Chapter 1151: Weng Falos 3.2 (197)

Bai E furrowed his brows: "... Indeed. Earlier in the Hanging Edge Arena, we didn't actually kill it."

Kelatus raised his hand and patted Bai E's shoulder: "You should know this. The Hanging Edge people never back down. If you need to fight, come to me at any time."

"Much appreciated, I will inform Aglaea at once."

——

The Valkyrie of the End.

"Could one really survive that kind of attack? How could it be..."

In the gods' VIP lounge, the deities who had been noisy because of that summer's sacrilegious experiment were now all, without exception, silent. They had all seen Wandi's long spear's power with their own eyes, and surviving such an attack... the Thief of Fire Walker's bodily strength must have reached a level beyond their comprehension.

"Could it be that Wandi's spear missed?" Wuya Fukin, perched on Odin's left shoulder, suddenly spoke, its sharp voice breaking the lounge's dead silence.

"Ga-ga! If Lord Odin's Kanggenier were to strike, it would surely pierce it!" Wuni on the right shoulder immediately echoed, his words full of blind faith and worship for his master, "Your lord's guaranteed magic spear has never missed!"

Poof—

Listening to the unabashed bragging of the black and white birds, Shijia couldn't help but laugh: "Little Dingding wouldn't even say that, yet you two little birds dare to boast for your master. Little Dingding, do you think your magic spear can hurt it?"

…

With that remark, the gods' gazes swept toward the Odin cloaked in a black mantle. Unexpectedly, the man revered as the god of Luen and the strongest war god of Tianjie said nothing in rebuttal; instead, a fleeting shadow crossed his face, and after a short cold snort, he turned his head away.

Clearly, even he could not deny that faced with this beyond‑normal "immortality", even the guaranteed Kanggenier could hardly inflict real damage. Unless... the Thief of Fire Walker shares a weakness like Wandi's, he cannot imagine how to defeat him.

——

"Also, warn that woman to be careful: Kaines, like a poisonous snake, has been moving a lot lately. The shadowy goons under her command have been appearing in the city more often, even showing tendencies to sway the Hanging Edge people..."

As Kelatus spoke, a wave of 'step down' shouts erupted behind Bai E; startled, Bai E turned his head to see the legislators raising their arms, shouting protests repeatedly.

"This is..."

Kelatus let out a cold snort: "Hmph, seems I needn't say more."

Bai E: "We'll go back and see, Sir Kelatus, thanks for the intel."

In the distant plaza's center, Laigushi bowed slightly, saluting the two: "KefaLe and Talandon above, in the name of divine ceremony for the audience, I see—Aohema's upright citizen, Aolixie's Bai E, and the foreign star, walking toward us."

Bai E approached Aglaea, looking at the boiling crowd: "Aglaea! What's happening?"

"The royal snake's venomous fangs, through the golden threads, I have a clear picture. In the past I was confident I could suppress her, but now... I'm a bit powerless."

"What do you mean?"

"The issue isn't the variables," Aglaea said regretfully, shaking her head. "I've been a Demigod for too long; my humanity is fading, and unknowingly I've walked a similar path as these hypocrites, growing farther from the people."

"This comes earlier than I expected; perhaps the time has come: Bai E, I need you to step forward, and I will step back—"

"I have no choice but to bear this responsibility, but..."

Aglaea saw through his thoughts and calmly interrupted: "Regarding the Senate, deceiving the majority is far easier than deceiving a single person. The so‑called 'more support' is merely a substitute spear, a means of power distribution. This debate has never held honor. Yet precisely because of that, respect for 'people' becomes even more precious. Bai E, you are a flawless Golden‑blooded one, with deep insight into humanity—"

Bai E immediately understood his meaning: "Thank you for your teaching, Aglaea. May we not disgrace our mission."

——

Death God.

"Heh, Kaines probably didn't expect, did she? Bai E has been champion of ten consecutive debate tournaments!"

Kurosaki Ichigo clenched his fists, eager to see Bai E defeat Kaines decisively. Though the official debate hasn't begun, this is a chance to blunt the enemy's edge.

"Don't underestimate Kaines too much; she's an old‑school politician, perhaps not inferior to Bai E in skill, and even more experienced at swaying others' emotions."

Ishida Yulong adjusted his glasses and analyzed seriously: "Moreover, the key to this debate isn't Kaines, but that summer. If we can't pry open the rift between that summer and the Senate, the debate could be very dangerous. Also... the news that the Thief of Fire Walker hasn't died is crucial; that battle was a victory Aglaea desperately sought despite the Senate's pressure, and now its result is a mirage. If Kaines latches onto this to hold accountable, the legislators' opposition to Aglaea will rise even more."

"Ah..." Yulong's analysis was like a bucket of cold water, dousing Ichigo's previously buoyant momentum, "... It's that troublesome? Then Kaines seems to hold absolute advantage."

"That's not entirely true. Kaines' faction's core claim is to return to the Golden Age, but while the vision sounds nice, how exactly to return? She hasn't revealed any details."

Ichigo slapped his thigh hard, suddenly realizing: "Right! The Golden Age was thousands of years ago, and now half the Titans have fallen; there's no way to return to it!"

"So that's Kaines' 'crippled leg'." Yulong's mouth curled into a smile, "When fighting, just kick hard at that crippled leg."

——

"Hehe..." Kaines slowly walked to the center of the hall, patting her companion's shoulder, "Good work, Sir Ka Le Ke Ti Si. Next, I'll personally wrap up today's debate—"

"Esteemed legislators, I deeply miss the beautiful era described in those poems. Back then, Weng Falos comprised nearly a thousand city‑states of differing faiths, gods walked among the world, befriending mortals. Yet today, refugees from all corners have left their homes, flocking to the Holy City, hoping to find a haven under KefaLe's protection. We have all long been in the same boat; those who wish to retire may do so."