King James' Conquests CH 27: Conclusion

Since our fight had caused so much damage to the arena, there was a break scheduled where they would repair what they could. As such, Fen Juechen’s match was delayed for a short while. I used this time to return to my pavilion and check out the throneroom.

Much of it had been the same, except for a big crowned lion plushie sitting on my ‘throne’. It was the exact same one that I had won for Caroline. In its hands, the lion held a starry flower that glowed like the night sky.

After patting its head, I turned away.

“How long do you plan to keep me waiting?” Zero questioned. “You’ve had quite a bit of fun with that Eleonora girl several times-”

“Calm your tits, Zero.” I chuckled, turning to her. “I’ll fuck you when I feel like it, alright?”

“...”

“You heard the King.” Beatrice smiled, shaking her head. “He’s just not all that interested in you, sadly.”

“... Fine.” Zero turned away. “I’ll fuck that tree.”

“Have fun.” I smiled slightly. ‘I doubt she’d go that far…’

“Anyway, Wuxin, come with me. I want to talk with you.”

“What about?”

“A few things.”

I decided to take out Yun Wuxin for a little walk. Having read the actual novel up until its latest translations, I did have a few things to say to her.

“I never expected you to concede like that.” Yun Wuxin remarked.

“How so?” I questioned, smiling slightly.

“Because your Blue Wind Imperial Family won’t place first in this tournament. Isn’t winning of paramount importance to you?”

“Do you believe me to be that shortsighted and shameless?” I chuckled. “No, I’ve won in all the important ways. The official ranking is not something that will stop me from sleeping at night.”

“Something about you is… off.”

“Off?” I questioned, facing her directly. “I suppose… being free is a strange feeling.”

“Free from what?”

“The past.” I replied simply. “It no longer haunts me, corrupts my mind with regret or chains me down. I’ve made peace with it, in short. Unlike you… I’ve moved forward.”

“...” She raised an eyebrow as I moved past her “Good for you.”

“I hope that someday you come to peace with it as well.” I suddenly stopped, recalling my extensive reading. “Speaking of… I find out quite a few things about you. I also found out pretty much everything there is to know about Yun Che.”

“... Is that so?”

“Mhm… you’re a rather obedient and filial daughter, I must say. He left you and your mother on your own for eleven years, and yet… you view him so highly. You even surrendered your Heretic God aura for him to regain his cultivation without hesitation-”

“He didn’t have much of a choice.” Yun Wuxin countered. “He tried to find us…”

“Oooh, did he?” I questioned in a jestful tone. “The Phoenix village, how very hidden. He must have truly struggled, searching every nook and cranny… or is it that he was so very busy? Indeed, he must have been with his rather large harem and romantic pursuits.”

“... You’re not going to make me view you in a better light by discrediting my father.”

“View me in a better light?” I smiled. “You must be joking… I don’t need your approval. I am merely stating my objective viewpoint. You are more than welcome to disagree with me.”

“Hmph.”

“Hmph, indeed.” I nodded. “You’re quite adorable when you're angry-”

“How about you leave judging my father to me, his daughter?”

“It's tempting, truly tempting… to go on and on about your hypocrisy, how you blindly worship him with complete ignorance despite his countless misdeeds… but I won't take the bait. I'm a changed man, you see.” I smiled, turning back to her and spreading open my arms. “A magnanimous, omnibenevolent, saint…”

“An omnibenevolent saint? You definitely belong in a circus.” Wuxin chuckled, shaking her head. “You still said your point while brushing it off lightly.”

“The difference is I won't argue you on it further. If you choose to love your father, then that is your decision and I won't seek to change your mind. If you choose to hate me… that is fine as well.”

“So…?”

“I've made the decision to be the better man starting from this very moment. In essence, it doesn't matter to me if you push me away or continue acting as if you truly hate me when you do not.” I shrugged. “It doesn't matter how many times you berate me and put up a show of defiance… I, James King, will always face you with an open heart.”

