Emperor’s Domination

Six-style Emperor had seen him before - the owner of Currency Exchange.

“Ah, we meet again.” He appeared more amiable and ready to do business this time.

She found the current him to be rather different, looking more like a god of wealth ready to give random people golden ingots.

“So soon.” Li Qiye nonchalantly said.

“You-you’re the lord of Money Temple?” Six-style asked.

“Ah, yes I am.” The old man answered with a smile.

She glanced at the statue, thinking that it was somewhat different. The old man was fatter while the statue had a transcending aura. A clear similarity was the few stubborn strands of hair both had left.

“You look different.” She murmured.

“That’s the past versus the present, it’s just me.” The old man said.

“Do you wish to discard the past?” Li Qiye said while raising the pendant.

The old man saw it and froze for a second. He became sentimental and deeply breathed: “The past is now forgotten, only the present remains.”

“Is that so? No grudges?” Li Qiye smirked.

“I am the current me, who do I have grudges against?” The old man shook his head.

“All things have an origin.” Li Qiye said.

“And forgotten all the same, being a ghost is quite nice.” The old man said.

“Then why did you go to the battlefield? Did you want to take a look at yourself?” Li Qiye asked.

The old man didn’t respond.

“So he’s the third ghost that Armament Temple Lord mentioned.” Six-style realized.

“Perhaps the fourth.” Li Qiye remarked.

A brief silence ensued.

“I was wondering how Jiao Heng came up with it. Now I understand, there was a living example before him so he understood right away.” Li Qiye smiled.

“He wanted to exchange for something cut down, so the two conspired to sell another.” The old man said.

“As for you, what did you exchange for?” Li Qiye asked.

“Nothing.” The old man responded.

“So the split was only to remove the past?” Li Qiye asked.

“I don’t need to lie to you, Sir. If I cared about it, I would have tried to take it back.” The old man stared at the pendant and said: “This is how it should be, I appreciate my current life.”

Li Qiye glanced at the pendant with nothing inside and nodded: “I suppose you have nothing to do with the past, but in a way, you’re the one imprisoned here while he got everything.”

“That’s his business, not mine, Sir.” The old man nodded.

“But you knew what he exchanged for so when he returned, you wanted to see him.” Li Qiye said.

“Just like a stranger, no feeling at all, so this was discarded.” The old man said.

“You were exchanged for an Immortal Corpseworm.” Li Qiye said.

The old man had a serious expression for a second before shaking his head: “Still nothing to do with me.”

“Since you two were one, you must have known what he wanted to do and how far he had fallen, scheming to betray the three immortals.” Li Qiye said.

Six-style gasped after hearing this.

“We are two separate beings, I wouldn’t have discarded this, Sir.” The old man said.

“I agree.” Li Qiye stroked his chin: “What I’m interested in is when did you two come up with this idea?”

“The truth is that we knew about the supreme terrors and the outer worlds.” The old man said: “After all, we were the earliest cultivators to reach the dao, or him. The relationship wasn’t a master-disciple one like Fire Ancestor, but we were close.”

“I can see that.” Li Qiye nodded.

“We were the guardians once the three immortals left and also participated in expeditions afterward. Fire Ancestor’s expedition was rather recent in comparison.” The old man continued, captivating Six-style with this old story.

“That’s why I thought you were dead, or to be exact, him.” Li Qiye smiled.

“Not just you, Sir, even the three immortals thought he was dead.” The old man said.

“But he returned later. It must have been difficult regaining their trust.” Li Qiye said.

“The three immortals did not forget Fire Ancestor’s betrayal. They knew the risk but we were there to mend the hole in their heart.” The old man said.

“They were still suspicious.” Li Qiye said.

“We did nothing wrong, only suffered endless agony and nearly died for this world.” The old man said.

“The three immortals were too kind, they didn’t take action despite being suspicious.” Li Qiye said.

“Sir, you did a full sweep and wiped out the darkness along with the lurking traitors. No other problems occurred afterward, so the three immortals didn’t wish to hurt a devoted follower by pressing the issue. After all, he threw his life away to be a defender.” The old man said.

“I’m sure you two had no problem with recklessness and sacrifice, but was it to defend this world?” Li Qiye said.

“At the beginning, yes.” The old man said.

“I wouldn’t have been so merciful.” Li Qiye said.

“What would you have done, Sir?” The old man asked.

“Dig a pit.” Li Qiye said.

“Sir, you rather let the world down than allow the world to let you down.” The old man said.

“That’s their business.” Li Qiye smiled.

“This is where you are different from the three immortals. They are far more benevolent and care about the world.” The old man said.

“They stood at the apex for too long and forgot human nature.” Li Qiye said: “Greed is more frightening than fear. Fire Ancestor fell to the darkness because of fear, but greed drove you two.”