Chapter 1610: Torn Taoist Heart

Qin Mu's mind was a blur, constantly replaying the scene of Emperor Kai's sacrifice. He could barely concentrate or gather his scattered vital qi. His vision was unfocused, his eyes unable to find a point of convergence. It was as if his Dao Heart had been struck by lightning, instantly draining him of all strength.

He reached out, grasping at empty air. The Sword Dao Grand Overarching Heaven, the Dao Tree, and Emperor Kai himself had all vanished into thin air. The attack by the Four Young Masters of Miluo Palace wasn't directed at Emperor Kai, but at Heavenly Venerate Ling, who was notoriously difficult to kill. Emperor Kai had sacrificed himself for Heavenly Venerate Ling, and an attack powerful enough to kill Heavenly Venerate Ling naturally left him no chance of survival.

But...

Qin Mu suddenly felt a tearing pain in his heart. Why was it Emperor Kai? Emperor Kai should have been in the Ancestral Court, defending against Heavenly Venerate Hao's enlightened body. How did he suddenly appear here to shield Heavenly Venerate Ling from a fatal blow?

Qin Ye. That name appeared on the very first page of the Qin family's ancestral records, a name Qin Mu could never forget. As a child, he would pore over the Qin family genealogy, filled with pride at seeing his own name listed there. He held profound reverence for Emperor Kai Qin Ye, believing him to be an incredibly majestic and resilient figure.

Later, when he learned about Carefree Village, the image of Emperor Kai Qin Ye in his mind shattered. Qin Ye transformed into a venal, muddle-headed tyrant, a scoundrel who had single-handedly ruined the Emperor Kai era and abandoned his people like discarded shoes. Even later, in the early years of the Dragon Han era, he met a young Qin Ye. They fought, and Qin Mu saw a Qin Ye who did not conform to his preconceptions. Qin Ye was calm, deeply perceptive, and showed little emotion, possessing a distinguished demeanor as if no setback or blow could ever defeat him.

Yet, Qin Mu remained prejudiced against him, believing he was still accountable for the suffering of later generations. He thought Qin Ye had lost his original ideals over time, transforming into a complacent tyrant who only sought pleasure in Carefree Village.

Later, Qin Mu finally found and entered Carefree Village. He found the older generation disheartened and the younger generation reveling in debauchery. Only Qin Ye still upheld his Dao Heart, acting as a stabilizing anchor for Carefree Village. However, even he couldn't alter its current state, until Qin Mu's arrival. Qin Mu already harbored grievances against him, and Qin Ye sought to use a battle against him to reignite the fighting spirit of Carefree Village.

They fought in Carefree Village, two individuals with different temperaments, yet each seeing a reflection of themselves in the other. After that battle, Qin Mu was removed from the Qin family's ancestral records and became Heavenly Venerate Mu, as Emperor Kai called him. Afterward, they met numerous times and occasionally sparred, but Qin Mu's heart was long free of resentment toward him.

In truth, deep down, Qin Mu still considered himself a member of the Qin family, a descendant of Qin Ye, but he knew he had to protect Eternal Peace. Heavenly Venerate Mu of Eternal Peace could not be seen as a descendant of Emperor Kai. Eternal Peace had to distance itself from Carefree Village, otherwise it would be severely detrimental to its development. This involved not only power struggles and livelihood disputes, but also the will of the people and the attitude of the Heavenly Court. For Eternal Peace to survive, it absolutely could not be entangled with Carefree Village. Emperor Kai and Qin Mu maintained a relationship like Dao companions, devoid of hierarchical differences or overt familial affection.

Yet, in this moment, Qin Mu still felt a profound emotional attachment within his Dao Heart, the tearing pain of losing a loved one.

"Why would you suddenly appear..."

Heavenly Venerate Hao's figure suddenly appeared in his vision. Qin Mu turned, his five fingers plucking at space as if strumming invisible strings in the air. As the zither notes resonated, Heavenly Venerate Xu vanished, reappearing moments later before Heavenly Venerate Hao. Heavenly Venerate Hao was startled and swiftly retreated. Qin Mu turned, his face devoid of expression, and sped towards the Golden Ship of Salvation.

On the Golden Ship of Salvation's deck, Heavenly Venerate Xu commanded the divine artifact Imperial Heavenly Venerate, behind whose head thirty-six Heavenly Palaces emerged, forming a complete Heavenly Court! The Heavenly Court's power was immense, straining the divine artifact, which couldn't endure for long. But for Heavenly Venerate Xu, it was sufficient. In this brief window, she could easily slay Qin Fengqing and the reincarnated Heavenly Duke, seizing control of Youdu!

