Absolute Choice 8

by Pear Lands In The Autumn Spring

  Liu Yu frowned, "This Penniless Priest does not believe it either! This Penniless Priest believes that the Infernal King can one-shot Leonis in his fourth form, but This Penniless Priest has to question if Benefactor Shi Xiaobai is capable of doing so. Furthermore, Shi Xiaobai why aren't you speaking?"

  Everyone could not help but look at Shi Xiaobai.

  That's right. Shi Xiaobai, why are you suddenly silent?

  Could it be...

  The Infernal Queen shook her head and said apologetically, "Darling, sorry. I put you in the spot. I never expected you to value these people so highly to the point of refusing to expose your identity in front of them. It was my fault. I should have realized that earlier."

  "It's okay. You are not to be blamed."

  Shi Xiaobai, who had been silent for a long while, suddenly spoke.

  The few words caused everyone to gasp.

  They looked unbelievably at Shi Xiaobai.

  "Shi Xiaobai" gave everyone a helpless look and said, "Sorry everyone. This King is indeed the Infernal King!"

  ...

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  Chapter381 Proving His Identity

  "Sorry everyone. This King is indeed the Infernal King!"

  Shi Xiaobai said helplessly, "But This King is the real Shi Xiaobai as well."

  When everyone heard this, they were startled, but thankfully, Shi Xiaobai quickly clarified with another sentence. But even so, the two sentences also immediately made them feel dumbfounded.

  What did the words that sounded full of contradiction mean?

  He was indeed the Infernal King?

  But the real Shi Xiaobai as well?

  Then the words meant that...the Infernal King and Shi Xiaobai were the same person?

  "That's impossible!"

  Liu Yu frowned and said, "Don't forget, we are trial..."

  Shi Xiaobai stretched his hand out to interrupt what Liu Yu wanted to say. In fact, what Liu Yu wanted to express was something everyone present knew except the Infernal Queen. Shi Xiaobai was still a trial-taker from the human world. As for the Infernal King, he was a fake existence created by the assessment program. Although the Infernal King formerly existed as a true history on another plane of existence, the present Infernal King was fake. Every month, he would return with a refresh of the assessment program.

  Shi Xiaobai was real but the Infernal King was fake. How could the two be the same existence?

  But regardless if Shi Xiaobai was the Infernal King or not, if he did not have a persuasive argument, it was impossible for him to say such a ridiculous statement.

  Everyone looked at Shi Xiaobai and waited for his explanation.

  However, Shi Xiaobai did not immediately explain. Instead, he turned to look at the Infernal Queen and softly said, "Go back first. When This King explains to these friends, This King will return to the Infernal domain."

  The subtext of his words clearly indicated that Shi Xiaobai did not wish for the Infernal Queen to hear his explanation.

  The Infernal Queen bit her lower lip and felt somewhat aggrieved. What was there to explain?

  However, Shi Xiaobai had already indicated that these people were his friends, and the Infernal Queen could sense that Shi Xiaobai attached a high value to them, so she did not act capriciously.

  "Then, I'll return first."

  The Infernal Queen said dejectedly as she turned to head towards the Infernal domain. She turned her head back with every step, but with her graceful pose and elegant footsteps, she disappeared into the Door of the Bravehearts in three steps.

  After the Infernal Queen left, the area fell into a strange silence.

  No one took the initiative to break the silence.

  As there were too many questions they wanted to ask, they did not know which to ask first. They only looked quietly at Shi Xiaobai.

  Shi Xiaobai fell silent for a moment and pondered over his words. With a cough, he said, "Before This King explains the situation, it seems that This King needs to prove that he is really Shi Xiaobai. Let's do it this way, all of you should ask a question only Shi Xiaobai can answer, but something that the Infernal King can't. Looks can be disguised while actions can be feigned, but memories can't be copied, right?"

  Although Shi Xiaobai felt that the reason why he had become the Infernal King amusing, it had to be said that there were several pieces of evidence pointing to the possibility of him being the Infernal King. If he wasn't the person in question, he might have the same doubts as well.

