Bitter Realm: My Feet Step Through the Flames of War

"Buddha-cast!"

"Buddha-cast!"

After Yan Da and Nüya left, the people of the Buddhist village fell into a heated debate, with diametrically opposed opinions on exchanging hostages versus killing Mida.

The dispute ended without resolution.

Buddha Sword flicked his sleeve and left: "I'm going to Cloud Crossing Mountain to find a page of books."

Wu Huo Du Mi also departed, saying, "I'm going to Tian Du to find Wu Jun and save people."

After the rest of the monks had retreated to the deep palace, Maitreya handed a bundle to Quesheng Yunduo: "Please forgive me for entrusting you with this cruel task. Only the Coffin Sacrifice can kill Mara."

Que Shengyun took the bundle and left silently.

A tranquil village, with the aroma of cooking fires rising in the evening.

Suddenly, Que Shengyun burst into a farmhouse and snatched the baby from the farmer's wife's arms.

The couple were terrified and knelt down to beg:

"Master, please, this is our only child, please don't harm him!"

"My child, my child~"

The baby is crying, and the mother is weeping.

"Ugh."

Que Shengyun returned the child to the peasant woman and left the house. The heavy responsibility he thought he could bear, he still hesitated at this moment.

Every step is fraught with danger, and every step is filled with trepidation.

Someone once asked me, how do you measure the number of grains of sand in the Ganges?

I wrote only one word: calamity.

Later, someone asked me how to balance killing and compassion?

I only wrote one word: "戒" (jie, meaning "to abstain").

Finally, I asked myself, how do I bear the weight of life?

I responded with the same single word: "Give up."

Only now do I understand the pain of those words…

After walking half a mile, Quesheng Yunruo resolutely turned back. The desolate evening wind could not stir the Buddha's cold heart.

Just as he broke into that house again, suddenly, two figures, one pink and one purple, appeared before him.

“Dragons have always lurked in springs and rocks, their traces remaining unseen until war breaks out. Are the winds and clouds the masters of Heaven? They are used to ascend to the highest palaces.”

"In the morning, her hair was as black as silk; by evening, it had turned to snow. In one night, the wind and frost overturned the sea tower."

The newcomers turned out to be Chao Yizhu and Qing Shuangtai, who were ordered by Wu Jun to follow Que Shengyunduo.

Originally, I thought Que Shengyunduo was a spy from the Desire Realm. But now that I see him coming and going, his target being the baby in the farmhouse, I can't help but feel furious.

Qing Shuangtai shouted, "What do you want to do?"

"You are?"

"I am Fengxuan Yunmian Chaoyi Master, and this is Qingshuangtai Muchengxue. I am here on the orders of Wujun Luohou to invite you, Master. Please join us in Tiandu."

"Chao Yizhu? Tiandu? I'm sorry, I have other matters to attend to and cannot accompany you."

"Then I'll have to offend you."

The battle raged like dragons, the twin swords flashed like snow, and Chao Yizhu and Qing Shuangtai attacked Que Shengyunduo from the front and back.

Seeing the ferocity of the newcomer, Que Shengyun circulated his Buddhist true power, instantly unleashing a sky full of blood seals: "Blood sins are unforgivable!"

Knowing this person was important, Chao Yi and Qing Shuangtai did not hold back in their attacks. In the blink of an eye, they unleashed a combined attack of the three fierce martial arts techniques:

"The Imperial Dragon Pavilion lifts the Azure Frost!"

"Even the snow reflecting the sky is transcendent!"

Boom.

Sword energy soared into the sky, pacifying the past and present. Bloodstains dissipated, Buddhist power vanished, and Quesheng Yunduo was severely injured in one move, staggering backward repeatedly.

“Going to heaven is not impossible, but please grant me a few days’ permission. This humble monk truly has important matters to attend to.”

"We'll talk about everything when the time comes."

"No need for further words, let's go!"

Chao Yizhu grabbed him and fled in a rainbow.

After the fighting outside had completely subsided, the couple in the farmhouse cautiously pushed open the door and came out to look at the pool of blood in front of the door.

The baby was saved.

Chapter 241 The worst-case scenario, the most comprehensive preparation

Xuanming died on the border between the intermediate realm and the realm of suffering.

When he opened his eyes, he was already in spirit form, floating above a magnificent hall, watching his royal sister weep over her corpse.

The patrolling soldiers of the intermediate realm found him and brought his body to Duan Junheng.

Duan Junheng knew something was amiss, and he brought his soul back from the Alley of Life and Death.

Only then did I learn what had happened.

How does it feel to look at your own corpse?

"not too good."

"You'll get used to it."

Even though Xuanming was a spirit, he was still furious upon hearing these words.

