Chapter 640: The Strategist's Foresight [Part 2]
Chapter 640: The Strategist's Foresight [Part 2]
"Senior Brother Nine, I'm here," Snow Condensation Sword instantly appeared.
"You're in charge of assigning people to accompany these old brothers who want to visit their families. We won't let the real villains off the hook, but we also don't want them to make mistakes in their moment of anger and hurt the innocent."
Dongfang Sansan said, "However, if there are still bad people who haven't been dealt with, the kind that they themselves are hesitant to take action against, have your people help them finish the job."
"Understood!"
Dongfang Sansan strode through the crowd, and the people automatically parted, making way for him. Everyone could feel the endless melancholy emanating from Senior Brother Nine.
This melancholy was like the pervasive autumn air, overwhelming and all-encompassing.
It was an inexplicable chill.
The crowd fell silent, and countless eyes met Dongfang Sansan's gaze, all turning away in shame, not daring to look into his eyes.
Dongfang Sansan walked forward with slow steps, his azure robe billowing in the wind.
The autumn air thickened, and the melancholy deepened.
Countless people lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze, and many of them suddenly felt a twinge of heartache for this thin, melancholy figure.
"Remember this, everyone," Dongfang Sansan said, his voice heavy with emotion. "We guard the continent, not to let the Only Righteous Sect have its way, but also not to become bullies ourselves!"
"Gentlemen, the sun and moon bear witness, and heaven and earth are clear!"
"For thousands of years, the Guardian Continent has been home to numerous families, many of which have begun to rot under our protection.
"If we don't remove these malignant tumors, and if we lose the foundation of the people's support, what will we have to fight the Only Righteous Sect with? If we reach that point, what's the difference between us and them? Why resist at all? Either way, we'll be in the same dire situation, won't we?"
"Everyone, go back. Go back to your families and take a look."
"Take a look and see if it's truly a case of injustice. Or, go see your families that you haven't visited for many years and see what they've become..."
Dongfang Sansan had wanted to say something harsh, but in the end, he held back.
"I'll say it again, if anyone is truly wrongfully killed... I, Dongfang Sansan, will stand up for you!"
Dongfang Sansan's voice was gentle as he spoke these words.
"Yes, Senior Brother Nine."
"Let's disperse. Everyone, disperse."
Finally, Dongfang Sansan reached the entrance of the hall.
With his back to the crowd, he waved his hand, and the azure-robed figure disappeared.
Behind him, countless people breathed a sigh of relief, their hands clutching the petition materials now soaked with sweat.
Lu Zhi Feng, the leader of the group, almost died of embarrassment right there.
Could the news they received be true? Did the Life and Death Squad really massacre his family without reason?
They didn't even believe it themselves.
So, no one dared to speak up.
It seemed better to go back and see for themselves; then, everything would become clear.
Many people sighed in their hearts, thinking that if their family had truly committed such heinous acts, how would they face their return to Kanheng City?
Just as many were about to leave, they were stopped.
"Senior Brother Nine's orders are that each senior returning to their family must be accompanied by someone to prevent any irreparable regrets."
"Hmm..."
Everyone was a little puzzled.
Did they need to be monitored?
But after these people returned and truly understood the bloody crimes of their families, when their anger erupted, and they wanted to kill their entire families and then end their own lives to atone... it was then that they understood the foresight of Senior Brother Nine's decision.
Some of the Guardians who had not received petitions of injustice from their families but were incited by their peers to come here, felt ashamed and covered their faces, turning away.
They had come to uphold justice but were slapped in the face instead.
This had nothing to do with us, and now we're being scolded...
Countless elders sighed, and many others were still waiting nearby, including those invited by Lu Zhi Feng and even some who knew of Lu Zhi Feng's 'injustice' and had encouraged him.
"We must find Senior Brother Nine! It's necessary to speak with him!"
Now, thinking of their own encouragement, they felt even more embarrassed.
After a moment, Lu Zhi Feng emerged, his face filled with defeat, trembling like a flickering candle in the wind.
"Old Lu..."
The crowd surrounded him with concern.
Lu Zhi Feng, the Flame Sword Master, had guarded the Snow Mountain for sixteen hundred years, living off the wind and dew, alone and undefeated, with a brilliant record and glorious achievements.
For sixteen hundred years, not a single expert from the Only Righteous Sect had been able to breach his defense! He was upright and as fierce as a flame.
Therefore, although Lu Zhi Feng's family truly deserved no mercy, Dongfang Sansan still gave this Flame Sword Master some face before leaving.
But for Lu Zhi Feng, it felt like the sky had fallen! He had fought valiantly at the frontlines, always feeling honored and proud.
Yet, in the rear, his descendants were even more brutal than the members of the Only Righteous Sect?
How could this old hero accept this?
