Seizing the most opportune moment, the Peacock King unleashed his most powerful and targeted killing move! Azure flames blazed fiercely on the bodies of several Ming Kings, rendering all their supernatural powers and spells futile! This was the law of cause and effect!
[This blue lotus fire is fueled by the greed, anger, and ignorance in your hearts, all kinds of afflictions and poisons, and your respective evil deeds.]
The Peacock King calmly explained.
[You are all venerable kings, yet your inner cultivation is lacking, and you have committed so many sins, incurring the hatred of countless people. It seems unlikely you will live to see the flames of karma burn out.]
What is the fire of karma? Evil deeds harm the body like fire. Whatever karma you create, you will reap the corresponding consequences, and those consequences are like flames. There is no way to resist or escape it; it is a strict and just judgment, and the only retribution is to willingly accept it.
Therefore, this is neither death, nor a curse, nor poison—it is karma and retribution!
Today, the Peacock King and Hela are no longer associated with "death," but rather with something closely related to death, yet not entirely equivalent to it.
Since ancient times, humankind has held the concept of justice based on retribution. Criminals must be punished. For thousands of years, all people around the world, regardless of culture or race, have yearned for this kind of justice.
Justice should be served; this is a universal human pursuit and the greatest principle in the world. The Eight Great Vidyarajas, as the military symbols of the Mithra Group and as powerful figures wielding violence, have been the victims of hatred and resentment for four hundred years. The evil karma they have accumulated over these four hundred years is truly immense.
Punishing such wicked people, the so-called justice and retribution, is the will of the world. What does four hundred years of faith in the Mithraic group amount to compared with such a fundamental human ideal?
The five Wisdom Kings were engulfed in blue lotus flames, writhing and wailing incessantly. Only Acala Wisdom King was in slightly better condition; he was not burdened by various evil deeds, nor had his marrow been burned away by karmic fire, and he had not yet lost his ability to fight.
However, the other six Wisdom Kings had already been destroyed by the Blue Lotus Karmic Fire. Could an Immovable Wisdom King really have a chance of winning against the Peacock King and his wife? The odds were probably smaller than a thumb.
The situation in the Ming King War has been completely reversed.
"Step back, Immovable One."
So, thousands of miles away, Mithra finally spoke again.
"You performed very well. This was a very valuable practical test against the angels. You also successfully made the Peacock King show his true abilities."
From afar, Mithra glanced sideways at the Peacock King with his four-eyed eyes: "Death is nothing but a lowly thing before [Reincarnation]. However, the divine power of this retribution is barely enough to qualify as [Reincarnation]. I'm getting a little interested."
"King Peacock, come, I'll give you a chance to kill me."
Today's battle has finally entered its final stage.
428: The Strongest Man in the World (Part 2)
The Peacock King and his wife used the ultimate technique, "Vengeance is mine, and I will surely avenge them," to ignite the karmic fire of the blue lotus on the Bright Kings.
Originally, this kind of flame should have been impossible to extinguish. The accumulated sins and karma, layer upon layer, once ignited, will never be extinguished until they are completely burned out.
Reincarnation? Reincarnation is useless. Cause and effect, reincarnation, and retribution—these are inherently interconnected. The consequences of cause and effect are objective and do not conflict with reincarnation, nor can they be prevented by it.
The blazing blue lotus flames on these Mingwang (wisdom kings) are the result of their own actions, and no one can save them.
...At least that's what the Peacock King originally estimated.
However, just as the six Vidyarajas were engulfed in flames, rolling on the ground, half-dead from the heat—those struck by this attack would not die before the karmic reckoning was complete—Mithra finally made his move.
In the blink of an eye, he suddenly appeared out of thin air on the battlefield and reached out his hand to the six Vidyarajas. The blue karmic fire on the seven Vidyarajas was immediately absorbed into Mithra's palm.
The Peacock King witnessed this scene. For some reason, this action made him snort coldly, as if... it displeased him somewhat.
Mithra did not react to this. He simply crushed all the karmic fire in his hand with a snap, and then calmly said to the seven Vidyarajas, "Go back and await orders. I will deal with you later."
Clearly, he was not satisfied with the performance of these seven useless people.
The six Vidyarajas dared not utter a word and quickly bowed their heads and retreated. Only Acala, who had not been severely burned by the karmic fire, seemed to have other thoughts and spoke up, saying, "Venerable One, I have not yet been defeated and still retain full combat capability. Please allow me to fight him one-on-one and prove that your warrior is the strongest fighting god in this world!"
While it may seem like he's being stubborn, Acala's words aren't entirely without merit. Unlike the other wrathful deities who suffered such horrific burns, Acala's temperament was far better than his colleagues'. His heart was filled with far less greed, anger, and ignorance—all sorts of afflictions and poisons—than the other wrathful deities.
"The strongest Myo-o"—this title has accompanied Fudo Myo-o for four hundred years. In countless battles over four hundred years, he has never been defeated, and the word "defeat" cannot be uttered by the strongest Myo-o, otherwise it would tarnish Mithra's shining reputation.