At this moment, Qin Fengqing's magic power had surged, making him comparable to a minor Heavenly Venerate, his power nearly on par with a Heavenly Venerate in the Emperor's Throne realm who had cultivated eighteen Heavenly Palaces. However, Qin Fengqing was too inexperienced; his combat techniques and battle experience were vastly inferior to hers. The only threat to her was the Heavenly Duke, whose power stemmed from the Fifty Grand Dao Treasures. Yet, even with that, he was still somewhat outmatched against the divine artifact Imperial Heavenly Venerate of the perfect Heavenly Court.

Heavenly Venerate Xu was about to dispatch the two when the golden ship suddenly changed course and began to accelerate. She glanced over hastily, realizing the vessel was heading directly for Qin Mu. At the same time, Qin Mu was also rushing towards the golden ship.

Without hesitation, Heavenly Venerate Xu leaped from the golden ship. As the ship's light attempted to hold her back, the divine artifact Imperial Heavenly Venerate launched a punch, disrupting the golden glow. Heavenly Venerate Xu landed on the divine artifact Imperial Heavenly Venerate's shoulder, seizing the chance to escape. Qin Mu landed on the golden ship, his vacant gaze drifting away from Heavenly Venerate Xu's face. A flicker of fear involuntarily arose in Heavenly Venerate Xu's heart, preventing her from approaching.

Suddenly, Heavenly Venerate Hao appeared beside her, reaching out and pulling her away. Heavenly Venerate Ling appeared, pointing a finger into the void. Qin Mu's gaze fell on Heavenly Venerate Hao, then shifted. The golden ship changed course, rushing towards Heavenly Venerate Huo. There, Heavenly Venerate Huo was ruthlessly attacking both Lang Wo and Heavenly Venerate Yue. As the golden ship approached, Heavenly Venerate Huo quickly dodged, flying towards the arriving Heavenly Venerate Hao. The three stood side by side, watching Qin Mu bring Heavenly Venerate Yue and Lang Wo onto the golden ship.

Heavenly Venerate Huo raised an eyebrow, about to intervene and stop the golden ship. Heavenly Venerate Hao raised a hand, saying, "A cornered beast will fight to the death. If we press too hard now, he'll be forced into a desperate struggle. Our objective has been met; let them leave." Heavenly Venerate Huo was slightly startled, not understanding his meaning. Heavenly Venerate Hao smiled faintly, "My original intention was to eliminate Heavenly Venerate Ling, but I unexpectedly struck the wrong target. Qin Ye is dead."

Heavenly Venerate Huo's body trembled. He bowed deeply, declaring, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! My deepest felicitations!" Heavenly Venerate Hao burst into laughter, flying towards Ancestral God King. Heavenly Venerate Xu and Heavenly Venerate Huo quickly followed him.

The golden ship continued to accelerate, heading straight for Ancestral God King. Heavenly Venerate Hao immediately sent a divine sense message, warning Ancestral God King to dodge. Ancestral God King, who was about to dispatch Heavenly Venerate You, hastily evaded, only to see Heavenly Venerate Ling's figure appear precisely where he had been standing moments before, startling him and causing a cold sweat to break out. He rushed to Heavenly Venerate Hao's side, whispering, "Brother Hao... Your Majesty, what happened?"

"Qin Ye is dead!"

Heavenly Venerate Hao burst into laughter, surveying his surroundings with confident satisfaction. "Qin Ye, the thorn in my side, is dead. The larger scheme is now settled. That thief Mu has no desire to prolong this fight; he is the core of the rebels. He knows that after Qin Ye's death, he is doomed to lose this battle, which is why he's trying to save the others. He has lost all offensive drive. With Youdu now in my hands, no one in the world can shake the foundation of the Heavenly Court."

Ancestral God King's mind reeled. He knelt on one knee, clasped his hands, and raised them above his head. "Pacifying Youdu marks an auspicious day for Your Majesty's ascension to the throne! Your humble servant is willing to submit a memorial to the Grand Emperor, explaining the advantages and disadvantages, and requesting His abdication!" Heavenly Venerate Huo also hastily bowed, proclaiming, "Your Majesty's grand vision and strategy have quelled millions of years of turmoil, restoring an era of peace and prosperity to the world! Such a feat has been unprecedented since the creation of the universe! Your Majesty's ascension aligns with both Heaven's will and the desires of the people. Your humble servant is eager to draft the official decree!" Heavenly Venerate Xu hesitated for a moment, then also bowed, saying, "Upon Your Majesty's ascension, the Grand Emperor will undoubtedly be overjoyed and willingly abdicate!"

The two Primordial Gods of Taiji, seeing the golden ship approach, immediately abandoned Heavenly Venerate Tai Su and joined Heavenly Venerate Hao and the others. Noticing the three Heavenly Venerates kneeling, they exchanged glances and then bowed together, stating, "We, along with Dao Brother Tai Chu, are all of the Five Grand-Primordials. We are willing to serve as emissaries. Dao Brother Tai Chu is reasonable and will surely submit willingly."