Holding the thick stack of incriminating evidence tightly, he took a deep breath, ignoring the concerned gazes of his fellow disciples, and said in a low voice, "I need to make a trip home."
Everyone's faces were filled with worry.
If this guy really went home and went crazy, slaughtering his own family, who could stop him with his transcendent Flame Sword skills?
A figure suddenly flew over with a whoosh.
The figure was tall and robust, holding a long spear.
"Lu Zhi Feng, I'll accompany you home."
It was Dong Chang Feng.
"Great, thank you, Elder Dong."
Everyone immediately smiled with relief, knowing that with Dong Chang Feng accompanying him, Lu Zhi Feng probably wouldn't go crazy.
Lu Zhi Feng's face, which had been defeated and gray, now showed a bitter smile as he spoke softly, "This time, I'm afraid Elder Dong will have to witness all the jokes."
Dong Chang Feng comforted him, "Perhaps there's a reason for this... Don't be discouraged yet, let's go and see."
"Elder Dong, your words are truly insincere."
Lu Zhi Feng said weakly, "I understand."
His eyes dimmed as he said, "After so many years, the Ninth Elder has always been kind to me, never scolding me harshly. But today, he directly threw these things at me as an example."
"If it weren't true, if it weren't even more serious than this, why would the Ninth Elder do this to me?"
"I, Lu Zhi Feng, what virtue or ability do I have that could make the Ninth Elder personally bring me out as a negative example to scare others?"
"If these brats hadn't done something that angered both heaven and earth, would the Ninth Elder treat me like this? Since he did this, he must have a guarantee. When I, Lu Zhi Feng, return and come back, facing him, I won't just be unable to get angry, I'll have to apologize!"
"That's why he did this!"
"If he didn't have such confidence, the Ninth Elder wouldn't do this."
Lu Zhi Feng's heart sank like ashes, "Elder Dong, I've followed the Ninth Elder for over two thousand years... For such a small matter, if I can't understand it... How could the Ninth Elder entrust me with such an important task?"
Dong Chang Feng was truly speechless at these words.
"Let's go."
Dong Chang Feng forced a pill into Lu Zhi Feng's mouth, but he shook his head, "I'll take it after I see for myself."
"The Ninth Elder specifically instructed this! It's also his special order!"
Dong Chang Feng said angrily, "What are you fussing about? Just take it!"
Lu Zhi Feng's eyes filled with tears as he swallowed the pill and sighed towards the sky.
"It's fine. Your family has passed down for thousands of years, and even through the rise and fall of dynasties, there have already been so many dynasties... If your descendants are at fault, how can you blame yourself?"
"Moreover, the most helpless thing for a man is having an unworthy wife and unfilial children. Your wife died in battle on the snowy mountains, and your three sons are all heroic men. What do you have to regret? If your descendants are unworthy, you've been on the snowy mountains for over a thousand years, what do you know?"
Dong Chang Feng comforted him, and they headed towards the snowy mountains with Lu Zhi Feng.
On the ground, many people quickly left.
But as soon as they took off, they were stopped by Xue Fu Xiao's divine consciousness, which knew no bounds.
"You who followed to make fun, come with me."
Instantly, thousands of people looked like they were attending a funeral, their heads hanging low as they followed.
"This fcking... We're screwed..."
"I really envy those who covered their faces and ran away. As long as they escape headquarters, they don't have to come back. Sigh... Even if Elder Xue personally orders them back, they'll say there's an emergency and can't leave... They definitely won't come back to get scolded."
"Yeah... We're just a little late..."
"Be content, all of you. Your families haven't been rectified yet, so what's there to worry about?"
An old man sighed in relief, "Fortunately, my family is still well-behaved, and they haven't done anything to embarrass me. Otherwise, I'd probably be spitting blood and going home right now..."
"That's true..."
Everyone's mood lightened.
But then, some people's faces turned grim, "My family isn't in the southeast, it's in another place. It hasn't been rectified there yet... No way, no way. Once this matter here is settled, I have to go home and check. If there's anything, I'll handle it in advance... Otherwise, if the Life and Death Inspection Squad comes knocking, it'll be too late for me to hang myself."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'll go back and check after this."
Instantly, many old men made up their minds.
In their hearts, they thought, if they were treated like Lu Zhi Feng, with a stack of evidence thrown in their faces in front of so many people, would they still want to live?
As everyone's mood lightened, they followed Xue Fu Xiao inside, but they saw Dongfang Sansan's gentle face and that smile that made their hearts feel particularly uneasy.
"How has your day been?"
Dongfang Sansan asked.
These words made everyone's faces turn red.
"Ninth Elder, this... Cough, cough... Please spare us."
"Ninth Elder... I was wrong..."
"..."
"Hehe..."
