Nobody knows how to be a villain better than me.

Seeing that the big tiger opened its mouth again, Taigong Wang pushed and pulled Lu Wu aside, muttering to himself.

"Enough talk, let's help entertain the guests first, Lord."

"Guests? They trespassed through the Heavenly Gate and defied divine might. What kind of guests are they?"

"Even an unpleasant guest is still a guest..."

"No! Guarding Kunlun is our duty; we cannot allow them to act so recklessly!"

"I did my duty, but we just couldn't win..."

Seeing that the stubborn Lu Wu was about to roll up his sleeves and start a fight again, Taigong Wang shrugged and helplessly revealed the truth.

Lu Wu shook his head and retorted, "So what? We can fight, but we cannot surrender!"

"And then?" Taigong Wang's smile faded, his slightly narrowed eyes widened a little, and his gaze became calm and profound: "You fought to the death, but they can still go wherever they want without any hindrance?"

Lu Wu opened his mouth, unsure how to refute.

“My Lord, there is nothing left for Kunlun to guard; you should know this better than I do.”

Taigong Wang's voice was deep and resonant. He then glanced sideways at the mountains, rivers, and vegetation shrouded in mist, chuckled, and shook his head.

"Since we can't stop it from either side, why fight a losing battle? Let them see, it's just an empty shell..."

"..."

Lu Wu's breath hitched, and he was even more speechless.

"They probably meant no harm, otherwise neither of us would be standing here now."

As he spoke, Taigong Wang glanced back at Samael, who was quietly waiting for a reply, gave a polite smile, nodded in acknowledgment, and then turned his gaze to Lu Wu, who was struggling with his dilemma, his expression calm.

"Alright, go and prepare the food and drinks to entertain the guests. If you're feeling down, take this with you."

Immediately afterwards, Taigong Wang took off a jade talisman from his waist and handed it to Lu Wu.

Finally, the stubborn Kunlun deity pursed his lips, lowered his head, and bowed in a muffled voice.

"Lu Wu, obey the law..."

Then, Kunlun Divine Lord, who had regained his height of more than half a person, glared angrily at the First Emperor who had severely injured him, clenched the jade talisman in his hand, and turned to walk towards the back mountain.

Although I was unwilling, there was nothing I could do.

Because this person who holds the power over the Investiture of the Gods and the God-Slaying Whip is the true master of Kunlun today.

"Oh, by the way, I remember I buried a few jars of fine wine under the Qi tree on that mountain. Could you please retrieve them for me?"

"it is good…"

"Fetch some more spring water from Lingxi Mountain to make it easier to brew tea."

"Row……"

"The fish in the lake..."

"Crack!"

As a small tree, about the size of a bowl, was snapped in two by a trembling tiger's paw, Taigong Wang reluctantly shut his mouth and watched the large tiger, exuding a low-key aura, walk away before rubbing his nose and muttering under his breath.

"Never mind, I'll just fish by myself."

After finally managing to send away this plague god with great difficulty, Taigong Wang finally breathed a sigh of relief, raised his hand to wipe the faint sweat seeping from his forehead, and secretly grumbled to himself.

If it were just the First Emperor of Qin coming to his door, he reckoned he could still stop him.

But the new one has clearly exceeded the limits by far.

Let alone myself, even in Kunlun's heyday, they might not have been able to guarantee a complete victory.

This is a gap that cannot be bridged by quantity alone.

Therefore, lying flat is more comfortable.

After giving up the struggle, Taigong Wang rubbed his stiff cheeks, opened his narrowed eyes, and with a warm smile on his face, turned around to greet the guests.

"Gentlemen, please follow me up the mountain. Although there is no grand Peach Banquet right now, the streams are deep and the fish are plump at this time of year. I caught a few red-scaled fish this morning, which will be perfect for entertaining our guests."

"Thanks then."

Samael smiled and nodded, and followed Taigong Wang at a leisurely pace, asking the ancestor of all schools of thought about the geography, scenery, local specialties, and products of Kunlun Mountain with great interest.

To be honest, he was very interested in this large ecosystem that exists independently of the surface of the world, whether it was tasting delicious food or sightseeing.

Having witnessed the terrifying strength of this person, Taigong Wang also showed his hospitable nature and naturally told him everything he knew.

The two chatted back and forth, enjoying each other's company.

On one side, Yang Yuhuan tugged at Samael's arm, looking around, completely captivated by the enchanting scenery along the way.

Similarly, although she had seen similar scenes countless times, Hinako Akuta couldn't help but feel nostalgic and wistful when she revisited the place.

As for Tamamo-no-Mae, she had no interest in the scenery right now. All her attention was focused on the two people walking in front of her. Her beautiful eyes were filled with intense anger, and her teeth were grinding together.

Why didn't this bunch of bastards start fighting?! Damn it!

As a vengeful canine, she still harbored resentment over the time when Taigong Wang tricked her.

Incidentally, there was also the brutal act of a snake draining her dry with its giant stalk last night.

If given the chance, this resentful vixen would never miss an opportunity to stir up trouble.

However, things are a bit tense right now, so let's take it one step at a time.

Compared to the wicked intentions of that vixen, the First Emperor at the very back was much calmer, following silently at the end of the procession, occasionally glancing at Samael ahead, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Although he sensed that this foreign monarch, who had single-handedly orchestrated the War of the Holy Covenant a thousand years ago, was exceptionally powerful.

But the absurd level of strength and the immeasurable gap still greatly shocked him and made him feel deeply frustrated.

