Heart Survey

Chapter 2801 I Alone Cannot Leave

Speaking of which, in the Zheng Sheng Hall of Qingyang Town, Dugu Xiao was originally trained as an assassin.

She was very good at needlework, could make many beautiful tea snacks, and knew all of the master's little habits, but the master's life was almost entirely about cultivation... He lived on the wind and dew, wore the same immortal robe for decades, and almost never slept. His "clothing, food, housing, and transportation" were all taken care of by maids.

The ability to handle government affairs, which he had gradually cultivated from Qingyang Town to Xiadi Laoshan, became useless after the master relinquished his title.

She was becoming less and less able to help the old man.

But perhaps it can also be made into a knife.

She can kill those whom it is inconvenient for her to kill, or those whose blades would be dirty to kill.

Although such a person seems to have never appeared.

When a master kills someone, it's not a matter of whether he wants to or not, whether he can or not.

But as Master Zhu Sui said—he may not need it, but he should have it.

She learned Zhu Sui's skills, but she learned more than just how to kill.

The dirty work that Zhu Sui did for the State of Qi is the kind of work she can do in the future.

She has two weapons. One is a sword, a thin, flexible sword that is tied to her belt.

As someone whose entire manifestation of the Lesser Heavenly Cycle is Jiang Wang, and who has enshrined the Crimson Heart Divine Seal in the Yun Shen Palace, it would be unreasonable for her not to use a sword.

Her waist was only two hand spans wide, and the soft sword was wrapped around it twice. When she drew her sword, her clothes fluttered in the wind, and she moved as gracefully as a dragon in flight... It was a sword for killing.

Another weapon is a knife—a two-finger-long butterfly-wing knife, now fluttering between her fingers, appearing and disappearing. More concealed, and more dangerous.

Now she stands outside this nameless valley, her form like an unyielding curtain. And the knife is the butterfly perched on that curtain.

She will stop all visitors from all the realms who wish to travel there, because the master said that Lu Ye should not die.

If the meaning of the White Sun Monument is not fully expressed, she, Dugu Xiaoyuan, will use her butterfly knife to depict it.

There are many principles in the world, but there is only one that she cares about—what the master says must be listened to in this world.

Yu Xianyu is a renowned genius, and now he is a high-ranking military officer in the Central Empire.

Dugu Xiao had never imagined she was qualified to stand before such an important figure. But even if Ji Fengzhou were here today, she wouldn't let him pass.

Life is nothing more than a locked gate, and death is like a curtain in the wind.

The only thing that surprised her was—

Yu Xianyu did not make a move.

The world-renowned "Youhuai" sword hangs quietly at Xianyu's waist.

The high-ranking and powerful commander of Dou'e stood as still as a sword, motionless... and didn't even speak.

Even when Dugu urinated, he remained silent.

Their backgrounds and life experiences are completely different; they were born into two different worlds, yet today they stand facing each other. And in this long silence, a certain unspoken understanding has emerged.

From the valley behind them, there were intermittent sounds. They were the only two spectators present at the scene, witnessing that redemption that transcended time.

Dugu Xiao remained patient, and Yu Xianyu didn't seem to be in a hurry either.

Suddenly, a powerful aura rose from the empty valley behind them. The blood energy, almost like a pillar of heaven, shot straight into the sky, even disturbing the twenty-eight constellations that formed the demonic array, and propelling the brilliant golden sun!
A mushroom cloud-like shockwave burst forth from the valley, engulfing all directions and blasting out a temporary plain of qi sea.

Dugu Xiao and Yu Xianyu, facing each other outside the valley, seemed to be standing under a giant umbrella. Seeing that it blocked out the sky and sun, they remained silent.

Xie Yuanchu and his group, who were still pursuing Shouguang in the distance, turned around in horror...

A martial arts master has been born!

Moreover, this was no ordinary peak-level expert; even within the forest of peak-level experts, it stood out. The entire martial arts world was shaken, and the heavens seemed to rise several levels higher.

Standing outside the valley, Yu Xianyu, as a martial arts master, felt this particularly deeply.

Looking back to the early days of martial arts development, the martial arts world was practically barren, with only five masters at the pinnacle.

Those martial arts masters who blazed trails proved the existence of this path.
Later figures like Zhong Liyan, Jiang Wuyou, and Sun Xiaoman proved the breadth of this path.

Today, Lu Ye has expanded the boundaries of the martial arts world, making the foundation of the entire martial arts world even more solid.

The martial arts world has provided the clearest answer to this day—

Back then, Wei Huai was indeed just hiding his true intentions for Mingzhu, while Lu Ye was the true pioneer of Dantian martial arts!
The bright pearl has risen to become the great sun, and can no longer remain hidden.

Yu Xianyu came here today not without the intention of completing the unfinished duel on the Guanhe Terrace in the 3933rd year of the Dao Calendar.

But it's meaningless now.

This shock to the martial arts world alone is unparalleled, rivaling even that of the Martial Ancestor.

In the realm of martial arts, she could never be on par with Lu Ye.

