Absolute Choice
chapter-487-30041322

"Shi Xiaobai, up till now, why are you still making up such a shoddy lie? A straightforward person does not resort to insinuations. Since I have taken the initiative to show my hand, it is time for this game of chess to come to an end."

After the Infernal Queen wiped away her faked coquettish smile and dropped the endearing 'Darling', her eyes turned sharp and cold.

"Shoddy lie? This King does not understand you, not to mention the game of chess you are talking about." Shi Xiaobai had a puzzled expression as a surprised glint flashed in his eyes.

The Infernal Queen suffused a cold smile and said, "That matter can deceive those bunch of fools but can it be kept from me?"

"Which matter?" Shi Xiaobai wrinkled his eyebrows.

"Heh heh, it looks like you plan on playing the fool till the very end."

The Infernal Queen's eyes flashed a look of disappointment. She had appreciated Shi Xiaobai's intelligence during their chess games and his unwavering principle and mindfulness of not being seduced by her beauty. However, Kali's submissive love that did not match her stature and the 'matter' that happened not long ago made her understand what it meant to be a 'hypocrite'.

"Fine. Since you insist on not talking about it by playing the fool, I'll make it such that you have nothing to say."

The Infernal Queen's eyes were ice-cold as she said with a sneer, "Do you remember that not a long time ago, you had inquired about the Infernal King's Mandate?"

Shi Xiaobai frowned slightly and nodded.

He had indeed asked the Infernal Queen about the Infernal King's Mandate. Hence, he knew about the vendetta between the first generation Infernal King and Celestial King. He had also gleaned the information that the Infernal King's Mandate was to kill the reigning Celestial King.

The Infernal Queen's sneer intensified as she continued, "You are very smart. After using two opportunities, you had already guessed that I was the assessment program. You knew that although I was targeting you, I still had to obey the rules of being a 'program'."

"I can designate you as the Infernal King, making you lack the identity of a Braveheart so that you are unable to clear the level by 'becoming champion at the Braveheart Martial Arts Tournament'. However, I have no way of completely severing the path to you 'gaining the program's recognition'."

"Those trial-takers that were designated Bravehearts matched their identities by either becoming the champion at the Braveheart Martial Arts Tournament or killing the Infernal King. Therefore, you logically guessed that for a trial-taker with the identity of Infernal King to obtain the 'program's recognition', it is...to complete the Infernal King's Mandate. Hence, you had asked about it."

Shi Xiaobai's expression changed slightly as an alarming glint flashed in his eyes. However, it was quickly mollified as he shook his head and said, "You are overthinking it. This King isn't that smart."

"No, you were much smarter than I imagined."

The Infernal Queen said with a sneer, "You knew that I was targeting you, but you continued asking me because you were confident that you could infer the correct answer from a wrong answer. And with me being able to easily think of that, I would give you an answer that would seem exceedingly close to the true answer to confuse you."

"When you played chess, you would often think ten steps, twenty steps, or even further ahead of time. It was the same this time. You had guessed from the beginning that I will give you an answer filled with half-truths."

Shi Xiaobai could not help but laugh as he said, "Sorry, but you are really over thinking it."

The Infernal Queen sneered and continued her monolog, "My answer was filled with half-truths. In the history of the Transcendent world, this generation's Infernal King had nearly united the three domains. Finally, he was killed by the joint efforts of the Celestial King and the Hexstar Bravehearts."

"Therefore, for a trial-taker with the identity as Infernal King to gain the 'program's recognition', the Celestial King has to be killed to complete the Infernal King's Mandate or the Hexstar Bravehearts have to be killed. The lives of the six leading figures of the Age of Bravehearts would be ended ahead of time."

"Regardless of which one is killed, it will prevent the joint forces of the Celestial King and the Bravehearts. It would then change the ultimate destiny of the Infernal King. Although I concealed the latter, I had informed you of the former because I had considered an additional step."

When Shi Xiaobai heard those words, his expression changed and he began frowning. He recalled that in Transcendence, Pulp Farmer and company were received as the 'Hexstar Bravehearts'. That identity had been deliberately designed.

Shi Xiaobai said with a wry smile, "Aren't you going overboard with your targeting? You designated This King as the Infernal King, designated Speechless Li as the Celestial King, and the rest as the Hexstar Bravehearts. You made it so, such that This King has to kill Speechless or the other six in order to gain the 'program's recognition'. What difference does this have from completely severing This King's ability to clear the level?"

