The Emperor Reigns Them All

Chapter 251 The Death of a Beauty

Wu You was hung in mid-air on hundred feet off the ground. Her blank eyes looked at Li Ye. Those watery eyes were charming as ever. But they just did not have a hint of endearment or emotions. There was nothing but fierceness, the kind of fierceness you would only direct to an enemy.

“Why did you come here, Duchess?” Li Ye smiled and went forward. Although he noticed her strangeness, he did not think much.

Li Ye thought that Wu You would be happy and jump towards him like the old days. Back then she would lift up her cute little face and welcome him with a bright smile, but she did not. Instead, she drew her sword.

Her Immortal Inquiring Sword was slowly unsheathed. The sword light resembled the bright moonlight, which continuously poured down from scabbard. There seemed to be countless stars, overflowing with brilliance. However, the cold and ruthless Sword Awareness had become strong enough to nearly condense into a solid substance. It would hurt your eyes instantly if you took a glance.

Li Ye was shocked. After the Immortal Inquiring Sword was unsheathed, Wu You’s expression was indifferent, just like the ruthless Great Tao. Her eyes, black as obsidian, were obviously staring at him, but Li Ye did not sense any warmth. Instead, they were overflowing with a killing sense.

Suddenly, her Immortal Inquiring Sword was completely unsheathed, and suddenly huge waves appeared in the calm sky. The blue sky and white clouds lost their color and there was only one sword between heaven and earth. The sword was as bright as the moon, and the Sword Qi was like bright moonlight.

She waved the Immortal Inquiring Sword up and down. Sword Qi was coming at him like the galaxy of stars shining in the night sky and pouring onto the ground.

Li Ye didn’t even have time to react. Maybe he never thought about reacting. Just like he never thought that Wu You would take a sword to him.

The galaxy of stars was already in front of his eyes when he woke up with a startle. And the suppression of the Sword Awareness made his Spiritual Qi stagnate. His limbs were stiff like being stuck in the mud. It seemed it was impossible for him to avoid.

A sweet-scented osmanthus floated in front of his eyes, then Li Ye felt like he was struck by lightning. His body was knocked into the air heavily. Su Emei had appeared in the position where he was standing. She was also surrounded by sweet-scented osmanthus flowers, which looked like snowflakes flying and rolling in the wind. Her long hair splashed like a scroll behind the head. And her long sword met the down-coming Immortal Inquiring Sword.

With only one slice, and having awakened just a part of the immortal’s power, Su Emei’s cultivation had passed the Spiritual Master Realm, but like wilted leaves, she flew out more than one hundred feet. She vomited blood and powerlessly fell to the ground, stirring up dust on the ground.

“Senior Sister!”

Wei Xiaozhuang cried out in pain. The black armored general figure appeared suddenly from his back and he came charging with a scream. His face was dark as ink and green fire lit up in his eyes. It was like his molecules had all opened up and spat angry fire. The ground shook with every step he took. After a few steps he jumped up high in the air and the axe in the armored soldier’s hand sliced downwards towards Wu You.

Wu You calmly suspended in the air, she did not even blink when faced with the giant-like Wei Xiaozhuang. Her pupils did not make the slightest move, displaying what true tranquility looked like. She wielded the Immortal Inquiring Sword and the galaxy of stars overhung in the air. The shadow behind Wei Xiaozhuang was suddenly shocked, and then immediately shattered and dissipated. He also vomited blood and flew backwards.

Li Xian, Chu Nanhuai, and Nangong Diyi all stood up and their expressions were all different after seeing this scene. Chu Nanhuai raked his face heavily, and murmured vacantly, “What realm had she reached? This kind of power is at least of the Spiritual Master of Yin Spirit right?”

Nangong Diyi was shocked, he added, “The Way of Sword, that is the Way of Sword! I see the Way of Sword!”

