Chapter 3, On the Road to the Underworld

Damn it, so it's this pervert, I'll kill you! A soul charged forward aggressively, reaching out to grab Ling Tian. Just as Ling Tian was about to dodge, he discovered that the right hand of the soul passed directly through his body. Unable to suppress a chuckle, it seemed that the soul body was immune to harm

As the souls could not capture him, they no longer wasted their efforts and instead began to curse vehemently: "I have no enmity with you; it is one thing for you to seek revenge on the Ling family, but why drag me into this?" As this person moved, more individuals noticed Ling Tian, and suddenly dozens of souls surged forward, attacking Ling Tian in unison, unleashing a torrent of foul language.

Ling Tian attempted to move backward, but his body remained completely still. He then tried to take a few steps to the sides, yet he was equally unable to escape. It seemed there was an invisible barrier firmly in place, preventing anyone from crossing that threshold. It appeared that this path could only be traversed by moving forward; moving backward or sideways was simply impossible.

Before long, in the darkness, a large group approached, moving even more slowly and cursing incessantly! Leading the way was that old fellow, Ling Jing! ... Behind him were Ling Chao, Ling Han, and Ling Hu ... . ... Hahaha, not a single one missing. Seeing the resentment and unwillingness on their faces, Ling Tian felt an immense sense of satisfaction.

Ling Xue'er wore a serene expression and said, "There is no need to mock me; we are the same now. However, although I have repaid that debt to you, I still owe you now, hehe..." Ling Xue'er smiled charmingly and continued, "Heaven knows how unwilling and annoyed I am about this marriage; how much I detest that Huang Jiayun! Now, I no longer have to endure all of this, and I am so happy! Truly, I am so happy!"

Ling Tian chuckled to himself, realizing that he was the only one who could walk this path so leisurely and joyfully. With this thought, a sense of pride suddenly welled up in his heart. Unable to contain himself, he broke into a smile, feeling quite pleased with himself.

Ling Tian was unaware that while he was shouting and rushing forward, a frail figure by the roadside was covering her face and weeping. It was the soul of Ling Xue'er from the *Illustrated* book. As Ling Xue'er watched Ling Tian shouting and floating past, her emotions surged, and she wanted to call out to him, but overwhelmed with joy and tears, she found herself unable to speak. In her heart, she was filled with ecstatic joy: Brother Tian has forgiven me! Brother Tian has forgiven me! In her excitement, she could not help but cry out loud. Ling Xue'er watched Ling Tian shouting and floating past, her emotions surging, and she wanted to call out to him, but overwhelmed with joy and tears, she found herself unable to speak. In her heart, she was filled with ecstatic joy: Brother Tian has forgiven me! Brother Tian has forgiven me! After so many years of emotional turmoil, who would have thought that it would suddenly be resolved after her death, on this cold and merciless road to the underworld!

Ling Tian felt a pang in his heart and silently thought: Xue'er, if there is a next life, if in the next life we can still be in the same home, I will definitely be your good brother and will not let you suffer even the slightest grievance

The multitude of souls shook their heads and sighed, remarking that strange occurrences abound each year, but this year seems particularly abundant! It is one thing to have mental illness in the mortal realm, as at least there is the opportunity for reincarnation after death, allowing for another chance; however, this gentleman has inexplicably chosen to manifest his condition on the road to the underworld! He has ended up with such a fate of complete annihilation of his soul! ... Heaven knows what sins he committed in his past life ...

Laughter erupted, instantly making Ling Tian the center of attention for everyone! It was astonishing that someone could die so happily! The souls, who were desperately trying to delay their steps, all turned to look.

Ling Tian raised his head, only to find that Ling Xue'er had already vanished from sight. In the distance, the crowd continued to surge forward. Ling Tian stood here in a daze, suddenly feeling a sharp pain in his heart.

Ling Tian chuckled softly, just about to follow behind them on the road, when he saw a flash of white. A solitary figure appeared before him, with an exquisite face and a perfect figure, clad in a pure white wedding dress. It was none other than Ling Xue'er.

Ling Xue'er's face broke into a sorrowful smile as she said, "Tian Ge, do you know? After framing you back then, I endured a whole year of nightmares. When I opened my eyes, you were in front of me; when I closed my eyes, you were still there. Do you know? I was almost driven mad by you. I secretly went to see you many times, yet I never dared to appear before you; I was afraid, afraid of seeing the disdain in your eyes. Now, I feel very relaxed. What I owed you has finally been repaid, and I no longer have nightmares; this feeling is wonderful." As she spoke, a relaxed smile appeared on Ling Xue'er's face.

