Chapter 386 - - 383 Li En is a wise man_1

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Another wave of silence.

Duge faced Simon, sitting cross-legged.

His spine was ramrod straight.

If this world had poetry, he would inevitably recite a couple of lines: “Since ancient times, who has not known death? To stay or go, our loyalties rest with Kunlun Sect.”

But the man beside him suddenly stopped persuading him, which rather disappointed Duge.

These barbarians, they completely do not understand the etiquette of offering and declining thrice!

It seems I might have to guide them in this.

Duge sighed, turned his head, looked through the small window of the prison cell at the star-filled sky, and whispered, “My family has suffered because of me; this is the last thing I can do for them. If there is anyone in this lifetime I have let down, it would be only my father and my people. They have shouldered so much disgrace for me, and now they are banished…

I have no shame in my heart, no shame towards those I have saved, but I have wronged them!

If I could apologize to them before my death, I would truly have no regrets. Simon, you are an idealistic person, if one day you grow tired of being a prison guard and venture out, should you be fortunate enough to meet my father, please convey my apologies to him.”

Simon looked at Duge, silent for a moment, then said, “As you wish.”

Such an obtuse fellow!

“Thanks.” Duge sighed once more, closed his eyes, “Freed at last, I no longer have to look upon this filthy world.”

“Why don’t you go and apologize to your father yourself!” Li En’s voice came again, filled with anger, as if he despised Duge for his lack of spirit.

“Li En, I have already stated my reasons.” Duge said.

“You’re just running away.” Li En said, “You clearly have the power to save this filthy world, yet you choose to flee, allowing those dirty scum and swine to continue their tyranny and create more disasters. Is this what you call having a clear conscience? Coward.”

“…” Duge fell into silence, silently applauding Li En in his heart. This person truly had an enlightened Martial Spirit; unlike those ordinary people. Say a couple more lines; just a couple more, and I’ll have my way out of this.

“Nothing to say?” Li En sneered, “You just told Simon not to let this prison confine his steps, but what about you?”

“I am imprisoned by my own thoughts.” Duge murmured, wiping the nonexistent sweat from his forehead, answering his own question. He stood there stunned, “Am I wrong?”

“Yes, you are wrong, you’re a coward…” Li En said.

“Wrong?” Duge was suddenly shaken, interrupting Li En. His eyes were unfocused, as if he was in the throes of an intense ideological struggle. Then, with pain, he covered his head, “Am I wrong? Am I wrong? Am I wrong?”

“Mr. Holley, are you alright!”

Simon stepped forward with concern and took out his keys to unlock the prison door again.

Just as his key entered the lock, Duge suddenly lifted his head.

His eyes were bloodshot, but at this moment, they glittered brightly. He stood up, “Yes, I am wrong. Heaven has awakened such a Martial Spirit within me; I should not run away. I should not entrust the hope for world peace to others who for their own interests, can frame one person and then employ the same tactics on others…”

“…” Simon was dumbfounded.

“A truly brave person should not only be brave in words and actions but should also confront their own heart,”

Duge’s voice grew louder, as though he was persuading himself and others, “I was wrong, even if I sacrifice myself and save others, I’m only walking down a narrow path, my sacrifice is merely to move myself;

I should stand up, lead by example, and become a role model for others to make this world a better place;

I want to use my power to break the injustice of this world, to shatter the darkness of this world, rather than hope for their own Enlightenment…”

“…” Simon’s passion deep within seemed to have been stirred. He stood there watching Duge, deep in thought.

“If I die, there will be no one to stand up for others when disaster strikes.” Duge clenched his fists, “I must live, I must survive in order to save more people.”

The entire prison was dead silent, only Duge’s voice echoed.

Taking a deep breath, Duge calmed down from his frenzy, and turned toward Li En’s cell, bowing solemnly in a nobleman’s salute, “Mr. Li En, thank you for awakening me.

You are a true sage, and compared to you, I fall far short. From today on, you will be my mentor in a word, and your teachings will always be remembered in my heart, urging me to bravely move forward, to be a truly upright person, to survive, and not to flee.

You are right, death is an escape, the behavior of a coward, living on, bravely facing all difficulties, that is what it means to be truly brave. No matter the risks or dangers, even if it means making an enemy of the whole world, I must survive…”

“…” Li En was stunned, he looked blankly at the mottled walls of the cell, Did I say all that? I just resented him for his lack of fight, resented that he had a chance to escape but didn’t take it!

“Mr. Simon, I’m afraid I might trouble you.” Duge looked at Simon, an apologetic expression on his face, “Mr. Li En’s words have enlightened me, made me understand many truths, I must live, to shine and warm this world, this world needs me…”

“Mr. Holley, I was going to let you go anyway,” Simon said hesitantly.

“Would you follow me?” Duge looked at Simon and suddenly asked.

“I…” Simon was stunned.

“I can indeed leave on my own, and before I leave, I could even knock you out to clear your name.” Duge continued, “But Mr. Li En is right, I can’t leave my fate and hopes in someone else’s hands.

After all, I’m a major criminal of the empire, even if I use violence to escape from prison, you could still suffer Duke Linqi’s wrath, you might lose your job, even your life, I can’t do that…”

He paused, looking at the flustered Simon, and continued, “So, following me, leaving with me, is the best choice…”

“Mr. Holley, I…” Simon’s head was spinning, and for a moment, he didn’t know whether to agree or not.

“Mr. Simon, you were willing to listen to the last words of a dying man, known to all as a scumbag, and even willing to carry a message to my father, which proves you are a person with a good heart, as upright as I am.”

Duge smiled and continued, “So, you can follow your heart’s choice, whatever decision you make, I will support you. Even if you tell me you still wish to stay here, to be a prison guard and don’t want me to leave, I can stay in this jail for your sake, and then, tomorrow on the execution ground, I’ll find a way to leave, so you won’t have any burden.”

The words about his willingness to stay touched Simon’s heart, and his eyes became determined, “No, Mr. Holley, I’ll follow you.”

“Simon, following me could make you lose a job that provides for you, become a fugitive of Lucerne Kingdom, possibly face difficulties and end up with nothing, do you still wish to follow me?” Duge looked at him intently, “I’m not even a noble anymore.”

Caught up in the moment, Simon’s blood was boiling, and he had completely lost his reason. He looked at Duge and spoke loudly, “Yes, Mr. Holley, I will follow you, even if you’re not a noble anymore. In my heart, you are more noble than those nobles.”

“Well done, Simon, I respect your choice,” Duge smiled, “Don’t worry, I will take you to a wider world, to experience a more fantastic life, and if possible, I will try to awaken your Martial Spirit or teach you Magic. I swear, today you’ve given up everything for me, and I will never leave you, I will protect you with my life and honor your commitment to me.”

Perhaps he had never been so valued before, or faced such a significant decision, Simon’s face flushed red, and he stammered, “Mr. Holley, thank you, I’m willing to give my everything for you, I… I will let you out right now…”

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