Heaven above!

Lu Yun, who had wanted to die by falling from the broken bridge, did not die – he plunged into the great waters. The thundering rapids churned as Lu Yun tumbled in the water. Completely exhausted, he headed straight toward a large boulder, unable to dodge. With a crash, his back struck the stone directly, causing stars to explode before his eyes. However, cold water entering his mouth and nose made his chest feel nauseous and irritated. Just as he was about to suffocate, great waves struck, throwing his body into mid-air. Lu Yun saw clearly that he was tumbling in raging torrents – white waves endless and boundless. The White Water River stretched for hundreds of li – he didn’t know where it would carry him. Lu Yun finally became frightened and cried out, “Help!”

Before his words finished, his body had already plunged back into the water as swift currents dragged him toward the boundless sea of suffering.

The water flow grew faster and faster, his body sinking deeper and deeper, mile after mile, now bright, now dark, sometimes above ground, sometimes underground. Suddenly a massive rock appeared beside him. In the moment of truly facing death, the desire to survive was so passionate. Knowing life and death hung in the balance, he immediately swung out his left hand to grab the rock. Instantly screaming in agony as great water poured into his throat, the sharp spikes on the rock had also pierced his palm. This pain activated Lu Yun’s internal energy, and the “Limitless Heart Method” suddenly generated adhesive force. Lu Yun frantically exerted himself against the boundless swift current, and in his completely soaked weakness, finally climbed and rolled onto the rock.

Where was this? Hell? Heaven?

As far as the eye could see, three sides were entirely great water with empty space ahead – he was actually alone atop a giant waterfall. Beneath his feet was heart-stopping – he stood at the waterfall’s edge. That giant waterfall was hundreds of zhang high with water vapor filling the air, the bottom invisible. Lu Yun was completely amazed and screamed miserably again, but the thunderous roar in his ears drowned out his cries.

Lu Yun stood on a solitary rock the size of a round table, trembling with fear and unable to help but wail loudly. Just as he was crying and shouting, suddenly someone came. He saw a huge figure rushing toward the waterfall’s edge. He could see clearly this wasn’t any savior but his mortal enemy Sa Mau. Lu Yun’s mind went blank, not knowing whether to save him. Seeing Sa Mau about to rush to the boulder’s edge, already within five feet, that demon frantically waved his hands as if wanting him to save him. If he hardheartedly didn’t pull this villain, he would immediately plunge down the giant waterfall.

Five feet, four feet, three feet, two feet – Lu Yun suddenly threw himself prone on the rock and stretched out with all his might. His right hand reached out to pull, and with a great shout, he had already grasped Sa Mau’s arm. Both men roared together as the great bull flew up and rolled onto the rock.

The extremely evil villain and the benevolent messenger both came to hell’s edge. The two stared at each other, less than three feet apart, with all four legs weak, both gasping in the water mist. Lu Yun didn’t know why he had saved this villain – perhaps the scene was too terrifying and being alone made him too frightened. He looked at Sa Mau and was about to speak when suddenly that villain’s eyes showed fierce light. He looked around repeatedly at their footing, then raised his eyes with a vicious glare at him, his mouth showing a sinister smile.

Lu Yun awakened and thought, “What a fool I am – this boulder is only the size of a round table, how can it hold two big men? He wants to push me down.” Sure enough, Sa Mau roared wildly and struck directly at him with his elbow. Lu Yun was both shocked and angry: “Ungrateful! Despicable and shameless!” He raised his knee and chopped with his palm, using Peerless Consecutive Fists to parry. One nine feet tall, one eight feet two inches – two big men had fought all the way from the bridge to the cliff bottom, and even at this life-and-death moment still bit at each other. However, Lu Yun’s ribs were broken and Sa Mau’s chest was also pierced with a bloody hole. Both had injuries and weak internal energy. Though they fought fiercely, there were no earth-shaking ultimate moves – they just wrestled like madmen.