She switched to martial arts back then simply because it was a path to the future. Her master, Ji Jinglu, was a martial arts grandmaster, and only by following the same path could she truly inherit Ji Jinglu's resources and maximize the use of their master-disciple relationship.

Lu Ye was born for martial arts.

Of course, she did not regret her choice to rise to the top through officialdom. Lu Ye's success today does not mean that she should admit that she is inferior.

Lu Ye said martial arts is a door, and for her, martial arts is just a door. Through this door lies a broader life.

If she doesn't rely on the power of official channels and be promoted by the tide of humanity, she will have to wait until her peak.

That would make it impossible for him to become the commander-in-chief of Dou'e now, and he would be destined to miss the Central Empire's journey to unify the world.

One step ahead leads to another. This is not just about spiritual practice, but also a life choice.

Of the eight wise men of the past, most achieved eternal enlightenment. Once the emperor of the six directions is eternally recognized, the position of ascending to heaven from the dragon is not unique.

One of the seats... she's already reserved!

Now, with this unparalleled martial skill and a powerful army at my disposal, I have the opportunity to build an everlasting legacy and win unparalleled possibilities within the grand cause of the central emperor.

She had full confidence in herself and in Jingguo.

The towering pillar of qi and blood has disappeared, and the newly promoted martial arts master in the valley has gone far away.

Xie Yuanchu, Xu Zhiyi, and the others who rushed over landed outside the valley.

Seeing that Yu Xianyu was facing off against a strange woman, they each took their positions and subtly surrounded her.

But Yu Xianyu made no move, so they waited quietly.

Dugu Xiao glanced at these people indifferently, then turned around, put away the butterfly-winged knife between her fingers, and left under Yu Xianyu's gaze... like a withered leaf swept away by the wind, her back view desolate.

"Who is she?" Xie Yuanchu frowned deeply.

In the eyes of outsiders, the Jing Kingdom should appear as a unified entity, with a clear hierarchy, and they should obey all of Yu Xianyu's decisions. Only after the outsiders left did he cease to conceal his doubts.

“Dugu Xiao. A disciple of Zhu Sui of Qi State.” Yu Xianyu replied calmly, “That newly promoted personal maid of Chaotuo.”

Xie Yuanchu looked up and gazed into the distance: "Which direction did Lu Ye run off in?"

Yu Xianyu didn't say anything, but just walked into the valley.

A man like Lu Ye wouldn't run away; he would definitely... return to Ning'an City.

The group filed in, only to find the vast valley empty except for a solitary grave. The earthen mound was slightly raised, nestled among miscellaneous trees. A stone tablet had been carved into it, bearing the inscription—

The Tomb of You Que.

There's no need to dig the body out again; this layer of yellow soil won't block their view.

Sun Yin is indeed dead.

"When did Senior Sister Yu arrive?" Xie Yuanchu suddenly asked.

Both being the pride of Jing Kingdom in the 33rd Yellow River Conference, Yu Xianyu was the junior sister in terms of age, but she became the senior sister in terms of cultivation.

“I just arrived recently,” Yu Xianyu said.

"With your strength, you were stopped by that maid?" Xie Yuanchu pressed.

Yu Xianyu said expressionlessly, "She's too dangerous. I'm no match for her."

She was certainly no match for Dugu Xiao.

Unless that transcendent signer descends to earth and acts on their behalf—

That's probably something many people are looking forward to.

But she didn't expect it.

"Since you knew you were no match for them, why didn't you send a message for reinforcements?" Xie Yuanchu raised his voice: "We're all nearby!"

Xu Zhiyi and Sa Shihan remained silent, walking quietly through the valley.

Yu Xianyu smiled and turned around: "You shouldn't call me senior sister. I don't cultivate the Dao, I'm a martial artist. I'm not registered on Penglai Island either."

She was smiling, but her eyes were cold, and her hand unconsciously rested on the hilt of her sword: "What should you call me?"

Xie Yuanchu was silent for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Commander Yu!"

"Thank you, Military Advisor! Remember this—it's not up to a mere military advisor like you to tell me what to do!" Yu Xianyu looked away and continued walking out of the valley.

To these Dao lineage prodigies who rushed to the scene, she left only her decision—

“Sun Yin of Pingdeng Kingdom has been executed.”

"The death of a major bandit will be judged in due course."

"As for this descendant of the You family of Taiping... let him rest in peace here."

……

……

Jingguo started by targeting Lu Ye in Ning'an City, but did not consider Lu Ye a gain.

This operation has three objectives—

The Kingdom of Governance, the Kingdom of Equality, and... the Hall of Benevolence.

Based on prior calculations, it was highly unlikely that the Equal Kingdom would intervene. This organization, which claimed to "drink from the gutter" and was indeed hiding in the gutter, had no reason to rescue Ning'an City.

But while all sorts of "reasons" have shaped this world, there will always be free will that breaks free from its cage.

Whether it's Sun Yin or a legendary hero, they are all accidents of today.

Jingguo, on the contrary, had anticipated Wang Ao's move. Taking this opportunity to ascertain Wuzu's attitude was also its purpose—Wang Ao's statement, "I don't care who is the Son of Heaven," was the answer Jingguo wanted.

