Artifact Chapter 51: Come to This

Chapter 51: Come to This

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

 

Lu Ming’s voice echoed in the night, his tone carrying a hint of sorrow. “Ming Duo, why did it have to come to this?”

Ming Duo, his youthful face twisted with resentment, looked at Lu Ming with a cold smile. “It’s all because of my carelessness. I thought that after spending years with you, you wouldn’t suspect me anymore. I was too naive.”

Lu Ming’s expression softened, a touch of sadness in his eyes as he gazed at Ming Duo. “I never thought you would do something like this. I always believed you were still trapped in the Soul-Locking Artifact, until a few days ago when I saw the symbols on the artifact lose their effect upon contact with other symbols. Yet, you pretended to be unaware and remained inside, refusing to explain. That’s when I began to suspect. When I overheard your conversation with the mastermind behind the scenes and made some connections, I realized it might be you. Sometimes, what we hear isn’t always the truth. You’ve known him for years, seen his character. He’s always been kind and considerate, unlike the ruthless person you described. Ming Duo, listen to me. Let’s talk about your doubts and anger. Let’s confront him together and clear up any misunderstandings.”

Ming Duo’s eyes flickered with conflict, torn between his resentment and Lu Ming’s words. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke, his voice filled with bitterness. “It’s too late for that now. I’ve already gone too far. There’s no turning back.”

Lu Ming stepped closer, his voice gentle yet firm. “It’s never too late to make amends, to seek forgiveness. You’re not beyond redemption, Ming Duo. Let’s face this together.”

As Ming Duo looked into Lu Ming’s eyes, he saw sincerity and compassion, and for the first time in a long while, he felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance for redemption.

“No misunderstanding!” Ming Duo’s expression immediately turned ferocious. He interrupted Lu Ming’s words loudly and angrily continued, “It’s all his fault that my family was ruined. He left my soul wandering without refuge! I am forced to drift in this world that does not belong to me, enduring the pain of heartbreak every day, living in the dark corners struggling to survive. Sometimes, I can’t help but want to rush over and kill him with a sword! I wish he had no resting place for his soul!”

Yun Che, standing beside Fu Chen, secretly signaled to the disciples nearby. One of the disciples intentionally raised his voice and asked Ming Duo, “Who is this despicable person you speak of? If he truly is as vile as you say, we will not spare him. Instead, we will not let him deceive the Kunlai sect, acting hypocritically behind the scenes.”

Ming Duo fell into the trap as expected. He laughed heartily, flames of hatred flickering in his eyes, and then said, “This person is none other than the revered leader of Kunlai Mountain Sect, Yun Luan, whom you all adore like a god!”

The crowd gasped in shock. An outcry rose from the crowd, “Nonsense! Our Sect Leader has always been prudent and righteous, highly respected and loved by all. How could he commit such wicked deeds?”

As the disciples voiced their disbelief, Ming Duo remained calm, smiling faintly. “Why not ask your Master brother, He Qingci?”

All eyes turned to Lu Ming. One disciple eagerly asked, “Senior Brother Qingci, is what he said true?”

He Qingci remained silent, fueling the disciples’ agitation. Though there were occasional instances of bullying within the Kunlai sect, most disciples were pure-hearted and naive, having been sent to Kunlai Mountain at a young age to study Immortal techniques. They were unfamiliar with the external plots and schemes, trusting Yun Luan as an untouchable figure, akin to a divine being. He was revered and admired like a father figure. The reality presented by Ming Duo was difficult for them to accept. Moreover, He Qingci’s silence seemed to confirm the accusations against the Sect Leader, prompting many disciples to angrily curse at Ming Duo, “You demon! You’re spouting nonsense. Today, I will teach you a lesson on behalf of our Sect Leader!”

With that, the enraged disciples unleashed their spiritual energy towards Ming Duo, intending to apprehend him for punishment. Lu Ming was about to intervene when suddenly, a surge of energy swept through like a gust of wind, sending the furious disciples flying. They were all knocked to the ground, bewildered by what had just happened.

“Stop.” A deep, magnetic voice suddenly rang out from the front.

Upon hearing this voice, the crowd’s eyes lit up with joy. One disciple exclaimed excitedly, “Master, you’ve finally returned! The villain who murdered our fellow disciple has been captured. He dared to spout such wild accusations, tarnishing your reputation. You must punish him severely!”

Yun Luan slowly approached from the darkness, without uttering a word. He simply reached out and gently lifted Ming Duo from the ground. His black eyes were as deep as a still pool of water. He looked at Ming Duo and softly said, “Xiao Duo, you’ve finally shown yourself.”

Emotions surged in Ming Duo’s eyes, his chest pounding as if it were about to explode. He forcefully shook off Yun Luan’s hand, roaring, “Don’t call me that!”

Yun Luan sighed softly, stubbornly lifting Ming Duo’s hand again and channeling spiritual energy into his body. The youth’s pale face regained its color. Seeing that Ming Duo was unharmed, Yun Luan turned to the stunned disciples and said in a solemn voice, “What he said just now is true. Over a hundred people from the Ming family were slaughtered hundreds of years ago. The reason behind it was a divination I once cast.”

