He and It Chapter 233: Inquire Here (61)

Chapter 233: Inquire Here (61)

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: GaeaTiamat

 

Internal Demon was enraged as he threw his true body into the vast center of the World Sea.

“I am the Supreme Evil,” Internal Demon said, every word filled with fury. His single eye, with its ever-shifting pupil, expanded grotesquely to fill the entire eyeball. “I am the Supreme Evil!”

Yan Huan curled up into a ball, as he vomited blood and viscous, organ-like chunks of flesh.

He was already at the end of his strength, like a dimming lamp, his energy drained. Even a blind person could see it. His divine body had been taken over by Internal Demon, and the flesh he inhabited now was a mere shell held together only by his soul.

For some reason, in that moment of near death, he heard Internal Demon grind his teeth and swear, and he couldn’t help but laugh inwardly.

I used to be like you, he thought bitterly, as a laugh escaped his chest, but what was the identity of the Supreme Evil really worth?

Other than pain and regret…it only brought me pain and regret.

“What are you laughing at?” Internal Demon suddenly pressed forward, and his single eye trembled wildly. “What are you laughing at?!”

Yan Huan’s body was like a leaking blood sack, as blood gushed out in streams. His voice was hoarse as he laughed, “A word said once…isn’t that enough for you?”

Internal Demon stared at him intensely, then suddenly said, “I should have eaten you alive.”

Yan Huan didn’t care. He grinned, “Eat me, don’t hold back…please!”

Internal Demon didn’t dare. He knew he didn’t dare. To merge with his original soul would be like returning to the starting point. His desire to turn back time couldn’t surpass Yan Huan’s love for the Supreme Goodness, could it? Now that he’d reached this point, Internal Demon couldn’t gamble with that possibility. The Supreme Evil’s inherent nature made him fearful.

“Do you expect him to save you?” Internal Demon asked coldly. “A Goodness without a Dao-heart. What use is that?”

“You’re right,” Yan Huan chuckled. Unfortunately, he doesn’t even want to be the Goodness anymore.

That secret, known only to him and Liu Fuguang, flashed briefly through Yan Huan’s mind. Despite being on the brink of death, he still felt an overwhelming, sweet happiness, from that which maliciously settled in his heart.

“Maybe you’re right,” he said carelessly. “Still, whether he comes or not, I’m happy.”

Internal Demon’s face gradually twisted into a cunning expression.

“Well then, I won’t let you have it all your way,” Internal Demon smiled, reached into his chest and pulled out the black, beating dragon heart. He crouched down towards Yan Huan.

“– Let’s make this game a little more interesting.”

As he flew through the black hole, then crossed the star-filled galaxy, Liu Fuguang stood alone in the World Sea, where the swirling dust seemed to stretch into an endless night.

The power of Internal Demon had already deeply affected the surrounding stars, with his influence spreading rapidly.

Wu Luo had used all his strength to heal Liu Fuguang’s old wounds. Although it couldn’t restore him fully, it had given him the strength to cross through all realms once again. Following the guidance of his divine consciousness, he sped toward the end of all darkness.

What exactly did Internal Demon need?

Liu Fuguang didn’t know. He could only vaguely guess that in order to take the Supreme Evil’s position and replace Yan Huan, Internal Demon was willing to do anything.

It was hard to tell how much time had passed, but suddenly Liu Fuguang stopped.

Like the center of a spider’s web, two figures appeared in his vision, one standing high above, the other lying below.

“Goodness,” Internal Demon laughed from above, his smile strange. “You’re here.”

Liu Fuguang stared coldly into his single eye and asked, “What do you want?”

As he looked at him, Internal Demon smirked. “You didn’t kill the Drought God.”

He raised his chin, gestured to the fallen Yan Huan, and said, “But now, you’re going to kill him.”

Liu Fuguang gripped the hilt of his knife tighter, and his gaze hardened. “Why should I listen to you?”

Internal Demon giggled like a child, and said with mock admiration, “You rushed and rushed, and pulled out half of the nine anchor points. The Drought God hasn’t died, but you still managed to expel him with a single word…impressive!”

He stood up and transformed into a flowing black mist, then approached Liu Fuguang without fear.

Yan Huan, curled up on the ground, had already lost all human form. He was just a lump of meat, indistinguishable limbs, headless and tail-less, with a few swollen, barely visible eyes that turned toward Liu Fuguang.

When he saw Internal Demon get closer, Yan Huan gasped for breath and struggled with all his might. Then he was struck by Internal Demon’s sleeve, and black blood sprayed everywhere.

