The rear guard of the Heavenly Punishment Army, totaling one hundred and twenty-eight thousand and nine hundred, all entered the fray: “More than thirty thousand perished in the final battle!” Jun Wuyi let out a long sigh.
“As for the other reinforcements from the continent, their arrival was delayed, so their losses were relatively lighter,” Du Gu Zongheng said quietly. “But their strength was comparatively weaker; facing those alien mongrels, they had little room to resist.” Of the one hundred and thirty thousand who participated, fewer than one hundred thousand returned!” “The forces under the Soul-Devouring Remnant Heaven clan, thirteen were killed in action; the rest are all gravely wounded,” Ying Bokong stated silently, his body still enveloped in thick killing intent. Having finished speaking, he turned his face away, subtly wiping at the corner of his eye. These men—over this past year—had been his comrades in arms, his true brothers, with whom he had shared every waking moment…
Jun Mo Xie sighed sorrowfully and declared, “All those who died participating in this war must receive the most generous compensation, and their families must be cared for as if they were the kin of honored officials. For any request…” As long as it is not unreasonable, satisfy it to the greatest extent possible! As for their descendants…” They must also be deliberately nurtured! No matter what, we cannot allow our heroes to curse us, the living, as heartless and ungrateful from the springs below! This is a fundamental matter of human conscience,” and it is the moral bottom line we have adhered to all along! It must never be treated carelessly!”
Everyone nodded in unison, responding with solemn agreement.
“This point, especially, is where the adherence of the Evil Monarch’s Residence lies! If anyone dares to bully the widows of meritorious officials or the descendants of heroes,” Jun Mo Xie said coldly, “once discovered, regardless of who they are, their status, or their origin, they shall be executed without mercy!” His chilling tone revealed how utterly unshakeable his resolve was!
“Then I shall immediately issue the order to transmit this command throughout the world post-haste!” Mei Xue Yan nodded. Looking into Jun Mo Xie’s eyes, they shone with renewed brilliance, mingled with sincere pride.
Dealing with the “progeny of heroes…” had always been a pervasive problem across this continent. Too many families of fallen soldiers, having lost their protectors, were subjected to bullying and abuse, sold off, or turned into slaves for the powerful and noble. The fate of any woman with even a modicum of beauty was especially tragic.
The iron decree issued by Jun Mo Xie at this moment could be considered an immense contribution!
“We absolutely cannot let our heroes bleed and then be made to weep as well!” Jun Mo Xie stated heavily. After a moment, he softened his voice, “Naturally, justice must still prevail in people’s hearts. If the families of those heroes commit crimes or other unforgivable offenses, we cannot harbor the evildoer either. The title ‘Hero’ is indeed an honor, but it cannot be used to coast through life based on that glory alone. There must always be a proper measure in this.”
Du Gu Zongheng and Murong Fengyun both displayed expressions of admiration. Jun Mo Xie’s arrangements were considered extremely sound. In this way, he avoided many tragedies while simultaneously preventing the sorrowful outcome of the heroes’ descendants sitting idly on past merits, becoming arrogant, and tarnishing the heroes’ names.
People,” they understood perfectly, “are never to be spoiled.” As two such masterminds, how could they not grasp this truth?
Jun Mo Xie pondered for a while, then slowly asked Mei Xue Yan, “Regarding the aftermath for the Three Great Sacred Lands…?”
Mei Xue Yan understood his meaning and replied gravely, “No one has touched anything there; everything remains exactly as it was before the great battle. I know what you intend; I sent heavy guards there early on.”
Jun Mo Xie stood up tall and said, “Everyone, let’s go take a look.”
All of them followed him out.
The hundreds of tents where the people of the Three Great Sacred Lands had lived stood erect in their original positions. The wind howled, making the canvas flap loudly. The empty tents were divided into three distinct sections, clear and separate.
The three camps of tents stood silently before them, mirroring the status of the Three Great Sacred Lands when they were alive.
These were the final vestiges left by the Three Great Sacred Lands upon this land!
Jun Mo Xie gazed silently for a moment, then murmured softly, “Everyone fought so fiercely, struggling until the very end, until this moment. Was it truly all worth it… Mo Wudao, may the three of you Sect Masters, along with the people of the Sacred Lands, find peace and joy in another void world, never needing to scheme against each other again…” Hearing these words, Mei Xue Yan could not help but feel a sharp pang in her heart.
The original intent behind the founding of the Three Great Sacred Lands was simple: purely to resist external threats. They buried themselves in this barren, desolate region for millennia—what noble spirits they possessed!
But it was precisely this “scheming and infighting” that ultimately buried the brilliance of their magnificent, multi-thousand-year heritage! It also caused the Heavenly Punishment lineage to suffer a devastating setback for nearly a thousand years!
If the breadth of mind among the leaders of the Three Great Sacred Lands had been just a little wider… Mei Xue Yan shook her head self-mockingly; it seemed this was fundamentally impossible—between humans and Xuan Beasts, they were two extremes inherently difficult to reconcile…
The group filed into the tents. Inside, stone stools were neatly arranged on both sides, silent and enduring, as if the experts of the Sacred Lands were still seated there in silent contemplation, the events of the previous days seeming as vivid as if they were happening right now…
On a table in the absolute center, stacks of paper packets were arranged neatly.
The topmost one had the name Gu Han written upon it in fresh blood.
Jun Mo Xie sighed silently, picked it up, and opened it. Inside was a jade pendant and another sheet of white paper.
The white paper contained a few lines written in smeared blood: “Two lifetimes of vicissitudes, eternal glory: gone in a single day, only death can repay!”
