Dragon Raja 4; Chapter 34: Journey to the End of the World (34)

Dragon Raja 4

“They will rush through that gate, fearing being left outside when it closes,” Chu Zihang said softly, “or unwilling to share the glory with others.”

“I suppose you’ve figured out the truth about that gate, haven’t you?”

“The divine realm isn’t a land but a gigantic organism. Throughout the history of humans and dragons, only one creature had such a massive body: Nidhogg, the Black Emperor Nidhogg. When he fell, he foretold that he would return to this world and send everyone who had ever been tainted by his blood to hell.”

Macallan nodded slightly, noncommittally.

“The true faith of The Far North or the Twilight Dogma isn’t Odin, but Ragnarök. They believe that a cataclysmic event will come to destroy the world, even the gods. But the world will be rebuilt, and new gods will be born. If the old gods refer to the Black Emperor and his progeny, what about the new gods? Are they the new dragon species that evolved from the Black Emperor’s blood?” Chu Zihang paused, “But this is just the story of the Holy Palace Medical Society. The truth is that the great life form beneath the sea needs countless genes to complete itself, and these people are just food being transported.”

“Given the meager knowledge learned at Cassell College and their fragmented intelligence, it’s impressive that you managed to deduce this much,” Macallan said, beckoning.

Vincent’s service team, carrying silver trays, emerged in succession, laying out a rich spread on the table. Cold cuts of beef and paper-thin ham, paired with fresh arugula and sprinkled with crumbled cheese. The servers looked pale with fear, but under Vincent’s watchful eye, they had to continue serving. One server, who had just placed a bowl of soup in front of Macallan, was struck on the shoulder by a fire axe coming from behind. Vincent had positioned marksmen around the tarmac to execute any passengers attempting to approach Macallan, but somehow one had crawled up from a blind spot. He pressed the injured server against the table and tried to decapitate him with the fire axe. Before Chu Zihang could draw his blade, Macallan had already seized the man by the neck and thrown him off the deck.

Moments later, a heavy thud was heard below; the man must have crashed hard onto the ice. Macallan showed no regard for these precious goods.

“I hope I haven’t spoiled your appetite,” Macallan signaled to the servers to clear the table, “but it seems that the theme of the night is bloodshed.”

“You mean the world is like a giant dining table, where eating is the nature of living beings? If you don’t eat others, others will eat you?” Chu Zihang stared at the bloodstains on the table.

“No, only a few can sit at the dining table, like you and me,” Macallan said. “As you said, this ship was originally just a transport vessel, delivering insignificant souls to feed some giant, but when a deity boarded Charon’s ferry, his soul was so heavy it nearly capsized the ship. His radiance made this journey shine. I am eager to discuss the future of the world with this deity. If he is willing to stand with me, then the radiant future will appear before us sooner.”

“My blood contains the essence of Jörmungandr, doesn’t it?” Chu Zihang said coldly. “You are so interested in me because you want Jörmungandr’s genes!”

He vaguely guessed why he could push his limits and experience three stages of Blood Rage without losing himself. When he stabbed the folding knife into Xia… or Jörmungandr’s back, the dragon’s blood tainted his body. Like Siegfried from the myths who gained immortality by bathing in Dragon blood, and survived with a very low probability of Dragon blood eroding him, he instead surpassed the critical blood limit. Over the years, he seemed to be weakening but was actually evolving. He inherited Jörmungandr’s nobility and power and also the mighty “Wind King’s Eyes.” When he wielded his blade on the ice field, he activated both the King’s Blaze and the Wind King’s Eyes, perfectly replicating the astonishing destructive power he had when fighting alongside Xia Mi. With ongoing evolution, he might even awaken the world-destroying power of “Shiva’s Dance,” which granted him the standing to converse equally with Macallan. In the black hole beneath the ice, the embryo incubating there was not cheering for his arrival but truly yearning for Jörmungandr’s genes, as was Macallan.

Macallan remained noncommittal. “Look at this chaotic world. It was meant to be rebuilt. In a world without kings, rebels kill each other. We were once enemies, fighting bloodily for the throne, but when the true king returns, we can only prostrate ourselves at his feet and accept his punishment. He will not forgive us, as our hands are stained with his blood. The era of the old gods will end, and we can join forces to become deities of the new era.”

His gaze was calm yet sincere, as if speaking to a friend or loved one. Chu Zihang even felt that he might reach out to pat his head at any moment.

“I don’t understand what you mean,” Chu Zihang said, shivering slightly. He felt he might have made some fatal mistake, but he hadn’t yet figured out what it was.

A deep, mournful whale song suddenly filled his ears, cutting off Chu Zihang’s thoughts. He reached for the hilt of his blade, drawing out his twin swords with blazing fire, aiming at Macallan’s throat. Facing such a powerful opponent, he dared not hold back. The domains of Wind King’s Eyes and King’s Blaze unfolded one after another, and the tremendous wind pressure immediately blew the servants away. Vincent barely managed to endure the first wave, but the next wave of wind was accompanied by intense flames.

