Absolute Choice
chapter-501-30041322

The Infernal Queen was not mistaken. The words that Shi Xiaobai had slowly mouthed were indeed 'Open Sesame', which was also the exit command.

This was the corresponding exit command for trial-takers to exit the Nine Revolutions Transcendental Tower!

Shi Xiaobai was unaware that he had suddenly gone viral in China and that he was trending on the search rankings. Neither did he know that the Nine Revolutions Transcendental Tower trial was already the focus of attention of the entire nation. Of course, he did not know that there were numerous Chinese citizens waiting and discussing the amount of time he could spend in the eighth level, or debating whether he could break the Conquest King's five-hour record.

He did not know anything but even if he knew, Shi Xiaobai would still use the exit command!

Why?

It was because Shi Xiaobai was in a rush to know the truth!

Why did Speechless die?

How did Speechless die?

Is Speechless really dead?

What happened back then?

How did he become Speechless's 'murderer'?

Shi Xiaobai was eager to know the truth to all these questions.

Completely opposite to the 'truth' that the Infernal Queen had said, Shi Xiaobai's guess that she was the assessment program was only done through logical reasoning without any evidence. Neither did he guess that the Infernal King's Mandate was the condition to clearing the seventh level. And even if he had guessed it correctly, it was absolutely impossible that he would harm or kill Speechless.

He had truly fallen unconscious after injuring Sunless and he had only awakened in the Infernal King chamber. Shi Xiaobai did not know what had happened during that period of time.

The outrageous lie that the Infernal Queen described and the astounding conspiracy she believed, blaming him for being a 'hypocrite' was obviously not true.

Even if Shi Xiaobai were to sacrifice himself, he would absolutely not wish to harm his partners. The kingly way that he revered may not be absolute justice but it was definitely not heartless and full of ingratitude.

Therefore, when the Infernal Queen had criticized him with a sneer, Shi Xiaobai had only found it ridiculous and laughable. He only believed that she was trying to stir something up so he had only responded with a sneer, without making any contentions.

However, when he was forcefully sent to the eighth level, the Absolute Choice's familiar and fiery voice had resounded in his mind. Only then did Shi Xiaobai suddenly recall the Absolute Choice that he had nearly forgotten.

Upon recalling that completing the King's Mandate meant killing Speechless, whose identity had been designated as the Celestial King, the announcement of the completion of the choice meant that he had completed the King's Mandate.

Shi Xiaobai was alarmed when he realized that whatever the Infernal Queen had said might very well be true.

Speechless's death could very possibly be real.

It was very likely that he had really killed Speechless with his own hands.

If not, why would the Absolute Choice announce its completion?

Furthermore, the attitude of Pulp Farmer and company were odd when he woke up. Upon careful thought, the reason why Pulp Farmer and Feng Yuanlin were probing his memories after he fell unconscious was due to the death of Speechless. They were trying to hide the terrible truth from him.

With the aforementioned reasons, Shi Xiaobai had inferred that what the Infernal Queen had said was not a lie.

However, why would the unconscious him do such a thing?

Was it a side-effect of the power of corruption that suddenly acted up, causing him to strike Speechless when he was completely unconscious?

Or was it possible that in his subconscious, he had a wish to kill Speechless in order to complete the Absolute Choice which led to his body innately completing the task while he was unconscious?

The former was something Shi Xiaobai was unable to make a judgment on. However, if it was the latter, Shi Xiaobai had just undergone an 'inward interrogation', and he was certain that it was impossible.

Even if the Absolute Choice were to fail, with time resetting, causing everything that he experienced turn into nothing but evanescent bubbles and making him have to redo everything, it was not sufficient to make Shi Xiaobai abandon his 'kingly ways'. The sacrifice of people—especially the sacrifice of a friend like Speechless—to create an advantageous outcome for him was diametrically opposed to Shi Xiaobai's kingly ways!

Shi Xiaobai was willing to repeat everything and choose the third option of leaving the Nine Revolutions Transcendental Tower than to kill Speechless for such a 'meaningless' reason. Such a subconscious thought absolutely did not exist!

Shi Xiaobai was sufficiently confident about that.

Therefore, he believed that his killing of Speechless was definitely not that simple.

And going along this line of thought, Shi Xiaobai immediately thought of the biggest questionable point and contradiction.

Since killing Speechless meant completing the Infernal King's Mandate, why was the Absolute Choice not immediately completed once Speechless was 'killed' by him? Instead, the announcement of the completion of the Absolute Choice had only happened at the instant he reached the eighth level. Why was this so?

What was the difference between the two?

Or could it be that there was more than meets the eye?

Just as Shi Xiaobai thought of this point, he saw the Infernal Queen appear out of thin air. As she walked over with a coquettish smile that was 'filled with malevolence', Shi Xiaobai did not hesitate to use the exit command.

He had no time to listen to the Infernal Queen's sarcasm nor did he have the mood to debate with the Infernal Queen. All he wanted to do was to return to the human world to figure out the truth. He had to see Speechless's corpse at the very least and get a clear understanding from Sunless and company as to what had happened back then.

Compared to the eagerness to figure out the truth, whatever trial, glory, or opportunities were not worth mentioning!

