Love & Redemption
Chapter 267: Final Volume: I Am Liuli - Twenty-Six: Liuli (Part Six)

Chapter 267: Final Volume: I Am Liuli: Chapter Twenty-Six: Liuli (Part Six)

Luo Hou and Jidu could never have imagined that a casual joke made over drinks would completely change his destiny.

After a heavy bout of drinking, they both went their separate ways. That night, Emperor Bai tossed and turned in his bed, receiving continuous reports of defeat from the front lines. If this continued, he feared that within a month, the entire Heaven would be devoured by the Shura. The wide Ruishui River, which served as a natural barrier separating Heaven and Asura World, was supposed to keep them apart, but it could not stop their fierce invasion.

When Emperor Bai found out that the Shura were crossing the river on shallow wooden boats, he broke out in a cold sweat.

He had shared this method with only Luo Hou and Jidu, and had emphatically instructed him not to divulge it, since Asura World had always been covetously eyeing Heaven, and it was thanks to this natural barrier that they had been thwarted.

Emperor Bai and Luo Hou and Jidu shared a bond of sworn brotherhood and often met to drink in the Lower Realm. But since Luo Hou and Jidu was a Shura and not very convincing as a mortal, and Emperor Bai could not possibly meet him in Asura World—as that would be like walking into a tiger’s den—it was fortunate that Luo Hou and Jidu did not mind these restrictions. Once he obtained the method to cross the river, the two of them would often drink and chat in the pavilion, quite comfortably.

Now that the method had been leaked, all the Shura knew about it. Even though Emperor Bai rationally told himself not to suspect Luo Hou and Jidu, emotionally, he was convinced that it was he who had let the information slip. Nevertheless, Luo Hou and Jidu was after all a Shura—belonging to a different kin, their hearts must have been different. Though they might have appeared friendly on the surface, who knew what he was really thinking? This was a grand strategy for expanding territory, and personal emotions were insignificant in this context, smaller even than ants.

Emperor Bai kept reminding himself not to think this way, but once such thoughts began, they spread like a plague, and eventually, he almost convinced himself that it was Luo Hou and Jidu who had spoken out.

He harbored ambitions! He wanted to conquer Heaven!

Thinking this, Emperor Bai’s back was soon covered with a dense layer of cold sweat. If that was so, he could not just sit idly by; he had to think of a strategy. The Heavenly Emperor did not take the invasion from Asura World seriously, as he was a believer in karma, but Emperor Bai could not afford to count on karma—was he supposed to just watch the Shura slaughter all of Heaven?

The spy, seeing his strange expression—first pale, then flushed—couldn’t help feeling nervous and ventured to ask, "Does Emperor Bai have any instructions?"

He hesitated for a long time, sweat dripping down his forehead, before he finally composed himself and said, "Go... secretly investigate who leaked the method of crossing the river." He at least needed to rule out Heaven first; perhaps some immortal from Heaven had carelessly let it slip, enabling the Shura to learn about it.

The spy agreed and hurried off. Emperor Bai could no longer sleep peacefully, his mind constantly fixated on Luo Hou and Jidu, his grand ambitions to conquer Heaven, his outrageous ambitions giving him no moment’s peace.

Luo Hou and Jidu was a heroic figure in Asura World. That place was still barbaric and uncivilized, with the Shura constantly thinking about fighting and invading. They gathered in groups, uniting or dispersing haphazardly, lacking the strict hierarchical order of Heaven. Whoever was strong was the hero, and their uncivilized nature was even inferior to mortals.

Thus, it was rare in thousands of years for someone like Luo Hou and Jidu, possessed of both bravery and intelligence, to emerge in Asura World, and naturally, he was extremely celebrated. If he were to help his homeland invade Heaven, then Heaven truly would have no way out but death.

Emperor Bai frowned deeply, feeling agitated. For some reason, he suddenly remembered the jest he had shared with Luo Hou and Jidu while drinking. He had said that if Luo Hou and Jidu belonged to Heaven, then he would have nothing to worry about. The response from Luo Hou and Jidu had been enlightening, but realizing the plan was impractical, he later abandoned it.

