Chapter 1610: Why?

Chapter 1610: Why?

It was such a simple question, and yet it had become a question that required their full attention.

Before this discussion, they had sworn to claim the Earthly Sovereign Bell no matter the cost. Not even if they must offend the Chief Libationist.

But now, they were all hesitating.

It was because the situation turned out to be more complicated than they thought. The Earthly Sovereign Bell wasn’t just an ultimate treasure anymore, it was also an item of untold karma.

To put it simply, taking the Earthly Sovereign Bell meant bearing the responsibility of handling the Four Evils

and

King Taishan as well! Any one of these monsters would have been an absolute pain in the ass to deal with. All of them together? It was a catastrophe waiting to happen!

What if they just took the Earthly Sovereign Bell and not do the work? That could... not work, of course!

Forget that they were the descendants of the three sovereigns, forget that it was their natural responsibility to safeguard humanity, and forget the guilty conscience they would bear should they choose to commit such an act, the backlash from the will of the Human Way alone would destroy them.

At this point, the Earthly Sovereign Bell wasn’t a delicacy anymore. It was a hot potato, no, a red hot iron!

Naturally, they were very hesitant.

If they took it, it might prove too hot and too heavy for them to hold.

𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

They couldn’t just give up on it though. More than reluctance, it was the loss of face that troubled them above everything!

They had done everything to capture Ye Qing and obtain the Earthly Sovereign Bell. Such were their efforts that everyone in the world knew about their objective. Now, the Earthly Sovereign Bell was right in front of them, but they didn’t dare to take it because they were scared.

No, they weren’t afraid of the Chief Libationist or Ye Qing. They were afraid of the Four Evils and King Taishan. They were afraid of inheriting the Earthly Sovereign’s will and this heavy responsibility.

If the people were to find out about this, they would be the laughing stock of the century. The background and origin they were so proud of would be laughed at by all. Their so-called responsibility to safeguard humanity would be an eternal source of shame. The reputation of the Clear Sky Palace, the Earthly Sovereign Hall and the Xuanyuan Mountain would be utterly destroyed as well!

For a time, all three sect masters were trapped in a quagmire of uncertainty.

A few breaths later, Haotian Hong and Xuanyuan Wang exchanged glances with each other and looked at Yue Hanhai in unison.

Yue Hanhai and the Earthly Sovereign Hall were the true descendants of the Earthly Sovereign. They were the ones who wanted the Earthly Sovereign Bell more than anyone else. Frankly, the only two reasons they got involved were one, they were all descendants of the three sovereigns, and two, Yue Hanhai and the Earthly Sovereign Hall had promised a handsome sum of rewards. Therefore, Yue Hanhai was the one who should make the executive decision, not them.

Most importantly, leaving this decision to Yue Hanhai meant the burden would not fall upon their shoulders.

If Yue Hanhai accepted the Earthly Sovereign Bell, then the ones who would bear the Earthly Sovereign’s will and have a headache called King Taishan and the Four Evils would be Yue Hanhai and the Earthly Sovereign Hall. They were just the supporters. They had nothing to do with this.

Yue Hanhai: “...”

These old foxes!

Yue Hanhai instantly saw through Haotian Hong and Xuanyuan Wang’s abacus. To say he was speechless at their shamelessness would be an understatement.

When they were bringing up conditions and asking for rewards, they only wished they could ask for the entire Earthly Sovereign Hall. Now that the task seemed a lot more complicated than they originally thought, they immediately pushed all the responsibility on him. Just how shameless could they get?

But what could he say and do? Nothing. It wasn’t like he could give them both a slap to the face. He was neither in the mood nor capable of doing such a thing!

The more he thought about it, the more irritated he became. In the end, he could only glare at Ye Qing. If it wasn’t for this young man, then he wouldn’t be in this situation right now, would he? Of course, he knew very well that Ye Qing was innocent in this matter from the start until the end. But what could he do? The only one he could afford to provoke in this table was Ye Qing!

