The Inevitable Abyss (66)

"Interesting. I think I understand your intentions now."

An Jing fell silent. He sank into a peculiar train of thought. Seeing this, the Heavenly Demons turned and looked toward Fuxie.

[Fuxie, it has been a long time.]

Jiexin said, [I do not know whether you still remember, but we are still waiting for you.]

"Waiting for what?"

Fuxie truly did not remember a single thing. It also wished to draw more information from the Heavenly Demons, and Jiexin did not conceal anything at all. These Heavenly Demons were unexpectedly more sincere than people, incapable of lying: [Fuxie, you must be wondering whether you were a Heavenly Demon before being forged into the Heavenly Sword—the answer is yes, but not entirely. You are a supreme Gods-and-Devils Dao Soldier forged by the ancient immortals and gods of the Dao Court. I am merely a Great Heavenly Demon sealed within one of your fragments. Should I encounter your blade's edge, I would have no means of resistance.]

[We merely await... whether that "other you," who once had no need for any life to display submission or obedience, for whom "existence itself meant obedience, and continuation itself meant Fate"... can awaken.]

"Another me..."

Even though the words had come from a Heavenly Demon, Fuxie knew it was not lying. It had long suspected this itself, and now, having it confirmed by another being, Fuxie felt complicated emotions surge within it. "So you want An Jing and me to fall? You want An Jing to accept your aid and lead us into sinking?"

[No.]

The Heavenly Demons spoke in unison: [How could that be? If An Jing and you, Fuxie, choose this path, we will naturally accept it. But if you refuse, that is our true original intention.]

At this moment, An Jing raised his