The Peacock King is now using karmic fire and retribution to kill his enemies. The Acala King is now less restrained by him. Perhaps, now that he has regrouped his forces, he might actually be able to defeat the Peacock King?
The Peacock King showed no reaction to Fudo Myoo's words. However, a sense of awareness emanated from within his armor, as if to say—Stop wasting my time with your nonsense; if you want to fight, then come. If not, then listen to your master and get out of here.
This awareness was so strong that Acala (Fudō Myō-ō) must have sensed it. Although Acala was much better-tempered than the other Myō-ō, this still annoyed him and intensified his fighting spirit.
Unfortunately, his master did not agree to the war.
“That’s enough. There are other things I need to arrange for you.” Mitra said calmly, “The union of the Peacock King and his wife has reached a state of complete mastery, where they can utilize their entire body and soul. You cannot win; I have already seen it with my own eyes.”
"Don't be too discouraged. The Peacock King is now a unified couple (Be as one), not truly fighting alone, so it's not shameful for you to lose."
Mithra offered words of comfort, but Fudo Myoo seemed unmoved. Hearing his boss's words, he appeared even more depressed.
However, Fudo Myoo dared not truly defy Mithra's will, so he could only obediently bow his head and lead the other half-dead, or even worse-than-death, Myoos away from the battlefield.
The Peacock King said nothing, let alone gave chase. He wasn't in the nature to pursue a defeated dog.
Hela seized the opportunity to mock: "Mitra, you were just spouting such big boasts to your subordinates, they were practically bigger than a condom! How are you still holding back?"
“I’ve known all along that they can’t beat you either. I’ve seen this future coming for a long time.”
Mithra turned back to look at the Peacock King.
"Actually, I'm quite used to this situation. It's become commonplace for my subordinates to not be able to meet my demands."
He said calmly.
Anyway, you win, you win, you win; it's all within your expectations. How convenient.
But Hela still mocked him.
Instead of being disappointed in your subordinates, ask them why they are behaving this way. If they weren't, what would you expect them to be like?
Mitra frowned. "What are you talking about? I have no expectations of what they will be like, nor can I. I have long since seen how much they can do and how much they are capable of doing. They cannot meet my requirements, they are impossible to meet them. So I am simply adapting my plans to their capabilities."
His tone was like that of someone who had lost interest in playing the game, his indifferent attitude suggesting that he viewed all his subordinates and people as pawns, the world as a chessboard, or merely unsatisfactory tools.
Now, Hela was somewhat speechless. She might be crazy, she might be a little bad, but she was still a very different person compared to Mitra's problem.
"However, speaking of expectations for subordinates, I do have a question I'd like to ask you."
As the final battle was about to begin, Mitra abruptly changed the subject and started talking about something strange.
“Samael, more than four hundred years ago, you were the first and only fallen god from beyond the heavens to support me and invest in my cause. During the war between the old and new gods, you did help me a lot.”
"Although you later became a member of my Mitra Group in name only, and nominally my subordinate, I never really treated you as a subordinate and always respected your independence."
"Today, you have chosen to be my enemy, and I do not believe that this is truly a betrayal as a subordinate. But even if I could see everything in the past and future, I still want to ask you one question: whether it was four hundred years ago or now, I represent advanced technology and future progress and innovation. Why did you support me four hundred years ago, but now you oppose me?"
The silence on the battlefield lasted for a short while.
Then the Peacock King finally spoke, his tone tinged with a hint of amusement, as if he were slightly amused by Mitra: "I don't care about your so-called progress and advancement."
“I see.” Mitra nodded. “Then what is the specific reason? Why are you now betraying me and trying to kill me?”
Why? Ha!
The Peacock King finally smiled; his voice and tone even sounded a little younger.
[There are many reasons. My daughter's desire to rebel against you is only a small part of it. She may not even need my help, and whether I want to intervene is another matter. And the reason I most want to intervene right now is this.]
He extended an index finger, pointing at Mithra's hand—the hand that had just absorbed the Peacock King's Azure Lotus Karmic Fire.
[A person who claims to create a fair world; a person who creates the magic of reincarnation, claiming to ensure equality for everyone; a self-proclaimed righteous leader who rewards and punishes justly, yet he can use your reincarnation system to disregard cause and effect, retribution, and sin for his own needs. These new gods under your command cause immense suffering to the people; they are burned by karmic fire because of their own debts. Do you intend to pretend you don't know anything, to refuse to repay your debts?]
You defy reason and justice, trampling on all laws of justice, morality, retribution, and karma for your own grand, reckless plan. In my eyes, you are no different from my fallen angel colleagues of the past. Therefore, I have come to fight you today… just as I would have chopped them into mincemeat before.
The Peacock King's standard for judging right and wrong was never based on things like progress, righteousness, or the benefit of all beings. Although he wasn't completely indifferent to these things, what he valued most, besides family love, was actually just a very simple principle:
Fairness and justice
Murderers should pay with their lives, crimes should be punished, and evil deeds should have their consequences. Sins must be punished. I don't care who you are.