Wrestling and rolling, sometimes Sa Mau’s head was submerged in water crying for help, sometimes Lu Yun hung outside the waterfall wailing pitifully. The two used vicious moves to bite at each other, fighting with hearts full of hatred, when suddenly a tremendous rumbling sound came from the distance. The two who had been wrestling stopped their hands simultaneously. Both angry men faced the distance to see white waves surging violently at the horizon – a water line over ten feet high like a high wall surging toward the waterfall’s edge!

Both men screamed in terror, both crying in panic. Instantly they threw themselves forward together, each tightly embracing the rock. With a tremendous crash, great water rushed over, submerging their mouths and noses. The water was extraordinarily high with violent force – both men were completely submerged, each clinging to the rock with ten fingers as if suffering torture. Lu Yun’s mouth and nose were submerged – he couldn’t even cry tears. Sa Mau’s heart burned with rage but couldn’t curse aloud. After half a tea-time had passed, the water rose even higher with no sign of receding. Lu Yun, soaked underwater unable to breathe, felt his heart and lungs about to burst. He pressed tightly against Sa Mau – that ugly bull’s shoulder was also shaking, seeming near death too. Lu Yun bit through his silver teeth and suddenly gripped the rock firmly with his left hand while his right hand embraced Sa Mau’s leg bend. Then he moved his body over and bit him with his teeth.

The two were inches apart, both bodies soaked underwater, each being washed by giant waves. Lu Yun squinted toward Sa Mau, repeatedly gesturing upward to signal him to surface for air. That monster was as stupid as a grave-dweller, actually not understanding his meaning. Lu Yun nearly fainted. Though he had read many sage books, his heart still cursed him hundreds of times. Unable to breathe, he desperately pushed with his shoulder. Finally Sa Mau understood. He slowly rose, leaning on Lu Yun and desperately embracing his calf – only thus avoiding being washed down the waterfall.

Sa Mau’s calf trembled as if he was breathing comfortably, but this shameless demon, having filled himself with air, wouldn’t crouch down. At this moment Lu Yun had made his bet – if Sa Mau was selfish and cold, only caring about his own breathing, Lu Yun would certainly drown. But once he died, Sa Mau would surely perish too. Lu Yun saw him breathing comfortably but never crouching down. Pitifully, his own hands struggled as his lungs were about to run out of air. After another short while, finally exhausted like a lamp running out of oil, his mind gradually went blank and he finally stopped breathing.

Suddenly his body broke through the water and was lifted high by someone. Lu Yun cried out loudly and immediately breathed in a harsh gulp of cool air. His tears and snot flowed as he coughed continuously. Though the great water reached the sky, Sa Mau was tall with long arms – once he lifted up his body, he could still let him breathe. Lu Yun cried and laughed, mostly breathing desperately. He didn’t know how much time passed. Just as he was feeling joyful, he suddenly realized Sa Mau’s body was trembling slightly – he seemed about to die. Lu Yun took a deep breath and then sank into the water, lifting Sa Mau up instead.

This continued repeatedly for a full hour before the great water finally receded. The two mortal enemies had drunk bellies full of water and each collapsed on the stone – the extremely good man and the extremely evil man pressed tightly together like two homeless dogs. At hell’s edge there was no right or wrong, black or white – the selfish and base must die, those who choose good and persist must die. To survive, one must transcend good and evil, right and wrong.

The sky gradually darkened with the bright moon overhead. All around, night owls cried and mournful apes called from both banks. The two still had no strength to get up, only shoulder to shoulder with one foot each hanging outside the stone platform and one hand gripping the sharp rock, both recovering their strength.

While sleeping, suddenly Sa Mau turned over in his sleep, his elbow striking directly at Lu Yun’s face, immediately causing his nose to bleed profusely. Seeing this villain so fierce and domineering, even on the stone platform he was so arrogant. Lu Yun, in great anger, kneed heavily into Sa Mau’s kidney. Both men roared and each turned over and jumped up, beginning the second round of fighting.

