the capital of the Heavenly Demon Sect, was a dormant volcano pulsating with savage life. The buildings were carved directly from the black rock of the surrounding mountains—sharp, towering peaks that pierced a seemingly endless sky. The air was saturated with the smell of blood, burnt iron, and suffocating sulfur—the scent of absolute power worship. In the streets, people fought openly, not for survival, but for pleasure, for self-affirmation. This place... is alive. It is the complete opposite of dead Chang'an.
Analysis: A chaotic society dependent on brute force.
In the same moment of analysis, I scoffed in my mind: Barbarians. After a long carriage ride through this barbaric hell, we arrived at the capital's end. The sight was majestic, inspiring awe. A wide stone staircase ascended into an unseen sky. At the summit, six palaces floated in the air, defying the world's laws.
A massive, black central palace, and five smaller palaces orbiting it like attendant moons. (Ling Gu) pointed: "That palace in the middle is where we are going. And the five others... they belong to the five Heavenly Demon Heirs." We ascended the long staircase. It was a silent, arduous journey. We reached the end.
The path forked: a main road toward the central palace gate, and subsidiary paths to the other palaces. The colossal gate of the central palace was wide open. There were no defenses, no guards. Absolute arrogance. They don't believe in the need for defenses, because they believe no one dares to attack them.
We entered. Suddenly, the place shifted. The black stone faded, and we found ourselves in a completely empty, dimensionless white room. (Ling Gu) sat on the white floor and said, "Sit down, my friend." I sat beside him. Moments later, a door appeared in the white void where none had been before.
A huge woman entered, beautiful with a savage beauty, her chaotic red hair reminding me of Hong Min's hair color. I thought for a moment: Is she also a daughter of Prometheus? She looked at us, her eyes gleaming with the passion for combat: "I don't believe this. Paner is before me, alive and breathing! I want to fight you! Come on, take out that long sword of yours!" I said with an arrogant smile, adopting my new role: "Does the Heavenly Demon Sect not please its women with men, that you are so starved?" She was stunned for a moment.
Then she burst into loud laughter: "You are not a man. You are a monkey." "The monkey is the one who opens the door in such a barbaric manner and says she wants to fight a guest." She turned to (Ling Gu) angrily: "Ling! I don't like this Pan'er! Send him back to his hole!" Ling Gu smiled coldly: "He is my friend, (Valeria). So that's a bit difficult.
" I said with a provocative coldness: "Go back where you came from, then knock on the door and introduce yourself as a normal woman." "I won't do that, you bastard!" "Didn't they teach you manners? What a pity." She screamed in anger and stormed out, slamming the door so violently that the white void shook.
Then, she reopened it with a manufactured calm and entered with an affected smile: "Welcome to this accursed palace. I am (Valeria), one of the Heavenly Demon Heirs. Are you happy now?" I smiled and said, "Yes, monkey." "Enough, (Valeria).
" A woman's voice came, a voice carrying the weight of years although she looked unnaturally young. She entered the room and smiled at me with dignity. "Welcome, (Ling Gu). Then she turned her face to me and said, I am the Sixth Elder, (Yin Tang).
An honor to meet you, Paner." Suddenly, the place changed again. We found ourselves in a luxurious reception room, and (Valeria) had disappeared. (Yin Tang) said, sitting elegantly: "Why did you come here, (Ling Gu)?" "Is it forbidden for me to visit my mother's family?" (Yin Tang) chuckled: "Certainly not forbidden. But it is strange that you come after all this time, and after you won a children's war and broke through to the Dominance realm.
Your eyes are sharp as usual. Alright, I'll get straight to the point. I want to use your gate to attack Nippon Island." (Yin Tang)'s face froze. The smile vanished. "That is a very big matter. But you haven't said yet what we will gain?" (Ling Gu) smiled: "Let's assume we succeed.
We will share the resources as brothers. And on this continent, there are only two gates. I wonder, if you want to go to that island and exploit its resources... where will you pass through? Also... you certainly wouldn't refuse a request from me, would you? (Yin Tang) looked at him for a long time, a gaze that held many hidden meanings. I will submit the matter to the (Prophet Majun) of our God .
