Chapter 286: We Are Born Free
These death warriors had lost all sense of self, reduced to mere tools of slaughter.
They were kneeling now, but only because they could not withstand divine power.
There were always beings upon this land…
"Hahaha, I never expected that I would be personally overthrown by a god. Truly unexpected."
Xue Ye laughed, then sighed.
"These people will never betray me. Even if you are a deity, so what? Unless you kill them all, the moment I die, they will plunge Douluo Continent into chaos!"
"Do you have any idea how many gold soul coins and how much manpower I invested in training them?"
"Hahaha…"
Xue Ye knew that he had almost no chance of turning things around. But if he could disgust this god before he died, it would still be worth it.
"Oh?"
Kong's lips curled slightly, his eyes showing a hint of disdain.
These warriors were indeed unwaveringly loyal. Even if Xue Ye commanded them to die, they would not hesitate. That was because Xue Ye had given them too much.
A warrior dies for the one who recognizes his worth, a woman adorns herself for the one who pleases her.
This was not just an empty saying.
Kong casually waved his hand, and bolts of lightning descended from the clouds, striking the warriors precisely.
"A god is no more than this. Come, kill me!"
"I want to see what Douluo Continent becomes after my death. When all the nobles rise against you, I refuse to believe that even a god like you can slaughter them all!"
Xue Ye looked as if he was ready to embrace death, his expression filled with mockery.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Xue Ye realized something was amiss.
These warriors—despite being struck by lightning—seemed completely unharmed.
Their once steadfast eyes grew hazy, as if lost in thought.
"Xue Ye, if your most loyal warriors were to betray you, could you still laugh?"
Kong spoke with an indifferent expression.
Killing Xue Ye was as simple as a flick of divine lightning.
But there was no need—sometimes, breaking a man's spirit was far more effective than taking his life.
Hearing these words, Xue Ye glanced at the warriors around him and froze.
Suddenly, as if recalling something, his expression twisted.
"No… Impossible."
He had done those things in utmost secrecy—there was no way they could have been discovered.
Even if this deity had ascended, given his age, how could he possibly know about events from so many years ago?
Xue Ye had gone to great lengths and paid an immense price to train these warriors.
And what was the easiest way to cultivate unwavering loyalty?
By creating a debt of life.
To stage a "life-saving event" and ensure these people would devote themselves wholeheartedly as his death warriors, every single one of them had suffered the same fate—the destruction of their families.
No one knew how long it took, but gradually, the warriors' expressions began to shift.
From calmness to… rage.
"Lord God… Is… is this true?"
At last, the strongest among the death warriors opened his eyes.
He cast a conflicted glance at Xue Ye before turning to Kong, his voice trembling.
He could hardly believe the images flashing through his mind.
The emperor he had once respected and honored—he couldn't possibly be this kind of person.
A warrior at Spirit Douluo rank, level 83, had blood-tears streaking down his face.
The moment he asked that question, he already knew the answer.
He simply did not want to believe it.
His parents—murdered.
His sister—sold to an auction house.
This was the cost of training the death warriors.
He wanted to deny it. But he could not.
Because he and his fellow warriors had always known—at least partially—about similar things happening among the Royal Knights.
It was part of the reason why so many Royal Knights had defected.
"This is recorded in the consciousness of Douluo Continent itself—one could even say it is the memory of Douluo's own laws. There is no mistake."
Kong's voice remained tranquil.
But what he had seen—what he had read in Douluo Continent's records—had left even him filled with fury.
Even he, after seeing the truth, had the urge to tear Xue Ye apart a thousand times over.
"You claim that imposing heavy taxes was necessary for the military—fine."
But what Xue Ye had done was truly too much.
And it wasn't just him—his father, his grandfather, and nearly every ruler of Heaven Dou Empire had followed the same path.
Only the earliest emperors, the ones who had established the empire, had been different.
As generations passed, in order to secure absolute rule, the system had gradually decayed into what it was now.
Hearing these words, the death warrior changed.
He looked at Kong with deep gratitude before bowing heavily three times, his forehead striking the ground with resounding knocks.
"Lord God, thank you! If not for you, I might have died without ever avenging my family!"
After speaking, his gaze locked onto Xue Ye, cold and unwavering.
At that moment, more and more death warriors began to awaken.
They had heard Kong's words earlier, and as a god, he had no reason to deceive them.
"Xue Ye!"
The warriors gritted their teeth, their fingernails digging into their palms without them even noticing. Their eyes bore into Xue Ye with pure hatred.
Xue Ye trembled all over. In that instant, he understood.
This god, who had the power to rewrite the laws of Douluo Continent, knew everything.
"Sigh…"
Xue Ye let out a long sigh.
Even now, he felt no regret.
His only regret was not having killed Kong before he became a god.
If only he had eliminated Kong in advance, none of this would be happening.
"Ah, I regret it!"
"I listened to that treacherous… that vile woman's words and tried to win you over. If not for that, I would have sent assassins to eliminate you before you could grow into this monster!"
Before Xue Ye could finish speaking, a single, unified voice rang out.
"Bold Xue Ye!"
"How dare you slander our god?"
Kong: "???"
Xue Ye: "???"
Both of them were stunned.
Kong blinked in confusion.
Since when did these warriors become his followers?
Xue Ye was just as shocked. He was convinced that Kong had brainwashed them. How else could they have become his believers so quickly?
In truth, this was merely an excuse for them to seek vengeance.
Faith? Some of them felt it, but not many.
"Kill! Xue Ye dared to insult our god—tear him apart!"
"One slash per person—don't let him die too quickly!"
Historical records later stated:
The origins of lingchi, the highest form of capital punishment, stemmed from the act of disrespecting the God of Justice, the God of Judgment, and the God of Thunder.
Each believer would cut the "sinner" once, ensuring he remained alive until the final blow.
A total of three thousand six hundred cuts.
This became known as the "Measuring Blade of Douluo Continent"—a blade that struck terror into the hearts of evildoers.
Clearly, it had been the death warriors who sought revenge.
Yet somehow, Kong ended up taking the blame.
Time passed.
The former Emperor Xue Ye no longer existed.
Or perhaps… he remained, scattered across every corner of the great hall.
"My god, we are willing to worship you as our faith…"
Three thousand six hundred warriors knelt before Kong in unison, their voices unwavering.
Kong was silent for a moment, feeling something stir within him.
Then he shook his head and said, "Rise."
"We are born free—who dares to place themselves above others?"
"This god does not need your faith or your offerings."
(End of Chapter)
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