Chapter 1157, What is the Meaning?

Translator: Silavin

Jiang Baishen raised his head again and looked up towards the sky.

High above, there was yet another Sacred Island, though it appeared far smaller in area than the others.

Jiang Baishen, along with every other member of the Sacred Jiang Family, knew full well that this particular Sacred Island was the highest tier of existence within the Sacred Jiang Family, and simultaneously served as the altar used for offering sacrifices to the Slaughter Ancient God.

This place was, naturally, a Forbidden Zone. Even those belonging to the Sacred Jiang Family could only ascend during sacrificial ceremonies.

Outside of that, only those who had obtained the Slaughter Heart, or be one of the Seven Stars of Slaughter, were permitted to visit the altar at special moments and speak directly with the Slaughter Ancient God.

To approach the altar without being summoned was a capital offence. Even core members of the Sacred Jiang Family would be obliterated on the spot.

The location where Jiang Baishen stood was the true heart of the Sacred Jiang Family. In ordinary times, everyone within the Sacred Jiang Family lived here, and it also served as the final barrier protecting the altar.

“I wonder when the Slaughter Ancient God will finally awaken and repel these enemies.” Jiang Baishen gave a bitter smile.

Senior Qing thought for a moment, then said, “Actually, I believe that before all of us here within the Sacred Jiang Family have been sacrificed, the Slaughter Ancient God will most likely never appear. The Slaughter Ancient God has said before that the enemies this time are no ordinary threat. Although they are all Ancient Gods who have not fully awakened, each one possesses terrifying power, and without a complete awakening on his part, he simply cannot win. So, he had us, the people of the Sacred Jiang Family, set up layer upon layer of defences here, to resist the enemy and buy as much time as possible.”

“But I believe that once the Slaughter Ancient God fully awakens and no longer requires any offerings, the Sacred Jiang Family will no longer hold even the slightest value to him. Knowing the Slaughter Ancient God’s temperament, it is most likely that the moment he ordered us to resist the invaders, he had already made his choice. He is willing to sacrifice every last one of us. In doing so, he simultaneously weakens the invaders, and after the Sacred Jiang Family is destroyed, he himself can depart and pursue whatever it is he truly wishes to do.”

Jiang Baishen did not seem the least bit surprised by any of this. He simply nodded and said, “I know.”

“You know?” Senior Qing was mildly taken aback, then lowered his voice and said, “You’re saying this because… we are simply to carry on standing guard here, watching the thousand-year legacy of the Sacred Jiang Family be slowly consumed until nothing remains? I can say with certainty that if we continue fighting like this, every one of us, including you and I, will die.”

Jiang Baishen’s gaze was resolute as he said, “Precisely. I have already prepared myself for death. Since the Slaughter Ancient God wishes us to die, then die we shall. Several hundred years ago, I ought already to have been a dead man. To have lived on for so many years more than that, it has been enough. Besides, it was through the Slaughter Ancient God’s Slaughter Heart that I could survive at all. Should he have a single thought wishing my death, I would die regardless. Rather than be killed by the Slaughter Ancient God in some vague and ignominious fashion, it is far better to die with greater meaning, and repay the debt of gratitude owed to him.”

Senior Qing looked at how decisively Jiang Baishen had made up his mind and could not help but let out a long sigh, saying nothing further.

Jiang Baishen, on the contrary, gave a faint smile and turned to Senior Qing, saying, “On that note, Senior Qing, the reason you spoke as you did just now, was it because you did not wish to simply die here, and instead wanted to leave?”

Senior Qing hesitated briefly, then cupped his hands and said, “You and I are no strangers to each other. To the outside world, I am the Sacred Jiang Family’s adviser. Within our ranks, you and I address one another as Brothers. So, there is nothing I need to hide from you, and I will say what must be said. I truly do not wish to die in such a vague and pointless manner. Should the Slaughter Ancient God truly need us to sacrifice ourselves, we would naturally do so without hesitation.”

“But…” He raised his head and glanced at the Sacred Island above, his brow furrowing, a trace of unwillingness in his voice as he said, “But you and I both know clearly that our deaths are not an absolute necessity. It is possible that even now, the Slaughter Ancient God has already fully entered a state of combat. He could very well descend and fight alongside us, striking down these powerful foes. But he is unwilling to act. His aim is simply to have us wear down the enemy’s strength, or to put it plainly, to use the enemy’s hands to destroy the Sacred Jiang Family.”

“The Sacred Jiang Family holds not even a shred of value to the Slaughter Ancient God any longer, and yet he is equally unwilling to act himself. So, he orders us to go and fight these people below, which conveniently kills two birds with one stone and resolves two of his problems.”

“I believe this sort of sacrifice holds absolutely no meaning. I can go and die for the Slaughter Ancient God, but I cannot accept simply dying like this. If it is at all possible, this battle is one I would rather not take part in.”

Jiang Baishen was silent for a long while before finally speaking again, saying, “Senior Qing, this way of thinking of yours does not surprise me in the least. You are the adviser of our Sacred Jiang Family, and every matter concerning the Sacred Land, I have always consulted you, precisely because you consider things far more thoroughly than I do. I even agree with what you said just now, up to and including your unwillingness to be sacrificed in vain, which is perfectly within reason.”

At this, Jiang Baishen let out a long sigh and said, “And yet, sometimes a person cannot afford to think too clearly. The Slaughter Ancient God wants me to die, and so I shall die. Why must one go about weighing whether the death was worth it or not?”

Senior Qing was just about to speak when Jiang Baishen suddenly said, “Senior Qing, you are not a Player yourself, but rather a Monster, are you not?”

Senior Qing blinked slightly, then nodded and said, “My origins, I believe you know better than anyone.”

“I do know them well.” Jiang Baishen nodded and said, “You were originally a Divine Being on the Western Border, receiving offerings from a Sacred Land. Later, a Player of considerable power and talent appeared within that Sacred Land, and they gradually cultivated that person to rival you.”

“They then caught you off guard and ambushed you, intending to strike you down, converting you into resources, and absorb you into their own Sacred Land. It was the Slaughter Ancient God who saved you, and who subsequently levelled that Sacred Land, helping you exact your revenge. Had there been no Slaughter Ancient God, you would have died back then. Your existence would be that of some Legendary Grade equipment, no?”

Senior Qing gave a nod, making no attempt to deny it. “You are right. Had the Slaughter Ancient God not graced me, I would indeed be dead. It is also precisely because I owed this debt of gratitude that I joined the Sacred Jiang Family and gave my all in service to both the Sacred Jiang Family and the Slaughter Ancient God.”

Jiang Baishen gave a nod and said, “And so, I simply wished to say that in truth, you and I are both people who ought already to be dead. Why debate further whether one’s death holds any meaning? The two of us have lived on for several thousand more years. That in itself is a form of meaning. Had there been no Slaughter Ancient God, we would long since have turned to a handful of dust, and at that point, would there have been any meaning left to speak of?”