Liguo is an ideal fertile field; by starting with Mengting, we can follow the clues to find the source.

The original plan to target the Kingdom of Equality was to extend from here—Mirror World Platform was quite confident that the various changes in the Kingdom of Reason today stemmed from the Kingdom of Equality's recommendation. By thoroughly dismantling the Kingdom of Reason, they would have no trouble finding the Kingdom of Equality's weaknesses.

The fact that the legendary hero has now intervened is even more direct good news. This isn't just revealing his true colors; it's revealing his true nature!
One divine hero is enough, but if we trace back to the plan itself, the seemingly unrelated Renxin Hall is actually the fattest target that Jing Kingdom is eyeing the most in this operation.

The State of Jing desires to unify the six kingdoms, and not only must it annex all other states, but it also wants to bring those powerful clans under its rule.

Have you not seen how Jucheng, after being incorporated into Yong, suddenly became a major enemy on the journey of the Six Kingdoms? These great sects of the world have abundant resources; if they were to change their mindset and embrace the times, they could easily become a great threat.

As the most prestigious medical institution in the world, Renxin Hall itself is rich in resources. Moreover, its location is so advantageous, with convenient access to all parts of the country, making it an ideal stronghold for controlling and controlling the market.

Of course, just as Chu used the Peach Blossom Spring as bait to conquer Nan Dou, Jing also needed a convincing reason to take over Renxin Hall.

This trip to Ning'an City was precisely for this reason.

The reason for targeting Renxin Hall is simple—

According to information from Mirror World Platform, Lu Ye may possess the supernatural power of the "Flower of Life and Death," which was the very talent that Lu Gongxiang used to spread his fame.

Three years ago, when Shangguan E'hua reached the summit, Qi Guanzhen held a banquet to celebrate, and Fu Dongxu, the head of Jingshi Terrace, even went to drink a toast.

But he had his eye on Renxin Pavilion for even longer.

He suspected that Shangguan E'hua was a figure from the Pingdeng Kingdom, and also suspected that Lu Ye and Lu Gongyou were related.

The relentless investigation over the past few years has yielded some leads.

Xu San's execution by slow slicing over Ning'an City was both a coercion of Shangguan E'hua and a demonstration of the power of the "Flower of Life and Death"!

Lu Ye wanted to achieve success with this flower, and Jing Guo wanted to gain knowledge through this flower.

However, Shangguan E'hua ultimately did not appear, instead introducing Sun Yin and the Divine Hero. This caused the Jing Kingdom's gains to be somewhat skewed.

"Upon returning to court this time, I'm bound to face some criticism," Ji Jinglu said, walking atop the clouds. "Have you figured out how to explain this?"

Yu Xianyu simply countered, "Master arrived long ago. Why didn't he make a move?"

Ji Jinglu waved his hand, his tone relaxed: "I don't want to be enemies with that person. I've felt this way for many years."

Yu Xianyu laughed: "This is probably not an answer that can be given to the officials."

Ji Jinglu smiled as well. He repeatedly remarked that he had taken on a good disciple and that Yu Que was truly blessed.

"Because he is not an enemy of the State of Jing."

The Prince of Dai became slightly more serious: "The White Sun Stele can be accommodated within the framework of the Son of Heaven. There should be no private laws in the world, but it is acceptable to regard them as family rules... Imperial power is above all else, but it should also give due respect to mountains and rivers."

Of course, the premise of having its own order is that you are truly a mountain or river.

If it were just a small mound, it could be easily leveled.

Dugu Xiaolai rescued Lu Ye not because he considered Jing State an enemy, but because Lu Ye had been treated unfairly. Once this is clear, it should be understood that the White Sun Stele is not an obstacle to the world, and there is no need to force that person into becoming an enemy.

As for whether the world under heaven can accommodate a white sun monument, that's a matter for after the world is unified.

“That’s precisely why I didn’t force my way in. I started with Lu Ye because he was the key link; once that was cut, everything would fall into place. I don’t think he necessarily had to die.” Yu Xianyu said slowly, “He’s a man who follows the rules, a friend of order. And our Central Empire is meant to become order itself.”

The master and his disciples were here, not discussing the struggle between the imperial faction and the Daoist lineage, nor analyzing the general trend of the world.

The Jing Kingdom has been cured of its deep-seated problems and reborn. As members of the imperial faction, they only need to follow the established procedures to rule the world with dignity. Yu Xianyu possesses the insight to see through the crucial points; the "order" she speaks of is precisely the way of the king.

The fertile land of civilization has not yet truly encompassed the demon realm; no matter how long the cloud path is, it will eventually come to an end.

But at the end of this road, Yu Xianyu suddenly said, "Actually, the White Sun Monument isn't so bad."

"The current emperor is wise, but he may not be wise forever. The history of the Central Empire has not been filled with only enlightened rulers..."

She gazed ahead, seemingly speaking casually: "Even if the universe remains forever, it doesn't mean there will never be any mistakes... Only with reverence can we have rules to follow and can we see the future."