Dongfang Sansan said indifferently, "Those with families in the southeast, and those from the rectified continents, can return after the banquet. Moreover, go to the Rewards and Punishments Division to receive rewards, personal rewards, as well as rewards for your family and descendants."
Four to five hundred people stood up, their faces filled with joy.
Dongfang Sansan's smile reached his ears, and he repeatedly clasped his hands in gratitude, "Thank you, Lord Nine, hehe, thank you, thank you all, brothers."
Everyone bowed and kowtowed in all directions, their faces filled with pride, "Hahaha... Lucky, the young ones of the family did a decent job... hehehe..."
Those who remained seated had their hearts pounding, their faces turning crimson.
These smug faces now looked truly annoying.
Dongfang Sansan laughed and said, "Sit down, everyone. It's been a long time since we old brothers had a chat."
"Today's matter, I admit, made me a bit angry. But seeing you all, my mood has improved."
"For the sake of the continent, we brothers have faced life and death, and the honor of the Guardians is on our backs."
Dongfang Sansan spoke softly, "The peace of this world is also thanks to all of us."
"At this moment, one can say they have no regrets in life."
"If we were to compare further, it's only about whose descendants bring more pride. Isn't that the logic, brothers?"
Dongfang Sansan asked with a smile.
"You're right, Lord Nine," they replied.
After today's events, everyone felt a sense of melancholy upon hearing Dongfang Sansan's words.
Even if one is a hero in their lifetime, what if their descendants are unworthy? They will still make you lose face.
Dongfang Sansan said calmly, "Now, the southeast is in order, and the other directions will gradually be rectified. Everyone here knows this."
Everyone's hearts trembled.
As expected!
"Since we're at headquarters, how can we leave without a meal?"
Dongfang Sansan said, "I've already made arrangements. We'll have a drink together tonight."
He smiled and added, "Those who don't answer the call will miss out on this feast."
Everyone's hearts sank, knowing that those guys were the luckiest, avoiding embarrassment...
To be fair, although we also wanted this meal, if given the choice again, I would still run for it...
Staying here, every moment felt like a fool...
The meal felt like sitting on pins and needles.
Dongfang Sansan's face was amiable, but his words were like a hammer to the east and a club to the west.
With each strike, his words were heavy and heartfelt.
He addressed the crowd, his words hitting home, leaving them pale and trembling.
"If future generations make mistakes, it's inevitable. After all, you've been fighting on the frontlines for years, and the rules at home aren't strict enough. Of course, those who establish family rules and enforce them strictly are exceptions."
"There are also those who, instead of finding friends and drinking across the continent, don't return home. It's pointless for them to cry injustice... Where's the face? You neglect your own family, and now you cry injustice... Tsk."
"..."
The older brothers all turned red with shame.
His words weren't harsh, and he didn't curse, but they still hit home, piercing their hearts.
"For the brothers who fought for the continent, if in the future, someone's descendants cause trouble, and they have to apologize to the Guardians of the world..."
Dongfang Sansan sighed, "That scene, I can't bear to watch."
Everyone lowered their heads.
Given this trend, it was indeed possible.
No one dared to guarantee that their families wouldn't produce a few disgraceful individuals.
Everyone's hearts sank as they thought about their lifelong battles, through mountains and deserts, in the icy snowfields, without complaint for thousands of years... Just as they felt proud, they suddenly realized that the people they protected had been killed by their own descendants, and they had to apologize before the world...
Everyone shivered.
The banquet ended.
Everyone left with heavy hearts.
Many wanted to return home to check. At this moment, they envied those who had already ridiculed for thousands of years—those old bachelors without such worries.
As the crowd left,
Xue Fuxiao said to Dongfang Sansan, "Brother Three, although the logic is sound, but now... isn't it a bit too harsh?"
Dongfang Sansan shook his head slowly, "No! It's not harsh, it's too lenient!"
"Too... lenient?" Xue Fuxiao was stunned.
"Yes, too lenient."
Dongfang Sansan sighed wearily, "Xiao Xue, this world, is already rotten."
Xue Fuxiao was speechless.
Dongfang Sansan stood at the forefront, his azure robe fluttering in the wind, gazing at the misty clouds, and said, "Any ruling party, no matter how noble their intentions, when applied to the entire world, the effect will be diminished by at least seventy percent."
"And any ruler, after a long period of rule, the entire world will inevitably decay! The various levels of rulers, noble families, and tycoons... Decay and rot are inevitable, not coincidental, and not isolated cases."
"Our Guardian Continent still has hope. But this hope is because we, the first generation who established the rules and conquered the world, are still here. We still control the world and awe the secular world. We have the power to change things fundamentally. So, there's still hope."
"So, while we're still here, let's give this world a thorough cleansing. Even if there are some unjustified killings, it will undoubtedly be the best thing for the people of the entire continent."
