When One Must Act

While the Bai Mo was in action, another operation was also underway. Krishna learning that Yudhishthira and his companions had lost a dice game and become slaves, immediately relayed this information to Karna. Upon learning of this in Sweetness City, Karna did not hesitate to take his bow and board his chariot.

"Wait, Karna, where are you going?"

His mother, Radha, blocked his way. Karna looked into the distance, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable resolve.

"I'm going to Hastinapura to rescue them."

"Why are you doing this? My child, are you really prepared to venture into Hastinapura alone and face those enemies?" Radha's voice was filled with worry, but Karna showed no sign of stopping. An eerie silence fell between them. After a long while, Karna finally spoke slowly:

"Mother... Mother Radha, I will always remember your kindness in raising me. This is something I can never repay in my lifetime. If you are in danger, I will come to your aid without hesitation, even if it costs me my life."

But I must repay my mother for the kindness of giving me life.

Upon hearing this, Radha froze on the spot. She never expected that Karna already knew she wasn't his biological child. Seeing his mother's heartbroken and tearful expression, Karna jumped off the chariot and embraced her.

"Mother, please don't cry for me. If a mother cries while her child goes to war, then that is the most terrible curse for me."

"But..."

"Mother, consider this an expression of Kunti to Mother Gunti for sending me to your side; I must repay them."

Karna's words were full of sincerity, and Radha understood deeply that even though Karna knew she was not his biological mother, he had still been by her side as her child during this time. Although she was heartbroken, she forced herself to wipe away her tears and sent her blessings to her child who was going to war.

Leaving home, at the crossroads, Karna saw his father, who had just returned from work. Looking at his child, and recalling what had happened in the Hastinapura, Adhiratha understood Karna's thoughts.

"Father..."

"You should know how dangerous this is, right, Karna? You're not just facing those guards, but possibly the Hundred Sons of Duryodhana, or even Drona and Bhishma. Dhritarashtra would have them raise their weapons against you!"

Karna, on the other hand, flashed a hearty smile:

"Of course I know, Father. Do you still remember my wish? I hope to prove myself, to prove that I, the son of Sudo, am also capable of great things."

After meeting my master and Krishna, they both told me that power cannot prove one's nobility; only virtue can. My master often asked himself, if someone acquired the same power as me, could they do better than me?

If I were to simply sit idly by, anyone with the same talent as me could have done the same. But my desires go beyond that.

Today is the day I will become famous Tianxia!

Looking at Karna standing on the Adhiratha, the man, now over fifty, realized for the first time how tall his child had grown, to the point where he had to look up to him.

"Come, child, I will go to Shiva's temple to pray for you."

The Adhiratha had also left, Karna walked to the city gate, where a woman was waiting for him. Vrishali saw Karna preparing to leave the city, and she immediately opened her arms, blocking his way.

"Is this what Master meant by 'a mantis trying to stop a chariot'?"

"I won't let you pass, Karna."

"Vrishali, I hope you can support me..."

"Support you for what?" Vrishali snapped, pointing in the direction of Hastinapura, her tone brooking no argument.

"You haven't forgotten, have you? When you left Hastinapura, Dhritarashtra made you swear an oath never to return to Hastinapura in your life. Are you going to break that oath?!" Vrishali shouted. Hearing this, Karna was finally moved. He had sworn an oath to Dhritarashtra that he would never return to Hastinapura in his life, which was one of the reasons why the Duryodhana dared to launch such a large-scale attack.

This is indeed a reason to back down; if he goes back now, no one will blame Karna.

But he still held onto the reins.

"I would rather break my vow than allow evil to occur. That Duryodhana is the incarnation of the demon Kali, then I cannot allow power in the world to fall into his hands."

Karna drove the chariot out, and on the road, he saw another chariot.

"Krishna, what are you doing here?"

"I have come to witness your resolve." Krishna smiled sincerely at the young man.

"Go in peace; your actions are in accordance with the Dharma."

I will drive you there. If they ask, say that Krishna brought you to Hastinapura. If there is a curse, they will first curse me, Karna, who brought you there. If you die in battle, you will ascend to Vishnu's realm of gods.

The chariot wheels rolled over the wild grass, and the city gate of Hastinapura was already in sight. Karna raised his bow, ready to shoot down the city gate, but the guards opened the gate first.

"Proceed, King of Sweetness City."

Karna nodded, and then Krishna spurred his horses, and the chariot charged through the deserted streets of the night, heading straight for the burning palace of Hastinapura.

"What's going on there? Is the Duryodhana planning to use the Hastinapura Palace as a substitute for the Zijin Palace of Lac this time?"

"That is the wrath of the god Kama. He knows it's wrong, yet he persists in his own opinion. He cannot control himself; he is controlled by his own desires and is heading down the path of destruction. How do you intend to attack?"

"Charge straight in!" Karna's Armor of Hell materialized, and Krishna revealed a hearty smile.

Inside the palace, countless people were tormented by the flames. Duryodhana shouted at the top of her lungs, "Quiet down! What are these flames? When that woman arrives, the pitiful tears of the Pandavas will extinguish them!"

"Only your blood can extinguish this flame; Duryodhana!"

"Oh, really? You want me to bleed? But unfortunately, even if Indra himself came, he would have to go through my slaves before he could make me bleed. Don't you think so, Bhima?" Duryodhana pressed his face close to Bhima's, looking at Bhima's expression of wanting to tear him apart but being unable to, and felt more pleased than if he were having pleasure with ten beautiful women.

"It's getting so impatient, why hasn't Dushasana arrived yet?"

Duryodhana muttered about the Dushasana situation, and the next moment, the sound of wheels rolling came, accompanied by the sound of flames burning, like an army rushing out of Hell. The neighing of warhorses came, and the next moment, the gate scorched by flames collapsed with a crash, and a golden-armored warrior stood proudly with a bow in hand.