The three of them waited for their youngest to respond. They were waiting for him to open his eyes and speak to them. Waiting for a while made them feel that years had passed as if they knew that Hei Anjing is not willing to wake up. It was until they heard him speak. It was that familiar beautiful voice they had heard before. The only difference is that his tone had turned cold and emotionless as well as a bit raspy for not speaking for a long time.

“W-Water. Please give me water,” said Hei Anjing.

A hoarse, obviously it is because he hasn’t spoken for a long time. They were completely speechless when they saw Anjing reveal those pairs of silver orbs that used to glow with life and liveliness, now only desolation, void, and emptiness were shown. Those dull and lifeless eyes that the three of them were very familiar with made them think of that person. Whom they love, respect, and fear all at the same time.

It was very alike to those eyes the Immortal Emperor possessed.

Bai Hua helped Hei Anjing drink water. He could see his younger brother trembling and his whole body obviously weakened. He couldn’t help but cast a light spell to remove his fatigue.

“Rejuvenate! Holy Sanctuary!”

Bai Hua cast two high leveled light spells, one to restore Hei Anjing’s motor functions to normal and the second to heal his soul and vessel. Under a golden light-covered Hei Anjing slowly returns to normal.

“As expected his lowered cultivation wouldn’t heal,” said Bai Hua.

Everyone can see that Hei Anjing only possesses an Immortal King Cultivation Stage. It was totally weaker than his former Celestial Being cultivation from before he descended with the God of Judgment.

Hei Anjing felt that the fatigue in his body had faded and he could feel the energy that sustained his vessel and soul inside him.

“This is enough. Thank you, Hua-gege,” said Hei Anjing but as usual his eyes looked dull and there was no expression on his exquisitely gorgeous face.

Seeing this Bai Hua could help but hold back his tears. He gently reached his hands and caressed Hei Anjing’s cold cheeks. The warmth that was normally there is also absent.

“Tell me if you are still in pain anywhere. Brother will heal you right away. Promise brother okay, An’er?” said Bai Hua.

Hei Anjing’s eyes narrowed for a moment as if thinking but no matter what he did his face remained the same. Expressionless and devoid of all emotions. Bai Hua only saw Hei Anjing nod his head but didn’t speak anymore.

With tears in the corner of his eyes, Bai Hua tried to smile as usual.

Hei Anjing spoke. Though his tone feels icy, his worry cannot be hidden at all, “Don’t cry, Hua-gege. I’m fine.”

“Um~”

Suddenly an extremely gorgeous lady wearing luxurious empress robes carefully approached Hei Anjing. The latter stares at her expressionless. It made Cao Ruolan see her husband as her youngest son and feel twice regret and guilt in her heart. Her tears couldn’t stop strolling down her face as she gently reached out her arms to hug Hei Anjing. But no matter what Hei Anjing’s eyes and face were devoid of any changes. Hei Wan feels the same guilt toward his mother. He could only comfort his sad wife beside him.

Immortal Empress Cao Ruolan spoke, “An’er! I know you don’t know me but please believe me okay? I am the Empress of the Heavenly Palace. My name is Cao Roulan. An’er I am your mother.”

Hei Anjing just stares at her while Cao Roulan holds her youngest son’s face. The icy skin of her son made her warm hand prickles but she didn’t dare to remove her hands. Hei Anjing didn’t respond to her through words and just lightly nodded his head.

Immortal Empress could hold and feel pain for her child. He is now the weakest in their family when he used to be the second strongest of them all. Now like her husband, her youngest son had lost his emotions. This is because of the curse of their bloodline. Their Hei Family could only love one person in their whole life. If their chosen other half agrees then it’s okay but… If they do not then… The one who possesses their bloodline would lose all their emotions and feelings. Until… Until their chosen other half decided to reciprocate their feelings. Then slowly their emotions would start to return one by one.

Cao Roulan, the Immortal Empress asked, “Is there… Is there something An’er wanted? Anything you wish. Mommy will definitely give it to you.”

Hei Anjing spoke, “Anything… I want to. Then… Can I return to the Mortal Realm?”

A forced yet fake small smile on Anjing’s face appears, but his eyes remain lifeless making his appearance unbearable for these three who love him. They couldn’t help but cry when they saw his face.

“You can descend anytime you want, An’er. Brother will agree on everything for you. But… can you tell Hua-ge why you want to go to the mortal realm?” asked Bai Hua using the gentlest voice he could muster while gently caressing his younger brother’s hair.

Hei Anjing’s eyes remained taciturn. “I don’t remember. But… I feel that I need to return there.” he answered.

SILENCE~

There is a short silence between them. The three looked at each other as if taking on each other’s agreement.

Hei Wan calls, “Mother?”

“I know. I understand. I will do it. But An’er remember these things mommy will tell you okay? First, if you meet a devil in that mortal realm you must definitely eliminate it. Second, don’t kill all the mortals. Mommy is not stopping you from killing them just make sure to check their karma before you do. If they are black you can do whatever you want but if it’s white you must not kill it okay.”

The Immortal Empress said only to see Anjing nod his head.

“Okay! Mommy will arrange it for you but since you’re body and soul is still too weak you are going to stay at home for 10 years. You know that’s only a year in the mortal realm. You don’t need to be in a hurry. Xiao Hua, bring An’er to the Resurrection Pool every day to heal him. A’Wan you… You handle the work of your brother. Since the God of Judgment is also missing there is not really anyone useful from the Judiciary’s side. You can handle them,” said the Immortal Empress

“Understood, Empress Mother!” said Hei Wan and Bai Hua.

