Chapter 1601: You Must Live

Translator's Note: My creator mission posts are up. Check it out if you want to. In this case I basically wrote a small fanfic from the perspective of Ye Qing's storage artifact, Nine Heavens. He never stopped carrying it, you know?

https://forum.wuxiaworld.com/blogs/entry/13-chapter-7-i-am-nine-heavens/

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQ4fMW2kqKS/?igsh=MXFkbGt2cmh2cndlZA==

“It’s not that serious.” The Earthly Sovereign said smilingly, “If you can beat them, then that will be great. If not, then run away and hide until you’ve grown your strength enough to fight another round. Where there’s life, there’s hope!”

“Er...” Ye Qing rubbed his nose for the umpteenth time. To be honest, the true Earthly Sovereign didn’t really match his image of the man. In his imagination, he thought the man to be fearless, great, and invincible. So, it was quite disillusioning to hear such words from the man himself.

It was no wonder people said that heroes should be idolized from a distance. If you stood too close, you were destined to be disappointed one way or another.

That said, there was no doubt that this version of the Earthly Sovereign felt a lot more realistic and human.

The Earthly Sovereign clapped Ye Qing on the shoulder and advised earnestly, “Running away isn’t shameful, boy. Dying is.”

If that’s true, then why are you dead, and King Taishan is still alive?

Ye Qing mentally ranted.

“I die because I have lived enough and reached the end of my lifespan. I am not willing to become a Buddha or an ancestor and be bound to the Heavenly Way either. That is why I welcomed my death.”

As if he could read Ye Qing’s thoughts, the Earthly Sovereign explained his reasoning before scoffing, “King Taishan and his ilk though, pah! They are scum who would do anything including throwing away their integrity, selling their soul and abandoning their pride to live even a breath longer. What’s the point of living if even a dog has more soul and dignity than you?”

“Oh right, I almost forgot to tell you. There is still some time before Taishan awakens, and he is even more injured now that I’ve suppressed his spiritual intent. It would be years before he could spare the energy to start new trouble.”

Ye Qing’s eyes lit up at that. That was very good news.

The Earthly Sovereign cautioned, “Still, King Taishan is a despicable and shameless, cunning and treacherous man. He may not take action personally, but it’s very likely that he will send someone after you, so you should be on your guard nonetheless.”

“Thank you for informing me about this, senior. I will.” Ye Qing thanked him. “To be honest though, King Taishan is the only one I’m worried about. Everyone else is not a real concern.”

The Earthly Sovereign stroked his beard and guffawed when he heard this. “Hahaha... now you’re acting like I was back in the day! Not bad, not bad at all!”

“Oh right, did you have anything else you would like to tell me, senior? You must have brought me here for a reason, right?”

Ye Qing had more or less confirmed during their conversation that the Earthly Sovereign meant him no harm.

The Earthly Sovereign smiled. “Yes, but it’s not what you think. I simply wish to meet my successor with my own eyes. That’s all.”

Ye Qing was taken aback. He did not think that the Earthly Sovereign’s goal would be so simple. Then again, it was something he would do.

“Am I living up to your expectations, senior?”

The Earthly Sovereign nodded. “Oh yes, I am very satisfied. You remind me of myself. Your only problem is that you think too much, and you’re not as candid and forthright as I was.”

Ye Qing rubbed his nose. “I will strive to emulate your example, senior.”

“Hahaha... good, good.” The Earthly Sovereign laughed. “Though, I would like you even more if you can change the way you address me.”

Ye Qing took a moment to interpret the Earthly Sovereign’s words before replying, “This disciple promises to take after you, master.”

“Very good.” Full of smiles, the Earthly Sovereign stroked his beard and felt increasingly satisfied with what he saw.

“Alright, I have met you and satisfied my curiosity. It is now time for you to leave.”

Ye Qing hurriedly got up to his feet. “Disciple Ye Qing bids you goodbye, master. I must have accumulated three lifetimes of fortune to be able to meet you today, master. This disciple will never forget this meeting.”

“Wait, I think you forgot something.”

The Earthly Sovereign Bell suddenly appeared in the Earthly Sovereign’s hand. “What, you don’t want the Earthly Sovereign Bell anymore?”

“Hehe...” Ye Qing rubbed his nose and let out an awkward chuckle.

