Chapter Fifty-One: Duel of the Two Emperors

As his words fell, the Crown Prince gathered the winds with his twin wings, sending forth a feather that transformed into a myriad of arrows, each riding the wind, surging to strike. In moments, countless surrounding peaks were shattered.

Suhe was like a small boat tossed in a raging sea, at every instant threatened with capsizing. His brows suddenly tightened with cold resolve as he summoned the Wind-Fixing Pearl. Its crimson radiance blazed brilliantly. The brilliance arrived, and the winds ceased. No matter how profound the Crown Prince’s cultivation, he could not leverage the wind to unleash his ferocity.

In a flash, the whirlwind was dispersed; the sand, stones, and vegetation swept high into the sky tumbled to the ground or scattered afar. At the same time, Suhe stamped down arrows beneath his feet, drew his sword to shield himself, and, sword and body as one, spun like a whirling top, thrusting his blade toward the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince raised his gaze, his wings forming a protective barrier of light, keeping Suhe three feet away. His sharp eyes contracted instantly, astonishment masked beneath the surface. How could a mere human, absent for only a few days, possess such a treasure that could restrain him?

Such a treasure could not be allowed to remain. Nor could such a person be permitted to survive.

He spread his wings, feathers bursting forth, soaring and swirling through the air, then spreading across the sky, transforming into countless phantasms of the Imperial Bird. They split into two waves: one dove straight down to attack Suhe, the other soared upward, aiming to destroy the Wind-Fixing Pearl.

Though these Imperial Bird phantasms were mere shadows, their beaks and claws were sharp—one bite could shatter the skull of a lion or tiger, one talon could collapse mountains and rend the earth. Clash after clash, sparks flew as they struck against the Sword of Compassion. External objects alone could not be harmed.

Seeing this, Suhe hesitated no longer, forming sword seals with his hands and unleashing the sword technique taught by Bu Gu. Instantly, a beam of sword light shot toward the heavens, its force extending for a hundred miles.

He called out, “Imperial-Breaking Sword, First Form: Bind.”

The Imperial Bird phantasms were enveloped by sword light. Sensing danger, the Crown Prince realized the human possessed remarkable means and pressed the phantasms to dive fiercely at the sword light, seeking to escape its binding.

Yet, no matter how the phantasms rammed, causing the heavens to tremble and the seas to churn, they could not break free.

Taking a deep breath, he glanced at the Wind-Fixing Pearl. This treasure was truly resilient—neither bite nor claw could harm it. If it could not be destroyed, then he would simply swallow it. Without this object, what could this human do to him?

He shouted, “Swallow it!”

At once, the phantasms bared their sharp beaks, ready to gulp it down. Suhe spun swiftly backward, striking at the shadows with his palm and cried, “Hide!”

Suddenly, the Wind-Fixing Pearl vanished. Its disappearance granted the Crown Prince a moment to breathe. In that instant, his majestic aura surged anew; he drew upon his true essence, gathered the winds, and unleashed his ultimate moves.

“Human, prepare to die.”

“Sorry, I refuse,” Suhe replied, his gaze sinking as he shifted his energy and responded, “Imperial-Breaking Sword, Second Form: Entwine.”

Sword energy transformed into light vines, binding the Crown Prince’s attacks completely, force met force, his wrist twisting to drive the attack toward the phantasms trapped by sword light.

In a blink, all the Crown Prince's phantasms were destroyed.

All of this happened in a flash, seemingly slow but in truth extremely swift. Simultaneously, Suhe summoned the Wind-Fixing Pearl to his side; the lethal winds ceased instantly, dispersing without a trace.

The Crown Prince, unable to escape in time, was forced to meet the blow head-on, immediately sent flying backward, suffering backlash from his own ultimate technique.

He crashed down, smashing the ornamental rocks beneath him.

“Cough… cough… ugh…” The Crown Prince propped himself up with his wings, attempting to rise, but collapsed again, the sound of bones fracturing echoing.

From the breaks, gleaming white bone could be seen.

Looking up once more, he was breathless, unable to catch his breath.

He thought: two consecutive moves, and both times he lost. His bewilderment was clear—how could a human vanish for a few days and progress so greatly? Once, he could crush him like an ant; now, empowered by a treasure, he was driven to the brink of defeat.

Where, after all, was the problem?

Moreover, the sword technique used by this human now felt strangely familiar, but he could not recall where he had seen it before.

The opponent knew his weaknesses well; every move was tailored to him.

His intentions were evident.

But how could this man suddenly improve so much? The sword technique remained unrefined, still somewhat awkward in execution—clearly a recent acquisition.

No time to fully master it, hence the awkwardness.

Recently… recently… The Crown Prince finally realized where the issue lay.

Years ago, in battle against Lion Island, he devoured several humans; two among them fought him to the death. One, dressed in a bagua robe, used this very sword technique.

Yet, for various reasons, he failed to eradicate the opponent completely.

A moment’s carelessness had sown the seeds of today’s disaster.

Now, the human’s swordplay was different, improved upon the original, retaining its spirit while innovating in form, everywhere restraining him.

And that crimson pearl…

He asked coldly, “What is your relation to that man?”

Suhe, sword in hand, drifted forward, taking a few steps to stand before the Crown Prince. “Ask him yourself when you go below; you will find your answer.”

“Hahaha, so it is him…” the Crown Prince laughed skyward. After a long while, he stopped, his eyes fierce and ruthless as he shouted, “You kill me, and I lose nothing.

Your companions—they died before me.

It was you, your own hand that slew them. Come, defeated by skill, I die without regret.

But hear me, human. You shall live, bearing the weight of guilt, suffering in life…”

With that, he closed his eyes and died.

