Chapter 535: If God Descends Is Wielded by Humans, Is It Still the God of Judgment?

Chapter 535: If Divine Descent is Wielded by Mortals, Is It Still the God of Judgement?

Clad in dragon robes, Diwu Bufan strode forward with the majestic bearing of a dragon and the fierce pace of a tiger, radiating an imposing aura.

His hair remained stark black and his complexion was radiant and full; from a distance, he resembled a mass of burning flame, brimming with vitality and spirit.

Yet upon closer inspection, a trace of aging could be discerned within those authoritative eyes.

"We pay our respects to Your Majesty!"

The four god-level Weapon Masters present bowed their noble heads in unison.

Diwu Bufan was the Emperor of the Rakshasa Empire, the sun to his people.

He was also the strongest god-level Weapon Master in the empire today.

"Rise," Diwu Bufan commanded, sweeping his sleeves with the innate tyranny of a sovereign.

He spent years in secluded cultivation, detached from state affairs.

Yet power remained gripped tightly within his hands.

"Your Majesty, Divine Descent has only just slain the Blade Demon. Your Majesty possesses a body of ten thousand gold; if you engage rashly, we fear it may harm your imperial person," Prince Dingyuan advised, testing the waters.

Naturally, his true desire was for the Emperor to deal with Divine Descent himself, while he cheered from the sidelines.

But he had to feign remonstrance.

At the same time, he wished to know what certainty the Emperor actually held.

A sharp light flashed in Diwu Bufan’s eyes: "A mere Divine Descent. That I failed to suppress it personally a century ago remains a regret in my heart. This time, We shall proceed in person!"

The god-level Weapon Masters present hastened to flatter him.

Yet in their hearts, they remained indifferent.

This Diwu Bufan was simply too fond of saving face.

Diwu Bufan continued, "We have learned from the visitors from beyond the heavens that Our Rakshasa Empire shall endure for thousands of generations—the first, the second... unto ten thousand generations.

As for the occasionally awakened Divine Descent, it is nothing more than the fleeting gleam of a firefly."

As early as a century ago, he had colluded with the visitors from beyond the heavens.

This had hastened the fall of Divine Descent.

The visitors from beyond the heavens held a book titled The Qingshan Records.

Diwu Bufan referred to it as the Book of Prophecy.

The Qingshan Records had foretold that Divine Descent would awaken, but it would only be a momentary flash of brilliance.

Naturally, he would not reveal these matters to the god-level Weapon Masters.

Seeing the four god-level Weapon Masters exchange looks, seemingly hesitant.

A look of disdain flashed deep within Diwu Bufan’s eyes: "A century ago, Divine Descent fell to the siege of the gods. In truth, It fell to the Dark Light Spirit.

That is a substance specifically used to defile divine weapons.

Any divine weapon touched by it will be clouded, stripped of its divine power, and reduced to a mortal object."

Following Diwu Bufan's voice, a droplet of liquid resembling a teardrop appeared before everyone's eyes.

Azure, translucent, and radiating a hazardous aura.

Upon seeing this droplet of liquid, the four god-level Weapon Masters grew wary, instinctively stepping back.

Though the Dark Light Spirit only targeted divine weapons, they each possessed ordinary divine weapons for self-defense.

If their divine weapons were defiled, their combat strength would plummet.

They had harbored suspicions regarding the fall of Divine Descent back then; now, seeing the Dark Light Spirit, everything was explained.

"Divine weapons... even the nation-protecting artifacts should be used by Us. If they cannot be used by Us, they shall be broken!" Diwu Bufan's voice boomed like thunder.

The hearts of the god-level Weapon Masters tightened; they knew Diwu Bufan’s words carried a warning meant for them.

After all, Diwu Bufan had ignored state affairs for so many years, and these god-level Weapon Masters had engaged in more or less minor intrigues.

Now, facing Diwu Bufan's reprimand.

These few god-level Weapon Masters understood that they had to bleed some wealth.

Prince Dingyuan quickly lowered his head, his face filled with guilt: "This time, this minister retreated without a fight in Dingbo Province, committing a crime punishable by ten thousand deaths. This minister is willing to offer the Secret Manual of the Primordial Heavens."

Diwu Bufan nodded.

The pale-faced elder spoke in a raspy voice: "To cultivate the Wood-Life Technique and prolong my life, this minister has spent the past ten years in Xianyun Province secretly imprisoning the citizens under my rule behind Your Majesty's back, gouging out the livers of one hundred and twenty thousand people.

This minister has failed the people, and failed Your Majesty even more. I am willing to present the Wood-Life Technique and the Pill of Ten Thousand Livers."

A satisfied expression appeared in Diwu Bufan’s eyes: "You have not failed the people under your rule, you have only failed Us. Your transgression is pardoned."

Power was only accountable to the source of power.

Where in this world was one deemed guilty by a superior for offending the common people?

Even if one were found guilty, it was only because the prior matter entangled the superior's interests.