Fortunately, we're on the same path...

The First Emperor's gaze swept over the diverse group of soldiers, and a strange thought suddenly popped into his mind.

But soon, the First Emperor shook his head, extinguishing the sense of relief in his mind, and looked arrogant.

Give him a few thousand more years to further refine the Mechanical Holy Body, and he might not necessarily lose to this guy then.

Temporary strength or weakness does not determine forever.

"Ah!"

Samael, who was walking ahead, felt an itch on his nose and couldn't help but sneeze loudly.

Most likely, someone is talking about me again...

Gu She glanced at his bewildered temporary teammates behind him, muttering to himself as he rubbed his nose. He then looked at Taigong Wang beside him and asked the question that had been bothering him.

"Isn't Kunlun the abode of gods? Why does it feel so deserted?"

"Some perished in the ordeal, while others fled to distant lands..."

Taigong Wang answered succinctly, then looked at the mountains that were faintly visible in the clouds and mist, paused slightly, and lowered his voice.

"And Lu Wu Shenjun and I are probably the last two people left to guard Kunlun."

"Those listed on the Investiture of the Gods..."

Samael was taken aback by what he heard, and his gaze fell on the bright yellow scroll at Taigong Wang's waist.

"Oh, them? They're just a remnant of true spirits..."

Taigong Wang smiled and casually pulled out the Investiture of the Gods to explain.

"The investiture of the gods has been completed, and all the gods have returned to their positions. This thing is no longer of any use. It is just a remnant of a certificate, at most containing some residual divine power that I can borrow a few times."

I see……

The ancient serpent seemed to understand something, and suddenly realized why Taigong Wang, who held the Investiture of the Gods and the God-Slaying Whip, could only fight the First Emperor to a standstill.

But then, a feeling of loss welled up in my heart.

gone?

Have the gods and immortals of China truly abandoned the people of this land?

Lost in thought, Samael's gaze fell upon Taigong Wang.

"And what about you? Why did you choose to stay?"

Upon hearing this, Taigong Wang's expression turned solemn, and he pulled Samael towards the distance.

"Look at that!"

It was a tranquil stream and its banks nestled at the foot of a majestic mountain, stretching beneath the clouds.

"The scenery is nice, what's up?"

Samael answered truthfully, but did not understand his meaning.

"more than!"

Taigong Wang, looking excited, began his presentation in a very engaging manner.

"It's a shady spot, near the water inlet, and it's also a winding backwater with varying widths. It's perfect for baiting. Even with a straight hook, I can catch dozens of fish!"

"..."

Hearing the seasoned angler's enthusiastic sharing and introduction, Samael was speechless, with veins bulging on his forehead.

I asked you why you didn't leave, not where would be a good place to fish!

"I've traveled all over famous mountains and rivers and I can't find many such excellent fishing spots. I can't bear to give them up to others."

A gentle breeze ruffled his hair, and Taigong Wang's face beamed with a smile, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

"So, after thinking it over, I think it's more comfortable to stay."

Samael paused for a moment, looking at the profile of the face that looked relaxed in the breeze, and seemed to understand something.

For him, this was the choice.

No matter how good a foreign land may be, it is never as good as one's homeland.

The ancient serpent regained its composure and asked again.

"Where did they go?"

"do not know……"

Taigong Wang shook his head slightly, his deep gaze fixed on the sky.

The ancient snake understood, and couldn't help but frown and purse its lips.

"Could it be that they are no longer on this planet?"

Taigong Wang nodded and replied after a moment's thought: "Compared to the vast universe, the stars beneath our feet are but a grain of sand in the Ganges River. They are ultimately too insignificant. To see a wider world, one must always step out of the cradle."

Samael smirked, his eyes full of mockery: "So, your god has chosen to abandon this land, and you too?"

"It's not about abandoning them, it's just a necessary choice."

Taigong Wang's gaze was clear and calm. He casually pointed to a sapling by the roadside, bent under the weight of its abundant fruit, and spoke with a faint smile.

"Just like this tree, the nutrients it absorbs are ultimately limited and cannot support so many fruits. Therefore, in order for the fruit tree to continue to exist, it is necessary to prune the branches and remove some of the burden..."

Immediately, Taigong Wang plucked a peach-shaped fruit from the tree, threw it into the grass some distance away, and murmured leisurely.

"Or, let the fruit fall to the ground early, bury the seeds in the soil, and wait for them to take root and sprout in a new area next year, and then grow into new seedlings."

With a gentle touch of the fingertip, the tender bud breaks through the soil and grows into a new, robust fruit tree in the blink of an eye.

Taigong Wang picked a bright red fruit, took a bite, and juice burst out. He then casually tossed one to Samael as well.

"Look, the fruit grown this way, whether it's the first tree or the tree in the future, will be sweeter and more delicious. One day, this place will even grow into an orchard."

Samael gazed at the fruit in his hand, inhaling its rich aroma, his thoughts swirling.

Although he understood, he did not agree with this approach.

Because during the Holy War, when China, and even this planet, needed these immortals and gods the most, they turned their backs on the cradle that nurtured them and left.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing I forgot to mention."

As Taigong Wang munched on some fruit, he seemed to have thought of something. He tapped his head, looked at the rising mist in the forest, and gave a quiet reminder.

"In this forest, there are not only flowers and plants vying for nutrients, but also various birds and strange beasts attracted by the fruit. The more fruit there is, the more likely it is to attract the covetousness of those things. In the end, not only the fruit, but even the entire tree may be knocked down by them..."