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墨書 Inktalez
Yama's Wedding
Yama King was perplexed by the turn of events. What had gone wrong? The situation had spiraled far beyond what he and Ksitigarbha had initially anticipated. Xue had genuinely fallen for Yao Guang. Although it was well-known that Star Lord Yao Guang had always harbored feelings for Xue, during the thousand years they had spent together, Xue seemed to have never truly acknowledged Star Lord Yao Guang. In fact, Yama King had only ever seen Xue in the Underworld as cold and distant. He had thought that even if Xue and Yao Guang spent a hundred years together, nothing would change. But now it seemed that not only had something gone wrong, but it was also a significant issue. He found himself at a loss for what to do, especially at such a sensitive moment.
After pondering for a while, Yama King approached Xue and asked, “Has the Jade Emperor agreed?”
“No.”
Upon hearing the expected response, Yama King showed no expression. It was certain; if the Jade Emperor had agreed, he would have been surprised. After all, they were not on the same side. Although the Underworld appeared to obey the court, everyone knew that if it weren't for past circumstances, they wouldn't be in this predicament.
“But the Jade Emperor promised me that after this war between the Dragon Clan and the court is over, I can marry Yao Guang.”
Yama King nearly choked on Xue's words. Why couldn't there be a straightforward resolution? Just when he thought he could relax, Xue's statement sent his heart racing. What was the Jade Emperor thinking to agree to Xue's request?
“Can't you just finish your sentence in one go? If you have more to say, just say it all at once so I won't be blindsided later,” Yama King said as he patted his chest. If everything came at once, he could brace himself better.
“I am determined to marry Yao Guang.” The certainty in Xue's voice made Yama King turn to look at him with surprise. There was an undeniable firmness in Xue's words. Looking into Xue's eyes, Yama King saw no hint of jest; instead, there was unwavering determination and love for Yao Guang. That kind of gaze was troubling.
“Xue, are you serious?” Yama King asked sternly.
“Of course.” Even under the intense scrutiny of Yama King's piercing gaze, Xue remained resolute.
The two stood silently facing each other, and the air around them grew quiet and tense. If anyone were nearby, they would undoubtedly witness a vast Yama's Hall, where Yama King and one of the Ten Kings stood face to face, their expressions grave and not a word exchanged between them.
After a long while, it was Yama King who first bowed out. Xue's unwavering gaze was not a facade; few could deceive under the scrutiny of Yama King. Staring at Xue for so long, Yama King found that the determination in Xue's eyes not only remained unchanged but grew even deeper. It seemed that no matter what happened, Xue would not waver from his original intention.
“Ten Kings of Hell, you should be clear about your position,” Yama King stated, no longer casually questioning Xue. After all, this matter was not just between Star Lord Yao Guang and Xue; it involved the court, Underworld, and the Western Three Realms.
Xue sensed the change in Yama King's tone and understood he had been waiting for this final judgment. He had anticipated Yama King's ultimatum, and now, the moment had finally arrived.
“I, Xue, am the husband of Star Lord Yao Guang, the Yama of Underworld Tenth Hall. This is my stance,” Xue declared firmly in front of Yama King.
Upon hearing Xue's words, Yama King grasped the meaning: Xue identified himself first as Star Lord Yao Guang's husband and then as the ruler of Underworld. This meant that if a conflict arose between these two identities, Xue would prioritize his allegiance to Star Lord Yao Guang.
“Hmph, do not forget your identity,” Yama King scoffed coldly at Xue.
Xue knew that his previous statement had displeased Yama King, but even aware of this, he replied, “I have never forgotten my duties.”
Xue's unyielding demeanor infuriated Yama King. This was typical of Xue; a few words could either leave him indifferent or drive him to frustration.
“Do not forget that you are still the Wheel King of the West!” Yama King retorted fiercely. When the Western Buddha had sent Xue to Underworld, he had secretly instructed him to “see through the mortal world and shed its murderous intent.” Yet, instead of fulfilling the Buddha's wishes by helping Xue rid himself of his violent nature, he found that Xue had allied himself with the greatest scourge of the court. Their bloodthirsty natures were alarmingly similar. Perhaps even those in the court had not anticipated this outcome.
