Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 412, Section 21: There is no such thing as a peaceful life; it's all because Pandaria is bearing the burden.

Shao Hao soon received the vigilant.

The opponent, riding the wings of the sun, flew down from the sky. When it landed in the center of the arena, the resulting solar storm transformed into blinding holy fire that swept away the surroundings. In the embers after the flames dissipated, the Eredar giant, wearing majestic armor and exuding an aura of faith, strode forward.

Only him.

Everyone else was left in the Molten Courtyard, not even Aegwynn.

Clearly, this is because Diakum wanted to maintain some "suspense," and also because the secrets that Shao Hao would reveal were likely too astonishing for most people to know at the moment.

However, it's not that there were no recorders at all.

The traveling scholar Shi Bu stood at the other end of the training ground, his whole body trembling with excitement, as he set up his easel to record the moment when Emperor Shaohao appeared on the Eternal Island.

Those were records authorized by the emperor.

During the era when Shao Hao was active, no matter what he did, there would always be a historian by his side to record it. Even when he embarked on the path of saving the world and fought against the evil demons, there were fearless historians writing furiously on the edge of the battlefield.

So these guys who record history are really outrageous!

They're not even afraid of death, so there's really very little in this world that can frighten them. Oh, of course, the historians in the Magic Book Catalogue are an exception.

You can't expect a true historian to emerge from spinelessness. If you can't stand up straight and can't ensure that true history isn't tainted, then being nailed to the pillar of shame by future generations is the end you deserve.

"Sorry, I woke up a little late, but now is the perfect time."

Emperor Shaohao hovered above the stone pillar with an air of nonchalance.

This is indeed a very elegant pandaren. He is wearing a simple white monk's robe, but the dragon and tiger decorations on the back represent his identity.

This guy is the strongest monk ever to have ever appeared in the history of Azeroth since the monk class was created.

Even the "Dawn Fist Master Kang," who created the path of the martial monks, could not achieve "One Breath Transforms into Three Pure Ones," merging himself into the energy to transform into a misty barrier to protect the entire continent from being affected by the explosion of the Eternal Well.

This is essentially equivalent to Shao Hao physically enduring the cataclysmic collapse and protecting everyone in Pandaria.

Frankly speaking, this power is beyond what the "demigod" level can describe.

"Greetings to Your Majesty the Emperor, who has protected the entire continent."

Diakum bowed and said softly:

"In the 20,000 years of exile that my people and I have endured in the stars, we have rarely seen a leader who has devoted himself to such a cause. You deserve the respect of everyone."

Shao Hao accepted the courtesy readily. He stroked his elegant mustache and said:

"But I am not as great as the Pandaren claim. I could only protect this continent from the War of the Ancients and the subsequent explosion of the Well of Eternity. There are others who have sheltered them and the world for the past ten thousand years."

This is the secret I'm going to tell you.

This is why I've been hiding in this chaotic place, clinging to my last remaining fragments of consciousness, waiting so long—that 'sir' needs help.

"That gentleman?"

Dick raised his eyebrows and said:
"You don't know who he is?"

"No, I've never even seen him... or maybe it was her. All I know is that when the forces of death struck Pandaria, causing Thor, who had been dead for many years, to suddenly resurrect, it was that sir who appeared out of nowhere and prevented things from getting any worse."

Shao Hao explained:
"At that time, I was exhausted and could only barely resist Thor's attack with the power after 'unity of heaven and man'. I knew that guy's goal was the Mogu'shan vault and the Titan device hidden in it."

The device called the 'Naracsha Engine' penetrated deep into the world's planet, locking the heart of this world like a cold shackle.

In his time, Thor used the Naraksha Engine to lift the 'Curse of Flesh' from the Mogu, transforming them from flesh back into strong rock, a symbol of 'purity' in Mogu culture.

Thor also hid an incredibly powerful legion in the Mogu'shan Palace. These were the 'Ancient Mogu', created using the Naraksha Engine, and were once tools used by the 'gods' to maintain and rule the world.

I cannot allow him to regain that power.

Don't laugh at me, guest.