Duan Junheng explained, "What I mean is that in our line of work, we see far too many separations and deaths."

"I've heard that souls can stay in the underworld for forty-nine days. Do you have any way to allow me to see my sister?"

"There are ways, but if you want to give Mr. Duan the green light, you'll have to pay a considerable price."

"I am already dead, what value do I still have?"

Duan Junheng sighed softly, "The number of suitable ghosts for us has already increased from Father to Great-Grandfather..."

"Ok?"

"I'll show you a way out. If you do something for Wu Jun, the Heavenly Court will take in the princess and ensure her safety for the rest of her life. They might even find her a good match."

"The Heavenly Capital Martial Lord? I once sought his help, but he refused."

"Back then, you didn't have the leverage to negotiate. Now the time has come, and the details are as follows..."

Xuanming heard about reincarnation and the underworld for the first time. Now that Zoushan Qiyi has disappeared in the Mud God's Dark Realm, Duan Junheng asked him to find Zoushan Qiyi's soul and assist Zoushan Qiyi in completing the task of exploring the path of reincarnation.

"You're saying that the Mud Realm isn't the end for ghosts, and that there's also the Avici Hell and Yama?"

"Perhaps the Avici Hell is not the end."

Why does the Martial Lord want to investigate the Cycle of Reincarnation?

"Break through the cycle of reincarnation, rebuild the underworld, guide souls to the afterlife, and cultivate together for the next life."

Duan Junheng thought for a moment and then said, "His original words were, 'Without an afterlife, there is no hope, no reverence, and certainly no equality in this life.'"

It was hard to understand, yet it inexplicably moved Xuanming. If there were an afterlife, would there be another day when he could meet the Phoenix Throne again?

“I can grant your request, but I have one condition: if it succeeds, the intermediate state will restore my soul to life.”

This time it was Duan Junheng's turn to hesitate. He could make an exception if a living soul mistakenly entered the intermediate state, but he did not have that authority over the souls of the dead.

The purpose of the intermediate state is to serve as a transit point for the souls of the dead. If a soul is released to return to life, the entire intermediate state will be punished by heaven.

"Could it be that you can come back to life?"

"My imperial sister possesses a technique called the Frost Carving and Snow-Bathing Body-Seizing Technique, which allows her to resurrect the physical body using icy carving. As long as the soul remains intact, the body can be brought back to life."

"The princess possesses such extraordinary abilities!"

"How?"

Duan Junheng pondered and said, "The resurrection of the dead is not permitted by the laws of Heaven. This matter needs to be discussed with Wu Jun. Why don't we send the princess and Zhi Xin back to Tiandu together, find out the truth, and then we can finalize the deal?"

Xuanming had long since noticed the person beside his younger sister. He stood silently like a mountain, as still as a pine tree, letting his younger sister wipe her tears on his sleeve.

The Demon Emperor Zhi Xin was the one who saved the Empress's younger sister.

Xuanming didn't know much about Tianyan Demon City, only that it was completely wiped out in the Holy Demon War a few years ago. As a fellow king who lost his country, the Demon Emperor was somewhat similar to himself.

Now that Gu Ling Shi Yan is dead, and the feud between Bing Lou and the demon realm has been resolved, his only concern is his imperial sister. If his imperial sister has found someone to rely on for the rest of her life, what does it matter if he becomes a ghost?

"If the Heavenly Capital can truly protect my imperial sister, the Xuanming Clan is willing to make a trip to the Dark Realm of Mud."

"The Ice King is indeed wise. Let's wait for news from Tiandu."

After communicating with Xuanming, Duan Junheng put away his soul and walked to Shuangliu Yueke.

"Princess, please restrain your grief for now. Your brother may still have a chance to be resurrected. Here are the details..."

After hearing the details of the deal, Shuangliu Yueke's sorrow turned to joy, and she wiped away her tears as she knelt down before Duan Junheng.

"As long as Lord Ling Shou can save my brother, he will be my benefactor, Shuangliu Yueke. I will go through fire and water and die without hesitation!"

Duan Junheng helped Shuangliu Yueke up: "Princess, you are too kind. You should set off for Tiandu now. You unfilial son, protect the princess well."

"Isn't Father coming with us to Tiandu to celebrate Jingyun's full moon?"

“I’m waiting to drink your son’s full moon celebration. You unfilial son, you’ve angered your old father to death.”

Zhi Xin looked completely bewildered.

"Let's go, time is precious. Let's also take this Primordial Creation Orb with us, Luo Hou might need it."

"Then take care, Father. Farewell."

Perhaps because she had cried her heart out, Shuangliu Yueke calmed down a lot and just wanted to get to Tiandu as soon as possible to get the Martial Lord's promise.