Chapter 577 A Drink Before Death

Wei Yuan looked at the man in front of him. Behind him, immeasurable seawater surged silently, like weapons, like war flags, like thousands of troops and horses. Still waters run deep, and this surge brought a most direct sense of the power of heaven and earth, more terrifying and direct than the might of heaven itself.

You are in this ocean, and every stream of water can be the most deadly killing intent.

And this myriad of waters embraced the only king.

An unparalleled sense of oppression condensed in the water.

"Wuzhiqi."

Gonggong retracted his gaze, looking at the Huai River Water Lord who had once fought alongside him, noticing the slight raising of Wuzhiqi's hand that was near Wei Yuan. This was the instinct of a strong person to protect the weak. He suddenly said with emotion, "You came with him. It seems that you won't be on my side this time."

Wuzhiqi said slowly, "Gonggong..."

He paused, not knowing how to speak.

Gonggong shook his head and laughed, saying readily, "Don't feel guilty. You've changed quite a bit from back then. That's good. It seems you've found something you're interested in in this era. That was originally the reason you chose to stand with me back then."

"Although I'm also very curious, what exactly are you interested in?"

Wei Yuan looked at the tall man. He had brown pupils that, even in the water, seemed like burning coals. His appearance was handsome and robust, and his braids were woven with dark tassels, solemn and serious. Wei Yuan said slowly, "You are... Gonggong?"

Gonggong nodded, his eyes falling on Wei Yuan, and said, "Of course it's me."

His gaze swept over Wei Yuan's black hair and dark eyes, and he said, "...Descendant of Yan and Huang."

"How did Zhuanxu and Yu and the others manage the Nine Provinces afterward?"

He asked, "Under human rule, has Shenzhou experienced disasters?"

Wei Yuan raised his head, gazed at the deity, and after a moment of silence, said slowly, "Yes, there have been natural disasters and man-made calamities. Shenzhou has gone through many turbulent eras, but even so, we have overcome these disasters and reached the pinnacle of this world."

Wei Yuan did not pretend that those hardships did not exist.

He recounted those pains, the stories of people struggling forward in pain.

Gonggong listened attentively.

After pondering for a moment, he said, "Just like the humans of our era. It seems that even after I've been asleep for so long, the nature of the Shenzhou human race hasn't changed much. Gentleness is just an illusion. In their bones, they are still unyielding, tenacious and competitive, rebellious and stubborn. As long as there are still people like this, no matter how long it's been, Shenzhou will still be Shenzhou."

"This is what Zhuanxu and Yu hoped for, right?"

He sighed in admiration, but then turned and said proudly:

"However, if I were in charge of the human world, these disasters would not have occurred."

"All disasters, natural disasters, the gods can naturally resist; and man-made disasters mostly arise from human selfishness and arrogance. Gods do not need to compete for wealth, do not need to compete for power, and will not be infatuated with women, so there will be no ridiculous struggles."

"Under the rule of gods, people will live better."

"Don't you think so?"

Wei Yuan felt the pressure from Gonggong's gaze and boldly replied, "But those people are just vassals of the gods. Whether their lives are good or bad, even their life and death are determined by the gods'喜怒 (xǐ nù - moods), Such a person is not a human being in any sense of the word."

"Well said, open and aboveboard."

A smile slowly appeared on Gonggong's face, and he said:

"Then have you considered those who died in natural disasters and man-made calamities?"

"If it were a theocracy, they would not have died."

"Standing on the position of modern humans, but ignoring what choices those who died would make, can the current human race be so shameless? I remember, in the history you just mentioned, there were also those humans with various shortcomings who became so-called monarchs, ruling humans, and a single sentence could determine life and death."

"Since you have already allowed the existence of monarchs, then why can't that emperor be me?"

"Free from natural disasters, free from man-made calamities, invincible in battle."

??!

Wei Yuan felt the gaze of this deity who had once competed with Zhuanxu for the position of the Five Emperors, as well as the questioning that was not intentional but earnest. He took a deep breath and said, "I can only represent myself, but I also know that those who stood up to resist oppression would not agree to be ruled by gods."

"Oh? Why..."

"Because, although you were born as a human from a god, you are still a god."

Wei Yuan looked at the heavenly god and suddenly said, "Even a human king will not be able to empathize with the people, leading to a large number of uprisings and rebellions. How can a god truly understand what humans need? If a god wants to offer human sacrifices, then does that mean hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of lives must be sacrificed?"

"Even under the rule of gods, you would still rebel?"

"Of course... You also said that the humans on the land of Shenzhou have never lacked the character of rebellion and resistance, and the most important thing is that in the modern era after thousands of years, the rule of monarchs has been overthrown, but if it were the rule of gods, then for thousands of years, even until now, we might still be servants under the rule of gods."

Gonggong gazed at Wei Yuan and said, "I must say, human, your courage is not small."

"Just like Yu, even if I am here, I can tell that Yu, for the sake of the human race, divided the Nine Provinces and drove out the Shan Hai. To me, this is the most unacceptable thing. Perhaps, as you said, although I once transformed into a human, I am still a god, a god of the Shan Hai."

The deep waters swayed, and the entire East Sea seemed to stop flowing in an instant. The huge pressure caused by this instant caused Wei Yuan's breathing to stagnate. For the first time in his life, he faced such terrifying power. His pupils contracted violently, and he felt as if his soul was being drawn away, as if he could die at any moment. This time, no one would stand in front of him. Yu was not here, nor was that young Daoist. So he gripped the hilt of his sword, calmed his mind, and said:

"This is the position of the human race and the god race. The human race cannot allow a god to be its leader."

