Chapter 815 - 317: Kill the One Who Cares for the World (Part 3)
Strands of a special spiritual aura enveloped the True Demons, miraculously calming them down, then sending them back to the Fallen Immortal Land.
The entire process lasted less than half a day, merely spanning from dawn to dusk.
During this time, Celestial Venerable Shangli did not intervene, in fact, he didn’t even have the capability to do so. Compared to him, the people of He Yue Village seemed more professional.
As it was about to end,
a person suddenly appeared beside the two Little Freedom Officials,
"The world is spared from another calamity."
Celestial Venerable Baiyu was so frightened that his soul shook for a moment,
"It’s you!"
Fan Wubing smiled and said, "Yes. It’s me."
Celestial Venerable Baiyu asked gloomily, "Is all of this your doing?"
Fan Wubing smiled and asked,
"Who exactly released so many True Demons?"
Celestial Venerable Shangli, like an old man on his deathbed, stiffly raised his head and emitted a feeble sound. He looked at Fan Wubing and said,
"I don’t understand."
Fan Wubing said, "What is it that Celestial Venerable does not understand? If I know, I will surely answer one by one."
Celestial Venerable Shangli didn’t ask whether it was Fan Wubing’s doing, but instead asked,
"These people from He Yue Village, you brought them here, right."
He was well aware, under normal circumstances, the people of He Yue Village wouldn’t even receive a distress signal, let alone arrive within hours.
Fan Wubing smiled and said,
"Yes."
"Why do this? You could have just stood by and watched us ruin everything, watched White Jade Capital fall from the sky!"
Fan Wubing looked at the distant sky and said with a smile,
"When He Yue Village learned of the situation in the Evil Mountain Sea Region, they didn’t hesitate for a moment and immediately wanted to come to aid. My Dao partner, who is Gu Lan, Qinkong Da Feng Immortal, asked them why. Can you guess their answer?"
Celestial Venerable Shangli fell into a bewildered silence.
Fan Wubing said,
"They said, ’This matter has nothing to do with White Jade Capital, it concerns the peace of the world. As part of the world, coming to aid is an act of unquestionable duty.’ You have experienced the war between humans and celestials; you must be well aware of how many knowingly marched to certain death, resolved to head to the frontlines and confront the celestials."
Celestial Venerable Shangli felt somewhat drained and sat down. Celestial Venerable Baiyu slightly supported him.
Fan Wubing said calmly,
"I can tell you. These bridges of spirit energy, I constructed them. I can also tell you, with just a thought, I can send those rebellious True Demons back. But I didn’t do that, instead, I dug a big pit for you and watched you jump into it. Do you know why?"
"To... bring down White Jade Capital."
Fan Wubing shook his head,
"I’ve never considered White Jade Capital an enemy. If I really wanted to bring you down, there’s a straightforward way, I would split White Jade Capital in two with a single sword. No matter how many Celestial Venerables you have, they can’t stop me."
"Why not do that?"
Fan Wubing turned to look at him,
"Because I want you to understand. The principles you uphold are worthless! You are high above, claiming to be the leader of the Immortal Dao, the stronghold of the world! But your character, isn’t even half as high as He Yue Village, the ones you constantly target."
Celestial Venerable Shangli’s pupils trembled,
"Everything White Jade Capital does is for the world!"
"Is it for the Terminal Daoist, or for the world?"
"The Terminal Daoist is the world!"
"No!" Fan Wubing looked down at him arrogantly, "The Terminal Daoist is ordained by the Heavenly Dao. Whereas the Heavenly Dao, represents this very world."
These words exploded like a thunderbolt in Celestial Venerable Shangli’s heart.
He murmured indistinctly, not knowing what he was saying.
Fan Wubing said,
"Destroying White Jade Capital might sound like an exhilarating thing. Then I could tell the world, see, this is what happens when you oppose me. But I am acutely aware, this world still needs White Jade Capital. Even though some of you are emboldened by divine mandate, acting with arrogance. Yet more people are innocent, completely unaware of the truth. And they are the key figures moving the world forward."
As Fan Wubing said this, he walked forward,
"Celestial Venerable Shangli, you still represent the highest authority of this world, please don’t be so disheveled. The Terminal Daoist system you so call, will be destroyed by me personally. Wait and see, that day will not be White Jade Capital’s most tragic day, but its most hopeful."
Celestial Venerable Shangli stared blankly at Fan Wubing’s back,
feeling that this figure seemed to become as towering and magnificent as an ancestor.
He began coughing violently, spewing forth droplets of blood,
"I’ve lost..."
Baiyu asked worriedly, "Are you alright?"
Shangli muttered deliriously,
"We lost to him in cultivation, lost to him in wisdom, lost to him in character, and even... even in the most important righteousness, we lost to him. A Celestial Slayer who defies the Heavenly Dao cares more for this world than we do."
He struggled to stand up,
"Baiyu, did we take the wrong path?"
Baiyu sighed,
"Honestly, I don’t care about these matters at all. What does the world have to do with me, what do the people of the world have to do with me? However, I will always support you. After all, it was you who led me onto this path."
Shangli said in disarray,
"Dao Ancestor left for the Mortal World, Ancestor Qing divided White Jade Capital into Carefree Heaven and Freedom Heaven. However, Freedom Heaven is not free, Carefree Heaven is not carefree."
The crisis at Evil Mountain was resolved with the arrival of the people from He Yue Village.
They then devoted themselves to the reconstruction of the Evil Mountain Fallen Immortal Land without complaint, just as in countless days and nights past, they relentlessly worked the fields to provide quality crops for the world.
Shangli and Baiyu returned to White Jade Capital.
The next day, White Jade Capital announced the lifting of the blockade on the East Continent.
That day,
White Jade Capital’s Freedom Heaven was filled with hundreds of Terminal Daoists. They angrily accused Celestial Venerable Shangli of abusing his power for personal gain and betraying trust.
On the third day,
another Little Freedom Official, Celestial Venerable Hou Long, and Celestial Venerable of the Supreme Palace, Celestial Venerable Sui, convened the Immortal Dao Assembly to impeach Celestial Venerable Shangli. Over seven hundred Terminal Daoists cast their votes in favor.
On the fourth day, Celestial Venerable Shangli resigned, accepting blame, and Celestial Venerable Hou Long took over all his responsibilities. Celestial Venerable Hou Long intended to reimpose the blockade on the farmers, but the Demon Extermination Bureau suddenly announced an intensified investigation effort, and under the pressure of the Terminal Daoists, chose to abandon the plan.
As for Celestial Venerable Shangli, he took on the duties of Celestial Venerable Hou Long, engaging in celestial and human induction, representing White Jade Capital in communicating with the Heavenly Dao.
However,
three months later, for unknown reasons, Celestial Venerable Shangli suddenly succumbed to inner demons and chose to end his own life.
That day, flames filled the sky.
Rumor has it, half a month before his suicide, he made a trip to Little South Continent. Some people saw him enter the Fan Family’s gate.
No one knows what they discussed.
And the newly appointed leader laid all the blame on Fan Wubing.
The conflict between White Jade Capital and its multitude of Terminal Daoists with him became more irreconcilable.
On the night Celestial Venerable Shangli died and vanished,
Fan Wubing sought out his master, Yushan Daoist, and asked a question,
"Master, did I cause the death of Celestial Venerable Shangli?"
Yushan Daoist smiled and patted his head, just like he was still a child,
"It was the Heavenly-ordained morality that caused his death."