Chapter 284: 284. Chapter 284: Choice and Accusation

284. Chapter 284: Choice and Accusation

Regarding Yu Ge's predicament, the heavenly soldier turned a blind eye, even watching with interest as he made his choice.

Over the past century, the Wu ancestors repeatedly probed, treating the ban as nothing, and had already annoyed many heavenly soldiers and generals; however, they had previously been somewhat sensible, so the heavenly soldiers found it hard to act.

But today came a naive little imp who didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth, daring to offend with words, and he just happened to fall into his hands.

If he didn't seize the opportunity to punish them a bit, letting those overreaching Wu people know, they might really think the heavenly soldiers are weak and bullyable.

Yu Ge glanced left and right, realizing there seemed to be no other heavenly soldiers around, and his heart stirred.

Seeing Yu Ge feigning doubt, the heavenly soldier couldn't help but look down on the Wu people in the field, then said with a hint of mockery: "Put away your little tricks; let me tell you, within this defense zone only I exist—even so, do you really dare to defy?"

"If you obediently leave now, it will merely cost this one person; if you harbor deceit, none of you will leave today."

"Now I give you two choices: one, leave this little imp behind and slink away with your tail between your legs; two, stay and die!"

"I give you three breaths to consider; if the three breaths pass and you still don't leave, I will take it as your choice to stay."

"One."

Yu Ge gritted his teeth, his expression fluctuating wildly, hesitating over whether to leave or stay.

"Two."

Those following Yu Ge focused all their attention on him, and at his command they would surely act immediately.

As for Yu Ge, his face gradually flushed red as the words fell, the struggle in his eyes plainly visible.

"Three."

"Attack!"

When the heavenly soldier counted to the third sound, Yu Ge suddenly shouted, then grabbed a long spear and charged straight at the heavenly soldier.

The Wu followers who accompanied him, upon receiving the order, also without hesitation burst forth with blood energy, each wielding long knives, sticks, and axes to kill where the heavenly soldier stood.

"I've long known you lot of fools wouldn't leave peacefully; since you seek death, I will certainly satisfy you."

No movement was seen from the heavenly soldier; the mist beneath his feet suddenly surged, forming a white long dragon that caught all the attacks launched by the Wu people.

The dragon also seemed to possess strange power, firmly imprisoning their weapons on its body, and the mist coiled around their weapons and the Wu people, preventing them from letting go.

Such a bizarre scene caused several Wu people to panic instantly.

They never imagined that someone merely wearing ordinary heavenly soldier armor could possess such strength.

As the heavenly soldier slowly approached, several Wu people went mad, frantically urging their blood energy, but to no avail.

Including Yu Ge, wrapped in the mist, their bursting blood energy had no effect; instead, the dragon continually sucked it into its body.

The heavenly soldier did not close in with those Wu people; he stopped at a certain distance, extended his hand in a grasping motion, and a spirit sword appeared in his hand.

"This sword has accompanied me for a long time; it was my personal item before I joined the Heavenly Court. It's a pity its grade is a bit low, not matching the spears issued by the Heavenly Court; it has long gone unseen blood, leaving it lonely."

"But today I am fortunate, for it can still drink some blood to keep its edge from dulling."

As the heavenly soldier's words fell, the spirit sword seemed to respond, emitting a humming sound like joy.

The spirit sword left his hand, turning into a stream of light, beheading one Wu person, then returned to the heavenly soldier's hand, its blade now stained with a trace of blood-red.

After several back-and-forth flashes of light, each Wu person collapsed lifeless; ultimately only Yu Ge and the previously rude Ya Hu remained in the field.

Faced with the continual loss of their clansmen, both had bloodshot eyes, veins bulging on their faces, their entire bodies seeming like a furnace of burning blood energy, yet they could never break free.

The heavenly soldier seemed to think of something, then suddenly laughed:

"I have always been most compassionate, harboring benevolent thoughts; since the fire in my heart has subsided, I might as well give you two another chance to choose."

"Today I will only kill one more person; as for who that is, you decide for yourselves."

Upon hearing this, Yu Ge and Ya Hu stood dumbfounded in place.

They neither wanted to die nor abandon their companions to survive ignobly, and their hearts filled with mixed feelings.

"You lackey of the Heavenly Court, stop trying to sow discord between us! The Wu Clan fears no death! We have no need for your choice that tramples the Wu Clan's courage and dignity!"

Yu Ge froze at the words, his dry lips opening and closing as if wanting to speak, but ultimately remained silent, merely lowering his head as if trying to bury it into his chest.

The heavenly soldier didn't mind Ya Hu's insults—he was just a dying man, so being lenient was no harm; he merely turned his gaze to Yu Ge and asked with a smile:

"He has already made his choice; what about you, how will you choose?"

Yu Gao remained silent for a long time, head bowed, not daring to look toward Ya Hu.