As for the origin and history of the jade pendant, or any subsequent instructions, not a single word was mentioned.
But Jun Mo Xie knew clearly that this jade pendant was the only memento Gu Han had left for Qiao Ying.
The jade pendant was crystal clear, smooth and round, seeming to constantly emit a peaceful radiance. It felt warm to the touch, yet carried a hint of gentle coldness. Warm in winter, cool in summer. Undoubtedly, this was an extraordinarily rare treasure!
Jun Mo Xie quietly rewrapped the paper packet but handed the jade pendant to Mei Xue Yan. “You give this jade to Qiao Ying later. Tell her Gu Han left it for her.” Mei Xue Yan cast him a puzzled glance but obediently agreed, taking the pendant.
Mei Xue Yan’s confusion stemmed from not understanding why Jun Mo Xie wouldn’t handle this himself.
But she was unaware that Jun Mo Xie was currently deeply conflicted, entirely unsure how to face Qiao Ying. If he truly saw her, should he tell her that Gu Han was her biological father?!
The paper packet beneath Gu Han’s was also sealed with blood as ink, the handwriting full and rounded. It bore the three characters “Mo Wudao.” Inside the packet was only one sheet of paper, nothing else.
“Do not say Heaven is truly unjust; while you can be free, then be free. Free, Big Brother has arrived.” This master of the Ethereal Immortal Palace, facing imminent death on the eve of the final battle, did not mention the War to Seize Heaven in the slightest in his last testament, nor did he mention any matters of honor or loss. The entire message consisted only of this single sentence.
“Xiaoyao” was the name of Mo Wudao’s younger brother, Mo Xiaoyao.
Jun Mo Xie felt a genuine tremor in his heart. From this one sentence, it was not difficult to discern the profound brotherhood between Mo Wudao and Mo Xiaoyao—no wonder Mo Wudao held such deep, gnawing hatred for him…
After examining them one by one, most of the paper packets from the Three Great Sacred Lands contained only these few lines: ‘Died seizing Heaven, without regret or remorse!’
As everyone looked on, the expressions on every face grew exceedingly solemn.
The very last packet belonged to Leng Tong.
This Saint of the Demonic Eye was quite carefree; his final words were only three characters: “Doesn’t matter!” He truly departed with elegant ease.
After tidying up the tents of the Ethereal Immortal Palace, the next to be addressed was the Supreme Gold City. Most of the final words were still brief statements, only the Sect Master of the Supreme Gold City, Xi Ruochen, had written this single line: “If everything could start anew…”
If everything could start anew, “…” Jun Mo Xie and Mei Xue Yan looked at this unfinished sentence, both speechless for a long time.
If life could truly be redone, how many people would mend the regrets of their past lives, crafting a perfectly flawless existence for themselves? If everything could start anew, it sounded simple, but it was an impossibility in the mortal world!
When they finished clearing the last tent of the Three Great Sacred Lands, twilight had already fallen. Night had quietly arrived. Countless people stood or sat everywhere, yet not a single sound was made…
A silent night passed.
The next morning, Jun Mo Xie rose early and walked to the battlefield, standing quietly at the very center of the vast expanse.
After a period of deep concentration and brewing intent, Jun Mo Xie slowly extended both hands and murmured, “Power of Earth—today, fashion an immortal monument here for our heroes!”
As the words fell, the earth in this region began to slowly rise, ascending gradually: rising higher and higher. This trend continued for the entire morning. A majestic mountain range sprang forth from the ground! It reached several thousand zhang high and spanned several hundred li wide…
At the summit, the peak slowly broadened, gradually taking the shape of a giant eagle with wings spread as if about to take flight—golden eyes, iron talons, its entire body covered in sharp iron feathers, looking down upon the ten thousand li of rivers and mountains below!
This giant eagle’s form was precisely the appearance of the Eagle King after reverting to his true form! Except, it was magnified by ten million times…
With a wave of his hand, Jun Mo Xie unleashed the limit of the Power of Gold, instantly bathing this colossal statue in a dazzling, golden radiance. He had melted an immense amount of yellow metal and coated this giant eagle figure with a layer of golden sheen!
Or perhaps the word “sheen” should be omitted, as this gilding contained absolutely no impurities; it was one hundred percent pure gold!
Illuminated by the rising sun, the Golden Eagle Giant Statue radiated magnificent light, possessing the majestic aura of devouring the heavens and the earth!
As soon as this unprecedentedly massive statue manifested, Mei Xue Yan and Xiong Kaishan, along with the other members of the Heavenly Punishment forces, found tears welling up in their eyes, which they finally could not restrain, letting them stream down silently.
With another grand wave of his hand, an abnormally flat stone wall abruptly appeared hundreds of zhang high! With a clang, the Blood of Yan Huang shot across the sky, leaving a chilling, sweeping sword-light across the firmament, arriving instantly before the flat stone wall.
As waves of stern sword energy were projected, stone debris fell like rain. As the work slowly progressed, the onlookers saw that the wall was etched with powerful, vigorous strokes—a poem was emerging!
“Since ancient times, all affairs turn to dust, who can ever remain composed? Tears sprinkle the vast sky mourning the heroes, turning the pages of history sighing for brave men: A brother’s word is forever weighty, a thousand years of legend, a thousand years of bond: Body dissolves into crimson blood, yet no regrets remain, facing mountains of blades together with you; Having sworn brotherhood eight times in this life, the sea of fire and mountains of swords we still embrace; The lone pride of the Eagle Soul in the endless sky, transforms into the eternal wind of the firmament!”