Ji Jinglu smiled but didn't say anything.

……

……

It would be best if Lu Ye were dead, preferably dead with a guilty conscience. It would be best if Sun Yin were alive, preferably alive to return to the Jing Kingdom.

However, because of the intervention of Emperor Wuzu Wang Ao, the righteous words of Xu Xiangqian, and the existence of the White Sun Stele... Jing Kingdom can accept a less-than-perfect outcome.

Walking on the fertile soil of civilization, Dugu Xiaoxin had a sudden realization—

Perhaps this is the significance of the White Sun Monument.

While there is still room for everything, let things steer in a slightly better direction.

She thought she understood why the master had sent her here.

It's not that she possesses irreplaceable martial prowess. If we're talking about representing the master, Jiang An'an and Chu Yao are both more representative and would be more valued.

It was because of the White Sun Monument.

The young man named Jiang Wang saved her in Qingyang Town back then.

Not every Dugu Xiao can meet Jiang Qingyang. And not every Jiang Qingyang can live to this day.

The existence of the White Sun Monument can save many more of her. Countless others like her.

Dugu Xiao walked forward silently, her steps becoming lighter. The person who saved her back then still wanted to help her find the meaning of life... fearing she would go astray.

At one point, she looked straight ahead and seemed to hear that person say again, "I don't need servants, I don't need believers."

"I'm not saying I don't need you—"

"Xiaoxiao, I hope you live for yourself."

What is "self"?

Dugu's slender waist swayed in the wind, but her eyes grew brighter and brighter.

I want to live, and I will try my best.

Until you become someone who is useful to you.

This is the "self" I want to live out.

"The monument in the daytime casts no shadow, but there are long nights in the human world, and Dugu Xiao can walk them," she said in her heart. With this thought, she presented it to the Temple of the Gods, offering it before the throne of the deities.

I don't care about logic, sir.

But if you care, then I care too.

……

……

"The heavens and earth are bright and clear, with a monument erected in the white sun."

"At dusk, Mr. Mu observes the world."

"Only in the long night, when many seek to avoid being seen, does sin inevitably arise."

"Old Master Zhu Sui was the night watchman for Qi. I have inherited his mantle and perhaps one day I will be able to patrol the world at night."

"Not to set an example for the world, but to make up for what is lacking in the world."

On the snow-covered mountaintop, a recluse, who remained anonymous, casually draped a long robe over his shoulders and idly chatted.

The Yanfu Sword Prison resembles a full moon, hanging in mid-air, within which sword techniques continue to evolve infinitely, and the cold light it casts is as pitiful as moonlight.

Those who sit in meditation use this candle for illumination.

The celestial beauty, the modern-day God of Wealth, sitting next to him was also dressed simply. Her long hair flowed over her shoulders, and she wore a plain long dress.

Every now and then, he would grab a handful of golden beans and sprinkle them into the furnace, bringing wealth and blessings to the faithful. This was the practice of the God of Wealth.

I have no interest in brewing tea on snow, nor do I particularly enjoy wine.

The two of them are here... grilling fish.

Of course, Mr. Jiang is only responsible for slaughtering, not roasting.

His knife skills are trustworthy, and his cooking skills are also well-regarded.

The fish in Ta Yun Lake were the most delicious in the Yun Kingdom. Later, Ah Chou, after drinking too much and indulging in a gluttonous spree, ate them all in one go. After that, there were never any more.

When Ye Lingxiao was still alive, he searched many places and introduced new fish species, but they never tasted the same as before.

When Jiang had traveled throughout the heavens, earning money to repair the Cloud Peak Immortal Palace, he had searched for this fish, but had never found it. After transcending worldly affairs and gaining no further renown, he could do nothing else, so he returned to his old haunts. But everything in this world is different; he was rumored to be able to single-handedly crush the Light King Tathagata, yet he couldn't even find a fish.

Fortunately, he made continuous progress in his cultivation, and finally he came up with a solution—find similar dream materials in the dream world, throw Ah Chou there, plant the gluttonous insect to make gluttonous dreams, and then make the fake dream real... Finally, he managed to attract back the exact same fish species, which swam in Ta Yun Lake.

These past few days have been a time of harvest.

"This kind of thing...it still depends on whether she herself is willing to follow this path." Ye Qingyu turned the grilled fish: "Although she regards you as a god, it is easy for her to do something for a moment, but there is no reason to impose responsibility on her."

“That’s natural,” Jiang Wang said with a smile. “I’m just pointing out that there’s a clear path out there; whether she takes it or not is up to her. I’m the same way with An’an and with Chu Yao. If you go against your conscience, you can’t go far. If you follow your heart, you can travel a thousand miles in a single thought.”

As he spoke, he beckoned: "Uncle Ugly, what are you doing sneaking around like that?"

Ah Chou emerged from the sea of ​​clouds, left paw pressed against right paw, and said awkwardly, "The fish is quite delicious, isn't it? It tastes just like it did back then! Sigh, what a mess this is. Daoist Jiang, I've watched you grow up, and I've always loved and protected you since you were little. Actually, I can do more than just dream about food..."