We will see if he accepts to meet you. Now, go and rest." She snapped her fingers, and we found ourselves in an extravagant bedroom with one massive bed. (Ling Gu) sat lazily on a chair and said: "She didn't separate us... Do you think I like men?" I remained silent. (Ling Gu) sighed. "No response, huh? To this sarcasm. Alright, another question. What do you think of this place?
Barbaric. (Ling Gu) laughed. "Very logical. But don't you think they might be listening to us? You are in their palace. Surely the walls have ears." I said, beginning to clean my sword with a cloth: "It's unlikely they will do anything because of the word 'barbaric'.
You are right. Alright, one last question... you seem to have become significantly stronger after I gave you those artifacts. I wonder, what did you see?" I looked at him sharply: "I saw you dancing like a fool. Now, I will begin my punishment."
(Ling Gu) laughed: "I wish I hadn't given you those artifacts. I liked you more before." Then he got into the bed and slept. I began to cut, the sound of my sword slicing the silence. Woosh... woosh... I wasn't cutting only to become stronger.
I was cutting to forget. To escape the chaos screaming in my head. Suddenly, while I was training, (Ling Gu) woke up, cleaned himself, and said seriously: "It is time." Without warning, the reality around us shifted.
I found myself standing in a massive hall, so vast that the sound of our footsteps was lost before reaching the distant walls. There were no decorations or treasures, only colossal columns of polished black obsidian, rising and disappearing into a dark ceiling that looked like a starless night sky.
The air was cold, still, and heavy, as if the silence of thousands of years had settled here. In the center of the hall, there was a raised platform, and atop it, a throne carved from a single piece of the same black stone. And on it, sat (Majun), the Heavenly Demon.
He was sitting cross-legged, his eyes closed, but his aura pressed upon my existence, a quiet, terrifying force that made the Rei inside me tremble and retreat like a frightened animal. (Yin Tang) was present and awaiting us, kneeling on one knee toward (Majun). As for (Ling Gu), he bowed a deep, respectful bow. I did the same. What pressure...
I thought, feeling a primal fear. This is not human. He is a true God. But in the same instant, another part of my mind analyzed:
(Majun) raised his hand, a slow, majestic movement, as if an entire continent were shifting. "Speak." His voice was not loud, but it was everywhere. In the stone, in the air, and in my bones. (Ling Gu) stepped forward, his voice arrogant and self-assured: Prophet... I have come today to ask you to open the 'Earth Dragon' Gate, and allow my army to pass through to occupy Nippon Island.
(Majun) opened his eyes. They were two small galaxies, with distant stars revolving within them. He looked at (Ling Gu), then at me. He said slowly: child of (Yuki-hime)...
I do not need your army to attack Nippon Island. Why don't I attack it myself?" (Ling Gu) smiled: "Because you will not lose any of your believers. Also... this is a request from me. And even if we fail—and I do not fail—
the Heavenly Demon Sect will not be affected." I thought of one thing while (Ling Gu) was speaking: Clever... but he is betting on an idea I don't know. (Majun) will not refuse (Ling Gu)'s request, even if what he says is illogical. It is impossible for (Majun) to accept this from any man other than (Ling Gu).
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What distinguishes him in the Heavenly Demon Sect? (Majun) looked into the void for a moment, then returned his gaze to us: "I will allow the gate to be opened. As for dividing the land upon victory... we will decide that later.
Thank you, Heavenly Demon. Be gone." Reality shifted again, and this time we were outside the central palace at the gate. (Ling Gu) looked at me and said with a wide smile: "Come on, I'm hungry. Let's go eat. I know a good restaurant
When I entered the noisy streets of Luoyang, I felt as if I was returning to life from the world of the dead. We sat in a private room in a luxurious restaurant overlooking the savage city. (Ling Gu) poured himself sake and said: "My dear friend, don't you have questions?" I replied immediately: "I didn't think he would accept so easily.
I feel like I'm missing a crucial piece of information." He smiled and said: "And you must find that information yourself, not have me give it to you. But we must talk about the second step... and without ears listening." He snapped his fingers, and I felt reality shift. We were isolated from the world. "My friend, you are currently wondering why I brought you with me here, and you are also wondering what will benefit you in your mission to find emotions.
