Chapter 418: Black Turned White

Dismounting from the black steed, Emperor Tongchu walked up the stone steps behind the city gate, ascending one step at a time.

His steps were unusually heavy, and his eyes were incomparably calm, as if this victory—now within reach—could not stir much joy in him.

As they approached the city gate, Emperor Tongchu’s eyes caught sight of a familiar figure. Standing there with a sword in hand was the waiting Emperor Ye. Emperor Tongchu couldn’t help but smile.
“Third Brother, go ahead.”

Whoosh!

Without the slightest hesitation, Emperor Ye swung his imperial sword. With a sharp, whistling sound, it slashed toward Emperor Tongchu.

Clang!

Emperor Tongchu said nothing. He raised his treasured sword to block, deflecting the gleaming blade, and countered with a swift thrust.

The two were evenly matched in strength, but one was at the peak of his vigor while the other bore the weariness of age. After exchanging more than a hundred moves, Emperor Tongchu finally knocked the imperial sword from Emperor Ye’s hand and kicked him to the ground.

Seeing this, the surrounding Great Wu soldiers—still fighting desperately—let out cries of anguish. They tried to rush to their emperor’s aid, but were forcibly held back by the beasts and soldiers of the Great Tong Dynasty.

From the looks of it, Emperor Tongchu had long given orders to leave room for this duel between him and his elder brother…

“Third Brother, you are my only remaining family in this world. Surrender and swear loyalty, and I will spare your life,” Emperor Tongchu said solemnly, pressing the sharp blade of his sword within inches of Emperor Ye’s throat.

At those words, Emperor Ye’s eyes flickered briefly, then he chuckled.
“Winners are kings, losers are outcasts. No need for more words—do it. I, as the Emperor of Great Wu, have never feared death!”

Emperor Tongchu also smiled.
“Indeed. Before Great Wu falls completely, there ought to be one last hard-boned emperor.”

“Do you have any last words, Third Brother?”

“Last words…” Emperor Ye murmured, deep in thought, before a long-lost smile finally surfaced on his face.
“Fifth Brother, if you succeed… don’t bring harm to the people. Don’t let them become livestock under the demon race. Even if you become emperor, what would be the point then?”

“I’ll remember your words well, Third Brother.”
With that, Emperor Tongchu’s expression hardened, and with a shout, he brought his sword down!

“Farewell, Third Brother!”

Crack!

Emperor Tongchu’s sword, sharp enough to slice through iron like mud, easily pierced Emperor Ye’s chest armor and stabbed deep into his heart.

When he pulled out the blade again, his aura surged.
“The Emperor of Great Wu is dead! Those who surrender will not be killed!”

As his words echoed out, cries erupted from all around—
“The Emperor of Great Wu is dead! Those who surrender will not be killed—!”

Across the city gates, more and more Great Wu soldiers dropped their weapons and knelt in surrender. Only a few chose to fight to the death.

Once all voices of resistance had quieted, Emperor Tongchu personally tore down the banner that had flown over the Great Wu capital for centuries and planted the black-and-white flag of the Great Tong Dynasty on the battlements…

Meanwhile, in White Jade Capital, Heaven Arbiter Ashen stood with a heavy expression, staring at the anomaly on the Mountain and River Chessboard.

Just before Emperor Ye died, the black piece that should have belonged to him had suddenly turned white!

Even though Emperor Ye was now dead, and no longer useful to any side, this development left Heaven Arbiter Ashen stunned.
If Emperor Ye had gained clarity before his death and had been acknowledged as a white piece by the chessboard, then didn’t it mean that other black pieces might still switch sides?

Could it be that what Heaven Arbiter Mou said—that I would lose—will actually come true… and this is where I lose?

With doubt in his heart, Heaven Arbiter Ashen looked across at Gu Ning’an, who still sat with his eyes half-closed, unmoved. Heaven Arbiter Ashen held back from speaking and returned his focus to the board…

…

Ten years of war in Great Wu came to an end. After the Great Tong Dynasty completely crushed the Great Wu regime, its power expanded greatly, forcing the also-growing Yan Southern Army to retreat repeatedly—eventually pulling back to the Meng River region.

As spring thunder rolled and all things began to sprout—

A torrential spring rain swept across Great Wu, bringing a faint resurgence of life to this land long withered and ruined.

In the demon army’s war tent, the atmosphere was tense. A beautiful woman in battle attire, Liu Shi, swept her sharp, angry gaze repeatedly between the tiger demon Lei Zhen and the snake demon You Ying.

In front of the two demon generals lay a heap of tattered, bloody garments.

“Do you still remember the repeated military orders—no reckless killing, no devouring innocent civilians?”

“Did you truly think the military rules were just a joke?”

“Or have you two reverted to beasts and forgotten how to understand human speech?”

“Must Mr. Gu come down and wipe out the demon race with a single slap for you two to feel satisfied, to feel happy?”

Initially silent and indifferent, the two demon generals’ expressions darkened after her words. Their eyes were now full of mockery as they looked at Liu Shi, as if to say:
“Mr. Gu, Mr. Gu—always Mr. Gu. Why are you so afraid of a mere man?”

Seeing this, Liu Shi’s fury only intensified. Her voice rang out sharply:
“Guards! Take these two generals who broke military law and give them each a hundred lashes with the Soul Whip!”

A hundred lashes with the Soul Whip!

Even the other demon generals—previously uninvolved—were shaken by this command.

Everyone knew that demons, with their thick hides and tough bodies, were barely affected by normal punishments. To an ordinary soldier, twenty strikes from a military rod could break the skin and cause excruciating pain—but to demons, it was like being scratched. Even replacing the rods with blades would only leave superficial wounds that would heal after a short rest.

But the Soul Whip was different. Forged with heavenly lightning, it crackled with tribulation power. Each lash struck directly at the soul. A hundred lashes—even if Lei Zhen and You Ying survived—would leave them in unbearable pain and might even damage their cultivation.

And with war ongoing, it seemed unwise to weaken their own forces.

So, many demon generals hesitated, wanting to plead on behalf of the punished.

Yet before any could speak, Liu Shi saw through their intentions and declared coldly:
“Military law is military law. Anyone who dares plead for them out of brotherhood or loyalty will share their punishment!”

With that, even the would-be intercessors pulled back, some already stepping forward, only to freeze and retreat again.

As for Lei Zhen and You Ying, their eyes burned with murderous intent as they glared at Liu Shi. But facing her confident—and even slightly provocative—gaze, they ultimately held back.

Throwing off the soldiers who came to escort them, they gritted their teeth and spat out:
“Thanks for the Regent’s reward.”
Then turned and marched out of the tent to receive their punishment…