[warnings for unedited typos/mistakes ahead. i didn’t clean this up at all XD]
Book 1: Unchanging Demonic Nature
Chapter 1: No Regrets After The Heart of a Demon Dies
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“Be a good boy and turn over the Spring and Autumn Cicada, Fang Yuan, and I’ll make things easy for you!”
“Old devil Fang, you should stop this useless resisting! All of the righteous ways united here today to crush your den of monsters. We’ve already set nets above and below ground! This time, you’ll definitely lose your head!”
“Fang Yuan you despicable monster, you killed tens of millions of lives to cultivate this Spring and Autumn Cicada! You’ve already committed a heinous crime worthy of retribution! It’s an unforgivable sin! Too vile!”
“Demon, you humiliated me 300 years ago! s.n.a.t.c.hing away my pure body, killing nine generations of my family—from then until now, I’ve hated you enough to eat your flesh and drink your blood! Today, I’ll have you wish you were dead!”
Fang Yuan wore a shredded jade-green robe, his hair billowing wildly. His body was bathed in blood from head to toe as he surveyed the scene around him. The mountain breeze made his b.l.o.o.d.y robes flutter like a war banner in the wind.
The fresh red blood poured from hundreds of wounds on his body. Just by standing there for a while, Fang Yuan had already gathered a large puddle beneath his feet.
His enemies circled him in a ring, cutting off all possible ways of escape. It seemed set that he had no choice but to die today. Fang Yuan saw the situation as clearly as a blazing fire. But even though death was imminent, he remained calm, his expression flat. His eyes were like distant, ancient pools of water, and just as before—filled with a bottomless depth.
The crowds of heroes from righteous Sects that surrounded him weren’t just one branch of venerable Elders. There were also renowned heroes and youths. All of them securely surrounded Fang Yuan, some roaring with rage, some smiling coldly, some squinting with suspicious, narrow-eyed stars or fearful glances as they clutched at their wounds.
None of them made a move, all in dread of Fang Yuan’s last stand before his death. Just like this, the crowd nervously surrounded him for the s.p.a.ce of six hours. As the sun set, its evening glow kindled the clouds and made them as radiant as a flame. Fang Yuan, who had been as quiet and still as a statue this whole time, slowly turned. There was a commotion amongst the gathered heroes as they all drew back a big step.
By now, the greyish-white mountain rocks beneath Fang Yuan’s feet had long been dyed a dark red. His face was pale white from loss of blood, and in the glow of sunset, they suddenly acquired a sweet and beautiful glow.
Looking at the scenery of mountains against the setting sun, Fang Yuan smiled softly. “The setting sun upon the blue mountains, the spring breeze with the autumn moon. It’s as they say. As the sun sets, a young dynasty draws to its end with the snows. Right or wrong, victory or defeat; one turn of the head renders it empty.”
As he spoke, the vision before his eyes became details from a previous incarnation on Earth.
He used to be a student of the Middle Kingdom of that world, but his serendipitous good fortune carried over this this world. After a b.u.mpy 300 years, he marched over the lands for 200 more years, and in this way pa.s.sed 500 years.
The memories buried deep in his heart came to vivid form this instant, flashing lifelike before his eyes.
“In the end, I was defeated.” Fang Yuan sighed in his heart. He was filled with emotion, but he had no regrets. He saw this result early on when he made his choice, and prepared for it in his heart.
A so-called evil way, or Dao, was one that didn’t cultivate merit but killed and burned. Their crimes were such that neither men nor G.o.ds could forgive them, their enemies universal, and yet they had to march on unhindered to one’s heart’s content.
‘If the Spring and Autumn Cicada I just cultivated is useful, then I’ll become an evil devil in my next reincarnation, too!’ Thus thinking, Fang Yuan couldn’t help but let up a loud laugh.
“Old demon, what are you laughing about?”
“Everyone, be careful! The fiend’s launching a counterattack before he dies!”
“Hurry up and hand over the Spring and Autumn Cicada!”
The heroes forced themselves forward, all crowded together, when a sudden BANG occurred as Fang Yuan self-detonated.