Emperor’s Domination

After a brief silence, the old man said: “I don’t have much longer to live.”

“Just have to surpass this and it’ll be fine, don’t be so pessimistic.” Li Qiye said.

“That’s the problem, I can’t.” He shook his head.

“Am I not here? It’s time for you to name the price.” Li Qiye said.

He stared into the distance, observing the playful animals before answering: “Sometimes, I feel that I have lived long enough, the shore matters not.”

“Still should try.” Li Qiye smiled.

“Reaching the shore and then what? Still have to let go.” He smiled wryly.

“No one path is the same, no one step is the same, the heart feels differently with each experience.” Li Qiye said. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs novel_fіre.net

“You might say that, but your path severs ours.” He said.

“I won’t shoulder this blame, and I couldn’t even if I wanted to.” Li Qiye said: “Your path lies beneath your feet.”

“What good does that do for us? Your being so far ahead drives us to despair. In the past, no one took your idea seriously. Everyone thought that by working hard enough, they could take the next step and replace it, a beautiful sight up there.” He said: “You ended up destroying this path.”

“Then I can only say the others are too weak, fine, I’ll accept the blame.” Li Qiye smiled and admitted.

Ads by PubRev“Although there is no path left, I still want to walk. Do you know why?” He said.

“Sever karma.” Li Qiye stared at him for a second before answering.

“Yes, but I can’t do it, that’s why I can’t reach the shore. It’s quite a predicament.” He lamented.

“So is that your price? I will sever it for you.” Li Qiye said.

“You know this is a tough ask.” He smiled.

“Yes, but I am here to repay a debt and expected a challenge.” Li Qiye said: “The promise was that you say the words and I carry them out.”

“When I met you back then, I knew this was a profitable trade. I never worried for a second.” He said.

“So now, shall I sever it?” Li Qiye asked.

“Do you remember that phrase you said earlier?” He asked.

“Which one?” Li Qiye asked.

“Immortals can’t know the mortal world.” He said: “The truth is that I didn’t know of it back then. Now, in my old age, my personality and mindset have gradually changed.”

“Go on.” Li Qiye said.

“I had wondered if I ought to bear some guilt.” He said.

“Mortals consider immortals to be blameless.” Li Qiye said: “Even if they were to be destroyed, they would think they had sinned somehow. Immortals can’t be judged.”

“I am without guilt if I don’t reach the shore.” He said: “Under the current circumstances, I don’t have to reach the shore. Even if karma comes, I can sever it. Where is the sin in this?”

“None, when I sever your kama, you will be the one deciding whether you are sinful or not.” Li Qiye said: “That’s why immortals are bastards and shouldn’t exist. It’s a shame others don’t understand this. They all hope for their world to have immortals, not knowing the true faces hidden behind the mask.”

“Don’t forget, you are also an immortal, the one who has walked the farthest.” He said.

“Which is why I won’t stay in the future, I’m just a passerby.” Li Qiye sighed, feeling a bit emotional.

“What about the nine worlds and thirteen continents?” He asked.

“I have returned everything when I let go.” Li Qiye said.

“That’s why you surpassed me so quickly despite starting later.” He said: “I reflected on this carefully.”

“It wasn’t a good thing.” Li Qiye said.

“Yes, but you were right, we are unable to know the mortal world.” He said while staring at the horizon.

After a long time, he felt disappointed and said: “I have sinned.”

“Who judged you?” Li Qiye said.

“Me. I know that since I have the card, I can use you to sever my karma, but when I gaze at the world, I know the answer.” He said.

“When you gaze at the world, it gazes back at you.” Li Qiye said.

“Yes, I saw a beautiful world, it’s wonderful.” He said.

“If that is what you saw, then your path is wide open.” Li Qiye said.

“How did you feel back then?” He asked.

“It is what it is, it doesn’t depend on what I think of it. It is beautiful and ugly at the same time. Perhaps it is not worthy of existence, but despite knowing this, I still love it. It is what I should do.” Li Qiye said.

“To know but still love.” He murmured before smiling bitterly: “Impressive, that’s why you are faster than us, this understanding.”

“I was born there, forged by its tribulations and pain. That’s why I’ve returned the blessings it had given me.” Li Qiye said: “But you are different. You were born as an immortal and do not need to return anything. That’s why you carry such doubts.”