Chapter Forty-Three: Homeward Journey, Part Two

As the kraken chieftain and his kin fell silent, he turned to the Honored God Liyang and said, “Respected one, there is something you may not know—we did not wage war out of malice. The reason we took up arms was simply to secure a peaceful existence for all the tribes of the sea.”

Hearing this, the Honored God Liyang was puzzled. In his eyes, the ocean covered ninety percent of this star domain; the sea tribes should not have found survival difficult. Why, then, did they claim to fight for survival? He asked, “From what I see, the ocean fills ninety percent of this domain. Shouldn’t your people survive with ease?”

The kraken replied, “Respected one, please allow me to explain in detail.”

“I am eager to hear the full story,” said the Honored God Liyang, knowing that only by grasping the roots of the matter could he find a true solution.

The kraken began, “Indeed, ninety percent of this star domain is covered by ocean. However, after our various races emerged, the birds of the sky often hunted us for food, preying on our kind whenever they were hungry. Over the long ages, we were forced to hide away during the day, venturing out only in the deep silence of night to seek sustenance. As time passed and the oceans changed, our elders discovered many ways to grow stronger and learned the means to leave the sea. Through more than a thousand years of arduous effort, we gradually became powerful. Six centuries ago, we resolved to strike back at the sky-dwellers and seek justice for our unjust fate.”

The more the kraken spoke, the heavier the resentment among the sea creatures grew. By the end, their bodies radiated hostility, their eyes burning red with hatred. Their hearts brimmed only with vengeance, yearning to skin and tear apart those birds.

Hearing the general cause of the conflict, the Honored God Liyang felt genuine sympathy for the sea tribes' plight. He addressed them, “I deeply sympathize with your suffering, but if you continue this war, countless innocent lives will be lost in vain and the future will be imperiled. I have an idea—would you be willing to hear it?”

The kraken responded, “Please, respected one, speak freely.”

Liyang said, “If you are willing, I can mediate between you, to see if the conflict might be resolved. If henceforth the sky-dwellers cease hunting you for food, would you in turn lay down arms?”

The kraken replied, “If you can persuade them, we have no desire to see our people die for nothing.”

“Very well, follow me.”

With that, Liyang led the way skyward; behind him, the sea creatures who had taken human form mounted their untransformed kin, following in a grand procession.

When the birds saw this, they assumed these two must indeed be reinforcements summoned by the sea tribes. Though Liyang and his companions were still a thousand miles away, the birds swiftly captured the Divine Doctor of Hundred Herbs.

Seeing this, the Divine Doctor quietly thought, “This is not good.” His fingers unobtrusively tapped his beloved little medicine chest, and with a silent command, he released the toxins within. The colorless, scentless poison spread on the wind, drifting over a thousand miles in mere moments.

Up ahead, more than a dozen of the strongest birds, led by the great roc, sought to suppress Liyang with sheer force in an instant. Noting the change in situation and fearing for the Divine Doctor’s safety, Liyang wasted no time. In a flash, he summoned his vast power, meeting the onslaught of the mighty birds. The two sides collided.

Boom!

A thunderous crash echoed as overwhelming power rippled outward from the point of impact. Despite their full efforts, many weaker birds and sea creatures—tens of thousands—were blasted away, blood spurting from their mouths, falling like broken kites.

Within a thousand-mile radius at the birds’ heartland, tens of thousands of birds, confused and disoriented, fell into the ocean, sending up great splashes.

The dozen powerful birds and Liyang, after clashing with all their might, were all thrown back, vomiting blood and flying a thousand miles before regaining their footing.

The sea creatures watching were left dumbfounded by Liyang’s might—one thought filled their minds: how incredibly powerful! Even more astounding, there was no sign of battle for thousands of miles ahead, yet tens of thousands of birds inexplicably dropped into the sea. They guessed this must be the work of the old man in the purple-green robe—what sort of power was this, that could so silently strip so many birds of their strength? It was terrifying.

As Liyang led the sea tribes forward, the birds, convinced that Liyang and the Divine Doctor were allies of the sea tribe, decided to strike first and with overwhelming force. They all joined the fray, leaving the Divine Doctor completely free. He immediately drew upon his power, unleashing another wave of toxins. This time, the birds were better prepared, and though many still fell into the sea, the stronger among them could resist. Those who landed in the ocean were not dead, merely rendered immobile by the Divine Doctor’s poison.

Liyang, realizing he might have been misunderstood, infused his voice with divine power and thundered, “Cease at once!”