With the intention of taking Thor down with me, I dragged him into the treasure vault with the help of my partner, the Monkey King. My plan was for the Monkey King to detonate the Naraksha engine, burying me and the Mogu Tyrant together.

However, when we stepped into that place, we realized we had underestimated things!

Shao Hao paused at this point.

The Pandaren Emperor seemed to be organizing his thoughts, trying to describe the scene he witnessed, but ultimately he abandoned a detailed description, simply stating:
"That's a rift! A scar that erupted from the underworld, like a wound left by a sword piercing the heart of the world, but it's more than just a scar."

A chilling psychic power erupted from it, mixed with the lament of the world's will.

Thor was chosen as the vanguard of death. His purpose in entering the Mogu'shan Palace was to widen the rift, allowing the power of the underworld to sweep across the entire Pandaria, turning all life along with the continent into part of the underworld.

That is a power that no mortal can contend with.

Even if I were prepared to die, I was powerless to stop a disaster of this magnitude. I was in despair when a voice appeared.

That gentleman spoke to me from the wounds of the world's will's lament.

He or she told me that he would stay there to suppress the surging power of Thor and the underworld. He didn't know how long it would take, but he would hold on until the very end.

He also told me that an evil relic from the underworld was left in the wounds of the world.

He has to pull it out.

He told me to leave that place and seal the wound of that underworld forever, lest the situation worsen.

He was an extremely wise knight-errant. He told me many methods, which I then passed on to my companion, the Monkey King, who led the four heavenly gods to carry out their tasks one by one.

Ultimately, thanks to our efforts, the disaster was prevented from spreading.

The Northern Celestial Venerable, Snow Fury, remained in the White Tiger Temple, where it and its warrior monks have guarded that secret for ten thousand years. The problem is, we cannot be certain how much longer that lord can hold out.”

Shao Hao sighed and said:
"We can't even help, we can only hope for a miracle. It can be said that for the past ten thousand years, the whole of Pandaria has been walking a tightrope. The fact that it has survived is entirely due to that lord interrupting the disaster from the underworld and taking on the burden of it all by himself."

That gentleman is the one you speak of who deserves such high praise.

Even though I've never met him, I still hold him in high esteem. And he's not just protecting Pandaria. You must know, guest, the rift I witnessed was so terrifying that if it were to truly erupt, Pandaria would be reduced to a hellish realm in a short time.

The mist barrier I left behind will be continuously eroded, over a hundred years, two hundred years, or five hundred years.
Pointless!

One day, the millions of undead in this ghostly realm will break through the mist and sweep across the entire world under the command of their evil masters. Oh, we thought only Pandaria survived the cataclysmic destruction.

That's what he told me: the world didn't die because of that 'foolish mistake'.

He must have come from somewhere outside, but unfortunately, the Mist Barrier has been established, completely severing Pandaria's connection with the outside world.

Diakum nodded.

He made no comment on this historical event, nor did he mention any of his own speculations. Because he was wearing a full-face helmet, Shao Hao could not see Diakum's very interesting changes in expression.

After a brief moment of thought, Dick asked:
"So why didn't you tell the Pandaren the truth? If they knew the truth, perhaps the Pandaren would have figured out a way to leave the barrier and seek help from the outside world to fight the enemy together over the years."

"Because I'm not sure if there really is an individual in this world as powerful as that gentleman."

Shao Hao shook his head and said:
"We cannot take risks. If this is not handled properly, it could lead to chaos in the world. We cannot allow heroes who are not strong enough to get involved."

A chivalrous heart is important, but without the skillful control of great power, one cannot participate in the battles that determine the fate of the world.

I've stayed here, waiting for that kind of person to appear.

And you gave Ordos a resting place, so you should know the secrets of Ordos. Being able to defeat it one-on-one proves that you also have such magnanimity and ability. More importantly, I witnessed the process of you all purifying that Balrog King with your chivalrous hearts.

I am certain that you are the people I have been waiting for, the heroes to whom I can entrust the fate of the mainland.

Therefore, I humbly request you here!
Please travel to the forbidden lands of Kun-Lai Summit as soon as possible, where you can fight alongside that lord, dispel the terrifying power emanating from the underworld, and free Pandaria from this cycle of war.