Somewhat long hair hung down both sides of his face, obscuring it, so Ya Hu could not see his features.

"Yu Ge, don't bow your head to him; these Heavenly Court lackeys won't spare us—have you forgotten the Wu Clan's blood courage!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Ge's mental defenses shattered instantly, and all that could be heard was him bursting out in curses:

"I just want to live—what's wrong with that? I still have family and children waiting for me to return!"

"If it weren't for your big mouth, how would we have ended up like this? See those fallen clansmen? If it weren't for you dragging us down, we could all go home!"

"How could I possibly forget the Wu Clan's blood courage? But if I die, what will become of my family and children? What will become of their families and children?"

"Speak! You say it—aren't you the embodiment of blood courage? Why are you speechless now? You used to be eloquent; if it weren't for you, we wouldn't have ended up in this predicament!"

Ya Hu instantly went dumb, his whole body seeming to lose all strength, standing frozen in place.

Looking at Yu Ge before him, eyes reddened, lips twitching, face full of guilt, unable to utter a word.

After Yu Ge's outburst, he immediately calmed down, his bodily blood energy sinking; his words just now seemed to have convinced him, yet also seemed to have disheartened him. Ya Hu looked at Yu Ge before him, who no longer bore the spirited vigor of setting out, appearing lethargic and gloomy, a desolate atmosphere spreading through the forest.

The heavenly soldier saw this, clapped his hands, and sneered:

"Quite a show you've put on for me. But the time I've given you is long enough—speak up, who will die?"

"Kill me; I hope you keep your promise and leave him a way to live."

Having said that, Ya Hu closed his eyes tightly, awaiting death; Yu Ge lifted his head, silently watching the scene, not speaking, only tears streaming from his eyes.

The spirit sword in the heavenly soldier's hand flashed, with a bang—the sound of a head hitting the ground mingled with the spray of blood.

Yet Ya Hu felt no pain, his eyes opening blankly, surprised he was unharmed, only to see Yu Ge's head slowly rolling to his feet.

The body, having lost its head, could no longer stay upright, collapsing with a roar; blood flowed over the uneven ground toward Ya Hu, staining his feet.

Fanghu stared in surprise at the heavenly soldier, not understanding why he acted that way. Before he could even ask, the spirit sword transformed into a stream of light and disappeared.

Translation: "Ya Hu looked surprised at the heavenly soldier, seemingly unaware why he was like that. Before he could even open his mouth to ask, the spirit sword once again turned into a streak of light and vanished."

Check: We kept all info.

Fanghu collapsed, unable to rise, blood gushing out in all directions. The heavenly soldier simply watched silently, staring at Fanghu whose eyes were still open, revealing a bewildered gaze, and said calmly: "You may be naive, but you got one thing right—how could I allow a threat to remain? Even though you hardly qualify as a threat."

Translation: "Immediately Ya Hu collapsed, unable to rise, spurting blood flowing everywhere; that heavenly soldier merely watched the scene silently, gazing at Ya Hu's eyes still open, revealing a bewildered look, and said lightly: 'Although you are naive, you did get one thing right—how could I leave a threat behind? Although you hardly count as a threat.'"

Check: Keep all.

But who can predict the course of the Great Way? If we spare you today, we may invite endless trouble; to be safe, it's better you die cleanly.

Translation: "But who can say for sure how the Great Dao will go? If we let you live today, we might invite endless trouble; to be safe, it's better for you to die cleanly."

And don't call me cruel—when you stormed the werewolf stronghold, you were far more ruthless than I. He who kills will be killed. Today's retribution was long since decided.

Translation: "Furthermore, don't call me cruel—when you attacked that werewolf stronghold, you were far more ruthless than I. He who kills will be killed. Today's retribution has long been settled."

Having spoken, the heavenly soldier mounted the clouds, turned and departed, leaving behind only a field of headless corpses.

Translation: "Having said that, the heavenly soldier rode the clouds, turned and left, leaving only a field of headless corpses."

After half a day, the werewolves that had seemed to wander off suddenly returned, gazing at the Wu corpses strewn about, and a sense of exhilaration showed in their eyes.

Translation: "After half a day, the werewolves that seemed to have wandered off suddenly returned here, looking at the Wu corpses strewn across the ground, a feeling of satisfaction showed in their eyes."

Hot tears welled up, spilling onto the ground; the werewolf then let out a long howl, its sobbing sound carried on the wind into the distance.

Translation: "Hot tears filled their eyes, dropping onto the ground; immediately the werewolf let out a long howl, the sobbing sound carried on the wind far away."

Soon, a similar howling echoed from afar, and shortly afterward the werewolves that had fled earlier all gathered here.

Translation: "Not long after, a similar wailing sound came from afar; shortly thereafter, the werewolves that had fled earlier all gathered here."

