Novel23 Chapter 317 - 316: Descent of the Celestial Beings or End of the Power of Stars?
Chapter 317 - 316: Descent of the Celestial Beings or End of the Power of Stars?
A short while later.
The fragrance of tea wafted through the villa’s living room.
Liu Wushuang arrived as requested, dressed in a tasteful vermilion brocade robe, and landed gently in the courtyard.
As soon as he got the message, he dropped everything he was doing and rushed over to Fuhai District, terrified of showing the slightest disrespect by being late.
"Young Master, you were looking for me?"
"There’s no rush, Elder Wushuang. Let’s go inside to talk."
In the living room, Qin Yang stood up to slide the glass door open for Liu Wushuang. He invited him to take a seat, served him a cup of fresh tea, and then got straight to the point.
"The main reason I asked you to come here, elder, was to ask about the Venerable Alliance and the Beast God Sect. With your experience from so many years in the Venerable Alliance, you must know many of its old secrets."
"You flatter me, Young Master."
Liu Wushuang took a seat and accepted the teacup from Qin Yang. He was somewhat moved as he listened to the way Qin Yang addressed him.
After all,
this world had always revered the strong.
Now that Qin Yang had successfully entered the Celestial Venerable Realm, it was no exaggeration to say he stood above all others.
He had long possessed the power to establish his own sect!
But even as his power grew, he still treated him, an Earth Venerable, with the utmost respect and courtesy, showing not a hint of neglect.
Serving tea, using respectful titles...
He hadn’t neglected a single piece of proper etiquette!
This was a far cry from the attitude Meng Tianxuan had when ordering him around back then!
"Please, Young Master, ask what you will."
Liu Wushuang spoke softly, blowing on the steam rising from his tea. He sat up straight and said, "This subordinate will certainly tell you everything I know. I will divulge any intelligence you require."
"Good."
Qin Yang nodded. He raised an eyebrow and cut directly to the heart of the matter. "Elder, in all your years with the Venerable Alliance, do you know of the Blood Spirit Array?"
The moment he finished speaking.
"The Blood Spirit Array?"
Liu Wushuang’s expression changed. He subconsciously gripped the fabric of his trousers, taken aback by the question. The matter was too far-reaching; it was one of the Venerable Alliance’s deepest secrets.
It involved far too many people!
His first instinct was to evade the topic.
But on second thought, this was the Young Master asking. It would be pointless to refuse.
With that in mind, Liu Wushuang mulled it over for a moment before finally giving a heavy nod.
"Ask away, Young Master.
I once held a high position in the Venerable Alliance myself. My knowledge of this Blood Spirit Array is likely no less than that of that scoundrel, Meng Tianxuan."
"Good. That’s good to hear."
Qin Yang inclined his head, not rushing to press for details. He simply began to speak again, slowly.
"Then what is your perspective on this matter, Elder Wushuang?"
He paused, his gaze as sharp as a blade as he scrutinized the micro-expressions on Liu Wushuang’s face. "Meng Tianxuan previously said that the Blood Spirit Array maintains the passage between two worlds and that the very survival of all Star Martial Artists depends on it.
But if one day, the choice were in your hands... would you choose to allow the Celestial Beings to descend, or would you sever the source of the Power of Stars?"
As his voice faded, an instant silence fell over the room.
"This..."
Liu Wushuang froze. A conflicted look crossed his face, his brows furrowing in distress. Unsure of Qin Yang’s true intentions, he stammered,
"You’re asking... me to choose?"
’This is an impossible choice. The truth will be hard for him to hear, but it’s not in my nature to just say what he wants.’
The more Liu Wushuang thought about it, the deeper his frown became. He carefully weighed the pros and cons before saying hesitantly,
"Young Master, since you’ve placed such trust in me, I will speak from the heart. If you don’t care for what I have to say... I hope you can find it in you to forgive me."
"Speak freely. The truth is what I want."