And now I will answer." He continued, swirling the cup in his hand: "First, I will tell you about my benefit to you, my friend, even though friends should not benefit from each other, but the two of us are something greater than friends." Then he took a sip from the cup and said, "I can make people agree to let you enter their memories before they die. This will solve the problem of progressing in your mission." I wanted to ask him how he knew about my ability?
But he spoke as if he anticipated my question: "As for how I know, that is a secret. And now, for your benefit to me." His tone turned serious: "Unfortunately, as you see, I cannot go to Nippon myself for some reasons. And secondly, I do not have enough power to go there.
Unlike you, who has the 'Inma' inside him, a beast from the world of legends." He smiled cunningly: "Before I speak again... guess what I'm going to say!" "As for what you will do there... you will go alone. And find a way for how to control Nippon and enable me to enter it.
" He continued calmly: "Now you will ask: Enter as an army or Ling Gu alone? And the answer is: I want Gu's army to be annihilated before it can cross Nippon's borders. And only your friend enters Nippon." "And a second question that crosses your mind: Why don't I go myself?
From what I know, there is a samurai man there who will notice my presence when I approach the island. I want you to remove him. It is impossible for you to kill him, I know this." I thought of one thing during his speech: How does he anticipate all my questions? Am I that predictable?
And why does he trust me this much? Does he really expect me not to betray him? Or that I have the miraculous ability to execute this plan? "I have a question." Ling Gu said coldly, "I know the question, but I will make you ask it. Do you really think I will be able to execute this plan? And how are you so sure that I will be able to do all of this alone?
(Ling Gu) smiled and said: "Let's say it's a hunch... perhaps a friend's trust in his friend?" ... I thought: Is this truly friendship? I don't know much about friendship. And I don't know the reason for his trust in me. But he said he has the ability to make people agree to my entering their memories, something I couldn't do no matter how hard I tried. How? I don't know. Will I believe him? I think so. Why will I believe him? Because it's my only and best choice.
Do I feel this man in front of me is trustworthy? Absolutely not. But... I will do it. I said aloud: "Alright. I will do it." Then (Ling Gu) snapped his fingers, the isolation vanished, and he said: "I knew you would choose this option." Then he looked to the side excitedly and said: "It seems you, Dream, are about to become more famous.
? What do you mean?" At that moment, the door of our room shattered. The wood exploded inwards, and (Valeria) stood at the entrance, her eyes blazing, her colossal sword drawn. "You Pan'er! I want to fight you! My blood can no longer tolerate your presence without fighting you!" I said with arrogant sarcasm: "Again you enter without warning? How barbaric of you. But fine, star of the barbarians, I will fight you.
I wanted to try out my new sword anyway." (Ling Gu) clapped his hands happily: "Wonderful! Finally, I will see your new power! Let's see what level you have reached!" (Valeria) yelled: "I will shut your accursed mouth once and for all!" (Ling Gu) said: "This won't be a secret fight.
I will spread the news everywhere." (Valeria) said, her eyes filled with excitement: "We will fight in the Sacred Luoyang Arena!" The arena was like a jungle, tens of thousands of people cheering, screaming, and betting. Above, the central throne of Majun and five adjacent chairs were empty.
I stepped out onto the sandy arena. I took off the scabbard of Shakujo and threw it aside, revealing the thirsty black blade. (Valeria) emerged from the opposite side, a storm of fury. She resembles her... she resembles a woman from my memory... But oddly, she is at the same time completely unlike her.
I feel what is behind this face, unlike that woman... only fear. (Valeria) attacked. She was a whirlwind. Her colossal sword traced destructive arcs in the air, and every strike released a wave of sharp Rei that tore the ground.
She fought with brute force, with all the anger she possessed. Initially, I was calm. I moved like a rock in the middle of this hurricane. My movements were economical, my defenses perfect. I used the length of Shakujo to keep her at a distance, and every one of her savage blows I absorbed and deflected with minimal effort. I was reading her, analyzing her pattern. Wide attack... followed by a direct thrust... then a retreat... predictable. Then I felt bored. This is boring.