"If we do this once and clean it up thoroughly, the bloodstained wind will be enough to deter future generations for thousands, even tens of thousands of years."
"While we're still here, while our deterrence is still strong, let's finish this. With our iron-blooded approach, we'll set an example for future generations, establishing a benchmark. When similar situations arise in the future, they'll follow this precedent."
Dongfang Sansan's smile was weary as he looked up at the sky, saying, "So this time, the Blood Alert to the World is a must. Otherwise, once we're gone, no one will be able to stop this corruption. Our descendants won't have the prestige and deterrence of creating the world, nor will they have the courage and qualifications to scrape the bones and remove the poison!"
"We can withstand the pressure of all the aristocratic families' retaliation now. But after we're gone, even if our descendants are stronger than us, they won't be able to stop the aristocratic families' backlash! You know that!"
Xue Fuxiao didn't understand and asked, "Why are you so pessimistic today? Why do you keep talking about us not being here? How can we not be here?"
Dongfang Sansan, with his hands behind his back, gazed at the leisurely clouds in the sky and said, "Because I have a premonition that the final battle between the Guardians and the Only Righteous Sect is not far off."
"After such a fierce battle...it's certain that we'll wither in the war. Even if we win and destroy the Only Righteous Sect, our mission will be complete."
"Once the Only Righteous Sect is destroyed, even if we're still alive, after enduring for tens of thousands of years, we won't want to stay in this position and continue toiling. You understand."
"So, by then, whether we wither on the battlefield or retire in triumph, we will inevitably hand over power to future generations."
"If we retire in glory, this continent might still be better off, because even though we won't be in power, we'll still be alive. But if we really die in battle...the internal chaos in the world will likely arrive immediately!"
Dongfang Sansan said calmly, "So I must thoroughly cleanse this world before the final battle, and let this generation bear the burden of this endless slaughter!"
"Let's leave a truly peaceful era for at least a few thousand years!"
Dongfang Sansan smiled and said, "Xiao Xue, resisting the Only Righteous Sect and protecting the continent is, of course, our mission. But cleansing the continent, scraping the bones and removing the poison, and leaving a sufficiently long-lasting peaceful environment for future generations to thrive...is also our mission!"
"We have no choice but to do this!"
Dongfang Sansan sighed.
Xue Fuxiao was a little stunned, "You've already thought about a few thousand years, or even tens of thousands of years from now?"
"What else can I do?" Dongfang Sansan smiled.
"But this continent isn't just about a thousand years. What about the next tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of years?"
"Well...I can't take care of that."
Dongfang Sansan smiled, his eyes filled with infinite longing, and said, "Perhaps...by then, there will be another Dongfang Sansan, Xue Fuxiao, and others like Rui Qianshan..."
Xue Fuxiao also smiled happily and said, "Yes."
"But there probably won't be another Fang Che."
Dongfang Sansan said.
"Hmm?"
"Fang Che is a slaughter sword."
Dongfang Sansan's eyes shone with admiration as he said, "His achievements will far surpass yours! Do you believe it?"
Xue Fuxiao scratched his head and said, "Maybe."
"Haha..." Dongfang Sansan smiled again, seeing that Xue Fuxiao still seemed a bit skeptical.
"Have you been relaxed lately?"
"Much more relaxed than before."
"Then take some time to relax."
Dongfang Sansan said calmly, "You'll be busy soon."
"What?"
...
Fang Che, the 'slaughter sword' mentioned by Dongfang Sansan, was currently rampaging through the Venomous Spirit Realm, slaughtering relentlessly.
As his cultivation improved day by day, Fang Che regained the feeling of 'graceful and unrestrained movement' in the Venomous Spirit Realm.
But of course, he wasn't invincible.
During this process, he encountered two powerful warriors, both of whom he had to flee from after a fierce battle.
The cultivation of these two people gave Fang Che a familiar feeling; they were basically on par with the first person he had killed!
And he had already figured out the cultivation of one of them.
Sage Rank Fifth Stage, this was far beyond the scope of Fang Che's ability to fight above his level.
Fang Che's maximum combat power, when using his trump card, could probably match a Saint Rank Third Stage, but he couldn't beat a Fourth Stage! However, there were actually several Sage Rank Fifth Stage experts here! Moreover, these guys' cultivation was so much higher, and after concealing their aura, unless they truly fought, even Fang Che couldn't distinguish them.
This was very frustrating.
"These old guys are so cunning! What are they doing here at the Sage Rank Fifth Stage?" Fang Che would curse them a thousand times in his mind each time he was chased.
But the Night Demon's slaughter and the potential of fighting above his level had already aroused the fear and murderous intent of many Saint Rank experts!
(End of Chapter)
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