Hei Wan and Bai Hua agreed without complaints. After all, Hei Wan only needs to take care of Purgatory for his younger brother for a few hundred to a millennium. With their lifespan akin to immortality these few years can never be long for them. Hei Anjing would go back home on his own in the future.

So as the Immortal Empress suggested Hei Anjing was asked to stay in the mortal realm for another ten years before he was allowed to descend into the Mortal Realm. Every day his brother-in-law, Bai Hua, would accompany him to soak in the Resurrection Pool. His elder brother, King Wan, would visit him with his wife every day as well. Helping him with works that involve Purgatory. Between the two brothers, Hei Anjing’s authority over this Land of Torture is still more absolute than King Wan’s. There is also the Empress Mother who visits him carrying gifts and clothes showering him with familial love.

Though Hei Anjing remained indifferent to everything, his family who understood his situation never forced him to smile. After all, the curse of their bloodline can only be cured by their chosen other half. ｂｎ𝚘ｖ𝚕．𝚘𝚛𝚐

On usual mornings, Hei Anjing can now walk normally on his own. His weakened vessel and soul were greatly enhanced by the effects of the Resurrection Pool even though his cultivation had greatly increased in these ten years. He is now Peak Immortal Emperor Strength.

Wearing pure black robes with white snowflakes patterned, gave Hei Anjing an aura of seduction and ascetic. Plus with his expressionless face and silver irises, he looks like a God of Winter indifferent to all others’ life and death. Like nature itself, unparalleled beauty and extreme ruthlessness. Once could help but stare but at the same time, no one dares to approach. He is like an unreachable snowy peak.

Hei Anjing is currently in his courtyard sitting at a stone table under the wisteria tree while drinking some strawberry milk tea. The black jade pot and cups are now filled with a milky pink color giving away a sweet scent of strawberries. This is a gift Bai Hua made for his younger brother. Even before Hei Anjing lost his emotions he had always loved eating or drinking sweets. Even though his face doesn’t show any reactions, Bai Hua knows Hei Anjing loves it.

There are lots of immortals passing in front of the Palace of King Wuan. They would regularly pass in front of the courtyard just to get a glimpse of the God of Punishment. Most of them couldn’t believe that the God of Punishment would be able to endure all the 108 torture levels of Purgatory and even last for 1000 years. Now they couldn’t help but feel awe when seeing this powerful God.

He is the first God who got out of Purgatory without going insane. Except for him losing his emotions, this God of Punishment remained as beautiful as always. He is now more unapproachable but not in the way they fear him, instead they feel that they don’t have any right to appear before his eyes.

Clamor outside the Palace of King Wuan.

“Look! It’s his highness, King Wuan!”

“Wow~ he is as beautiful as always~”

“I heard he got out of Purgatory 10 years ago and remained at home by the orders of the Immortal Empress. There are also rumors he would be once again descending in the Mortal World to clean up the Devil Race.”

“As expected of the former strongest God in the Heavenly Realm. But didn’t he get weaker after being tortured for whole millennia in Purgatory?”

“No! I heard he almost got his original strength back and had reached Peak Immortal Emperor in just 10 years. He is also about to become a Heavenly Saint one of these days.”

“Then wouldn’t that mean that he would be able to return to his peak in just a few more years!? His talent is insane!”

Hei Anjing turned deaf ears to the people observing him from the sideline and was talking to System Yue in his mind.

‘How is it, Yue? Have you found Yang?’ asked Hei Anjing.

System Yue answered, No, Lord Hei. The Heavenly Laws of this world keep interfering. Even my ability to teleport instantly to his side is blocked by Unknown but strong power.

Hei Anjing said, ‘That must be the Origin getting involved. I heard from Uncle Baobei that any outsiders are not allowed to be involved in the last phase of the second trial. Forget it. We can just look for them when we descend.’

But what is wrong with this world? Lord Hei, I heard rumors about the Trial of Revival that at the last stage both people involved in the trial will not have any original memories of each other. How can you remember Lord Xia.

Hei Anjing spoke, ‘Who told you I remember him? Lord Xia, is that the name of the other person involved with me in this world? Maybe Yang is with him.’

System Yue was stunned. He didn’t expect that Lord Hei wouldn’t remember who the God of Void is. Lord Hei’s reaction feels natural as always except for the fact he is emotionless due to the curse of his current body’s bloodline.

Lord Hei, you don’t remember Lord God Ye or Lord Xia but remembered about the Netherworld and Vearth?

‘Yes. I also feel it’s weird. When I peered within my soul some parts of my memories were forcefully sealed. I guess it must be the Origin. Then it can only be meant that Lord Xia you are talking about doesn’t have his original memories as well. Only his memories of his current vessel have. Well,~ isn’t this interesting? Would he become my enemy in the end or not? Either way, I will only know when we descended in the Mortal Realm.’

WHOOSH~ BOOM!

It was at this moment that Hei Anjing’s cultivation increased once again. From the Peak Immortal Emperor stage, he had entered the stage of Heavenly Saint. Just a realm below Celestial Being which was the original’s strength.

A strong power of ice spreads in the courtyard freezing the whole place including the trees and even the large pond beside him. But it only took a few minutes before it melted as Hei Anjing commanded in his mind, and the area returned to its natural state. Only a few ice cubes were left behind inside the black jade cup Hei Anjing is holding. He lightly shook it to spread the coolness to merge with his milk tea and slowly relished the milky and fruit taste of strawberries in his mouth.