508 A Brief Calm

Mighty Duck. Deck.

Hei Mao stepped closer, his expression tight with worry as he searched my face.

“Master… what about Luminary’s Rest? The city… did it survive the flames?”

I gave him a small, reassuring nod. “They should be fine. I managed to evacuate the entire place before that big fire spell went off. The Dark Veil took most of the hit, but everyone inside is safe.”

Hei Mao’s shoulders visibly relaxed. A genuine smile broke across his face as he cupped his fist and bowed slightly. “Congratulations on reaching the ninety ninth layer of Ascended Soul realm, Master. Your growth is truly inspiring.”

“Sharp eyes, like always.” I scratched the back of my head, feeling a bit awkward at the formal praise. “Thanks, Hei Mao. I appreciate it.”

I turned toward Alice, who stood steady at the helm, her hands still glowing faintly with qi from maintaining the ship’s course through the void. “Alice, how long do we need to get back to the Hollowed World?”

Without a word, Alice waved her hand. A complex planar spell array lit up across the deck beneath our feet. The Mighty Duck suddenly lurched forward, surging through the vastness of outer space with a burst of speed that far surpassed its usual warp capabilities. The stars around us blurred into streaks of light.

It didn’t take long before we emerged just outside the Hollowed World. The enormous planet loomed ahead, its surface almost entirely shrouded by the familiar protective layer of the Dark Veil. On the horizon, I could already spot Luminary’s Rest, similarly wrapped in its own sphere of darkness, safe and intact.

Hei Mao let out a deep sigh of relief, his tail swishing slowly behind him. “What is the plan now, Master?”

I paused, staring out at the veiled world as I thought more carefully this time. Honestly, I had no real intention of staging some grand invasion when I first decided to come to the Underworld. It wasn’t my responsibility to bring order to this chaotic xianxia galaxy. The terrible state of the departed souls arriving here had been one of the main reasons I took such aggressive actions in the first place. The Ninth Layer and Eighth Layer didn’t have an owner either, and it wasn’t like we were illegally occupying anything. Even Luminary’s Rest had been built on completely barren land.

I glanced at Hei Mao. “What do you think of my motivation… or my justification for building Luminary’s Rest and setting up a base of operations here?”

Hei Mao tilted his head, thinking carefully on his words. After a moment, he spoke with a profound tone that somehow completely missed the point. “Master’s heart is pure and his will is unyielding. In a realm where the strong devour the weak, choosing to build rather than destroy is the mark of a true ruler.”

I resisted the urge to sigh.

Before I could respond, Gu Jie dropped down from the crow’s nest with a light thud. She had changed so much over the years. What was once a hyperactive little girl had slowed into the graceful movements of a teenager. She wore dark robes embroidered with golden dragons that flowed around her like living shadows. Even now, I could sense her clones secretly moving about somewhere… her little ‘rebellion’ was clearly still in full force.

Gu Jie crossed her arms and looked at me with a knowing smirk. “Father, you didn’t think that far ahead. Ultimately, you just built a base because you saw others doing it. People from different realms coming and going, creating their own businesses and facilities… it was convenient, that’s why. As to why you escalated everything, it was because you found Hei Mao.”

Hei Mao blinked in confusion, his ears perking up. “What does it have to do with me?”

Gu Jie’s smirk widened. “It’s because of your sister.”

Hei Mao let out a disappointed “Oh…” as realization dawned on him. Hei Mei had been slated as the ‘bride’ of War, after all. Then Hei Mao had stolen said bride, ran away, and was never found again.

“That’s part of the reason, yes,” I added quietly.

Gu Jie nodded, her golden eyes gleaming with sharp intelligence. “Father, you are preparing for the worst-case scenario. If the Supreme Death is not keen on dialogue, you would have to fight him, and the consequence of that is setting the entire Underworld against you. The Ninth Layer and Eighth Layer weren’t owned by any of the Supreme Death’s sons, so you took the initiative. You sent your players here to win the hearts and minds of the oppressed, eventually transforming both layers into your own pieces. I must say, it’s rather uncharacteristic of you, father, to show so much ambition and foresight. It has to be the eyes. It’s unfair that you scold me so much recently. What are the chances the Origin is controlling you?”

I reached out and calmly patted the top of her head, ruffling her hair despite her attempt to dodge.

“Um, father, please?” Gu Jie cried pathetically, her voice turning whiny as she tried to shrink away from my hand.

I kept my palm firmly on her head and gave her a stern look. “I’m scolding you because you’ve developed a much sharper tongue as of late. Where did my cute, innocent daughter go?”

