Chapter 1636: My Death Is Near

“You flatter us, great emperor. Your role is just as great as ours in the successful eradication of King Taishan.”

The Chief Libationist hurriedly grabbed the Great Emperor of Fengdu’s arm in a friendly manner and said courteously, “Besides, we are one big family from now on. Fengdu and humanity should co-exist and walk toward the future together. May there no longer be strife and conflict between us.”

Face was something only others could give you. Since the Great Emperor of Fengdu was giving his face, it was only natural for him to return the favor.

“That is my wish. I am more than happy to fulfill it with you.” The Great Emperor of Fengdu offered, “Would you like to enter my halls and have a chat with me? It will allow me the opportunity to fulfill my role as a host as well.”

“Hahaha... Thank you for the offer, great emperor, but Fengdu’s troubles are not over yet. You have a lot of work ahead of you, and we shan’t keep you from it.” The Chief Libationist turned him down courteously, “Besides, we need to return to the human world and handle some things as well.”

The Great Emperor of Fengdu sighed regretfully. “That is a shame.” The Chief Libationist smiled. “Don’t worry. We will have plenty of time in the future. I only pray that you do not find my presence irksome then.”

“Of course not!”

The Great Emperor of Fengdu smiled. “I will welcome you with open arms when you show up.”

“It’s a promise. I’ll pay you a visit in the future.”

After chatting with the Great Emperor of Fengdu for a while longer, the Chief Libationist and his allies finally took their leave.

After seeing them off, the Great Emperor of Fengdu withdrew his gaze and slowly flattened his smile. In the end, all that was left on his face was an emotionless expression and a pair of eyes churning with stormy darkness.

......

In the Nether, the Old Heavenly Master remarked thoughtfully, “The Great Emperor of Fengdu does not look like someone who will bow his head to others. You need to be careful, Yinghu.”

“I know.” The Chief Libationist smiled. “But don’t worry. So long as I’m still around, he will never be able to overcome the heavens.”

The Old Heavenly Master asked, “And if you’re no longer around?”

“It will still be fine, because the new will replace the old.” The Chief Libationist cast his gaze across the group. “Even if I die, someone will stand up and take my place. The Great Emperor of Fengdu will forever be stuck in his current position.”

The Old Heavenly Master shook his head. “There is a reason people call you the greatest and most talented one under the heavens. A thousand years may pass, and you would not find another Chief Libationist. Who could hope to replace you?”

The Chief Libationist cast Ye Qing a look. “What do you mean? There is one right over there, isn’t there?”

The Old Heavenly Master raised his eyebrows. “You mean young friend Ye? He is pretty good. One might say that he is one of the top geniuses in the entire world. Even so, he is far inferior to you, isn’t he?”

“I don’t think he’s inferior at all.” The Chief Libationist chuckled. “In fact, I was inferior to him when I was at his age. He is also so young. His future cannot be measured!”

The Old Heavenly Master looked astonished. “You rate him this highly?”

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

“I’m simply stating things as they are.”

The Chief Libationist then looked at the woman flying next to Ye Qing, Feng Qingyou. “It’s not just the boy either. Qingyou is only a step behind him. I am certain that her future achievements will be no less greater.” The Old Heavenly Master stroked his beard approvingly. “The girl is pretty impressive.”

“Right?” The Chief Libationist said with a gratified expression, “I am sure that their future achievements will far exceed mine, but that is not what gratifies me. It’s the fact that they possess a rare heart of justice and goodness. Even if you and I may be gone one day, they will surely become the next guardians of humanity.”

“That may be true...” The Old Heavenly Master looked at the Chief Libationist with a deep frown. “... but why are you talking like you’re making your final arrangements before death?”

The Chief Libationist grinned. “That’s because I am.” The Old Heavenly Master shook his head. “What are you talking about? You’re not me, an old man with half of his body in the grave already. You still have a long road ahead of you!”

The Chief Libationist let out a long sigh. “It may be a lot shorter than you think!”

The Old Heavenly Master sensed something then and turned serious. “You’re serious.”