“I am no longer the Wheel King!” Xue's eyes tightened. How could he forget? He could never forget that he was abandoned by the Buddha, which led him to wander in this Underworld, away from sunlight.
“You—” Yama King's expression froze before he masked it with a smile. He stepped closer to Xue and said, “Even if you refuse to acknowledge it, you are still considered a Wheel King of the West. The Buddha has not removed your name from their ranks.”
It was precisely because he had not been removed that Xue found himself in such an awkward position—belonging neither fully to Underworld nor to the West. Where did he truly belong? The turmoil within him surged violently, causing a sharp pain in his chest.
Before this, Yama King had never seen Xue. That day, he had only heard that a person from the West was coming to the Underworld, and this person was the Wheel King from the West. At that time, he was indeed puzzled, until later he received a message from Buddha, which made him realize that Buddha simply did not want to see his killing intent too strong. He wanted him to temper his character in the Underworld before returning to the West. However, since Xue arrived in the Underworld, for thousands of years, every time they met, this man always wore an unchanging calmness, as if even if the ground were to collapse tomorrow, he could still remain expressionless and do what he needed to do. It seemed that nothing and no one could ever move him or occupy his thoughts. He was like a soulless person, devoid of joy or anger, indifferent to everything.
But now, the man standing before him was different. It seemed as if a corner of his mask had been torn away. When Yama King mentioned the West and Buddha, the pain and hatred in Xue's eyes were clear for Yama King to see.
"I thought you had forgotten those things!" Yama King sighed lightly. It seemed that Xue still did not realize Buddha's good intentions.
"Forgotten? ... Heh heh... Hahaha..." Xue suddenly laughed, but his laughter was filled not with joy but with deep sarcasm, almost mad. Yet this laughter brought him back to reality, and his resentful gaze shot straight at Yama King. "I am no longer the Wheel King of the West; what does it matter to me?"
Yama King remained silent but continued to look at Xue. If he truly did not remember, why would such a seemingly indifferent person become so agitated and furious when discussing matters of the West? Even his eyes carried sadness.
How could he possibly still remember matters of the West? Buddha had already given up on him. For thousands of years, he had confined himself in this Underworld without ever stepping out; wasn't that what Buddha wanted? Since he felt no joy, then he should not appear before Buddha again. In their eyes, was there only Buddhist teachings? But what had he done wrong back then? Shouldn't those demons be eliminated? The demons slaughtered people on the Divine Path; if he did not repay evil with evil, even more people would die. Wasn't he saving lives by doing so? Didn't Buddha often say that saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda? But why was it that when he looked at Buddha with joy in his heart, Buddha looked back at him with disapproval? Then he heard Buddha say to him, "You should go back to the Underworld; the West is not suitable for you." Without giving any reason, what was all his hard work in eliminating demons for? After so many years in the Underworld, he was no longer that spirited Wheel King from back then; from the moment he arrived in the Underworld, there was only one Yama King of the Ten Halls.
A deep darkness flashed briefly in Yama King's eyes.
"Xue, you will understand eventually." It was not yet convenient for Yama King to speak directly about Buddha's matters to Xue, but he knew that one day Xue would comprehend Buddha's intentions.
"Is that so? Then let's wait until later." Xue said dismissively. He had seen through many things and was no longer that man who would be melancholic over being abandoned. Now, he had Yao Guang by his side. Because he had been abandoned before, he understood deeply the pain of being forsaken; therefore, he would not let Yao Guang experience such suffering. Even if it meant opposing everyone else, he would still stand by Yao Guang's side.
Seeing Xue's demeanor, Yama King realized that he could no longer persuade him. It seemed that the events of the past had hurt Xue too deeply; even after all these years, Xue still held onto it tightly and could not forget.
Buddha, oh Buddha, perhaps you never expected that your once-proud Wheel King would now be trapped in such contradictions and unable to extricate himself. If you knew how Xue was now, would you regret the decision you made back then? (To be continued.)
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