The two wrestled chaotically, constantly grabbing stones to smash and beat each other, but neither had recovered their strength so the fighting was inevitably weak. Fighting until later, they felt increasingly hungry. After making one final grappling attempt, they each stopped and sat down, occupying corners of the rock, squatting and glaring at each other like mad dogs.

Lu Yun was extremely hungry with aching ribs, both hateful and sorrowful, unable to help but curse angrily, “Why? Why must I fall into hell with you, mad dog?” He pointed to heaven and roared wildly, “Heaven! Are you blind? You’re so hateful!” He shouted himself hoarse – heaven naturally remained silent, and even Sa Mau was too lazy to pay attention to him, only lowering his head and gasping continuously.

Seeing Sa Mau’s chest injury was severe, with the blood hole pierced by Sword Radiance reaching an inch deep, he seemed more seriously wounded than himself. Lu Yun laughed heartily, pointing at Sa Mau and shouting, “Villain! You’ve finally met justice!” Sa Mau’s breathing made wheezing sounds – the wound seemed to reach his lung. Thinking of this man’s rape and murder of women with countless evils, Lu Yun felt increasingly delighted – the more this man suffered before death, the more heaven showed its eyes. He immediately looked at his strong enemy with a smile, his mouth giggling and laughing like a madman.

During the standoff, suddenly a golden light floated over. Lu Yun made a curious sound and looked intently – it was a half-dead strange fish. He immediately cried out in wild joy, “Heaven sends sweet dew!” Sa Mau also watched hungrily as the two occupied corners, each grabbing the other’s shoulder, both waiting to pounce and catch the fish.

That fish floated and was about to reach the river’s center when it suddenly drifted left, actually flowing toward Lu Yun’s side. Sa Mau was both shocked and envious, roaring angrily. Lu Yun made a feint with his right fist while his left hand scooped, effortlessly catching the strange fish. He saw that fish was over a foot long, quite large and sufficient for several days. He immediately opened his mouth to bite – the fish meat was plump and oily, and eating it warmed his belly, seeming able to strengthen his body. Lu Yun ate happily while Sa Mau was naturally shocked and furious, immediately reaching out to snatch it. But he was seriously wounded with excessive blood loss – his two hands together were held back by Lu Yun’s single hand, and he could only watch helplessly as the fish meat went into another’s mouth while only drool remained in his own.

That fish was quite large – Lu Yun alone couldn’t finish it. But since this fish belonged to the imperial cuisine level of delicacies, it should be preserved for tomorrow’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He immediately held the large fish in his arms and laughed, “Heaven’s favor allows enjoying fine food. Tonight there shall be good sleep.” Sa Mau, in pain and hatred, actually began crying.

Eat your fill then sleep – this was the first night of the hell journey. Seeing Sa Mau seriously wounded, Lu Yun wasn’t afraid of his sneak attacks. He immediately lay down on the stone, sleeping sprawled out. Sa Mau tried several times to snatch the fish meat, but being seriously wounded with gradually weakening strength, each time he was beaten by Lu Yun around the head. Seeing that demon who had been arrogant all his life now dare be angry but not speak, only able to huddle on the stone platform struggling bitterly. Lu Yun laughed heartily – partly from intense indignation, partly from extreme fatigue, having no mind to think about tomorrow’s affairs, falling into deep sleep in his daze.

Sleeping until midnight, as if returning to the capital and receiving his beloved’s care, he smiled at the corners of his mouth, naturally sleeping soundly. Just as he was about to turn over, his fingers felt icy cold as they touched water, followed by a swirling force that nearly pulled him down. Lu Yun woke with a start and once again saw the hell-like giant waterfall.

The suspended giant waterfall poured down, water vapor filling the night sky reflecting a patch of dim yellow moonlight, quite hazy. Lu Yun, in his amazement, smiled bitterly. He held his head and crouched, glancing at Sa Mau beside him who was pressed close and had also fallen asleep. Seeing this man’s serious injuries with wheezing breath mixed in the thunderous water sounds made one unconsciously irritated.