Gazing at the Wu corpses, the werewolves' hatred was undisguised; without needing orders, they proceeded to devour the Wu bodies.

Translation: "Looking at those Wu corpses, the werewolves' hatred was undisguised; without anyone's prompting, they proceeded to devour those Wu people."

The heavenly soldier high in the clouds seemed to notice, but had no intention of intervening; instead, he headed straight for a high peak.

Translation: "The heavenly soldier high up in the clouds seemed to notice, yet had no intention of intervening; instead, he headed straight for a tall peak."

These Wu people are excessively arrogant—not only do they overstep boundaries, they dare to insult and attack the heavenly soldier. Now that we have evidence, we must certainly file a complaint against him.

Translation: "These Wu people are utterly arrogant, not only crossing borders but daring to insult the heavenly soldier and even attack him; now that we have evidence, we must certainly file a complaint against him."

The Heavenly Court's dignity is not something those who neglect the Great Way and ignore heavenly numbers can dare to offend.

Translation: "The dignity of the Heavenly Court—how could those who do not cultivate the Great Dao and know nothing of heavenly numbers dare to offend it?"

Shezhe God General stared at the heavenly soldier filing the complaint before him, feeling a headache coming on. Wu Clan affairs were no trivial matter, and how could a minor god general like him decide? After sending the heavenly soldier and his superior away, Shezhe God General turned and hurried toward another mountain range.

Shezhe God General looked at the heavenly soldier presenting the complaint before him, and a headache came over him. Wu Clan affairs were no trivial matter, and how could a minor god general like him decide? After sending the heavenly soldier and his superior off, Shezhe God General then turned and rushed toward another mountain range.

Check: We kept all.

He couldn't decide on his own, but he could report it upward; such matters are normally handled by the Ten Great God Generals, and if they cannot manage them, they will be passed to the chief god.

Translation: "He naturally couldn't make the decision, but he could report it upward; these matters are naturally handled by the Ten Great God Generals, and if even they cannot manage them, they will naturally be handed over to the chief god."

Ten Great God Generals, chief god

If that truly fails, they could consult a few Majesties; after all, if the sky falls, there are tall people to prop it up.

Translation: "Or if that really won't work, they could consult a few Majesties—after all, if the sky falls, there are tall people to prop it up."

a few Majesties; after all, if the sky falls, tall people will hold it up

For matters beyond his control, he only needs to stir them up a little, break through the heavens, and hand them over to those in high authority.

Translation: "As for matters he couldn't handle, he only needed to make a big fuss, break the heavens, and hand it over to those high‑ranking, powerful people."

Those people have far-reaching influence; they will surely find a way to resolve it.

Translation: "Those people, with their far‑reaching influence, surely have a solution."

Shezhe God General, thinking of this, couldn't help but wear a strange smile, secretly thinking: It would be best to use this affair to wipe out the Wu Clan altogether; otherwise, when the Immortal Court's battle merits are divided and his share comes up, heaven knows whether he'll be left with a Great Luo Immortal.

Shezhe God General, thinking of this, couldn't help but wear a strange smile, secretly thinking: It would be best to use this affair to eliminate the Wu Clan altogether; otherwise, when the Immortal Court's battle merits are divided and his share comes up, heaven knows whether he'll be left with a Great Luo Immortal

He also wanted to take advantage of this rare major war to raise his rank in the Department of Combat, so that even if he later took charge of a region, he would secure a good position.

He also wanted to take advantage of this rare major war to raise his rank in the Department of Combat, so that even if he were to govern a region later, he would secure a good position

After being passed along through many hands, when it reached Bai Ze, the heavenly soldier's original words had long since changed, with most details omitted.

After being passed along through layers, when it reached Bai Ze's hands, the heavenly soldier's original words had long since changed, with most of the details omitted

What Bai Ze saw was that the Wu people were extremely arrogant; in broad daylight they dared to besiege the Heavenly Court's heavenly soldiers.

Translation: "What Bai Ze saw was that the Wu Clan's people were utterly arrogant, daring in broad daylight to besiege the heavenly soldiers of the Heavenly Court."

It's only a few trivial matters, yet it reached my hands; surely the warmongers' petty schemes are involved.

Translation: "'It's just a few trivial matters, yet they managed to reach my hands—there must be the scheming of those warmongers behind it.'"

But the other side actually dared to attack the heavenly soldiers, showing contempt for the Heavenly Court's dignity; such an atmosphere must have been deliberately indulged by someone behind the scenes, and we cannot neglect to guard against it.

Translation: "'But for them to dare attack the heavenly soldiers, scorn the dignity of the Heavenly Court—such an atmosphere must have been deliberately indulged by someone behind the scenes; we cannot neglect to guard against it.'"

It's only concerning the Wu tribe; the Heavenly Court currently has no plans to act against them, so we might as well let it be and simply inform His Majesty—surely that would cause no harm.