“Do you really think of me as a fool, Da Wei?”

I turned to the owner of the voice. War stood by the railing of the Mighty Duck, his crimson eyes burning with barely contained rage. Hei Mao was instantly alert, his scarf whipping around in fury as he prepared to strike.

“Calm down,” I said, raising a hand. “It’s a clone.”

I stared at my right wrist where the red marks of the Binding Vow still glowed brightly. The pattern was different from the one I had made with Aixin. This one was deep crimson, shaped like two swords locked together in combat.

I shrugged lightly. “No, I don’t think you are a fool. Just not smart. Oh, they are the same!”

War’s clone narrowed his eyes.

“Can you tell me why your lot is being so violent?” I asked, and gave it to him straight.

“You’ve been raiding my bases in the Eighth and Ninth Layer,” he shot back.

“It’s because you staged an invasion here in the Hollowed World,” I replied evenly. “And your people had been really aggressive on my players… erm… my people, so of course they will fight back.”

He let out a short, bitter laugh. “It had been unfortunate for the ‘invasion’ of the Hollowed World. My subordinate had been very eager. But let’s not kid ourselves, we are going to fight, wage war, and see who shall reign supreme. It’s a natural course of events when two tigers occupy a mountain. One of them has to go.”

I shook my head. “I am sorry, but I consider myself… erm… human, yes, let’s go with that.”

War leveled me with a mysterious gaze. Was that disappointment I saw in his eyes?

“I don’t understand it, honestly,” he said. “In my eyes, you are indeed strong, but I don’t see how you can kill father.”

“And why would I kill him?” I asked, genuinely confused. “Listen, we got off on the wrong foot. But I believe we don’t have to start killing each other now. Let me talk to your father. That’s all I honestly want.”

“No,” War snarled, fury flashing across his face as he lashed out with his words. “You will never meet my father. You will stop at me. Listen, Da Wei, I will destroy you before you ever find the chance of facing him. I, War, will slaughter you.”

I gave him a calm look. “You would have to catch me first.”

I activated one of my new skills, a byproduct of combining the principles of Divine Speed, Zealot’s Stride, and Flash Step. “Divine Step.”

In an instant, I appeared right in front of the clone. With a single palm strike to his chest, I pushed him backward and declared with surging Divine Qi, “Exorcise.”

The clone dispersed into a cloud of drifting blood that quickly scattered into the vacuum of space.

I turned back to my companions on the deck. “We’re heading back inside the Hollowed World. I need to go to Radiant Losten and talk to someone. I need intel on the current state of the Underworld and to cash in some of the debts the Origin Faith owes me.”

Alice nodded silently and turned the Mighty Duck toward the Hollowed World. The ship surged forward once more, slipping through the layers of the Dark Veil that protected the planet.

I moved closer to Hei Mao, lowering my voice. “I intend to integrate Luminary’s Rest into the Hollowed World. What do you think?”

Hei Mao’s eyes widened in objection. “Master, you can’t! Luminary’s Rest still has an important role to play. It must become the guiding beacon for departed souls arriving in this realm. If we merge it now, we lose that purpose.”

I paused, considering his words. “I understand, Hei Mao. But it would be dangerous for Luminary’s Rest to remain exposed out there, especially with War and his forces now actively targeting us.”

Hei Mao still insisted, his voice firm with determination. “I promise I will protect it better this time, Master. Please trust me.”

I looked at him for a long moment, seeing the resolve burning in his eyes. Finally, I nodded and let the matter rest. “Alright. I accept your resolve. We’ll keep Luminary’s Rest as it is for now.”

…

[POV: Hei Mei]

“Brother is definitely going to kill me,” Hei Mei muttered as she sat cross-legged on top of Bob’s enormous head.

When the colossal Asura Eye had left the moon earlier, Hei Mei had rushed after him and hidden herself under his neck, clinging tightly as they floated together in the cold vacuum of space. She had only wanted a quiet moment to breathe after everything that had happened, but War’s sudden assault had turned the entire area into a battlefield.

Bob’s deep, rumbling voice echoed gently around her. “YOOOUU WILLL BEEE FIIIINE…”

Hei Mei sighed, resting her chin on her knees. “It’s easy for you to say. It’s not you who has to suffer a very paranoid twin who also happens to be the lord of a city and the disciple of an emperor.”

“HEEEE’S YOOUR OOONLY FAAAMIIILYYY…” Bob replied slowly, his single massive eye blinking once in quiet comfort.

“I get it, I get it,” she mumbled.

“Now, now, who do we have here?” a silky feminine voice suddenly remarked.

