National Guardian's Gone and We're Done

Finally, he took his third step. Beneath his feet, a heroic scene materialized: Huo Qubing, majestic and imposing, riding a tall warhorse and holding a long spear.

His sharp spear was aimed straight at the Divine Country,

poised to shatter the god’s majesty and display the valor and fearlessness of the Great Xia Empire!

The Light God was aghast at the sight.

He knew his situation was dire. He hastily unleashed his Divine Power and summoned the Gun of Creation.

The Gun of Creation, according to legend, contained the power to create worlds. It shimmered with light, its might boundless.

However, the moment the Gun of Creation appeared,

it was stopped dead in its tracks by the Great Xia Empire Barrier, which was formed from the Nine Ding.

These Nine Ding carried the destiny of the Great Xia Empire and the will of countless ancestors.

They were indestructible, forming an unbreakable defensive line that rendered the Light God’s attack useless.

Chu He seized the opportunity to swing his Xuanyuan Sword, channeling the mystical power of the Twenty-four Solar Terms.

“By First Spring and Waking Insects, shatter your divine body!”

As Chu He roared, the vitality of spring and the power of the Great Awakening merged, forming an impossibly sharp stream of Sword Qi that shot toward the Light God’s body like a bolt of lightning.

This Sword Qi carried the burgeoning power of all creation’s rebirth.

It tore through the very air, leaving a piercing shriek in its wake.

“By Summer’s Peak and Blazing Heat, incinerate your Divine Format!”

Chu He roared again. The scorching heat of midsummer and the searing intensity of the Great Heat fused into a mighty, roaring flame that lunged for the Light God’s Divine Format.

This fire, capable of scorching all evil from the world, carried with it infinite heat and destructive power. The Light God felt a threat unlike any he had ever known.

“By First Frost and Great Snow, bury your Divine Country!”

Finally, Chu He summoned every last ounce of his strength for one final roar.

The chilling austerity of the first frost and the biting cold of heavy snow merged instantly, becoming a tide of deathly energy. Like a black flood, it surged toward the Light God’s Divine Country.

Wherever this energy passed, all life withered.

It sought to bury the Light God’s Divine Country in endless cold and darkness.

In the end, Chu He ran his sword through the Light God’s heart.

At that climactic moment, the spectral forms of past ancestors materialized upon the blade of his sword.

Some of these phantoms were solemn and majestic, others valiant and fearless.

Their faces all showed their high hopes for Chu He and their blessings for the Human Race, as if cheering him on to victory.

“This… How is this possible…?”

As the Light God disintegrated, his divine blood transformed into a red rain that scattered across the Mortal World.

Wherever this red rain fell, a mysterious power cleansed the world of its filth, leaving everything fresh and pure.

Chu He refined the Light God’s remains into nine eternal lamps, which he placed along the borders of the Great Xia Empire.

These nine eternal lamps cast a soft, warm glow that illuminated every corner of the frontier, forever guarding the peace of the Great Xia Empire.

The people who had once forsaken him now prostrated themselves on the ground in shame, pleading for his forgiveness.

Their faces were etched with remorse and self-blame, and they dared not meet Chu He’s gaze.

Chu He looked down at them, his expression calm and gentle. “The Human Race does not kneel to gods,” he said slowly. “And that includes me. Rise. Let the past be the past. Together, we will rebuild our home and lead the Human Race to an even more glorious future.”

His voice was like a spring breeze, gently soothing every heart and filling the people who had erred with a sense of forgiveness and hope.

…

After his victory over the Light God, Chu He did not stop to rest.

He immediately set out on a journey to the Buddha Country.

The Buddha Country, a land its followers considered a sacred paradise, was encircled by green mountains and shaded by lush trees. The faint scent of sandalwood permeated the air.

In the distance, ancient temples dotted the mountainsides, their red walls and golden-tiled roofs glittering in the sun.

The melodious chime of temple bells echoed through the valleys.

Chu He stood at the foot of the mountains of the Buddha Country. He looked up at the cloud-wreathed peaks, his eyes glinting with resolve.

He wore a dark robe, its hem fluttering gently in the breeze. He exuded an aura that commanded respect and fear.

At that moment, inside the Great Hero Hall of the Buddha Country’s main temple, Abbot Tonghua sat upon a meditation cushion, chanting scriptures with his eyes closed.

He wore a golden kasaya, his face was benevolent, and his white beard hung to his chest, giving him a transcendent, otherworldly air.

His heart, however, was anything but calm. He had long since learned of Chu He’s arrival and knew that an inevitable conflict was upon them.

“Abbot, Chu He has started up the mountain! What should we do?”

A Little Novice Monk rushed into the hall, his expression panicked as he spoke.

Abbot Tonghua slowly opened his eyes. An almost imperceptible, cold light flashed within them before his expression returned to one of serene calm. “There is no need to panic,” he said faintly. “Since he is here, we shall face him with composure.”

Chu He followed the mountain path and soon arrived before the doors of the Great Hero Hall.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the stately hall before he strode inside. “Abbot Tonghua. I trust you’ve been well.”

Chu He’s voice, deep and powerful, echoed throughout the great hall.

Abbot Tonghua rose slowly, pressing his palms together and bowing slightly. “Patron Chu He, I am well. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”

Chu He sneered. “Why play dumb, Abbot? You conspired with various factions in a vain attempt to subvert the Great Xia Empire and throw the world into chaos. I’ve come today to demand an accounting.”

Abbot Tonghua’s expression flickered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. “Patron Chu He, you mustn’t make such baseless accusations. The Buddha is merciful, and I am a devoted follower. How could I possibly do such things?”