“Shut up,” Internal Demon said.

Liu Fuguang’s eyelids twitched. He had never seen Yan Huan reduced to such a pitiful state. His palms spasmed involuntarily, and he gripped his long knife tighter.

Internal Demon, ever perceptive, grinned openly. As he slipped through the World Sea, he came close to Liu Fuguang’s ear, and intended to flirtatiously kiss his delicate earlobe, but was stopped by the pure aura surrounding him.

“Supreme Goodness, you’re hurt?” Internal Demon whispered. “It’s a pity, but this is something you’ll have to do yourself. Only you, Supreme Goodness, can kill the Supreme Evil.”

He moved to the other side. His voice was like flowing honey or unraveling silk, sweet and tempting in a chilling way.

“I know your goodness. I also know that the human race is your kin. You love them, just as they love you…Think about it, Fuguang! Really think it over. Right now, I offer you three thousand worlds as bargaining chips. If you kill Yan Huan, I’ll spare these small worlds. The thousands of lives within them will be saved from my slaughter, and you won’t be blamed.”

The voice, like mist, lingered in the air, and spread everywhere, “Besides, have you forgotten? Yan Huan and I have a deep grudge. His pain gave birth to me, and I was born innocent. Why should I have to bear this suffering? And you, he betrayed you, ruined you! He killed you for his own selfish desires…Can you forgive him? Don’t let him deceive you, Fuguang! A few words of apology, a few tears, can they really make you forget his vile deeds?”

“Kill him,” Internal Demon said. “As long as you have the will to kill, you can easily take his life. I’m willing to give up my plan to reverse time if you kill him.”

Liu Fuguang stood silently for a long moment, then asked, “And then what? I kill Yan Huan, and you take his place?”

“What’s wrong with that?” Internal Demon countered eagerly. “I’m clean! Fuguang, I’m clean. I’ve never harmed you. My past is a blank slate. If you acknowledge who I am, we can start fresh. The tangled webs of fate, all the bitterness, could be wiped away with a single stroke. Isn’t that a good deal?”

For a moment, Liu Fuguang couldn’t find the words.

Internal Demon waited eagerly for his response, while Liu Fuguang looked down at Yan Huan. He saw him, drenched and shivering. He’d never before been so small, so silent, so ugly…so fragile.

“Go on,” Internal Demon urged, as he gently brushed his shoulder.

The force was light, like snowflakes drifting onto the tip of a leaf, yet it caused Liu Fuguang to stagger forward a step.

Behind him, Internal Demon added, “It’s a win-win, Fuguang. There’s no better deal in the world. Go on.”

Liu Fuguang followed his advice, and slowly walked toward Yan Huan. He released his grip on his knife, which floated beside him and spun in the air.

He knelt down. Unable to differentiate Yan Huan’s body’s structure, he instead reached down and, for the first time in thousands of years, took the initiative to hold Yan Huan in his arms, as he let the thick black blood stain his white robe.

“Fuguang…” Yan Huan’s eyes slowly shifted toward him, his voice raspy. “You’ve come…”

Heat welled up in Liu Fuguang’s eyes. He spoke softly, “I’ve come. How did you end up like this?”

Yan Huan’s voice was faint. “I couldn’t…protect you…I’ve let you down. I’m so sorry…”

“Fool,” Liu Fuguang chuckled softly. “Save your strength. Don’t talk anymore.”

Yan Huan didn’t stop, knowing that this might be his last chance to confess. He gathered all his strength and said desperately, “I love you, Fuguang. I really love you…I want to say it to you day and night, never getting tired of it, never growing weary…”

In his urgency and emotion, Yan Huan began to cough up blood again. Liu Fuguang separated his spiritual energy, and pressed it into his twitching body without saying a word.

After a long while, Yan Huan opened his swollen eyes and rasped, “Look, Fuguang, those are stars…”

He suddenly stopped speaking.

His vision cleared, and the tiny floating stars reflected in his eyes.

They weren’t stars.

Tears fell from Liu Fuguang’s eyes, and scattered in the World’s Sea like thousands of crystal dust particles as they drifted aimlessly in all directions.

“You’re crying?” Both Yan Huan and Internal Demons spoke at the same time, one in shock and the other in surprise. “You’re…crying for me?”

Liu Fuguang lowered his head. In that moment, it seemed as if he was about to kiss the monstrous, twisted body in his arms. However only Yan Huan could truly see, and he watched as Liu Fuguang’s lips moved and formed words.