But at that moment, he felt as if possessed, continuously thinking about how to make him belong to Heaven without letting him realize.

As the saying goes, unkindness is met with unrighteousness. Convinced that Luo Hou and Jidu had betrayed him first, anything he did could not be considered wrong. He even refused to consider that the secret was not divulged by him, perhaps instinctively hoping that it indeed was he who had leaked it, so that he could justifiably counterattack, using him for the good of Heaven without feeling guilty.

Years later, looking back on that moment, he only felt it was a demon attack, a complete fall from grace, for the sake of what he called his conscience, sacrificing another’s future. He had tried to console himself, thinking it was for the safety of all beings in Heaven, sacrificing a Shura to secure a long peace, which was naturally worth it.

However, no matter what kind of beings, there was no justification for making someone else live a life they did not choose, especially since it involved trading the death of many lives for peace. The person being sacrificed was not even aware of it.

Yes, he had deceived him. Luo Hou and Jidu could never have imagined how many dark thoughts his trusted brother had turned over that night, each move trapping him in an impossible situation.

Emperor Bai sat despondently all night, until he suddenly realized that his golden seal on the back of his hand was twitching; it was Luo Hou and Jidu trying to contact him. He unexpectedly broke into a cold sweat, drenched all over.

He had to strike first! Emperor Bai suddenly jumped out of bed and pushed the door open. Outside stood many eunuchs and all the Divine Generals who had not gone to the front lines. They saw him in such a disheveled state, with his hair unkempt and his clothes disordered, and remained silent. Perhaps they had never seen such a disheveled Emperor Bai. They just quietly watched him.

All the burdens of Heaven were on his shoulders, all eyes fixed on him, filled with hope and trust—they believed Emperor Bai must have a solution! Even as the Shura’s iron hooves advanced incessantly, Emperor Bai must have a way—they told him this with their gazes.

Emperor Bai chuckled bitterly to himself at that moment, wishing he could scream out loud, or run to the Heavenly Emperor, clinging to the legs of his throne and weeping. But he merely pursed his lips slightly and said lightly, "This king needs to step out for a while. All of you, stay here and do not act rashly."

He left the Hall of Divine Generals woodenly and walked to the pavilion where he usually met with Luo Hou and Jidu. He carried the greatest secret in his heart, yet his expression revealed nothing. Such was the nature of Emperor Bai, once he decided to do something, no matter right or wrong, he would do it best and never look back. Perhaps it was that steadiness in his character that made him sit on the throne of Emperor Bai, manage the East, and earn everyone’s praise.

Luo Hou and Jidu was already waiting in the pavilion. Upon seeing him arrive, he immediately waved, "You’re late! I thought something urgent had come up, and you wouldn’t make it today."

Emperor Bai spoke leisurely with a smile, "Even though I have urgent matters to attend to, how could I dare not to come when Brother Jidu invites me."

He walked into the pavilion and suddenly noticed Luo Hou and Jidu stepping on someone, clad in a dark green robe. Judging by his physique and appearance, he was definitely from Heaven. It seemed he had been badly beaten, now lying unconscious and motionless, his face bruised and swollen.

His expression changed slightly as he exclaimed, "What is this!"

Luo Hou and Jidu chuckled and kicked the man over, saying, "Yesterday, I heard that the Shura learned how to cross the Ruishui River, which shocked me. I asked them how they came to know it. Turns out they had captured this man as a spoil of war, who, fearing death over life, confessed the method of crossing the river once they promised not to kill him when they eventually conquer Heaven. I thought such a traitor should not be spared and brought harm, so I secretly took him out and gave him a good beating. But after all, he is from Heaven, it wasn’t right for me to kill him without permission, so I leave him to you to deal with."

"Oh? So that’s what happened." Emperor Bai looked down at the man and faintly recognized him as a guard who was in charge of the West Garden nursery. The West Garden, located close to the Asura World, was the first to be breached, so his capture was not surprising.

