Volume One, Chapter Forty-Seven: Selective Memory Removal?

Chapter 47: Selective Memory Stripping?

Mara nodded. “So, the people capable of such a feat must belong to an extremely small circle, am I right? Now, among all the heavens of the Three Realms, who truly has this power? Could any of the other rulers in the Realm of Desire do it? Could any of the eighteen lords of the Realm of Form manage it? I think that’s impossible. Their forms of existence may differ greatly from ours, but their divine consciousness is not necessarily stronger than yours or mine. If we can’t achieve this, neither can they.

Ramo, what about the four lords of the Formless Realm? We’ve seen them, but can you be sure it was really them? They can manifest in countless forms, their modes of existence are beyond our comprehension—how can we possibly know who is who? Therefore, if anyone in the heavens of the Three Realms could do this, it would have to be one of the four lords of the Formless Realm. But what’s the reason? What do they want with the underworld, or with Yama’s heaven? Do they really need to go to such trouble? Wouldn’t it be easier for them to simply take what they want? So, while they may have the capability, they lack the necessity or motive, right? Ramo—”

Mara’s tone grew uncharacteristically grave as he continued, “Is it possible that this being comes from… beyond the realms?”

Mashuloutuo’s expression changed abruptly. After a pause, he said, “Isn’t that a bit too bold of a supposition?”

Mara nodded. “It is bold, but as the saying goes—dare to hypothesize, and verify with caution. Perhaps in this little world of ours, there are still others harboring hidden agendas. We have too little information right now; any speculation is without strong evidence.”

Mashuloutuo said worriedly, “But what about Dog?”

Mara’s gaze pierced through countless planes, deep and distant. “Let us wait and see. I can hardly believe someone would strip another’s memories just for amusement. What is going to happen with Dog? It will be interesting to find out.”

For the past few days, Huluzhina had been teetering on the edge of despair.

Locked away in a dungeon, facing the wall in supposed repentance—was this really a life fit for the son of Heaven? Though this “repentance” was something of a sham, with a wealth of treasures, exquisite foods and drinks, even several beautiful, sensual celestial maidens whom he had ravished until their cries blurred the line between pleasure and protest, it was still, after all, repentance. At the very least, he could no longer strut about openly.

His companions outside were also all sons of lesser heavenly kings, who once basked in glory with the Eight Princes. Now, with Huluzhina in disgrace, they followed him in near servitude, running errands and scrambling for favor.

Many hangers-on had also been grounded by their fathers for Huluzhina’s misfortune, or sensed that the days of following the Eight Princes with impunity were over, and so began to quietly distance themselves.

This infuriated Huluzhina to no end.

“Traitorous lot of fence-sitters, two-faced birds! What, you think I've fallen now? Washed up? Now you all kick me while I’m down? Even the rocks and bricks are coming for me? Blind fools! Whose Mount Sumeru is this, anyway? Who’s the true lord here? Let’s get something straight—I’m in repentance, not dead! I’ll be out in a few days. How will you face my wrath then?”

No, he couldn’t stay in this wretched place any longer. He needed out—needed revenge. Another day here and he’d go mad.

“You there, take my place at the wall. I’m going to see my master. I can’t swallow this humiliation.”

Donning his attendant’s treasured robe, Huluzhina slipped out in a flash, and in a moment arrived at the palace of the Great King of Elephants, Ilopona.

Ilopona, despite his imperial cultivation, had not fared much better in his clash with Dog. After all, Dog was now Lord of the Underworld, and his powers were not inferior; it was only the inexplicable loss of some memories that left his divine consciousness damaged. Otherwise, it was unclear who might have suffered more.

As for Huluzhina, Ilopona’s feelings toward his disciple were a mixture of love and exasperation. He resented the boy’s unambitious ways—cockfighting, dog racing, drinking, gambling, brawling—he spent far too little time on cultivation. That’s why he remained stuck at the Srotapanna level, unable to advance. Truth be told, the scoundrel was wasting all the resources bestowed upon him. Who wouldn’t be frustrated with such a student?

Yet, on the other hand, something about the boy always softened Ilopona’s heart. Whenever Huluzhina did show up, he would flatter and fuss over his master, making Ilopona feel utterly at ease, and his resentment would dissipate.

Now, Huluzhina flew before Ilopona, fell to his knees, and wailed, “Master! I can’t accept this! That butcher Tuzhe—why should he hold me down? Master, you must help me slay that fellow! You have only this one disciple, after all!”

Ilopona felt a headache coming on.

“Can’t you see the situation clearly? Tuzhe is no mere butcher. He’s protected by Mara, the lord of the Desire Realm. And Dog’s origins are extraordinary—once the pet of Lord Yama, now the ruler of the underworld. Can you—or even your father—afford to provoke them?”

Ilopona pondered. “You want revenge, and I won’t try to talk you out of it. But I’ve made promises to Lord Yama, Mashuloutuo; otherwise, do you think I’d be so restrained? So I cannot act against Tuzhe. If you want revenge, you can’t always rely on others. You must train hard—reach the level of a sage, even a great sage—then you’ll have nothing to fear from Tuzhe.”

Huluzhina looked up plaintively. “So Master, you’re abandoning me?”

Ilopona sighed. “A gentleman’s revenge is never too late, even after ten years. Isn’t the Youth Talent Tournament of the Desire Realm coming up in a decade? By then, your cultivation will have soared—won’t you be able to defeat Tuzhe fair and square?”

Huluzhina lowered his head, a cold gleam flickering in his eyes, but he replied, “I’ll do as you say, Master. What should I do next?”

Ilopona was delighted, thinking his disciple had finally come to his senses. “I will teach you the Great Elephant King Seal. You should also ask your father for more divine treasures to accelerate your cultivation. With diligent effort, you will surely succeed.”

Huluzhina agreed.

Ilopona transmitted the technique of the Great Elephant King Seal directly into Huluzhina’s mind.

Taking his leave, Huluzhina returned to his place of repentance. He kicked the limp celestial maidens aside, shouting, “I’m going into seclusion for hard training! You lot, don’t idle about—send people to the border between Renlitian and Yama’s Heaven. If there’s any news of Tuzhe, report at once, understand? You—yes, you—go tell my father I’m cultivating. Any treasures or resources that can speed my training, I want them all sent here, got it? Move!”

Before his attendants could even leave, Huluzhina suddenly heard the voice of Indra in his mind:

“Well done—you have ambition. Here is a Sumeru ring, filled with items useful for your training. In ten years, if your strength surpasses that of your brothers and you kill Tuzhe in the tournament, I will name you heir to the throne.”

At these words, Huluzhina fell to his knees, overjoyed. “Father, I will not disappoint you!”

Meanwhile, Tuzhe, in the divine pool at the heart of the lotus, was facing an unimaginable crisis.