“I will save you,” he whispered. “I will save you.”

Yan Huan stared at him. His mixed emotions flowed like a weak current into Liu Fuguang’s heart.

“Now. Kill Internal Demon,” came a sudden voice in Liu Fuguang’s mind.

Liu Fuguang paused for just a moment.

He deliberated, then another Dao-heart voice came.

“Hurry! He’s arrogant, and thinks he’s in control. He’s neglecting his defenses right now. If you pretend to agree with him, then stab him through the heart, he will die for sure! Fuguang, you are the Supreme Goodness, you have the ability to do this. Don’t miss our only chance!”

Liu Fuguang raised his head, and in the tiniest fraction of a second, he saw Internal Demon turn around, seemingly furious, unwilling to watch the exchange between him and Yan Huan.

Was it a coincidence, or was it intentional?

However, just as Yan Huan had said, this was a perfect opportunity. If he missed it, he would regret it forever.

In the blink of an eye, Liu Fuguang had the black knife in his hand, and it vanished as if it had evaporated!

Internal Demon seemed to sense something and abruptly spun around. With only a glimpse, he saw two colors forming a line, white from Liu Fuguang’s clothes, black from the blood staining them, and the knife in his hand.

There was no thunderous sound, no dazzling light. The knife was a silent sword intent, yet it was aimed directly at Internal Demon’s heart!

The tip of the blade had already reached Internal Demon’s chest, and pierced forward without resistance. At the moment of life or death, Internal demon’s expression was utterly blank.

Had he not reacted in time, or had he anticipated this, and seen it as a trap that Liu Fuguang had set himself?

No, neither.

At the critical moment, Internal Demon simply stared at Liu Fuguang, as though the strings that had been binding him had snapped, and he could finally look at his lover with his true face.

“Internal Demon,” nine phantom eyes appeared on the Internal Demon’s body. At the same time, an amorphous “Yan Huan” raised an eye from the ground, and curved into a crescent shape, as if silently laughing.

Identity swap.

Just as Liu Fuguang was about to succeed, Internal Demon removed the control over their true form. In that desperate moment, trying to withdraw was like a done deal – irreversible.

Surprisingly, in Liu Fuguang’s eyes, there was no shock, regret, or confusion. His face remained calm and determined, as though the heavens had opened and only a full, bright moon remained, reflecting all the rivers and mountains below.

“Don’t be afraid,” Liu Fuguang said. “Trust me.”

For a long time, Yan Huan feared any emotion related to love.

When he first met Liu Fuguang, the touch of his hand was a searing, unbearable pain, like sunlight on the skin of a person frozen in ice. The feeling came at him like an overwhelming tidal wave, and submerged him without mercy. At first, Yan Huan wanted to escape from something so invasive. Later, he began to understand its power, and realized how soft and fragile it was. His desire to escape turned into disdain and contempt. Eventually, he cast it aside, but he hadn’t expected that it had already become an inseparable part of his flesh and blood. By discarding it, he had destroyed half of himself.

Even now, Yan Huan still feared it.

Love was too fragile, too precious, too easily harmed. A fire – how could it survive in a world as cold as ice? He could be cruel, heartless, become anything vile, despicable, and brutal, but love was entirely different.

In the instant he heard Liu Fuguang’s voice, Yan Huan’s chest ignited with a pure warmth, like a spring tide, or a hurricane bursting forth, similar to feathers being fluffed, it scratched at his soft heart and made it ache with bitterness.

This wasn’t anger, nor was it a desire to kill – it was another kind of intense joy, almost like a fanatical devotee facing a statue of their god. The joy and happiness in his heart flooded him instantly, beyond words.

Why fear? Wasn’t this the conclusion he had always dreamed of?

He welcomed Liu Fuguang’s blade, embraced the death he had longed for. Yan Huan’s long-sought burial place, which now unfolded before him, was so beautiful it made him dizzy and speechless.

“I’m not afraid,” he whispered as he opened his arms.

The long sword pierced his body, right through his strong dragon heart, and spilled a rich, black-gold blood. The pain was like a thunderbolt had struck him from above, and exploded through every meridian and vein in Yan Huan’s body.

It was the ultimate punishment from the forces of goodness. Liu Fuguang had come with the intention to kill him, and so Supreme Evil had to face justice. Yan Huan had once torn out the Dao-heart of the Supreme Goodness on Zhong Mountain, and the world had been his to rule for over six thousand years since.