This idea began to infiltrate my movements. This is not a fight, it is training with an angry puppet. My style changed. I stopped only defending. I started to dance. My movements became more spectacular, more elegant. I dodged her attacks at the last moment, letting the blade pass centimeters from my face. I mocked her, provoked her with a haughty smile. "Is that all you have, star of the barbarians?" I said as I evaded a blow that would have split me in half.
She screamed in blind fury and attacked with greater force. And this is what I wanted. In the middle of the fight, I felt my memories dissolving, melting like hot wax over my cold reality. Time slowed down. The sound of clashing swords faded, replaced by another sound... the sound of burning wood crackling, and the sound of high ceilings collapsing. I said to myself in a trembling voice: Where am I? I looked around. There were no more stone stands, and no more gray sky.
The rocky walls of the arena melted, turning into towering white spires that were collapsing, and pillars of shattered marble stained with soot. The sky above me was not a beautiful blue sky... it was a red, bloody sky, choking with thick black smoke that obscured the sun. Ash was falling like black snow, covering my shoulders, covering the ground, covering the corpses scattered everywhere.
The smell of blood in the arena changed. It was no longer the smell of (Valeria)'s blood or my wounds... it had become the smell of "barbecue." The smell of burning human flesh, mixed with the smell of foul, magical ozone. The smell of Lutetia dying. I looked ahead. (Valeria)'s angry face faded.
Her beautiful, savage features melted to form another face, a face etched in my nightmares. I saw (Jack). He stood amidst the flames, wearing that same yellow smile, those teeth gleaming with schadenfreude. His loud laughter pierced my eardrums, louder than the sound of the explosions. He mocks me... he thinks I will run away this time! A voice screamed in my head:
I crushed the voice. I will not run away. I am not that crying child. I have become stronger. I am the nightmare now. My mind stopped thinking. Only one command echoed in the silent void, echoing with every heartbeat: I will take revenge! I moved.
I was no longer dancing. My movements were no longer spectacular. My steps became heavy, breaking the burnt tiles of Lutetia. My attacks were no longer elegant, but savage, direct, and focused on one goal: total destruction.
I no longer dodged Jack's black magical attacks, but pierced through them. I walked through the fire, letting his blade tear my skin, and I didn't care, because the pain was fuel. The Shakujo sword was no longer a sword...
it was a piece of darkness, absorbing light and fire, and screaming with every swing as if demanding more blood. Cut. Cut. Cut the world. I approached him. I saw horror beginning to appear on (Jack)'s false face. I raised the sword and brought it down. It was not a metallic sound...
it was the sound of tearing flesh and bone. The sound of something wet separating from its place. Suddenly, I no longer felt (Jack)'s blows. Did he die?
The smoke faded. The fires subsided. The place changed again. Lutetia disappeared. The floor was no longer burnt... it was white... and clean. I was in the Elysian Arena at the Academy. The light was bright and sterile. Right... I was fighting Isabella. I looked ahead. My breath stopped.
I found (Isabella) lying on the ground. It was not just a defeat. She was cut. Her body separated in two at the waist, and blood formed a slowly expanding red lake on the pristine white. The sword fell from my hand, hitting the ground with a deafening sound.
I knelt on my knees, heedless of the blood that stained my clothes. I grabbed her severed body, trying to put the two halves back together with my trembling hands, as if mending a broken doll. "Oi, Isabella... wake up! This isn't funny!" She didn't answer.
Her eyes were open, staring into the void. ISABELLA!!! My throat exploded with a scream. A burning, salty, painful cry. "I killed her again... just as I killed them all, I killed her too. Wake up! Please!" My stone hands were stained with blood, and the more I tried to wipe the blood, the more I smeared it.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." As I apologized, I looked around, searching for help.
The audience in the Academy stands was not normal. Their faces were not shocked or sad. Their faces were distorted, their eyes wide like holes, and their mouths open in silent, hysterical laughter. They began to scream like maniacs... and laugh.
They were enjoying (Isabella)'s death. And my screaming. They were applauding the massacre. I covered my ears, and leaned over the corpse, screaming not only for (Isabella)... but for the woman who treated him like a sister. Whom I killed in cold blood in another world, another time.