Yama Rising

He recounted Ksitigarbha’s final ‘gift’ to Arthis with a frown on his face, “Answers? What answers? What’s the next course of action I’m supposed to undertake? What could it possibly be? Lord Ksitigarbha had even mentioned that this was of far greater importance than the Yin Beast Bell itself.”

Suppressing her curiosity about Lord Ksitigarbha’s appearances, she lowered her head and mulled over the situation. Both sides had their brows knitted tightly together. Several moments later, Arthis finally shook her head, “Give me more details. How did you encounter Lord Ksitigarbha? What exactly transpired? What exactly did he say? What were your surroundings like? Don’t miss a single detail.”

“I’ve considered many possibilities, and even though I don’t wish to admit it, but… I sincerely believe that Lord Ksitigarbha’s word of caution is likely directed at the upcoming eastbound expedition. But what exactly could it be? What could be of such great importance that it warrants Lord Ksitigarbha’s word of caution in person?” Qin Ye continued with great hesitance, “I’ve also looked into other ancillary matters. Martial City is neither a famous city nor the site of a great historical battle. In fact, it was only formally recognized as a county after the establishment of modern day Cathay as we know it. Under such circumstances… what could possibly be so pressing that it requires my urgent personal attention? Any thoughts?”

None of them said a single word.

Arthis finally paused, but shook her head.

But before Qin Ye could even express his distress, Arthis promptly waved her hand, and a strand of white hair appeared in her palm.

“Arya Sense, also known as the tathagata substrate.” Arthis gently blew on the white hair, causing it to drift up into the air, where it promptly burst into flames, “This is the last of the eight Buddhist consciousnesses. It’s impossible for anyone in the mortal realm to cultivate the Arya Sense, while only Judge-class Emissaries of Hell are able to even begin cultivating it… The Arya Sense allows a person to open his mind’s eye and perceive things that Yin spirits otherwise wouldn’t be able to. Furthermore… it can even predict the occurrence of an event in future.”

Qin Ye’s hair stood on end, “So--...”

“The second question I asked was what exactly is the relationship between Valley County and the eastbound expedition…” She nodded towards the ground, “Take a look for yourself.”

Arthis promptly explained, “This means that everything in Valley City is inextricably intertwined with the eastbound expedition. But what the hell does this even mean? I’m racking my brains, but I can’t seem to find the link!”

“You’re still in the mood for jokes?” Arthis chuckled softly as she waved her hands, causing a screen of Yin energy to appear before Qin Ye.

Qin Ye gasped as soon as he saw it.

In fact, the mark was in the shape of a character - an ink-black Cathayan character for the word ‘水’.

“Do you remember when this happened?” Arthis asked.

Arthis nodded, but her expression remained as grave as ever, “I… remember this mark.”

Arthis responded placidly, “Confucius of Eastmount. Furthermore, I can tell from the nature of the seal that it’s something that is only used in Hell. In other words, this is a Confucian seal that is used in Hell.”

Qin Ye’s back was covered with sweat. Confucius… It’s actually the Confucian Family!

He forced himself to calm down. There were just too many points of suspicion concerning the events to date. He shut his eyes and slowly sorted through his thoughts for the next ten minutes, before finally speaking up once more, “The celebrities of the Confucian Family should already have been whisked off to paradise by Lord Ksitigarbha during his ascension. After all, Lord Ksitigarbha had earlier mentioned that the only ones who slipped through the net are the three daolords and the twelve envoys. Besides, shouldn’t the Confucian Family be more tame and mild-mannered? And why are they targeting me in the first place?”

“Then, how did he possibly escape from Ksitigarbha’s grasp during his ascension? Not even the daolords were able to prevent themselves from being whisked off into paradise, so what makes him different from the rest?” Qin Ye calmly analyzed the situation.

Qin Ye’s gaze flickered softly. He had a hunch that Arthis had just located the key to unlocking this mystery, and they were on the verge of a breakthrough.

“As for your question on the identity of the culprit, it’s likely that the culprit is someone who has discovered something of great importance in Valley County, or someone who has done something of grave significance. Isn’t it a well-known fact that Valley County doesn’t have any cultivators stronger than an Operative-class expert? At least, that was the case before you showed up. In order to prevent you from foiling their plans, it would naturally be crucial to cut you down and nip the problem at the bud. Put differently… you’ve basically stepped into the wrong place at the wrong time.”

The clouds of suspicion were thick and dense, and it was only by pulling on each and every thread of clue that one could truly ensure his own safety.

Arthis nodded blankly.

“They’re undoubtedly Yin spirits who were once a part of Hell. It’s reasonable to guess that they were exiles who were banished to Limbo. After all, that’s the only way to explain how they managed to elude the grasp of Ksitigarbha. But… how does someone from Limbo enter the mortal realm?”

Qin Ye’s analysis was like a bolt of lightning that blasted away the clouds in Arthis’ mind. This time, even Arthis sensed that there was now only an inexplicably thin veil separating them from the truth.

“I get it… I finally get it!” Arthis spoke hurriedly, “Lord Ksitigarbha is trying to tell us that the impact of Hell’s collapse must have breached the walls of Limbo and created rifts which allow passage between Limbo and the mortal realm! That’s right… do you still remember who Cao Youdao is? And do you remember the entrance to his lair?! It’s exactly there that we first discovered the Harken’s presence!”

“In other words, the criminals who were once exiled from the depths of Hell… might well be using these rifts to infiltrate the mortal realm once more! Arti, how many of these criminals do you estimate there to be?”

She locked eyes with Qin Ye, “That there aren’t many who can survive such an ordeal! After all, Limbo… Well, it’s a realm that we’ll have to traverse through our upcoming eastbound expedition. You’ll see for yourself at that time. Those who can survive such an ordeal are definitely no mere simpletons!”

The culprit was a former criminal of Hell, and a sinner of the Confucian Family. He was likely an Infernal Judge or slightly weaker than that. He was incredibly lucky to have been close to the rift in Limbo that was torn asunder during Hell’s collapse, thereby connecting the mortal realm and Limbo. It was only with such luck that he managed to escape through the rift and into the mortal realm. Today… for some reason best known to him, he had already begun to keep a close watch of Qin Ye as soon as Qin Ye entered Valley County.

Valley County was still shrouded in thick mystery that neither of them were able to peer beyond.

Just then, he suddenly paused.

Arthis pouted, “But of course… your damned sense of smell for danger is sharper than a rabid dog’s. You can even sense danger located eight hundred kilometers away, so there’s simply no way that anything untoward is going to happen to you…”

Arthis barked back, “What the hell are you talking about?! What’s wrong with a plunging neckline? It’s called flaunting your assets! Besides, is this really the attitude you should have when talking to someone as well-endowed as me?”

“That’s right… How did you know that?” Arthis stared back at Qin Ye with shock.

“What reason is there for Lord Ksitigarbha to personally make an appearance and issue me with a word of caution? On what basis is your Arya Sense saying that I should proceed with care and vigilance?”