Internal Demon couldn’t contain his joy. He shook off his fragile façade and leaped upward, eyes fixed on the scene.

He was overjoyed. He was beyond happy! He could almost dance and sing, and celebrated in a clownish manner. The Supreme Evil…the Supreme Evil was about to die! It was the Supreme Goodness that had struck the blow!

“Ha, hahahaha! Did you see that, Heavenly Dao!” Internal Demon screamed hoarsely. “Supreme Evil is dead! It was Supreme Goodness that did it! Now I can take his place, right? I will replace him!”

From the World Sea, countless bolts of lightning crashed down, like the roar of an ancient dragon’s mighty authority and the heavens shook. Internal Demon watched in ecstatic disbelief. He knew the Heavenly Dao had responded to his words. When the lightning storm descended, it marked the moment Yan Huan was taken back.

The thunderous force of the storm was only background noise to Liu Fuguang, it faded into oblivion. As Yan Huan’s nine eyes strained to surface from his body, they all sought his lover’s gaze.

As he stared at Yan Huan, Liu Fuguang suddenly shouted, “Where is the Supreme Evil? You’re just Yan Huan, the son of the Eleven Dragon Lords and the human emperor. Just a dragon god destined to inherit the great rule!”

The thunderclaps were like the cries of startled birds. Internal Demon froze, confused as he stared at Liu Fuguang. His single eye darted around, from the long sword that pierced Yan Huan’s body, to Liu Fuguang’s steadfast profile, then his gaze met Yan Huan’s.

…It was a seal of righteousness.

A seal of righteousness…It was damned righteousness! The thunderstorm wasn’t here to take the Supreme Evil, it was here to test Yan Huan! The divine intent was like a knife, and the moment Liu Fuguang held it in his hand, it sensed the wielder’s intention!

He betrayed me again.

Internal Demon stared blankly at the figure, as he numbly thought, once again…he failed me.

Instantly, Liu Fuguang was forced to release the long sword, as tens of thousands of thunderbolts struck from all directions. They howled towards the dead Supreme Evil and the newly reborn Dragon God.

Never had Internal Demon seen such chaotic and mad thunder. It was like a torrential downpour of rain, with the heavens roaring, hurling lightning bolts, but each lightning strike was as heavy as a pinky finger’s worth of water, and each thunderclap rumbled with the might of roaring rivers!

In the center of the storm with Yan Huan stood Liu Fuguang. His body emanated a holy golden light, which shielded him from the lightning’s blows. Even though he’d abandoned his identity as the Supreme Goodness, he remained a prince of Eastern Swamp, and descendant of the sun’s rising kingdom and had their power.

The World Sea became an expanse of purple light, with the center compressed into overwhelming white light, as countless red arcs of lightning danced in the space between purple and white, and distorted time and space into a fragmented, narrow crack.

The concept of time blurred, and the idea of space became nonexistent. The thunder rang like an ancient bell. This was an ocean of scorching flames and lightning, as if the hellfire of the Red Lotus Underworld had been brought there to burn the gods.

However, could such a storm truly destroy Yan Huan?

The dazzling thunder still couldn’t drown out Yan Huan’s wild laughter. He had ignited the sun three times, endured the cruelest heat, and the most brutal punishments. What was a thunderstorm to him? It was nothing. He was simply happy, and wanted to laugh aloud.

Perhaps a century would pass, perhaps the thunder would gleam brilliantly – but it would only last an instant. In the midst of the sky-splitting thunder, he reshaped his true form. The body of a golden dragon, who circled the world in an endless cycle, its black scales flashing with lightning. Its mane waved like flying snakes. As it opened its eyes, nine red pupils bloomed like blood-red suns.

—The bloodline of the Eleven Dragon Lords and the human emperor’s descendants could finally reveal their true face. It was terrifying like a world-ending demon, yet magnificent and proud, swallowing the sun, moon, and the stars with every breath.

“Internal Demon!” Yan Huan roared as he charged forward, and lifted Liu Fuguang with his horn. “This is the moment we fight to the death!”

Internal Demon no longer spoke. He transformed into a giant dragon, just like Yan Huan had once been, his body flowing with sinful tendrils. His single eye was embedded in the center of his dragon horns.

He roared and a chaotic storm swept across the World Sea. The two dragons battled fiercely, while Liu Fuguang, standing atop the Dragon God’s head, raised a pearl that shone like a sun breaking through the endless night.