The Chief Libationist gave him a smile and said nothing. It was precisely because he said nothing that the Old Heavenly Master’s heart sank.

“Could it be...” The Old Heavenly Master did not finish his words, but the Chief Libationist knew what he was going to say.

“That’s correct.” The Old Heavenly Master looked puzzled. “But you were supported by the Clear Sky Mirror, Xuanyuan Sword, and the Earthly Sovereign Bell. How did it still turn out like this?”

“It is true that the sacred artifacts of the Human Way have protected me and weakened the backlash I received from the Heavenly Way, but they are not omnipotent, you know? They cannot protect me from all harm, and especially not the one targeted at my lifespan. In this regard, they are barely effective.”

The Chief Libationist said frankly but without a hint of sorrow. “This is the punishment I received for defying the natural order. It cannot be stopped or avoided.”

The Old Heavenly Master wobbled like he would fall, and the Chief Libationist steadied him. The Old Heavenly Master asked urgently, “Is there any way to delay the inevitable? There are plenty of miraculous medicines and life-extending secret arts in my Heavenly Master Mansion. They can surely extend your lifespan!”

The Chief Libationist shook his head. “They won’t work. The Heavenly Way is ever constant and unchanging.”

The Old Heavenly Master looked dazed and forlorn for a time. “How can this be? This isn’t fair.”

“There is no need to be sad, Old Heavenly Master. It is my wish to die for my belief. I have no regrets.”

The Chief Libationist accepted his inevitable death with an open mind and not a sliver of sorrow though. “Besides, it’s not like I’m dying immediately. I have at least a decade or so left in me. There is no way I’m going to die before I help the boy slay the Four Evils.”

“You... But you’re a living celestial. You do not deserve to be buried in yellow soil and turn into a pile of bones in a withered grave like us mortals.”

The Old Heavenly Master looked immensely sorrowful. “This is not the way!”

“What do you mean living celestial? I am human.”

The Chief Libationist shook his head. “All humans are fated to die eventually. It is simply a matter of time.”

The Old Heavenly Master fell silent for a good few breaths. When he finally managed to master his emotions, he asked, “So, you’re submitting to fate?”

“I accept fate’s arrangement for me, but when did I ever say that I will submit to fate?”

The Chief Libationist said smilingly, “The Heavenly Way has given me a quest of life and death. Naturally, I will strive to seek life through death.”

The Old Heavenly Master was speechless for a moment. Then, he burst out laughing. “Yes, yes! This is the Chief Libationist I know! Why submit to fate until fate has finally come to pass? Why accept fate without struggling until the very end?”

“I believe in you, Chief Libationist. You will surely breach the barrier between life and death and enter a new level.”

The Chief Libationist saluted him. “I will happily borrow your lucky words.”

“I am a fortune teller. If I declare that you will succeed, then you will.”

The gloominess the Old Heavenly Master displayed before was all gone. While stroking his beard with a satisfied expression, he asked, “Oh right, why are you telling me this all of a sudden?”

The Chief Libationist replied, “That’s because I’m probably going to enter secluded cultivation for a very long time after this trip. I need your help during the period where I’m gone.”

The Old Heavenly Master turned a bit serious. “Tell me!”

“One, you are a master of divination and fortune telling. While I’m in secluded cultivation, I ask that you conceal my fate and prevent others from discovering what I’m doing. I would prefer to avoid trouble during this time.”

The Chief Libationist then cast Ye Qing a glance. “Two, I ask that you protect that boy within your capabilities. He possesses a limitless future, and his shoulders carry a great burden. He must be safe.”

The Old Heavenly Master smiled. “Young friend Ye carries a great fortune and is favored by the heavens themselves. I do not think he will need my protection.”

The Chief Libationist shook his head. “As with all things, it is better to be safe than sorry. Besides, my main worry is the old monsters who can disregard such things.”

The Old Heavenly Master joked, “I’m pretty sure you’re not this concerned even with your own disciples. Biased much?”

The Chief Libationist didn’t laugh though. He let out a quiet sigh and said, “He is just a kid, and he is already carrying a burden far too heavy for most people. If we, his elders, do not help him, who will?”