The One Who Bore the Burden

Upon hearing Bai Mo's words, the Sage Vyasa nodded.

"Absurd!" said the first to stand up. "Bhima was Arjuna's wife, Draupadi we didn't know her before that. The Nakula and the Sahadeva should respect Draupadi as a mother, and my Yudhishthira and I will protect her as a sister."

Immortal, stop speaking such arrogant words! You mustn't act recklessly!

"But this is the best choice, Bhima, she will bind you together, and from then on your brotherhood will be unbreakable. There will be no more barriers between you, and Yudhishthira, are you sure Arjuna's actions are in accordance with the Dharma?"

"Your eldest brother is not married yet, how can he, as the younger brother, get married?"

Hearing this, everyone froze in place. It was indeed true. Arjuna lowered his head and said, "That's right. Brother Yudhishthira is not yet married, how could I..."

Seeing that Arjuna had realized what was happening, the Sage Vyasa continued, "That's right. How can we disregard the safety of the world because of our own selfish desires?"

Your great-grandfather, Shantanu, was wise and talented, but he was blinded by love and fell in love with the fisherwoman Satyavati. Thus, Bhishma swore to protect Satyavati's child, Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana the opportunity to do evil.

If you choose another woman, how can you be sure you won't be misled by love and torn apart? Even Shiva was momentarily confused by the arrows of love.

"Hey, you..." Kama said unhappily. Although the example was apt, she didn't like it.

No one could refute it. As for Draupadi, women in this era didn't have many choices. And then, at the next moment, two voices rang out simultaneously.

"No."

Everyone turned to look and saw that Bai Mo and Krishna both had very serious expressions. One was standing next to the Pandavas, and the other was standing next to Draupadi.

in unison.

Faced with the two men's questioning, the Sage Vyasa first turned to Krishna and said, "O all-pervading one, you who possess all, have you forgotten your duty?"

Compassion is the cornerstone of the Dharma, and compassion for this world is the foundation upon which the Dharma is built. Vasudeva Krishna, your heart is strong and fearless of any curse. Your good deeds are witnessed by heaven and earth.

And so it is with Draupadi now. Do not stop her from protecting the Dharma; her soul will eventually transcend this defiled world and ascend to the Vishnu.

"I always keep my responsibilities in mind, but if this is how to uphold the Dharma, the means are beyond my acceptance. As a matter of duty, I know exactly what I should choose, but as Draupadi's friend, I cannot stand by and watch her be forced to do something she does not want to do."

"Then why don't you ask her?" the Sage Vyasa said with a smile. He looked at Draupadi and said earnestly, "Daughter of Fire, you have already heard what I just said. Now, I will show you the reason."

You only see this life. Black Princess, in your past life you were a devout ascetic. You practiced asceticism before the great god Shiva, praying for a husband with all virtues.

Because this request was filled with an extreme longing, repeating "Give me such a husband" five times, Shiva responded, granting her five husbands in her next life and the blessing of Pandavas —the fulfillment of this divine decree. This was not an accident beyond the control of human customs, but a destiny already written by heaven.

Thunder roared across the sky, as if echoing the words of the Sage Vyasa. Seeing this, Draupadi's eyes were filled with struggle. She looked up at the sky and asked:

"Gods, Indra, if the words of the Sage Vyasa are true, then please send down rain. Without your assurance, I am like a bird flying aimlessly in the mist, not knowing which way I can escape the mist, or which way I will fall into a trap."

Draupadi said that the next moment, a downpour began, with large raindrops hitting the woods like countless voices giving the same answer.

What happened next made everyone's eyes widen. The raindrops seemed to have a life of their own, avoiding Draupadi. Just as Draupadi was puzzled, Bai Mo stood beside her, and a large, heavy hand patted her shoulder.

"No."

The raindrops around him seemed to be avoiding him, and the ground beneath Bai Mo's feet remained dry.

"Bai Mo..."

Draupadi spoke slowly, while Bai Mo merely glanced at her coldly and said, "This is not your place to make sacrifices, Draupadi."

Seeing this, the Sage Vyasa clasped his hands together and asked Bai Mo, "Great ascetic, why do you do this? The Yuga Clock in your hand is ticking, and Draupadi's actions will also help you."

Upon hearing this, Draupadi felt a chill run down her spine. She turned to look at Bai Mo, who did not deny the words of the Sage Vyasa. And the Sage Vyasa, of course, would not lie.

At this moment, she made up her mind: if it could truly help him, then she would accept it.

But what Bai Mo did next was something no one expected.

"There are so many ways to establish the Dharma, yet you chose this one, sacrificing one person's happiness to achieve world peace. I don't deny the method itself, but it should never have been her."

Bai Mo abruptly changed the subject, and a jade-green dagger appeared in his hand. He swung the Nidhogg's Bite around, gripped the blade, and pointed it at the crowd.

"But this kind of thing should not be done by a woman Draupadi. If you want this woman, who is less than a month old, to bear this burden, then cut off her arm with this knife!"

"If you want a woman to take on this responsibility, what use is this arm to you?"

Draupadi froze, looking up at Bai Mo, murmuring, "No, don't do this..."

"Quiet down, Draupadi!" Bai Mo's voice was almost a growl. His gaze was icy, but beneath that cold, hard gaze, Draupadi felt a warmth in his heart.

"Have all the gods and men in this world died? Standing before me now is a heir to the throne who understands the laws, a warrior who can fight against a thousand men, and an immortal with boundless magical power."

But is it really a woman who should bear the responsibility of laying the foundation for upholding the Dharma?

I don't care what you think, but as long as I live, this burden should not, and will not, fall on this woman's shoulders.

After saying that, he raised his hand and flung out Nidhogg's Bite. A terrifying blade aura suddenly erupted, and the rain clouds in the sky disappeared, cleaved in two by the blade.

Beyond the dark clouds lies an endless, dazzling starry the Starry Night.