Chapter 386

Two streaks of sword light collided once more in the center of the hall.

The dark-red sword of slaughter on the left met the pale-gold sword of guardianship on the right. Their sword radiance clashed, and the stone hall shook violently.

Under the crushing pressure of sword qi, the ground began to crack, fissures spreading in every direction like a spider web.

Zhou Qiubai stood quietly where the two streaks of sword light met, utterly unmoved.

This was not an ordinary combat trial, but a choice.

Would he choose the path of slaughter, meeting violence with violence and paving a bloody road toward the summit?

Or would he choose the path of kindness, using goodwill to transform this world, even if that road was far slower?

Like the kingly way and the tyrant's way—which would he choose?

The image on the left said coldly, "What are you hesitating for? Has the sword in your hand never killed?"

The image on the right gently comforted him. "There is no need to force yourself. No matter which side you choose, someone will understand you."

The two voices rang out in the stone hall at the same time, one cold and one warm, one hard and one soft.

The air inside the stone hall grew thicker and thicker, almost solidifying. The cracks in the stone slabs beneath his feet continued to widen, and dark-red and pale-gold light surged out from the openings, devouring and corroding each other.

Zhou Qiubai suddenly returned his sword to its sheath.

It was not surrender, but a decision.

"I won't choose."

The image on the left frowned. "You won't choose?"

"I won't choose," Zhou Qiubai repeated, opening his eyes.

"Whether it's slaughter or kindness, you are both my shadows, and both of you once dwelled in my heart.