Tokyo people don't talk about Wude

Chapter 437, Section 434: Defeat or Not?

I. Lost?

Hong Zhongjin's consciousness was immersed in nothingness, and he lost all feeling in his body. No matter how he tried to think, he couldn't move a single finger.

In his memory, he was finally captured by Ryujin Shinazugin and defeated by a single move of Heart Sword Intent.
Should I open my eyes?
After an unknown amount of time, Hong Zhongjin regained some strength. He barely opened his eyes and saw a drop of rain fall on his eyeball, blurring his vision.

Ryujin's slash had already ripped open the ceiling of the Cloud Watchtower. At a height of 250 meters, a howling wind and torrential rain poured down, mercilessly lashing at him.

He tried to move his body, but found that his arms were too weak to move, and his lower body was even weaker—

Lost consciousness.

"What happened?" Hong Zhongjin looked down and saw that his waist and abdomen were broken, and blood was flowing everywhere.

His body was cut in half at the waist.

Worse still, the flesh at the cut showed no signs of regeneration. Instead, a hidden force was rampaging through the mangled body, destroying his meridians, bones, internal organs, nerves, and his remaining life at an alarming rate.

It goes without saying that the sword energy contained immense hidden power—something that Shinazugin Ryujin, who had become a god, could easily accomplish.

In the distance, Ryujin Shinazugin stood in the void, arrogantly and coldly looking down at himself—and also at the entire city of Tokyo.

The torrential rain fell on him, like divine water baptizing his rebirth and crowning his great achievements.

Ryujin Shinazugin had no intention of coming down to finish him off—this was not out of ignorance or arrogance, but because he had a thorough understanding of his own "divine power".

He was certain that he had injected enough internal energy into Hong Zhongjin's body, enough to completely destroy this half-dead dog within five minutes.

Therefore, he had no interest in paying attention to a dying stray dog ​​and preferred to do other things instead.

For example, one could consider how to utilize this supreme power, comparable to that of a god, to conquer the entire world, fulfill the long-cherished wish of the Yamato Empire, and welcome the arrival of Gensokyo.

It will come very soon. Once midnight arrives, his dream, his efforts, and his noble cause will be realized!
"The sun never sets, and the fruit is finally ripe. Destiny returns to Heaven—I am the dragon!!!"

He couldn't help but chant a long poem, his expression one of blissful ecstasy, letting the rain wash over his body. His other four arms behind his back continuously formed hand seals, creating a cross, a Buddhist swastika, a yin-yang symbol, and a wheel of merit. It was as if all gods had merged into one, and Buddha and demon were one.

Lying on the ground, Hong Zhongjin witnessed everything, but was too weak to make any further moves.

His body was already broken, and spiderweb-like cracks kept appearing on his skin, indicating his destined death.

However, his heart was strangely calm, even relieved.

"【Selflessness】. Defeated." Despite such a crushing defeat, this was the only thought that crossed his mind.

Since comprehending the concept of "no-self," Hong Zhongjin believed that he could transcend life and death, be unfettered by all things, and completely control his own destiny.

But tonight's battle taught him another lesson.

Faced with absolute power, his philosophy of "selflessness" is utterly laughable.

What do you mean by "no self, no things"? In the end, you're just a pathetic monster whose head will be severed at the waist by a sword, dying a miserable death!

Just like his life, it was destined to be nothing but failure and tragedy.

His Daoist heart was shattered and scattered.

Hong Zhongjin wearily closed his eyes, letting his thoughts return to a deathly silence.

Since his martial arts have collapsed, what can be said about losing to a demon who is hated by both heaven and man?

Moreover, what constitutes a "hero" and what constitutes a "demon"? They are merely labels casually slapped on by the blindly following and echoing masses.

If that "demon" could truly conquer the world, forcing everyone to kneel before him and venerate him as a "god," then...
Haha, by then, even the most virtuous and upright Confucian scholars in the world will probably change their tune and praise him as a "great hero of all time"!

