When the dust settled, the golden-winged phoenix had already flown away with the old man and the young man, becoming a wisp of afterglow on the horizon.
Lin Yi stood in mid-air, his gaze sweeping over the watery landscape, with only a few rooftops protruding from the sewage, and some people standing on the rooftops of houses to avoid the flood.
The waters stretched endlessly, the sky was overcast, and everywhere there were cries of agony and starving corpses. Every now and then, floating bodies would drift by, a scene too horrible to bear.
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Chapter 162 Lin Qing'er's Choice
As the flood raged, Lin Yi saw some people weeping silently, some laughing wildly, some cursing and blaming others, some bearing grievances and unable to speak out, and some fighting bravely and relentlessly...
All aspects of life were presented before his eyes.
Is all of this real, or an illusion?
Lin Yi asked himself honestly, even the eternal light originating from the supreme treasure "Gate to the Other Shore" could not truly isolate him from the effects of being entangled in illusions, because this was a questioning from the depths of his heart.
After a while, Lin Yi came to his senses. His gaze swept over the people below. Perhaps your life is just a game for someone else; perhaps your goals, your ideals, are just an initial setting for someone else; perhaps everything you encounter is part of a pre-arranged script…
Does such a life have any meaning?
Just like actors performing on stage, all the joys and sorrows, the grudges and affections, will eventually come to nothing.
After the play ends, everything will vanish like smoke.
Lin Yi concealed his presence and descended from the sky.
On the streets where the floodwaters had receded, a group of Miao people gathered and headed towards the royal palace in the center.
In the square outside the palace, a high platform several meters high stood at the front, surrounded by several layers of platforms. The platforms were filled with followers of the Moon Worship Cult dressed in crimson-black robes, while the soldiers stood below. This created an insurmountable divide between them and the civilians on the outer perimeter.
Protected by soldiers armed with swords and spears and followers, the high platform appeared even more unapproachable, radiating an even more imposing power before the palace.
There was no one in the very center of the platform, only a few dignitaries standing at its edge, seemingly waiting for something.
Soon, a tall, gray figure emerged from the palace and shouted, "What are you all doing gathered here? This is the royal palace. Are you planning a rebellion?"
His voice was like a thunderclap, shaking everyone to their core. For a moment, the square, which had gathered tens of thousands of people, fell silent; even his breathing could be heard.
A nobleman on the high platform said, "Elder Shi, this is none of your business. The people are here on their own to seek an audience with the Moon Worship Cult Leader."
Elder Shi looked up at the man and said, "The King makes all the decisions. When did it become the Sect Leader's turn to meet with the soldiers and people?"
One of the leaders of the Moon Worship Cult on the platform said, "Everyone gathered here voluntarily. If it weren't for the flood that made it impossible for people to survive, why would we need to ask the cult leader for help? Elder, if you have the ability, just let the flood recede, and everyone will naturally disperse!"
At this moment, the gathered people started making noise again, chanting the title of the Moon Worship Cult Leader, creating a huge and deafening commotion.
Elder Shi was furious, but helpless in the face of the situation. He said something to the followers and officials in his anger, but it was drowned out by the clamor of the crowd, and not a single word could be heard.
Suddenly, a huge cheer like the sound of ocean waves was heard. In the center of the high platform, a tall and thin figure appeared. This person was wearing a black robe that covered him from head to toe and held a ten-foot-long golden staff in his hand. The top of the staff was a crescent moon like a sickle. Even in the dark sky, the crescent moon could still shine brightly and was extremely dazzling.
"Our leader is wise! Long live our leader!"
The soldiers and Moon Worshippers shouted loudly, which inspired the crowd to also shout fervently.
At first, shouts of "The leader is wise! Long live the leader!" could be heard, but later only meaningless cries remained. This excited emotion quickly turned into fanaticism.
Many people shouted and cheered wildly, tears streaming down their faces, as if they had seen a god or a savior.
Lin Yi stood below the stage, quietly watching the performance of the Moon Worship Cult Leader on stage.
Based on his own experiences, the leader of the Moon Worship Cult believes that human nature is inherently evil and the world is filthy. He wants to destroy the old world, purify heaven and earth, and recreate a bright and pure land.
This is a villain with ideals and aspirations. He exudes sophistication and is infinitely better than those villains who spend their days flirting with beautiful women, bullying the weak, getting slapped in the face, then revealing their powerful backers, and finally having their entire family wiped out.
Of course, the destruction caused by such a major villain is also enormous.
"Kill the Demon Queen! Kill the Demon Queen! Kill the Demon Queen!"
The shouts grew louder and louder, creating a powerful, overwhelming roar.
Lin Yi entered the palace, and no one could find him. He was an invisible and formless ghost, wandering through the past.
Soon, Lin Yi found the dungeon.
The dungeon not only imprisoned the witch queen Lin Qing'er, but also many Han people, filling the dungeon cells to capacity.
Lin Yi didn't quite understand why the Witch King wanted to imprison the Han people, and even keep them in the palace.
Perhaps, the orders of that witch king can no longer even leave the palace where he resides.
Lin Yi arrived at the innermost iron cell in the dungeon, where only a petite woman was imprisoned. She had long hair hanging down, wore plain clothes, and was sitting against the wall, her head bowed, seemingly lost in thought.
"What are you thinking about?" A voice suddenly rang in Lin Qing'er's ear.
Lin Qing'er raised her head, her dark and clear eyes scanning her surroundings, but she couldn't find anything.
The voice rang out again, "Those people outside think you're a snake demon, and they want to kill you. What are your thoughts after hearing this news?"
“From the time of Nuwa, your clan has sacrificed so much for the people of this world, yet now you are being slandered as a snake demon. Do you think your past sacrifices were worth it?”
...
Lin Yi did not expect Lin Qing'er's answer; he simply chose someone and raised some of his questions.
Lin Qing'er lowered her head and remained silent.
Is it worth it?
Generation after generation, they carried the mission, making selfless contributions and sacrifices, only to be betrayed and slandered by the world in the end.