Reborn As A Ghost: Time To Build My Undead Army!-Chapter 1778: Peace Has Returned To Murim
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News of the events spread rapidly throughout the world of Murim, far quicker than anyone had anticipated. The Heavenly Palace lay in ruins, its treasures scattering like rain across the land. The Murim Alliance had dissolved, giving way to the newly formed Heavenly Demon Alliance, with the Ghostly Fist Alliance standing as a steadfast supporter.
The Heavenly Demon had returned alongside his son, and the shocking truth emerged: the Heavenly Emperor was none other than the Golden Dragon Emperor in disguise. He had posed as a benevolent ruler while secretly devouring innocents and orchestrating devastation, staging massacres and tragedies to heighten the people’s desperation and faith in him.
The greater their fear of the Golden Dragon Emperor, the more fervently they prayed to the Heavenly Emperor, flooding him with waves of Worship, Trust, and Belief. This surge empowered him immensely as the new occupant of Murim’s Divinity Throne.
After slaying him, the Heavenly Demon claimed the Divine Throne. Though he offered it to Maria, she refused once more, insisting that he was the most suitable leader to guide and safeguard this world.
Across the realm, cultivators and even Players embarked on a frenzy unlike any before. They roamed far and wide, hunting the countless treasures that had fallen from the heavens, sparking endless conflicts as empires, kingdoms, and nations vied fiercely for possession.
The Heavenly Demon understood he would need to intervene personally in these disputes, yet he felt a quiet relief knowing Maria’s carefully forged alliances would stand firmly with him.
Thanks to Maria’s extraordinary teleportation abilities, he managed to visit dozens of nations, addressing their grievances and forging resolutions wherever possible while strengthening his emerging World Alliance.
The Heavenly Palace had once maintained order over countless aspects of life, and its absence created a glaring void. Evildoers grew bolder, though they remained a lesser threat compared to those who truly sought the world’s annihilation.
But the Heavenly Demon had his son, his devoted disciples, and the full support of the alliance. He felt a deep confidence that he could shoulder these heavy responsibilities.
Joyous celebrations swept through Murim upon the Heavenly Demon’s triumphant return. As he began reestablishing his sect, countless cultivators and martial artists clamored to join, though he accepted only a handful of trusted friends for now.
Despite the brutal chaos of the recent war, Murim now basked in a profound peace it had rarely known. With the Crimson Order and Olympus forces decisively crushed, their survivors were too intimidated to encroach upon Murim again for a long time.
Maria and her family offered whatever aid they could, guiding her disciples while formalizing a strong alliance with the Heavenly Demon’s Heavenly Demonic Dragon Sect. Her intention was to call in the favors he owed by having him teach her disciples his profound knowledge, and he agreed eagerly, declaring them full members of his sect, just as she herself was.
Many felt a sharp pang of sorrow at her impending departure, but Maria remained firm. She could not stay in this world indefinitely, and even another week felt like too much after all the time she had already given.
After two final days filled with duties, festivities, and heartfelt farewells, Maria prepared to leave once more. A grand feast was held in her honor, gathering all her disciples and the many cherished friends she had made throughout the world.
The tables overflowed with exquisite dishes from every corner of Murim, the finest delicacies gathered from distant regions and revered sects.
Maria savored every bite, especially the diverse vegetables and inventive preparations of rice, curry, and fish. She had diligently collected vast quantities of fruits, vegetables, and grains to take home, storing them in her Inventory before sending them to Azure Star and Yggdrasil.
"I can’t believe you’re leaving so soon, Lady Maria," Wu Lieng sighed, sharing a cup of wine with her. His voice carried genuine melancholy. "It feels like only yesterday we met as enemies, when you spared my life after I pleaded for mercy. Not the proudest moment, perhaps, but it led us to witness incredible wonders across the worlds you’ve explored."
"Yes, it certainly wasn’t the best introduction," Maria replied with a warm laugh. "I never imagined our paths would lead to such an extraordinary adventure here, Wu Lieng. Or that your father would turn out to be so strikingly handsome!"
"H-Huh?" Wu Lieng blinked in surprise. "That came out of nowhere. Ahem. Well, yes, Father has always possessed that natural charm."
"But why do you insist on keeping your aged appearance?" Maria asked curiously. "You could look as youthful as he does. It’s rather strange that he appears in his mid-twenties while you seem in your sixties."
"Hoho," Wu Lieng chuckled softly. "Some say I look younger now that my hair has regained its color. These wrinkles, though fewer than before, represent every trial and triumph of my life. I cannot simply erase them. This face is my identity. Imagine the shock if my disciples suddenly saw their master appearing younger than they are. The humiliation would outweigh any joy from restored youth."
