Chapter 73: Defection

“But that isn’t love.”
Diting asked: “If not love—what?”
“Obsession.” She pierced at once. “You made War God the symbol of power—longing for love—admiration for faith—that isn’t love.”
Here the painful past hadn’t happened—War God was only his. Without her in the dream—no one would disturb.
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He was still young—no ugly scar—could stay at War God’s side day and night—fantasy become the god in obsession—the closest at War God’s side.
Diting said: “But her name—besides you and me—no one else knew. She said we shared a realm—even as small immortal—let me stay in War God’s hall.”
Diting stepped closer—cold laugh: “Life God—even so—can I never be the most special in her eyes?”
She didn’t want to break the beautiful dream he wove—but knew—before he offered to walk her home—he’d seen through her.
Even if he didn’t know she was Milt herself—he knew this world was dream—and she wasn’t a dream native.
Black-purple smoke swallowed the dream—dim before Long-Life Hall—vines like tentacles—gripped her ankles.
Bad—she released power—break free—hide again—met Diting’s ice eyes.
Dream’s weaver—also its lord—shook nightmare awake so fast.
“Milt—it really is you.” Diting cold—playful smile. “War of gods—you didn’t die.”
She denied at once: “I don’t understand.”
Power gathered secret—draw transport array to mortal world—leave moon—Diting couldn’t track.
Diting read her mind—palm strike—strike first.
Maybe sure of win—rare mood to play respectful—tone not polite at all: “In this world—besides you and War God—who deserves ‘my Lord’ from me?”
Facing Milt reborn—no mercy—every move full force.
Kill once failed—kill twice.
“My Lord—whatever form you take—I’ll know you. No one hates you more than I.”
Not his match—cold laugh again: “Besides Milt herself—no one lectures me—no one shows that pity face. Disgusting.”
Focus high—expected the blow—dodged aside.
Where she stood—leveled flat—stand there—no burial.
“Life God—willing to call yourself lowly human.” Diting sneered. “If I were you—no face to live.”
She sneered back: “All life—no high or low. You stand high—bully weak—such pride—even forbidden arts—drink strong power—never become true god.”
“You know—power like yours—match gods—why no thunder tribulation?” His face worse—her joy grew. “Heart that filthy—never true god!”
“Silence!” Diting hit sore spot—whip immortal tool out—lashed her.
Cold watch—mock: “Half consciousness only—prime you couldn’t match—now you fight me?”
Two artifacts on her—meridians safe—still internal wound.
Blood at lip—gap forced her look up—satisfaction in him.
Arms spread—laughed loud: “Life God—lose to me—no shame?”
“Since ancient times—winner takes all. A thousand years—you lose to me again.”
Still not the face he wanted—face dark—whip again.
She grunted—more blood.
Not enough—several more lashes—vent: “Beg me—open your mouth beg—I won’t take your life.”
“Diting—god soul doesn’t die—you can’t kill me.” Cold laugh. “Beat me now—kill me—centuries later consciousness will gather. I’ll return—take your life myself!”
Diting raging: “Then I won’t let you!”
Main hall power clash—wave shook whole moon.
Bai Yanci trapped in main hall by Diting’s spell—couldn’t come—tried Ice-Clear Jade—she cut each time.
Qingxi came at once—familiar figure in blood—puzzled: “…Lanzhi?”
“Lanzhi” had divine flow on ground—not immortal—fallen god.
Not ordinary fallen god—familiar breath—Qingxi frowned—sure: “You’re Xi Yue.”
Diting glanced: “Less power than Yanci—eyes not bad.”
Wounded—disguise failed—true face.
Furong late—saw—eyes red—knelt: “My Lord—Lanzhi must be killed by this woman—execute her—for Lanzhi!”
Furong ordinary lady—short time at main hall—didn’t know great immortals’ grudges.
To Qingxi—ridiculous.
Diting wouldn’t look at Furong—Qingxi took over—mock to face: “Save that devoted act for others. One’d think you and Lanzhi were sworn sisters.”
“You!” Furong exposed—shame nowhere to hide.
Wanted credit for caring about Lanzhi—Lanzhi dead—maximize use.
“Evil god broke seal—harms the world.” Diting whip in hand—unchanged—savior pose. “Evil god reincarnates—hard to kill. I’ll seal evil god in moon water prison—never out.”
She looked up at Diting—silent.
Diting’s plan—one stroke—block consciousness regather—never return.
Furong lost—obeyed—with two ladies—escorted her wounded to water prison.
Last time—as Xi Yue imprisoned—Bai Yanci begged—snuck in to take her out.
Cold all over—no strength—thread of consciousness—drifted in dream haze.
Light footsteps nearby—woke from phantom dream.
Not Bai Yanci—a familiar green figure.
Eyes down—before Qingxi spoke: “I didn’t kill Lanzhi—knocked out—barrier in abandoned palace—find without soul-chasing.”
Qingxi came—she was surprised.
Before seal and lock—Diting ordered—no visitors.
“I didn’t come for that.”
Alone—Qingxi raised barrier over whole water prison: “My art’s not my Lord’s tenth—but hide this awhile—enough.”
She never thought—Qingxi most loyal to Diting—would do something so bold—looked up.
Qingxi haggard—lips bloodless. Soul-chasing cost—days later—backlash tormented the healer great immortal nightly.
“Xi Yue—you’re Milt.” Qingxi sure. “My Lord calls you evil god—identity clear. I never thought—a colleague years was famous Life God.”
No malice in Qingxi—she spoke: “Immortal Qingxi—say plain.”
Qingxi showed spirit flame clear.
A chunk carved out—huge hollow.
“Heard only Life God can mend spirit flame—can you save my life?”
“…Diting did it?”
“Besides him—who else?”
No interruption—Qingxi sat aside—talked herself.
“Once colleagues—I won’t say ‘my Lord.’” Qingxi suddenly yearning—met her puzzled eyes. “Xi Yue—do you know—I truly envy you.”
“You had Yanci’s burning love—fallen god—power from birth—everything others want easy.”
“I envied Bai Yanci—true—I hated her betray moon—stole treasure—still got my Lord’s heart.”
“But I live—no root—life in others’ hands. If I don’t hate—how convince myself again and again—to live eternal years?”
“Who wants bondage if not forced? I didn’t cling to moon rules—held the line—drifted outside—who spared anyone for my pity?”