Chapter Thirty-Five: Li II (Part Two)

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As the eldest son born to Chi, his feelings were undoubtedly the most profound.

He had personally followed Chi through war after war, fully aware of the terror that weapon inspired. Under the fangs of the monstrous beast, countless tribal chieftains’ blood had been spilled...

In Shuo’s eyes, it was no longer simply a weapon.

“Big brother, Father is already old. Even walking is hard for him now. With the giant beast’s fang at his side, he’s still no match for so many of us brothers.”

It was Chi’s third son who spoke next. He had a head of white hair and a hunched body, as if a gust of wind could sweep him away. Though he ranked third, he seemed even older than Chi, perhaps even older than Shuo.

“When Father was young, he was a mighty ruler, uniting the lands of the Central Plains. His achievements are beyond our reach, but in old age, he has grown muddled and incompetent.

Especially with his stubborn insistence on building those broken walls, leaving the people destitute and full of complaints.

As those in power, and as his sons and descendants, we must speak for the people of the land. We must guide Father back from his misguided path, and prevent him from making mistake after mistake.”

This time, the speaker was the most handsome young man in the crowd.

He was a young ancient ape.

His features were extraordinary, his appearance nearly identical to that of modern humans. He wore simple clothes made from various vegetable leaves, his figure tall and upright. Though not old, he was more mature and steady in demeanor than his elder brothers.

“Eighteenth brother is right. We are not only Father’s sons, but also rulers of this land. Today, we may not be able to make Father instantly see the truth, but at the very least, we must end the exhausting and wasteful construction of these walls. Otherwise, this vast Da Li will surely collapse one day...”

Voices of agreement echoed through the crowd, swelling into a clamor.

A temporary consensus was reached, and together they entered Chi’s private palace, making clear their wish for him to cease building the walls.

“Well, well, I suppose your true intention isn’t simply to stop me from building walls, but to have me abdicate and hand over my power to you!” Chi sat high upon his throne, his head adorned with a lavish crown woven from dozens of flower vines, his face twisted in rage.

Half a century of absolute rule had made Chi capricious and extremely quick-tempered.

“Father, if you insist on interpreting it that way, then so be it. You are old now. Wouldn’t it be better to abdicate early, allow a worthy successor, and enjoy your twilight years?”

Chi’s third son spoke, gripping a cane made from moss-covered branches, his expression dark, gazing intently at Chi.

The man before him, though his father in name and blood, had refused all his life to relinquish power—not only monopolizing the kingdom’s authority for nearly a century, but stealing his woman as well!

For Chi, he felt only endless hatred.

“Old?”

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Upon the throne, Chi let out a cold laugh.

He suddenly drew from his robes a small, intricately crafted wooden box. Opening it, he revealed a plump, lustrous red oval.

It was the Sacred Goji Berry.

All the goji berries lost from the hands of the old ape had been found by him; together with those already used, there were exactly two.

Through the long ages, this berry remained as full and fresh as ever, showing no sign of time’s passage.

The moment the Sacred Goji Berry was revealed,

A mysterious fragrance filled the air.

Breathing it in, everyone present felt their spirits jolt at once.

Nearly all their pupils contracted.

None among them had ever seen the Sacred Medicine before, only hearing fragments of legend through the ages. Yet that did not stop them from instantly recognizing the true identity of this oval fruit.

Just one—just one is needed to instantly grant the lifespan of three generations.

Nothing is more alluring than immortality.

“Father, if you hand over the Sacred Medicine and your power, we will spare your life,”

Someone called out, unable to hide the greed in his eyes.

“Spare my life? Hahaha, a moment ago you said you wished for me to enjoy my twilight years, now you speak of sparing my life... Truly worthy children of mine, inheritors of my blood. You speak of virtue and righteousness with such ease...”

Chi sneered repeatedly.

“Well then, today I shall give you all a lesson in life... Spare my life? Only I have ever spared others, never has anyone dared to offer mercy to me.”

Chi threw back his head and laughed, wild and unrestrained, drawing the giant beast’s fang from his waist.

He had not wielded this weapon for more than ten years, the blood stains long since soaked into the centipede fang’s core. In the faint light, a flash of glaring crimson could be glimpsed.

Yet

Immersed in blood, the centipede fang had not grown dull, but instead became even sharper.

“Come, all of you, together! I want to see just what my sons are truly made of!”

Chi did not eat the Sacred Medicine, but set it aside.

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He was arrogant and self-important, believing that with the beast’s fang in hand, even as he stepped into old age once more, he could single-handedly hold the pass against ten thousand foes.

Moreover,

Chi was ruthlessly cold; even his own sons he would slaughter without hesitation.

But Chi overestimated himself—and likewise underestimated his sons, and even more, the allure of the Sacred Medicine.

He was defeated, beaten by the ancient ape called Eighteen, the handsome one, the only son to inherit his superhuman strength...

“Hahaha, do you know why I wasted so much labor and wealth to build those towering walls?!”

Chi had truly entered his twilight years. Though the beast’s fang was at his side, his strength was spent and he was vanquished.

Blood covered him, and he collapsed atop the throne he had occupied for nearly half a century. His eyes, already clouded and dull, half-closed, scanning everyone present with a smile that was both mocking and melancholic.

Especially,

When his gaze settled on the most upright figure in the crowd, he lingered for several seconds.

There was unwillingness in Chi’s eyes, but also a touch of satisfaction.

“Father, you did it all to satisfy your own selfish desires.”

Someone spoke.

“Hahaha, only selfish desires...” Chi sneered, then his eyes half-closed, falling silent.

In that moment, he seemed to see those mountain-like, terrifying beasts descending upon the land once again...

Perhaps these walls could hold them back, perhaps not.

But whatever the case, he had done all he could.

Chi threw back his head, laughing brightly, as he had in his youth.

He raised the beast’s fang high and, amidst cries of shock, plunged it fiercely into his own heart.

Even in death, he would die by his own hand!