"Your Majesty, us your followers had been aware of what the outcome might be. But, we still followed you. That's because we are resolved to accompany you to the end." Estueva spoke with a low and calm tone, "There's no one to blame. It's purely our choices."
For the eight challenges, just how many people had already sacrificed their lives for Han Li's selfish pursuit? Many were against it, but no one was able to stop him. Not even those closest to him.
Fighting a hopeless battle was pure idiocy yet they still went on, without turning their backs and keeping their heads looking onward.
Han Li regretted too many things to count. And during his final moments, it took a toll on him crushed his heart completely. Thus, Jin Rou was going to win not just for himself, but for Han Li.
He needed to end this long reign of that old man and seek for the answers of the his soul.
"I'm sorry for keeping you here." Jin Rou said with a gentle and sincere tone. Estueva had always been faithful to Han Li and did whatever he ordered down to the very last word.
Estueva should have died a long time ago, but feeling guilty, Han Li used extreme amount of resources to save him. Albeit, in a separate dimension like this. Han Li couldn't bear to lose Estueva during that time.
"Your Majesty, there's nothing to be sorry for." Estueva responded, "I know you want me to live in peace in this space, and I appreciate it."
It was true. While Estueva couldn't leave this place, he could connect to the realms and observe it for a while. He could also go to places which had been desolate for many years with a heavy restriction.
The past was already in the past. And Estueva wanted Han Li to let go of it. He knew what he had been through as he followed him whenever he went. If there's someone who suffered so much for countless years that they wanted to die, Han Li would perhaps the only one who could fit the criteria.
No one could imagine how much weight and responsibilities had carried by Han Li. No one knew his good deeds except for a few while several loathe him to death. He was branded as a butcher, murderer, devil, any derogatory words to suit insults had been named on him.
Yet, he continued. He strived. But for what reason?
Maybe most of his followers didn't know what's the sole and main reason why, but Estueva knew it.
Jin Rou looked at Estueva and asked, "I can free you here if you want."
The current power level of Han Li along with Jin Rou was already above the apex. Moreover, with Han Li's galaxy vaults, separating Estueva's existence in this space was possible as long as Jin Rou was willing to pay the heavy price.
"Your Majesty, I cannot trouble you to do that." Estueva shook his head, "I know how powerful this space is, and I know it's possible with your means. But, I'm also aware that it can take most of your resources. Of your three vaults, disconnecting my existence here might need 2 and a half of your total treasures and resources."
If anyone heard this and knew what's inside the vaults, they would feel their souls jumping out of their bodies. Trillions of treasures and resources were inside each vault and taking him out of here was more than two vaults?
Jin Rou smiled wryly. Estueva was right, but he was willing if the shadow wanted to, "You are worth it, Estu. If I free you, I won't require you to fight alongside me. I want you to find your peace."
If Han Li was here, he would do the same. As one of his biggest regrets were about Estueva being here alone with no one to talk to.
"Your Majesty, I am happy that you care for me this much even after so much time has passed." Estueva's voice was shaking. There were no tears but his voice was almost crying, "But let me stay here for the rest of my life, Your Majesty."
Estueva had no families or sect to return to. If there was a home, then this space was. After all, Han Li had given it to him.
Jin Rou, for the first time, felt his heart tightening. But he didn't show it and looked at Estueva tenderly.
Time was never eternity for people. Even those who avoided the physical laws of time would eventually grow old and die. Not even the so called immortals could be an exception. They could live for so long, but the end game would be the same-- death.
But for Estueva, he had still countless years to burn before dying.
"This will be the last time I can see you, Estu." Jin Rou didn't want to say this, but he had to, "It will be my last time challenging that old man and I don't know what will eventually happen. I might die, or I might kill him. I'm still not certain."
"No matter what is the result, I will always root for you, Your Majesty." Estueva spoke what his heart meant, "You are always the invincible emperor who saved realms after realms from dangers. You are the only one tough enough to call the hard shots. No one is the same as you, and no one can be."
Many have wanted to become a hero, but afraid to make the tough call. There were so many times that Han Li sacrificed many people for the greater good of the realm and he was hated for that.
He was hated, insulted and cursed out that it haunted his mind for nights.
For Estueva, if there was a hero in Nine Heavens, Thousand Realms, Sword Platform and Mortalis, it should be Han Li. Not those who tried to be a hero by denouncing Han Li's name.
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Jin Rou could feel the sincerity in his voice and felt warm that he had never felt before.