The Sword Qi, the Sword Awareness and the Way of Sword. They were the three realms of sword cultivation. With Nangong Diyi’s talent, he could only reach the second realm.

Li Xian was about to attack after taking a step forward. Then the sky suddenly changed, and a huge vortex suddenly appeared within range. The vortex appeared out of nowhere, with no signs of cloud changing patterns at all. It was as though a passage way appeared in the sky, leading to some unknown place.

Within the sky-covering vortex, lightning and thunder struck. It was thick and dense beyond measure. The only thing that flowed out of the vortex was ancient and murderous Qi energy.

Soon, formation flags appeared from all directions of the vortex. Streams of green-white lines also appeared out of the center of the vortex, forming a complex formation pattern. The runes inscribed in the lines were deep and difficult to understand. The strokes of the runes were dragon and snake like, no one could understand it.

Chu Nanhuai’s face changed greatly and added, “That’s... the Great Immortal-killing Formation!”

Su Emei and Wei Xiaozhuang got up in succession, but their expressions were concerning. Obviously they were wounded badly. Wu You didn’t look at them, but lifted the Immortal Inquiring Sword again. Su Emei and Wei Xiaozhuang looked at each other, and ground their teeth. They were about to attack again.

“Forget it; I’ll do it.”

Li Ye walked up to Su Emei and Wei Xiaozhuang, and shook his head to them. He then floated up and walked towards Wu You. At this moment, he was serious and grave. She was very close to him, but at the same time, seemed far away. He asked in a low voice, “Why are you doing this?”

Wu You didn’t speak, and she didn’t intend to speak. Seeing Li Ye approach, her Immortal Inquiring Sword suddenly sliced downwards. Countless stars spread in the Sword Qi, which looked like thousands of fireflies flying in the sky.

Li Ye lifted Luke Sword before his eyes. Her sword Qi cut through his Luke Sword. The sword Qi then divided into two streams of energy and spread in two directions. Instantly, her Immortal Inquiring Sword hit his Luke Sword. Both swords shook and made sword cries. At this moment, Wu You’s features were plump and her face was soft like a china doll.

Li Ye looked painful.

Suddenly, Li Ye seemed he traveled back in time. At that time, he was still a teenager. On a sunny afternoon, he grabbed Wu You’s hand and they were running in Prince An’s Manor. The girl’s giggling laughter was like a wind chime, and their sweaty faces were full of pure joy.

But the face before him now had no warmth at all, albeit it was still beautiful. Not the kind of beauty that would stop traffic, but the ‘girl next door’ type of pretty. However regardless of how beautiful a face was, a blank and cold expression made it seem distant and unapproachable.

Li Ye was forced backwards and Wu You did not hesitate. Her Immortal Inquiring Sword sliced past the Luke Sword and headed directly towards Li Ye’s chest. Li Ye was shocked, he instinctively wielded the Luke Sword and aimed for Wu You’s neck.

As he saw her white neck, Li Ye was startled. His sword hand hesitated and the Luke Sword stopped before her neck. Just then, her Immortal Inquiring Sword penetrated his protective Spiritual Qi and stabbed into his shoulder. The sword penetrated two inches, blood instantly poured.

Li Ye continued to glide backwards in midair. The pain did not even put a frown on his face. He retracted his Luke Sword and used his left hand to grab the Immortal Inquiring Sword. He stared at Wu You’s deep and vacant eyes. Those eyes seemed so unfamiliar.

He swung his Luke Sword backwards and the Sword Qi cut a deep, 3-meter-long trench on the ground. Finally, Li Ye was able to stop his body from gliding backwards. He looked at Wu You, who now seemed like a stranger, with blood-shot eyes. He asked in a low voice, “Have you really forgotten everything?”

Wu You gripped the Immortal Inquiring Sword and Li Ye grabbed the sword’s blade. Blood dripped from his fingertips and they were in a stale-mate.