His rolling thunderclap spread outward, centering on him. Both sides, poised to attack again, froze at his command.

Once all had halted, Liyang asked, “Are there misunderstandings between us?”

The great roc spoke: “You claim to be mere passersby, yet why do you join forces with the sea creatures to attack us?”

“So that’s it,” Liyang and the Divine Doctor immediately understood. The sudden aggression from the birds stemmed from a mistaken assumption that the two were allied with the sea tribe. Yet the Divine Doctor still wondered why Liyang had brought the sea creatures here. Liyang soon answered with his actions.

He quickly explained, “You are mistaken. My brother and I are no one’s pawns. There is no need for alarm—let me finish.”

“I have just spoken with the sea tribes. I heard you birds have long hunted them for food. Is this true?”

“It is,” the roc replied, “and what of it?”

Liyang continued, “Let me ask you a few questions.”

“Go on.”

“Do you enjoy war and needless death?”

“We all want to live well; who would willingly die for no reason?”

“If you were faced with a stronger enemy who, generation after generation, hunted you for food, what would you do?”

“We would fight to the death,” the roc answered.

“Then why should the sea tribes not fight you to the death, if you hunt them for food?”

Liyang's questions left the birds speechless for a long time.

At last, the roc asked, “What is your suggestion, respected one?”

This was the answer both birds and sea tribes most yearned to know.

Liyang said, “I propose this: if you agree to seek other food and cease preying on the sea tribes, I will persuade them to end the war. Will you accept this?”

The birds pondered long and hard, but found no better solution. At last, the roc declared, “My tribe agrees.”

“So do we,” echoed others.

Seeing this, Liyang was pleased. “Excellent.”

When the sea folk heard the news, tears of joy welled up in their eyes. Countless years of hiding, of barely surviving, generations of hope—at last, this day had arrived. All their sorrows, bitterness, longing, waiting, struggle, hatred, and resentment—at this moment, all of it was carried away by the wind. At last, they could look forward to a peaceful, happy life.

One by one, sea monsters who had never known happiness shed grateful tears, finally understanding the joy of true peace.

The kraken and the dragon, suppressing their excitement, knelt sincerely before Liyang and the Divine Doctor. All the other sea creatures followed suit.

“The blessings you have bestowed upon us today, honored ones, are beyond repayment. May everything go your way, may you enjoy endless years. Should you ever require our aid, we swear to follow you unto death.”

The heartfelt blessings and promises of the sea tribes stirred a deep sense of pride and fulfillment in Liyang and the Divine Doctor. In this unprecedented moment, their cultivation and state of mind both reached a new, far higher level.

To see your own wishes fulfilled, you must first help others realize their dreams. In helping others, you receive the greatest rewards.

Liyang said, “Rise, all of you. From now on, you may live your days in peace and happiness.”

Only then did the sea creatures stand up, full of respect. The birds, meanwhile, were enlightened by Liyang’s words, their hearts filled with guilt toward the sea tribes. The roc stepped forward, faced the kraken, and with all the sincerity of countless unspoken words, simply said, “I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry.”

Those simple words echoed over and over in the minds of the sea creatures. In that instant, all their hatred and resentment dissolved into the vast world of sea and sky.

Then the roc spoke words that filled the sea folk with even greater joy: “From now on, the sky belongs not only to us, but to you as well.”

As these words were spoken, all the sea creatures leapt and danced in excitement, almost dizzy with happiness as blessing after blessing rained down upon them.

At that moment, the roc felt the heavens and earth resonate with him, power gathering within, wind and rain swirling, thunder and lightning crackling—a momentous, unprecedented breakthrough in cultivation. The reason was clear: by righting past wrongs and healing the wounds in his heart, the roc had transcended his old limitations. In the days that followed, many among the birds achieved breakthroughs as well.

This is the principle: to treat others with kindness is to treat yourself with kindness.

With the shadows lifted from their hearts, the sea tribes also advanced in their cultivation.

Liyang and the Divine Doctor, witnessing such harmony and happiness, felt a profound joy and sense of accomplishment. To bring happiness to others is to find happiness oneself.

By now, Liyang and the Divine Doctor had lingered two or three hours, but urgent matters called them back to Lujia Mountain Star Domain to heal Liyang’s grandson, Li Hao. Amid the sea creatures’ reluctant farewells, they took their leave.

In the days that followed, many marvelous and unexpected events unfolded between the sea monsters and the sky-dwelling birds.