He has been wanting to find a female Cloud-Treading Beast for many years!

But the Cloud-Treading Beast has long since disappeared, and he is the only one left in the world. Ye Lingxiao once promised him the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons, but now that there has been more interaction between the two realms, he has learned that the Demon Realm does not have it either.

Jiang Wang laughed: "Making fantasies come true is the skill of the Mountain and Sea Dao Master. Making a false dream real is essentially a replication of memories. This lake fish is just a novelty, so there's no problem. But if it's a spirit, then it's unattainable. You've never seen a Cloud-Treading Beast in your life, so no matter how long you dream about it, it won't be real. Even if you use dream materials to lure it out, it'll just be another Ugly, without any thoughts or feelings... Is that acceptable?"

"Is it really too difficult? Can't you even achieve omnipotent transcendence? It's alright—it's alright." Ah Chou turned away forlornly: "An An has grown up and has her own things to do. Qing Yu is busy too. It's good to be busy! Don't be like me, too idle, annoying people."

Jiang Wang sighed: "I'll start looking for you tomorrow."

Ah Chou turned around and gave him an extremely ugly wink: "Take this as a matter to be dealt with."

Then, wiggling the water ball on its tail, it happily disappeared into the sea of ​​clouds.

Ye Qingyu smiled with her eyes crinkling, sprinkled on spices, separated the two grilled fish, and gave one to Jiang Wang each.

Jiang Wang eats fish by flicking away all the bones with one finger, then taking a big bite of the fish meat and chewing it with gusto, thoroughly enjoying himself.

Ye Qingyu, on the other hand, enjoyed the rare fireworks display. She took small but quick pecking bites, like a swan pecking at rice, and soon only a translucent fish bone remained.

The stove is still warm, the charcoal is still red, and new fish have been caught.

Jiang Wang took a knife and peeled off the scales, making them fly like a rain of silver foil.

"Speaking of which..." Ye Qingyu twirled a grain of snow-white salt between her fingers, finally thinking of the prayer in Ning'an City: "[Longevity Observation], combined with [Life and Death Flower], what kind of powerful being will be created?"

Jiang Wang handed over the peeled fish, gazed at the sea of ​​clouds, and saw into the distance through the ever-changing mist: "I have witnessed the birth of a completely new, supreme divine power..."

"He will truly be in control of lifespan."

Yin Guan could curse someone to death, and Chongxuan and Chuliang could cut off their lifespan, but neither could compare to it.

In the realm of "longevity," only Jiang Wuliang's "Infinite Longevity" can compare, but it's not in the same direction.

【Infinite Life】is the boundless lifespan of oneself, while Lu Ye's supernatural power is that of a monarch who controls lifespan.

Those who hold onto their lifespan can finally say that they have grasped their own destiny.

From now on, I will no longer be manipulated by others.

“When Sun Yin came to hug Xuefeng, he said that he and Ye Dahaojie were good friends… I didn’t believe it at the time.”

Ye Qingyu slowly turned the grilled fish: "Judging from today's events, Ye Haojie seems to think highly of him."

“Naturally, heroes cherish heroes,” Jiang Wang said.

At a certain moment, Ye Qingyu blinked, and a coin fell from the moon to earth.

The characters for the God of Wealth, resembling gold ingots, roll across this copper coin.

She handed the coin to Jiang Wang: "When Sun Yin came to hug Xuefeng, I gave him a coin. Just now... that coin came back."

……

……

In the nameless valley, eyes that see longevity sprout from the flower of life and death. In the demon realm's sky, the bright yellow sun pours down its rays like a rain of arrows.

This shower of light lasted for a long time, almost plowing through the fertile soil of civilization.

It can truly be described as "searching high and low, from the heavens to the underworld".

Every sword leaves a mark, and every sword strike has a reason.

Within the fertile land of civilization, all connections related to that sudden sword strike were annihilated by this punch. Ji Xuanzhen also successfully forced the divine warrior who had attacked from afar into her field of vision!

The Kingdom of Equality has secretly controlled a large city in the demon realm. From today onward, that city will no longer be able to hide. Starting from that city, we can follow the clues and cut off a large part of the Kingdom of Equality's influence.

He had already seen a figure formed from divine light floating in the air in the direction of Yanlao City, about to vanish in a flash.

Yanlao City? Qi State?

A question flashed through Ji Xuanzhen's mind, but she didn't stop her punches; she turned and charged forward—

The Shenxiao War has been over for so long, it's time to test the true strength of the Eastern Kingdom and see if it still holds its ground like it did in Jiang Shu's time, and is ready to overthrow the emperor at any moment.

Hunting down a legendary hero is a perfectly legitimate reason; if you get caught in the crossfire, you can only blame your own weakness. Those who die are simply unlucky!

But at that moment, the sword light that he had been holding tightly in his palm, which had long been tamed, suddenly shone brightly and flew out of his hand.

That straight and upright sword was not one of the famous swords that existed in Ji Xuanzhen's memory.