The patterns of the Great Immortal-killing Formation was already apparent in the sky. Green-white light began emanating from it. Everyone’s Spiritual Qi began to turn from their insides like something frightening was about to happen.

Wu You finally opened her mouth, her voice was neither happy nor sad, “It’s not that I forgot, it’s you. Do you remember Childe Fusu? What about Liu Xie?”

Li Ye was taken aback. “What do you mean?”

“It looks like you don’t remember a thing.” Wu You’s voice was both real and illusive without any emotion, “Do you know that in this life, you’re supposed to be a monarch of a fallen country and burn yourself to death on the Basaltic Building?”

Li Ye was shocked and asked, “What... did you see?”

Wu You’s eyes were no longer cold and blank but revealed a strong sense of hatred. She stared at Li Ye with resentment. “Li Yao took your nobility ranking and you ended up on the streets. Countless times I snuck out to see you against my father’s wishes. Afterwards I would face my father’s punishment and tears would fill my mother’s eyes. But you, never cared for me, all you cared about was your country. And during our last meeting, you blamed me for not helping you take back your position. You pushed me away and said to never see you again! Do you remember?”

Li Ye was suddenly shocked, he realized that was his memory before he was reborn.

Seeing Li Ye’s expression change, Wu You suddenly let out a cold laugh. “But I was still by your side secretly, I snuck out whenever I had the chance, how foolish of me. If I hadn’t done that, you would long have been schemed by Li Yao. And how could you live until Li Yan passed you his crown?”

Li Ye’s expression changed, almost losing his voice he asked, “How do you know I inherited the crown, didn’t you...”

“You think I died during the Huang Chao Uprising? Yeah I faked my death on purpose and everyone believed it, didn’t they? That way I could continue to be by your side and no one would bother me. I was there when you were dealing with political affairs, when you married your concubines. I was also there when you were making important decisions. I was always hiding in a corner. And I was there when you burned yourself atop the Basaltic Building!”

Li Ye could no longer say anything else. Before he was reborn he did feel that someone was watching him. But back then he didn’t have any masters by his side. He also remembered asking Practitioners of Qi techniques to search for who was watching him. When he climbed up the Basaltic Building to burn himself, he shockingly saw a glimpse of a very familiar figure running towards him. But he was quickly buried by the sea of fire, so he couldn’t catch another glimpse.

So, she had always been there for me.

Li Ye was now full of bitterness.

While up in the sky, the sound of Taoist chants was coming from the center of the Great Immortal-killing Formation among the rays of green-white light. And the tip of a gigantic sword began to appear. Though only the tip of the sword had appeared, a strong sense of Sword Awareness was flowing between heaven and earth. It seemed mountains were about to explode, and everyone felt the ferocious and irreversible will. It was a will that could wipe out all evil.

Li Xian and others’ expressions changed and screamed at Li Ye, “The Immortal Killing Sword has appeared, run!”

Chu Nanhuai laughed bitterly. “There’s no point. The Immortal Killing Sword is the most powerful weapon of the Taoist Sect. As soon as it appears, blood must be drawn otherwise it would not stop. It would be useless even if you run to the edge of the world.”

Hatred filled Wu You’s cute and round-apple like face, and she yelled at Li Ye sternly, “Do you know that I hate you! For three life times, all you cared about was your country. Even now, have you ever thought about me? I hate you, so I’m going to kill you! Dying for your country is your fate, not mine! When you die, I’ll be free!”

Li Ye let out a long breath and watched the girl before his eyes. In his eyes, she still looked like the young girl that he knew. She always had her hands tucked behind her back and her head lifted. She called him Elder Brother Ye. He suddenly smiled and said, “Childe Fu Su, and Han Emperor Liu Xie, I understand now. If that’s how you feel and if you hate me, you can kill me!”

If this was fate, then he had to pay for what he owed.