Yun Wuxin raised an eyebrow.

“I understand that I've acted mostly like a dickhead to you so far… but that will persist no longer. I want to treat you well and do what I can to make your experience with me as positive and happy as I can manage. ” Acting like a good person was strange to me, to say the least. It felt like the words didn't belong to me. “You are, after all, one of my most essential vassals.”

“I prefer it if you don't act like a good person.” She countered, turning away from me.

“Oh, I'm not.” I smiled, softly grabbing her shoulder from behind. “I won't ever force you to change your ways or seek to influence you. If anything… you really are a beautiful person, both inside and out. Don't you ever change because of an asshat like me, Yun Wuxin.”

“...”

I could see her blush a little behind that cold demeanour.

“If you ever need a shoulder to rely on, I will be there for you. No matter what-”

“Hmph.” She brushed me off. Classic. “You're just trying to sweet talk me.”

“One more thing.” I elected to ignore her. “Since I've chosen to selfishly keep you by my side…”

“I swear that one day, when the universe acknowledges me as its ruler, when I stand unmatched in existence… and when I attain the ability to…”

“I will reunite you with your family.”

“Really?” She turned to face me. “You're not lying, are you?”

“Not at all.” I shook my head. “Even better, I'd find a way to release you so that you can be free from me completely while returning home. Doesn't that just sound perfect, Wuxin? No more of that golden-haired wanker called James…”

“... Yeah.” Her expression changed slightly. Was she less… excited? Then she put on a smile. “It sounds like the perfect world.”

“Then we are in agreement.” I returned her smile.

“Still… why do you choose to act this way? Did being frozen for almost ten seconds really change you that much?”

“Yes… I got to learn a few things about myself. About life in general, really. I realised that I wouldn't accomplish my goals if I continued to stagnate and be the person I was.” I turned away, looking up at the sky of my inner world. It was strangely golden in colour. “If I want to find another person like her… and share that mutual feeling of unbounded, pure love; I can't be that person.”

“... I see.”

“I hope you do your best.” I turned back to her. “Not only for my sake, of course. Do it for yourself and your goals.”

“If your promise is a true one, I will.”

“It is.”

The wind blew between us as we came to a mutual agreement.

“I could almost get used to your new, ‘omni-benevolent’, self.” Yun Wuxin smiled.

“I will never be able to care for everyone, nor would I choose to… but the least that I can do is treat the important people close to me well.”

In the end, it was all good vibes. It felt strangely… nice. Even though I acted sincerely, part of me really did mean what I said. I hadn't lied to her completely.

We had moved past the stagnation, the wedge in our bond… because I chose to stop being overly proud and stubborn, in a sense. I chose to be more understanding and open the way forward.

Seeing the results firsthand, it was clear to me that I had made the right decision.

Perhaps the Heretic God’s power will not elude me for much longer…

…

“Itachi, were you spying on me?” As I flew away, I noticed him chilling in the background.

“It seems that you've truly moved on.” Itachi remarked, his lips curling into a smile. “I've yet to see Yun Wuxin look so approving of you.”

“That mantle of King… it is not something that I was worthy of. A King and his power should be respected, yes, but he also should be admired and loved by his subjects.” I replied, nodding. “I won't crown myself anymore… instead, I will give reason for the people to crown me. That is the kind of King that I choose to be.”

“... You've truly grown.”  Itachi acknowledged. “Know that you are more worthy of that title and all that comes with it, James King.”

[Due to your bond deepening, Itachi Uchiha has unlocked more of his latent power and evolved. You have also attained the eyes of the Uchiha Clan… the Sharingan. Alongside that, you have gained the ability to learn and perform some of the Jutsu in Itachi's arsenal. Your affinity to fire has also increased.]

“I see… ” I nodded. “I won't waste your talents… nor the friendship that we've built. Let us move forward, to a brighter future.”

