To live a second life—one either changes their fate and makes up for past regrets, or uses foreknowledge to create favorable circumstances for the future.
But for Dai Mubai, his goal wasn't to change his status within the ranks of the Shrek Seven Devils. Instead, he planned to follow the exact same path as in his previous life.
He was used to giving his brain to Tang San and letting his limbs do the work. Why? Because in his last life, following Tang San brought him immense benefits. Originally, he might have barely reached the level of a Titled Douluo, but under Tang San's wing, he was able to stabilize his position as the God of War.
However, this also made Dai Mubai someone who lacked initiative. He grew comfortable following Tang San's lead, reaping the rewards behind him. In this second life, he didn't seek to flip the script and make Tang San his follower—instead, he was fully prepared to remain Tang San's sidekick.
To Dai Mubai, the optimal path was maintaining the status quo. Why disrupt a future where he was the ultimate beneficiary?
God of War—what a glorious title. But the man who bore it had the appearance of strength and decisiveness, while hiding a heart full of cowardice and indecision.
Soon, news spread throughout Star Luo City: Dai Mubai had run away again. In the Duke's Mansion of the Shadow Clan, Zhu Zhuqing received the news.
"He ran away again..." Even though Zhu Zhuqing had already forgiven him once in their past life, a sharp pain still pierced her heart.
Dai Mubai had escaped, leaving her alone in the Star Luo Empire. Over those long years, she had no one to rely on, living under the constant threat of her sister and brother-in-law. And what had Dai Mubai been doing during that time?
He had been indulging himself in brothels, chasing after women.
Zhu Zhuqing once again felt the metaphorical "green hat" on her head.
If she were to once again see him embracing other women, entering inns with them—could she still forgive him?
Sigh... Why did I have to be reborn at this moment? Zhu Zhuqing was filled with sorrow.
She had already blamed Dai Mubai once. Could she really go through that again? After all, he wasn't a reborn soul—he was simply repeating what he'd done in the past.
How could he possibly know that the same actions would hurt her twice?
But still—why was she reborn?
Unlike Tang San and Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing didn't complain. Instead, she was puzzled. Why had I, Zhu Zhuqing—the Speed God of the Divine Realm—returned to the past with my memories intact?
"Want to know why you were reborn?"
A distant, ethereal voice suddenly echoed in her ears.
"Who's there?!" Zhu Zhuqing looked around. She was alone in her room—no one else was present.
Then, her consciousness grew fuzzy. She found herself in a chaotic void. Guided by a mysterious pull, she walked through the swirling chaos until she saw an altar in the center.
Zhu Zhuqing stepped onto it and reached its center.
In front of the altar, within the fog, a pair of deep, ancient eyes opened and stared directly at her.
Startled by the sudden change, Zhu Zhuqing instinctively stepped back.
"Don't be afraid. I have no intention of harming you."
"Who... who are you?" Zhu Zhuqing asked.
"You wanted to know who brought you back, didn't you?"
"It was you? Why did you do it?" she asked sharply.
"People are reborn to rewrite their regrets. Are you truly satisfied with the way your story ended?"
Zhu Zhuqing replied, "I survived. I overcame my sister with Dai Mubai, and even though I wasn't destined to become a god, I eventually became the Goddess of Speed. What's there to be dissatisfied with?"
"He abandoned you from age nine to fifteen. He ran away alone, indulging in women and pleasure. Can you really say you forgave that so easily?"
"Yes, he did hurt me. But we were tied by fate—our families arranged our marriage. I had no power to refuse it. I didn't have the strength. All I could do was join forces with him and change our fate together.
"And in the end, he did change. What reason do I have to still resent him?"
"You really think you're the only one who's been reborn?" the voice asked.
"What do you mean?" Zhu Zhuqing frowned.
"During this time period, others have returned with memories of their past lives too. At the very least, your little fiancé, Dai Mubai—he's reborn, and he remembers everything up to becoming the God of War."
Zhu Zhuqing trembled. "You're saying... Dai Mubai is a reborn soul too?"
"Then why did he still abandon you and escape from Star Luo City?" the voice said.
Zhu Zhuqing's face darkened with uncertainty. Then, as if recalling something, she sighed in relief and said, "Maybe... he was under constant threat from his brother in Star Luo City. He knew fleeing to Shrek Academy was his only way out. And he also knew I wouldn't die so easily at the hands of my sister. He believed I'd come find him in six years."
"You're not wrong. Knowing the future, it makes sense for him to retrace his past steps. But you must understand—this world doesn't only have you and him as reborn souls. From the moment of rebirth, the future has already changed."
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly thought—if she had been reborn, what about her sister Zhu Zhuyun and Dai Wei (Davis)? If they were reborn too, would they allow her and Dai Mubai to surpass them again?
"Don't worry," the voice said, reading her thoughts. "Davis and Zhu Zhuyun haven't been reborn."
"No matter how the future changes—since you've given me this second chance—I will surpass my former self. I believe Dai Mubai wants the same. When I find him six years from now, he'll be a different man," Zhu Zhuqing said firmly.
"I believe he'll be just as you expect. So how about we make a bet?" the voice said.
"A bet? On what?"
"Everyone who reaches this space receives a gift."
Two objects wrapped in chaotic light appeared beside the mysterious eyes. As the fog cleared, Zhu Zhuqing could see what they were.
Her eyes locked onto the one on the right—it was a godhood crystal. And not just any godhood, but one far above a secondary god—it was a God King-level godhood.
"The gift on the right is the Divine Seat of Shadows—a godhood at the God King level. Honestly, it's the most suitable godhood for you. You and it are deeply connected."
"As for the gift on the left—you don't recognize it, so let it remain a mystery. Only once you receive it will you know what it truly is."
(End of Chapter)
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