"I originally thought that doing so would completely cut you off from clearing the level."

A mocking smile suffused across the Infernal Queen's lips as her gaze turned slightly cold. She said, "But I never expected that you would guess that the answer I gave was real and had ruthlessly completed that matter."

Shi Xiaobai frowned. "What do you mean?"

"With things this clear, is there a need to feign stupidity?" Since you are forcing me to expose it, I will not beat around the bush any further."

The corner of the Infernal Queen's mouth suddenly turned odd as she said, "Shi Xiaobai, three days ago, you feigned unconsciousness and took the opportunity to kill the Celestial King, completing the Infernal King's Mandate. What a great strategy and scheme!"

Shi Xiaobai's pupils constricted slightly as his expression turned austere. "That joke is getting overboard."

The Infernal Queen said with a smile, "Do you think that anything you do can deceive me? Unfortunately, even if you do it perfectly, even if you can really fool my eyes, it is absolutely impossible for you to fool the rules of the 'program'!"

Shi Xiaobai said coldly, "What are you trying to get at?"

"I only want to tell you that I can't withhold it any longer. The program's rules have already determined that you have completed the mission. I have used all my privileges only to be able to delay it, but there is no way to stop the final outcome. You have succeeded. You won. I have lost this game of chess."

The Infernal Queen's expression was one of indignation and her gaze was burning with fury. However, there was a strange smile by the corners of her mouth.

Finally, it transformed into the usual coquettish charm.

"As you wish, the world to the eighth level has its legs opened up for you."

She curled her finger and licked her red lips as she said seductively, "So, come on in. Stick it in forcefully!"

...

...

As the important conversation was happening in the Infernal King's chamber, another important conversation began in the woods outside the Infernal Palace.

In a trial in the woods, the lush canopy blocked out the sun. Other than the chirping of sparrows and the gentle rustle of the wind, as well as two sporadic footsteps, there was no other noise.

A girl in azure clothes was walking in front at an appropriate speed.

A youth in a Daoist outfit was following behind with a hesitant expression.

Liu Yu was puzzled. He had rushed to the Infernal King's chambers when he received news that Shi Xiaobai had awoken. On the way, he had encountered Sunless, who had gone out to bring food in.

He never expected the scene to develop to what it was now.

Why would Sunless 'invite' him out alone?

Was there something she wanted to discuss?

From Liu Yu's impression of the azure-dressed girl, she was a person who seldom took the initiative to converse with others. Up to date, he had not even spoken to her at all. He never expected that the first word he received from her was "Follow."

With Sunless's personality, other than an urgent matter that needed to be done, it was impossible for her to do such a thing.

No, it was not only so.

This matter definitely had something to do with 'swords' or 'Shi Xiaobai'.

Could it be...

When Liu Yu's thoughts came to that point, he suddenly thought of a possibility. Seeing Sunless walk into the deep depths of the forest without a word, he suddenly had an ominous feeling. He laughed dryly and spoke out first, "Benefactor Ye, are you planning on discussing with This Penniless Priest about hiding the matter from Benefactor Shi Xiaobai?"

Suddenly, Sunless, who was walking in front, came to a halt as she slowly turned to her side and gave him a nonchalant glance. The look in her pupils appeared somewhat cold.

"You lied," said Sunless suddenly.

Liu Yu's pupils constricted slightly as his expression changed. But instantly, it returned to its original calm.

"Lie?"

Liu Yu said in 'confusion', "When did This Penniless Priest lie? Oh? Is Benefactor Ye referring to the matter of hiding the truth from Benefactor Shi Xiaobai? If hiding that truth is considered a lie, This Penniless Priest has indeed made an outrageous lie, but..."

Sunless suddenly interrupted him. "Shi Xiaobai's hair did not turn silver."

The bright sunlight seemed to suddenly freeze over at that instant. IChooseDogLeading (我选择狗带) when read in Chinese sounds like I Choose Go Die. It was a meme that resulted from a former member of famous Korean boygroup, EXO, TAO (Huang Zitao). At a concert, there was a part in a rap that where he said "", but due to a mispronunciation, it sounded like he will not easily choose to be led by dogs. This phrase now means 'I'd rather die/I choose death'.