Lu Yun scooped up some ice water and wiped his face, turning to look toward shore to see both banks were each a li away. With water pouring down and the river surface vast, the current was naturally extremely swift. At this moment, never mind emperors, generals, ministers, or royal plans for hegemony – just being able to reach shore and lie down on grass to sleep would be as joyful as having one’s name on the golden list. Lu Yun suddenly had a strange thought: “Maybe I could swim across.” He leaned his upper body into the water when suddenly a strong force swirled and nearly swept him down. Seeing such swift water with tens of thousands of pounds of great water rushing down from above, its force far exceeded any worldly master’s palm power. Lu Yun shook his head miserably, thinking, “This place is so far from shore with such strong water – I can’t make it across.” He stared blankly for a long while, wanting to risk going into the water to try but not daring, for a time only able to gaze at the shore with extreme anxiety in his heart.

Looking out at the river, he suddenly saw over ten zhang away another giant rock shaped like a solitary island, about twenty to thirty feet square with spacious terrain. Even better, that rock formation was elevated, much higher than this place. Lu Yun recalled yesterday’s scene of great water surging down and knew that to survive, he must find a way to reach that solitary island. Looking again, the two places were ten zhang apart – there might be a chance to cross.

While looking, he heard a bull’s roar by his ear – Sa Mau was dreaming and grinding his teeth, probably eating people again. Lu Yun shook his head and thought, “There are so many bad people in this world – An’dao Jing, Luo Moshi, Zhuo Lingzhao are all bad people, but none are as bad as this fellow.”

In the human world, the strong live and the weak die, the strong are right and the weak are wrong – he didn’t know how many times he had witnessed this. This Sa Mau raped civilian women and killed countless people, an extremely evil villain without the slightest reason. Mencius said human nature is originally good, Xunzi said human nature is originally evil, but someone as bad as this was truly rare. Lu Yun shook his head and sighed, “How can there be such people in the world? Everyone has a heart of compassion – An’dao Jing is bad because he forgets righteousness for profit, Luo Moshi is bad because he covets false fame, but this demon has no humanity – what’s the reason for that? Could he be a naturally born bad person?” Glancing over, he saw Sa Mau covering his chest, even in sleep his body curled up – his punctured lung must cause extreme pain with each breath. It seemed the wheel of heaven was turning and Heaven was tormenting this villain. Lu Yun smiled bitterly and touched his own painful ribs – if there really was some heavenly way, what bad things had Lu Yun done to deserve such torment? There was no reason – Heaven had no reason at all. Lu Yun smiled bitterly and touched his face, staring blankly at Sa Mau. While watching, he suddenly made a curious sound, seeing Sa Mau’s undershirt embroidered with a small bird – exactly like the yellow bird undershirt his mother had bought when he was little. Lu Yun smiled slightly, thinking, “This garment is what poor families wear – this demon has plenty of money but really doesn’t care about clothing.” He looked at that small bird, hearing Sa Mau’s pained breathing, unconsciously thinking of his mother, tears already filling his eyes.

Heaven gives birth to all things – could it really be to make everyone kill each other? Looking at himself, having read many sage books, just now in that great battle on the bridge, because he was pushed to desperation, he had actually walked Zhuo Lingzhao’s old path again – how many people had he killed? Lu Yun looked at Sa Mau, his heart full of confusion, unable to help but sigh. If he were still in the mortal world, given the chance to kill this man, he would certainly not spare him. But now the two guarded this bitter island alone, actually becoming fellow prisoners in a heavenly jail. He looked at that fish meat, staring speechlessly.

What should he do?

Lu Yun smiled bitterly and no longer thought much. He reached out and shook Sa Mau’s arm, calling, “Hey! I’ll give you fish to eat.”

Sa Mau was shaken for a long while when suddenly he roared like a tiger and finally woke up. He opened his eyes to look at Lu Yun, his expression still fierce. Lu Yun held the fish meat waving it left and right, saying frantically, “I’ll give you fish to eat, give you fish to eat. Don’t fight anymore.” This Sa Mau was Mongolian – he didn’t know if he understood Chinese, but fish meat tasted delicious so he should know to eat it, right? Lu Yun knew this fellow was selfish and cold, so he didn’t dare give him the whole fish. He immediately stood up and tore off a piece of fish meat, opening his mouth and saying, “Come, first I’ll give you a piece to eat.”