Qin Yang lifted his teacup and took a sip, his expression as serene as ever.
"Young Master, my opinion is actually the same as Meng Tianxuan’s: maintain the status quo for as long as possible! We absolutely cannot destroy the Blood Spirit Array unless there is no other choice!"
Liu Wushuang took a deep breath, speaking what he truly believed.
"Oh? And why is that?" Qin Yang asked, a single eyebrow raised.
"Ahem..."
Liu Wushuang cleared his throat twice. Seeing Qin Yang’s placid expression, he quickly explained,
"Truly, Young Master... I know that the arrival of the Celestial Beings would be a disaster for all of Earth Star.
Once they descend upon this world, all life on Earth Star will be plunged into misery, and the world of men will become their feeding ground... But even so, I do not wish for the Power of Stars to be severed..."
He trailed off and said no more. He just silently bowed his head toward his knees, lowering it further and further. His fingers gripped his trousers tighter and tighter, as if he had just uttered some great heresy.
’After all,’ Liu Wushuang thought.
’The Heaven-Blasting Gang has always been devoted to the people of Jianghai City.’
’My words were selfish, concerned only with my own Cultivation. As the Young Master of the Heaven-Blasting Gang, what will he think of me?’
’Disregarding the safety of the citizens of Jianghai! It’s a direct violation of our principles!’
’Besides, the fact is that the Blood Spirit Array is collapsing.’
’Maintaining the status quo is just a stalling tactic. It might hold for a year or two, but the Array will inevitably reach its breaking point and shatter.’
’Or maybe... maybe we can find a new Dharma Gate to sustain it.’
’But fundamentally, what’s the difference between the Blood Spirit Array and a ticking time bomb?’
’What will we do when that time comes?’
’Just let the Immortals descend?’
"Sigh..."
Liu Wushuang sighed.
’I understand all of this, dammit!’
’I could have just placated Qin Yang, told him some pretty lies. But the thought of deceiving the Young Master... I just can’t do it!’
’He who seeks sincerity must not deceive himself!’
’This has always been my personal code.’ Liu Wushuang knew in his heart that he would never betray Qin Yang. If he could, he never would have left the Venerable Alliance for the Heaven-Blasting Gang in the first place.
"It’s all right, Elder Wushuang."
Qin Yang could see his inner turmoil and offered comfort with a magnanimous air. "It’s only human. You don’t need to feel guilty. I understand your position."
"What?"
Liu Wushuang froze, completely stunned. For a moment, he thought he must have misheard.
"Young Master, you... you don’t blame me?"
"Blame you?"
Qin Yang shook his head and smiled faintly. "Why would I blame you? The decision was yours to contemplate. I understand what you’re thinking."
After all,
how incredibly difficult was it to cultivate to the Venerable Realm?
Even for a genius like Liu Wushuang,
reaching the Venerable Realm required a long road of talent, opportunity, and hard work. Lacking even one of those would have made his current achievements impossible.
He had accumulated decades of bitter training, day in and day out.
Through scorching summers and bitter winters, year after year, through countless brutal, life-or-death battles, Liu Wushuang had finally reached his current Realm.
To just give all that up...
Forcibly destroying the Blood Spirit Array...
Wouldn’t that be the same as invalidating Liu Wushuang’s entire Cultivation?
And all his decades of effort?!
Qin Yang knew in his heart that he would never hold someone’s morality hostage. If he were in Liu Wushuang’s shoes, he would be just as reluctant. He, too, would rather try to find another solution.
"Thank you for your understanding, Young Master."
Liu Wushuang clasped his hands in a salute, then wiped a drop of moisture from beneath his eye. Whether it was cold sweat or a tear, he couldn’t say. The heart that had been lodged in his throat finally settled back into his chest.
"Don’t worry, Elder Wushuang. You can rest easy."
Qin Yang continued to reassure him, his words like a calming balm. "You are a free man. In the future, if you were to leave the Heaven-Blasting Gang, that would be your choice as well."