Chapter 52: A Changed Ending

Chapter 52: A Changed Ending (33rd Update)

Zu Zong frowned and said coldly, "Let me ask you: if you gained immortality, what would you do with it?"

Ying Zheng was stunned.

Had this been before, after acquiring the Elixir of Immortality, he likely would have continued his wanton indulgence and tyrannical rule—imposing forced labor, levying heavy taxes, and building the Epang Palace.

Before Ying Zheng could reply, Zu Zong continued, "Let me answer for you. You would continue large-scale construction, indulge in debauchery, and plunge the people of the realm into deep suffering."

Ying Zheng was left speechless. "I…"

Zu Zong went on, "Haven't you realized it yet? First Emperor, you are no longer the unmatched monarch who destroyed the Six States and unified the land. You fear death. In your pursuit of an illusionary immortality, you've lost your spirit to forge ahead."

"Where the leaves dance, so too shall the fire of life burn on. That flame will continue to illuminate Great Qin and help new leaves sprout. What one generation cannot achieve, let it be passed on to the next."

Zu Zong (smug): Quoted a line from Naruto—feels great to show off.

Zu Zong's words sent Ying Zheng into silence.

He recalled his youthful ambitions—had he truly grown old?

Zu Zong no longer paid him any attention and turned toward Gao Yao. "You're Zhao Gao?"

"Reporting to the immortal, this lowly one is Zhao Gao." Gao Yao was truly frightened.

Spatial travel, telekinesis, summoning a mysterious blue plant to heal the emperor—each act left him more shaken.

Gao Yao (crying): The Qin Dynasty is too dangerous. I want to go back to the modern world!

Zu Zong said, "Should I call you Zhao Gao, or Gao Yao?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Yao broke into a cold sweat.

Even his modern origins were known? This really was an immortal! Did that mean he could go home?

Thinking that, Gao Yao asked respectfully, "Immortal, you truly are all-knowing. Might I ask… can I return home?"

Zu Zong rolled his eyes. You really think this young master is some immortal?

Besides, now that you're out of the picture, Fusu will inherit the throne, and barring accidents, Great Qin will experience a resurgence.

The future's already been altered beyond recognition. Even if you did return to the modern world, would you even know where to find your home?

Zu Zong shook his head and said with feigned profundity, "Whether or not you return isn't something to discuss now. Let's wait until everyone's here."

Zu Zong could only remain in the Myth world for one hour. A third of that time had already passed.

He didn't want to waste Hatred Points on a world that offered nothing for cultivation.

Once he settled the regrets in his heart, he would leave.

He activated his rarely-used martial soul: the Sharingan.

With a slight closing and reopening of his eyes, his pupils turned crimson, and three tomoe spun counterclockwise in each eye.

Ying Zheng and Gao Yao met his gaze and were quickly caught in a genjutsu.

Following Zu Zong's instructions, Gao Yao delivered the "First Emperor's" order to summon Yu Shu and the unconscious Yi Xiaochuan.

As soon as Yu Shu arrived, she was also placed under control.

Zu Zong slung Yi Xiaochuan over his shoulder and grabbed Yu Shu with one hand and Gao Yao with the other.

"System, teleport the three of us to Cui Wenzi's place of seclusion."

Zu Zong had already confirmed beforehand that additional people could be included in teleportation, but only within the same world, and the Hatred Point cost would multiply.

[Ding! As 'Myth' is a low-level world, teleporting four people will cost 1,000 Hatred Points each—total: 4,000. Teleporting now…]

Centered on Zu Zong, the surrounding space distorted, and the four vanished from the palace.

When they reappeared, they were deep within a mountain forest.

In front of them stood a thatched cottage, where an old man and a young boy were calmly drinking tea—Cui Wenzi and his page.

Cui Wenzi, seeing the four appear out of nowhere, remained calm.

Stepping out of the courtyard, he glanced at the dazed Gao Yao and Yu Shu, as well as the unconscious and injured Yi Xiaochuan.

Bowing slightly, he asked with poise, "Might you be like Gao Yao and Xiaochuan, a traveler from the future?"

Zu Zong gently placed Yi Xiaochuan down and shook his head. "Yes and no. You must be Mister Cui?"

"Haha, this old man is indeed Cui Wenzi. It seems the destinies of Yi Xiaochuan, Gao Yao, and Yu Shu have all changed. The trajectory of the world has shifted too."

"You've averted countless wars and saved countless lives with a wave of your hand. I am in awe."

Zu Zong twitched at the corner of his mouth.

This old man was far too perceptive!

Not only could he make Elixirs of Immortality, but he'd guessed nearly everything Zu Zong had done.

If he didn't know Cui Wenzi would eventually die of old age, he might've mistaken him for the real immortal.

"You flatter me, sir. I don't have much time left here."

"With your medical skills, I'm sure Yi Xiaochuan's life can be saved. Let him remain unconscious for eight or ten years—consider it a lesson."

