Chapter 2095 - The Ferryman

Ren Beiyou said gravely, “In two more days, we’ll reach the end of the Deification Star Sea. Isn’t it about time you let the divine children go?”

All eyes were instantly on Su Yi.

“What’s all the rush? Wait until I leave. I’ll naturally make good on my promise then.” Su Yi laughed, put his hands behind his back, and shot off.

The gods exchanged glances, then followed without a word.

Along the way, Su Yi suddenly asked, “How did you know that we’ll reach the end of the Deification Star Sea in two days?”

Ren Beiyou was instantly solemn, but outwardly, he said, “I went out for a bit earlier.”

“Oh,” said Su Yi. “Is the ferry crossing still there?”

“Yes.”

“And the ferryman?”

“He’s there, too.”

“You didn’t encounter anything unexpected along the way?” Su Yi asked.

Ren Beiyou snorted coldly. “Does it look like anything happened to me?”

“No, I just feel that there’s no way the Qin Family will let this go, yet even after all this time, there’s still been no sign of them. Something’s amiss,” Su Yi pondered out loud. “But then, that doesn’t matter. If anything, an uneventful journey is something to celebrate.”

With that, he disregarded Ren Beiyou and continued ahead.

The gods, however, were instantly suspicious.

“Did that heretic sense something?”

“Relax. Even if he can tell that something fishy is afoot, it won’t have any major impact on the plan.”

The gods transmitted amongst themselves as they stuck close to Su Yi.

......

Two days later, a massive star vortex appeared in the distance, like the universe opening its gaping maw. The surrounding void contorted and collapsed. This was the Deification Star Sea’s exit, otherwise known as the ferry crossing.

A ritual ground so massive it could easily be called a continent hovered before the crossing.

There were three thousand bronze pillars atop it, each like a mountain towering into the heavens. They were carved with mysterious, inscrutable markings of the Divine Dao.

These were the Three Thousand Divine Pillars!

It was said that the Three Thousand Divine Pillars were like needles stabilizing the ocean. Together, they maintained the Deification Star Sea. No matter how great the disaster, so long as the Three Thousand Divine Pillars remained, the Deification Star Sea would remain unharmed.

And there had always been a ferryman to oversee the crossing. It was his responsibility to guide those who successfully reached the end of this path of trials to the Ancient God Domain.

“We’re finally here.” When the gods saw the ferry crossing in the distance, their gazes turned conflicted.

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Su Yi teased, “Are you thinking back to all the humiliation and frustration you endured on the way here?”

“...” The gods fell silent. It’d have been fine if he simply hadn’t said anything, but now, there was no way for them to remain calm. Grudges both old and new erupted within them, like lava bursting from an active volcano. All of their expressions darkened considerably.

“You agreed to let the divine children go when we arrived here,” Buddhist Venerate Ghama said gravely. “If you dare renege on our agreement, we swear that this will be the place you die!”

The other gods were similarly unfriendly.

Su Yi felt a bit exasperated. “How many times have you repeated that on the way here? If this were one of those novels mortals read, the readers would surely throw a fit over all the pointless filler content.”

“....” The gods had nothing to say to that.

“Come on,” said Su Yi. “I’ll let them go when we reach the ferry crossing.”

Su Yi shook his head and continued. The gods forcefully suppressed their murderous intent, then caught up with him.

“Might I ask if you are His Excellency Su Yi?” An aged, dignified voice suddenly rang out from the crossing.

When the group looked over, they saw an elderly figure standing deep amidst the cluster of three thousand bronze pillars.

He was dressed in long gray robes, and he carried a scroll. His long, graying hair hung down to his waist, and his features were thin and distinctive. His presence seemed as weighty as a mountain.

“Who are you?” Su Yi looked over.

The long-robed old man smiled and clasped his fist in greeting. “This old man is called Mu Tianqi. I’m the ferryman of the Deification Star Sea, and I’ve been watching over this place for a long, long time.”

“And you already know about me?” exclaimed Su Yi.

Ferryman Mu Tianqi nodded. “Not long ago, Third Libationer Lie Xingque of the City of the Beginning sent word that you’d arrived in the Deification Star Sea. I’ve been waiting for you here ever since.”

“Ah, so that’s it.”

Mu Tianqi smiled and gestured to Su Yi. “Right this way, please, Your Excellency Su.”

But Su Yi waved the offer away. “No need to rush. There’s something I still don’t understand, and I’m hoping you can explain before I enter the crossing.”

Mu Tianqi froze, a bit stunned, then said solemnly, “That would be my honor. Please, go right ahead, Your Excellency.”

Su Yi said calmly, “The City of the Beginning has its rules, and so does the Deification Star Sea. You’re the ferryman tasked with protecting this place, so why did you let gods enter?”

The distant gods froze.

Is Su Yi trying to accuse the ferryman of misconduct!?

Mu Tianqi smiled bitterly, then explained, “To tell the truth, Your Excellency, the Deification Star Sea has changed a bit in the absence of the power of reincarnation. Much of its natural order and source power has collapsed.”

He let out a deep sigh. “Not even I can change that.”

Su Yi, however, laughed coldly. “Seems to me that you’re simply enjoying the privileges of your position without doing any of the work.”