But its brilliance is so dazzling that it is no less than any legend in the world.

Ji Xuanzhen saw it for the first time, but she remembered it deeply and would remember it forever.

Because it flies horizontally in the air, as brilliant as a waterfall, it emits a different kind of brilliance beyond the bright yellow sun and the dazzling golden sun, thus forming a divine form that stands tall between heaven and earth!

The sword, the spine of a god, clanged with a long, resounding sound. Its echo pierced the demonic lands and resonated throughout the heavens—

"The Central Empire now holds immense power over Ning'an City. They punish those who have committed no crime, devouring them with the fist of their might, and no one in the world dares to speak out!"

"That's why this sword exists!"

"Those who seek injustice throughout history, ask me, the center forward."

"When injustices rage in the world, chivalrous swordsmen will strike."

"My sword—"

"Uphold justice for the world, act chivalrously for the common people, never overstep the bounds of righteousness, and be eternally enlightened by the divine!"

This divine form can only be seen by those involved, and this voice can only be heard by heroes; it is unknown to the world.

Within Ning'an City, among all the people in the city, only a very few could see or hear it, and they almost thought it was an illusion.

Yet, on the river-viewing platform in the present world, the White Sun Monument shines alone for a moment. At this moment, its light is brilliant, like the sun about to rise. It offers a distant response!

Ji Xuanzhen finally changed color.

He realized what the hero was about to do—

The hero wants to inherit the position of the God of Righteousness and walk the path of transcendence of the God of Righteousness!
Zhu Dali, the Heavenly Official of the Way of Peace, made a pilgrimage to the White Sun Monument and gained the recognition of the Righteous God, becoming the most powerful competitor on this path of transcendence.

But that doesn't mean the God of Righteousness was exclusively his. He merely approached him, but did not obtain him.

There is only one true crown of chivalry; the first to win is the one who wins forever.

Today, the Divine Hero uses this righteous sword, which upholds justice without transgressing boundaries, to rescue Lu Ye and resist the Central Empire... to proclaim the birth of the God of Righteousness with such a grand act of chivalry!
How could this be?

The Central Empire has the ambition to conquer the world, but lacks the benevolence and cowardice to do the work for others.

Ji Xuanzhen's fist, which was aimed at Yanlao City, was redirected in time, creating a devastating impact. Her body also shot away like a powerful crossbow bolt.

"A true guest of the world? Have you not heard of the blood of the Wei Commandery!"

The bright yellow sun quickly spread out, like a rolled-up curtain in the sky.

His intent locked the demon in the heavens, preventing it from entering the mortal world. His fist crushed the divine form, as if ascending a divine altar to destroy a clay statue!
The battle between Ying Jianghong and Wang Ao had just begun, and after less than ten rounds of back-and-forth fighting, the commotion in Ning'an City was drowned out by the sword cries of [Tianxia Zhengke].

The chivalrous hear his teachings, while the rest hear the cry of his sword.

Amidst the overwhelming tide of Wang Ao's fist, the Southern Celestial Master stood by, his sword forming a long dike, his voice like a fish leaping from a lake of swords: "If the divine heroes are allowed to transcend, the world will be in turmoil—Mr. Wang, allow me to temporarily cease this battle, and to slay the traitors who seek equality for the world!"

Wang Ao suddenly retracted his five fingers, stopping his fist in front of Xi Yi.

When the force rises, the heavens and earth crumble; when the fist is withdrawn, the wind and rain cease to stir.

"Your sword is grand and imposing, yet it also calls a deer a horse. Southern Celestial Master, merit is also a profession; you should think it over carefully."

He withdrew his fist, but not because he was held hostage by Ying Jianghong's promise of the world. His voice was calm: "I won't keep you here, but don't come back either."

Spare Ning'an City!
In that split second, the two sides reached a deal.

Wang Ao entered Ning'an City, while Ying Jianghong carried his sword and ascended to the heavens.

……

……

On Tianma Plain, a deity with white eyebrows and blue eyes walked with his hands behind his back at dusk.

Sometimes He would raise His eyes to look at the demon realm, sometimes He would turn His gaze to look at Yi Ge on the White Sun Monument, and finally, with a look of disappointment and frustration, He would fall upon the Kingdom of He.

"If the whole country is engaged in chivalry, it won't produce a single true knight-errant!" He grumbled angrily.

When righteousness is fulfilled, the world will turn to righteousness.

But true righteous people do not act for personal gain.

Pure chivalry is rare, and to survive, and to have the chance to approach transcendence, is even rarer. Even after so many years of the nation's fervent pursuit of righteousness, we are still far from achieving it.

The promise made to Gu Shiyi has confined the original Heavenly God to this moment. If the Righteous God is established, He will be an unwavering protector of the Way.

He wouldn't care what Ying Jianghong and Ji Xuanzhen did.

But if Jing Er were to try to intercept the God of Righteousness through the path of transcendence, perhaps... He would have no choice but to fight back with his fists.

……

……

On Tianxing Cliff, the north wind lashes against the Yishi Stone.

