Chapter 190: One Can Enter, But Not Leave
Something was deeply wrong with the situation tonight; Jiang Dashi had realized this long ago. However, when presented with the opportunity to escape, he hesitated.
Because he couldn't find a reason to flee.
Deng Feng's series of actions tonight were indeed abnormal, but that couldn't serve as an excuse for him to desert in the face of battle. After all, Deng Feng's odd behavior was merely a feeling.
Deng Feng hadn't directly attacked them; on the contrary, he had repeatedly stepped in to save their lives. What reason could he possibly give for fleeing?
If Deng Feng's actions tonight held a hidden agenda that he hadn't revealed, then his escape would brand him a traitor to the Underworld Office, destined to be hunted down by them from then on.
Was it truly appropriate, truly rational, to choose to flee based solely on an uncertain suspicion, especially under these circumstances?
Seeing Jiang Dashi's hesitant expression, Yang Haoran felt a surge of anxiety.
He knew what Jiang Dashi was worried about, but there were some things he didn't know how to explain to him.
After organizing his thoughts, Yang Haoran finally spoke to Jiang Dashi: "Jiang Dashi, tonight's events are far more complicated than you imagine. Trust me, seize this chance and leave quickly, or you'll almost certainly die here tonight, truly."
Jiang Dashi hesitated for a moment, then finally shook his head.
"I cannot simply leave like this. It's not that I don't believe you, but rather that I am a follower of the Death God. For my god, I am willing to sacrifice my life. Deng Feng is a messenger of the gods; in my eyes, his commands are the will of the gods."
Disappointment flickered across Yang Haoran's face. He had never before realized that Jiang Dashi possessed such a stubborn side. Despite knowing that remaining here would very likely cost him his life, he was willing to sacrifice himself for his faith.
However, Yang Haoran didn't give up because of Jiang Dashi's words. He continued to earnestly persuade him: "I understand your devotion to the gods, but Deng Feng is merely an Emissary of Death. He is not a god, nor can he represent one. Therefore, there's absolutely no need for you to risk everything for this. Do you realize you're gambling with your own life?"
No sooner had Yang Haoran's words fallen than a dull thud suddenly echoed nearby, before Jiang Dashi could even speak. Both their gazes were instantly drawn to the sound.
They saw a Night Watcher stumble to the ground, staring despairingly at the luminous barrier ahead. This sight immediately sparked questions in Yang Haoran's mind.
"What's wrong? " Yang Haoran quickly asked.
The man looked at Yang Haoran, his face devoid of the contempt and disdain he'd shown before entering this place. He spoke with utter despair: "This formation. . . we can't get out. The mark the messenger left on us only allows entry into the formation, not departure."
Yang Haoran's expression instantly changed, and even Jiang Dashi, who had already come to terms with death, showed a shift in his demeanor.
Evidently, this Night Watcher also sensed that something was amiss and wanted to seize this opportunity to escape first.
Although he, too, was a follower of the Death God, he wasn't as devout or perhaps as pedantic as Jiang Dashi. Knowing the situation was wrong, his first thought was to leave this place and save his life, rather than sacrifice himself.
In this regard, his thoughts were no different from Yang Haoran's.
However, this Night Watcher had initially believed that by relying on the formation mark left within him by the messenger Deng Feng, he could pass through the luminous barrier. To his utter surprise, the moment his body touched the light emitted by the formation, he was instantly thrown back by a powerful force.
The formation mark Deng Feng, the messenger, had left within them allowed only entry, not exit.
This discovery confirmed the Night Watcher's inner suspicion: tonight's operation was highly irregular, and he might very well perish here.
Hence, a look of despair couldn't help but appear in his eyes as he gazed at the formation's luminous barrier.
Yang Haoran averted his gaze, no longer paying attention to the Night Watcher, nor offering any words of comfort. He turned his attention back to Jiang Dashi.
"Alas, it seems I still underestimated him. This time, even if you want to leave, you won't be able to."
Yang Haoran sighed softly, shaking his head with a disappointed expression.
