Chapter 620: Should Be Called 'Revolutionary Lord'

Chapter 620: The One Who Would Be King of Reform

"The people's heart is like water; it can carry the boat or capsize it. If one desires a rule lasting ten thousand generations, the only way is to keep the people's hearts dull and never enlighten them. But Emperor Yizong did the opposite, publishing the sequences for all the world to see, scattering sparks across the wilderness."

Zhang Fengyue asked, "Why do you think Emperor Yizong did this?"

Why?

In Li Jun's mind, two answers instantly surfaced.

Either that long-ago Emperor Yizong was supremely wise, his spirit and breadth of mind as vast as the sea, willing to sacrifice his own dynasty's rule in exchange for a magnificent vision where every person beneath heaven was like a dragon.

Or he was utterly foolish, choosing in those years to reverse the empire's decline by making a decision that was like drinking poison to quench thirst.

But an emperor who could lead the Great Ming to a resurgence, a 'perfect man' with almost no flaws in later generations' assessments—how could he possibly be a fool?

Yet for an emperor, the ancestral laws and the state's altars of land and grain were unquestionably paramount.

To take the foundation amassed by more than ten generations and use it for good deeds that would benefit the whole world—putting himself in that position, Li Jun felt he could not do it.

Human nature is inherently evil; people will fight to the death over the smallest fraction, let alone over a vast and prosperous empire.

If Emperor Yizong were truly a living saint, willingly handing over the Zhu family's realm, then why would he have expended effort to revive the Great Ming?

Thus, both answers, when applied to Emperor Yizong, seemed exceptionally shallow and feeble.

But aside from these, what other reason could there be?

Suddenly, a surge of inspiration struck Li Jun, and a thought he had never entertained before burst into his mind.

That the sequences were not created by Emperor Yizong at all, but had already appeared within the empire. Moreover, by the time of his reign, the spread of the sequences had already reached an unstoppable momentum.

Only then would Emperor Yizong have conceived the idea that 'blockading is not as good as channeling,' simply going with the flow, establishing the twelve sequences of the Three Religions and Nine Schools, securing this unparalleled civil and martial achievement.

And thereby pushing his own prestige and power to the peak, using the imperial framework to accommodate the sequences and extend the empire's life as long as possible.

Thinking of this, Li Jun suddenly felt a light dawn on him, as if much of the thick fog before his eyes had lifted.

"Emperor Yizong knew he could not stop it…"

"Of course he could not stop it."

Zhang Fengyue nodded. "From tribes to nations, from stone axes to iron tools, from hunting parties to battle formations, from eating raw flesh to fine cuisine, from barbaric faithlessness to the rise of sects, from Cangjie's invention of characters to the contending of a hundred schools of thought—our sequences arise from heaven, earth, nature, and the human heart and mind. They do not depend on external things for their existence. Even an earthly emperor could not stop them, so he made the most correct choice for that time."

Zhang Fengyue's expression turned solemn. "But at the same time, this emperor also saw another possibility."

"What do you mean?"

"No one can ever keep the people's hearts dull and never enlighten them forever. Mountains and rivers change, dynasties alternate, the world unites and divides—these are unbreakable laws."

Zhang Fengyue said in a deep voice, "But after the appearance of the sequences, the possibility of a single line of succession lasting ten thousand generations became achievable."

Li Jun sneered, "How could that be possible? Unless he could become a god above heaven and earth!"

"In the eyes of mortals, both you and I could be considered gods now…"

The smile faded from Li Jun's lips, and he turned his head to stare fixedly at Zhang Fengyue's profile.

The old man, however, looked down at the city below the high building and remained silent.

"Even if he had that idea, it seems to have failed long ago. The man has been dead for hundreds of years; as a ghost, he must have reincarnated countless times. How could he still be a god?"