Sa Mau snorted and turned his head away, looking very disdainful – apparently not eating food given in contempt. Lu Yun laughed, “You have backbone – then I’ll throw it in the water.” Sa Mau snorted again, this time opening his bloody mouth and crouching on the ground like a vicious dog, letting him feed him.

Lu Yun found joy in bitterness and couldn’t help but laugh heartily. He held the fish meat and brought it to Sa Mau’s mouth, saying, “Come, eat it, chew slowly…” Before his words finished, severe pain shot through his hand bone as he screamed in agony. Lu Yun frantically pulled out his left hand – his already injured left palm had been bitten at the wrist by Sa Mau!

Lu Yun was in such pain his eyes were dazzled and confused, tears and snot flowing as he cried, “Let me go! Let me go!” But Sa Mau looked completely pleased, fierce light flashing in his eyes. His upper and lower rows of teeth exerted force, actually trying to bite off Lu Yun’s hand at the wrist. Lu Yun, in great anger, was about to raise his palm to strike Sa Mau’s head when suddenly his left hand touched something, and he couldn’t help but be startled.

No wonder… no wonder this man only knew how to roar – so that was it…

Sa Mau had long hated Lu Yun from the earlier beating and finally got a good opportunity to crush his left hand. His upper and lower rows of teeth were about to bite down with force when suddenly he heard a sigh, followed by warmth on his forehead as someone stroked the top of his head.

Sa Mau had bitten countless people – once he bit, he would hear loud crying and screaming, or else continuous cursing, but he had never heard anyone sigh when bitten. Sa Mau was completely puzzled and couldn’t help but raise his head to stare at the man before him.

Under the moonlight, he saw that man’s gaze full of compassion, looking down at him.

“Sa Mau, you have no tongue?”

Sa Mau couldn’t speak. Lu Yun had fought this man countless times but had only heard his roars, never hearing him say a single human word. It turned out he had no tongue at all. Their eyes met, and in Sa Mau’s amazement, his big mouth involuntarily opened. Lu Yun pulled out his left hand and crouched down, asking gently, “Who cut out your tongue?” Seeing Lu Yun’s gaze filled with pity, Sa Mau suddenly roared wildly and only lowered his head without answering. Lu Yun picked up the fish meat and brought it to Sa Mau’s mouth, feeding him. Though his left hand bone ached, somehow he was no longer afraid, just feeding him piece by piece. Sa Mau, in his confusion, only opened his mouth to eat. Under the moonlight, beside the rushing waterfall’s swift current, one fed while the other ate, both silent.

After eating the fish meat, their mutual hostility diminished considerably. Lu Yun said, “Your injury is serious – let me look at your chest.” Sa Mau spat out a mouthful of pus that nearly hit his cheek. Lu Yun scolded, “Hey, hey, hey! You ate half a fish, but when I want to look at your wound, what are you being stingy about?” Seeing Sa Mau ignoring him, Lu Yun clapped his hands and pretended to be surprised, “I understand now – you’re actually a young lady, so you’re afraid to let me look.” He squinted at Sa Mau and sighed, “Miss Sa Mau, this junior pays his respects.”

Sa Mau was furious beyond measure, instantly roaring and pulling open his shirt himself, revealing an incredibly powerful chest. Lu Yun laughed heartily – it seemed that provoking worked better than pleading, even with monsters.

With his shirt pulled open, he could see clearly – the blood hole pierced by Sword Radiance was several inches deep, the injury quite serious. If not for Sa Mau’s profound skill and extremely strong body, he would have died long ago. Lu Yun pondered silently, knowing this place had no medicine or stones, and healing such wounds would be extremely difficult. He sighed and looked more carefully, but his mouth froze. He saw Sa Mau’s back and chest covered with countless small scars that had become light red – they seemed to be injuries from childhood, whether from whipping or burning, he didn’t know who had done it.