Close your eyes. He has no desire to fight anymore. Kagari Otonashi's ridiculous plan should also come to an end. Everything is over.

"Is it really over, Crimson Ash?" In his chaotic consciousness, Crimson Ash heard a sigh, as if calling him to wake up.

Hong Zhongjin suddenly opened his eyes, only to see a young man he had never seen before, yet who felt incredibly familiar with him—

Chen Jiuzhou.

He stood beside him, hands behind his back, gazing solemnly at Ryujin Shinsei in the sky.

Yes, this ridiculous delusion has reappeared.

This damn hallucination of Chen Jiuzhou appeared again at this moment, as if even God wanted to mock and ridicule him!

“Hong Zhongjin, I ask you.” Chen Jiuzhou turned around, looking down at Hong Zhongjin, a wisp of lightning illuminating his heroic face:

Are you really willing to be defeated by such a villain?

"..." Hong Zhongjin stared at him for a few seconds, finally unable to help but chuckle:
"Haha~ Damn it, Chen Jiuzhou, I really lost! I truly lost! My martial arts were defeated by him, so what do you want from me now!"

"Your defeat in this battle is not shameful. But are you willing to let it end like this?" Chen Jiuzhou asked again in a low voice:
"Many people have worked hard for you along the way. Are their fates insignificant?"

"Fuck you, Chen Jiuzhou!" Hong Zhongjin suddenly turned ferocious and cursed angrily.

"They put in effort for me? They were just using me to save themselves! I'm not some piece of shit like you, why should I care about their fate!"

"Haha! Chen Jiuzhou, you loved playing the meddlesome saint, so you died with your eyes open in disgrace! And after your death, many mortals didn't appreciate it, cursing you like flies, calling you a scoundrel and a traitor! Hahaha!"

"And what the hell are you doing jumping out now? Trying to make me get up and fight him again? If you're not happy about it, then go fight him yourself! But you're just a wisp of my imagined soul, what can you possibly do!"

Chen Jiuzhou looked at him quietly, neither angry nor speaking, but a hint of sorrow and pity was faintly revealed in his eyes.

"That Mr. Hongzhong..."

Another sound, barely audible, rang out.

Hong Zhongjin turned his head and saw another boy's figure appear beside him—

Kyushu City.

His features were youthful and his expression was fearful, giving him the classic look of a nerdy young Japanese boy.

Damn it, it's just another hallucination!

"Jiuzhou Cheng, you coward, do you even deserve to show your face?" Hong Zhongjin retorted without regard for anything else, "If Chen Jiuzhou were to come and lecture me, I might give him a shred of respect. But you piece of trash, you don't deserve to say a word to me!"

"I'm so sorry!" Kyushu Makoto shrank back in fright, tears welling up in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault."

"Shut up, you son of a bitch!!" Hong Zhongjin was extremely annoyed. "I'm about to die, and you're still making my ears hurt? Get the hell away from me!!!"

He could feel his body breaking apart and his life slipping away. Strangely, he could no longer feel any pain.

This is probably what they call a final burst of energy before death.

"Waaah... I just..." Kyushu Makoto huddled his hands in front of his chest, speaking timidly, "I wanted to say... maybe... maybe it's not over yet. Maybe... waaah!"

Before he could finish speaking, he was choked by a fierce look from Hong Zhongjin.

Chen Jiuzhou continued, "He means that you might still have a chance. Don't give up so soon."

"Opportunity? Heh, what opportunity do I have left?" Hong Zhongjin smirked in anger, then gave a pathetic laugh. "Get the hell out of here, let me have some peace and quiet in my final moments."

"Heh, an opportunity? Of course there is." Chen Jiuzhou's eyes gleamed.
"It's those who trust you, those who love you, those who won't give up on you. They're working together to create an opportunity for you—"

"This might be your last chance to defeat Ryuma Shinazugin and slay that demon!"

(End of this chapter)