Ling Tian discovered that on this road, hetushu.com, he was not alone. Upon careful observation, he noticed that there were crowds both in front and behind him, continuously flowing, each person wearing a frown, lamenting incessantly. As he walked along the road, he also tried to walk a bit slower, turning back three times with each step, as if there were endless unfinished matters in the world he had already bid farewell to

The entire body involuntarily moved forward along the shining road, and with this movement, an immediate sense of difference was felt; one’s body was actually floating forward without touching the ground

In that moment, Ling Tian's deep-seated hatred for Ling Xue'er suddenly dissipated like smoke... This girl, for the sake of her family, bore a lifetime of infamy; for her own family, she sacrificed the marriage and love that every girl dreams of. In the end, she delivered to herself a cataclysmic explosion. Instantly, the hatred in his heart transformed into profound compassion.

Ling Xue'er seemed quite strange when Ling Tian asked this question. She looked at him in surprise and said bitterly: "Why? For the family! For the ambitions of the family! As the legitimate daughter of the family, my fate has long been predetermined. I must sacrifice for the family; I do not have the courage to betray them!" As she spoke, a mischievous smile appeared on her face as she continued: "Fortunately, with you, one bomb solved everything! Hahaha, if there is a next life, I would rather be born in the depths of the mountains, as the daughter of a poor hunter, than to be reborn into such a prestigious family again."

Once past the Naihe Bridge, one must drink the Meng Po soup. Ling Tian felt a surge of anxiety in his heart. He wanted to turn back to search for Ling Xue'er, but he found that he could not move a single step backward.

Without a second thought, Ling Tian raised both hands towards the sky and began to spin like a top. When he felt that he could almost create a whistling wind, he recklessly dove backward. The souls around him were thrown into disarray by his movement, and they couldn't help but curse in unison.

With a thunderous explosion, Ling Tian felt his body becoming lighter and lighter, and a shimmering grand road appeared before him. Ling Tian was extremely puzzled; under such an explosion, could it be that he was still alive? After checking his body and the book, he found himself completely unscathed, which left him utterly bewildered.

Ling Xue'er turned her back to him and stopped in her tracks. Turning around, her expression remained calm, with a hint of mocking smile at the corners of her mouth, she said: "The happiest moment? Hahaha, Ling Tian, how ridiculous! Do you know? Not only do I not hate you, but I also appreciate you, very much appreciate you!"

It seemed as if I had broken through something... Suddenly, a wave of lightness washed over me, and the heaviness around me vanished. I stumbled and nearly fell. Without thinking of anything else, I clumsily stood up, eager to greet Ling Xueer! Upon opening my eyes, Ling Tian was left dumbfounded: What the...! Where... where is this place?

Ling Tian let out a bitter laugh, realizing that he was indeed dead! This road must surely be the path to the underworld. He had long heard of its reputation. In his lifetime, he had fantasized about this road countless times, and had wished to tread it ahead of time on numerous occasions. At this moment, he finally achieved his wish, he thought to himself with self-mockery.

Ling Tian was greatly astonished and asked, "Do you not hate me? Do you not blame me for destroying you at the happiest moment of your life?"

Ling Tian faintly heard a soft weeping sound behind him, which he recognized as Ling Xue'er’s voice. His heart leaped with joy, and he exerted all his strength to push backward, yet he remained unmoved. In a moment of desperation, he thought of the spiral drill in the world and suddenly realized: "Since my body is weightless, if I were to spin like a spiral drill, perhaps I could drill my way through!"

Perhaps, from Ling Xue'er’s perspective, although the method of framing her own was rather despicable, as a direct descendant, how could she endure watching the power gradually fall into the hands of the collateral branch? Once the power is lost, it would lead to the entire direct line suffering oppression from the family. Such consequences are absolutely intolerable for the pride of being a direct descendant

Ling Tian approached with a smile, saying: "Sister Xue'er, what a coincidence in life, we meet again."

Ling Tian scratched his head and frowned: "I do not understand what you mean"

Ling Tian's thoughts shifted, and he suddenly understood that these individuals were indeed the ones who had gone to the seaside villa to celebrate. However, he did not expect that instead of enjoying the wedding feast, he would end up losing his own life.

In the next life! Ling Tian suddenly recalled this phrase. Since there truly exists the road to the underworld, and there is indeed the Naihe Bridge, then the next life must surely exist! With this thought, Ling Tian became excited, turned around, and ran in the direction where Ling Xue'er had left, shouting as he ran: "Xue'er, wait for me, let us together, in the next life, I will still be your brother!"