If you wish, please visit my former palace, Yongchun Terrace.

My companion, the Monkey King, lives in seclusion there. He and his staff of good fortune will assist you in completing that never-ending battle, just as they helped me years ago. Only he knows exactly how to enter that dangerous, heavily sealed forbidden land.

“I’ll get there as soon as possible.” Diakum nodded, then changed the subject, saying:
"But do you think the secrets of the Vale of Eternal Blossoms are still not ready to be revealed? I don't believe that you, as the greatest emperor, are unaware of the existence of the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, but you and all the emperors before you have tacitly kept this place hidden and do not intend to let the pandaren enter it."

The mountains where your palace, Yongchun Terrace, is located are right on the edge of Jinxiu Valley.

"That place is indeed a sacred place, and the source of Pandaria's prosperity to this day. The secret of the Valley of the Four Winds' fertile land, which yields a harvest every day, lies in that golden valley."

Shao Hao shrugged and said:

"But there is also something dangerous hidden there, a terrible hidden danger no less than this deadly disaster. The reason why I and the emperors before me hid it was precisely because we were afraid of the outbreak of that hidden danger."

This is a heavy responsibility belonging to the emperor, and I must conceal its existence.

Of course, if you feel it's time to open up the Valley of Eternal Blossoms, then go for it.

If you can deal with the dangerous Ordos, it proves that the danger lurking there is no threat to you either, but the seal on the Vale of Eternal Blossoms needs to be opened by the four Celestials together.

The mantises have been collecting the demonic entities I sealed away for the past ten thousand years, all for that dark entity.

If they get there first, Pandaria and the whole world will suffer. However, you have an aura very similar to that thing, which means you have defeated similar powerful enemies before.

It's hard to imagine what challenges you've faced, but today I can only say that Pandaria is blessed, for your arrival will completely liberate my people.

They will no longer need to bear the burden of their ancestors, and they will be able to embark on a journey beyond the world they know with ease. Is it a world beautiful enough to warrant all poets writing about it?
Is it a world brave enough that even chivalrous warriors would willingly shed their blood for it?

Is it a world that can last forever, allowing the pandaren to return to its embrace amidst their astonishment?
Alas, so many questions, so much curiosity, but unfortunately, I no longer have the time to spare. I live in the past; I have left my best years there. I am no longer old; time flows on like a river.

The last emperor of the Pandaren laughed heartily, filled with regret but unwilling to linger on in such an undignified manner.

As the chaotic flow of time returned to normal, his figure gradually faded away, signifying that this brave leader who had once saved the continent and his people was embarking on his final journey.

Amid Diakum's gaze, farewell, and blessings, the emperor rose lightly on the wind.

At his call, a beautiful crane flapped its wings and flew over, carrying the emperor as his robes fluttered into the sky.

As the next dawn broke, he and the crane that carried him disappeared into the morning breeze amidst laughter and the fluttering of his long beard and hair. Soothed and carried by the wind, he journeyed to the new world he had longed for, to witness the magnificent landscape and the flourishing of all things.

The traveling scholar Shi Bu collapsed to the ground, crying bitterly.

It is said that this is a tradition of the Pandaren, to bid farewell to the dead with mournful weeping.

But Diakum believed that the traveling scholar's grief was genuine; he wept bitterly, yet tried his best to control his emotions, capturing the scene of the emperor's passing on his canvas for posterity to admire.

Expressing condolences to the deceased and carrying on their virtues is also a tradition of the Panda people.

As the flow of time across the Timeless Isle accelerated back to normal, Diakum stood in the morning sunlight, looked up, removed his helmet, let the sunlight fall on him, and then opened his arms to embrace the light.

He could feel the comfort of the sunlight.

This was not an illusion; the sunlight was truly being drawn to him and converging upon him. Diakum did not yet know how the mysterious mythical secret "Radiant Sun" worked, but he was certain that it was related to the astronomical concept of the sun.

"The emperor is gone?"

Aegwynn flew down as a raven, circled Diakum twice, and then transformed into the form of a raven prophet.