The sun rose and turned in their direction, its golden-red light shining down on all beings, unceasing, day and night.

“Even if you are sealed by righteousness, so what?!” Internal Demons screamed madly, “Even if I die, I’ll take you with me!”

Yan Huan’s dragon roar echoed through countless worlds, his tail dragging the stars behind him, which showed the divine power in his bloodline. The vast phantom of the universe, like a massive realm, appeared behind him. Eleven Dragon Lords with different faces, their left eyes holding the Milky Way, their right eyes radiating the universe. They raised their hands, fingers like pillars of the sky, and spun endless galaxies.

“You’re nothing, Internal Demon!” Yan Huan roared. “The glow of a worm can’t compare to the sun and moon!”

The enormous, odd-colored celestial bodies trembled and sent out sound waves that human ears couldn’t hear. They collided fiercely with the Dragon God’s body, and clashed head-on with Internal Demons!

The pearl Liu Fuguang held also transformed, shaped by the divine currents into a long spear, that gleamed with white light. It was pointed at Internal Demon’s chest, where his body had been exposed after being knocked back.

To deceive Liu Fuguang’s senses, Internal Demon had baited him with the dragon heart, and placed it back inside Yan Huan’s body. Now, his chest was hollow, empty.

Now…!

The spear flew like a falling star, its flash short-lived, brief as a hallucination. There was only Internal Demon’s agonizing scream which filled the air. The light spear pierced through him and separated Internal Demon’s soul from his body! The former divine body of Yan Huan was dragged into the scorching golden sun. A massive pillar of fire erupted from its surface, and rose tens of thousands of feet high.

Yan Huan charged toward Internal Demon, tore apart his evil thoughts, his soul destroyed. One final blow would cause his complete collapse, never to return.

Liu Fuguang held the Dragon God’s head, and halted his actions.

Internal Demon burned alone in front of them, it was its final moment. It finally had returned to the state of its birth.

—A ball of dim, shapeless wildfire, so black it was impossible to see its core.

“So, it’s all over, my delusion, my ambition, my pain,” It whispered weakly. “After countless tribulations, I finally hear it…”

The confrontation had started with great intensity, but in the end, it was impossible to avoid hesitation and uncertainty, which made it difficult to express the complete question.

Liu Fuguang’s expression remained calm as he spoke softly, “It was for you that I cried.”

Internal Demon’s single eye twitched. It was unable to believe what it was hearing as it stared at the person before it. Liu Fuguang paused for a moment before he continued, “I knew it was you. My tears were shed for you.”

The dark fire trembled violently, then gradually shrank into a small point, then eventually exploded into blue mist, almost like a long, drawn-out sigh, as it disappeared from the world without a trace.

It was over.

Their war, their desperate journey, had finally come to an end.

“I…I think I understand a little bit about the meaning of love.”

Under the fading light of the setting sun, at the edge of a towering cliff, the two figures sat exhausted, as they gazed at the clouds rolling over the sea. The ocean surface shimmered with golden waves, as if it was reflecting colorful, flickering flames.

Yan Huan mustered the courage to speak, his expression filled with uncertainty. “I was just thinking…I would be willing to open my heart and place it in your hands. You don’t have to say a word. Even in the middle of the night, when I think about it, I’ll be so happy I can’t close my eyes.”

Finally, he asked timidly, “I don’t really understand…does this count as…love? Maybe it’s a little bit like it?”

It certainly counted as a form of love, but it was also wild, primal, and incredibly brutal. It presented itself with a humble plea, but when it finally bared its fangs, it would bring destruction to all worlds and consume everything.

Yan Huan would never, ever leave him. There was no possibility of it, and there would be no exceptions. Even if Liu Fuguang killed him with his own hands, it wouldn’t sever his claws as they gripped tightly to him, nor would it obscure the gaze he held for him.

“Let’s call it that, for now,” Liu Fuguang finally responded.

The clouds rolled in like a dreamscape, and the wind rustled the branches in the quiet evening. No one knew how long it had been silent, until the golden sun sank into the sea, and the sky was covered in the stunning, colorful veil of dusk. Everything in the world blurred in the twilight, and a soft sleepiness crept over their hearts.

Yan Huan seemed to have sensed the right moment. He muttered, “Back then, your answer must have been to comfort it, right? The tears you shed…were they for me, or were they for him?”

“For him.”

Before Yan Huan could feel dejected, Liu Fuguang sighed aloud.

“Anyway, the tears I’ve shed for you in this lifetime…are already countless.”