"Wow! Wow! Wow!"

The Legalist holy site was so solemn as the gates of the Palace of Executioners slowly opened. The empty echo sounded like the lament of history, burdened by its own weight.

A one-armed, imposing figure stood at the center of the palace gate, carrying a broadsword of imposing grandeur on his back. His body was as solid as a mountain, and his eyes flashed with cold lightning.

Bright sunlight streamed onto his face, while deep shadows spread across the palace behind him.

"Issue my decree—" he began.

The ceremony abruptly stopped.

The entire Tianxing Cliff was eerily quiet.

Han Shentu, the ruler of Guitian Palace, has been in seclusion for a long time and has not shown himself throughout the entire Divine Firmament War.

Only a handful of high-ranking Legalists knew that he was trying to awaken the founder of the Legalist school.

Anyone with eyes can see that after the Divine Firmament, the Six Harmonies War will follow.

All the major sects under heaven are gates that great powers desire to conquer. If the Dharma Ancestor cannot awaken in time, the Three Punishments Palace will find it difficult to maintain its independence amidst the great tides of the world.

As the chief of the Three Punishments Palace and the most renowned Legalist master of his time, Han Shentu had no choice but to take on this responsibility.

Gongsun Buhai, the head of the Palace of Punishments, was caught off guard on the River Viewing Platform and was publicly reprimanded by Wu Bingyi: "First, he did something that should not be done, and then he was reprimanded rashly. Later, he failed to do what should have been done, and he was afraid to act for fear of harming the innocent."

Having severed his own arm, he voluntarily relinquished the "Thorn Box" and relinquished his power of punishment. He declared that he would seclude himself in the palace to introspect and study the legal code, and that he "must not reveal himself or leave the palace."

From then on, Wu Bingyi took over the management of the Palace of Punishers, and the Tianjing Kingdom no longer accepted his decrees.

Therefore, in this sacred place of Legalism today, there is only one true leader, and that is Wu Bingyi, the keeper of the Judi Palace.

Today, Gongsun Buhai actually emerged from seclusion, and the first thing he did upon leaving was to "issue a decree"—

His seclusion was a form of punishment; before he emerged, he should first issue an edict on the three punishments, and the court should deliberate on the matter. To regain the power to "transmit the laws and decrees," he must "use the seal of the three punishments and be thoroughly familiar with the laws."

But now there's nothing there, which is clearly against the rules.

The Palace of Three Punishments is a place that places great importance on rules, and the conflict of these rules makes everything unstable.

Then the wind calmed down.

In the brightly lit square in front of the Palace of Punishments, Wu Bingyi, dressed in a tall hat and wide belt, stood in the center. The Legalist leader, his steps forming chains, had already guarded the front gate.

"No need to send it," he said.

He looked at Gongsun Buhai, his eyes almost devoid of emotion: "On the Guanhe Terrace, the words spoken before still ring in my ears. The old grievances have not yet been resolved. Now that Master Gongsun has emerged from seclusion, has he already completed that codex?"

Gongsun Buhai stood at the boundary between light and shadow and said in a deep voice, "The laws governing the world are not something that can be accomplished overnight. It takes a lifetime to achieve them."

Wu Bingyi then asked, "Then, Master Gongsun, when you examine your own mind, can you claim to be enlightened?"

Gongsun Buhai sighed, "I regret it, or perhaps I cannot."

"So what's the point of you coming out now?" Wu Bingyi asked.

"Because I have reached the point where I have no choice but to come out." Gongsun Buhai sighed, "I also want to sit in the Dharma Palace, spend my life seeking a classic text, and spread the Dharma for generations. But time is not on my side, and Heaven has not granted my request."

"Master Wu, do you really think we still have time?"

He declared with conviction: "There are prominent schools of thought in the world, which are constant with the times but have not yet achieved eternity!"

"Zi Huai sat amidst the mountains of books, while the great academies, subservient to the hegemonic state, remained silent as cicadas in winter."

"The Mohist school was on the verge of extinction several times. Now, by uniting with Yong, they have found a way to leap into the world and ascend to the heavens. However, they were almost killed by the demon ape! By sheer luck, they still have a breath left."

"The Buddhists call themselves the 'empty gate,' but the outside is not empty; swords and spears have been drawn many times. They say their Buddhist teachings are boundless, but they have never reached the other shore."

"Among the various prominent schools of thought, none were as feared by the hegemonic states as the Legalists."

"Han Shentu has not returned, and the Legalist patriarch is in deep slumber. If the Legalists do not transcend this impasse, then the Three Punishments Palace is in grave danger!"

He took a deep breath, his eyes filled with tears: "Does Master Wu know?"

Wu Bingyi, who stood before him, was harder than iron and colder than ice.

He had questioned members of the Jing Kingdom's royal family, punished his personal disciples, and even tried Gongsun Buhai, who was also a leader of the Legal Palace.

He was the most ruthless Legalist master, the human embodiment of laws and regulations.

His answer, of course, will not change.

