along.”
“It’s hard to find some inspiration, all disturbed by you.”
The man waved, expressing impatience, turned away, and began writing, sketching on paper.
Baihe watched for a while, ensured no abnormalities, then left the room.
“Great God, who’s inside…?”
Li Xiaobai curiously asked, as he alone understood that the five people mentioned might be accurate.
“You don’t need to know; he’s very dangerous, stay away.”
“The people confined here have most of their cultivation level sealed, they dare not act recklessly.”
Baihe closed the door and led Li Xiaobai down another path.
Li Xiaobai speculated, each corner housed a prisoner, but none seemed like Second Senior Sister. Otherwise, he’d have heard some clues while walking; Second Senior Sister might be the fifth person Mr. Yu mentioned.
He followed silently, praying Baihe’s target wasn’t too perilous.
“Little Junior Brother, did you veer off the path?”
Yang Chen’s voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
“Hmm?”
Li Xiaobai was taken aback, surveying the surroundings, saw houses, roads beneath, and Baihe Boy’s figure ahead.
Feeling puzzled: “No, Senior Brother, I’ve been following Baihe Boy all along.”
“Open your eyes wide, you veered off. I just saw you take a turn into an alley; look clearly, is that Baihe in front?”
Yang Chen’s voice grew urgent; Little Junior Brother was unknowingly under illusion, and he realized it late.
“Can’t be, that definitely is Baihe…”
Li Xiaobai stopped short, indeed Baihe Boy’s figure was ahead, but he, influenced by Yang Chen’s words, slowed his pace significantly, yet that figure didn’t grow distant, maintaining the same distance.
He fell for it, that figure was fabricated, with the System, how could he be tricked, and wasn’t the candle still…
The candle went out!