Chapter 124: The Undead

"Liliana, let's settle this. One of us must fall today!" After a long silence, Bai Ye said to me, his voice cold.

"Indeed, but that person will certainly not be me," I replied calmly. "Xuelan and the others are still waiting for my return, so let's make this quick."

"Yes, it is time to end this. I have no patience left to wait," Bai Ye said, equally calm. "The fact that I couldn't replicate another you was indeed unexpected, but do not think my Domain World is so simple. Since I cannot create another you, then I shall create another me! Tell me, Liliana, how will you deal with two Princes at once?" As he spoke, a gray-white clown identical to Bai Ye appeared by his side, staring at me expressionlessly.

"Hmph, so what if there are two Princes?" I looked at the two Bai Yes before me and said with disdain, "Before me, the lowly can only kneel in worship!" As I spoke, endless magic power began to radiate from me, thick and almost tangible. "Since I have already seen your world, now, welcome to mine." I expanded my domain, swallowing Bai Ye whole. "Welcome to the world of the dead. Domain—Paradise Lost: The Land of Eternal Sleep."

As I spoke, the entire gray-white world was shrouded in endless gray mist, permeated with the scent of decay and death, as if we had truly arrived in the realm of the dead.

"What is this?" Sensing the strange aura, Bai Ye cautiously scanned his surroundings.

"This is the Underworld," I said to the terrified Bai Ye. Isolated by my domain, Bai Ye lost control over the gray-white world; the image of the clown vanished, and the replica by his side dissipated into smoke.

"The Underworld?" Bai Ye asked, sounding startled.

"That's right, this is the Underworld," I replied indifferently. "I am someone who has died once before. Why be surprised that I can connect to the Underworld?"

"So what if it is the Underworld? It is merely a world of mere wandering souls. What is there to fear?" Bai Ye retorted.

"Indeed, it is just a world of souls," I said lightly. "So, please, enjoy the welcome of the departed."

At my words, several dark shadows gradually emerged from the endless gray fog. They drew closer to us until their forms became distinct.

"Le Xiaoyou!" Bai Ye exclaimed in shock as he recognized one of them.

"Long time no see, Bai Ye—or should I say, the Vampire King?" Le Xiaoyou said coolly. "I never expected to see you here."

"And so what? Do you think you can take revenge on me?" Bai Ye said, looking at Le Xiaoyou with contempt.

"Revenge? I have no interest in such things. As an undead, I must follow the rules of the dead; matters of the living no longer concern me. I came only because I heard a friend's call and came to help." After speaking to Bai Ye, Le Xiaoyou turned to me with a smile, "Nana, it's been a long time!"

"Long time no see, Xiaoyou," I replied with a smile. "I'm sorry for disturbing your rest."

"It's alright. I am truly happy to see you." Le Xiaoyou threw herself into my arms. "Nana, it's so good to see you again."

"Xiaoyou." I reached out to stroke her hair, but my fingers passed right through her.

"I am sorry to interrupt your reunion, but Lady Liliana, shouldn't we deal with this fellow first?" A voice interrupted our joy; the Duke of Wind looked at us with a helpless expression.

Beside him, another figure glared at Bai Ye with eyes full of palpable hatred. "Bai Ye, you never thought we would meet again, did you!"

"Indeed, I did not expect to see you again, Vampire King—or should I say, the former Vampire King," Bai Ye said sarcastically, meeting the other's furious gaze. "What? You dare appear before me again? Do you want me to kill you a second time? When you were alive, you were a plaything in my hands. Now that you are dead, do you think I fear you?" Ignoring the King's rage, he turned to me with a sneer. "Liliana, are these your reinforcements? You make me laugh. A bunch of trash—what use could they possibly be?"

"Bai Ye, do not underestimate them, or you will suffer for it," I said, smiling. "This is a vendetta from the undead!"

As I spoke, more and more dark figures emerged from the gray mist, all staring at Bai Ye with burning resentment.