Heavenly Venerate Hao laughed heartily, looking at Qin Mu on the golden ship. "Heavenly Venerate Mu," he said casually, "do you see this overwhelming tide? The world's momentum now favors me. Your resistance will be futile! It will only implicate humanity and all postnatal beings. No egg remains unbroken when the nest is overturned. Do you truly wish for all beings in this world to be ruined by your actions?"

Qin Mu stood blankly at the bow of the ship, confronting him from afar.

"Youdu has fallen into My hands." Heavenly Venerate Hao spread his fingers, then clenched his fist firmly, smiling. "Emperor Tai has surrendered, Tai Chu has yielded, and Emperor Kai has fallen. You have no chance of victory left."

There was an uproar on the golden ship. Heavenly Duke hastily asked, "Heavenly Venerate Mu, is Emperor Kai truly..." Heavenly Venerate You had blood at the corner of his mouth, his face pale. Divine King Lang Wo remained silent, while Heavenly Venerate Yue looked towards Heavenly Venerate Ling. Heavenly Venerate Ling gently nodded. Qin Fengqing sat stunned on the ground, as if all his strength had drained away. He suddenly looked up, his voice flat and vacant. "Brother, I want to go home. Please send me back. I miss Mother..."

Qin Mu remained motionless, the hand gripping the hilt of the Calamity Sword loosened, then tightened again, but then loosened once more.

"Does Heavenly Venerate Mu believe he can still turn the tide?" Heavenly Venerate Hao smiled. "You know better than I what lies within the Return to the Ruins. Once my Empress Mother returns, you will have no hope of survival. One who follows the Dao gains many allies, while one who deviates finds few. If you continue this fight, all of you will perish here. Heavenly Venerate Mu, you are a pragmatic individual. Your deaths in Youdu would lead to the descent of the prehistoric Dao achievers. Surely, you wouldn't wish for that to happen? Rest assured, if you surrender, I will prevent their arrival."

He smiled faintly. "I offer you amnesty. If you surrender, I will enfeoff you as one of the Ten Heavenly Venerates. Not only will Eternal Peace survive, but I will also leave Carefree Village untouched. However, if you dare to refuse, both Eternal Peace and Carefree Village will be utterly annihilated!"

Heavenly Venerate Huo raised an eyebrow. "Your Majesty, they are rebels. How can we offer them amnesty?" Heavenly Venerate Hao chuckled. "My dear Minister Huo, am I truly an emperor without magnanimity?"

Suddenly, the golden ship sailed away, disappearing into the darkness. Seeing this, Heavenly Venerate Huo sighed in relief. Heavenly Venerate Hao smiled faintly. "He will come to the Heavenly Court; he is a discerning man." He raised his head, took a long breath, and slowly spread his arms. "This world, finally, belongs solely to me!"

The Golden Ship of Salvation accelerated, navigating through the gloom of Youdu. As Earth Count's physical body steadily disintegrated, the very space of Youdu was also crumbling apart. "Where my body stands, there is Youdu!" Earth Count's physical body fragmented into colossal landmasses, adrift within Youdu. Youdu itself broke into pieces, no longer a coherent whole. Some fragments of Youdu overlapped with various heavens, some with the Primordial Realm, and others connected to the Ancestral Court.

Everyone stood silently at the bow of the ship. This battle, with Emperor Kai's death, had become a complete rout, leaving no hope of turning the tide. Suddenly, Heavenly Duke spotted Ah Chou Earth Count's body floating on a landmass. He quickly reached out and pulled Ah Chou Earth Count onto the ship. He wanted Qin Mu to summon Earth Count's soul, but though he opened his mouth, no words came out. Earth Count's impulsive decision had led to Emperor Kai's death and this catastrophic defeat. Asking Qin Mu to revive Earth Count now would make them, the ancient gods, appear too selfish.

"I will revive Earth Count." Qin Mu's eyes shifted. He suddenly said, "However, Heavenly Venerate Yun is still in the Ultimate Void, battling Tai Chu. We should go there first... I need a moment to collect myself, just a moment..."

He sank weakly to the ground, suddenly feeling dizzy, and toppled backward.

"Let him rest." Heavenly Venerate Yue whispered, "I will take Heavenly Venerate Ling to the Ultimate Void. Scaring off Tai Chu shouldn't be difficult." Heavenly Venerate Ling gently nodded. Qin Mu heard her words, slowly closed his eyes, and darkness enveloped him. Two streams of tears trickled from the corners of his eyes down to his temples, soaking the hair behind his ears.

Was there no hope left? Yes, there was truly no hope left. He thought silently to himself.

Heavenly Venerate Yue led the others away. She knew Qin Mu wouldn't want anyone to see his vulnerability, and they, too, preferred not to witness Heavenly Venerate Mu's weakness.