"As for Gao Yao, I've erased his unpleasant memories of the Qin era. Let him stay with you and Yi Xiaochuan in seclusion."

"As for Yu Shu, once I'm gone, the genjutsu will be lifted for both her and Gao Yao. Whether she stays or leaves is up to her."

Cui Wenzi was momentarily stunned, then nodded solemnly.

"In my lifetime, I've never met someone as extraordinary as you. I'll accept this responsibility. May I ask your name, honored one?"

[Ding! Time is up. Returning host to the Douluo Continent in 10, 9…]

Zu Zong rolled his eyes.

What, should I tell you I'm called Zu Zong?

With your local accent, that'd probably get passed down as "Ancestor" or something.

Whatever—the time's up anyway.

"A name is meaningless. Just call me Blue Silver Emperor."

As soon as he spoke, the space around Zu Zong distorted, and he vanished from sight.

Watching him disappear, Cui Wenzi stroked his beard and fell into deep thought.

In the 'Myth' world, more than two thousand years later…

Humanity had long since entered the age of modern civilization.

The world's leading superpower, Huaxia, had been among the first to do so.

Though the Qin Dynasty's rule had ended after centuries, one thing remained—the Blue Silver Emperor enshrined in the ancestral temple at Xianyang.

Regardless of dynastic change, every successive emperor regarded it as the guardian deity of Huaxia and honored it through the generations.

After thousands of years, it remained full of vitality and had grown over a hundred meters tall.

Surrounding it was a vast field of Blue Silver Grass.

More than that, Blue Silver Grass was now cultivated all across Huaxia.

Wherever it grew, the weather was favorable, disasters were absent, and the people lived in peace and prosperity.

People came to believe that Blue Silver Grass was a treasure left behind by the immortal. Thus, they affectionately honored the immortal and the hundred-meter-tall Blue Silver Emperor with the same title: "Blue Silver Emperor."

Of course, that was a story for later.

Douluo Continent — Soto City.

Inside the Rose Hotel, space distorted once more, and Zu Zong reappeared.

The room was still in a complete mess, but this time, the door was already open.

At that moment, Qin Ming and the rest of the Huangdou group were all gathered in the hotel's first-floor lounge. Everyone's expression was grim.

An hour ago, right after Zu Zong had been teleported away, Xiao Wu had come knocking. She had taken Dugu Yan's advice and decided to take Zu Zong back from that "wild woman."

But unexpectedly, after knocking for a long time, there was no answer. Xiao Wu panicked—this had never happened before.

She forcibly pushed the door open and found the scene inside utterly wrecked, as if a fierce battle had occurred.

What alarmed her the most was discovering shredded pieces of Zu Zong's clothing scattered about—among them was even the piece she had gifted him, which he always wore except when washing.

Seeing that, Xiao Wu panicked and burst into tears.

Hearing her cries, Ye Lingling—who had just left the room—rushed back in.

Under Xiao Wu's wild assumptions, Ye Lingling also believed something terrible had happened and urgently contacted the rest of the Huangdou group.

When the group arrived and inspected the scene, they too began to believe something had gone wrong.

Qin Ming comforted her, saying, "Xiao Wu, although Zu Zong's clothes are torn, there's no blood. He's likely still alive."

There was something he didn't say aloud: based on the destruction, the attacker likely possessed a spider-type martial soul. Such souls often had devouring traits. It was possible Zu Zong had been swallowed alive by a wicked soul master—hence only the torn clothing remained.

Zu Zong (rolling his eyes): Alright, looks like this guy actually has the wildest imagination of them all.

Qin Ming's words did little to calm Xiao Wu. Instead, she cried even harder.

"—Wuwuwu—Zu Zong, I promise I won't throw tantrums at you anymore! Please come back! I won't complain no matter how many 'wild women' you're with—I just want you to return. Don't leave me!"

"My mom is gone. You're the only family I have left—wuwuwu—"

"You wouldn't mind even if I'm with Zhu Zhuqing?"

"Yes! I won't mind anymore!"

"And even if I like several girls at once, you won't care?"

"I won't care—I don't care at all! Just come back!"

"Hmm?"

Xiao Wu looked up—and saw Zu Zong standing right behind her.

As everyone around froze in shock, Xiao Wu leapt over the couch and tackled Zu Zong to the ground.

Sobbing, she clutched him tightly. "Promise me—from now on, wherever you go, take me with you."

"Even if you can't, at least tell me. Don't ever leave me again."

Zu Zong didn't resist. He let her hold him, even as her tears and snot soaked into his clothes—he didn't mind at all.

It was clear now that, because of Zhu Zhuqing, he had truly neglected Xiao Wu's feelings lately.

A deep sense of guilt filled his heart.

He wrapped his arms around her in return and said softly, "I promise you—I'll never leave you behind again. For the rest of my life."

(End of Chapter)

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