Translation: "'However, concerning the Wu Clan, the Heavenly Court currently has no plans to take action against them; it would be better to let it slide and simply inform His Majesty—surely that would cause no harm.'"

Looking at Shang Yang, who belonged to the Ten Great God Generals, Bai Ze carefully considered and then slowly expressed his own opinion.

Looking at Shang Yang, who belonged to the Ten Great God Generals, Bai Ze carefully considered and then slowly expressed his own opinion

Having reached this point, his actions need to be more cautious; any slight impropriety in word or deed would affect countless households.

Translation: "Having reached his current position, he must act more cautiously; any slight impropriety in word or deed would affect countless households."

Shang Yang saw that he could gain nothing from Bai Ze and could not also eliminate the Wu Clan together; he felt somewhat disappointed, but couldn't say much, so he simply left.

Translation: "Shang Yang saw that he could gain nothing from Bai Ze, and since he couldn't also eliminate the Wu Clan together, he felt a bit disappointed, but not wanting to say more, he simply left."

After Shang Yang left, Bai Ze waited another half day, finished his duties, and then leisurely made his way to the palace atop Sumeru Mountain.

After Shang Yang left, Bai Ze waited another half day, finished his duties, and then leisurely made his way to the palace atop Sumeru Mountain

It's not a major matter, and he doesn't want to use troops against the Wu tribe now; why be as eager as those few warmongers?

Translation: "It wasn't a major matter, and he didn't want to use troops against the Wu Clan just then—why act as urgently as those few warmongers?"

Slow down a bit, otherwise if outsiders saw it, they'd think merely killing a few Wu people could prompt this Heavenly Court high‑ranking official, this sage of the Primordial Wilderness, to panic and report upward.

And slow down a bit, otherwise if outsiders saw it, they'd think merely killing a few Wu people could prompt this Heavenly Court high‑ranking official, this sage of the Primordial Wilderness, to panic and report upward

A group of Wu people who can't even defeat a single heavenly soldier—if they knew their deaths could stir me, they'd probably feel honored.

A group of Wu people who can't even defeat a single heavenly soldier—if they knew their deaths could stir me, they'd probably feel honored

As Bai Ze walked along, his mind wandered; within that half day he figured out the origins of this atmosphere.

Translation: "Bai Ze, walking forward, absentmindedly thought, and within that half day he figured out the reason behind this atmosphere."

Isn't it just that the Ancestral Wu, unwilling to give up, are trying to lay claim to the other half of Xifang Dalu? That's understandable human nature.

Isn't it just that the Ancestral Wu, unwilling to give up, are trying to lay claim to the other half of Xifang Dalu? That's understandable human nature

But unforgivable! Despite giving them so much time, they still think of nurturing rebels and self‑preservation, refusing to truly serve the Heavenly Court—such an obvious move, how could Bai Ze fail to see their ambition?

But unforgivable! Despite giving them so much time, they still think of nurturing rebels and self‑preservation, refusing to truly serve the Heavenly Court—such an obvious move, how could Bai Ze fail to see their ambition?

But for now we must first align our attributes somewhat with the Heavenly Court, and likewise resolve the Immortal Court, whose main force is likewise the absorption of elite from all tribes.

But for now we must first align our attributes somewhat with the Heavenly Court, and likewise resolve the Immortal Court, whose main force is likewise the absorption of elite from all tribes

With the strength of a single clan, wanting to vie for dominance over the Primordial Wilderness—given the current situation, that's far too narrow.

With the strength of a single clan, wanting to vie for dominance over the Primordial Wilderness—given the current situation, that's far too narrow

In Bai Ze's view, the Immortal Court is the Heavenly Court's true grave threat; if not eliminated soon, it will inevitably become a problem of excessive tail growth.

In Bai Ze's view, the Immortal Court is the Heavenly Court's true grave threat; if not eliminated soon, it will inevitably become a problem of excessive tail growth

In just a short time, the Immortal Court has already surpassed most of the Primordial Wilderness forces, entering the top three ranks of the world; removing the Immortal Court first is therefore the right course.

In just a short time, the Immortal Court has already surpassed most of the Primordial Wilderness forces, entering the top three ranks of the world; removing the Immortal Court first is therefore the right course

Just as Bai Ze was lost in idle thoughts, the lofty gate before him made him stop his steps.

Translation: "Just as Bai Ze was lost in thought, the lofty gate before him made him stop his steps."

Arriving at the Heavenly Emperor's separate palace on Sumeru Mountain, he was about to meet the imperial lords—he could not continue to indulge in idle thoughts.

Arriving at the Heavenly Emperor's separate palace on Sumeru Mountain, he was about to meet the imperial lords—he could not continue to indulge in idle thoughts.

PS: Please vote for monthly tickets, please support (end of chapter)