TDU Chapter 349
Chapter 349 Qualification of a King
“Such archaic thoughts you hold,” Chu Tianqiu said to everyone. “Reflect on this: what difference does it make if it’s merely a clone of you?”
“What?”
“They possess our memories, our thoughts; they are identical to us in every way,” Chu Tianqiu said, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth. “Ultimately, if even one version of yourself escapes, haven’t your objectives been fulfilled?”
Chu Tianqiu looked toward Yun Yao with a solemn gaze and asked, “Have you ever pondered whether it’s {yourself} you wish to free, or merely the entity called {Yun Yao}?”
The question left Yun Yao baffled, her mind blank. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t come up with an answer. Everyone yearns for {themselves} to leave, yet each {self} falls dead by the tenth day.
Then who exactly is it that escapes?
From the room’s corner came a gentle voice, “Indeed, quite fascinating.”
Chu Tianqiu turned toward the voice. There, seated quietly, was a face he had never seen before; someone dressed in pure white, calm and composed.
“Oh…?” Chu Tianqiu gave a courteous nod. “And how should I address you?”
“Yan Zhichun.”
“A pleasure,” Chu Tianqiu nodded.
“No, the pleasure is all mine.” Yan Zhichun smiled. “I never imagined that the leader of {Passage to Heaven}, the man once known as the {King of Virtue}, would turn out to be so utterly deranged.”
“Alas, you flatter me,” Chu Tianqiu replied cheerfully, the corners of his mouth lifting in amusement. “Do you agree with my perspective?”
“Of course,” Yan Zhichun nodded. “What you said makes perfect sense. If there are ten thousand versions of me in {End Point}, and just one manages to escape, then history will still remember that {Yan Zhichun escaped}.”
“You evidently have grasped my intent,” A fervent light flared in Chu Tianqiu’s eyes. “To find someone who truly gets it—what a rare joy. Your familiarity with the title {King of Virtue} reveals you as no ordinary soul. Are you interested in joining {Passage to Heaven}?”
“Not in the slightest,” Yan Zhichun shook her head without hesitation. “Chu Tianqiu, I originally came here to kill you.”
“Oh…?” Far from frightened, Chu Tianqiu’s expression grew even more animated. “You came to kill me? Are you an {Adherent of Judgment’s Domain}?”
“Correct.” Yan Zhichun acknowledged, looking toward Yun Yao. “This little star here is also quite interesting. Despite being aware I’m from {Judgment’s Domain}, she still permitted me to follow. Regrettably, the tactic of {killing with a borrowed knife} holds little sway over me.”
“This is truly exhilarating,” Chu Tianqiu stood and stepped three paces away from Yan Zhichun. “I’ve been in hiding here for two years, and never before has a member of {Judgment’s Domain} confronted me so directly… My heart is pounding wildly.”
“Is that so? What a shame, then. I’ve already decided not to kill you,” Yan Zhichun remarked.
“Shame indeed…” Chu Tianqiu didn’t back down. Instead, he moved in even closer. “Is it hesitation that holds you back? I am right here, yet you lack the resolve?”
“Lack the resolve…?” A sense of being belittled washed over Yan Zhichun. Softly, she lifted her left hand to smooth her hair, and simultaneously, all present mirrored her gesture, each brushing their hair with their left hand—even Chen Junnan, who was on the brink of losing consciousness.
“Killing you is no difficult matter; it’s merely a question of whether I wish to.”
Yan Zhichun’s subtle action caused a shift in everyone’s demeanor.
The most uncomfortable was Ole Lu, already bald, who could only awkwardly smooth his bald pate.
“Impressive,” Chu Tianqiu nodded. “Your {Reverberation} is under masterful control; it must have existed for many years.”
“You’re not bad yourself,” Yan Zhichun replied. “To {replicate a person} with such precision in a single attempt—that says a great deal about the strength of your conviction.”
“Conviction?” Chu Tianqiu chuckled. “Perhaps to others, it’s not conviction but sheer madness that defines me.”
“They’re one and the same. Strong conviction often borders on madness.”
Yun Yao’s patience wore thin as she observed their synchronized accord. “Chu Tianqiu, even if you could activate this {replication} ability flawlessly, I still don’t believe you’re more suited than Chen Junnan to lead {Passage to Heaven}.”
“Even that’s not enough qualification?” Chu Tianqiu turned to Yun Yao coldly. “Then tell me, what else do I need to improve?”
“Leaving aside the fact you killed all of us, the simple fact that you have yet to defeat a Terrestrial-grade {Earthly Branch} in a life-staking wager proves you’ve already been bested by Chen Junnan.”
“Is that so?” Chu Tianqiu paused briefly, then gave Kim Wonhun a subtle signal.
Kim Wonhun nodded and turned to untie the bundle he carried.
A putrid stench immediately filled the room.
The collective instinctively covered their mouths and noses as Kim Wonhun reached into the bundle and withdrew two severed heads. Though both were badly decomposed, the general features were still discernible—
A shriveled monkey head, and a blackened rabbit head.
The heads were clearly not from ordinary animals; they were far too large, unmistakably those of Terrestrial-grade {Earthly Branches}. The rabbit’s head appeared to have been torn off with brute force, the flesh around the neck ragged and incomplete. In contrast, the monkey’s head had been cleanly severed.
“What… are those?”
The room fell silent, eyes fixed in stunned disbelief on the grotesque remains. The implications were clear to all.
“Not obvious enough?” Chu Tianqiu chuckled. “Shall I educate you on which two {Earthly Branches} these are?”
Of everyone present, it was injured Chen Junnan who reacted most violently.
Despite the pain wracking his body, he staggered forward a few steps. When he got a clear look at the heads and confirmed they truly belonged to the {Terrestrial Monkey} and {Terrestrial Rabbit}, a bitter smile tugged at his lips followed by complete stillness in his gaze. His pupils lost focus entirely, and like a blade of grass toppled by the wind, he collapsed headlong to the ground.
All of his hopes were utterly extinguished.
Before Yan Zhichun could move to restrain him, the uninjured Chen Junnan at the door quickly stepped forward and caught the heavily wounded version of {himself}.
He stared blankly at the battered man in his arms, a deep sense of unease washing over him.
“Su–Superstar…” Chen Junnan asked, “what on earth is going on…?”
Yun Yao furrowed her brow, unable to speak.
After all, the comrade who had braved death by her side had just died, and standing before her now was a {new} Chen Junnan. How was she supposed to face him?
“So, am I qualified to lead {Passage to Heaven}?” Chu Tianqiu paid no heed to Chen Junnan’s corpse, only sneering coldly as he said, “I possess both power and strength. Unlike some, I do not cause a citywide uproar over slaying a mere {Terrestrial-grade}.”
Casting his gaze over the assembly, he asked, “What do you all think?”
Having been witness to countless unimaginable scenes, they found themselves speechless and stunned.
“This can’t be…” Yun Yao snapped back to her senses and stepped forward to examine the two heads. “You clearly had no time to partake in games; where on earth did you get these two Terrestrial-grade heads?”
Chu Tianqiu tapped his temple lightly. “From right here.”
“You—”
“Who ever claimed that to kill {Earthly Branches}, one must partake in games?” Chu Tianqiu’s smile widened. “I have my own methods…”
TL Note: I miss the old Chen Junnan already 🙁