Yun Luan’s voice seemed to have a calming effect on the crowd. Although they were in extreme shock, no one interrupted him. They stood in place, listening as Yun Luan recounted the past. Yun Luan continued, “At that time, I was traveling to Green Mountain Town and was severely injured by a demon attack. Xiao Duo saved me and brought me back to the Ming family to heal. Due to demonic energy invading my body, I lost my sight and hearing. It was Xiao Duo who tirelessly searched for renowned doctors, eventually finding a high monk who expelled the demonic energy from my body, restoring my sight and hearing.”

Upon hearing Yun Luan’s words, Ming Duo’s heart trembled. Memories flooded back, as if a floodgate had been opened, returning him to the carefree days hundreds of years ago. But then he remembered all that followed, and his eyes filled with pain and bitterness. He clenched his fists, his gaze cold and agonized. With a bitter laugh, he said, “What’s the point of saying all this now?”

Yun Luan smiled faintly, his gaze becoming increasingly distant, as if he too was immersed in those beautiful moments of the past. He continued, “The Ming family treated me exceptionally well, considering me an honored guest. However, just as I regained my sight, I inadvertently foresaw that the Ming family would cause a disturbance in the entire Cultivation World. If not restrained, it could lead to catastrophic consequences. At that time, I was inexperienced and thought I had made a mistake in my divination. I kept trying repeatedly until my spiritual energy was depleted, yet I still couldn’t obtain a different result. I didn’t know what to do, torn between my dear friend and savior on one hand, and the responsibility every cultivator bears on the other. Helpless, I had to bid farewell to Xiao Duo, falsely claiming that I had urgent matters elsewhere while secretly seeking advice from the former Sect Leader, now the Immortal Emperor.”

Yun Luan paused, then continued, “On the way to Kunlai, I coincidentally encountered the head of the Sang family, one of the four great artifact refining families at the time. I had met him several times and was acquainted with my master. Seeing my distress, he inquired about the reason, and I revealed the truth to him, urging him not to act recklessly until I consulted with my master at Kunlai Mountain. But shortly after I arrived at Kunlai and informed my master of the situation, I heard that the Ming family was besieged by major factions of the Cultivation World. Overnight, hundreds of members of the Ming family perished in a massive fire. By the time I learned of everything, it was already too late. Consumed by anger and despair, I fell into demonic influence. I insisted on killing those elders to vent my rage, but my senior brothers intervened. In my frenzy, I injured anyone who tried to stop me. In desperation, my master had to use Immortal techniques to subdue me. When I regained consciousness, three years had passed. I couldn’t accept the reality and went to Green Mountain Town to find the Ming family, hoping to retrieve their souls. However, the sect elders, fearing that someone from the Ming family would become a vengeful spirit and harm the Cultivation World, united to annihilate the souls of all Ming family members.”

As everyone listened, a chill ran down their spines. Wantonly harming living beings was against the laws of nature and morality. Just a dubious divination led to the extermination of the Ming family, which was already a grave mistake. Even if someone in the Ming family had the power to overthrow the Cultivation World, their ruthless actions were terrifying to contemplate.

Tears welled up in Ming Duo’s eyes, but he didn’t let them fall. He said coldly, “On that day after you left, hundreds of people surrounded Green Mountain Town not long after, intending to raze it to the ground because of the Ming family. My father didn’t want to see the townspeople suffer because of the Ming family, so he knelt down and begged those heartless elders not to take innocent lives. Everyone in the Ming family was willing to die by their own hands. Watching my siblings, parents, and everyone die before my eyes, I felt unbearably cold and lonely in my heart, so I raised my sword and thrust it into my heart.”

Ming Duo’s gaze suddenly turned cold as he stared at Yun Luan, his eyes flashing crimson, a hint of mockery on his lips. “Until the moment my consciousness faded, I even felt grateful that you left early, sparing you from the harm caused by me. I even thought that after I died, my soul might still find its way to you. But I never imagined that those people would throw soul-extinguishing magic artifacts at the Ming family, then use fire to erase everything. Because a high monk had once given me a jade pendant in my youth, my soul was drawn into it when the soul-extinguishing magic artifacts tried to claim it, saving a strand of my soul. But my loved ones were scattered by the soul-extinguishing magic artifacts, disappearing completely from this world.”

Ming Duo suddenly burst into laughter, his voice filled with endless sorrow and anger, causing everyone present to feel a pang of sadness. He laughed and cried at the same time, “Fortunately, fate intervened. During those three years when my soul wandered aimlessly, I inadvertently overheard the elders’ conversations and learned that the mastermind behind the destruction of the Ming family was the person I had been thinking of and searching for, even in death.”

Yun Luan looked at Ming Duo, his eyes slightly reddened. The only mistake he had made in his life, the only regret, was Ming Duo. Although this wasn’t the outcome he desired, it was indeed because of him that the situation had become irreparable. He sighed softly and said, “For the past two hundred years, I have been searching for you. Now that I know you are safe, my wish is fulfilled. The demonic influence that has plagued my heart for over two hundred years must be cast aside.”