Of course he hadn’t forgotten about the Earthly Sovereign Bell. There was just no room for him to bring it up until the Earthly Sovereign had brought it up himself!

“Goodbye, my old friend!” The Earthly Sovereign said gently while touching the Earthly Sovereign Bell. Seemingly sensing that it was goodbye, the Earthly Sovereign Bell vibrated slightly and let out a deep, low chime. It sounded sorrowful.

“Don’t be sad. Keep the boy safe, okay? He’s my successor and your current master. Protect him and listen to him.”

The Earthly Sovereign Bell shook slightly as if it was saying yes or expressing its reluctance to leave.

“Go...” The Earthly Sovereign lifted his hand and sent the Earthly Sovereign Bell flying slowly toward Ye Qing.

“Goodbye, my old friend.” The Earthly Sovereign Bell flew slowly and reluctantly. The Earthly Sovereign waved his hand and bade the Strange Artifact goodbye.

Ye Qing caught the bell with both hands and said seriously, “I will use the Earthly Sovereign Bell well, master. I promise I won’t disappoint it or you.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” The Earthly Sovereign waved his hand. “Now go.”

“Goodbye, master.” Ye Qing saluted him. “Once this disciple has slain the Four Evils, I will definitely return and report the good news.”

“Hahaha... good. I look forward to that day.” The Earthly Sovereign let out a guffaw.

After Ye Qing was out of the room, the Earthly Sovereign’s smile abruptly grew forlorn and sad. “Unfortunately, I won’t live to see that day.”

After Ye Qing left the room, he saw the Soul Collector waiting outside the door and greeted him, “Greetings, senior.”

The Soul Collector looked at Ye Qing for a very long time before finally saying, “You... are good.”

Ye Qing was almost afraid to accept his praise. “You flatter me, senior. Thank you.”

Before Ye Qing could bow to him though, an invisible power stopped him. The Soul Collector said, “I hope you remember what you said today. I hope you won’t let down the leader’s expectations!”

Ye Qing promised seriously, “I won’t.”

“Allow me to send you away.” The Soul Collector tapped his bamboo once, and thick layers of darkness enveloped Ye Qing. The next moment, he was gone.

After sending Ye Qing away from the Earthly Sovereign’s Coffin, the Soul Collector slowly entered the Earthly Sovereign’s room and looked at his leader.

If Ye Qing was still present, he would have noticed that the Earthly Sovereign’s consciousness had grown impossibly weak and transparent. He was going to disappear at any moment.

“Why didn’t you speak with that boy a little longer?” The Soul Collector didn’t say anything. He simply looked at the Earthly Sovereign with thick sorrow.

“Ah, I forgot that you dislike talking.” The Earthly Sovereign smiled and looked at the Soul Collector. “Why the sad face? You should smile, you know.”

“Why?” A long time later, the Soul Collector finally asked in a voice choking with sadness.

The Earthly Sovereign countered, “What why?”

The Soul Collector asked, “Why did you give him that wisp of origin power?”

The Earthly Sovereign smiled. “He’s my successor. Why shouldn’t I give it to him?”

The Soul Collector said, “But... you... that means you’ll...”

“Die?” The Earthly Sovereign completed his sentence for him. “I’ve been dead a long time ago. This is just my spiritual intent fading. There’s nothing to be sad about.”

“I left behind such a big mess to such a young boy, but I wasn't able to be of any real help to him. What would the boy think? This is the least I could do for my disciple; my junior.”

The Soul Collector didn’t say anything. He only grew sadder and sadder.

“You’ve stayed with me for long enough, Mu Yue. I am tired, and you are tired as well. You shouldn’t guard me any longer after I’m gone. You should go out there and witness the realm and people everyone fought so hard to obtain on our behalf.”

The Soul Collector declared without hesitation, “I will not. I will depart to the afterlife with you, leader!”

“Don’t say such foolish things.” The Earthly Sovereign shook his head. “You’ve accompanied me for long enough. It is time you live for yourself.”

“Besides, if I die, and you die as well, then who else is left to protect that child? You know how my descendants turned out to be. I would be so lucky if they didn’t get in the boy’s way. You are the only one left he can depend upon now.”

“You need to protect him and keep him from being bullied from those refuse-to-dies. Let them know that my successor has someone to back him up as well, and that they can’t just bully him as they please.”

“That is why you need to live, and live well.”

The Soul Collector did not say anything. He simply clenched his fists tightly.