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墨書 Inktalez
Yama's Wedding
After a moment of silence, Yama King found himself at a loss for how to face the Wheel King. He certainly couldn't tear apart the bond between him and Star Lord Yao Guang. Moreover, they had come this far, and he and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had played a part in pushing them along behind the scenes.
"Xue, you know that we in the Underworld have already made our stance clear to the Jade Emperor. We will not participate in the struggle between the Dragon Clan and the Divine Clan," Yama King felt it necessary to clarify this matter with Xue. After all, Xue still held the title of King of the Underworld, and he represented the Underworld's position to some extent.
"I understand. So, Yama King, if the Divine Clan truly cannot hold on any longer, I will definitely lend my support to Yao Guang," Xue declared with determination. No matter what happened, he would not let Yao Guang face it alone.
"Foolish child," Yama King replied upon hearing Xue's words. Such is the way of the world; once personal feelings are involved, many things no longer unfold as one originally intended. Countless people have been driven mad by love, whether they are mortals or deities.
"I only ask that Yama King can grant this," Xue pleaded with Yama King.
"Have you thought this through?" If Yama King agreed to Xue's request, it would mean that no matter what happened in the future, no one in the Underworld would assist Xue in any way. Xue would be expelled from the Underworld, and there would never again be a King of Ten Halls named Xue. Furthermore, if Buddha learned that Xue chose to side with Star Lord Yao Guang, then naturally he could never return to the West. The people there would not accept someone who once held an identity tied to both West and Underworld. Xue's choice would leave him without a place to belong.
"I have made my decision," Xue said resolutely.
"Very well."
With Yama King's agreement, it signified that Xue would no longer be a king within the Ten Halls.
"Xue, King of the Underworld's Tenth Hall, due to his disobedience and private dealings, is hereby expelled from Yama's Hall. From this day forth, he shall sever all ties with the Underworld." Yama King's decree echoed throughout the entire Underworld and was known by all beings across the four realms.
In the West, Buddha looked at Yama King and received information that he had not anticipated. The actions he took against Xue years ago had caused such great harm. No matter how hard he tried to prevent Xue and Star Lord Yao Guang from being together, fate could not be resisted. Tathagata gazed toward the eastern court with wise eyes, hoping that this time there would be less suffering among living beings.
The Jade Emperor also did not expect that Xue's feelings for Yao Guang ran so deep. For Yao Guang's sake, he had even been expelled from the Underworld and lost his title as king. It was unfortunate; now it would be difficult to take in such a talent. However, he hadn't realized how significant Star Lord Yao Guang's influence over Xue was. This meant he needed to rethink his plans thoroughly. Many previous strategies could no longer be executed because of this troublesome situation created by Xue.
"Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, what do you think of this?" After issuing that decree, Yama King approached Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva with a troubled heart.
"This is a path he has chosen for himself; we need not say more."
"Yet in these times and under such circumstances, I feel I have let Buddha down," Yama King said shamefully. If it weren't for Buddha's compassion back then sparing their lives, they would have faced severe punishment when the Jade Emperor ascended to power. Although they were sent away to this desolate place by the Jade Emperor, they remained grateful for Buddha's great kindness. But now faced with Buddha's expectations, not only had he failed to fulfill them but had also led Xue astray from his original path. Just thinking about it left a bitter taste in Yama King's heart.
"It doesn't matter; his fate in this calamity is something neither you nor I can change." Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had already foreseen the tribulations that Xue and Yao Guang would face. If they could safely pass through this trial, they would be free from future calamities and live long lives together. If misfortune befell them, it would merely be like a falling star.
"But..." Yama King still felt uneasy.
"You need not dwell on it too much; we just have to wait," Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva said, closing his eyes and silently reciting the Heart Sutra, no longer speaking.
Seeing Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva like this, Yama King sighed softly and sat down cross-legged, joining in the silent recitation of the sutra. After all, these matters were already predestined, so he would just go with the flow.
Xue emerged from the Underworld; Yama King's decree should have reached the other realms by now. He initially thought he would feel some sadness at losing his place, but unexpectedly, as he left the Underworld, he felt an unprecedented sense of peace. He could even feel the wind gently caressing his face, the moist air brushing against his lips.
What did it matter if he had nowhere to go? It was precisely because he was free from so many constraints that he could be with Yao Guang without worrying about anyone objecting to their relationship. As for the Jade Emperor, since he had already promised Xue, it was unlikely he would go back on his word in front of everyone. A wave of joy filled Xue's heart; he wanted nothing more than to see Yao Guang as soon as possible. He dashed forward, soaring into the clouds. Upon entering the South Gate, however, Xue found no sign of Yao Guang.
"Where could Yao Guang be?" Xue wondered. It was strange; clearly, the Jade Emperor had punished Yao Guang and Shu by assigning them to guard the South Gate, yet now there was not a single soul in sight. What if something had happened? Worry crept into Xue's heart. In this tumultuous time, with war looming between the Dragon Clan and the court, if anything were to happen to Yao Guang, Xue would never forgive himself. He had just resolved to stay by Yao Guang's side no matter what happened. Where could Yao Guang possibly be?
Xue also worried that since he had been expelled from Yama's Hall for a while now, Yao Guang must have learned about it. He feared that upon hearing this news, Yao Guang might seek out Yama King for justice like she did when she went to find Western Buddha years ago. If that were to happen, it might bring disaster upon her.
