Chapter 2586: Chapter 2856: The Past
"You may choose not to answer me, but your silence implies acceptance of it all. What awaits you is endless torment."
The man spoke with an authoritative air: "You will face punishment and pay the price for it."
The surrounding people brimming with murderous intent.
All eyes turned to Julius Reed.
"What is a tyrant?" Julius Reed asked in return.
"You’ve been in power for millennia, directly or indirectly causing the deaths of millions! The battle of The North Sea, you slaughtered all its people. It’s only been a few decades; you wouldn’t forget, would you?"
The man sneered as he questioned.
"I haven’t forgotten." Julius Reed shook his head, "And what else?"
"I thought you didn’t dare to admit it. Now it seems you have some sense of responsibility. The North Sea was reduced to ruins by your tyranny." The man raised his voice again: "So do you admit it now?"
"I am a king." Julius Reed pointed at himself, "No one can judge me. I am a king; I have the power of life and death! I subdued The North Sea because it was wicked. Fighting violence with violence—this is my approach. If anyone dares to cause widespread suffering like The North Sea again, I’ll flatten them too!"
"Peace is bought with blood. I’ve ruled the martial arts world for millennia, preventing much bloodshed; I did nothing wrong."
Julius Reed held his hands behind his back, staring straight at the man.
"Sure, the king of The North Sea was wrong, but there were innocent people too." The man bitterly questioned: "Were they at fault?"
"And yet those from the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance who died—were they at fault? They were slaughtered by The North Sea people right in front of my grand hall! They died for me!"
Julius Reed pointed at the man holding a book, shouting angrily: "You tell me, what was their wrongdoing! Killing is killing; where in the world are there so many innocents! Am I, Julius Reed, supposed to identify each one? Remember, in this world, there’s no such thing as fairness or justice! Everything is built on power!"
"If I didn’t have the ability, my brothers would’ve died in vain! Aren’t they innocent? The North Sea? The North Sea was unaware and opposed me; only death awaited them!"
"Including you—or what qualifies you to judge me! Get down here!"
Julius Reed pointed at the man, speaking sharply.
"You killed Silvio Reed. That was your master, your friend, someone who stayed with you for five thousand years. Yes, he was wrong, but you didn’t have to kill him. You could have incapacitated him, given him a chance."
The man’s voice lowered, his momentum starting to wane.
Yet he continued his relentless questioning.
"Those who betray me, only death awaits." Julius Reed replied calmly.
The emotions stirred moments ago slowly dissipating.
"Silvio Reed betrayed me; I can never forgive him."
Inside the prison, silence fell.
The man flipped through the pages of the book, reading its contents.
"Hiddy was truly sincere towards you, yet you instinctively avoided saving her father. Although the Prophet didn’t die by your hand, he too was indirectly killed by you. With such actions, do you deserve Hiddy?"
He questioned once more.
"The Prophet’s death has nothing to do with me. Hiddy wasn’t particularly close to her father. Moreover, I dislike leaving myself trouble."
Julius Reed’s face bore a smile.
"Shouldn’t you ask me about Quella Radcliffe? She and I went through hardships together; she was my first wife. Yet I also have Nangong and Hiddy; am I unworthy of her?"
"Then let me tell you, I Julius Reed don’t choose. The rules of the world are made by people. All the women I love, I want them all."
"I understand now."
He chuckled and said: "You, you’re a lousy judge, a lousy hell. You are nothing but my inner self, interrogating my soul. I, Julius Reed, only do what I want. Your method works for hypocrites chasing fame, not for me."
He finished speaking.
The surroundings began to change slowly.
The prison ignited.
Everything around turned to ashes with the flames.
Light shone here.
A beam of golden light descended from the sky, illuminating Julius Reed’s head.
"Welcome to paradise."
A man in a yellow robe, stepping on a cloud ladder, approached Julius Reed.
"You’ve passed the test; this shall become your..."
"I don’t believe in Jesus, nor in God, let alone this world’s paradise."
Julius Reed placed his right hand on his waist, swiftly drawing a dagger and piercing through the man’s chest.
"I’m no saint; I don’t need praise."
Boom!
The world revolved!
Everything around began to twist.
Scenes appeared before Julius Reed’s eyes.
Like old photographs.
The people in the photos were none other than himself!
Countless young people stood together, their eyes filled with excitement, indifference.
With anticipation and also fear!
Only Julius Reed, his eyes bore tranquility.
No joy, no sadness.
This...
Seems like what Mr. Springs described, the scene when Silvio Reed’s three thousand disciples gathered together.
The scenes flashed by.
The children around were training, only he sat in the corner.
An outcast!
Those people gave him the cold shoulder, looked down on him, mocked him.
The next photograph.
Those people were all dead.
Julius Reed, hands bloodstained, killed those who provoked him.
On the ground lay several teacher’s corpses!
Moving forward, everyone avoided him, staying far away.
The scene flashed.
Corpses were everywhere.
Amongst the pile of dead, Julius Reed emerged.
Becoming the only one among Silvio Reed’s three thousand disciples to receive true teachings.
Those images vanished.
Other scenes began to play.
In these images, Julius Reed was always alone.
He coldly traversed the mountains, lived in forests.
Hunting, catching fish.
Building fires, camping.
Not a bit related to practicing martial arts.
An ordinary life, all spent alone.
Soon, Julius Reed noticed a pattern.
These images were appearing in reverse.
Meaning, the later the scene, the earlier the time.
Uncertain how much time passed, the images finally paused.
Under the towering palace, Julius Reed carrying a sword, slowly leaving.
And in the sky, a tripod suspended!
A tripod much like the Divine Dragon Tripod!
"A person without conscience, the first I’ve seen."
"Even the worst sinner finds repentance, but you seemingly never have."
"If you had a moment’s hesitation, you’d be beyond redemption. Your heart is made of stone."
"You’ve received what you ought; seen your past self. This reward is indeed precious to you."
"I don’t believe anyone wins forever. You’ve taken too much from me but left nothing."
That familiar voice echoed once more.
"I’ve left something." Julius Reed smiled, feeling himself gradually awakening.
"At least, I’ve left my legend."
He opened his eyes.
Seeing the hotel ceiling above.
And a sword, hanging directly above his brow!
