Chapter 396 (2/2)

”How could there be no peace in a country?”

The Headmaster of the Academy gave a little smile.

Ning Que felt a bit relaxed and did not expect what the master said next. ”If the whole world falls into an everlasting night, would the Tang Empire be the only place full of turmoil?”

Thinking of those similar prophecies in the ”Ming” Handscroll and tales, Ning Que found it hard to control the tension and fear in his heart. He asked, ”Master, is it true that there will be an Underworld invasion?”

The Headmaster answered, ”The 'Ming' Handscroll in the Tomes of Arcane has predicted the arrival of darkness. And there are also relevant tales in the West-Hill and Buddhism Sect literature. For many years, many sages have studied this matter. A thousand years ago, the Divine Priest of Light preached in the Wilderness and later created the Devil's Doctrine, and the Buddhism Sect firmly kept their temples deep in the mountains. They are probably all related to the prophecy. As for whether the tale is true or not, n.o.body knows.”

Ning Que asked again, ”So, even you have no idea at all?”

”I have said that there is no one in the world who can know everything. Even a man who is born knowing, he can only know what he has seen in his dreams. For things never before seen, he still doesn't know.”

Ning Que fell into silence.

Looking at the sky, the master broke the silence, saying, ”Over the past two years, I have traveled with your Eldest Brother in the world and found the nights in the Cold Region of the Far North had become much longer. Even the Hot Sea is getting cold, so the Desolate broke their promise and risked coming back to the south.”

Ning Que had heard about the Underworld tale and so did most mortals, but that did not make the tale real. The West-Hill Divine Palace had long ignored the tale, making it more obscure in the world.

However, the Headmaster of the Academy himself was a tale. When he solemnly talked about the Underworld and seemed to have some evidence, the tale might be true.

Sensing the coldness, Ning Que felt that his clothes had been frozen into the ice.

”No one had noticed that the last winter in Chang'an City was colder than the previous year. Of course, it might be a coincidence. I still think the Underworld invasion is just a story for kids. After all, n.o.body has ever discovered the Underworld, including myself.”

Looking at the pale face of Ning Que, the Headmaster said in a soothing voice, ”Even if the everlasting night comes, according to the 'Ming' Handscroll and the Buddhism Sect's books, it won't be a short process. Instead, it will be very long, perhaps 100 years, 1,000 years, or even 10,000 years. Then, what does that have to do with us?”

Ning Que said gloomily, ”I don't believe what you said. If you don't believe in the Underworld invasion tale, why do you look for the Underworld everywhere? Besides, how could it last 10,000 years?”

”Then you tell me, where is the Underworld?”

The master looked at Ning Que with a meaningful smile and asked, ”Or in your dreams, which direction is that in the world?”

Feeling the Headmaster of the Academy staring at him, Ning Que remembered what the Great Divine Priest of Light said about his unbelievable origin. The cold sweat in his clothes had gone without a trace.

”Am I really the Son of Yama?”

”Had the master known a long time ago who I am?”

Ning Que found it too hard to accept the explanation. He had no idea what Yama was at all, and he knew exactly where he came from. If he really was the Son of Yama, then the b.l.o.o.d.y turmoil started by the West-Hill Divine Palace in Chang'an City seemed explainable. And he hated it for no reason.

Seeing Ning Que's anxiety, the Headmaster of the Academy smiled and said, ”Seeing people think always makes Haotian laugh. If there is an Underworld invasion, leave it to Heaven's Way. What can you do to change it? If nothing can be done, what's the point of your pain and anxiety?”

Ning Que did not agree with his master. He decided to follow his Eldest Brother, who had fought so hard for the Tao. He knew clearly that he might not be able to save the world from destruction or witness that happening and, therefore, live happily with Sangsang for the rest of his life. But as long as he could think, he would always wonder what lay at the end of time and why it happened.

However, since the master no longer wanted to talk about this topic anymore, especially with the person in front of him, he remained silent regardless of the question that Ning Que asked.

After a long silence, Ning Que suddenly raised his head and looked at the Headmaster of the Academy, ”Then, please tell me how my Youngest Uncle died.”

He added, ”It means a lot to me.”

Ning Que knew this was very important to him, for he was now walking on the same path which his Youngest Uncle had taken years ago, and this time, he wanted to change its ending.

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