Although by today's ethical and moral standards, this might not be considered justice, ethics and morality are merely ornaments of the soul. Ultimately, they are just superficial things. The truth etched into the heart and soul of the Peacock King will never change.
The person who created the "Reincarnation" system is the one who should be the one to uphold righteous retribution and the principles of justice. Their life must embody universal justice; they must never act arbitrarily for the sake of their own grand schemes, thus extricating themselves and their cronies from the realm of punishment.
This is the most important standard in the Peacock King's mind.
He will never forgive a guy who indulges in arrogance, abandons morality and law, disregards reason, refuses to pay his debts, and even tries to extricate himself from the rules.
"I see, I understand what you mean."
Mithra seemed to be deep in thought.
"But there's a problem here. The laws and morals of this world are all man-made; there are no transcendent and universal laws. When I achieve complete reincarnation, all of humanity will share the same will as me. My thoughts will then become the laws and morals of all humanity, and neither I nor all of humanity will be subject to punishment, transcending your so-called standard of cause and effect."
"Reincarnation is merely a tool; the ultimate goal is transcendence. I will enable all humanity to transcend, to surpass the Outer Gods behind you, and these empty laws and morals."
Mithra spoke with confidence and self-assurance. His thinking was sound. When Reincarnation was perfected, all of humanity would trust him, literally sharing the same values as Mithra. How could he be wrong then? Right and wrong, good and evil, morality and law are merely tools established to make society function! At that time, Mithra could not possibly be "wrong"! Because it was literally impossible!
[The idea that brainwashing all of humanity is equivalent to transcending morality is quite creative.]
Bored, Hela casually mocked from inside her armor.
Sasa, it's time. Let's not keep Karen waiting any longer.
“It is indeed time.” Mitra nodded. “Don’t worry. After I defeat you two, I will seal you away and witness how I successfully accomplish all of this.”
"They might as well just kill me."
Hela's complaints made the Peacock King want to sigh.
However, it is indeed time.
Facing his final battle, the Peacock King adjusted his mind and focused his spirit.
Memories of his entire life flooded his mind: his fall from heaven, his rampage through hell on earth, and his eventual marriage to Hela. Of course, there were also memories of their daughter, Karen, and the happiest days of their family life. His wife and daughter were his greatest loves; nothing could replace them.
Before the final battle, he reflected on his life, filled with death and love. He retraced the path of love in his life, pressuring himself to recall his true form as an angel—his body began to glow with golden light.
The white in the middle of his armor turned golden, and wings appeared on his back, with three pairs of six white wings.
His unconditional love for his family and his seamless integration with Hela have elevated the Peacock King's power to its highest level. Coupled with the aid of the [Dream Flower] technology, he is now virtually indistinguishable from a true angel descended to earth in terms of combat strength!
"After four hundred years, we are finally able to conduct a practical skills test with the angels again."
What's terrifying is that Mithra was actually quite satisfied with this power!
It's time to end this battle!
Mithra, I will weigh and settle all your sins of four hundred years.
"There is no crime that can be used to judge me, and there never will be."
Mitra shook his head.
"Let's fight each other without regrets, Samael."
--------------------------------
And so, the two strongest people in the world, King Peacock and Mithra, began their first and last battle on the moon.
Both sides possess the strongest individual combat power ever seen in history.
Neither the Peacock King nor Mithra wanted such a decisive battle on Earth, nor did they want to cause irreparable damage. Nevertheless, even on the moon, even just the aftershocks of a battle, they possessed the terrifying power to shatter the moon. Such immense power made it impossible for those with slightly weaker combat abilities to even witness it.
Their battle lasted for a full fifteen hours. The sky split open that day, and the aftershocks of the battle even shook the entire Earth.
The next morning, as dawn broke, Mithra returned to the world alone.
He announced that the Peacock King and his wife had disappeared without a trace and would never be seen again.
Mithra has achieved final victory and has conquered everything.
He is now the strongest man in the world, and has no rivals.
He is now someone who can defeat even angels and trample on even retribution.
429: Let's see who has the last laugh.
Behold, this is the one I uphold, the one I have chosen, the one in whom my heart delights. I have given him my Spirit, and he will bring righteousness to all nations.
He neither shouts nor raises his voice, neither loses heart nor trembles. He proclaims justice through truth, to open the eyes of the blind, to lead the prisoners out of jail, and to lead those dwelling in darkness out of the abyss.
——————————————————————————————
Hayden was destroyed, Hayden was rebuilt.
He finally gained the power to stand up to the false gods on the main stage.
Back in the modern era, back to the bottom of the "Land of the Dead," Hayden returns to Asmodius's prison.
The great red dragon was swishing its tail, singing an untimely hymn to spring. Seeing Hayden emerge from the time portal, and noticing that Angela wasn't following behind, the Demon King immediately laughed.