Jiang Dashi watched Yang Haoran's reaction, mistakenly believing that Yang Haoran also wished to leave this place. A look of regret appeared on his face.
"If only I had held out for a while back then, and not agreed to your request, you wouldn't have become a Night Watcher. Although you wouldn't possess special powers, at least you could live a normal life. Alas, it's only been a few short months, and who would have thought things would turn out like this? To be honest, I'm the one who harmed you."
Yang Haoran smiled and shook his head, saying, "Jiang Dashi, you're overstating things. The path was my own choice. Regardless of the final outcome, I won't blame anyone. For you, I only have gratitude, not a shred of resentment."
Jiang Dashi shook his head, feeling ashamed, and said nothing further. Meanwhile, Yang Haoran suddenly remembered the Indestructible Talisman within his body.
He knew his chances tonight were slim. Even if he survived this night, he likely wouldn't live past tomorrow, because once tonight was over, he would lose all value to Du Da. At that point, Du Da would only need to activate the Soul Dispersing Needle, and his death would be certain.
Since he was doomed either way, there was no need to waste a Black Talisman. If he gave this Black Talisman to Jiang Dashi, while it wouldn't guarantee Jiang Dashi's survival, it would at least increase his chances of living.
The only person he would be letting down by doing so was Wang Yiming; the Black Talisman he used for self-preservation could, in the end, not be returned to him.
With this thought, Yang Haoran prepared to retrieve the Black Talisman from his body and gift it to Jiang Dashi.
However, before he could do so, a sudden explosion ripped through the sky, drawing the gaze of all the Night Watchers present.
Deng Feng and Zhong Siyu's battle had always been intense, with the sounds of Yin Qi and Spirit Power colliding continuously. But this particular explosion was far more violent than any previous clash.
Looking towards the source of the sound, they saw Deng Feng's body plummeting from the sky, crashing heavily onto the ground and leaving a large crater.
His opponent, Zhong Siyu, fared little better; her Spirit Body, though re-formed after shattering, had significantly faded, appearing no different from an ordinary Evil Spirit.
During this brief clash, Yang Haoran hadn't witnessed the entire exchange because his attention had been focused on Jiang Dashi. However, he understood in his heart that these two formidable figures must have unleashed their respective ultimate moves.
"Du Da, you old fossil, how much longer are you going to watch? Do you still think he and I are putting on an act? !"
Zhong Siyu's Spirit Body absorbed the surrounding Yin Qi rapidly as she roared ferociously.
Upon hearing this, Yang Haoran's expression immediately turned solemn. He knew that the real show was finally about to begin.
And soon, it would be his turn to step onto the stage.
Deng Feng clambered out of the crater, propping himself up with his Bone Blade. His aura was weak, and he was clearly badly injured, yet upon hearing Zhong Siyu's furious roar, a faint sneer unfurled across his pale face.
As he was currently hunched over, gasping for breath, and coughing up blood, the sudden sneer on his face went unnoticed by anyone.
When he finally raised his head again, the sneer had vanished, replaced by an expression of anger and the undeniable weakness of severe injury.
Zhong Siyu's roar caused the surroundings to fall into an immediate and profound silence. However, Du Da did not appear, despite her words.
Zhong Siyu's expression instantly turned grim, while Deng Feng, conversely, burst into hearty laughter.
"Du Da is a Spirit Medium, and I am an Underworld Official. We were always incompatible, like fire and water. Furthermore, I destroyed two of his Evil Spirits recently, so he utterly despises me."
"And you, Zhong Siyu, are no exception. I've trapped you here for years; your hatred for me is no less than Du Da's. When you agreed to play this charade with me, I never truly believed you."
"I knew that old fossil Du Da would come looking for you, and I also knew you would absolutely cooperate with him to double-cross me. So tonight, I simply turned our act into reality, seizing the opportunity to take care of you first, and then I'll deal with that old fossil Du Da!"
"However, from the looks of it, you seem to have been sold out by that old man. Given his cowardly nature, he probably won't trust you until I've completely annihilated you. Haha!"
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