“Indeed.” He agreed, nodding.

“Oh… I’d like to ask one thing. Were you aware of how it ended, past your death?” I questioned.

“... No.”

“Well, I want you to know that your little brother helped save the world and did more than enough to redeem himself in the eyes of many over time. He was the shadow that protected the Leaf Village for as long as he was able to… a hero.”

“Hm.” Itachi smiled.

“You know… seeing your story, I don’t recall the last time I had so much hatred for a fictional character,” I remarked, shaking my head.

“... Danzo?”

“Yes, that fucker. I wanted to tear him to pieces through my screen. Alas… I could not. Even so, Sasuke pulled through.”

“I see.” Itachi nodded.

“You don’t seem to hate him.” I remarked.

“What makes you think that? I’ve merely moved on from that matter…”

“Man, you look way too nonchalant about it.” I sighed. “Regardless… if I ever summon him, we can jump his ass over and over again. Everyone can take turns killing that crusty old wanker.”

“... Sure.”

“Even if you don’t, I’ll kill him a thousand times over for you. That’s what friends do.”

“Friends…?” Itachi questioned, blinking. “You consider me your friend, my liege?”

“Why, we are geniuses of geniuses who carry heavy burdens and have lost many important things along our path.” I smiled, wrapping my arm around his neck. “We are not afraid to get our hands dirty for what we believe is right… though, in truth, you are a far better person than I. I am closer to a devil while you are more of a martyr, a saint.”

“You are not even half as bad as you think you are.”

“Maybe not.” I chuckled, removing my arm.

“And I am no saint, James.” Itachi admitted, shaking his head. “Not even close.”

“More of… doesn’t mean you are. We’re human, after all. I wouldn’t expect you to be perfect.”

Itachi’s expression softened slightly. “Fair enough.”

“... Heh. One day, I’ll get you laughing so hard you’ll be rolling on the floor.” I chuckled. “Anyway, I’ll need you to teach me some Jutsu later.”

“Sure thing.” He nodded.

“For now, just do your thing.”

~

I sought out Rocky, who was practising in his indoor personal Lakers basketball court (a pocket world inside of his island house inside of my inner world… yeah, bullshit only gods can pull). It was the Staples Centre (we don’t call it its actual name) but empty of any crowd. It was just Rokas practising on his own.

He was performing all kinds of dunks that would boggle the minds of any normal NBA fan.

“You’re telling me you can destroy entire worlds, yet you’re still practising the art of putting a ball in a basket?” I chuckled.

“Why not?” Rokas questioned, creating a new ball and letting it fly from halfcourt. Of course, it swished in.

“You’re telling me that you find it fun… despite all the countless other things you could be doing?”

“Hm… you still kick balls, don’t you?” Rokas questioned, turning to me. “Your core fighting style revolves around your striking.”

“Well… fair point. Even so, I don’t practice specifically for a game of football.”

“You might see me as lazy… but I would argue that you need to learn to enjoy your life more.” Rokas turned away and continued hooping. “Your system is a lot more favourable than mine was. You have command of a cast of broken-ass characters, yet you choose to make things more difficult for yourself than they have to be.”

“Maybe so.” I nodded. “I am a stubborn and prideful individual.”

“Speaking of… what was your System?”

“I got rewarded for doing things I didn’t like doing or wasn’t all that good at… like diligently training, getting with women and developing meaningful bonds.”

“I see…” I chuckled. “Yeah, you sucked at all of that.”

“Indeed, I did.” He shrugged. “But… you live, and you learn.”

“You know those months I spent… the ones that came after my supposed death. You made that happen, didn’t you?”

“... What makes you think that?” He smiled slightly, glancing back at me.

“It’s a hunch, really. You wouldn’t tap my forehead for no reason.”

“I left that clue so that you’d figure it out… though, the forehead tap wasn’t at all necessary. It’s more of a tradition.” Rokas chuckled. “I’ve granted plenty of blessings in my time.”