"Hm, that’s true, I suppose," Maria nodded. "But what about your father?"
"My father never aged as I did. He ascended to Immortality at thirty," Wu Lieng explained. "He has kept his youthful appearance ever since. Though he is centuries older than I am now, he will likely never grow old."
"That’s fascinating," I said. "Anyway, where is he?"
"Sorry for the delay." Just as Maria wondered about the Heavenly Demon’s whereabouts, he appeared and settled close beside her and his son. "I could hardly believe it was still there, but I found an old vault I abandoned ages ago. The wines I stored inside remained untouched, so I brought some. Let us enjoy a fine drink."
He cheerfully poured wine for Maria and his son. The three of them spent a peaceful evening eating, drinking, and talking about life and countless other matters.
"I see. So your goal is to return to your original world," the Heavenly Demon nodded. "Then ascend Yggdrasil, overthrow the gods who control it, and finally confront the Tower Master himself at the very top. Hahaha! You are utterly mad."
"You think so?" Maria tilted her head. "Ah, I thought you might want to help."
"Of course I do!" he declared. "Why wouldn’t I? I have witnessed firsthand the ruin the Tower’s influence has brought to our world. Though the Calamities were defeated, more could descend at any moment and devastate everything again. Invaders keep arriving, eager to claim our land. It is exhausting. If we could at least control who enters, but that decision belongs solely to the Tower."
"Exactly," Maria agreed. "But beyond that, every world lives under the constant threat of being devoured. I have spoken with many gods and learned of realms that were consumed. Their inhabitants fled and built new Realms, only for those to be swallowed by the Tower as well."
"So even escape offers no true freedom?" Wu Lieng asked, eyes widening. "There is no way out?"
"None," Maria confirmed. "Realms as small as a theme park, a haunted manor, or merely a forest with swamps and a lake were taken. Some were governed by a lone divine spirit who escaped with a handful of refugees. This Tower forces everyone to either submit and be eaten or conquer and devour others first. I refuse to accept either path."
"I agree," the Heavenly Demon sighed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "It is an endless cycle of destruction. Even if Murim falls and we flee to our Immortal Domains or Realms, those fragile worlds will eventually be claimed as new Floors, awaiting Calamities and inevitable consumption. I knew some of this but never realized how dire it truly was. I must resume my training and reclaim my full strength."
"Wait, you haven’t already?" Maria asked, surprised. "I assumed you were at your peak—"
"No, I have recovered only about forty percent," the Heavenly Demon replied with a confident smile. "Once I regain everything, I will stand ready to face any enemy at your side. I shall be your fists, Maria." He bowed deeply. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Maria felt warmth rise to her cheeks as this strikingly handsome, charismatic, and powerful man knelt before her. She giggled softly, prompting jealous glares from Lucifer and Partner.
"Haha! Well, if you insist," Maria laughed playfully. "Then I accept. You are mine now, Heavenly Demon."
Wu Lieng shifted awkwardly, watching his Lady openly flirt with his father, but he held his tongue. He did not realize that, with the years of her three lives combined, Maria was nearly eighty—hardly the young woman she appeared.
"I-I wouldn’t say I belong to you, but—"
"No, you are mine."
Her glowing red eyes locked onto the Heavenly Demon, and an inexplicable pressure washed over him. Maria had used no spell or technique, yet her words seemed to bend reality itself.
The Heavenly Demon paused, then smiled and laughed lightly.
"Haha, if I ever truly belonged to another, I could no longer soar freely through the heavens as I wish," he said gently. "I am sorry, Maria. I already love someone else. I promised to wait for her reincarnation."
"..."
The pressure faded as Maria shrugged, looking away.
"Bleh, what a shame. Not that I wanted you or anything," she muttered, crossing her arms.
It was perhaps the first rejection Maria had faced in her third life, and it stung her pride more than she cared to admit.
"Still, I am deeply grateful," the Heavenly Demon continued, softly kissing her hand. "You are perhaps the second most beautiful woman I have ever met, and you are brave, powerful, and unwavering in your convictions. You protected, guided, and trained my son. I owe you everything—yet I cannot offer my heart."
"Aw," Maria smiled faintly, patting his shoulder. "It’s fine. I don’t know what you thought I meant, but I never said anything, you know? A-Anyway! Cheers! Let’s drink all the wine we can!"
A single tear glistened in her eye, quickly brushed away. Her family pretended not to notice, laughing and raising their glasses—wine for the adults, fruit juice for the children—as the evening carried on.
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