She looked at Diakum's sorrowful expression and said:
"It seems he talked to you a lot, and this is the first time you've met him, yet you've shown such sadness. Do you like him a lot?"

"It's less about liking and more about longing."

Dick said:
"He was the most perfect leader I knew. Even old Velen was far inferior to him. If the virtues of Velen and Kil'jaeden were combined in one person, he might be able to compete with Emperor Shaohao in terms of charisma."

A respectable person has passed away, and of course I should feel sad.

As for those secrets
To be honest, I had already guessed it.

In that era ten thousand years ago, there was only one 'Your Excellency' who could turn the tide as Shao Hao described.

Ugh.

She personally destroyed her own empire, yet came to protect another nation.

Ten thousand years.

If this is a painful journey of seeking redemption, then I seem to have reason to re-evaluate her, and that our Star Soul Lord's judgment is actually not bad.

She simply doesn't know how to raise children.

Dick gazed at the coastline, where the enormous kun was hissing and dissipating into countless points of light as it surged with the current. Amidst the falling light, the unfortunate pirates cursed their injustice with foul language.

That was its final roar, and theirs.

There is no pain, only liberation.

"Let's go."

The vigilant waved goodbye to the formidable Kun, then turned to Aegwynn and said:

"Let this island, which has witnessed too many secrets, be quiet. Let's stop disturbing everything that happened here and has fallen silent."

------

When the Lightforged Chapter returned to Jade Forest, it was already afternoon.

Exhausted but invigorated after their "spiritual journey," the Lightforged decided to hold a victory feast in the Pandaren village. They even asked the wandering scholar Stonestep to hire several local chefs to prepare the dishes.

But actually, the best food in Pandaria isn't in the Jade Forest, but rather on the hillside of the Valley of the Four Winds.

That town is the true "food capital" of this continent. The culinary master, Ms. Sun Tiezhang, is said to have mastered six major styles of cooking: grilling, stir-frying, stewing, steaming, baking, and brewing. Every traveler who has tasted her cooking will find the food unpalatable for a long time.

The only regret is that Ms. Sun Tiezhang is getting old and rarely cooks herself anymore.

However, her disciples each had their own unique skills. The court dishes they were good at were things that Diakum and his group of alien bumpkins had never even heard of, let alone eaten.

But while the Twins were feasting with the Lightforged at the Pandaren village of Morningbloom, Diakum didn't have time to join them before Lady Liu Yanxin invited him to a secluded courtyard in the Temple of Azure Dragon.

Several Pandaren monks dressed in black, wearing straw hats, carrying weapons, and with piercing eyes stood guard around, exuding a coldness and calmness that was completely different from other Pandaren.

This display of power suggests that a "big shot" has arrived.

Diakum, wearing the Disguise Brooch, entered in human form and saw a pandaren dressed in black clothes and hat sitting in the courtyard drinking tea. The pandaren's eyes were very sharp under his hat.

Diakum could even feel that gaze was like a knife; his illusion could not hide anything from the powerful monk in front of him.

The opponent's aura was very obscure, making it difficult to judge his strength.

This is the way of the Pandaren monks: they keep their aura hidden. When they don't fight, even a legendary monk like Chen looks like a drunkard you might see on the street. Therefore, monks are not only skilled in combat, but also very dangerous assassins.

The Shadow Phantoms are known for their swift and decisive attacks, aiming to kill with a single blow.

This Grandmaster Monk before him definitely knew this technique, but Diakum showed no hostility. He stepped forward, sat down in a chair, and said to the Pandaren who was preparing tea:

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard so much about you. I'm so grateful to Sect Leader Zhu Talan."

"you"

The cold-faced swordsman opposite him had barely opened his mouth when his expression changed drastically. Under Diakum's wide-eyed, bewildered gaze, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

What the hell!

It has to be you, you're truly authentic.

Has this chronic problem of vomiting blood anytime, anywhere gotten better?
Ps:

Bonus chapter tomorrow! 3+5.

I forgot to post a picture of the "Judgment" armor before, so here it is:

(End of this chapter)