Shi Xiaobai finished reciting the exit command and was prepared to leave the eighth level.

But after a few seconds, even when the Infernal Queen had suddenly appeared in front of him at an extremely fast speed, the exit command did not seem to show its effects.

"Open Sesame!"

Shi Xiaobai said it again but nothing came of it.

The Infernal Queen suffused a mocking smile as she said with a chuckle, "After spending all your time and efforts to finally reach the eighth level, the first thing you do is to suddenly use the exit command. Darling, why do you always act completely opposite to one's expectations...? But unfortunately, the eighth level is extremely chaste. It's not something Darling can stick it in or retract as you wish."

The Infernal Queen suddenly switched styles and addressed Shi Xiaobai as 'Darling' once again. Furthermore, her words were sensuous. Shi Xiaobai could not help but roll his eyes and frown.

Despite hanging a coquettish smile on the corners of her lips, there was no hint of sexual intention in the Infernal Queen's eyes. She said, "Darling, are you in a rush to leave this place to destroy some piece of evidence? Don't worry. Darling's plan was flawless. If not for the trial's rules, even I would have been fooled by Darling."

Shi Xiaobai sighed when he heard what she said. After hesitating for a moment, he decided against explaining anything to her.

Firstly, he did not think there was a need for him to explain to her. Secondly, he did not believe that she would believe his explanation. Furthermore, Speechless's 'death' was something that even Sunless and company believed him to be the murderer. Then, it was very likely that it was one of the possible 'truths'. Even if it was not a subjective wish of his, it was still a matter he could not shirk responsibility from if his body had 'killed' Speechless.

Therefore, Shi Xiaobai finally chose not to engage in a war of words with the Infernal Queen to prove his 'innocence'. Instead, he asked in a solemn voice, "Why can't the exit command be used? Is it because the eighth level's rules prevent the exit command from being used? Or is it that you are deliberately using your authority to ban the exit command?"

"Boohoo, why would Darling choose to malign me?"

The Infernal Queen said in a pitiable tone but her expression was that of jest. She said mockingly, "Darling had suddenly used the exit command and I was shocked as well. How could I react in time? Thankfully, the eighth level rules is that...trial-takers can only succeed or fail. There is no escape or exit!"

Shi Xiaobai felt somewhat helpless as he immediately asked, "What needs to be done to be deemed as having failed?"

The Infernal Queen covered her mouth as she said laughingly, "Darling sure is strange. Over ten thousand years, countless trial-takers have been trying their best to reach the eighth level but they had failed miserably. As for Darling, you spent so much time and effort to finally reach the eighth level as you wish. Why are you suddenly in a rush to leave?"

Shi Xiaobai sighed lightly and said, "No matter if you believe it or not, This King only wants to return to check on Speechless's 'corpse' and clarify the situation with the others before thinking of a way to figure out the truth."

"Oh...so that's how it is."

The Infernal Queen said with a laugh, "Darling is indeed in a hurry to check if he had left any traces on Speechless's 'corpse' and hopes to destroy them so as to ensure that the truth will remain hidden forever. Darling sure is meticulous. That's right. Darling contemplates each and every move with such deliberation during a game of chess. I know this better than anyone."

Towards the Infernal Queen's taunts and jeers, Shi Xiaobai shook his head helplessly. He did not have the mood to continue explaining as he said in a deep voice, "Since you think so, continue thinking so. In short, This King wants to leave the Nine Revolutions Transcendental Tower now. It doesn't matter if it's a success or failure. Even if you do not wish to tell This King how to leave, at least tell This King what the mission of the eighth level is."

The moment Shi Xiaobai reached the eighth level, the Absolute Choice's voice had sounded immediately. Due to the daze and shock from the sudden announcement of the completion, he had not paid careful attention to the rules that were usually introduced whenever one reached a world of a new level. But now, on careful thought, the introduction that he had not paid attention to was only 'nonsense' that did not contain much information.

The Infernal Queen squinted her eyes as she said with a coquettish smile, "If it's possible, I really wish to let Darling stay by my side forever, never telling Darling how to leave this world. But helpless I am, for the trial's rule forces me to be the 'guide' to the eighth level. It really can't be helped."

Shi Xiaobai heaved a sigh of relief when he heard that. He was truly worried that the assessment program which 'targeted him without reason' would steel its heart and not tell him of the eighth level's mission. If that happened, wouldn't he be stuck in the eighth level forever without knowing how to even fail? Thankfully, there were the trial rules that restrained the capricious Infernal Queen.

"What is the eighth level's mission?"

Shi Xiaobai asked with a solemn voice once again.

"Well, you know...the eighth level's mission...is actually very simple."

The Infernal Queen blinked and said without feeling abashed after using a tone reminiscent of a cute chick. Her mature and seductive face combined with the cute intonations she used made Shi Xiaobai feel a deep sense of 'malevolence'.

The Infernal Queen even drew out her tone to keep him guessing before she said with a chuckle, "The eighth level's mission is very simple. It only requires...the completion of a choice."

"Ah?"

Shi Xiaobai exclaimed.

Why is it another 'choice'?

Now, Shi Xiaobai would feel his scalp tingle and feel extremely uncomfortable whenever he heard the word 'choice'! 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'.