For the most part, the only truth was that guilt was found only when one offended the superior.

The others also confessed their wrongs one after another, surrendering their interests.

...

"This time, I shall walk through all twelve provinces of the world."

Qi Yuan’s voice was calm.

To play the role of Divine Descent, he needed to traverse the world, letting all the common people know that he had returned.

Only in this way would the role-play progression rapidly increase.

Finally, he would slay the opposing enemies by his strength alone.

The role-play of Divine Descent would then be largely complete.

The old silk-washing woman looked at the excessively young man before her, her eyes filled with reverence.

"This old servant is willing to accompany Young Master across the grand rivers and mountains of this Rakshasa Empire!"

After Qi Yuan slew the Blade Demon last time, the old silk-washing woman had quickly pursued him to pledge her loyalty.

In her view, Divine Descent had not fully awakened and was still in hibernation, which was why Qi Yuan temporarily controlled it to unleash such terrifying power.

However, since Qi Yuan controlled Divine Descent, he was the master of the Judgement Society, the entity she needed to serve.

Qi Yuan shrugged. Peering through the carriage, he looked out at the vast Xianlong County and closed his eyes.

Instantly, countless voices entered his ears.

Or rather, they entered the ears of Divine Descent.

"Oh God, save my poor child!"

"I have already given birth to three daughters, when will I be able to bear a son!"

"Damn it, if the God of Judgement truly returns, how are we supposed to rake in money!"

"Die quickly, die quickly, all of you go die—if I can't have a good life, neither will you."

"I hope everyone can love one another, and that effort will be rewarded."

"What bullshit God of Judgment? How could it possibly truly revive? It must be those ruffians spreading rumors!"

"Help! God, save me!" A woman being raped cried out loudly for help, but only drew more people to join in.

All kinds of voices streamed incessantly into Qi Yuan's ears.

They were filled with the ugliness and distortion of human nature, yet also with all manner of true goodness and beauty.

Through these voices, he also saw a mother holding her emaciated daughter.

The girl was at death's door, her rags tattered and torn, exposing much of her skin.

On the bare skin were various sores and pustules, disgusting and terrifying.

But her mother still held her tightly.

Suddenly, a flash of light passed.

The pustules and sores on the frail girl vanished; her skin was rough but otherwise fine.

The mother's face lit up with surprise; she quickly knelt and kowtowed, crying, "God!"

But the only reply was a cold, majestic divine voice: "You need not kneel to me."

On the other side, the ferocious men and the women who abetted them—suddenly a divine light flashed, and they all died.

In the carriage, Qi Yuan's eyes showed a complex expression: "Indeed, I am not a qualified judge.

If the Divine Presence were here, they would not deserve death."

Nevertheless, Qi Yuan still expended divine power to slay those people.

According to Chen Kangbao, the young master was kind-hearted and could not bear to see such things.

At the same time, after Qi Yuan performed this miracle and answered prayers from hundreds of places, more and more people in Xianlong Prefecture looked up to the sky, their faces devout.

As time passed, more and more people took to the streets.

There were old people, children, young people—all age groups.

There were petty officials, shop assistants, night-soil men, weaver girls, farmers—all kinds of occupations.

They wore either rags or silks and satins.

They gathered together, expressions devout, faces solemn, chanting "Divine Presence!" with their mouths.

A sea of people, densely packed, gathered together—enough to awe everyone, to chill the hearts of some.

If they united as one, in a low-magic, spiritless world, they would be enough to terrify the rulers.

Qi Yuan watched this scene, his heart calm, not stirred with much emotion.

But since he was to play the role of Divine Presence,

then...

A miracle reappeared!

Suddenly, rain began to fall over Xianlong Prefecture.

This rain was like sun rain, star rain, like fireflies, falling upon all the commoners who had taken to the streets.

Many faces showed confusion, then turned to fervor, shock, and joy.

"This is a divine gift!"

"A divine gift!"

Many commoners stretched out their hands to catch the star rain, or opened their mouths.

The raindrops fell on their bodies, vanished instantly, moistening their bodies and replenishing their vitality.

Countless people were fervent and overjoyed.

At that moment, the people's trust in Divine Presence reached a peak.

Qi Yuan's degree of role-playing was also rising rapidly.

Qi Yuan perceived this, his heart calm: "We... should go. Next stop, Cuixian Prefecture."

...

"Grandfather, walk faster!"

"Alas, your grandfather's old bones dare not walk fast."

"Grandfather, why didn't you tell me that Divine Presence is controlled by Brother Qi?"

"How could I reveal such a thing? Heh heh, now that you know, isn't it a surprise?"

"I'm very happy, but..."

"But what?"

"But the God of Judgment represents absolute fairness and justice.

Now that He is controlled by Brother Qi... does fairness and justice still exist?"

"Isn't he the one you judged? Why don't you trust him?"

"I trusted him before, but people change.

