Chapter 288: Song Gudao, Here to Die
Chapter 288: Song Gudao, Here to Die
Monk Wunian said, “Birth, aging, sickness, death, separation from loved ones, encountering enemies, unfulfilled desires, the burning of five aggregates; the eight sufferings in life are unavoidable for all who live. It is the way of things. Complaining against Providence? Dwelling on it only lets Creation play its cruelest tricks.”
Chen Changsheng closed his eyes and nodded. “You speak wisely, Venerable Monk. Regrettably, Changsheng is no celestial immortal, detached from worldly concerns. Nor is he a Buddha, free of grudges and ties. He is just an ordinary man, clinging to love, hate, anger, and obsession in his heart. If I still recognize this world and its people, why should I seek some lofty Celestial Immortal?”
Monk Wunian was stunned for a moment. Had anyone else said such things, he might not have reacted this way. But the man before him was utterly different.
Monk Wunian spoke, “This humble monk cannot tell whether you understand or not.”
“And what if I understand? What if I do not?”
Chen Changsheng let out a long breath. “Some things are impossible to escape.”
Monk Wunian nodded. “This Karma exists whether you acknowledge it or not.”
Chen Changsheng said, “It seems we’ve strayed from the point.”
Monk Wunian shook his head. “We haven’t. You ought to know: this Heaven and Earth, for better or worse, stems from you. The beginning, the cause… everything lies with you.”
Chen Changsheng asked, “Is it because of the ‘Sutra of Rebirth’?”
Monk Wunian nodded slightly. “Precisely.”
“Exactly as I suspected.”
Chen Changsheng let out a bitter laugh. “But if achieving that ‘Sutra of Rebirth’ required such means, Changsheng would rather go without.”
Monk Wunian said, “Under these circumstances, you likely have no choice.”
“No.”
Chen Changsheng looked at Monk Wunian. “Changsheng can choose to reject it.”
Monk Wunian lowered his head, murmuring, “Amitabha Buddha. Many things do not go as we wish.”
“You have your view, Venerable Monk. So do I. This land should know peace once more. If we can restore bygone times, shouldn’t we at least try?”
Chen Changsheng continued, “Since it began with Changsheng, then this Karma should rightly end with him. Venerable Monk, isn’t this exactly where the Karma you speak of lies?”
Monk Wunian paused, then shook his head. “You still fail to grasp…”
“Sigh.”
With that sigh, Monk Wunian’s form dissolved into a golden Buddhist Light that flowed back into Gou’er’s brow.
Chen Changsheng frowned. “Not here…”
He was momentarily confused, but try as he might, he couldn’t find a reasonable explanation.
Chen Changsheng sighed softly and ceased his troubled thoughts.
After all, many matters in this Heaven and Earth needed him to personally settle them.
Yet, these thoughts were merely self-comfort. At this crucial moment, he found himself truly hesitant.
…
Divine Domain, Heaven and Earth Graveyard.
Times changed in a blink, yet the Divine Domain still held the same old faces.
The pockmarked drunkard on the Fortress Wall; Du A’niang cursing loudly inside her tavern; and that cold-hearted, ruthless Song Gudao. Hundreds of faces hadn’t changed in a very long time.
This day, the Divine Domain was unusually quiet.
When Du A’niang saw Song Gudao, she stopped her scolding. She poured him wine as he entered.
The best wine she brewed.
Song Gudao was surprised. He gave a dry chuckle. “Thanks.”
Du A’niang looked at him, her eyes unexpectedly moistening. She wiped a hand across them. “No need.”
Song Gudao sat in the Tavern, cup after cup, without pause.
Du A’niang sat there, just watching him drink cup after cup. This was surely the most polite Song Gudao had ever been while drinking.
Du A’niang suddenly spoke: “You owe me exactly ninety-one taels and two maces. Don’t forget to pay.”
Song Gudao paused upon hearing this. He smiled and nodded. “I’ll pay. Definitely.”
Du A’niang knew once he decided, no words could sway him. She fell silent.
That jug of wine was soon emptied.
Song Gudao picked up the sword on the table. He glanced at the woman behind the counter, the “old widow,” and said, “I’m leaving.”
Du A’niang stared at him for a long, long time in silence.
Finally, she said, “Remember to pay.”
“Alright.”
Song Gudao gripped his sword and walked out of the tavern.
Du A’niang rose and went to the tavern door. She watched his back and shouted.
“Hey!!”
Song Gudao turned. “What?”
Du A’niang said, “I never said I was a widow!”
Song Gudao was stunned.
Du A’niang’s voice suddenly dropped low. “If you die… then I really would become a widow.”
Song Gudao’s lips parted slightly. The sword in his hand trembled.
Their gazes locked across the distance.
Song Gudao took one last look at the woman standing at the tavern door. Then, he tightened his grip on the sword and strode towards the city gate.
Du A’niang never heard his reply in the end.
She sat down right there at the tavern’s entrance. For just a moment, it seemed the outside world went silent. She stared at Song Gudao’s retreating figure until it vanished completely from her sight.
…
Song Gudao pushed open the city gate.
The several dozen figures on the Fortress Wall all sensed the movement and looked down.
“Song!”
Mazi’s face was slightly flushed. “Leaving? What for?”
Song Gudao gripped his sword. “To slay demons!”
The words made the dozens on the wall frown instantly.
Mazi glanced at the looks of those around him, then asked, “Where are there any demons to slay?”
“The Thirty-Six Caves.”
Song Gudao stated it plainly, then addressed Mazi directly: “If I don’t return… you become Chieftain!”
Mazi’s expression changed drastically upon hearing this.
“Damn you!”
Mazi cursed loudly. “Make damn sure you get back here!”
Song Gudao smiled slightly. His gaze fixed on the Green Mountain in the distance.
His long sword floated before him. He stepped onto it, and then flew upon it with the wind, rushing towards those Green Mountains, to cut down the demon dwelling within its caves.
After Song Gudao left, dozens of pairs of eyes on the Fortress Wall turned towards Mazi.
Mazi frowned, then drew the Long Saber at his waist.
In that moment, he was completely, utterly sober.
Shiiiing…
The saber’s keen hiss reached every ear.
Mazi’s voice was icy. “He’s not dead yet, and you’re all so eager?”
Frowns creased the brows of the others. They exchanged silent, uncertain glances.
Mazi snorted coldly and sheathed the Long Saber.
His eyes remained fixed on the distant Green Mountain.
He knew Song Gudao must have had a plan. In terms of strategy and action, out of all the hundreds of them, no one could surpass Song Gudao.
“Damn you!”
Mazi cursed once more, slamming a fist into the Fortress Wall.
…
One Immortal Sword pierced into the Thirty-Six Caves.
The man known as the Chieftain, wielding a sword of simple, ancient design, knocked upon the mountain gate.
“Song Gudao, disciple of Jiang Shouyi! Here to die!”
That day, dozens of Great Demons emerged.
Song Gudao swung his sword nine times.
Fifteen Sixth-Realm Great Demons fell. Four Seventh-Realm Great Demons fell.
After nine strikes, his strength spent, he fell dead.
The Demon Realm shook with fury!