Li Jun forced a smile. "And as for the current imperial family, let alone a ten-thousand-generation lineage, calling them barely able to move forward step by step might already be a compliment. Your Excellency Zhang, you know this situation better than I do. If the imperial court really had any hidden tricks, could they escape your eyes? I think we shouldn't borrow trouble here."

"You're right. Perhaps I am truly getting old, and my temperament has become suspicious, seeing everyone as hiding conspiracies."

Zhang Fengyue smiled and raised his wrist slightly toward Li Jun. "Now it's your turn to ask."

"Me…"

Li Jun hesitated for a long time.

In his view, there was no need to ask further.

In this dialogue today, Zhang Fengyue had not needed Li Jun to give him answers at all.

He had only used this method to tell Li Jun certain things.

Li Jun's lips moved, but after a moment, he shook his head. "I have no questions."

"I originally thought you would ask me why I am telling you these things. It seems you already have the answer to that question yourself."

Zhang Fengyue laughed heartily. "Since you have no questions, I won't take advantage of you. One last question."

"Please speak, I'm listening. But let me say this first: if it's another profound question, I may not be able to answer."

Li Jun narrowed his eyes and gazed at the undulating mountains beneath the distant horizon.

"Whether this question is difficult or not depends on you, not on me."

Zhang Fengyue stood up, paced to the broken wall, and said, "Li Jun, do you think it is better to be human or to be a god?"

Zhang Fengyue spoke slowly, each word carrying an indescribable sense of vicissitude.

It was a question, but also seemed like a self-inquiry.

Li Jun withdrew his gaze, letting it fall on that withered, thin back, and slowly curled a smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Of course it's better to be a god…"

"I see. This old man understands."

Although Zhang Fengyue's tone was extremely flat, devoid of any emotion.

But in Li Jun's view, he clearly noticed a momentary curl in the palm of one of the man's hands clasped behind his back.

"However, I think being human isn't so bad either." Li Jun suddenly changed his tune.

Zhang Fengyue turned slightly, a cold light sweeping from his eyes.

"Li Jun, are you playing with this old man?"

"I wouldn't dare."

Li Jun waved his hand and laughed. "It's just that this kind of question is too abrupt and mindless. Whether I choose left or right, it's like a ten-thousand-foot cliff ahead. I feel that saying one wrong word today could leave me lying here, so I really don't know how to answer."

"Do you think this old man is plotting against you?"

"I didn't say that. It's just that I've been tricked too many times, so I have to be on guard."

Zhang Fengyue asked coldly, "So you're not going to answer this question?"

"Answer? Who said I wouldn't? Your Excellency Zhang has personally appeared today to enlighten me. I must accept this honor. So I will answer this question, but not by making this choice."

Zhang Fengyue frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

"I'm just a common man who climbed up from the streets. I simply don't understand such intangible issues like 'human-god'."

Li Jun laughed. "When I meet someone I love, I feel joy; when I encounter injustice, I feel anger; when a loved one passes away, I feel sorrow; when an old friend returns, I feel happiness. Let me ask Your Excellency Zhang, would the god you speak of do these things?"

Zhang Fengyue countered, "If it has joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, can it still be considered a god?"

"Since it's not, then what's the point of this damn god?"

Li Jun held his head high, crossed his legs. "I'm burdened with bloodstains that can't be washed clean and debts of gratitude that can never be repaid. If I can manage to be a proper human in this life, that's good enough."

"Is that your way?" Zhang Fengyue turned back and asked with a smile.

"So the good and bad of being human or god are not the point. The key is whether I am willing to be this god!"

Li Jun said with resounding force: "I am unwilling, a god is inferior to man. I am willing, I am a god."

"As expected of someone from the Mixed Martial Order, such a hard backbone, such great spirit!"

Zhang Fengyue said with a hint of mockery: "Have you ever heard the saying, 'One is in the arena, one cannot help oneself'?"

"That goes without saying."

Li Jun raised an eyebrow and said without hesitation: "We'll just have to see whose fists are harder."

"Good!"