Wu You used her strength to push the Immortal Inquiring Sword deeper, and blood poured out again. She stared at Li Ye and said, “When you die, the Tang Empire will fall and the world will finally belong to the Taoist sect. And the Immortal Court will still control everything! Don’t you hate me for killing you for the Taoist sect?”

Li Ye was suddenly shocked.

In the Great Immortal-killing Formation, the gigantic sword full of runes had almost fully emerged. Only a part of the handle was still covered.

A light ray flashed before Li Ye’s eyes.

If he died, history would return to its original track. The Immortal Court would still control heaven and earth and the Taoist sect could continue its corruptive ways. After decades the Qidan would thrive and invade the Central Plains. They would also take the sixteen states of Youyun and hundreds of years later, the divine land would be ruled by foreigners...

For hundreds of years, countless top masters left Yangguan and entered the Western Regions with their swords. They gave up their lives for the land, all their efforts would have been for nothing... And the men with him, Li Xian would die, along with Nangong, Su Emei, Wei Xiaozhuang and Chu Nanhuai. Yuan Tiangang’s last wish before he cut his head off would never materialize!

NO!

Things could not end like this!

Li Ye kept staring at Wu You and extreme pain flashed in his eyes. Then he made a move with his palm pushed Wu You away. He gripped the Luke Sword tightly and his cultivation erupted. His Qi energy kept rising and he screamed, “I can’t die and you cannot kill me! If I die today, I will... hate you!”

After Wu You copped a palm attack from Li Ye, her head tilted backwards and the green threads on her robes scattered like a waterfall. Her body flew backwards like a kite with a broken string. At that moment, a drop of starlight flew past in the sky.

Wu You flew backwards for a few thousand feet, landing directly under the Immortal Killing Sword.

The Immortal Killing Sword was now completely emerged and was descending down ferociously from the Great Immortal-killing Formation.

Wu You pulled herself up and her body amalgamated with her sword. Starlight began showering down and a galaxy of stars erupted out of the Immortal Inquiring Sword. Her sword was headed directly towards the Immortal Killing Sword. She let out a scream that trembled heaven and earth, “Li Ye, I hate You! With this sword, I must kill...”

Her voice could no longer be heard.

With the Immortal Inquiring Sword held above her, she and the sword formed a flash of light energy. The light rushed towards the Immortal Killing Sword and the galaxy of stars contra-flowed and clashed with the Immortal Killing Sword.

Waves of Spiritual Qi engulfed heaven and earth amid the loud bang from the collision like a fallen comet. All that was left in the sky was waves of intensive Spirit and the galaxy of stars exploded. Starlight began dropping like snow, which looked like tears being blown in the air by the wind.

Li Ye was taken aback

Everyone froze.

Wu You’s last sword attack was supposed to be the most powerful attack. It was supposed to kill Li Ye on the spot, but... accidentally hit the Immortal Killing Sword? She heard Li Ye’s words ‘I will hate you’. Was she really pushed to the edge that she had lost her senses and couldn’t even see the Immortal Killing Sword?

The clouds dispersed, then disappeared and the sky was restored to calm again. The Immortal Killing Sword was destroyed in the air and The Great Immortal-killing Formation no longer existed. In the vast sky, only the woman in colorful robes was floating.

She glanced at Li Ye. That glance saw through the obsessiveness for millennium, experienced the ups and downs of the three lifetimes, and never changed. Her face glowed with a smile of sunshine. At that moment, she smiled like a flower, as bright as the morning glow, and she was full of peace and joy.

Only in the corner of her eyes, a drop of starlight that hid her boundless attachment and reluctance to this world, slipped from her not so beautiful cheek. The starlight faded in a flash, just like the words of love that she didn’t say. The words she never intended to say, fell into oblivion like smoke in an instant.

As the breeze came, the woman dressed in colorful robes dissipated into particles of dust.

The breeze passed and there were no traces of her left. She died in peace and without a trace of remorse. What she left to the world, was only a story from beginning to end.

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