The people standing nearby suddenly felt a sense of foreboding upon hearing Yun Luan’s words. Then they saw Yun Luan sit cross-legged, a huge light shield enveloping him. Subsequently, golden rays of light, like the warm sun at dawn, gradually emanated from his body. Yun Luan’s eyes were calm as he untied the hairband holding his black hair, which turned snow-white in the blink of an eye. He paid no attention to it and continued to spread the golden light around him. The golden light expanded until it covered the entire Kunlai Mountain.

Lu Ming’s heart ached, shocked beyond words by the scene before him. It was only after a long time that he regained his senses and shouted, “Master, you mustn’t! There are countless ways to atone for your sins, but death erases everything!”

The disciples around him were also filled with fear at this sight. They all knelt down, tears streaming down their faces, shouting loudly, “Sect Leader, you mustn’t! Kunlai Sect can’t be without you!”

Yun Luan shook his head with a smile, then turned to Yun Che and said, “Yun Che, I have known you since childhood. You thought Master always cherished me, even passing on the position of Sect Leader to me, but you didn’t realize that it was because Master always favored you over me. However, because you are too stubborn and prone to extremes, Kunlai may not thrive under your leadership. That’s why I became the Sect Leader. You can resent me, but when you repeatedly incite disciples to kill their fellow disciples, I can no longer forgive you.”

Yun Che’s eyes flashed with fear and hatred, then he shouted, “You’re framing me!”

Yun Luan calmly said, “The batch of protective amulets Qingci made for the Secret Realm had already been enchanted by me. Not only can they save disciples’ lives at critical moments, but even if they tragically perish, the amulets can be placed into a small mirror to reveal everything. Fu Chen has already sent someone to find those amulets in the Secret Realm. Tonight’s arrangements were made in secret, only to lure out that mysterious person, but I didn’t expect that person to be Ming Duo.”

Yun Luan then turned to Fu Chen and asked, “According to Kunlai Sect rules, how should Yun Che’s crimes be punished?”

Fu Chen replied sternly, “Lock him in the Tower of Lost Souls for eternity.”

Yun Luan nodded and said, “So be it.”

Yun Che clearly couldn’t accept this outcome, and he couldn’t help but step back, preparing to escape using his spiritual energy. Jing Mo was the first to react and immediately threw out magic artifacts to trap him in place. With a scream, Yun Che was ensnared within the magic artifacts, unable to move.

Yun Luan sighed, “Why persist in stubbornness? If sins cannot be cleansed, the demonic influence can never be eradicated, let alone talk of the day of Ascension. Fu Chen, you are the person I trust the most. If Kunlai falls into your hands, I can rest assured. From now on, I pass the position of Sect Leader to you. I hope you will be cautious and set a good example, continuing to uphold Kunlai’s legacy, protecting against demons and upholding justice.”

Fu Chen’s eyes were filled with tears, and for the first time, cracks appeared on his icy face. He knelt down and solemnly promised, “I will not disgrace your trust.”

Yun Luan smiled satisfactorily, then looked at Lu Ming and smiled gently. He said, “Qingci, although we have only known each other for a few years, you are the most valued disciple to me. I intended to spend more time as your master, but it seems today is the end. You have been friends with Xiao Duo for many years. After my passing, you must not let anyone trouble him. Regardless, you must protect him and retrieve the rest of his souls, allowing him to be reborn. I hope you can fulfill my final request.”

Lu Ming clenched his fists tightly, tears falling from his eyes. After a long time, he reluctantly agreed, “I will obey.”

Yun Luan nodded with satisfaction, then turned to Jing Mo and said, “Jing Mo, I have only one thing to tell you: nothing can be forced. Sometimes, when you lose something, it’s gone forever. I hope you will remember this and not do anything you will regret, nor follow in the footsteps of your master.”

Jing Mo’s eyes were melancholic as he looked deeply at Yun Luan, then he replied in a deep voice, “I understand.”

Yun Luan explained everything, his face showing no panic or confusion that a dying person would typically exhibit. Instead, he appeared calm and relaxed. He looked at Ming Duo, who was standing dumbfounded nearby, smiled gently, and his eyes seemed to be the brightest stars in the dark night. He chuckled softly, as if wanting to reach out and touch him again, but ultimately he let his hand fall weakly. The light in his eyes gradually dimmed, and his voice softened as if feathers were brushing over.

He murmured, “Xiao Duo, the person I should never have let down in this life is you. Yet, because of me, you suffered the greatest pain in this world. If there is a next life, if there is a next life…”

Yun Luan’s voice gradually faded away, but the golden light around him remained, illuminating Kunlai as bright as day. Countless exotic beasts seemed to sense the unusual fluctuations and emerged from the dense forest, emitting low cries as if lamenting. Spiritual birds poured out, circling in the sky above Kunlai Mountain, refusing to disperse. And at that moment, the brightest star in the sky suddenly streaked across, descending slowly as if falling asleep at the end of the universe.

 

 

 

 

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