Even I—if I suddenly obtained a divine artifact like Divine Presence and became the strongest in this world, what would I become... I don't know either.

Power most corrupts the heart. I hope... Brother Qi can refrain from wielding Divine Presence."

"You, speaking like that is very abrupt and presumptuous."

"I know, but the God of Judgment I believe in is the God of Judgment of fairness and justice, not a God of Judgment held in one person's hand." Liu Chudong's gaze was firm. "If Brother Qi kills me in anger, I will not regret it!

I am willing to be this villain, and I also hope Brother Qi can hold fast to his original heart... for a little longer.

Without the supervision of one's original heart, how can the power of Divine Presence be fair and just?"

"You..." Liu Sheng's gaze was complex.

He truly did not know how to advise this granddaughter.

...

Three months passed like flowing water.

In the twelve prefectures of the Raksha Kingdom, traces of Divine Presence were left everywhere.

Wherever it went, Divine Presence left miracles.

Whether slaying the wicked, healing the sick and weak, upholding justice, or resolving injustices.

Qi Yuan truly achieved "Whenever there is injustice, call upon my Divine Presence."

The divine power turned into star rain, falling like rain, adding a bit more vitality to this world.

All the commoners had devout, even fervent expressions.

There were even some opportunists who tried to incite the people to riot, overthrow the existing order and the vested interests, and become a new exploiting class themselves.

All of this was stopped by Qi Yuan.

He was playing the role of Shenlin, but he did not wish to become an intelligent AI, trapped in one place.

Though, in principle, his departure could be called "enduring a long-cherished wish, cast to the eastward flow," yet "there will be those who come after, to write a new chapter."

Now, he too was doing his utmost to play Shenlin.

As for what came later, that could be dealt with later.

Along the way, clever and quick-witted commoners discovered Qi Yuan's carriage, and even began to follow of their own accord, more and more of them.

That sight stirred emotion in Qi Yuan.

Though he considered himself lawful good, a decent man, he was still far from a "hero"—after all, though he obeyed the law, he was selfish; though he did not act recklessly, he loved beauty; though he was socially anxious, he acted impulsively.

Shenlin could bear such things; he could not.

After that, no more commoners followed his carriage.

"Ahead... lies the capital of the Raksha Kingdom."

The old laundress gazed at the towering city wall before her, her eyes revealing deep memories.

Back then, it was in this very city that she drew her sword and slew the third prince.

This city held many of her sorrows.

"This is the most prosperous place in the Raksha Kingdom, the most radiant and splendid, yet also the darkest and most shadowy."

The old laundress's voice was somewhat hoarse.

Qi Yuan looked toward the capital ahead, his expression calm.

Indeed, the old laundress spoke truly.

The capital was indeed different from other places.

For instance, in other prefectures, wherever it was known that Shenlin was about to arrive, every day many commoners would appear beneath the city walls.

Beneath the capital's walls, there was no one.

As for the reason, perhaps the authorities had prevented it, perhaps the people were afraid.

Whatever the case, Qi Yuan did not care.

Shenlin, as an existence akin to an intelligent AI, harbored no anger.

Qi Yuan was a game player, merely enjoying the game process, utterly indifferent to such things.

"Let's go, enter the capital, kill the old emperor!"

Qi Yuan's gaze was calm.

He had killed many.

Terrifying powerhouses who ruled a realm, outer demons that devoured life, yang spirits that gnawed at the primordial world—but... he had never killed a real emperor.

As a Blue Star human, how could his head not grow a rebellious bone?

If you don't kill an emperor in a game, how can you call yourself a gamer?

In myth and legend, the Great Sage rebelled openly; Erlang Shen rebelled in secret; Nezha helped whoever rebelled.

These deities had now become Qi Yuan's divine infants; it would be strange if Qi Yuan lacked a rebellious bone.

But just then, suddenly, a troop of mounted men in brocade clothing rode toward them.

The leader wore a gray robe embroidered with gold thread, had no beard between his whiskers, and his face bore a haughty expression.

Qi Yuan glanced at these men and saw not a trace of fear in their eyes.

He could not help but think that even the most worthless emperor would have a band of loyal death warriors.

Nurture retainers for a thousand days, use them for one hour.

The horses halted, and the gray-robed middle-aged man spoke, his eyes carrying a majestic expression.

"Are you, sir, that Master Qi Yuan who wields Shenlin?"

"What business do you have with my young master?" Chen Kangbao poked his head out, looking curious. "Has the old emperor come to surrender?"

"How dare you!" the gray-robed middle-aged man shouted loudly, then continued, "Qi Yuan, you have no regard for law, no respect for royal authority. Now go to the imperial palace and present Shenlin to His Majesty, and you may be spared the death penalty!"

Qi Yuan watched this scene, his gaze calm: "Alright, I understand. I can't be bothered to waste words with you NPCs."

He decided that in a moment he would kill the old emperor without saying a word.

He would not give these NPCs too many lines.

(End of chapter)