Chapter 8: The Riddle (18)
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After the duo discovered the star map in the Monster King’s cave on Phoenix Mountain and spilled the beans to Fatty and White Peach, Fatty couldn’t help but wonder if the Monster King had something to do with the Heavenly Sword Sect’s heritage.
Luo Ying, overhearing this, nearly blew her top. If it weren’t for the Male Character trying to smooth things over, they might have ended up in a real pickle.
What the two didn’t expect, however, was that Fatty’s wild guess was actually pretty close to the truth.
Ling Xiaozu sighed dramatically. “This is just the tip of the iceberg, folks. It’s like that long-overdue letter you two dragged back from the East Sea to give me. Great Palace Master explained the truth behind the bl**d sacrifice in the East Sea and pleaded with us, the living, to set aside past grievances and unite against a looming judgment day in two years.”
What Great Palace Master didn’t realize was that I had been in the know all along. In fact, I had a sneaking suspicion about the harsh truth of the world over a century ago. All thanks to the Evil Incarnation of the Monster King.
Luo Ying couldn’t contain her curiosity. “Master, since you were already aware, why didn’t you make plans earlier? I’ve been your disciple for decades, and you’ve never mentioned this!”
Ling Xiaozu shook his head with a sage-like air. “Everything is predestined. If you had observed over a dozen different power systems and worlds like I have, you’d feel just as powerless.”
The Male Character exclaimed, “Wait, are you saying that since the Ocean World, you’ve hopped over to a new world?”
“Yes. Once the Monster King revealed his true identity as the founder of the Heavenly Sword Sect, all the barriers I had built in my heart crumbled. I was desperate to uncover the truth; It felt like the only way to mask my own helplessness. So, I asked him—what’s the deal with the Ocean World, and what’s its value?”
The Monster King replied, “In the world controlled by the Divine Clan, the continent we live in is just one of many. The Small Thousand World is simply the hub connecting these worlds.”
Ling Xiaozu paused dramatically, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. “That’s when I realized why the Monster King fell into a trap on Phoenix Mountain. His memories must’ve been sealed, but upon entering the Small Thousand World, they began to resurface. When he reached Phoenix Mountain, he recalled his responsibilities. Just as Great Palace Master mentioned in the letter, the Monster King led the Monster Race in a war against the Human and Demon Races to diminish their upper echelons and fulfill the Divine Clan’s harvesting mission.”
“So, the Monster King’s disappearing act and handing over his powerful army to the Human-Demon coalition was just a part of the Divine Clan’s grand plan?”
“Exactly. But it seems something went awry; the Monster King became unwilling to stay bound.”
Ling Xiaozu continued, “Those present that day can vouch for it—he definitely struggled and nearly escaped his prison.”
“So, to weaken his power, the Small Thousand World had his consciousness split into three parts after he got hit by the old Sect Master’s sword technique, making them independent and harmless, completely at the mercy of the Heavenly Sword Sect. The problem? We couldn’t off the Monster King’s incarnation; we could only cage it!”
The Male Character’s voice trembled slightly. “Are you saying the Small Thousand World has its own independent consciousness?”
Ling Xiaozu nodded gravely. “That’s the only explanation. Otherwise, with the Monster King’s prowess, he could simply vanish if he wanted to ditch his army. Why would he choose to be a prisoner?”
“So, the Small Thousand World is executing the will of the gods, keeping the Monster King around for punishment, right?” the Male Character asked.
“Should be.”
“But according to what you just said, this incarnation of the Monster King has altered its previously tyrannical behavior… Does that mean… it’s under the control of the Small Thousand World’s consciousness?”
Ling Xiaozu shot the Male Character an approving glance. “On this point, Luo Ying will never match your quick thinking; maybe she’s had one too many drinks these years.”
Luo Ying, feeling slightly insulted, muttered, “…”
The Male Character squeezed her hand softly and whispered, “Don’t take it to heart.”
Luo Ying grumbled, “I’ve noticed no matter who gets possessed by you, they always seem like a big deal.”
The Male Character cleared his throat a couple of times, redirecting his gaze back to Ling Xiaozu. “Master, so the reason he left those star map markings on the wall was to grab your attention and pull you into another world. What’s his game?”
Ling Xiaozu sighed, “I asked him the same thing, but he didn’t answer right away. Instead, he told me to experience all the worlds before drawing conclusions. So, I’d periodically announce I was in seclusion, ranging from a month to five or six years, when in reality, I was exploring other worlds. Time flows differently—some worlds are fast, some slow. I once spent just a month in an underground cave world and returned to the Small Thousand World to find six years had passed!”
The Male Character interjected, “What’s the time flow situation in this world, then? Plus, the manor’s Master can cross world boundaries to send us to assassinate you?”
Ling Xiaozu shared, “Honestly, this world is what confuses me the most. After lengthy contemplation, I’ve come to a basic understanding. But before that, let me finish my story.
It wasn’t until half a year ago that I finally surveyed all the worlds to report back to the Monster King’s incarnation. He asked me which of the worlds I experienced had beings that were docile and easy to control yet possessed great power. Logically, powerful beings wouldn’t willingly submit unless they were completely bonkers.
Yet there was a place that met his criteria.”
The Male Character and Luo Ying exchanged knowing glances. “You can’t mean this place, can you?”
Ling Xiaozu nodded. “Indeed. During the day, those little critters are downright harmless; no matter how you push them, they scatter like leaves. But come nightfall, those powerful monsters reveal their true form and become keen on devouring energy-rich beings.
But to fully defeat them? Just one daytime is plenty. It meets the Monster King’s requirements perfectly. I relayed this back to him, and he was quite pleased. By that point, though, I had already guessed his body was controlled by the Small Thousand World.”
So, I asked him, ‘Why are you asking me this?’
His serious reply was, “Don’t you see that such beings are exactly the kind of life that gods need? The only catch is that these little critters can’t reproduce freely; they require a prolonged transformation time.”
I was utterly perplexed; I didn’t quite grasp what he was implying.
In the end, the Monster King dropped the bombshell: “Those little critters were actually humans.”