  Therefore, Shi Xiaobai felt that before 'explaining', he needed to prove his identity first.

  Shi Xiaobai turned to look at Liu Yu. As the proponent of the hypothesis, Liu Yu was probably the person who had the greatest doubts.

  Liu Yu bashfully smiled and said, "Why does it seem like This Penniless Priest is a wretched person with sinister thoughts? First things first, This Penniless Priest believes that you are Shi Xiaobai, but there are too many suspicious points regarding this matter. For example, how did you become the eighth Braveheart to clear the level, despite the rules saying that only seven trial-takers can clear the sixth level?"

  "In the second, fifth and sixth level, This Penniless Priest had been watching you all along. Back then, although you had outstanding strength, it was not as terrifying as when you were in Transcendence. You possess a body that can rival Moya and Leonis's bodies, making it rather unbelievable. How long has it been? This exaggerated rate of improvement is completely unscientific."

  "Furthermore, it's well known that the Infernal Queen deeply loves the Infernal King. She is extremely faithful, so it's impossible for her to destroy her reputation to address another person as her husband. The reason why she would do so is because she is absolutely certain that you are the Infernal King."

  "Also, your knowledge regarding the seventh world is severely lacking. Furthermore, you did not immediately clear the level after defeating Leonis, which goes against common logic. You being targeted by the assessment program is rather far-fetched as well."

  "There are too many suspicious points, so many that This Penniless Priest can't help but feel suspicious, even if your character, habits, and looks are all identical to the Shi Xiaobai This Penniless Priest knows. However, This Penniless Priest hasn't known you for long, so it's impossible to be absolutely certain."

  "Therefore, even if such suspicion is rather unfriendly, This Penniless Priest has no choice but to play the devil's advocate. Shi Xiaobai, can you tell This Penniless Priest what were the first words of This Penniless Priest on our first meeting?"

  Liu Yu apparently did not wish to spark off any bad feelings with Shi Xiaobai by giving a series of explanations.

  Shi Xiaobai was obviously not a petty person. And indeed, there were many suspicious points regarding this matter that even he was unable to explain clearly.

  Shi Xiaobai pondered for a moment, and quickly recalled the first words Liu Yu said to him on their first meeting. The main reason was that it left quite a deep impression on Shi Xiaobai.

  Shi Xiaobai imitated Liu Yu's posture back then and stretched out his right hand. His pointed his index and middle finger at Liu Yu and said, "Benefactor! This Penniless Priest notices that your glabella seems dark, that’s an ominous portent!"

  Shi Xiaobai imitated him wonderfully, as though he was a professional con man.

  Liu Yu gave an embarrassed smile and nodded his head. He said, "That's right, completely ad verbatim."

  Shi Xiaobai said with a laugh, "Then, next person."

  Feng Yuanlin immediately lifted his hand and asked, "Me. I'll do the asking. Boss Shi Xiaobai, what's my name?"

  This question made Liu Yu involuntarily roll his eyes.

  Shi Xiaobai was rather pleased with Feng Yuanlin's performance back in Transcendence, so he naturally knew his name. He immediately answered, "Feng Yuanlin."

  Feng Yuanlin, who received the answer, immediately laughed heartily and said, "H
aha, Boss Shi Xiaobai remembers my name. Sweet!"

  Shi Xiaobai could not help but smile in his heart. This lackey was not bad after all, and he was worth taking in.

  Following that, Shi Xiaobai turned his head to look at Pulp Farmer.

  Pulp Farmer was startled before he reacted. After pondering for a moment, he said, "I don't have anything to ask. Regardless if you are Shi Xiaobai or the Infernal King, you have once saved my life. Of course, I would prefer to believe that you are Shi Xiaobai."

  Shi Xiaobai nodded his head and turned to look at the silver-haired girl that was standing beside Sunless.

  The silver-haired girl was already prepared. She immediately raised the writing board in her hands and on it were the words: "Brother Xiaobai, do you remember me?"

