Chapter 148: A Battle With Our Backs To The Water, The Tide Will Decide

The once-holy Dragon City had now become a living hell.

There was a deathlike silence here.

Everyone was silent, hauling the corpses of their fallen comrades.

Mu Nanzhi sat with her arms around her knees, staring vacantly amid the rubble and the heaps of bodies. The pride that once filled her eyes was gone.

Two savage battles had completely flattened all her arrogance.

As Long Kui had said, she was too young, and should not have taken part in such a fateful confrontation.

Now, gazing upon Dragon City’s devastation, she deeply regretted the decision she had made.

Gu Changqing sat atop the city walls of Dragon City.

He was bare-chested, and Long Kui was tending his wounds. There wasn’t an unscarred patch on his torso, bloodstains were everywhere.

…

Outside the mirror.

The cultivators silently looked at Dragon City’s ruin, at the injuries on Gu Changqing’s body.

Every face was deeply moved.

“At this moment I finally understand why the Heavenly Palace later became just a major power in Beixuan Continent.”

“I finally understand why the Dragon Clan’s tremendous foundation could be swept away.”

“And I finally understand why we have never heard of beings from beyond the realm.”

The gathered cultivators were moved.

In the ancient times the Heavenly Palace could dominate the heavens, but because of this very battle its foundation was lost, and it could only be reduced to a regional power.

And the Dragon Clan, even with two Half-Step to Immortals and more than a dozen Great Emperors, such a legacy was scarcely known in the Beixuan Continent.

Everyone understood why they had never witnessed beings from beyond the realm.

Because those outsiders were so powerful, had they been witnessed it would have meant the destruction of the Beixuan Continent.

And the reason they had not witnessed them.

Was because these people had guarded them at the cost of their lives!

“These people deserve our admiration. As the younger generation, we must not forget their names and deeds.”

“Indeed, they died protecting us, yet we don’t even know their names.”

“They should be revered by all spirits and remembered by all beings!”

A cultivator’s eyes filled with tears as he murmured.

“Perhaps we were never right to treat the Heavenly Emperor this way.”

“Even if he became a great demon who harmed the masses, we have no right to betray him or to rise against him!”

Another cultivator voiced this sentiment.

At this moment, almost all the cultivators had forgotten their blood feud with the Heavenly Emperor.

In the face of such sacrificial love that protected all lives, every revenge now seemed pretentious, childish, and utterly weak.

“Without him, would we be here now?”

“We stand here because of him and countless predecessors who fought to protect us, and yet we suppressed him.”

The assemblage was moved, breaking into bitter smiles.

A wave of guilt rose in their hearts.

Ye Chen listened to these words. His face grew darker and his heart more uneasy.

He hurried forward and said, “Everyone, it was the Dragon Clan and the Heavenly Palace who protected us.”

“Admittedly, the Heavenly Emperor was one of them, but you must understand, anyone would have fought under those circumstances!”

“I, Ye Chen, would have. I believe everyone present would have fought for the peace and prosperity of the Beixuan Continent.”

“The Heavenly Emperor did have great merits, but they cannot hide the crimes he bore!”

The cultivators did not respond to Ye Chen.

Indeed, his words made sense, yet no one answered.

That said, after all the Heavenly Emperor had stood against the Youming clan’s six Half-Step to Immortals and slaughtered countless outsiders.

Without him, how could the Dragon Clan and the Heavenly Palace have held back the breach?

Not to mention the Witch God! If not for his seal, the Witch God’s return would be unstoppable. Who could have stopped him?

There had never been a shortage of people who preach great principles. What’s lacking were those who acted like the Heavenly Emperor did.

Everyone had seen the ferocity of this war.

Even the Heavenly Palace’s many Quasi-Emperors and Supremes felt fear. Even the proud Dragon Clan wore looks of desolation.

Who could be sure that, should such a calamity come, many would be willing to follow the Heavenly Emperor and strike like him?

Watching from the sidelines now, everyone thought they would be brave. But if a true catastrophe arrived, few would have the courage.

But people were ultimately selfish.

Admittedly, the Heavenly Emperor’s great deeds could not be erased, yet everyone still found it hard to let go of their hatred…

They understood that from the moment they joined the Justice Alliance, they had walked a path entirely opposite to the Heavenly Emperor’s.

If the Heavenly Emperor did not die, then they would perish!

…

Inside the mirror.

Dragon City was peaceful, and the night was quiet.

The surviving cultivators were neither grieving nor wailing over their fallen. No one spoke.

They sat on the ground with dull eyes and sullen faces.

Everyone knew this was the calm before a greater calamity. They might soon follow the dead.

Long Kui scanned the cultivators, then her complex gaze returned to Gu Changqing.

She slowly sat beside Gu Changqing and said softly, “The Youming clan’s foundation far exceeds our imagination. Though they have retreated this time, they’ll likely return before long.”

Her beautiful eyes shimmered as she gazed at Gu Changqing. “If anything happens to me, remember to take care of that little girl for me. She is truly pitiful.”

Gu Changqing said nothing, merely watching the woman quietly.

She had very beautiful eyes, glittering like a river of stars.

Her features were sculpted, with heroic bearing between her brows, like a peerless empress who must not be offended.

Long Kui said softly, “Suppressing the Youming clan has been the Dragon Clan’s destiny for generations. In this battle my clan could not retreat, but your Heavenly Palace is different…”

Gu Changqing didn’t let her finish and interrupted, “Where the nest is overturned no egg can remain intact.”

He stood up and stared at the endless Dragon City. “A battle with our backs to the water, the tide will decide!”

Long Kui’s eyes were moved. She felt the determination shining in the man’s gaze.

She stood up as well.

A man and a woman stood proudly on the city wall, gazing into the distance.

One was bare-chested and covered in wounds. The other wore a red robe, with a slender waist, exquisite figure, and long hair fluttering.

“I really want to go outside and see the world.”

“After we finish this battle, I’ll take you to see it.”

Long Kui turned and smiled radiantly.