His internal organs were ruined, his wings broken. Without wings, the Imperial Bird was stripped of its greatest glory.

Even if he could escape, he would rather die.

The Imperial Bird may die in battle, but never live in disgrace.

That was his belief, his resolve.

More importantly, defeat by a fellow of his kind would be nothing, but defeat by a human was the greatest shame.

Suhe tightened his grip on his sword, eyes lowered to the tip. “You needn't worry any longer. Farewell.”

The sword rose and fell; as he turned away, the Imperial Bird's crown toppled.

From afar, the Albatross led his people, rushing in. “Your Majesty…”

Suhe furrowed his brows and slipped away.

Unable to catch him, the Albatross and his companions took the Crown Prince’s body back to the Thousand Waves Cave.

When they were gone, Suhe appeared again. “Follow them.”

Alive or dead, he must see the body.

Otherwise, he would trust nothing.

Elsewhere, the Third Prince was rescued by the Egret Child, returned to the cave and vomiting blood incessantly.

The Egret Child sobbed, “Master…”

What should he do? His master's injuries… There was nothing he could do.

“Go and see if they… have all left,” the Third Prince said weakly, raising his head to look toward the cave entrance.

“Yes.” The Egret Child wiped his tears, ran to the entrance to look, then returned, “They’re gone, all gone.”

But what good was that—his master was fading.

The Third Prince lifted a wing, dipped it in blood, and drew swiftly in the air, gathering his strength to cry, “Open.”

“What is this?” the Egret Child asked, momentarily forgetting his sorrow.

“Go in, bring him out.”

“Who is he?”

“You’ll know when you see him. Tell him I wish to see him.”

“Alright.” The Egret Child hesitated but entered the circle of tears.

Shortly after, he brought out a human child. Looking to be eight or nine years old, but immortal children grow unpredictably.

Thus, one must not judge by appearances.

As soon as the child emerged, he broke free from the Egret Child’s grasp, running toward the Third Prince, gold and silver tears rolling down.

“Uncle, Uncle Shadow… Wuwuwu, what’s wrong? Don’t scare No Tears, please… No Tears is afraid… wuwuwu…”

The Egret Child froze in place—No Tears? He stared in disbelief at the embracing figures, realizing that the child from years ago had survived.

But why had the master lied to the lady, claiming the child was dead? Because of this, the lady never forgave him.

Why bring such suffering?

The Third Prince opened heavy eyelids, rubbing against No Tears’ neck, gently saying, “Uncle is tired and must go far away to rest.

From now on, let Egret care for you. He will take you to find your mother.”

No Tears, hearing this, wailed even harder, nearly fainting, sobbing, “But… but, didn’t uncle say there are many bad people outside? If No Tears and mother are together, will those people hurt her?

No Tears doesn’t want mother to be hurt, nor does No Tears want to leave uncle… wuwuwu…”

“Good child, now the bad people are gone. Your mother… has always been waiting for you. Leave here, and you can… be reunited with your father.

Listen to uncle, be good!” The Third Prince shut his eyes, taking in the child’s gentleness one last time.

It was like seeing her smile at him.

That first glimpse seemed to last forever. He could not forget, could not let go.

He had suffered, and so had she.

Yet, he accepted it gladly…

“I don’t want to. Uncle is No Tears’ father. No Tears doesn’t want anyone else as father.

I will find mother and tell her I want the three of us together, alright? Don’t leave No Tears behind, No Tears is afraid.” With that, the little hands clung tightly around the Third Prince’s neck.

Afraid, so afraid someone would snatch him away.

The Third Prince, hearing this, opened his weary eyes wide, both surprised and delighted. “What did you just say…? Say it again, let uncle hear, will you?”

He spoke cautiously, afraid the child’s words were just a fleeting impulse, forgotten in a moment.

No Tears’ tears streamed down, “I want uncle to be my father. I don’t want to be separated from uncle and mother.”

“Good… good… good, uncle has heard you, and his life is fulfilled.

Let go, and father… will give you a gift, so we can be together forever.”

“Really? We truly can be together?” No Tears, with a child’s heart, eager for reassurance, released his grip.

His eyes were full of hope, glancing at the Egret Child, afraid the Third Prince might be deceiving him.

His small hands nervously clenched his sleeves, not daring to move.

The Third Prince smiled with both tenderness and reluctance, “Step back a few paces… yes, just like that.

Alright, don’t move.”

No Tears obeyed, truly not daring to stir, his tearful eyes fixed upon him.

Before he could react, two beams of red light shot forth, straight into his eyes.

“Ah…”

The Egret Child rushed forward, catching the fainting No Tears, hands trembling as he slowly turned to the Third Prince. “Master? You…”

The Third Prince, his eyes hollow, buried his head beneath his wings.

Blood gushed, quickly soaking his feathers.

“Take him away, find her. From now on, he is your master—treat him as you would me.”

“Master…”

“Go.”

“Your servant obeys.” The Egret Child, tearfully carrying No Tears, hurried out of the cave.

But as soon as he reached the outskirts, he encountered the forces of the Second Prince searching fiercely.

Forced to flee through perilous paths with No Tears on his back, he stumbled into the territory of Thousand Waves Cave.

There, he met the Albatross, returning with the Crown Prince’s body. Enemies met, and the hatred was palpable.

The Egret Child, carrying No Tears, watched as enemies surrounded them.

Beset front and back, there was no way forward or back.

Gongyu gave a command, “Surround them.”

“Yes,” the Albatross clan replied in unison.

“Kill them, avenge the Crown Prince. Kill all from Cloud Pinnacle Cave.”

“We obey…”

“Kill.”