"Oh? Then if I were to regain control of Shenzhou."

Wei Yuan's words seemed to bite on swords made of steel, and he said decisively:

"Then you will be defeated again!"

Gonggong gazed at the young man, seeing the fire burning in the latter's eyes, and said, "I said that among the people who support Shenzhou as it is, there is one of you. I have remembered what you said." As he said this, Wei Yuan noticed that Gonggong's body was becoming dim.

Gonggong said, "It seems you've seen it. Very perceptive."

"I am Gonggong, but I can also say that I am not."

He raised his hand, his tone and demeanor very calm, and said, "I am just a dream spirit that has gradually dissipated outward over these thousands of years. My true form is still asleep. My current body, and my communication with you, is just a dream within a dream, as illusory as a reflection."

Wei Yuan put his sword aside and said, "...Dream spirit."

"What is your purpose..."

"Purpose?" Gonggong laughed.

"It's just to invite you to have a drink."

"I never do anything in secret or make calculations."

The surrounding waters dispersed, revealing an area without water.

He reached out and picked up a wine pot, pouring wine into two stone cups. His movements and demeanor were solemn. This was the etiquette of the God Era for toasting guests. Gonggong, as a heavenly god, still did it meticulously, even more dignified than the most respected priest.

Wuzhiqi did not need such etiquette.

He had already raised his wine cup and started drinking.

"A monkey is truly a monkey."

Gonggong handed the wine to Wei Yuan and said:

"You once invited me to drink together, and today is my return gift."

"When I truly awaken next time, our meeting will be a matter of life and death. I will not show mercy, and you do not need to hold back."

"There will be no more chances to drink and chat like this."

Gonggong raised his hand and said, "Therefore, we must drink to our heart's content at this moment."

He said, "Gentlemen, let us drink our fill."

Wei Yuan picked up the wine cup, saw the golden color of the wine inside, saw Wuzhiqi tilt his head back and drink, and without hesitation, put his sword on the table, held the wine cup with both hands, tilted his head back, and drank the wine in one gulp. When he drank, he felt a cold current pour into his throat, and then a heat was generated on the path of the cold current.

But soon Wei Yuan felt a special feeling rising in his stomach.

A powerful and vast force.

Wei Yuan was stunned: "Divinity..."

"You used divinity to brew wine?!"

Gonggong's demeanor was dignified and calm, and he replied calmly:

"Although we will be enemies in the future, we are friends sharing a drink at this moment."

"Since we are friends, how can there be any reason to hoard?"

"Drink up!"

Wei Yuan could see that the so-called dream within a dream Gonggong also needed divinity, but he used such precious materials to brew wine. Wei Yuan didn't know what to think, and subconsciously said, "It was Wuzhiqi who said he would drink with you, and I said it was Da Yu."

Gonggong was stunned, then laughed heartily and said, "Then you owe me a drink now."

Using divine spirits to brew wine, dividing it into three, Gonggong said regretfully:

"What a pity."

"Being in such an environment, if it were in the God Era, there should be gods congratulating us, and I could have the heavenly gods of the entire Kunlun sing for you; if I had escaped, I should be above the vast sea, watching the sun, moon, and stars with wine, but now I am just in a sealed state, and a good drink is nothing more than a dream within a dream."

He leaned back, put down his wine cup, and clapped his hands.

Light gathered in front of him, transforming into a road, guiding to a distant place. Gonggong said lazily:

"Go."

"Our next meeting should be a battle to the death."

He did not use words that looked down on Wei Yuan and Wuzhiqi, but used the word "equal" struggle.

Wei Yuan had doubts in his heart, but he still left with Wuzhiqi.

"Isn't Gonggong supposed to have a violent personality?"

"Yes, but few people can provoke him to that extent."

"He just wanted to have a drink with us?"

"Yes."

Wuzhiqi said, "And he hasn't escaped."

"Don't underestimate a god who was once able to compete with Zhuanxu for the position of emperor, and don't think that he only has one side."

Wei Yuan nodded slightly, suddenly noticing the surge of light around him. He heard a low humming sound and the sound of palms clapping. He saw rays of light emanating from the fish in the seabed. Now these schools of fish were surrounding Wei Yuan and Wuzhiqi, rising and falling. The huge deep-sea fish made low sounds, accompanied by light and water curtains, like a graceful dance.

Gonggong was once a minister of Shao Hao, and Shao Hao was an emperor who took pleasure in hundreds of birds for music.

It was not difficult for him to guide living beings in a farewell sacrificial dance.

Gonggong, sitting calmly and watching the creatures of the water, no longer had the violence of mythology, nor the aura of a god. A figure appeared beside him and said in a low voice, "Your Honor, that human is a subject of King Yu. Letting him leave may cause future troubles."

"Should my subordinates take action..."

Gonggong shook his head and said, "No need."

He looked at Wei Yuan, who was gradually moving away, and his body was also gradually fading.

Was he about to re-enter a long dream?

Gonggong sighed.

"Subject of Yu, what is your name?!" He suddenly shouted loudly.

Wei Yuan was stunned, turned around, and replied solemnly:

"Wei Yuan, Wei as in 卫威扬武 (wèi wēi yáng wǔ - defending might and spreading martial prowess)."

"Wei Yuan, Wei as in 卫威扬武... Good, one day when I awaken, if you still have the courage."

Gonggong laughed and dissipated, "Come and fight me!"

"Not lonely."

ps: Today's first update... 3,600 words. Thanks to 扬风？. for the ten thousand reward, thank you~

Finally adjusted my schedule a bit.

Hopefully, the second update will be before twelve o'clock today, sigh.