"A vendetta of the undead?" Bai Ye scoffed at the growing crowd of spirits. "When they were alive, they were trash. Do you think they become stronger just by dying? If you want revenge, then come! I will kill you all again!" With that, Bai Ye charged into the sea of souls.

His claws slashed wildly, causing the surrounding spirits to wail. Yet, every time he tore one apart, it reconstituted itself in the next instant, endless and unceasing.

"Damn it, they are so persistent!" Bai Ye had lost count of how many he had shredded, but the crowd only grew, filling him with mounting irritation. Finally, caught off guard, a spirit slipped past his claws, lunged at him, and bit down with pure hatred. Bai Ye felt a surge of agonizing pain, yet there was no physical wound to be seen; even the vampire’s powerful regeneration could not dull this torment. "Damn you!" Bai Ye roared, tearing the spirit to pieces. This time, however, the spirit did not reform and vanished completely.

Seeing the spirit dissolve, I sighed softly. "May you find eternal rest."

As Bai Ye was surrounded, the intense pain caused him to falter, allowing more spirits to bypass his defenses and bite him. He tore them apart in a frenzy, and they, too, vanished from existence forever.

"Damn it!" More and more spirits were destroyed, until the last one finally dissipated. But as they vanished, the pain in Bai Ye’s soul grew so intense that he nearly collapsed, falling to his knees in agony.

"How is this possible?" Bai Ye asked me, writhing in pain.

"The way to grant rest to the dead is to resolve their grievances," I said coldly. "Because they are spirits, they attack your soul directly. The pain inflicted upon the soul cannot be healed. This must be what they call the suffering of ten thousand souls devouring the heart."

"Hahaha! Bai Ye, so you have your day too!" Watching his pained expression, the Vampire King laughed triumphantly. "Now, I will take back everything you owe me!" He charged toward the kneeling Bai Ye.

"Take it back? You?" Bai Ye raised his head, mocking the charging King. "Ignorant fool, you are only fit to kneel before me!" In a flash, Bai Ye vanished and reappeared behind the King. "Is this all the pain of ten thousand souls amounts to? It’s not enough! It’s not nearly enough!" Bai Ye screamed maniacally.

"How can this be?" The body of the Vampire King, shredded by Bai Ye, failed to reform and began to slowly fade away.

"You are just mere spirits; did you really think I had no way to deal with you?" Bai Ye grinned hideously. "I only wanted to borrow your hands to experience the pain Liliana felt when she fell into hell. But is this all? I am so disappointed! It’s not enough! It’s not nearly enough! How can this little bit of pain compare to what Liliana endured?"

"Damn it, am I to disappear like this? I won't accept it! I won't accept it!" With a final roar, the last shred of the Vampire King's soul vanished from the world.

"Liliana, is that all you have?" Bai Ye demanded. "Too weak! Truly too weak! You haven't made me happy at all!" He yelled in frustration, the unceasing agony in his soul driving him further into madness.

"I only wanted to grant those spirits release. Being trapped in hatred forever is too painful, so I granted them eternal rest," I replied calmly. "As for the hatred between us, I will resolve it with my own hands. I will never borrow the hands of others."

"Yes, exactly!" Bai Ye said excitedly. "I feel the same way. Liliana, only I can kill you." He looked at me and said, "So come now. Let me help you find your eternal release." With that, he charged at me.

"Nana, leave this to me." Just as I prepared to engage, Le Xiaoyou suddenly stepped in front of me, looking at me with grave determination.

"Xiaoyou?" I asked, confused. She was clearly no match for Bai Ye; I didn't understand why she was insisting on fighting.

"Nana, trust me," Le Xiaoyou said with a smile. "I still have an unfulfilled wish. I won't disappear from this world so easily." Her voice was resolute.

"Very well. But if you are in danger, I will intervene." Seeing her unwavering gaze, I could only nod in agreement.

"Nana, thank you." Hearing my answer, Le Xiaoyou beamed at me before turning firmly to face Bai Ye.