Chapter 1901 - 1998: Mountain Tu’s Mercy
Chapter 1901: Chapter 1998: Mountain Tu’s Mercy
In the vast expanse of mountains and rivers, a sea of corpses emitted overwhelming corpse qi; upon observation, there were many renowned experts from the Nine Countries Seven Seas, mostly swordmasters.
The Sword Head’s evaluation underwent a mutation, causing the many experts from the Nine Countries Seven Seas who participated to perish here, including figures such as the Tang Emperor, now a mere corpse among countless others.
It is lamentable that the Tang Emperor, an esteemed ruler admired by all factions of the Nine Countries, and even regarded by the Great Sage Equal to Heaven as a rare lifelong friend, wound up dead here, in this godforsaken place, without anyone to claim his body.
The Umbrella Person appeared here at an unknown time, standing on a shattered cliff, gazing at the scattered corpses below, with a face showing neither joy nor sorrow, devoid of expression.
Suddenly, from the towering pile of corpses, a small creature emerged, catching the eye of the Umbrella Person, who stared intently at it.
"Ah~~ such enchanting fragrance; I can finally have a satisfying feast," said the thing that looked like a large radish, with a slightly hoarse voice, wearing an intoxicated expression, while its hands and feet moved haphazardly amidst the corpses.
If Fang Lin were here to witness this scene, he would surely recognize that it was the Thousand-Year Corpse Ginseng.
At this moment, the Thousand-Year Corpse Ginseng sat among countless corpses, eagerly absorbing the corpse qi from the area, savoring it with utter relish, completely unaware that a pair of eyes was watching it from above.
The dense corpse qi in the area continued to converge toward the Thousand-Year Corpse Ginseng, swirling like a vortex, rushing into its body with abandon.
The Thousand-Year Corpse Ginseng’s seemingly tiny body was like a bottomless pit; no matter how immense or concentrated the corpse qi was, it absorbed effortlessly, displaying a look of utmost comfort.
"I haven’t felt this good in a long time. Ever since I followed that brat Fang Lin, life has only gotten worse. But aren’t I wise, hiding here for so long? Now I can enjoy my meal in peace," the Thousand-Year Corpse Ginseng murmured, shaking its head lazily but contentedly.
"Alas, I don’t know when that brat will return or where he’s gone. There’s been no news, worrying me for several days. But that brat is resilient, like a stinkbug in a latrine. Even I, with my extraordinary luck, have to bow down. I reckon nothing will happen to that kid."
"The world is truly chaotic now, but that has nothing to do with me. No matter how chaotic it becomes, it won’t affect me much. At worst, I’ll just escape back into that Endless Dungeon, where there’s plenty of corpse qi anyway."
The Thousand-Year Corpse Ginseng rambled on, occasionally heaving long sighs, while continuing to absorb the corpse qi undisturbed.
After a long time, the Thousand-Year Corpse Ginseng seemed to have absorbed enough, rubbed its belly, and lay down on an unknown corpse, humming an out-of-tune tune.
The Umbrella Person watched silently, with a somewhat engrossed expression, as if too captivated to avert his gaze.
Amidst this stupor, the Umbrella Person let out a long sigh, with an expression that couldn’t tell if it was joy or sadness.
"Mountain Tu, is this your compassion for all beings on earth?" The Umbrella Person looked up at the sky, gripping the black umbrella tightly.
After a final glance at the Thousand-Year Corpse Ginseng, the Umbrella Person smiled, turned, and vanished from the scene.
"Hmm? Just now, did some shameless fool peek at me?" the Thousand-Year Corpse Ginseng suddenly sensed, standing up and peering at the cliff where the Umbrella Person had stood, mumbling to itself.
However, seeing no one, the Thousand-Year Corpse Ginseng paid no mind and continued to lay there, indulging in its exclusive feast of corpse qi.
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In a secluded, damp mountain ravine lay a lifeless corpse, with a peaceful visage, covered in silver hair.
The Umbrella Person arrived here, walked slowly to the side of the silver-haired elder’s corpse, and viewing the peaceful expression, felt a twinge of bitterness, letting out a faint sigh.
"Such a glorious Demon Saint in life, only to die so forlornly, with his body in this sunless place, barely remembered by anyone," murmured the Umbrella Person, unsure if speaking to the silver-haired elder’s corpse or to himself.
The silver-haired elder was Jin Zhulong, slain by Mo Shouhe, his body falling to this spot, unknown to others, except for the Umbrella Person who found him.
The Umbrella Person had harbored a glimmer of hope, thinking that Jin Zhulong might have a chance of revival, considering he had survived severe injuries and suppression by Mo Shouhe for many years. Perhaps he might survive again.
But upon seeing Jin Zhulong’s corpse, the Umbrella Person realized it was beyond all help; Jin Zhulong was truly dead, with no trace of life remaining, his soul already dispersed into the world.
Even as an Ancient Spirit Incarnation with some of Mountain Tu’s power, he couldn’t save the dead.
The Umbrella Person knelt, contemplating taking Jin Zhulong’s body away; though the man was dead, leaving him here seemed wrong, for he had once been a Demon Saint who fought and died for the world’s people.
Just as the Umbrella Person attempted to collect Jin Zhulong’s body, he saw red glow enveloping the body, preventing any contact.
The Umbrella Person paused, then chuckled bitterly, feeling a deeper sense of sorrow.
"Your brother is dead," the Umbrella Person said softly, with tender tones.
The red glow manifested as a red-clad maiden, glaring at the Umbrella Person with intense hostility, sword qi brimming, ready to strike if the Umbrella Person approached Jin Zhulong’s body.
The Umbrella Person could only offer a wry smile, as the red-clad girl was the soul of Jing Qinghong, Jin Zhulong’s younger sister who died many years ago and was housed within the Clear Rainbow Sword. With Jin Zhulong’s death, her soul left the sword, remaining with Jin Zhulong’s body, refusing to depart, even knowing she would eventually fade away.
Perhaps to Jin Zhulong, death was a release, but for Jing Qinghong’s soul, Jin Zhulong was her sole reliance in the world. With him gone, she desired not to become a wandering ghost, choosing instead to protect his body until her inevitable dissolution.
Seeing the red-clad girl’s stubbornness, the Umbrella Person knew persuasion was useless and nodded, turning to leave.
Before departing, he left a measure of power at the site, ensuring Jin Zhulong’s body would remain undisturbed.