Chapter 284

"Stop joking around, Duo Chenzi."

Qi Xing frowned, "Are you only calling out that you're wrong now because you're about to die?"

"Isn't that only natural? I don't want to die! Isn't Samael the same?!"

Duo Chenzi was already anxious, almost shouting, her eyes filled with panic, "Venerable Leipu, you said you wouldn't have double standards! Both Samael and I are only admitting our mistakes and begging for mercy now; neither of us has even begun to atone—are you going to say that because she admitted her mistake first she can be spared, but because I was the second to admit it, I have to die?!"

That sounded… actually somewhat reasonable.

But Qi Xing shook his head: "Duo Chenzi, that's enough. With that attitude of yours, who would trust you?"

"Is Samael's attitude any better?!"

"Much better than yours."

Right? …Right?

Qi Xing felt that Sasa's attitude was likely a bit better.

"At the very least, Sasa knows she was truly wrong—it's not just about avoiding getting caught next time, but realizing that what she did was truly wrong."

He mused, "As for you, Duo Chenzi, you only regret provoking an enemy too strong for you and hope not to be caught again next time."

It is said that every Demon King has a fateful connection to their first silver coin. Each Demon King's first silver coin represents their ultimate desire.

Duo Chenzi's first silver coin is [Reincarnation], which is the [Wheel of Fortune] in Tarot cards. Its most basic meaning is to seize opportunities and adapt to changes in the situation.

If it doesn't work this time, then try again next time. There will always be a next time—try again, try again! Keep extending your life until you clear the level!

Some people might think there's nothing wrong with that. In the eyes of some, this might be a form of perseverance.

But Qi Xing thought that this meant Duo Chenzi would never truly repent. She would only think she was "wrong in timing," not "wrong in essence."

"Indeed! I know that in the eyes of others, I am currently a shameless, thick-skinned person clinging to others!"

As a result, Duo Chenzi suddenly knelt down, prostrating herself completely, tears and snot streaming down her face, begging bitterly, "But it is precisely because I have admitted that I am terribly wrong that I am not clinging to my self-esteem!"

"To survive, to atone, I am willing to do anything! This is my attitude of confession and reflection, Venerable Leipu! Please spare my life! I will never do bad things again!"

…What to do? This person really seems to have no sense of shame.

Facing such a begging posture, completely devoid of shame and dignity, Qi Xing was actually speechless for a moment.

However, just as Qi Xing glanced at Sasa, wanting to see what she thought of this, he discovered that Sasa's expression also seemed somewhat awkward, and she didn't say anything.

What was going on?

After a brief thought, Qi Xing immediately understood—having gone through all these recent troubles and rolled around in the Samsara Disk, Sasa had actually grown a little; at the very least, she now knew shame.

She also knew that she herself had not yet atoned—she was merely a devil who had started to reflect.

If Sasa were to run over and make snide remarks about Duo Chenzi now, she would be very embarrassed herself.

Even if it was just lip service, for an enemy who claimed to be reflecting—the current Sasa had no face to say what should be done to her.

"…Then so be it."

Thus, after a moment of musing, Qi Xing spoke, saying something very strange, "There is someone more suitable than us to punish you."

What? This statement immediately gave Duo Chenzi a very ominous premonition… but it was better than being dead, right?

"Okay! As you wish, Venerable Leipu!"

So Duo Chenzi obediently lowered her head.

And so, an hour later, after Duo Chenzi handed over the [Reincarnation] silver coin, Qi Xing threw her to the Zombie Immortal, Nie Xiaoyue, and Xue Ning.

"Wait a minute?! Why?!"

By the time Duo Chenzi reacted, it was already too late to regret.

"I don't know how long this world will maintain its current state; I fear it won't be long, as the final battle is not far off."

Qi Xing handed Duo Chenzi to the Zombie Immortal and specifically instructed her, "But before the world as it is now completely changes, please entertain her to your heart's content."

—The relationship between Sasa and her followers was not a very harmonious one.

Then what kind of relationship was there between Duo Chenzi, this sect leader, and her disciples and followers? Was it pure respect and worship? Or was there both respect and fear? Or was it simply more fear? Now, everyone could just wait and see.

"Look, Duo Chenzi, Sasa, having lost her divine power, was thrown into the [Samsara Disk] by you, her follower, to spin, and in the end, she came out and started to wake up and repent."

"I am handing you, who have lost your power, to your followers. This is very fair, very appropriate, and not double-standard at all, right?"

Qi Xing said to Duo Chenzi with a pleasant expression.

Oh my, her expression looked like she was about to cry. This must be relief at escaping death, crying tears of joy?

"Xiaoyue, I am your master, your father, you… you won't do anything to me, right?"

She asked cautiously, trembling with fear.

However, the Zombie Immortal said nothing, only bowing deeply to Qi Xing to thank him first.

"I cannot return Nie Xu's body to you… actually, I could. With my current divine power, recreating a powerful physical body and possessing it would not be difficult."

Qi Xing mused, "It's just that without the tempering of time and the impending confrontation with the strongest opponent, a new body might not be able to bear the load."

"And most importantly, I have come to regard this body as my own. I admit that I really don't want to give it back."

…Furthermore, there was another issue Qi Xing didn't mention: even if he returned Nie Xu's body, the soul couldn't be retrieved. If the Nie Family took back an unconscious, vegetative body, they would likely just engage in some truly gruesome, lewd things.

After all, it was a body he had personally used for ten years; if the consequences were miserable, Qi Xing would feel guilty, so he'd better keep it himself.