Ye Qing’s response to Yue Hanhai’s glare was a brilliant smile.

He loved it when people gave him this look of impotent rage.

Ye Qing’s smile infuriated Yue Hanhai even more, of course. Face gloomy and eyes dark, he was about to blow his top when Ye Qing spoke up. “No need to be frustrated, senior. Listen to me first.”

What do you want?” Yue Hanhai looked at Ye Qing unkindly.

“This junior simply wants to say this. Since the Earthly Sovereign Bell chose me to be its master, this junior must bear his will and do everything he can to eliminate the Four Evils. It is my responsibility from the moment I agreed to accept it.”

Ye Qing said smilingly, “Of course, this junior is also aware that you are all descendants of the three sovereigns and guardians of humanity. I understand that the Earthly Sovereign Bell is a critical item in securing the fate of the Human Way and indispensable to you.”

“So how about this? I will keep the Earthly Sovereign Bell in the short term. When I have eliminated the Four Evils and completed the Earthly Sovereign’s will, I will return it to the Earthly Sovereign Hall. What do you think, seniors?”

“Are you serious?” Yue Hanhai blurted out as soon as Ye Qing finished.

Haotian Hong and Xuanyuan Wang were looking at him in astonishment as well.

They did not think this would happen. The fact was that Ye Qing had utterly dominated this negotiation. He did not need to compromise at all.

Moreover, Ye Qing’s action could be interpreted this way: He would shoulder all the risks, while they would enjoy all the rewards. You could call him selfless, but you could also call him stupid. After all, there was absolutely nothing for this to gain from such an act. Just what was he aiming for? They could not understand it.

In fact, the Chief Libationist was just as confused as them. He wasn’t made aware of Ye Qing’s decision either!

It was at this moment Ye Qing said, “My word is my bond. The Chief Libationist can be my witness.”

Seeing that Yue Hanhai was silent, Ye Qing added, “If you still do not believe me, I can swear a Dao Oath or form a contract with you.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

On the surface at least, it did not look like Ye Qing was trying to trick them or pull the wool over their eyes. Naturally, Yue Hanhai’s feelings were complicated to say the least. He asked the question that was puzzling Haotian Hong and Xuanyuan Wang, “I just want to know... why.”

“If I say it is for the sake of humankind and all of the people... then it would be an exaggeration. I am not as idealistic or virtuous as the Chief Libationist or you all. To be honest, I’m doing this simply because I promised the Earthly Sovereign I would do it, and to repay all the Earthly Sovereign and the Earthly Sovereign Bell have done for me.”

Ye Qing said honestly, “Without exaggeration, the biggest reason I am where I am today is because of the Earthly Sovereign and the Earthly Sovereign Bell. Without them, today’s me would simply not exist. Therefore, I owe the Earthly Sovereign a great favor, and the only way I can repay it is to fulfill my promise to him, see his will be done, and complete the mission he entrusted me with.”

Ye Qing could not help but feel warm when he recalled the kind, old man that was the Earthly Sovereign.

No one could say a word for a time. They did not think that Ye Qing’s answer would be so simple and ordinary.

However, it was also more realistic; more admirable.

“Aren’t you afraid of King Taishan?” Xuanyuan Wang asked.

“Of course I am!” Ye Qing replied honestly. “However, I already offended the guy. Even if I gave up the Earthly Sovereign Bell and abandoned the mission to eliminate the Four Evils, I am certain he won’t let me go.”

“If going back on my word and cowering in fear would change nothing, then why not fight him fair and square? Back then, the Earthly Sovereign was able to pummel him like the rat he is. As his successor, shouldn’t I have at least the power to try?”

Ye Qing’s voice was neither passionate or vehement, but everyone could hear the determination, fearlessness and confidence in his voice.

It was neither empty talk nor utter bullshit. He really was confident, and he really was planning to fight King Taishan.