“So you’re a God of sorts now.”

“A God Emperor.” He corrected, nodding. “Though, it is close enough.”

“Why’d you do it, then?”

“We are friends, aren’t we?” Rokas questioned.

“Hm… I doubt you’re that easy to befriend. You’re not at all the same Rokas you were in my life.”

“... Of course.” He nodded. “Even so, I know precisely what you were going through. Despite not knowing each other all that much… we still share a certain understanding that no other being has with us. I wanted you to be free from your past, something that I couldn’t entirely let go off until the very end.”

“... I see.” I made a genuine and sincere smile, nodding. “Then… I must thank you, best friend.”

“Best friend…” He chuckled. “To have the qualifications of being my best friend… you must answer this.”

“Oh… and what might that be?”

“Are you King because you’re James, or are you James because you’re King?”

“...” I laughed, shaking my head. It was something only those familiar with JJK would understand. “I am King because I’m James.”

“Fair point.” He nodded. “Out of curiosity, who is your favourite anime character?”

“His Royal Majesty, Lelouch Vi Brittannia.”

“... I can definitely see why.” Rokas smiled. “He is up there for me too.”

“Honestly, I wish I had his power of the King. I need to either roll him or C2 in the future-”

“Funny you say that.” Rokas countered, his eyes glowing purple.

“Oh… you know something I don’t?”

“Nah, I don’t.” He shrugged, turning away.

“You liar.” I chuckled. “Well, now I know that I’ll get one of those two eventually. Even if you don’t admit it directly, your comment suggests such an outcome.”

“Smartass.” Rokas scoffed with a jestful tone. “Anyway, since you made fun of me for not winning any tournaments… which is only true because I didn’t see a point in attending any…”

“Do you want a bronze medal for getting third place?”

“Fuck you.” I smiled, shaking my head.

“What a loser.” Rokas chuckled. “Imagine losing a fucking Blue Wind Ranking Tournament, holy shit. What a sorry excuse for an ATG MC, you should forever hang your head in shame. You know what… here you go.”

Before I could blink, I was awarded with a bronze medal.

“Nah, you’re actually violating me.” I laughed.

“On a serious note, you surprised even me.” He stated with a more serious expression. “In the end, you really are… a genius. You always have been. A stubborn one, of course, but a genius nonetheless.”

“This is coming from the guy who built a profound arc in the blink of an eye.”

“I’ve had plenty of time to practice.” He shrugged. “If only you saw my Inner World…”

“Your Inner World… is that where you keep all the ‘garbage’?”

“Pretty much. I’ve built replicas of a lot of things in my spare time… way too many things, really. Though… I never have the heart to destroy any of it so a good chunk of my Inner World has become a giant hoarding space.”

“It’s pretty big, though?”

“About the size of this universe, yeah.”

“What the fuck… you have a universe inside of you?”

“It’s one collosal world, actually.”

“You’re saying that the characters I have are broken… mate, you’re broken.” I laughed. “I’m a bit jealous.”

“You have a sharingan so early, I’m even more jealous. Why is it that the otaku has the more plain, cultivation-based System?” Rokas countered, smiling. “Really, we should have swapped Systems. You get the procrastinator one and I get to summon the characters I know while learning all their abilities.”

“Naaah, I don’t want yours. You can keep it.”

(Procrastinator’s System: Why am I being slandered right now?)

[King’s System: I feel honoured, my liege.]

“Fair enough.” He nodded. “Anyway, you should get going. You wouldn’t want to miss our Lord and Saviour Fen Juechen’s match.”

“... What do you mean?” I raised an eyebrow. “Some inside joke I don’t know about?”

“You didn’t read from Wuxia World, did you?” Rokas chuckled. “A shame… though I wouldn’t blame you. The website isn’t what it used to be.”