This wasn’t the least bit polite. It was a blatant rebuke, and it left the old man no face at all.

The gods looked startled.

Has Su Yi gone insane? How could he chastise the ferryman like this? Does he want to get stuck in the Deification Star Sea forever?

Mu Tianqi’s expression was a bit unsightly. He looked infuriated, but it seemed he dared not express it.

“What, do you think I’m wrong?” Su Yi laughed coldly. His attitude was even more domineering than before.

Mu Tianqi hung his head. “This old man wouldn’t dare.”

Ren Beiyou couldn’t help but say, “Su Yi, what kind of attitude is that? Don’t tell me you plan to accuse the ferryman of misconduct and send us to punish him? Let me tell you: there’s absolutely no way we’ll agree to that.”

The other gods nodded. All of them suspected that Su Yi wanted to borrow their hands to target the ferryman.

If so, he was simply sick in the head!

“Don’t jump to conclusions. I am in no way counting on your assistance,” Su Yi said flippantly.

Mu Tianqi took a deep breath, then said, “Your Excellency Su, please, calm your fury. Let’s find a private place to talk. Then, I can explain everything to you!”

Su Yi pondered briefly, then agreed. “Very well, I can give you an opportunity.”

With that, he continued toward the continent-like ferry crossing.

When the gods saw this, they sighed with obvious relief, then caught up to him.

The ferry crossing was extraordinarily grand. When they stood atop it, the ground seemed as if it were forged out of a mysterious golden stone.

The Three Thousand Divine Pillars stood there. It seemed that not even the alternations of countless years could shake them.

Further in the distance lay the exit like a celestial vortex. Those who walked through it all felt incomparably paltry and insignificant.

“Su Yi, can you let the divine children go before you converse with the ferryman?” said Buddhist Venerate Ghama.

Su Yi shook his head. “It wouldn’t be appropriate. I’ll naturally let them go when I leave, but it’s not yet the right time.”

Ren Beiyou glowered. “The ferry crossing is right here. Can’t you relax yet?”

“Do you plan to renege on our agreement?” someone glowered. He could barely restrain his murderous intent and seething fury.

The atmosphere was instantly rife with tension.

“Impudent!” The ferryman snorted coldly, his face expressionless. “This is the ferry crossing. This is no place for you people to act up!”

He paused, then clasped his fist at Su Yi. “Rest assured, Your Excellency. I won’t let anything unexpected happen.”

Su Yi took out a jug of wine, threw back his head, and drank with relish. He sighed, “You know what?

You’re

the one I’m most ill at ease about.”

Mu Tianqi’s pupils constricted. “What do you mean, Your Excellency Su?”

Su Yi swept his gaze across the crowd, pausing on each and every god. In the end, he couldn’t help but laugh dryly. “Don’t you think this show you’re putting on is a bit overly crude?”

The crowd fell silent.

The gods’ expressions shifted.

The ferryman, Mu Tianqi, was stunned too. His brow gradually furrowed. He said tentatively, “Your Excellency Su, did you... see through it from the beginning?”

A faint smile tugged at Su Yi’s lips. “What do you think?”

The ferryman suddenly straightened his back, his eyes blazing with imposing light. He said expressionlessly, “But it seems to me that even if you've seen through us, it’s too late.”

Earlier, he’d been polite and fearful, like a cautious, humble old man. Now, he seemed like a completely different person. His gaze was cold, playful, and derisive.

“Too late, huh?” Su Yi laughed. “Then why do I feel like we’ve only just gotten started?

The tension in the air increased.

The gods, however, looked stricken. They’d planned on the assumption that Su Yi would let the divine children go upon reaching the ferry crossing, just as he’d promised.

Ferryman Mu Tianqi was supposed to go along with their act until

after

they’d saved the divine children. Then, he’d kill Su Yi.

Who’d have thought that problems would arise out of nowhere before the show was even half finished? Su Yi had already seen through them!

This interrupted their plan. The divine children were still solidly under Su Yi’s control. How could the gods be anything but frantic?

Ren Beiyou said gravely, “Daoist Brother, you agreed not to let anything happen to the divine children. You can’t go back on your word.”

Mu Tianqi laughed, his eyes glinting with contemptuous light. He said leisurely, “Rest assured, everyone. Here, I am the heavens! Life and death are mine to decide. When I want clouds, it’s cloudy, and when I want rain, it rains!”

“The moment that Su kid stepped into the ferry crossing...” Mu Tianqi sneered. “He was doomed!”

Kaboom!

The Three Thousand Divine Pillars rumbled, producing taboo energy fluctuations.

At the same time, the ground shifted beneath Su Yi’s feet. Chains of the natural order shot forth and tried to bind him completely.

The crowd watched, first in shock, and then in mad delight. They almost couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

It happened in an instant! In but an instant, Su Yi was completely bound. Who’d have dared to believe such a thing?

“Daoist Brother, whatever you do, don’t hurt him! It won’t be too late to execute him

after

we’ve saved the divine children!” Ren Beiyou said urgently.

Mu Tianqi sneered. “Don’t panic. Do you really think I’m that reckless?”

Then, he turned and looked deeper into the ferry crossing. He said calmly, “Everyone, the heretic has been captured, and I can determine his life and death at whim. You can come out now.”