Chapter 1201: Weng Faluos 3.2 (247)

Hoshikube Atsuya nodded: "Indeed, Laigushi is an intelligent machine, and moreover it is clearly an intelligent machine far surpassing the current technological level of Weng Faluos. Although Nicadoli has also created similar 'inorganic life,' it is obviously not comparable to Laigushi."

"Then… does that mean Laigushi will not enter the next reincarnation?"

——

"Nakesha's act of blasphemy caused an uproar on the spot, and for a while the voices of protest and anger nearly drowned the entire assembly."

""Elders, citizens, please be quiet!""

"Aglaea said solemnly: 'Anaksagoras of the Divine Enlightenment Tree Court, his statements are already clear to all of you. Now, according to the Aohema Code, I demand that you citizens jointly exercise the power of judgment with me.'"

""First, regarding Aohema elder Kaines and the 'Divine Ritual Spectator' Laigushi, accused of neglect of duty, corruption, causing severe desecration of the venerable god Ao's body… In the names of Talandon and KefaLe, Aohema shall, before the seventh day of practice, direct the committee to launch an investigation and publicly announce the results, so as to proceed with further trial!""

""Agreed, agreed!""

"The assembly's citizens all raised their hands to indicate."

"Kaines gritted her teeth: 'Damn it…!'"

"Aglaea looked toward Nakesha at the center of the hall, let out a soft sigh: 'Furthermore, regarding Anaksagoras of the Divine Enlightenment Tree Court, accused of severe desecration of KefaLe— in the names of Talandon and KefaLe: before the execution of the death sentence, the condemned shall have the right to heed the 'Unanimous Acclamation,' so as to strive for a lighter punishment and pardon.'"

""Death penalty! Death penalty!""

"The citizens' cries of 'Death penalty!' rose wave after wave, like angry breakers in a storm striking the reef."

"Nakesha stood at the vortex's center, he saw the faces of the crowd, either excited or angry, offered no defense, merely laughing loudly."

"No one knew what exactly lay within that laughter, but people seemed to regard it as contempt and mockery, and their anger instantly flared higher."

"Faced with the multitude pointing at Nakesha, Bai'e also felt utterly helpless: 'Teacher…'"

""……""

"Nakesha's death penalty was beyond doubt, yet Aglaea unexpectedly hesitated."

"Laigushi gave Aglaea a meaningful look: 'How will you choose, Lady Goldweave?'"

"Nakesha down below shouted at her: 'Don't hesitate, Aglaea. This isn't your style.'"

""Death penalty! Death penalty! Death penalty! Death penalty!""

""……" Aglaea drew a deep breath, slowly closed her eyes, "According to the result of the 'Unanimous Acclamation'… Talandon above, may you bring him the fate of death.'"

——

Dragon clan.

"'The first deceased that Xiadie met in the underworld wouldn't be her own teacher, would it?'"

"'Mm, that's right.'"

"'Ah… truly absurd.' Kaisa rubbed his temples with his thumb, 'Clearly Nakesha enlightened the citizens of Aohema with wisdom, yet because of blasphemy he suffered the death penalty—how familiar this scene is to me.'"

"'Socrates.' Chu Zihang opened his eyes."

"'Oh yes, it's him. The great Athenian philosopher over two thousand years ago, charged with 'corrupting the youth' and 'disrespecting the gods,' was brought to the Athenian court. He clearly possessed the keenest mind of his time, yet died under the democratic vote he swore to defend. Tsk tsk… even the charges for which he died are quite similar to Nakesha's.'"

"How should such people be described? Kaisa usually calls them 'clear-sighted madmen.' In the eyes of the mediocre, clarity itself is an offense; when everyone is sound asleep in the bed of lies, the one who tries to wake everyone becomes the greatest sinner."

"He originally felt a twinge of sorrow for Nakesha, but upon reflection, mediocre people exist in any era, any environment. Aohema has plenty of them, but could it be that the universe has none?"

"Even the erudite society famed for 'knowledge' has seen monopolistic cliques and 'school wars,' showing that mediocrities are like cosmic background radiation, omnipresent. They are not necessarily detestable; on the contrary, they often cloak themselves in civility, reason, and even authority."

"Chu Zihang: 'But looking from another angle, at least Nakesha helped Bai'e make great progress toward the Recreation of the World; when the Fire Pursuit Journey is completed, they will meet again in the new world.'"

——

"Xing opened her eyes to find herself amidst a flourishing sea of flowers."

"'(What… place is this?)'"

"Pale purple flowers stretched from under her feet to the horizon; Xing followed the path at her feet forward, discovering in the distant flower sea a maiden standing with her back to her."

""My lady, let us become acquainted anew: my name in the human world is Xiadie, and now I am the Demigod of Death, the vital aspect of Senatos…" Xiadie slowly turned around, "Welcome to the edge of the west wind, my underworld.""

""Your underworld is beautiful.""

"Xiadie couldn't help but smile: 'Every soul that comes here lets out the same sigh.'"

""Do you know, my lady? Every flower in this sea of blossoms was personally planted by Senatos. They originally had neither birth nor death, but in the first rain brought by the River of the Dead they gained new life, bearing the flourishing growth of countless souls… As the master of Death, I ought to tend them carefully, letting them sprout and bloom in this tranquil realm.""

""Just as life and death are orderly in the mortal world, these flowers too will wither and fade at the end of their growth, turning to dust, carried by mist and tide into the sky… Finally, they will become silent fine rain, falling onto the earth of the human world. One and the same soul will undergo rebirth in different guises until the world's end.""

""It's a pity that Weng Faluos can no longer await the next blossoming. Now, 'Death' is merely a ripple at my fingertips; it once conveyed the world's departed souls here, but I—will throw open the gates of the underworld, letting you return to the world of the living.""

""As an exchange… please bring back the spark of Death, complete the Fire Pursuit Journey, and do not let our efforts thus far come to naught.""

""What is the price?""

""Rest assured, 'Defying Death' is inherently Senatos's divine prerogative. Fortunately, your soul has not yet dissipated; this is not a resurrection but the conveyance of a dying person back to the living world.""

"Xing's lips twitched, as if she had much to say to Xiadie, but those words choked in her throat and finally condensed into a light, drifting inquiry."

""Then, you cannot return…?""

"Xiadie lightly nodded: 'Well, just like other demigods, I too must remain here… embracing my fate.'"