Chapter 1281: Stare Into the Abyss
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The dark imperial palace no longer existed. Anthony had caused the entire imperial palace to collapse. What was left was a lonely dragon throne, and a lonely Duanmu Huangqi.
Typically, the dragon throne symbolized Duanmu Huangqi’s authority. Officials who visited the West Capital had to bow down to the dragon throne.
But now, the dragon throne and the ma.s.sive solitude made it seem like a gravestone.
Lu Shu looked at Duanmu Huangqi and said, “You predicted that you would die today, right?”
Zhang Weiyu had already told Lu Shu about their discovery in the chambers.
Duanmu Huangqi slowly opened his eyes and looked at Lu Shu. “No one can predict their own future, but I have always made the worst plans. Back then during the war, I was determined to die every time. But in this way, I fought desperately when faced with mortal danger. 2000 years ago, I received orders to kill the leader of the West Region. I killed my way from the east to the imperial palace. I knew that no one would come and support him. The rest of us are dead. Things will not take a good turn like in stories. Thus, I can only fight for my own life.”
Duanmu Huangqi recalled. “The soldiers in the West Capital looked at us lonely 100 people. It was as if they were silently laughing at us. But they did not expect that we would kill the leader of the West Region in front of their eyes. I stood beside the corpse of the leader and pierced his head with my dragon spear. When I looked back, there were only corpses and blood. I felt that my reputation would be built upon the thousands that died.”
Then, Duanmu Huangqi looked carefully at the Armor that Shook Mountains that Zhang Weiyu and the others were wearing. “I never expected that in the West Capital, with the same Armor that Shook Mountains, that I would become the one being killed. This world is very mysterious. Why did it turn out this way?”
“It’s different this time.” Lu Shu smiled and said, “I want to know. What does it feel like to be abandoned?”
Duanmu Huangqi pondered deeply. Suddenly he said, “Many people in this world think that they are the ones playing chess, but when they look back, they realize that they were just p.a.w.ns. I am not the first person to think this way. I will not be the last either.”
“Who is conspiring with you?” Lu Shu’s voice slowly turned cold. “If you tell me, I will let him go down to accompany you.”
Duanmu Huangqi suddenly laughed in disdain. “Are you trying to ask for a secret from me, Duanmu Huangqi? Isn’t it a bit too simple?”
“Don’t you hate him?” Lu Shu calmly said, “During this battle, I have always been waiting for someone to step in and help you, but no one came. It is as if your companion felt that it would be better for you to die.”
“No, no, no.” Duanmu Huangqi shook his head. “One thing is wrong. We are not companions. I, Duanmu Huangqi, do not need any companions. I have never hoped that someone would come and help me. I do not need anyone to help me either.”
Lu Shu was silent. He suddenly felt that it was not this world that had abandoned Duanmu Huangqi. It was Duanmu Huangqi who had abandoned the entire world, including himself.
“Did you never have companions in your life?” Lu Shu asked.
“Yes. My companions were the 99 people who went through life and death with me. But now, they are all dead. They are all buried behind my imperial palace.” Duanmu Huangqi laughed. “I only need them to follow me. It is enough.”
For some reason, Lu Shu suddenly felt that this fabled West Lord of Heaven had many conflicts in his heart. Even the distrusting and tyrannical Lord of Heaven had people he could trust.
But these people he trusted were all dead.
Lu Shu thought about it and said, “Have you ever thought that your loneliness is only because you don’t trust others?”
Duanmu Huangqi asked, “Are there people in this world who can be trusted?”
Lu Shu calmly said, “In the past, I thought the same way. I felt that there was no one in this world worth trusting. But later on, I realized that I was wrong. If there is no one in this world that I can trust, it would be very boring.”
Duanmu Huangqi laughed. “You were able to be reborn. What else in this world is real? What in this world is fake? If you want to advise me now, why not fight to our satisfaction?”
Lu Shu suddenly felt that there were times when a 40 year old had fixed their views towards the world, life, and morals. Furthermore, Duanmu Huangqi had lived for many years. No matter what advice he gave, it would not be of much use.
Furthermore, there was no need to advise him, as Duanmu Huangqi would die today.
Many people hoped that others admitted their faults, as they hoped that others would accept their point of view. But Lu Shu did not need Duanmu Huangqi to accept him. He only needed to kill him and those who wanted to kill him. Then, he would return to Earth. It was that simple.
Lu Shu asked, “How do you know who I am?”
“The Armor that Shook Mountains is in your hands. Is there anything else to say?” Duanmu Huangqi calmly said, “Zhang Weiyu is with you as well. So is Liu Yizhao. Who else could you be? Who else would they be loyal to?”
Lu Shu suddenly realized that loyalty was the label on Zhang Weiyu. The person who led Zhang Weiyu was the King of G.o.ds…
“Back then, you risked life and limb for the King of G.o.ds. Did you expect that you would betray him today?” Lu Shu asked curiously.
“How would I think of all this back then?” Duanmu Huangqi tapped the dragon throne with his fingers. “It was good enough for me to survive. Do you think that I am the only one who would do so?”
“Who else?” Lu Shu asked.
Duanmu Huangqi laughed. “Aren’t you changing as well? After you reincarnated, you still killed so many people.”
“Do you know why I reincarnated?” Lu Shu asked curiously. The old King of G.o.ds would not have told Duanmu Huangqi about this.
“Back then, I thought that you actually died. Now, I realize that it was just a reincarnation. As for why you reincarnated, you are the only one who can kill yourself, right?” Duanmu Huangqi started to speak in a relaxed tone. He was no longer so dark and brooding. “You already had worries during the war, right? I was able to sense it.”
Lu Shu shook his head. “Actually, you are wrong. I am not him. He is not me.”
“This is not important.” Duanmu Huangqi shook his head. “More importantly, you still walked on this path. You killed so many people and created so many killing demons. What difference is there between you and him? When you stare into the abyss…”
Li Heitan suddenly raised his hand and interrupted. “I’ve heard of this phrase! When you stare into the abyss, the abyss will stare back at you. Nietzsche said this!”
The entire place suddenly fell silent. Everyone quietly looked at Li Heitan. Li Heitan felt slightly guilty. He slowly put his hand down…
Duanmu Huangqi said, “More accurately, when you stare into the abyss, you might not think that one day you would become the abyss.”