Chapter 230

However, amidst the expectant gazes of the many Asura, they said with expressions of disappointment:

"My God, the bottle is completely empty."

There's nothing there.

Faced with their noise, Jalandhara took a few steps forward and took his bottle back from them.

"That's right, it's empty! But if we all unite as one, I swear to you, no matter how many jars there are, we can fill them with the treasures of the gods! Why can't we think of it that way? That wealth is rightfully ours. Now, is anyone willing to join me in this great undertaking?"

Jalandhara stretched out his hand forward.

Is anyone there?

For a moment, the Asura looked at each other again, unsure of what to do.

At that moment, an Asura approached the Jalandhara, placed his hand in the Jalandhara's palm, and said firmly:

I am willing to follow you!

This seemed to ignite the Abhimanyu in the Asura stirred by the powerful presence of the Jalandhara. Immediately, many Asura came to the Jalandhara's side, imitating the first Asura by Jalandhara their hands in his palm, and—

Countless cries of "I am willing to follow you!" echoed throughout the Underworld Realm.

However, besides these willing Asura, a considerable number of Asura did not choose Jalandhara, but remained with their original leader, the Asura. Jalandhara did not show Wrath towards them, but instead calmly observed them.

Over the years, under the tutelage of Shukra, he had undergone ascetic training at the lowest point of the ocean, where the cold was so intense that it could make even the gods wail. In the deepest part of the ocean, the Jalandhara directly endured the onslaught of seawater. The gas brushed against his eyeballs, but he remained silent, ignoring the stinging pain in his eyes and not blinking at all.

With steely resolve, he endured the pain, his eyes wide open, suppressing his Wrath.

"Homage to the Lord of the Himalayas."

Occasionally, he would utter this phrase in a calm tone, yet it carried a hint of longing, as if it were his own desire.

The god Kavia instructed Shukra, who was also Asura mentor, to teach him how to become the Asuras King, so he was determined to do his best.

Yes—that's it, a long-held hope in a corner of Jalandhara's heart.

Therefore, Jalandhara walked towards the group of Asura who were still hostile to him.

"You are not my enemies, nor do I wish for you to be my enemies. My only enemies are the gods. If you also regard them as enemies, then they are my friends."

Jalandhara opened his arms wide. "I'm coming over now. You can attack me as you please, but the first person to attack me must be someone who almost lost their loved ones because of the gods."

After receiving this instruction, Jalandhara walked step by step toward the Asura leader opposite him.

Under the silent gaze of so many Asura, the sound of Jalandhara's footsteps was so jarring in the Underworld Realm.

The sound of footsteps was incredibly heavy.

"What's going on? Why didn't anyone stop him?!"

Just as Jalandhara was about to reach the army, the Asura leader, furious that no one on his side dared to move, shouted Wrath.

Upon hearing their leader's order, two Asura rushed towards Jalandhara with swords in hand. However, Jalandhara merely glanced at them, and the two Asura instinctively lowered their heads, closed their eyes, put down their weapons, and retreated to the sides.

Then, as if Jalandhara through an empty field, Shuichi walked straight through the army towards the location of the Asura leader, and the Asura all made way for him.

Finally Asura leader, enraged, rose from his Throne, brandishing a cleaver and charging towards the Jalandhara. However, the Jalandhara grabbed his arm and bent it downwards, causing him to let out a painful cry.

What terrifying power...

The Asura leader thought to himself.

"An enemy's friend is an enemy; an enemy deserves only death."

Facing the still defiant Asura leader, Jalandhara exerted slight force on his hands, causing him to kneel on both knees and wail in pain.

"Let me go, please let me go."

Upon hearing this, Jalandhara released his grip.

The surviving Asura leader immediately bowed with both hands to the Jalandhara and said:

"I swear, from this day forward, all the gods are my enemies, and I... I will be your friend."

Jalandhara did not answer immediately, but instead swept his eyes over all the Asura present. Each Asura who was seen by his gaze lowered their heads. Jalandhara then walked back to the camp of Asura who were willing to follow him.

"King of Asura! Jalandhara!"

All the Asura waved their hands and shouted, cheering loudly. The cheers echoed throughout the Underworld Realm.

Thus, after many years, the Asura who had been driven to the Underworld Realm welcomed their own Asuras King once again.

Soon after, a long-awaited fire blazed up in the Asuras King, built by the Asura who had been driven to the Underworld Realm. The crimson flames burned fiercely, releasing a powerful force, like the sunset glow, illuminating the Asuras King's Palace in the dark Underworld Realm with a fiery red light.

However, due to the scarcity of the Underworld Realm resources, it was difficult to build the magnificent golden pillars and walls inlaid with rare treasures, so they had to make do with whatever they could.

At this moment, Jalandhara, wearing the Asuras King, looked down at the Asura below, with Shukra standing beside him.

The Asura were also shouting wildly, "King of Asura! Jalandhara!" until Jalandhara gently raised his hand, and then they quieted down.

"Asuras King, the king of the Asura tribe, it is of utmost importance for a king to understand Kingdom people, but I still do not know who my people are, or who they are."

Jalandhara for a moment, then continued.

"Who calls them Asura? And what does Asura mean? Is it the rule that the gods rule the Heaven Realm while you are relegated to the Underworld Realm?"

Is it only stipulated by the Asura that the Sun never rises in their abode?