So that was it… Mencius said human nature is originally good, Xunzi said human nature is originally evil, but what would a person become if his tongue were cut out and he were beaten until covered with scars?

He would surely hate all people – anyone who walked on two legs must be killed and eaten. This was Sa Mau.

Lu Yun wept silently because this world had already gone crooked and wrong. From some unknown moment, rules had crumbled, reason was no more, and humanity’s only bit of goodness had been drowned by mutual hatred, then completely twisted.

After that night’s wordless conversation, Lu Yun no longer beat Sa Mau, always keeping alert in his heart while looking for escape routes. The rock was only a few feet square – the two had to either sit back to back or sleep pressed close together. But Lu Yun understood in his heart that Sa Mau was no ordinary bad person – if he went mad, he would definitely grab and eat him, so he couldn’t be careless.

Days on the stone passed like years. After just three days, both were already exhausted and distressed. Though it was winter, the blazing sun was still quite scorching during the day, while the cold wind at night cut like knives. In just a few days, they already felt death would be better than life. Fortunately, he still carried Zhuo Lingzhao’s sword manual in his bosom – during the day it absorbed sunlight, at night it glowed with phosphorescence, so Lu Yun could take the opportunity to study martial arts, finding some pleasure in it.

Sa Mau wasn’t so fortunate. His serious chest wound wouldn’t heal and gradually developed pustules. Lu Yun knew infected wounds were most deadly, so he boldly used sharp stones to scrape and treat it several times, causing him to scream in agony, but it was still useless.

By the fifth night, hearing that demon’s wheezing breath like a bellows, his dark face gradually turning pale during the day, and gradually unable to even roar, Lu Yun understood Sa Mau would surely die within days.

That day when they fought intensely, he wished he could cut him in two, but now he had to watch helplessly as he suffered inch by inch until death, unable to save him. Once this man died, only he would remain alone in this world. Lu Yun wept in confusion, only then realizing how weak momentary righteous indignation was. But Sa Mau didn’t care at all. Though this wild man knew he would die, he remained very contemptuous, his eyes full of disdain when looking at him, probably mocking him as a cowardly weakling.

He probably wasn’t afraid of death… but what about himself? Lu Yun looked at the dark clouds on the horizon, knowing heavy rain would come in the next couple of days. He lowered his head and smiled bitterly, taking out that handkerchief from his pouch and kissing the silk inside.

Fine, let the rain come quickly – they could be freed together, that would also be an ending.

The next day at noon, rain began falling continuously for several hours. Since Lu Yun was going to die anyway, he was too lazy to care – live one more moment, count one more moment. That noon he caught a dead fish to eat. Seeing the water level rising higher and higher, he knew when the great water came again, he would surely die. On the day he first fell into the swift current, relying on Sa Mau and himself working together, they barely managed to get through the crisis. Now Sa Mau was seriously wounded and dying, unable to take care of himself. Seeing the water level rising, both would perish together.

Heavy rain poured down, the water level rising higher and higher. Lu Yun looked at the giant waterfall beneath his feet, not knowing what it would feel like to fall down – with millions of tons of great water pressing on his body, would it be very painful before death? Lu Yun’s heart trembled. He looked toward the desolate opposite shore and called out, “Hey! Is anyone there?” Though the waterfall’s sound was loud, his internal energy was profound so his call still traveled far, but for a long, long time until his throat was hoarse from shouting, no one came. This place seemed too desolate – it was absolutely impossible for anyone to come.

Lu Yun sighed endlessly and turned to look again at the solitary island ten zhang away. That place was both high and spacious – if he could fly across, it would be a long-term plan. But beside the waterfall, the water force was truly alarming – he absolutely couldn’t enter the water. The only chance was to jump across.