Xue's heart was filled with a desperate hope to find Yao Guang quickly.
"Xue." Hearing a voice behind him, Xue quickly turned around. Could it be Yao Guang coming? But when he looked back, he saw only Flower Fairy rushing toward him in a flurry.
Flower Fairy arrived breathlessly before Xue and immediately asked anxiously, "Xue! I heard you were expelled from the Underworld by Yama King. What happened? Are you alright?" She had been tending to flowers in her garden when she overheard discussions among the celestial beings about Xue's punishment and expulsion from the Underworld. Without hesitation, she hurried down to check on him.
Seeing Flower Fairy's worried expression only heightened Xue's own anxiety. He had no mood to answer her questions; all he wanted was to find out where Yao Guang was.
"Flower Fairy," Xue asked Blossom urgently, "Have you seen Star Lord Yao Guang or Greedy Wolf Star Lord?"
Blossom thought for a moment and replied, "Since the Jade Emperor demoted them to guard the South Gate, they’ve hardly been seen except during their shifts." She recalled having seen Yao Guang and Greedy Wolf a few times recently but noted that they always seemed rushed and anxious each time.
"Is something wrong?" Blossom asked Xue.
Upon hearing Blossom's words, Xue realized that she didn't know everything either and felt it wasn't appropriate to explain everything to Flower Fairy. After pondering for a moment, he said to Blossom, "Yes, Flower Fairy; my encounter with Yama King is something I faced alone. There are some things I cannot disclose to you—I'm truly sorry."
Hearing this from Xue brought a bitter feeling to Blossom's heart. Now that Xue had Star Lord Yao Guang by his side, even if they couldn't be together physically, Blossom still cared for him deeply and hoped to remain by his side as a friend at least. However, now it seemed there was a barrier between them; even simple questions went unanswered. Perhaps it was for the best; after all, Blossom understood from seeing how Xue looked at Yao Guang that she would never truly enter his heart.
"Since you are not convenient to speak, I won't ask further, Star Lord Yao Guang. If you are not at South Gate, you can go to her palace to find her; perhaps you will see them there," Blossom said to Xue.
"Flower Fairy, then I will take my leave," Xue said, eager to find Yao Guang as soon as he heard about her whereabouts. He quickly bid farewell to Blossom and prepared to leave.
Blossom watched him go, wondering if he was so impatient to see Yao Guang that he couldn't spare even a moment longer with her. As she gazed at his departing figure, the pain in her chest surged again.
"Blossom, take care of yourself during this time. With the turmoil between the court and the Dragon Clan, I hope you can protect yourself well," Xue suddenly reappeared before Blossom, reminding her. After saying this, he immediately turned and flew toward Yao Guang's palace. Blossom stood quietly in place, reflecting on Xue's words. Such a person seemed cold on the surface, yet beneath that exterior lay a gentle heart. Perhaps that was why she had always liked Xue so much. In her icy heart, Blossom felt warmth from his words; that was enough for her. As long as she could see him well, it didn't matter if she wasn't by his side. The feeling of loving someone—Blossom knew it before, knows it now, and will know it in the future. Unlike other women in the mortal realm, Blossom had the pride of a Flower Fairy. Even if she couldn't have Xue, she was willing to bless Xue and Yao Guang to live happily together. Looking up at the sky above the court, where war had slowly spread across what was once a peaceful place, she wondered how many people in the mortal realm would suffer because of this conflict. Gathering her thoughts, she reminded herself that these matters of love were ultimately unrelated to her; she should focus on producing more Blossom Honey to help save some mortals in the future.
"Yao Guang!" Before reaching Yao Guang's palace, Xue spotted Yao Guang and Greedy Wolf standing in front of her palace from afar. Seeing Yao Guang felt like a dream from another world.
"Xue." Upon seeing him flying over, Yao Guang's heart filled with surprise; she hadn't expected to see him so soon again. In contrast to Yao Guang's joy, Xue's heart was filled with countless emotions. Just moments ago at South Gate, he hadn't seen Yao Guang and had been terrified that he might never see her again if he delayed even for a moment. He worried that because of his delay in the Underworld these past few days, Yao Guang might have been sent by the Jade Emperor to fight against the Dragon Clan.
"Xue, how did you get here so quickly?" Yao Guang exclaimed as she ran toward him after leaving the court.
Xue quickly descended from the clouds and embraced the one he had missed for so long. He gently rested his chin on Yao Guang's head and deeply inhaled the fragrance emanating from her; it was this scent! Holding Yao Guang felt like holding the entire world. "I came because I missed you."
"Xue, I missed you too." Although shy, Yao Guang expressed her feelings for Xue. The days apart had nearly driven her mad with longing; now that she saw him, all shyness faded away as they both wanted to share their feelings for each other.
Xue listened intently to Yao Guang's words filled with longing for him. It seemed that Yao Guang still didn't know he had escaped from the Underworld; if she did know, she probably wouldn't be acting this way. Embracing Yao Guang made Xue feel grounded at last; now he needed to figure out how to confess what he had done in the Underworld without scaring her or leaving anything unsaid. At that moment, he felt a headache coming on. (To be continued.)
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