  Shi Xiaobai said with a nod, "Of course!"

  Although he had only interacted with the silver-haired girl who wore black-rimmed glasses for a few waves of demonic beasts, Shi Xiaobai had a deep and favorable impression of her.

  Back then, he had vaguely guessed that her strength was formidable because she was the second rookie to reach City #1. The speed at which she cleared the first level far exceeded the other rookies, at a speed much faster than Liu Yu. Furthermore, the speed at which she cleared the demonic beasts that came from her city gate was no slower than his.

  And at this moment, Shi Xiaobai was not overly astonished meeting the silver-haired girl again on the seventh level.

  However, Shi Xiaobai clearly remembered that this girl who could not speak was a very talkative person. Back when he met her the first time, she had bombarded him with questions. Her liveliness and cuteness was lovable.

  Shi Xiaobai immediately prepared himself mentally for receiving the cute and talkative girl's bombardment of questions.

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  Chapter382 The Infernal King is also a King

  However, unlike what Shi Xiaobai imagined, the silver-haired girl only asked a question that bordered on a greeting before putting her writing board away. She squinted her eyes as she beamed at him.

  Shi Xiaobai was slightly surprised and felt slightly warm in the heart.

  Although he was not very familiar with her considering how he had only met her once, they never had the feeling of being unacquainted since the moment they met. They had a feeling that they could be friends upon meeting each other.

  From the looks of it, that feeling wasn't wrong.

  Shi Xiaobai finally turned his head towards Sunless.

  She was the only person who had not asked a question, but Shi Xiaobai knew that she would not ask, nor would it be possible for her to ask.

  "Your sword."

  Sunless obviously did not ask. Instead, she handed over Holy Radiance that she had been carrying closely by her side to Shi Xiaobai. Back at the fifth level, she had suffered internal injuries because of Sen Senyuan's sneak attack. Shi Xiaobai had handed Holy Radiance that came equipped with healing properties to her. He had selflessly lent her his sword.

  Therefore, from the beginning, even if the azure companion sword Sunless had cracked, she would not tolerate letting Holy Radiance suffer even a scratch.

  At this moment, Sunless finally managed to return the precious holy sword.

  However, this act of returning the sword was actually not simple. It implied that she absolutely believed that the Shi Xiaobai in front of her was the real Shi Xiaobai.

  Shi Xiaobai felt a little touched as he stretched out his hand to receive Holy Radiance. That familiar feeling of light warmed his cold palm.

  The holy sword emitted a clear sword hum as well, as though it was the joyful yelp of having returned to its master.

  Shi Xiaobai converted Holy Radiance into light and stored it in his right hand. Next he looked at Sunless and asked softly, "How long have you been waiting here?"

  Sunless shook her head. "A short while."

  Shi Xiaobai naturally would not believe that it was really a short while. He apologized, "This King thought you would be in Transcendence, so he went there first."

  Sunless blinked her eyes and lowered her head slightly, saying, "I thought you will kill the Infernal King."

  They both thought in the shoes of the other.

  Shi Xiaobai gave a helpless laugh, "But you and This King would never imagine that This King actually was the Infernal King!"

  The lengthy conversation finally came back to the main point, as though it had experienced an unnecessary bedding of foundations.

  But it was in fact not unnecessary.

  Liu Yu eagerly said, "Benefactor Shi Xiaobai, don't keep us guessing any further. This Penniless Priest believes you are the real Shi Xiaobai. Isn't that enough? Quickly explain why you would suddenly claim to be the Infernal King? Was it done to fool the Infernal Queen and send her away?"

  Everyone cast their gazes on Shi Xiaobai. They were also filled with questions on this matter. Since Shi Xiaobai was the real Shi Xiaobai, why would he suddenly claim to be the Infernal King?

  Was it as Liu Yu guessed that he was only doing this to send the Infernal Queen away, so he came up with the idea to lie?

  Shi Xiaobai shook his head and said, "Of course it's not to send the Infernal Queen away, but that This King realized the truth. Sorry everyone, This King is really the Infernal King of the Infernal domain!"