“What you say makes a lot of sense, and your feelings are very sincere.” Wu Bingyi said expressionlessly, “But what does all this have to do with your release from seclusion? Your punishment is not over yet, and I will not grant you your freedom.”

"It's always like this... You're always like this!" Gongsun Buhai's eyes held an inscrutable mix of resentment and respect: "The journey of the Six Kingdoms has begun, and it's not just the Jing Kingdom that's taking action. The Legalists have no time left! They may perish at your hands."

“Wu Bingyi, I should advocate for the transcendence of the Legalists.”

His one arm was outstretched: "If I die, it is only me. If I succeed, my disciples of the Legalist school will be able to stand tall, and the sword of the Legalist school will resound throughout the world!"

A large crowd gradually gathered in the square in front of the Palace of Punishments.

Gongsun Buhai's words truly resonated with many Legalist disciples.

The "law" they believed in never applied to powerful states. Even someone as powerful as Wu Bingyi, when faced with irrefutable evidence, could only present it to the Jing state and await their decision. The forced killing of the Jing royal family was an exceptional case unique to Wu Bingyi, and he could not repeat it.

But Wu Bingyi just looked at him coldly: "If you have the law in your heart, when can you not stand upright? If you uphold the law with impartiality, where can you not speak out! Master Gongsun, you have gone astray."

"We do not proclaim justice because we have power. It is because justice is here that the sword of law rings!"

On Tianxing Cliff, two ideologies are clashing. Both Legalist masters are founders of their own schools of thought, and each has their own understanding of "law".

They were never the same.

In contrast to Wu Bingyi's "strict enforcement of the law and overcorrection of wrongdoings," Gongsun Buhai advocated "the combination of law and morality," with law as the bottom line of morality and morality as a supplement to law.

And uniquely, the character “德” (virtue) includes “侠” (chivalry) as a supplement to “德”!

"That's too idealistic. The world isn't the legal code you've written."

Gongsun Buhai shook his head sadly: "From legal regulations to reality, sufficient power is needed to enforce them. Without punishment, there is no authority! Without power, even a farmer will not submit to your judgment!"

"Power and justice are not contradictory; you've simply confused the order to deceive your ideals."

Wu Bingyi's voice was almost icy, without any emotional fluctuation: "Of course we need power, we need shackles to restrain malice, and we need the sword to deter evil hearts. But the power to uphold justice must be born from justice itself."

"Instead of acquiring power by any means necessary and then upholding justice."

"Always compromising, always making a wrong decision, will ultimately lead to vastly different outcomes, making the place unrecognizable."

He raised his cold eyes and stared at the Grandmaster in the Dharma Palace: "Gongsun Buhai, do you still recognize yourself?"

Gongsun Buhai remained silent, then walked out.

"I am Gongsun Buhai, the head of the Palace of Punishments, and I authored 'The Heavenly Balance of the Law'!"

"I have a guilty conscience about my life."

"But all I seek is for the sake of the Dharma."

"The world is in turmoil, and the law imprisons us in dark rooms. We, the law-abiding citizens, cannot see the sun shining brightly. The common people weep and weep, but have nowhere to turn for help."

It's time for a change!

He took the longsword he was carrying and held it in his hand: "Those who wish to follow me, carry thorns and a ruler. Those who do not follow me, cover your faces and return to the palace. Those who wish to oppose me, come forward!"

Finally, he looked at Wu Bingyi, and the emotion in his voice gradually subsided: "Master Wu, if you have the Legalist school of thought and the ideal of serving the public good, then don't stop me, you should support me properly."

"How do you want me to support you?" Wu Bingyi looked at him coldly.

That look... is exactly how he looked at Xu Ximing back then.

"With the Three Punishments Palace assisting me, and with the Ideal State proving myself!" Gongsun Buhai declared passionately, "I use the 'Proof of the Law' to prove the law, and I have half a scroll of the 'Criminal Law' to bring peace to the world."

He looked earnestly at Wu Bingyi: "To prove this with a public-spirited heart will surely bring justice to the world. If I do not prove this with transcendence, then the Legalist school will perish because of you and me."

The Criminal Code was his unfinished legal code, and also his path to transcendence.

The "ideal state" left behind by the former Emperor Lieshan is a dazzling pearl embedded in the realm of illusion.

There are only two ways to truly utilize it: one is through the unification of the world, which is used by the current emperor; the other is through the joint implementation of Legalism, which exists inherently as an ideal state governed by law.

Now that Han Shentu is gone, Wu Bingyi has taken over the three palaces. He can mobilize the power of the three legal palaces to provide Gongsun Buhai with the highest support from the Legalist school. He can also join forces with Gongsun Buhai to launch the "Ideal State".

But he remained silent.

He was rarely silent in his life.

After a long while, he stared at Gongsun Buhai, his gaze colder than a magic blade: "You've long forgotten who you are... Divine Hero!"

Thank you to reader "Pocket Full of Sugar, Life is Sweet" for becoming the Alliance Leader of this book! This is the 1048th Alliance Leader of Red Heart Patrol!
Is this considered a New Year's red envelope? May the boss make a fortune in the New Year!
……

See you next Monday!