Chapter 172: Why Should I Not Kill You?

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    You were both reckless, Liu Jin tells Pan Qiu and Khong Hu. Following Senior Brother Guo was understandable. One could argue it is the reason youre alive. Still, eating the meat of an Earth Realm dragon was too dangerous. You are lucky your meridians werent damaged irrevocably.

    That was a possibility?! Pan Qiu shouts. I thought internal damage was the more likely negative outcome.

    Damage to your meridians is internal damage, Liu Jin points out. Though you are right in that damage to your other organs, starting with your stomach, would have been the most likely scenario.

    Left unsaid is that receiving too much internal damage would have left them too damaged to handle the ensuing breakthrough. They are lucky that was not the case.

    Even so, make sure to visit the Medical Pavillion when we return. You need a thorough checkup. Id do it right now if I could.

    Ah, to be lectured by a junior. Khong Hu sighs and shakes his head. No, I suppose there is nothing I can say right now.

    I did not mean to lecture Senior Brother Khong, Liu Jin says. You and Senior Brother Guo were of great help towards the end, and-

    No, Brother Jin. Khong Hu holds out his hand. There is no need to mind your words. On this matter, I was most assuredly unhelpful. I have no ground to stand on.

    I beg to differ! an exasperated Pan Qiu shouts. Just look at him!

    He waves his hand at Liu Jins form.

    His bedridden, heavily-bandaged form.

    Liu Jin sustained so many injuries during the battle that, even after the worst of them were healed by the light, he was not placed with other wounded disciples. Instead, a new room was procured for him and one other so they could be given preferential care.

    Hes got no right to lecture anyone about being reckless! Wong continues. That thing over there only looks human. He is a monster whos surely cultivated the Dao of recklessness.

    Liu Jin looks at Pan Qiu. Youre surprisingly open with your thoughts now.

    It is because you are bedridden, Pan Qiu replies shamelessly.

    Mind your words, Khong Hu tells him. Being honest about your cravenness does not make it acceptable. Brother Jin is like he is because of his many great deeds. While I wish he had exercised more caution, his contributions are undeniable. If we compare ourselves to him, it is obvious who is lacking.

    Senior Brother, please. You praise me too much. Liu Jin sighs. His head sinks into the pillows Lu Mei somehow procured for him. In the end, we were all saved by someone else.

    That might be so. The man in the bed next to him says. It seems they have woken up Senior Brother Guo with their talking. Regardless, the only reason that Renegade appeared is because of you.

    Guo stares at the ceiling. His arms are crossed over his broad chest, and a blanket covers his body. Despite that, it is impossible to miss his missing limbs.

    Wed all be dead otherwise

    What did you talk about? Pan Qiu suddenly asks Liu Jin. We were too far away to overhear, but whatever it is that makes a Renegade act has to be important.

    That is

    None of your business, Lu Mei finishes for him as she abruptly enters the room. Jin is still recovering, and he has no time to deal with any of your nonsense. You two shouldnt even be here.

    We were allowed to visit! Pan Qiu protests.

    A mistake made by stupid people, Lu Mei counters. Liu Jin doesnt doubt the disciples who let them in are going to hear it from her later.

    Very well, Khong Hu says, rising from his seat. We shall leave Brother Jin to recover.

    You are just going to obey her? Pan Qiu asks.

    Khong Hu does not reply. He merely offers a nod to Liu Jin and exits the room, leaving Pan Qiu alone under Lu Meis fierce glare. The older disciple has several grudges against Lu Mei, but he cannot find the courage to defy her. He scurries away with his tail between his legs.

    You should not be entertaining them. You are nowhere near recovered enough, Lu Mei tells him.

    It was just a short conversation. There is nothing wrong with that. After a pause, he adds, I am a doctor, you know? I know how serious my wounds are.

    Offends, the Duke echoes him and laughs. How bold of you. Perhaps, you expect me to approve of the righteousness of your cause.

    His laughter stops.

    Your servant already told me what you plan. One of the three generals is a traitorous dog who has sold his soul to foreigners, yet this is the general you have chosen to side with. Do you understand what that means, child? Your servant may have spent several days telling me of the greatness of your character, but you seek to supplant the emperor I owe my loyalty to. That cannot be denied.

    His Qi is tranquil.

    Despite being a Renegade, despite having cause to be angry, the Duke does not raise his Qi.

    How long must he have prepared himself for this?

    Why should I not kill you right here, child?

    Liu Jin meets the Dukes gaze and begins to push himself off the ground.

    It is agony.

    The light has mended him enough to move, but his body screams at him to stay still. Even breathing causes him pain.

    My lord! Lei Kong cries. Do not move! Youre not well!

    Lei Kong tries to stop him, but Liu Jin waves him away. He has to do at least this much.

    Because the Dukes question is a sincere one.

    It is as the Duke says, Liu Jin says, fighting hard to keep his voice steady. I seek to end the war, and for that purpose, the one I will support will be General Nie Dan, who is not loyal to the emperor but to the Eternal Flame Clan. Compared to the other two, I deemed General Nie the easiest to influence. The actions I take are simply the result of my own powerlessness.

    The Eternal Flame Clan you are a part of has been fattening on my countrys misery. Every single one of you here is guilty of that. I should kill you all for the sake of the Storm Dragon Empire.

    Not a single person here has done anything wrong to the Storm Dragon Empire, Liu Jin counters. A son is not guilty of his fathers crimes, nor is a disciple at fault for his masters actions. What do children like us know of what the Elders do?

    True. The children here are not guilty, but if you are successful, you will be responsible for granting even more power over my country to the people who plundered it.

    The war will not end until one side is the victor, Liu Jin says. You speak of the evils of the Eternal Flame Clan and shame me for choosing them as though the other two were better. Murong Bang is nothing but a monster.

    And the Emperor?

    If the Emperor is content to hide away in his palace while the people suffer, how can he be righteous?

    The air cracks with force, yet Liu Jin continues.

    A man like that has already lost his mandate. From the very beginning, I understood no one was righteous. If the great Duke believes he can stop the war and the misery in a more efficient way, please do so. Remove this burden from my shoulders, and I will be happy.

    The Duke holds his gaze for several moments. Despite being in the presence of Renegade, Liu Jin never once wavers.

    Do you really believe you can end the war and bring peace to my homeland? the Duke asks at last.

    I will not allow any other outcome.

    Not allow. The Duke snorts. You will not allow. It offends you. Have you listened to how you speak, child? Are you a king or an emperor to say things like that?

    The Duke turns around.

    This Duke has heard enough. I will take my leave.

    Liu Jin blinks. Just like that?

    When I become an Emperor, I will see what has become of my homeland. If I disapprove of your results, I will kill you.

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