The barrier in Great Emperor Mo Zhe's heart melted before Jiang Chen's sincerity. He let out a soft sigh. "When I joined the Windswept Cloud Sect, I made a fool of myself once. If I refuse the Glazed Royal City now, I'll probably make a fool of myself a second time. Young Master Jiang Chen, I, Mo Zhe, am grateful that you do not look down on me. From this day forth, I am willing to take shelter under your banner. I would be content to serve as a mere foot soldier before your tent."
"Haha, now that's the Great Emperor Mo Zhe I know!" The Emperor in the Well burst into hearty laughter and clapped Mo Zhe heartily on the shoulder. "Brother Mo Zhe, you, Brother Wushuang, and I — the three of us have always been kindred spirits. Why should we ever have gone our separate ways?"
The Peerless Emperor nodded as well, his voice tinged with emotion. "Let us follow behind Young Master Jiang Chen together and accomplish something truly earth-shattering! This human domain has utterly collapsed. For us to simply look after ourselves in times like these is far too cowardly. Why not live boldly and grandly? Even if our names never make it into the histories, at least we'll find satisfaction in our own hearts — isn't that enough?"
The three old friends exchanged glances and burst into laughter.
With the inner demons dispelled, and all three being cultivators of the martial dao, things became much easier from there.
Jiang Chen did not intrude on their reunion. Only after they had caught up to a sufficient degree did he turn to the Emperor in the Well. "Brother Hui, let Brother Mo keep Mo Zhe company for a while. How about you and I take another trip?"
The Emperor in the Well understood immediately.
The two of them walked out side by side.
By contrast, Great Emperor Zi You was not afforded the same treatment as Mo Zhe.
Jiang Chen's subordinates operated under strict discipline. Mo Zhe had no record of aiding tyrants in their crimes, and with both the Peerless Emperor and the Emperor in the Well vouching for him, he enjoyed the status of a guest despite being a captive.
Zi You, on the other hand, had been subdued by the warriors of the Stone Goliath Clan. Had Jiang Chen not intervened with a shout, he would likely have lost his life right then and there.
As a result, Zi You was treated as a prisoner — and a closely guarded one at that.
At present, the Glazed Royal City contingent was still wrapping up the final handover at the Windswept Cloud Sect, planning to rest for a couple of days before returning to the Glazed Royal City.
Zi You had therefore been locked up in the Windswept Cloud Sect's prison district.
"Young Master, Emperor in the Well."
The powerful guard watching over the prison district hurried forward and bowed the moment he saw Jiang Chen and his companion approaching.
The Emperor in the Well offered a faint smile and nodded in acknowledgment. "Is his mood still stable?"
"Yes. He's been sitting there the whole time. Seems fairly calm — hasn't given us any trouble, hasn't been shouting or causing a scene," the guard replied.
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "Open the door."
The prison district doors were sealed with powerful restrictions. Once the restrictions were lifted— Zi You sat cross-legged in a corner of the cell. At the sound of the door opening, his body did not so much as stir. Only his eyelids rose slightly.
Seeing Jiang Chen and the Emperor in the Well walk in, a flicker of surprise passed through his gaze, but it was quickly replaced by drooping eyelids and no further reaction.
He looked like a man who had resigned himself to utter despair.
"Fellow Daoist Zi You," the Emperor in the Well greeted him.
Zi You's voice was hoarse. "Hui old man, have you come to enjoy the spectacle of my downfall?"
His violet pupils then shot out a proud, defiant light as he fixed Jiang Chen with a cold stare. "I've fallen into your hands. If you want to kill me, then kill me. Don't think you can humiliate me or torture me."
Jiang Chen let out an involuntary chuckle but did not retort. He simply regarded Zi You with a calm, level gaze.
The Emperor in the Well, however, smiled wryly. "Fellow Daoist Zi You, that temper of yours really is explosive, isn't it — set off at the slightest spark? Who said Young Master Jiang Chen intends to humiliate you or torture you? If he wanted to do that, would he have needed to wait until now?"
Zi You snorted coldly. "Then what do you want? For me to kneel and beg for mercy? I, Zi You, can be killed but not humiliated. If you're expecting me to beg — don't even think about it."
Jiang Chen let out a soft sigh. Honestly, by ordinary standards, Great Emperor Zi You absolutely deserved to be struck down with a single blade.
This was far from the first time he had sided with the enemy.
However, from Jiang Chen's elevated perspective, he had never once regarded Zi You as an equal opponent.
"Zi You, if I were to cut you down right now, I doubt anyone under heaven would cry out injustice on your behalf. Wouldn't you agree?"
Zi You's expression darkened. He wanted to snap back a retort, his lips moving, but no words came. He racked his brain for something — anything — that might counter Jiang Chen's words, but to his own sorrow, he found nothing!
"You followed the Danji Great Emperor. What did he do?"
"You followed the leader of the Windswept Cloud Sect. And what did he do?"
Zi You's face grew ugly with shame. Now that he had calmed down, he was well aware that the people he had chosen to serve were, in truth, none of them particularly worthy.
Jiang Chen saw no need to further shame him. He waved his hand dismissively. "Enough. Since this Young Master has no intention of killing you, I have even less interest in humiliating you."
"The door is open. You may leave whenever you wish. But before you go, you must swear an oath."
"Remember — this oath is not an answer to me. It is an account owed to the human race, and to all living beings under heaven!"
His tone grew grave as he turned to the Emperor in the Well. "Brother Hui, explain it to him."