War God Long Ao

"If you’re going to live in this world, you can’t just think about yourself."

"It breaks my heart that you bear everything alone. Do you understand?"

"Ao Xue, you and I both know what Piaomiao Palace represents. Brother Dugu’s strength alone is not enough to challenge them, so I’m going to Piaomiao Palace."

Even though she had already guessed it, Ao Xue was still startled to hear Long Ao say it himself.

Just as Long Ao had said, she knew perfectly well what Piaomiao Palace represented.

It was one of the Four Great Forces of the Kyushu Spirit Realm. And while the Dragon Sect had dealt heavy blows to these forces several times, Ao Xue knew with absolute clarity that Piaomiao Palace’s true foundation and strength were not to be underestimated. They were countless times more powerful than they appeared.

If Long Ao truly went to Piaomiao Palace, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"I know I can’t persuade you, but I’m telling you, I’m going too."

"Absolutely not."

Long Ao refused without a second thought.

’Are you kidding me? A trip to Piaomiao Palace will lead to war, one hundred percent. If I can’t protect Ao Xue and something happens to her, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.’

’No matter what, Ao Xue can’t go. My family can’t go. My friends can’t go. No one can go.’

"I—"

"Enough. My mind is made up. In three days, I will go to Piaomiao Palace alone. I’m going to see for myself just how deep their foundations run."

For this trip to Piaomiao Palace, Long Ao planned to take the Corpse Slave Army. As for the Four Great Semi-Saints, he wouldn’t take a single one. Long Ao knew they were the pillars of the Sect; if any of them were lost, it would mean great trouble for the Sect’s future.

’Worst-case scenario, if I really die at Piaomiao Palace, at least the Sect will still have the Four Great Semi-Saint Martial Artists to hold the line. It won’t be completely Fallen immediately.’

Just as Ao Xue had said, Long Ao was shouldering far, far too much.

"You’re going to Piaomiao Palace alone?"

Gasping, Ao Xue couldn’t believe that Long Ao was truly planning to go to Piaomiao Palace alone. Of course, she knew exactly what he was thinking.

"No! I’m telling you right now, absolutely not! I won’t allow it, Mom and Dad won’t allow it, the Sect won’t allow it, the Long Family won’t allow it—no one will!"

"Ao Xue, listen to me."

"No, no, I’m not listening! We either go together, or we don’t go at all! You can’t go alone, I—"

Before Ao Xue could finish, she passed out.

Gently lifting Ao Xue, Long Ao handed her to his mother. For Dugu Bai and the Snake Princess’s wedding, everyone from the Long Family had rushed to the Dragon Sect, a gesture that showed Dugu Bai a great deal of respect.

"Mom, please take good care of Ao Xue for the next few days. I have something I need to do."

Mu Lin and Long Yi were no fools. Neither were Long Haoshi, Wang Yidao, or Mu Wanfeng. The five of them knew exactly what Long Ao was about to do, and for that very reason, their expressions were incredibly grim.

"Ao’Er, what are you planning to do?"

Long Ao didn’t hide anything from the five of them. He said, "I’m going to storm Piaomiao Palace."

"By yourself?"

Nodding, Long Ao said, "By myself. Dugu Bai is my brother. No matter what happens, I will help him. As for the Sect and the Long Family, they must continue to grow strong. Even if something happens to me, you all must be safe. Otherwise, I won’t be able to rest in peace, even in death."

Hearing her son’s words, Mu Lin nearly fainted.

"Ao’Er, can’t you just... not go?"

None of the five wanted Long Ao to go to Piaomiao Palace. After all, they knew perfectly well what Piaomiao Palace represented. If Ao’Er went alone, the odds of him returning safely were slim.

But they all knew Ao’Er’s personality inside and out. Could they really stop him?

Smiling, Long Ao said with determination, "Grandpa, Grandpa Wang, Grandma, Dad, Mom, Dugu Bai is my brother. I’d go through hell and back for him—it’s my duty. Brothers are meant to share in fortune and in hardship. If I only share the fortune but run from disaster, what kind of person would that make me?"

Before the five could respond, Long Ao continued, "Whether it’s my family, my love, or my brothers, I would do the same for any of them if they were in trouble. I have to. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. This time, I’m taking the Corpse Slave Army with me to Piaomiao Palace."

The Corpse Slave Army.

The five of them certainly knew of the Corpse Slave Army. Known as the Undying Army, their contribution was a major reason the Dragon Sect had been able to dominate Kyushu.

Against any other foe, the five of them wouldn’t have been worried in the slightest. But this time, Long Ao was confronting Piaomiao Palace, one of the Four Great Forces.

The fact that the Four Great Forces had chosen to avoid conflict didn’t mean they were afraid of the Dragon Sect. Moreover, this time Ao’Er was taking the fight directly to their doorstep. If Piaomiao Palace could tolerate even that, they might as well cease to exist.

Long Ao was, of course, keenly aware of their worries, but he had to maintain an extremely calm facade.

"Don’t worry, I really will be fine. If worst comes to worst, I’ll take Brother Qilin with me to Piaomiao Palace. You should have faith in Brother Qilin’s strength, right?"

The Fire Qilin?

Hearing that the Fire Qilin would accompany Ao’Er to Piaomiao Palace, all five of them breathed a long sigh of relief. They were well aware of the Fire Qilin’s power. Still, Long Haoshi added, "Ao’Er, be careful. Remember one thing: no matter what happens, you must preserve your own life. As the saying goes, revenge is a dish best served cold."

Nodding, Long Ao suddenly smiled and said, "Grandpa, don’t worry. Do you still not trust me? Back then, everyone said I was a lost cause, but I still managed to annihilate the Blood Sea Sect and deal heavy blows to the Four Great Forces. I have many secrets. I’m just escorting Brother Dugu and the Snake Princess to Piaomiao Palace this time. I’m sure they won’t make things difficult for me."

’They really won’t?’

Even Long Ao himself didn’t believe his own words. But to put their minds completely at ease, it was what he had to say.

Long Ao spent several hours finally convincing the five to take Ao Xue, leave the Sect, and return to their family estate. With the Fire Qilin standing guard over the Long Family, he believed no ordinary person could possibly harm them.

’It came back to the same thing: he had to bear everything himself.’

’This is what it means to be a man. He must ensure his family, his brothers, and his love have nothing to worry about. That was precisely why Long Ao was so desperate to possess immense power.’

Long Ao didn’t head for Piaomiao Palace immediately. He was waiting for news from Long Potian. If Piaomiao Palace was willing to let Brother Dugu and the Snake Princess be together, then all would be well. But if they refused and gave the couple trouble, it wouldn’t be too late for him to make his move.

’Avoid this battle if possible, but if not, then fight.’

News of the Dragon Sect’s Dugu Bai and the Snake Princess spread like wildfire across Kyushu. Everyone waited with bated breath to see what Long Ao would do and whether he would stand up for his brother.