Emperor’s Domination

“If there is nothing else, stop disturbing my sleep.” The man said.

Li Qiye stood there with a smile.

“Still not leaving?” He asked again.

“I want to take you away from this place.” Li Qiye said.

“It wasn’t easy for me to reach this point, why would I return?” He asked.

“Because this isn’t you.” Li Qiye said.

“How so? I am me, created from a soul. Are you sure you’re the real you right now? Open the three souls to check.” He retorted.

“Three souls, not one, that’s incomplete and if it’s incomplete, it can’t be considered the true self.” Li Qiye said.

“Flawed lives shouldn’t exist then? What about someone with defects at birth?” He said.

“They still have three souls.” Li Qiye shook his head.

“This is your wish, not mine. I am content with staying here until the end of time.” He said.

“I’m afraid it won’t be up to you.” Li Qiye smiled.

The man became displeased as he said: “So eager to bring me back, what is your plan?”

“You don’t have anything to be part of the plan.” Li Qiye waved.

“Treasures, of course not. If there’s something in the mortal world, it’s similar to the primordial will, but you already have it.” He said.

“All along, the primordial will is not my pursuit, I will let it go.” Li Qiye said.

“Is that a joke?” This casual comment moved the man, nearly causing him to jump out of bed.

“It’s a joke, right?” He glared at Li Qiye.

“No, it is unique and peerless, but it’s something you sought since the beginning, not mine.” Li Qiye said.

“Lies. Others searched for it for epochs and you traversed the worlds, exhausting all of your efforts to get it. Now you’re going to discard it? Are you out of your mind?” He didn’t hold back, seemingly on the verge of slapping Li Qiye.

“You’re not lying flat anymore.” Li Qiye smirked.

He regained his wits and lay back down, deflated as if his energy had been drained.

“I don’t think you will be able to give up.” Li Qiye said.

“Of course I can, all that other stuff from before was nonsense, it’s pointless living in constant exhaustion.” He said.

“Then why the agitation?” Li Qiye asked.

“Are you truly letting go of the primordial will?” He stared at Li Qiye and asked again.

“Why not?” Li Qiye said calmly.

“You know of its potential, even more than me.” He said.

“I do, no one understands it better.” Li Qiye said.

“Why did you bother finding it?” He asked.

“As I’ve said, you wanted it, not me.” Li Qiye said.

“But you still found it.” He retorted.

“Well, all of my sufferings shouldn’t have been for nothing.” Li Qiye answered.

“They will be in vain if you discard it.” He was agitated.

“I only care about my pursuit.” Li Qiye shook his head.

“You surely know that to win against the villainous heaven, you must have the primordial will.” He reminded Li Qiye.

“That’s your speculation.” Li Qiye said: “I think differently, the primordial will is still an external item, it won’t transcend me.”

“You still think you can win?” He asked.

“Say, you are an immortal with the primordial will, can you defeat the villainous heaven?” Li Qiye answered with a question.

He pondered before answering: “Not one hundred percent but there’s a chance at the very least.”

“And you?” Li Qiye smiled at the skull.

“With my previous root, no.” The skull said: “But with a successful metamorphosis at my peak, and you give me your primordial will, defeating him is not an issue.”

“I’ve spoken on how you are different from the geezers. You have a different karma compared to them so you can handle the villainous heaven with the primordial will.” The man said.

“I was naive like that once too, thinking that my apex and the primordial are enough. I no longer believe this.” Li Qiye said.

“Why?” He asked.

“Nothing changes when I defeat the villainous heaven, it all comes back to the primordial.” Li Qiye said.

“Isn’t that good? Using his own method to attack him.” He said.

“The true self must all be me, and what I seek is not the villainous heaven’s defeat.” Li Qiye said.

“I know, an answer.” He said.

“It starts with me and should end with me, not the primordial will.” Li Qiye said.

“You want to surpass the villainous heaven.” The skull interjected.

“To be more exact, surpass myself.” Li Qiye said.

“Difficult if not impossible but hell, you have a chance.” The skull shook before staring at Li Qiye.

“What a waste, so much effort to obtain it only to throw it away like trash.” The man looked dejected: “But whatever, it’s not mine, do as you please.”

“You know, some things can’t be changed. For example, a dog can never stop eating shit.” Li Qiye said.

“Say what you will, I don’t care anymore.” He shrugged: “If you must force my soul to return, then do it.”

“It’s one option, but I am patient enough to wait for your voluntary return.” Li Qiye said.

“Wait more then.” He said gloomingly before realizing something. He lifted the blanket and said: Wait, something’s wrong here, very wrong.”