Chapter 1601: The Torn Dao Heart
Qin Mu's mind was in a daze, his thoughts endlessly replaying the scene of Khai Hoang's death.
He could barely gather his spirit, barely muster his scattered primordial energy. His vision struggled to focus, lacking any focal point.
It was as if lightning had struck his dao heart, draining every ounce of his strength in an instant.
He raised his hand and reached forward, but there was nothing to grasp.
The Sword Dao Great Luo Heaven, the Dao Tree, and Khai Hoang himself—all turned to nothing.
The Fourth Young Master of Mi Luo Palace's strike was not aimed at Khai Hoang, but at Ling Tianzun, the one who was hardest to kill. Khai Hoang had died in Ling Tianzun's place. A strike capable of killing Ling Tianzun left Khai Hoang with no chance of survival.
But...
Qin Mu suddenly felt a pain like his heart was being torn apart. But why Khai Hoang?
Khai Hoang should have been in the Ancestral Court, holding back Hao Tianzun's ascended body. How could he suddenly appear here, taking the fatal blow meant for Ling Tianzun?
Qin Ye—the first page of the Qin family genealogy bore this name. Qin Mu could not forget it.
When he was young, he had opened the Qin family genealogy, proud that his own name could be listed upon it. He had been filled with reverence for Khai Hoang Qin Ye, believing him to be an incomparably towering and unyielding existence.
Later, when he learned what Vô Ưu Hương truly was, the Khai Hoang Qin Ye in his heart collapsed. Qin Ye became in his mind a man who valued profit above all, a foolish and benighted ruler, a degenerate who had single-handedly buried the Khai Hoang era and cast his people aside like worn-out shoes.
Then later still, in the early years of Long Han, he encountered a young Qin Ye. They fought, but Qin Mu also saw a Qin Ye who did not match his assumptions.
Qin Ye was composed, deeply calculating, revealing nothing. He possessed a distinguished bearing, as if no setback or blow could ever bring him down.
But in Qin Mu's heart, he still harbored prejudice against him, believing that Qin Ye bore responsibility for the suffering of later generations, believing that he had changed his original intentions over the long passage of time, becoming a benighted ruler who only knew how to indulge in pleasure within Vô Ưu Hương.
Later, Qin Mu finally found Vô Ưu Hương and entered it. What he saw was the older generation dispirited and the younger generation wallowing in extravagance.
Only Qin Ye still maintained his dao heart, like the stabilizing pillar of Vô Ưu Hương. But even he could not change the current state of Vô Ưu Hương.
Until Qin Mu arrived.
Qin Mu had long held grievances against him, and Qin Ye also wanted to use a battle with him to reignite the fighting spirit of Vô Ưu Hương.
They fought in Vô Ưu Hương—two people of different temperaments, each seeing a reflection of themselves in the other.
After that battle, Qin Mu was struck from the Qin family genealogy, becoming the Mục Thiên Tôn that Khai Hoang called him.
Afterwards, they met many times, occasionally still fighting, but Qin Mu's heart no longer held any resentment toward him.
In truth, in Qin Mu's heart, he still considered himself a member of the Qin family, a descendant of Qin Ye. It was just that he had to protect Diên Khang.
Diên Khang's Mục Thiên Tôn could not be a descendant of Khai Hoang.
Diên Khang had to draw a clear line with Vô Ưu Hương, otherwise it would be extremely detrimental to Diên Khang's development. This involved not only the struggle for power and livelihood, but also the allegiance of the people and the attitude of the Heavenly Court.
For Diên Khang to be preserved, it must not be connected to Vô Ưu Hương.
And so Khai Hoang and Qin Mu maintained a relationship like fellow daoists—no distinction of seniority, no familial affection.
Yet at this moment, Qin Mu still felt that clinging emotion in his dao heart, that tearing pain of losing a loved one.
"Why did you suddenly appear..."
Hao Tianzun's figure suddenly appeared in his line of sight. Qin Mu turned, his fingers plucking at the space around him, as if strumming invisible strings in the air.
The sound of a zither rang out. Hư Thiên Tôn's figure vanished, and the next moment appeared before Hao Tianzun.
Hao Tianzun's heart jolted. He quickly retreated.
Qin Mu turned, expressionless, and shot toward the Độ Thế Kim Thuyền.
On the deck of the Độ Thế Kim Thuyền, Hư Thiên Tôn was wielding the divine artifact Ngự Thiên Tôn. Behind the artifact's head materialized the Thirty-Six Heavenly Palaces, forming a complete Heavenly Court!
The power of the Heavenly Court was too great, pressing down so that even this divine artifact could not endure for long. But for Hư Thiên Tôn, it was enough.
In this short time, she could kill Tần Phượng Thanh and the reincarnated Thiên Công, seizing control of U Đô!