"So, in return, I am giving you Duo Chenzi as compensation."

This proposal was too cost-effective. Both Qi Xing and the Nie Family, and even Duo Chenzi herself, should be very satisfied, right?

"Don't worry, Master."

The Zombie Immortal took Duo Chenzi from Qi Xing and said in a rather gentle voice, "If you failed this time, there is always next time, isn't there? Our Nie Family will continue to help you produce a child capable of becoming an immortal."

What truly moving family affection.

It's just that Duo Chenzi is a woman in this life, and she can no longer continue to reincarnate.

How does the Zombie Immortal intend to help her produce a child capable of becoming an immortal as soon as possible? It's really hard to guess.

Although Duo Chenzi did so many bad things, Qi Xing didn't think she was pitiful, but at this point, he actually started to feel a little sympathy for her.

Letting a tiger return to the mountains? Qi Xing wasn't afraid of that; only cowards would worry about a defeated opponent making a comeback.

But he really didn't think this world would continue to last for long. No matter who wins the final victory, the world will likely change.

Before that happens, let Duo Chenzi enjoy herself.

Volume Seven: The Age of Dharma Ending Apocalypse: 261: The Last Demon King

After ending the battle with the ancient Demon King Duo Chenzi's faction, Qi Xing and his group flew home leisurely.

What? Duo Chenzi had two other sect leaders under her?

They were responsible for controlling the two Giant Spirits, [Skanda] and [Ahriman], and had already been taken care of by Lin along with the hundred thousand heavenly soldiers.

During this time, Qi Xing was certainly becoming stronger rapidly as he clarified his true self and as he collected more [silver coins] and became more proficient in using them—

…But Lin, as a "half-angel," was probably the most gifted person in the world. As she fought against Giant Spirits, Demon Kings, sect leaders, and even ancient Demon Kings, although she didn't get many kills, her experience was constantly growing.

The battle plot between the two sect leaders, whose combat power did not exceed Xue Ning's level, and Lin… was there really any need to go into detail?

Probably not.

Therefore, although these two sect leaders originally had their own character designs and past experiences, unfortunately, they didn't have the chance to have their own individual plot lines in this story.

Duo Chenzi's faction was completely wiped out, and everyone flew home leisurely—however, halfway there, Qi Xing's mood was not light.

There was no other reason.

Because Duo Chenzi, before being thrown to the Zombie Immortal by Qi Xing, had revealed a rather troublesome piece of news to Qi Xing and Sasa.

"Venerable Leipu, your current goal should be to collect all thirty [silver coins], use their power to ascend to the throne of gods, and change the entire universe, right?"

Before being handed over to the Zombie Immortal by Qi Xing, Duo Chenzi, not yet knowing that she was about to face a catastrophe, had said this to Qi Xing, "How many [silver coins] do you have now?"

"After defeating Papiyas, it was seven; after defeating you, it is thirteen. It's almost halfway there."

Qi Xing answered as such.

Unknowingly, his [silver coin] collection progress had also begun to reach a stage where one only needed to look at the numbers.

Thirty [silver coins], all of which are Tarot card elements. Qi Xing didn't have time to master all the [silver coins]; as long as he knew what cards he had in his hand that he could use and practiced the core ones until he was proficient, that was enough.

"Thirteen? Truly, the younger generation is to be feared."

Duo Chenzi sighed, but continued, "But do you know why I didn't choose the same approach? —Because you can no longer advance any further on this path."

…What?

This statement finally made Qi Xing frown. And he wasn't stupid enough to completely fail to guess the implication of Duo Chenzi's words.

—In whose hands were the remaining seventeen [silver coins]?

Qi Xing knew that the King of Hell should have one, perhaps the [Strength] silver coin. But where were the remaining sixteen?

If Duo Chenzi dared to say this, the answer could only be one.

"Venerable Leipu, if you were the first Demon King, the most ancient Demon King. If you had no intention of changing the world, yet knew that collecting all the [silver coins] would allow you to instantly change or even restart the entire world, what would you do?"

At that time, Duo Chenzi asked Qi Xing with a smile.

Good question.

Qi Xing understood her implication in an instant; it was actually too simple.

…Of course, whether you want to use them or not, and regardless of whether you want to become a god, you must first collect all thirty [silver coins] yourself.

Otherwise, what if someone else quietly collected all the [silver coins]? Wouldn't everything you have be ruined?

"Then, Venerable Leipu, what if collecting thirty is too difficult and too much trouble?"

Duo Chenzi continued to ask with a smile.

By analogy, the answer to this question was also quite simple.

"Collect sixteen silver coins, and then you can lie flat."

In this absurd universe where having more [silver coins] basically equals being stronger, holding more than half of the [silver coins] is basically equivalent to being in an invincible position.

How could those old Demon Kings not understand this principle? How could the most ancient Demon King watch as younger generations collected silver coins one by one, piling stones into a tower, until they flipped the table and reversed their position?

The first player to enter the field, the most ancient Demon King, would certainly have prepared in advance and held the overall situation in their hands long ago.

"Long, long ago, even before my first life was born, Venerable Leipu—more than half of the divine power in this world had already been grasped by the most ancient Demon King."

Seeing Qi Xing's grave expression, Duo Chenzi couldn't help but chuckle. Her personality was truly bad.

"That's why I and Papiyas both tried to overtake on a bend, rather than taking the dead end of collecting [silver coins]. Did you think we were all stupid? Everyone can see the clearly written path to clearing the level, but that path—it had already been blocked by those who came before."

Qi Xing really did think they were all stupid, but now it seemed they might not be that stupid after all.