Emperor Bai smiled slightly, took out a flask and cups from his sleeve, poured two full cups of wine, and extended them to Luo Hou and Jidu, speaking warmly, "Thank you, Brother Jidu! For capturing a traitor for our Heaven, avenging our disgrace."

Luo Hou and Jidu’s face suddenly reddened, and he said in a low voice, "I... It’s really nothing. It always involves you inviting me to drink, which makes me feel quite uneasy."

Emperor Bai laughed, "We are brothers, there’s no need for such formalities. Brother Jidu, I toast to you."

Luo Hou and Jidu carefully held the cup, took a sip, and suddenly laughed, saying, "Today, besides returning the traitor, I have something else I want to tell you. You have always been generously broad-minded, and I’m sure you won’t laugh at me."

Emperor Bai replied distractedly, "You are being too courteous again, Brother Jidu. Whatever it is, feel free to tell me."

Luo Hou and Jidu replied hesitantly, "Why do you always call me Brother Jidu? Do I look much older than you?"

Emperor Bai was indeed startled, not expecting him to ask such a tricky question. He hesitated for a moment before answering, "It’s just a respectful title... no other meaning... If you dislike it, I will simply call you Jidu from now on."

Luo Hou and Jidu laughed, seemingly pleased with the term ’Jidu.’ After a while, he added, "We, Shura, do not have the distinction of yin and yang, male and female. Once there is mutual affection, we can choose our gender ourselves. Women in the Asura World are known for their stunning beauty... You must have heard."

Emperor Bai listened to him rambled on, quickly growing impatient. However, he could not simply ignore him, so he smiled slightly in response. Luo Hou and Jidu, seeing that he seemed skeptical, added, "I can also choose my gender. If I choose to be male, my appearance remains unchanged; if I choose to be female, I will transform completely after forty-nine days... Will you still call me your brother then?"

Emperor Bai felt troubled inside, casually answering with a smile, "Then I can call you Sister Jidu instead."

Luo Hou and Jidu laughed heartily, stood up, and said, "Since that’s the case, I shall leave. In forty-nine days, come to the pavilion, and after my rebirth, I will meet you here again."

Emperor Bai did not expect him to leave so abruptly and urgently said, "After forty-nine days, Heaven might have faced a calamitous disaster! Life and death uncertain, how can we still talk about drinking and chatting here?!"

Luo Hou and Jidu was taken aback, turned around to see his gloomy, preoccupied expression, and understood that he had not been listening to him earlier. He sighed, saying, "You need not worry overly. Since I have a life-and-death pact with you, promised to share fate together, I will naturally support you."

Emperor Bai said with a sigh, "How can you help? Are you going to use mere words to persuade? The Shura are an uncivilized barbaric race, to what extent can you persuade them?"

Luo Hou and Jidu grew slightly annoyed, coldly asking, "Why must you insist so strongly? What do you expect me to do about persuading them?"

Emperor Bai did not speak for a long time, and the atmosphere fell into an awkward silence. After a while, he suddenly looked up at him with a gentle smile, asking, "Jidu, do you remember what you said the last time we drank together?"

Luo Hou and Jidu was startled again; he had been drunk last time and had said countless things, how could he remember everything.

Emperor Bai spoke slowly, "Jidu promised me that he would serve Heaven. Such a favor is as deep as mountains and oceans, I will never forget it, engraved in my heart."

Luo Hou and Jidu was stunned once more, then saw Emperor Bai’s wide sleeves flutter, seemingly with countless petals falling, the air fragrant with their scent. A chord tightened suddenly in his heart, yet he was still in disbelief, staring blankly at the handsome young man across from him, whose expression was as calm as still water, showing no sign of burden.

The petals piled up, burying him in their densest layer; Luo Hou and Jidu’s large frame crashed to the ground with a bang, sweetly falling into death-like sleep.

Emperor Bai grabbed his collar, lifted him up, and looked at him for a long time. Suddenly, a strange smile appeared on his face, joyous and relieved, yet seemingly — on the verge of tears. (To be continued. For more information, please visit www.qidian.com. More Chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)