At this moment, Tần Phượng Thanh's magical power was rising steadily. He could already be considered a minor Thiên Tôn, his power nearly equivalent to a Thiên Tôn at the Đế Tọa realm who had cultivated eighteen heavenly palaces.
But Tần Phượng Thanh was too inexperienced. Whether in combat techniques or combat experience, he was far inferior to her.
The only one who posed a threat to her was Thiên Công, but Thiên Công's threat came from the power of the fifty Heavenly Dao treasures. Against the perfect Heavenly Court's divine artifact Ngự Thiên Tôn, he was still somewhat lacking.
Hư Thiên Tôn was about to kill the two when suddenly the golden ship turned, gradually accelerating. Hư Thiên Tôn looked over hastily and saw that the ship was sailing toward Qin Mu.
At the same time, Qin Mu was also charging toward the ship.
Hư Thiên Tôn did not hesitate. She quickly leaped from the golden ship. Golden light cascaded down, trying to keep her aboard, but the divine artifact Ngự Thiên Tôn threw a punch, shattering the golden light. Hư Thiên Tôn stood on the artifact's shoulder and seized the chance to escape.
Qin Mu landed on the golden ship, his hollow, empty gaze shifting away from Hư Thiên Tôn's face.
A trace of fear rose in Hư Thiên Tôn's heart. She dared not approach.
Suddenly, Hao Tianzun appeared beside her and reached out to pull her away.
Ling Tianzun's figure materialized, a finger pointing into empty space.
Qin Mu's gaze fell on Hao Tianzun, then shifted away. The golden ship changed course, charging toward Hỏa Thiên Tôn.
There, Hỏa Thiên Tôn was simultaneously delivering killing blows to both Lãng Oản and Nguyệt Thiên Tôn.
The golden ship flew in. Hỏa Thiên Tôn hurriedly dodged, flying toward the approaching Hao Tianzun.
The three stood shoulder to shoulder, watching Qin Mu guide Nguyệt Thiên Tôn and Lãng Oản onto the golden ship.
Hỏa Thiên Tôn raised an eyebrow and was about to strike to block the ship when Hao Tianzun raised his hand and said: "A cornered beast will still fight. If we press too hard now, we'll only drive him to a desperate last stand. Our goal has been achieved. Let them go."
Hỏa Thiên Tôn was momentarily puzzled, not understanding his meaning.
Hao Tianzun smiled slightly: "My original intention was to eliminate Ling Tianzun, but unexpectedly I hit a different target. Qin Ye is dead."
Hỏa Thiên Tôn's body shook violently. He bowed and said: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
Hao Tianzun laughed heartily and flew toward Tổ Thần Vương. Hư Thiên Tôn and Hỏa Thiên Tôn quickly followed him.
The golden ship was still accelerating, charging toward Tổ Thần Vương. Hao Tianzun immediately sent a spiritual fluctuation, warning Tổ Thần Vương to dodge. Tổ Thần Vương was about to kill U Thiên Tôn when he heard the warning and hastily avoided. Then he saw Ling Tianzun's figure appear exactly where he had been standing, and cold sweat broke out all over him.
He hurried to Hao Tianzun's side and whispered: "Hao brother... Your Majesty, what has happened?"
"Qin Ye is dead!"
Hao Tianzun laughed heartily, his bearing radiant, his ambitions soaring: "Qin Ye—the thorn in my side—is dead. With him gone, the overall situation is settled. The rebel Mục has lost all will to fight. He is the backbone of the rebels. He knows that with Qin Ye dead, this battle is a certain defeat, so he is trying his utmost to preserve the others. He has lost his will to advance. This battle—U Đô falls into my hands, and no one in the world can shake the foundations of the Heavenly Court."
Tổ Thần Vương's mind shook greatly. He knelt on one knee, clasped his fists, and raised them above his head: "Pacifying U Đô marks the perfect day for Your Majesty's ascension! Your servant is willing to submit a memorial to the Thái Thượng Hoàng, laying out the situation, and request that the Thái Thượng Hoàng abdicate!"
Hỏa Thiên Tôn also hastily knelt and said: "Your Majesty's grand vision and strategy, pacifying a million years of chaos and returning the world to an era of great peace—such achievements have never been seen since the opening of the universe! Your Majesty's ascension follows heaven's will and the people's hearts. Your servant is willing to draft the memorial!"
Hư Thiên Tôn hesitated for a moment, then also knelt and said: "When Your Majesty ascends, the Thái Thượng Hoàng will certainly be overjoyed and willingly yield the throne!"
The two Thái Cực Ancient Gods saw the golden ship flying toward them and immediately abandoned Thái Sơ, coming to Hao Tianzun's side. Seeing the three Thiên Tôn kneeling, they exchanged a glance and knelt together, saying: "The Thái Sơ brother and we are all among the Five Thái. We are willing to go and act as mediators. The Thái Sơ brother understands reason and will certainly submit willingly."