“I see… did it come to be because of how he somehow manages to make himself relevant time and time again?”

“One user persisted in the comments and made it a running meme. It was pretty funny, I won’t lie.”

“Heh. He should win against Ling Yun’s brother… but Xia Qingyue? I can’t help with that one.”

The only way he could win against her was if she conceded…

~

The match between Fen Juechen and Ling Jie was extremely intense, with the youths matching each other blow for blow. Ling Yun had given away his sword so that Ling Jie could perform the Yuan Yang Combination, giving him the edge. And so… the dormant power within Fen Juechen’s sword slowly leaked out with the aid of James.

“Such a powerful sword… it far surpasses even the Demon Flame Blade…” Ling Jie’s eyes widened as its tyrannical flames surged out. “What is its name?”

“The Burning Heaven Blade.” Fen Juechen decided to keep it simple, naming it after his Sect.

“I see… I take it’s another gift from His Royal Highness.” Ling Jie smiled slightly. “Isn’t it?”

“It is.”

“Seems like he really does treat the people around him well…” Ling Jie acknowledged. “Even so, I don’t intend to lose to you. At the very least, the Heavenly Sword Villa must get second place.”

“When His Royal Highness entrusted this blade to me… it was with the promise of victory!”

Fen Juechen charged forward, meeting Ling Jie head on.

He raised his blade upwards and slashed straight down…

Ling Jie raised both of his swords to block, yet…

CLANG.

“What…?”

Ling Jie’s eyes widened as the Burning Heaven Blade cut through both Celestial Yuan and Yang swords simultaneously…

Like butter, they had been cleaved in half.

“An… Emperor Profound Grade Artefact…?”

Fen Juechen continued onwards, moving his blade to the youth’s neck.

“I concede.”

Ling Jie knelt down to the ground, shaking his head.

Fen Juechen sheathed his sword.

“These swords… were… very important to the Heavenly Sword Villa.” Ling Jie sighed. “Things like this do happen in tournament matches… but…”

“Join His Royal Highness’ cause… and you will attain far superior swords.” Fen Juechen turned away. “I am certain that he would accept you with open arms.”

‘Is he recruiting for me now?’ James thought, raising an eyebrow. ‘Interesting.’

“A grave loss…” Ling Yuefeng sighed, shaking his head. “Even so… that sword… to be able to cut through both the Celestial Yuan and Yang swords, it must be-”

“It is a high-grade Emperor Profound Artefact.” Ling Kun stated, stroking his beard. “There’s no mistaking it. Just like the ribbon he gave Xia Qingyue and the gauntlets he wielded… this boy, there are quite a number of secrets on him, and likely even more he has yet to reveal.”

…

“To decide the finals of this session’s Blue Wind Ranking Tournament and overall victor… step forward, Blue Wind Imperial Family’s Fen Juechen and the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace’s Xia Qingyue!”

The two met face to face. Of course, the result was obvious to everyone watching. Fen Juechen was in the late stages of the Spirit Profound Realm, while Xia Qingyue was a bonafide Sky Profound Realm expert. She could kill him with a blink… literally.

Fen Juechen was very much aware of this reality, not even drawing his sword.

“Match… start!”

“I concede.”

Fen Juechen said it, and that was that.

Xia Qingyue was the champion of the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament, claiming first place for the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace.

After that, the smaller matches which determined the other placements took place. In the end, the sect rankings turned out to be like this:

1: Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace

2: Blue Wind Imperial Family

3: Heavenly Sword Villa

4: Xiao Sect

5: Burning Heaven Clan

~

A bit over a week later…

After Ling Yuefeng explained what I already knew, my summoned vassals and I entered the Heaven Basin Secret Realm alongside the representatives of the top ten sects. Ling Yuefeng explicitly stated that it was not a place for settling grudges… because this was a precious chance to ‘train’ and gather resources.

Indeed, it was… but who said one could not do both?