  Liu Yu frowned and said, "This explanation doesn't make sense. You are clearly a trial-taker that exists for real, and the Infernal King is a fictional figure created by the assessment program. How can you be the Infernal King?"

  "No, it can be explained, and in fact, it's very simple."

  Shi Xiaobai calmly said, "In fact, This King initially had his doubts. In the beginning, This King thought that the Infernal Queen was mistaken because of This King's aura or some other factor, but the Infernal Queen was able to pinpoint certain characteristics of This King's body. Furthermore, she knows of This King's name to the point of even saying words of 'clothes sewn personally'. If This King continues probing, she definitely would be able to recite the dimensions of This King's clothes and shoes. This proves a very important point. The Infernal Queen is rather familiar with This King!"

  Everyone listened quietly as they pricked their ears up. At this moment, Shi Xiaobai was like a detective explaining the case, and he was resolving what seemed like an unresolvable mystery step by step.

  No one interrupted as Shi Xiaobai continued, "When This King realized that the Infernal Queen is truly familiar with This King, and that it wasn't a coincidence, This King suddenly had a question. Why is the Infernal Queen so familiar with This King? Then, This King thought of the first answer. The Infernal Queen is created by the assessment program. Then, her memories, actions are naturally controlled by the assessment program! In fact, This King had previously been unconscious for a moment. This King's clothes were changed by Ka...someone. The assessment program might have gotten unique information of This King's body from that period of time, as well as the dimensions of This King's clothes and shoes! As long as the assessment program passes this information to the Infernal Queen, it can then be explained how the Infernal Queen is so familiar with This King. Then, why would the assessment program pass This King's information to the Infernal Queen, to the point of letting the Infernal Queen use this information to fool us, accusing This King as the Infernal King?"

  The crowd who were listening with relish were momentarily puzzled when Shi Xiaobai asked. They instinctively asked, "Why?

  Shi Xiaobai nodded in satisfaction. He asked the question, not because he wished that they could immediately think of the reason, but did so as a form of explanation through a question and answer format.

  "That's because This King has been targeted by the assessment program!"

  Shi Xiaobai said seriously, "This King has been targeted by the assessment program, and it is no joke, nor are they words of arrogance. Instead, it's a guess, but it's a guess that This King is even more certain
of. But soon, This King thought of another simple question. Why would the assessment program use such a lowly technique to target This King? By letting the Infernal Queen make all of you think that This King is the Infernal King, wouldn't this tactic appear a bit too sloppy?"

  Everyone nodded their heads in a daze. They also felt that the assessment program could use much cleverer tactics to target Shi Xiaobai. By slandering Shi Xiaobai with such an identity appeared rather sloppy.

  Then, why did the assessment program do it?

  "Because, the assessment program did so not to slander This King, but because...This King's identity in the seventh level has been set as the Infernal King!"

  With this said, everyone snapped out of their daze. The doubts in their eyes seemed to be brushed aside as it became clear!

  Such a simple and direct guess could explain everything!

  "The seven of you have been transported into this world as Bravehearts. Then, This King naturally has an identity here in this world as well. And this identity clearly isn't the eighth Braveheart. Why did This King not clear the level despite becoming the champion of the Braveheart Martial Arts Tournament? That's because This King isn't a Braveheart, so he did not have the qualification to even participate in it!"

  Shi Xiaobai said with a deep voice, "Why does the Infernal Queen know so much about This King, to the point of having such deep feelings for This King? It's because her memories were created and given to her by the assessment program. In her memories, This King is the Infernal King! And the Infernal King is This King's identity in the world of this level! This King is really the Infernal King!"

  The more complex a puzzle was, the simpler the answer usually was.

  Since the assessment program could designate the trial-takers as Bravehearts, why couldn't it designate Shi Xiaobai as the Infernal King? Although this was something that had never happened historically, Shi Xiaobai's breaking of the sixth level's rules by becoming the eighth person to reach the seventh level was already something that had never happened in the past!