As the water rose, Lu Yun’s mind was made up. He said to Sa Mau, “Old brother, I’m going to take a gamble. If I die, you take care of yourself.” Though Sa Mau was seriously wounded and weak, hearing these words he still opened his eyes with a surprised expression. Lu Yun waved his hand, “Goodbye. There’s fish there – eat it yourself when you’re hungry.” As he spoke, he couldn’t help but laugh heartily. He looked at the incomparably powerful swift current, knowing every step was a matter of life and death. He gathered his true energy, retreated three feet, and seeing no more room to retreat, suddenly roared wildly and leaped out with all his might.

One zhang, two zhang, three zhang, four zhang, five zhang, six zhang – no good, he began falling. Instantly with a splash, he plunged into the swift current. His chest felt like it was struck by a mad bull. Great water rushed up – not flowing but pouncing, crashing, pushing, pressing. That force was too strong, too fierce… like a wall pressing down, making him completely unable to move. His body was immediately washed back.

Water force pushed and squeezed – every inch of his body bore ten thousand pounds of force. Lu Yun knew he would die and felt unwilling. While struggling continuously, he suddenly thought of Gu Qianxi. Instantly blood energy surged up, his eyes widened, and following the energy circulation method of Sword Radiance, he fiercely chopped forward with his palm.

Suddenly palm power stirred up a current – the great water before him split apart in that instant, and he actually saw sunlight. Lu Yun was greatly shocked, never expecting the divine skill of Sword Radiance could be transformed into palm power. In his amazement, before he could think further, the water waves closed again and washed him to the waterfall’s edge. At the moment of death, suddenly his wrist tightened as he was firmly grasped by a large hand. Then with a slap, he had already broken through the water and rolled back onto the stone. It was Sa Mau who had pulled him up.

Seeing Sa Mau had used too much force and was now gasping weakly, unable to move, Lu Yun felt grateful and immediately pressed acupoints and massaged him to slightly alleviate the pain. While helping Sa Mau relieve pain, his heart was secretly joyful – just now that Sword Radiance had broken through water and pierced out, opening a path to life. If he could master Zhuo Lingzhao’s earth-opening internal power, he might be able to part rivers and split water, reversing heaven and earth.

Pitifully, though Sword Radiance was strong, distant water couldn’t save a nearby fire. In the afternoon the rain grew heavier, both were soaked through. Seeing the river water rising inch by inch, tonight would inevitably be a hard battle – either drown or be washed under the waterfall. Lu Yun looked at that abyss-like giant waterfall, knowing if he fell down, he would inevitably be pressed by billions of pounds of water columns into the waterfall’s bottom, never seeing daylight again. Thinking about it, it would be better to crash to death on this stone – that would be more straightforward.

Anyway, it was death either way, no need to think more. Lu Yun fed Sa Mau fish meat then also lay down to rest. In the evening, feeling a chill throughout his body, Lu Yun woke up to see the water had reached his feet. The smaller the stone surface, the less space to stand. Lu Yun turned to look at Sa Mau – this demon had extraordinary concentration. Even facing death, he only sat cross-legged in meditation, seeming to strengthen his foundation. Lu Yun didn’t have such good concentration – his heart was full of anxiety, constantly measuring the water level, feeling that every quarter-hour the water rose several inches. He estimated that after an hour, great water would surely come rushing down.

Sure enough, before midnight he heard endless rumbling sounds in the distance. In an instant the water level surged violently to waist level. Only a small bit of the large stone remained for footing – the rest was covered by swift current. Lu Yun and Sa Mau each raised their heels, back to back, the situation extremely urgent. Lu Yun gritted his teeth and held back tears, thinking, “Qianxi, Qianxi, I’m going to die – what are you doing now?”

The great water rose higher and higher until two people could no longer stand. They turned to face each other, each standing on one foot. Lu Yun showed a bitter smile, looking at Sa Mau. At this moment, to live even a moment longer, one could only push the companion beside him into the water, otherwise it would be impossible to survive. Lu Yun thought, “What should I do? Push him down?” Just as the thought arose, Sa Mau had already acted first, grabbing Lu Yun and lifting him high over his shoulder.

