Love & Redemption
Chapter 265: Final Volume: I Am Liuli - 24: Liuli (Part 4)

Chapter 265: Final Volume: I Am Liuli Chapter 24: Liuli (Part 4)

Emperor Bai’s face was pale, and he let out a muffled groan from his throat, staggering backward several steps before finally kneeling on the ground, his right hand clutching his left shoulder wound desperately as blood gushed out from between his fingers like a fountain.

The War God stared at him blankly, breathing heavily, her expression unsettled. After a moment, she slightly moved, turned, took a few steps, picked up his severed arm, and threw it forcefully into his arms, crying out bitterly, "Here, take it back! You know very well how you have treated me! How could the debt be repaid by just a severed arm!"

After she finished speaking, she picked up the white robe he had draped over her shoulders earlier, paused for a moment, then immediately put it on herself and fastened it, adding, "I should still thank you for the robe."

Emperor Bai’s forehead was covered in cold sweat, and he remained silent for a long time before tremblingly saying, "You should leave quickly, do not stay in Heaven! What you did was a great defiance, if you continue to stay, I fear a death sentence is inevitable."

The War God scoffed derisively, "You need not pretend to be kind! Your actions towards me are righteousness, and if I resist, I am defiant? There is such a reasoning under the heavens! Moreover, if I were to escape, would you dare say you won’t pursue the matter? Such pretense is disgusting!"

Emperor Bai whispered, "I guarantee no one will come to blame you, the fault was with Heaven in the first place, you should go now and never return!"

The War God took a step back, still laughing, but this time her laughter was light and breezy, "If I was afraid of punishment, I would not have caused such a scene today. Even if a great crime is bestowed upon me, just pile it on my head! I am always alone, what do I have to fear."

She turned around and walked away, pushing open the door behind the hall; outside, the noise was unbearable, indicating that many Divine Generals had already gathered at the entrance to capture her but dared not barge in due to Emperor Bai’s earlier orders. A look of scorn appeared on her face as she cursed under her breath, "Cowards!"

Emperor Bai knew that once she acted out, it would be a display of madness, and if she managed to confront the Heavenly Emperor, it would surely mark a path of inevitable death. He could not protect her no matter what, hence he said, "Stay for a moment. You hate Heaven for deceiving and mistreating you, you always want to retaliate, right?"

She turned her head, her gaze piercing, without confirming or denying.

Emperor Bai clenched his teeth and stood up, his body trembling uncontrollably, blood flowing copiously. He pressed down on the severed arm wound with his hand, using his divine power to seal the wound to stop the bleeding, then he undid his garments, baring his chest, and said solemnly, "The deception and mistreatment all came from me alone, it was also me who planned everything, and it was me who turned the Luminous Glass Vase into a heart for you, unrelated to others. There’s a cause from the past, so there is an effect today. I have been feeling guilty day and night, perhaps waiting for this moment. Come, kill me and end this karmic bond. My divine sense will surely protect you for life, ensuring your safety from Heaven’s wrath."

The War God did not speak, just quietly watched him. The uproar outside the hall was shaking the heavens, and those Divine Generals seemed unable to hold back any longer, planning to rush in. His blood dripped to the ground, making a dull sound. All these sounds, to her and Xuanji’s ears, were extremely startling.

After a long while, the War God suddenly took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Why... did you think to turn me into this woman? Once, you and I knew each other, you must answer this question."

Emperor Bai gave a sorrowful smile, "Have you even remembered that you and I once knew each other?"

She sighed softly, "Though I am in the Asura Path, serving as a Shura Demon God, I felt your noble integrity and wholeheartedly offered my friendship, thinking I had found a true friend. Who would have thought... Let it be. Why bring up these old affairs? Just answer me."

Emperor Bai said with a sigh, "In the past, I grew up by the Tianhe River, raised by my aunt. She would sing and weave under the mulberry tree every day, eventually turning into a stone by the riverbank, losing all divine sense. I can never forget her in this lifetime."

As he spoke of these ancient matters, he no longer referred to himself as ’this humble one,’ but used ’I’ instead.

This reply was unexpected; the War God did not speak. It turned out that this appearance of his was that of a man deeply attached to a woman, looking at her as if he saw that person’s voice and smile, a small comfort perhaps. It turned out he often went swimming in the Tianhe River, collecting rare materials, which everyone thought was his main concern, but it was just a guise. Forging materials for swords was a pretext; visiting the river stone his aunt had become was the truth.

The War God laughed loudly, pushed open the door, and said, "I am not your aunt! You, hiding your personal agenda and manipulating others, the emperor who toys with others!"

Emperor Bai urgently said, "You mustn’t go out..."

But he spoke too late. As soon as the door was pushed open, the impatient Divine Generals swarmed in. In the blink of an eye, they had surrounded the two, inevitably seeing the injured Emperor Bai with a severed hand and the War God with the blood-stained Ding Kun Sword. Everyone was shocked and terrified that someone would dare to harm Emperor Bai, a crime unforgivable, deserving instant execution on the spot.

Yet seeing her standing defiantly cold in the crowd, no one dared to strike first, fearing becoming an innocent soul under her sword. They could only blockade her, barring her escape, while some others supported the staggering, pale-faced Emperor Bai, creating an extreme moment of awkwardness.

Feeling he could not hold on much longer and might faint at any moment, Emperor Bai murmured an order, "Do not harm her... let her go."

But who dared to heed his command now that the situation had escalated? No matter how significant Emperor Bai’s face was, it couldn’t cover up the truth, forcing everyone to agree reluctantly, handling it formally while they distanced him.