Hei Mei froze. Floating before them was a naked woman with flowing fiery red hair that danced like living flames. It was the Heavenly Flame.

“Yuan Shun, you have to fulfill your bargain with me. I haven’t forgotten,” the Heavenly Flame said, her lips curling into a dangerous smile. “My master needs his flowers, and you’ve sworn you will give yourself up to him. Last time, you were more cooperative. What now?”

Hei Mei gritted her teeth, her hands clenching into fists. “I think you are mistaken, lady. My name is Hei Mei. I don’t care about this deal. Yuan Shun and I are two different people. Yuan Shun was long gone. And only I remain.”

“HEEAVENLY FLAAAME,” Bob cried out in warning.

The naked woman tilted her head. “Oh, someone recognizes me. Regardless, I need to take you with me.”

“NO, YOU DON’T!” screamed a powerful voice in Qi Speech.

A woman with flowing blond hair came crashing down from a nearby celestial object like a meteor. Hei Mei immediately recognized her as Saber, one of the most prominent players. Her sword struck toward the Heavenly Flame, but the latter simply turned into living fire, letting the blade pass harmlessly through her.

The sound of heavy metal crashing through the void resounded as another massive figure burst out from a portal. Ivan swung down his mighty axe with terrifying force. The Heavenly Flame snarled, “You again—just die—”

She unleashed a wave of searing flames that engulfed Ivan, but his axe still connected, sending her flying backward as he roared his skill, “War Smite!”

Just in time, another player swept in from below and resurrected Ivan before he could fully perish.

More players suddenly poured into the battlefield from every direction. Floating vessels from War’s camp began to appear as well, only to be immediately jumped upon and boarded by swarms of determined players.

“For Bob! Protect our most precious NPC!” one player shouted at the top of his lungs.

“Die, you flaming bitch! Bob belongs to us!” another screamed, chugging what Hei Mei recognized as one of their precious, hard-earned consumables without hesitation.

“We won’t let you touch him!”

The players fought with desperate fury, some even burning through rare items they usually hoarded for major boss fights.

Bob’s slow, deep voice rumbled with clear emotion. “IIIII… AAAAAM… SOOO TOOOOUCHED…”

“Go, Bob! You have to get out of here!” a player yelled while desperately blocking a flame tendril. “That crazy naked lady might get you!”

“Yeah, run! We’ll hold her off!”

Bob’s single eye softened. “THAAAANK… YOOOUUU… MY… FRIIIEEEENDS…” he said in his usual slow, drawn-out tone.

With surprising agility for his colossal size, Bob began to move. He rushed straight toward the massive fleet of War’s ships, his enormous body smashing through them like a living meteor. Vessels shattered and exploded under the sheer bulk and power of the Asura Eye as he barreled forward, clearing a path through the enemy formation.

Hei Mei held on tightly to the top of his head, heart pounding as the chaos of battle raged all around them.

“Brother Mao! Save meee!”

…

[POV: Da Wei]

We passed through the Dark Veil and returned to the Hollowed World. Guided by the Dark Veil’s protective layers, the Mighty Duck arrived just above Radiant Losten’s capital of New Risendawn.

The place had changed a great deal. Towering spires of light and crystal rose elegantly beside sturdy paladin-style fortifications. Wide boulevards filled with both cultivators and players stretched out below us, while floating gardens and glowing runes drifted lazily in the air. The entire city pulsed with a harmonious blend of qi and modern fantasy architecture that somehow worked.

“Master…” Hei Mao breathed beside me, his voice thick with shock. “This place is… incredibly beautiful. I never imagined something like this could exist in the Hollowed World.”

I smiled faintly. This was Hei Mao’s first visit here. He hadn’t even seen the city before it was integrated into the Hollowed World. Back then it was just another ruined or barren stretch of land we slowly rebuilt.

Davian Lightforge soon appeared on the deck in a flash of golden light, his royal armor gleaming under the sun.

“Oh, Dave!” I cried out with a grin. “I guess I should call you Davian Lightforge now!”

He grinned back, rubbing the back of his neck. “My lord, oh please, Dave is just fine.”

I chuckled and shook my head. “If you are going to continue addressing me as your lord, and not by name, despite being a king of a nation, then I guess it should be fine to call you just Dave. But what about the confusion?”

Alice let out an exasperated sigh from the helm, clearly fed up with the same old back-and-forth. “It’s just a two-letter difference. Stop making a big deal out of it already.”

I laughed lightly and stepped forward, pulling Dave into a manly hug and patting him firmly on the back. He returned the embrace with equal strength, the familiar warmth of an old friend making the tension from the earlier battle ease just a little.