Chapter Seventy-One: Strategy

"Xiao Gao, what nonsense are you spouting!" Ding Xuewen's expression changed, scolding in a tone of frustration and alarm.

To propose a deal with the devil—such a mad, outrageous suggestion—how could anyone speak so lightly?

Yet the black dragon's attention was indeed drawn; it stopped thrashing its head, turned, and looked at Gao Ying. "…A deal with the devil?"

The black dragon couldn't help recalling the lines the directing team had previously given it—better to bargain with the devil than trust the gods! Without investigation, there can be no right to speak; to utter such words surely meant the nation had interacted with the devil before.

"Mr. Huang, don't listen to Xiao Gao's wild talk," Ding Xuewen hurriedly interjected, "dealing with the devil never brings any good, nor is it easy. One misstep and you're doomed, tangled in trouble!"

"You really have dealt with devils?" the black dragon asked with keen interest.

It had heard that devils belonged to the lawful evil alignment, notorious schemers, the very embodiment of evil. Yet people of Xia valued pragmatism; they wouldn’t judge an entire species based on simple alignment or hearsay. Only after direct contact could the truth be known.

Thus, the black dragon was curious—how would the Xia Institute of Science define and assess such beings?

"…We've had some contact, yes," Ding Xuewen said after a moment's hesitation. "Previously, we traded with an indigenous intelligent race for an ancient black dragon parchment. Through it, we could communicate with devils from the underworld."

A devil scroll…

The black dragon paused, surprised. First the Eye of Truth, now a devil scroll—could such coincidences really happen? Were extraordinary artifacts in this world so common, so easily acquired? And surely, the Institute had collected more than just these two items!

Though it didn’t know how things fared abroad, what the market or liquidity for supernatural objects was, it imagined the trade couldn’t be very active. Yet in less than six months, Xia had gathered so much…

This was clearly abnormal!

The black dragon pondered—could this all be a deliberate trap, a carefully laid scheme?

…

"…At the time, we were deeply curious about devils, such powerful beings. After comprehensive study, we thought contact and communication might help our nation’s situation, so we decided to try summoning them with gold," Ding Xuewen continued. "We used ten kilograms of gold as an offering and successfully connected with a devil who called himself Berma."

"I must admit, compared to the gods, devils are far more approachable."

"Berma showed great interest in us from Xia, even tossing out several contracts, expressing willingness for deep strategic cooperation—mutual support and exchange."

"At the time, we had no foundation of trust with the devil, so naturally we refused. We simply traded gold for secrets about this world from his mouth."

"…We were right to be cautious. Berma indeed harbored ill intentions; afterward, he secretly tempted several of our researchers to sell their souls, condemning them to the Nine Abysses of Hell…"

"Mr. Huang, devils are terrifying schemers. In some ways, our vigilance against them is even greater than our caution toward the gods above!"

"For now, it is best we have minimal contact with them, lest we reveal too much and alert the enemy."

…

Seeing the black dragon still lost in thought, Ding Xuewen gritted his teeth, had the others leave, then alone activated a signal jammer and revealed a shocking—dragon-shocking—secret.

"Mr. Huang, to be frank, in the future, our nation will certainly embark on an expedition to the underworld!"

"We intend to occupy at least one or two circles of the Nine Abysses; only then will people of Xia regain autonomy over their souls and master the core technology of life's cycle. Only thus can our nation and people find true stability."

"So devils… are destined to be our potential enemies. At this stage, the less contact, the better, lest we tip our hand and stir suspicion."

An expedition into the abyss…

The black dragon was stunned, but also strangely inspired—never had it imagined the nation's strategic vision to be so far-reaching!

"Moreover… aside from relying on gods or devils, we actually have another way to save Xiao Yu…"

Ding Xuewen sighed. He could see the black dragon had become obsessed; if Yu Xiaomin wasn’t rescued today, it would be deeply unsettled, perhaps even developing psychological issues.

With no choice, Ding Xuewen disclosed an even more controversial, taboo method.

"That is to resurrect him as an undead creature!"

"Death is something we all deeply dread, yet must eventually face." Ding Xuewen spoke solemnly. "After crossing into this world, confronted with complex circumstances, our Institute has actually interacted with undead beings, even conducted academic research with necromancers."

"They believe the body is merely a shell; so-called genes and bloodlines are but chains on human thought, burdens upon the soul…"

"Our human souls deserve a more perfect vessel! Only by discarding this shell can our souls be free, able to embrace a broader future… and immortality!"

"Our Institute was quite intrigued by this view—if revived as undead, our thoughts and will could persist, surely a promising path to longevity."

"We decided that, so long as the undead maintained good sociality and empathy with humanity, we would spare no effort to acquire resurrection technology from the necromancers."

"Yet our research revealed the limitations and drawbacks of undead were glaring: they were devoid of humanity, utterly without emotion!"

"Once transformed, they quickly lost empathy and recognition for humanity, becoming duller, more numb than any robot…"

"And their immortality came at the cost of burning their soul's fire, their memories—the very path we people of Xia do not seek!"

"So we swiftly halted research in this area, though relations with necromancers remained amicable."

"They are very interested in our modern medical technology; were it not for circumstances, they would even wish to study abroad in our country…"

Ding Xuewen spoke with a sigh.

It was absurd, really. After crossing into this world, it was beastmen, gray dwarves, half-elves, necromancers, even devils—those indigenous intelligent beings with questionable reputations—who were more eager to interact and align with Xia.

Conversely, high elves, titans, angels—those long seen as symbols of light and justice—remained relatively hostile.

It made Xia seem almost like a nation of darkness and evil.