Amid the chaos, the sudden sound of the bell from the bell tower, ’Dangdang,’ brought a sense of relief as clouds of auspiciousness rose. Knowing that the Heavenly Emperor had arrived, their courage grew, and the circle tightening around the War God grew smaller. The War God sneered and drew her sword immediately, setting her stance clear. She’d rather die to reclaim justice, without hesitation to kill some Heavenly Soldiers.

In Heaven, there were no generals known for their bravery in battle. Even those like the Azure Dragon and Tengshe, though outstanding, were helpless against the numerous Asuras. The War God, with her strength alone, faced countless Demon Gods without faltering. Claiming power in Heaven would not take much effort for her. The Ding Kun Sword, crafted by Emperor Bai from rare materials found in the Tianhe River specifically as her weapon, rarely met any match. This treasure sword, once soaked in the blood of Asura on the battlefield, was now being used to slaughter the gods of Heaven; had Emperor Bai known this day would come, would he still have volunteered to forge this exceptional Divine Artifact for her?

Such disparity in strength allowed her to swing her sword, clanging and breaking countless blades on the ground, fiercely breaking out a vast clearing in the dense encirclement. The god struck down by the fierce sweep of her sword remained alive, but could not avoid the agony of broken limbs and battered bones.

While everyone was at their wit’s end with her, they suddenly heard a "ding" sound above their heads, like something lightly tapping on a vessel. However, the War God’s complexion changed instantly, showing a look of pain, covering her chest with her hand, and falling to the ground, unable to move. Initially stunned, nobody moved until someone shouted, "Tie her up!" and then they reacted by surging forward, binding the completely limp War God from head to toe firmly. Now, even with her earth-shattering abilities, she obediently couldn’t move.

The War God was lifted up by the crowd, holding blades, barely raising her head, only to see a magnificent carriage floating midair, surrounded by auspicious clouds and lined with eunuchs. A purple gauze curtain covered the front of the carriage, fluttering in the wind. Behind the purple gauze sat a person whose face was unclear, but Xuanji knew it must be the Heavenly Emperor.

At that moment, the Heavenly Emperor gently lifted the purple gauze. His hands clutched something firmly, unmoving.

Upon seeing that object, Xuanji felt as if she was hammered fiercely all over, unable to move at all. Evidently, the War God, being tied up, reacted more violently, trembling uncontrollably, like chaffs in the sieve.

It wasn’t a tremble of fear, but a kind of... inexplicable excitement, almost a primal impulse.

In those hands was held a three-foot-high Luminous Glass Vase, its corner missing a chunk, the cut was very smooth, as if it was chopped off by someone. It was not an ordinary Luminous Glass Vase because it radiated a magnificent light, emitting a fierce, flame-like color, captivating the soul. It was as if the Vase contained a treasure, lively and spirited, mesmerizing to behold.

Those hands also held a copper striker, raised high and gently brought down, striking the Luminous Glass Vase, emitting a "dang" crisp sound again.

Xuanji felt as if struck hard in the chest, her vision darkening in waves; she faintly heard the War God emitting a painful scream, then gradually she couldn’t see anything.

She faintly heard the Heavenly Emperor whisper softly, "The War God has committed the unforgivable sin of rebellion and disrespect. Take her to the Heavenly Prison, awaiting trial and judgment."

Hence, she committed the unforgivable great sin, was incarcerated in the Heavenly Prison, demoted to the Lower Realm, lived through three or four lifetimes because her resentment did not subside, living dully. In the end, she either ended her own life or lived a lonely one, often committing murders, until at last she was brought to the Underworld, where Emperor Hou Tu intervened, sealing all her previous Divine Sense, making her start life anew like fresh Luminous Glass.

What a way to start life anew! Thus, everything they did to her was also erased.

What wise Emperor Hou Tu, what considerate Zhou Pan! What noble and pure Emperor Bai! What loving Heavenly Emperor!

They all chose to ignore the crime they committed against her, and now they even have the gall to claim she is guilty!

Xuanji suddenly opened her eyes, still seeing that same side hall, the Ice Silk Curtain before her, the bronze tripod in front of it, and unknown incense wood burning inside, filling the air with a fragrant mist. Behind the curtain, indistinctly stood the Heavenly Emperor.

He whispered softly, "Has the General understood everything?"

Xuanji took a deep breath, lifted her hand to gently wipe her face, all covered in tears.

She said with a trembling voice, "It was you... who deceived me!"

The Heavenly Emperor sighed softly, saying, "Heaven was indeed in the wrong first, which unquestionably cannot be defended."

Xuanji exclaimed sharply, "You tell me all this, not afraid that I will rebel and commit more violence?! Or do you think by lowering your posture first, you assume I will forgive you?!"

The Heavenly Emperor remained silent, then she suddenly sneered, "I forgot, you have the Magic Treasure in hand, just a tap on that Luminous Glass Vase and I’ll be unable to move. Are you not planning to use that against me now?"

The Heavenly Emperor said softly, "In the past, that item was used only as a last resort. Now the General has undergone trials in the Lower Realm and is enlightened. I naturally won’t use it again but on the contrary, I plan to return it to the General."

"Fine words!" Xuanji, growing more and more irate, stepped forward, reached out and grabbed the Ice Silk Curtain, saying sharply, "You hiding behind the curtain, what does that count for!"

***************

My computer broke, I’m going crazy...

If there is no update tomorrow, it will all be due to the broken computer.

However, I will try to maintain the updates, success or failure, we shall see tomorrow. Frustrated... (To be continued, for more information, please log on to www.qidian.com, more Chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)