"Hm? Jiang Jue, what are you thinking about?"
Nestled in Jiang Jue's arms, Meng Hongchen rubbed her little head against his chest, shifting around like a spoiled child.
"Nothing, just a bit puzzled."
"Don't always frown for no reason, it doesn't look good."
Meng Hongchen lifted her head, her icy-blue eyes gazing at Jiang Jue. With a bright smile, she raised her slender, fair hands and gently pressed them against his face, smoothing his frown.
"Come on, give me a smile."
Jiang Jue quietly looked at Meng Hongchen, the corner of his mouth lifting.
"Alright, I'll listen to you."
He raised his hand and gently rubbed her silky hair, speaking softly.
"Hmph, then it's my fault for nagging."
Meng Hongchen gave two soft hums and nestled back into Jiang Jue's chest, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Jiang Jue smiled faintly, gazing up at the bright moon, feeling the lively atmosphere around him. At this moment, peace filled his heart.
"Jiang Jue, do you know what the Lantern Festival means?"
At that moment, Meng Hongchen looked at the blue lanterns held by the crowd and suddenly asked softly.
"What does it mean?"
Jiang Jue froze slightly, a faint glimmer flashing in his eyes.
"On this day, the moon shines brighter than usual. Many people confess their love to the one in their hearts, letting the moon be the witness. Over time, this day gradually became…"
"Let's release the lanterns!"
Someone in the crowd suddenly shouted. The lively atmosphere grew even warmer. One by one, lanterns lit up with soft golden light, floating into the lake and reflecting against the moonlight.
"Meng, finish what you were saying."
Feeling Meng Hongchen's emotions shift in his embrace, Jiang Jue asked with some confusion.
"Jiang Jue, will you remember our promise?"
Suddenly, Meng Hongchen looked up at him, her icy-blue eyes now faintly red.
"Promise?"
Jiang Jue paused, lowering his voice.
"You said… in the future you would travel the rivers and mountains with me…"
"You will come back, won't you?"
Looking at the girl in his arms, Jiang Jue's gaze flickered as he whispered.
"I will!"
Meng Hongchen's lips curved into a smile, tears brimming in her eyes as she leaned against him, reluctant to let go.
"Corporal Jiang Jue, no matter how far you go…"
"Remember this."
"There is a girl…"
"…who has always been waiting for you."
"…waiting for you to return!"
As Meng Hongchen's voice fell, the lanterns on the lake blossomed in fleeting brilliance, their warm glow spreading out and illuminating everything around.
"Don't worry. Just wait quietly for me to come back!"
Jiang Jue looked at her, finally understanding the true nature of this trial of heart.
"Mhm! I'll behave and wait for you."
Meng Hongchen nodded heavily, smiling. Her crisp, bell-like voice rang out, but the next instant, her figure slowly dissolved into cold moonlight and dispersed.
At the final moment, her gaze lingered on him with endless attachment.
Jiang Jue stretched out his hand. The scattered light fell into his palm—not cold, but warm.
"Meng…"
He raised his head toward the moon and whispered softly.
"I may not be a master of emotions, but I will never give up on the people who love me."
The moonlight cascaded across the world, cold yet serene.
Jiang Jue slowly rose to his feet. Facing the bustling crowd, he let out a low shout.
In the next instant—everything fell silent. The world shattered.
"Some things… must be done by one's own hands!"
Back in the pitch-black space, Jiang Jue sighed in realization.
But soon, before his eyes, black water condensed from the still lake, slowly forming into a humanoid figure. That figure… looked exactly like him.
"What do you want?"
A deep voice came from the figure. Dragging trails of black water, it stepped toward him, its crimson eyes cold and piercing.
"What do I want?"
Jiang Jue's heart was calm like still water. Without haste, he looked at this "self" approaching and gave a faint smile.
"When I was six years old, before awakening my martial soul, I only wanted to live a little better with Grandpa Lake. To have meat on the table every day would've been enough."
"If I had awakened a weak martial soul, or had no soul power, I would have stayed in Valan Village—quietly living as an ordinary person. I'd find a girl who loved me, marry her, and have children."
"Maybe I'd even take over Grandpa Lake's position as village chief, leading Valan Village forward, hoping my children would awaken strong martial souls."
Here, Jiang Jue paused, a trace of madness flashing across his face.
"But that year, when I was six, I awakened the strongest Body Martial Soul and the Soul Refining Banner. I knew then—I had the power to pursue my own path, to control my own fate."
"From that moment, I stepped onto this arduous and twisted road."
"No one forced you to walk this path, did they?!"
The other "Jiang Jue" had already reached him, crimson eyes locking on his own, voice low and accusing.
"You could've enjoyed life instead of suffering like this. You're tired, aren't you?"
Jiang Jue's eyes grew even deeper.
"No! Once you have power, ambition grows. I refuse to waste my life as just anyone. I will control my destiny, not be at the mercy of others!"
"So all along the way, I've plotted, schemed, and cultivated relentlessly—holding everything within my grasp!"
Though calm, his voice carried a force of conquest.
"You can still stop. Isn't life beautiful? Aren't the women tender enough? With your current status, isn't everything within reach?"
The voice of "Jiang Jue" was filled with temptation, like a whisper from hell.
"But I am already on this road. From the moment I chose it, there was no turning back!"
"The end holds only two outcomes: either I become the God of Gods—or I fail and vanish, body and soul destroyed!"
Madness once again flickered across Jiang Jue's face.
"What arrogance! That's the God-King you're talking about!"
"You… you aren't afraid?"
The figure leaned forward, roaring.
"Afraid?!"
"To achieve greatness, how could I cower before the fight? That is not my way!"
Jiang Jue clenched both fists in the air, his body erupting with a fearless aura.
"Hahaha!"
"Good! Excellent!"
"You're incredible!"
"Perhaps now I understand—you are the best version of me."
"No—you are me!"
The "Jiang Jue" suddenly roared, his expression twisted. Pointing at Jiang Jue, his crimson eyes gleamed greedily.
"Come, let us fuse and create brilliance together!"
"Once you fuse with me, you will gain unimaginable benefits!"
Saying so, he lunged at Jiang Jue, black water surging, cold and sinister aura pouring forth.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
"Soul Refining Banner—refine him for me!"
"Fool! Once you enter the banner, all of you will be mine!"
Jiang Jue's heart was already clear. Dark purple-black aura erupted from him as he summoned the Soul Refining Banner. With a sweep, a stream of ashen power lashed out, striking the shadow. Immediately, vicious chains shot forth, clawing toward it.
"Haha! I knew you'd do this!"
The shadow grew even wilder, excitement contorting its face into a wicked grin.
"If you didn't, you wouldn't be me!"
"I know you better than anyone!"
"Enough nonsense—get in there!"
With a surge of strength, Jiang Jue dragged the figure into the banner. Yet even as it was swallowed, its voice echoed endlessly through the darkness.
"Spare me your justifications. Do you even deserve to hear them?"
Watching that deranged "self" vanish into the banner, Jiang Jue gave a cold snort and casually waved away the lingering echoes.
The next instant, he felt a strange aura within the Soul Refining Banner—a sudden, refreshing clarity filling his heart.
His expression shifted. At once, he sat cross-legged, restraining his breath. The banner floated silently behind him, radiating a ghostly glow.
"Could this be… enlightenment?"
(End of Chapter)