Hao Tianzun laughed heartily. He looked at Qin Mu on the golden ship and said leisurely: "Mục Thiên Tôn, do you see this surging tide? The trend of the world today flows toward me. Your resistance will only be futile! It will only drag down the human race and the post-heaven beings. When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. Do you want to send all the living beings of this world to their doom at your own hands?"
Qin Mu stood woodenly at the bow, facing him from afar.
"U Đô has already fallen into my hands."
Hao Tianzun spread his five fingers and clenched them tightly, laughing: "Thái Đế has been beheaded, Thái Sơ has surrendered, Khai Hoang has fallen. You have no chance of victory left."
A commotion broke out on the golden ship.
Thiên Công hastily said: "Mục Thiên Tôn, has Khai Hoang truly..."
U Thiên Tôn's lips were stained with blood, his face pale. Lãng Oản Thần Vương was silent. Nguyệt Thiên Tôn looked at Ling Tianzun.
Ling Tianzun nodded gently.
Tần Phượng Thanh sat dully on the ground, as if all his strength had left him. Suddenly he raised his head and said woodenly: "Little brother, I want to go home. Send me back. I miss mother..."
Qin Mu did not move. The hand gripping the Kiếp Kiếm's hilt loosened, then tightened again, then loosened once more.
"Does Mục Thiên Tôn think you can still turn this around?"
Hao Tianzun laughed: "You know better than I what lies in the Quy Khư. Once my mother returns, you won't have a single chance of survival. The righteous have many allies, the unrighteous few. If you keep fighting, you will all be buried here. Mục Thiên Tôn, you are a man who understands the times. If you die in U Đô, the consequence will be the descent of the pre-historic ascenders. Surely you don't want to see that, do you? Rest assured—if you surrender, I will not allow the pre-historic ascenders to descend."
He smiled: "I am offering you amnesty. If you surrender, I will enfeoff you as one of the Ten Thiên Tôn. Not only will Diên Khang survive, but I will not touch Vô Ưu Hương either. But if you dare utter a single word of refusal, both Diên Khang and Vô Ưu Hương will be reduced to ashes!"
Hỏa Thiên Tôn raised an eyebrow: "Your Majesty, they are rebels. How can they be offered amnesty?"
Hao Tianzun laughed: "Fire Aiqing, am I the kind of emperor without magnanimity?"
Hỏa Thiên Tôn dared not say more.
Suddenly, the golden ship sailed away, disappearing into the darkness.
Hỏa Thiên Tôn let out a sigh of relief upon seeing this.
Hao Tianzun smiled: "He will go to the Heavenly Court. He is a man who understands the situation."
He raised his head, let out a long breath, and slowly spread his arms wide.
"This world—at last, it is mine alone!"
The Độ Thế Kim Thuyền moved faster and faster, sailing through the dark U Đô. Because the body of Thổ Bá was continuously disintegrating, the space of U Đô was also continuously collapsing.
"Wherever my body stands, that is U Đô!"
Thổ Bá's flesh split into enormous landmasses, floating within U Đô. U Đô itself also split into pieces, no longer a single whole.
Some fragments of U Đô overlapped with several heavens, some overlapped with the Nguyên Giới, and others connected to the Ancestral Court.
Everyone stood at the bow, silent.
This battle had been utterly lost with Khai Hoang's death. There was no longer any hope of turning it around.
Suddenly, Thiên Công saw the body of the ugly Thổ Bá floating on a continent. He hastily reached out and pulled the ugly Thổ Bá onto the ship.
He wanted to ask Qin Mu to summon Thổ Bá's soul, but he opened his mouth and said nothing.
Because Thổ Bá's unilateral action had led to Khai Hoang's death and this great rout. Asking Qin Mu to resurrect Thổ Bá would make them, the Ancient Gods, seem too selfish.
"I will resurrect Thổ Bá."
Qin Mu's eyes moved slightly. Suddenly he said: "But Vân Thiên Tôn is still in the Ultimate Void, fighting Thái Sơ. We should go there first... I need to calm down... calm down..."
He sat down weakly, then suddenly felt the world spinning around him and fell onto his back.
"Let him rest."
Nguyệt Thiên Tôn said softly: "I will send Ling Tianzun to the Ultimate Void. Scaring off Thái Sơ should not be difficult."
Ling Tianzun nodded gently.
Qin Mu heard her words and slowly closed his eyes. Before him was darkness, and two streams of tears flowed from the corners of his eyes to his temples, soaking the hair behind his ears.
Was there no hope?
Yes, there was no hope left at all. He said silently in his heart.
Nguyệt Thiên Tôn led the others away. She knew Qin Mu did not want others to see his vulnerable side, and they too did not want to see the vulnerable side of Mục Thiên Tôn.