Emperor’s Domination

Too tired to even dream - an extreme level of laziness.

“So you started the dream but left it for others to complete.” Li Qiye couldn’t help but laugh.

“Everyone is eager to dream so let them do it.” The man found nothing wrong with this.

“That’s your mentality now?” Li Qiye asked.

“Sigh, reality is too exhausting. I rather be a salted fish, not needing to even turn.” He shook his head.

“Don’t want to be the past you?” Li Qiye asked.

“No, only lifetimes of exhaustion, working hard for epochs and in the end, for what?” He refused.

“What if you can gain a primordial will?” Li Qiye smiled.

“No, none of my business.” He said.

“You can fight the high heaven and become the lord of the ages.” Li Qiye said.

“You’re doing a good job already, I don’t need to.” He stared at Li Qiye.

“Can’t argue with that.” Li Qiye paused for a moment before smiling.

“Yes, why bother when someone else is doing the hard work for me? If they do it well, I’ll applaud. If they mess up, it’s because they’re just useless.” He said confidently: “It’s okay for me to be useless but you can’t be. Others don’t even have the chance to dream but you have to shoulder the sky.”

“This useless guy is making a lot of sense.” The skull agreed.

“You can lie flat too, just do it and others will get the work done.” He told the skull.

“Don’t you want to pursue something meaningful? The past you was rather ambitious.” Li Qiye said.

“Past, not the present. Moreover, I am only dreaming right now.” He said: “Why would I need to work hard in a dream? It will end eventually and all the effort will vanish like smoke once I wake up.”

“But if you can stay here forever?” Li Qiye smiled.

“Then that’s perfect, I can keep lying here.” He showed a hint of excitement.

“It won’t be your dream then.” The skull said.

“It doesn’t matter as long as I can stay here.” He said lazily.

“What if the dream becomes reality?” Li Qiye asked.

“No, I would not prefer that.” He said.

“What is reality for me? Either Splendor Monarch or an old geezer. I was Splendor Monarch before and didn’t like it, and as for the old geezer?” He stared at Li Qiye and said: “Let’s put the old part aside, just look at you, I don’t want to live like you.”

“Is it that tragic to live like me?” Li Qiye chuckled.

“Pretty much. You’re working to death and for what?” He asked.

“The self.” Li Qiye said.

“No need for that, since I am myself right now. You make it sound as if one can only realize themselves through success and achievements.” He said.

“That’s not the case, everyone can realize themselves via an honest pursuit.” Li Qiye shook his head.

“Exactly, and what I want is to be a salted fish not needing to do anything. Being useless is the self for me.” He said.

“I suppose.” Li Qiye said sentimentally.

“You never wavered before?” He asked.

“Wavered?” Li Qiye smiled.

“If you should be someone else instead of sacrificing everything for the sake of moving forward.” He said.

“I’m starting to doubt after listening to you.” Li Qiye smiled: “But I have never wavered, I am who I am, the true self.”

“Not necessarily.” He said: “I had so many selves, each one was different but I like my current self the most. Just by lying flat, I’m winning and defeating everyone including the high heaven.”

“Unfortunately, not him.” The skull said.

“That’s right, you didn’t win. This is only your dream.” Li Qiye nodded.

“It doesn’t matter, I’m done with toiling. Let others go and die.” He said lazily.

“Dreams will end.” Li Qiye said.

“Why? I have come to an agreement with the two. As long as I don’t come out, they can’t drag me out.” He said.

“Should I drag you out now?” Li Qiye asked.

“Only if you’re utterly inhumane. What’s wrong with just leaving me here?” He became frightened.

“I think you will cease to exist if this continues.” Li Qiye said.

“That’s fine, one fewer piece of trash in this world.” He responded.

“Unfortunately, this is just a dream, and its ending is inevitable.” Li Qiye said.

He stared at the ceiling in silence before asking: “Aren’t you tired?”

“Yes.” Li Qiye nodded.

“I was tired in my previous life too, just not to your level.” He said softly.

“But I have to keep going.” Li Qiye said.

“The nine worlds spurned you for being a mass murderer, not a savior. They showed zero gratitude regardless of your suffering.” He said.

“That’s alright with me because what I’ve done was for myself, saving the world was only a byproduct.” Li Qiye said.

“That’s true.” He murmured: “I didn’t think of it that way.”

“What did you think before?” Li Qiye asked.

“Everything including letting others die if it’s their fate. Why should I suffer for their sake?” He said.

“Fate, the word that can provide a perfect excuse for everything.” Li Qiye smiled.

“Blaming others is always better than blaming yourself, right? No matter how hard you try or how tired you are, you can’t escape the same result.” He said.

“That’s how one falls to the darkness.” Li Qiye said.

“Depending on one’s perspective, suffering needlessly is darkness while some of the fallen ones become free to find joy. Darkness and light, what’s the difference?” He said.

“One man’s honey is another man’s poison.” Li Qiye said sentimentally.

“Which is why I am here now.” He nodded.

“Unfortunately, your belief will not sway me.” Li Qiye said.

“Then you do you and I’ll keep staying here. Keep up the good work, I’m not needed outside of giving you a thumbs-up if you do well.” He said.

“Are you able to raise your thumb when you’re this lazy?” The skull interjected.

“Sigh, don’t be so picky, it will be a thumbs-up in my heart.” He said.

“That’s fine too, giving a thumbs-up is too much work for a salted fish.” Li Qiye nodded.