Why are only gods qualified to control clouds and rain?

Why is your hometown devoid of seasonal beauty? Why are there no ancestral festivals celebrated here? Why has no one ever offered Sacrifice to you?

Why does no one pray to you and ask for blessings? Why do you always ask God for gifts, and what have you received in return?

Why is there no longer a place for you in the workings of the world? Is it because you lack talent?

If so, do you have evidence to prove that this bias is justified?

While speaking, Jalandhara kept a close eye on the expressions and movements of the Asura below.

They were trembling from the very beginning, and what's even more terrifying is that it seemed to have been like this for a very, very long time.

This reaffirmed Jalandhara's belief that the god Kavia had made him the Asuras King.

So he stood up and continued, his expression serious:

"If not, then the Answer is self-evident. If such a miserable situation is without reason, then this is what is called exploitation. And the point is, the ones who exploit you are the gods you have worshipped for generations, the group of people you regard as gods. But this is not their fault. They are able to exploit you because you allow them to do so."

The gods will seek your cooperation when they need it, but will treat you as their enemy when they have no other choice.

The gods are not stronger than you; it is that you have never faced them with your own strength. You have all accepted defeat before you even achieved victory.

The Asura lowered their heads again, remaining silent. This time, however, the Jalandhara did not let them have their way, but instead called out to them:

"No, don't lower your heads. Raise them, admit your mistakes. You are the ones who should take responsibility for your situation, aren't you? Those who lack the courage to admit their mistakes are cowards, and cowards are not qualified to participate in the cause of Revenge. So, here's the question—"

"Are you all cowards?! Don't any of you have the courage to admit your mistakes?!"

"No, we have courage, Asuras King!"

Seeing that only one person had objected, Jalandhara's expression remained serious as he slowly said, "I didn't hear anything. Does that mean your courage is so insignificant—"

We all have courage!

A roar erupted, a roar far more powerful than the previous celebrations of the birth of the Asuras King.

"Quiet."

Jalandhara waved his hand, and the scene fell silent once again.

"If we make mistakes, we are punished, but if they make mistakes, no one punishes them. Even those who attempt to ambush unarmed women can still usurp the throne of the Heavenly Emperor, and ruthless Rishi can kill ascetic immortals without being punished. Why is this? Is punishment only for us?"

No!

Today, I will establish a law!

From this day forward, all Asura will live only for their own glory, the glory of their race, and the splendor of the Lord of the Himalayas!

Otherwise, it would be better to end this life.

I became the Asuras King only to avenge Indra, who attacked me in the past. I have no desire for the throne. I became king only for my mentor, for the god Kavia. I will lead the Asura to defeat the gods, but I cannot bear this responsibility until you unite and support me!

You must free yourselves from the poison that corrupts your minds. The Asura tribe is a more powerful race, all because of you.

You should support whoever is more capable and not let them down.

Your collective victory is everyone's victory, and your collective defeat is everyone's defeat. For the sake of future generations, can you swear to live with dignity?

The Asura did not answer, but without exception they nodded vigorously.

"In that case, let's swear an oath together!"

Jalandhara raised one hand and shouted, "Let your blood boil!"

Long live the Asuras King!

Things that were previously out of focus suddenly became clear.

The Asura felt their consciousness become exceptionally clear, and at the same time, a power surged from their chests—an unusual heat that gave them the illusion of their internal organs burning fiercely.

The new Asuras King said:

"Your passion is enough to shake the Throne of the gods! Where is your passion?!"

Long live the Asuras King!

Shukra swore that this was the scene he had witnessed since he became a mentor to the Asura.

The old Rishi's eyes welled up with tears, both because of the Jalandhara gesture and because he was grateful to Kavia for choosing such a great king for the Asura tribe.

He murmured to himself, "I've witnessed the Asura tribe regain the confidence and pride they lost since birth..."

Then, Shukra coughed and turned to the cheering Asura, saying:

"According to tradition, we must ask the Asuras King for his first wish, and the entire tribe must obey."

At this moment, a gentle smile appeared on Jalandhara's lips.

"My first wish is that from this day forward, Asura will praise God and Joy--"

"Praise Narayana."

Just as Jalandhara about to express his wish, an inappropriate voice came from the void, interrupting him, and then a figure appeared.

Narada, the messenger between gods and men, a great Rishi who returned to the world.

But when Shukra and the Asura turned their gaze to Narada, Jalandhara paid no attention and continued speaking:

"What I want to tell you is that I don't care what happened in the past. We should focus on what needs to be done now, and we—"

"Praise Narayana."

Narada interrupted Jalandhara with a smile once again.

At this moment, Jalandhara looked calmly at Shukra and said, "Master, there is clearly only Asura here. What is he doing here?"

Shukra didn't know if Jalandhara was truly unaware or pretending not to know. Although Narada was just a Rishi, he was one of Aspected God 'Vishnu attendants.

But he still let out a slight sigh and said:

"Jalandhara, he is--"

"It's alright, Shukra."

Narada interrupted Shukra with a smile, "It seems necessary to properly introduce myself."

Then Narada continued to look at the Jalandhara with a smiling expression.

"Asuras King, I am Narada. I was traveling when I suddenly saw the Asura celebrating. Upon inquiring, I was told that you are their newly crowned king, so I came to congratulate you."

"How did you get in without my permission? Did someone invite you?"

Explore the wiki

Comments