Lu Yun sighed. He looked toward the ten-thousand-foot abyss – that great waterfall was like a demon gate that would devour him at any moment. Though his heart was afraid, what could he do now? Even if he killed Sa Mau, when great water rose again in moments, wouldn’t he still die the same? What was there to fight over?

Forget it, just like this. Looking up at the night sky, what was the summary of these thirty-two years?

Tonight clouds were deep and fog locked – all around was confusion. Just like this.

Lu Yun’s tears rolled down as he laughed heartily.

Instantly his body flew out. Lu Yun closed his eyes and laughed, flying, flying – his body began falling, ten thousand pounds of water force about to flatten him and send him to hell.

With a bang, pain came from behind as his body suddenly stopped. Lu Yun was greatly puzzled, not knowing what had happened, and quickly opened his eyes to look.

In the rolling swift current, he was lying on a solitary rock – exactly the rocky island he had desperately tried to reach earlier but couldn’t!

He had flown across ten zhang distance and been thrown onto this solitary island. Sa Mau had thrown him across!

Lu Yun trembled and stared at his fellow prisoner ten zhang away. Suddenly he screamed, seeing wild waves rushing over had already surrounded Sa Mau beside the waterfall. Only a tiny square inch remained on the giant rock for standing. Lu Yun shouted in panic, “Jump over! Quick! Quick!” He lay at the solitary island’s edge, desperately reaching forward, hoping for a miracle – that Sa Mau ten zhang away could fly across the rolling great waves in one leap. White waves rushed skyward, life and death hung by a thread. Lu Yun cried, “Come quickly! It’s very big here! You can turn over when sleeping at night!”

Hearing Lu Yun’s sorrowful crying, Sa Mau responded with a smile. The water rose higher and higher until even the last inch of footing would be submerged. Sa Mau looked up at the night sky – for this great dusty world that harmed others and himself, he had not the slightest attachment. Suddenly great water approached, already before him. Sa Mau spread his arms and laughed heartily. His feet pushed hard as he flipped backward in the air, his body spinning an arc over the waterfall before plunging straight down into the giant waterfall below. Lu Yun wailed loudly, screaming repeatedly, “Don’t die! Don’t leave me alone!”

Sa Mau had saved him but also abandoned him, leaving him to fight on alone.

Sa Mau was dead – in heaven and earth only he remained alone. Lu Yun sat dumbly, crying continuously. All around was darkness – what remained to accompany him was only endless loneliness and never-ending surging angry waves.

Always crying, always calling… wandering, desolation, loneliness, downfall – all sufferings totaled returned two words.

Exile…

The river water kept rising as if to drown everything in the world. Looking at the horizon, towering waves over ten feet high rushed over, flooding to his knees. Lu Yun cried, “Take me home, take me home…” The rolling swift current responded to him as if to wash him down the waterfall and carry his corpse back to Beijing. Lu Yun tightly embraced the sharp stone, continuously trembling and crying. He looked up at the night sky when suddenly his eyes opened wide and could no longer close.

Water mist swirled – in the night sky were very bright flying shadows. That sacred white shadow flew and circled overhead like a dead fellow prisoner returning to see him, telling that lonely sufferer a single phrase.

Human good and evil, right and wrong are separated by only a thin line.

I understand… I understand… Lu Yun’s tears fell like rain as he nodded repeatedly.

Forgiveness, pity, compassion… in this turbid dusty world, he had already found the path he pursued.

Slowly stopping his tears, Lu Yun picked up a sharp stone, his expression silent as he quietly carved a mark on the solitary island’s rock. The first mark was carved, and the first day of lonely journey began.

The hundred-zhang giant waterfall poured down, heaven and earth completely dark. The exiled lonely minister and sinful son raised his palms to heaven and took a deep breath.

“Ah ya ya! The righteous path!”

In the ten-thousand-li startling waves, water parted and peerless radiance lit up within the solitary island. This was also the brightest place in the Southern Jambudvipa.