Ling Tian fell silent, and the two faced each other in silence. After hesitating for a moment, Ling Xue'er finally raised her head: "Tian Ge, thank you. If there is a next life, if in the next life we can still be in the same home, I will definitely be your most caring sister. I... am leaving." She turned and took a few steps, suddenly stopping, turning her back to Ling Tian, and softly said: "Tian Ge, I am sorry"}

Ling Tian was filled with the delight of revenge. In that moment of explosion, seeing the horrified and desperate expressions on the faces of Ling Xue'er, Ling Chao, Ling Han, and others, he felt a great sense of satisfaction! He only regretted that there was no more time for him to savor the pleasure of revenge.

Suddenly, the surrounding souls were in an uproar, for this young man, who had suddenly gone mad on the road to the Yellow Springs, abruptly vanished amidst a violent spinning... ? ... Were his souls scattered?

As Ling Tian exerted his strength, the speed at which his soul drifted forward was more than twice that of others. In the blink of an eye, he had rushed far ahead, yet he did not see Ling Xue'er’s figure, leaving him momentarily filled with a sense of loss. Ahead, a white arch bridge shimmered with a cold, ethereal light; it must be the famous Naihe Bridge. Beside the bridge stood a stone platform about three to four zhang high, where several people were gazing longingly, their faces filled with sorrow. It must surely be the Wangxiang Platform.

Ling Tian felt no guilt whatsoever. As a former member of the Ling family, he had been educated from a young age in the philosophy of survival of the fittest. Life and death had long ceased to weigh on his mind, and he was even more indifferent to the lives of ordinary people. It was merely a matter of winners and losers; everyone had the opportunity to become an unparalleled powerhouse, depending solely on their efforts. If one does not strive, losing one's life is a wasted effort—who can be blamed for that? The opportunities given to humanity by heaven are inherently equal; emperors take turns, and next year it could be my family. If you do not put in the effort, then becoming someone else's cannon fodder is not something to complain about.

Ling Xue'er saw Ling Tian, but there was no resentment as she had imagined. She merely smiled faintly, then walked past him, continuing on her way.

Ling Tian's body spun violently, advancing little by little, and his heart was filled with increasing joy: this method is indeed effective! While he was reveling in his success... it seemed he had already drilled back three or four steps... He faintly saw a white figure ahead, which appeared to be Ling Xue'er, who was joyfully floating towards him with her arms wide open... Ling Tian felt delighted and accelerated once more... He faintly saw a white figure ahead, which appeared to be Ling Xue'er, who was joyfully floating towards him with her arms wide open... Ling Tian felt delighted and accelerated once more...

Ling Tian was taken aback for a moment, and after a long while, he finally said: "So, you also feel guilty"

Sister Xue'er, if there is a next life, I hope you live in an ordinary family, experience love freely, marry freely, and enjoy your own free life. Watching Ling Xue'er depart in the distance, Ling Tian sincerely sent out his blessings.

Ling Jing and others were perhaps too despondent, as they failed to notice their arch-enemy Ling Tian, who stood by the roadside, cursing as he walked past.

For the first time, Ling Tian felt lost, uncertain whether his quest for revenge was right or wrong. He recalled Ling Xue'er’s words at their parting: "Tian Ge, thank you. If there is a next life, and if in the next life we can still be in the same family, I will definitely be your most caring sister"

Ling Tian displayed a contemplative expression and said: "If you are unwilling and do not like that person, why do you agree to marry him?"

Ling Tian floated forward, and although his body had perished, he felt an indescribable exhilaration in his soul. He chuckled, "The road to the Yellow Springs, the Meng Po soup, I have long awaited this!" He hoped to drink the Meng Po soup early and quickly forget everything from the mortal world.

This road is vastly different from what I had imagined, with darkness surrounding me on both sides and behind, while only the forward direction consistently emits a faint light. The surface appears to be quite smooth, yet I cannot discern what lies beneath my feet—whether it is stone or soil. A flicker of curiosity suddenly arose in Ling Tian's heart.

Seeing the man's face full of anger, Ling Tian suddenly thought of Ling Xue'er and the others. Were they also on this road? As this thought crossed his mind, he unconsciously slowed his pace and eventually came to a complete stop, waiting by the roadside. He wanted to see what those heartless scoundrels, who would even plot against their own relatives, looked like now.