The members of The Far North ignited their golden eyes and struggled against the wind pressure with all their might, their bodies slashed and wounded by the fine wind blades. Their strength was certainly no match for those monstrous serpents. They only survived the combined force of two high-tier Yanling spells because they weren’t Chu Zihang’s target. His focus was entirely on Macallan, whom he was almost certain was a noble Dragon King. Even with his own body bathed in dragon blood, the gap between them was still immense. What about after three stages of Bood Rage? Or four? Where is the limit of Blood Rage now that Jörmungandr’s blood is on his side?

Two shadowy figures leaped onto the tarmac, simultaneously activating blinding lights. Their submachine guns roared, and a barrage of bullets covered the members of The Far North. As Chu Zihang boarded the ship, Sasha led Orev and Seadog Paw through the drainage valves into the ship. They were familiar with every nook and cranny of the vessel and quickly found the storage area for the Warrior System. The crew members were also detained there, possibly because their maritime experience was still useful. They were temporarily guarded, more fortunate than the ordinary passengers.

Orev led the technical staff to the nuclear power compartment to attempt to regain control, while other crew members armed themselves and rushed to rescue the trapped passengers. Sasha, meanwhile, led Seadog Paw to don the new Warrior Systems, and came to support Chu Zihang. The whale song was their agreed signal. In an instant, the chaotic scene of revelry was filled with gunfire and flames, illuminating Chu Zihang and Macallan’s eyes.

Macallan grabbed Chu Zihang’s wrist and poured the strong liquor over the blade: “The fire of this world has already been ignited. Neither you nor I can extinguish it.”

Chu Zihang broke free, drawing his blades with his left hand, and spun both blades to create a massive ring of fire, as if a fire demon had descended.

Macallan moved gracefully amid the blazing blades, his steps gliding as if dancing magnificently: “You are the most understanding among us. I have always had hope in you. Your wandering can end now. By my side, you will no longer be alone. Your power will help me through Ragnarök, and in return, I will share this world with you.”

His gaze was sincere, and his tone even tender. Chu Zihang felt as though his hand might cross through the blade light to pat his shoulder at any moment.

Chu Zihang had already reached the third stage of Blood Rage. Logically, under the inspiration of the Dragon King’s heart, he should not feel fear. But the more Macallan said, the more uneasy he became. Macallan had long predicted he would come, anticipated he would complete that crucial evolution on the ice field, and even expected him to draw his blade at this moment. He had never strayed from the path Macallan had set for him. It seemed that he had even predicted the trajectory of his blade, not even putting down that wine cup.

He realized he had made a mistake, like in chess—if you misjudge the opponent’s moves, you are bound to lose the entire game!

He stepped back, his twin blades creating a brilliant firestorm overhead. He grew dense scales, which formed a tight, armored shell like a second skin; the gaps in his bones creaked open, his knees bent, and his muscle structure changed. The intense fire burned away his cold-weather gear, and a beast-like shadow burst from the flames. The fourth stage of Blood Rage was unknown territory for him, but in the current situation, only the strongest offensive could turn the tide. Enormous fire pillars erupted around him, melting the steel and collapsing the ground. The fire pillars merged into a wave of blazing flames, rushing towards Macallan. His will to kill was driven to the extreme, and Chu Zihang didn’t even have time to think about Sasha and the others’ fates.

A tornado descended from the sky, swirling his flames. He raised his blade overhead and naturally executed the Heart-Shaped Blade Flow · Fourth Form.

His heart was empty, filled only with immense combat will, and the fire on his blade surged and coiled into a fierce neon blaze.

“Stop fooling around, my dear sister. I know you’re listening to me,” Macallan finally tossed aside the cup and stepped forward, grabbing the burning blade. “You don’t need to fight me. The enemies you and I face are destiny!”

Time seemed to rewind in Chu Zihang’s eyes. The King’s Blaze extinguished, the collapsed ground restored to its original state, and the shattered dining table reappeared between him and Macallan, still adorned with fine wine and delicacies. The only difference was that the cup in Macallan’s hand had shattered on the floor. He used the free hand to grab the Blade that Chu Zihang had just drawn, while the other Blade remained sheathed, still humming. It seemed as if he had never moved; the fierce battle only existed in Chu Zihang’s imagination.

“How can I trust you, my dear brother? In that long past, our hands have both been stained with each other’s blood,” Chu Zihang said softly.

Chu Zihang didn’t want to say this, but he had lost control of his body. Even his voice had changed, sounding clear but youthful, like a girl’s.

“I could have destroyed your cocoon long ago, but I patiently waited for your awakening. Even now, I hold an absolute advantage. Right now, you are just a child, not the world-overturning giant serpent,” Macallan said leisurely. “I know why you came here, and I came for the same purpose. Since we are walking the same path, why can’t we be allies? You are my wise and ambitious sister, one of our father’s most perfect creations. That blind Mr. Chu doesn’t deserve to understand you. The one who truly understands you is me, your brother!”

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