Zhang Fengyue laughed out loud, a rare look of boldness appearing on his face.

"There is no good or bad, only willing or unwilling. With these words from you, this meeting today is not in vain."

Zhang Fengyue turned to face Li Jun, the smile in his eyes slowly fading.

"Li Jun, in fact, regardless of whether the words I have spoken to you today are right or wrong, I have no intention of dragging you into this. You are in the arena, so take care of your own grudges and loves. I am in the court, so saving the common people of the world should naturally be shouldered by me alone."

Zhang Fengyue said softly: "The reason I came to see you today is that I have a selfish motive."

Hearing this, Li Jun also stood up, looking at the old man before him with a solemn expression.

"The path Siyuan walks is different from mine. How far he can go in the future, I do not know. But it is foreseeable that he will walk with great difficulty. Because he is my, Zhang Fengyue's, son."

The old man's eyes were gentle as he slowly said: "I owe him too much, it should have been me who tried to make it up to him. But in reality, it is he who has been compensating for me, his father. I know Siyuan's thoughts. He wants me to enjoy my old age peacefully, so that when the day comes for my coffin to be sealed, I can leave in peace. Rather than carrying a load of infamy on the road to the underworld, with people pointing at my backbone."

Li Jun remained silent, listening quietly.

"If you feel that my words today are useful to you, barely counting as a favor, then when the day comes that Siyuan has need, I hope you can repay this favor to him."

"So touching is the love of parents for their children in this world."

Li Jun cupped his hands and said: "I will surely repay this favor to him."

"Yes, so touching is this world..."

Zhang Fengyue slowly turned around, lowering his eyes to look at the city below the imperial palace.

Suddenly, the previously deathly still city lit up with specks of firelight, as if finally awakening from slumber.

Wispy smoke from cooking fires flew out of windows and rose to coalesce, and even in this hall that reached into the clouds, one could still smell the strong scent of common life.

"Brother Jun..."

"Li Jun..."

"Teacher..."

"Uncle..."

At this moment, it seemed that calls were ringing out continuously in Li Jun's ears.

Among these voices were male and female, some familiar, some strange, but all were becoming clearer with the dancing flames, melting the ice and snow of the entire city.

"It seems your close friends and old acquaintances can no longer wait. Then I shall not keep you any longer."

Zhang Fengyue smiled: "If one day I have the chance to leave the court, I must come and see the arena you speak of."

"Better not, Grand Secretary Zhang, you should leave us little people a bit of breathing room."

Li Jun's whole body seemed to be burning with an invisible flame, scorching and warping the space around him, his figure rapidly fading in the firelight.

"Young man, since your arena does not welcome me, so be it, but there is one thing you must promise me."

Zhang Fengyue said clearly: "In the past in the Wo region, Sovereign Su conferred upon you the title of 'Fire-Keeper of Solo Sequence Four'. Today I also wish to emulate him and do something that will leave my name in history!"

At this moment, Li Jun, who was departing from this illusion, his senses had become blurred.

In the haze, he saw Zhang Fengyue standing with his back to him, hands clasped behind his back, facing the gradually igniting flames of the city and the calls.

Faintly, Li Jun heard an old, bold voice.

"Solo Martial Sequence Three, shall be named 'Revolution Lord'!"

Boom!

As the Ink Cavalry Whale dropped the last cannonball loaded in its body to the ground, the thick gunpowder smoke filling the air was torn apart by tendrils of flesh that shot up one after another.

The tendrils came fiercely, with sharp white bone growing at their tips, like spears shot through.

In order to bomb the Grain Field, the Ink Cavalry Whale maintained its massive Kun form, and was now a sitting duck in the air. But at this moment, it was too late to transform into the speed-oriented Peng form.

Just as the Ink Cavalry Whale was about to be pierced by the tendrils, a azure sword light arrived in time.

Splat!

Dozens of tendrils were cut off in midair, and foul-smelling blood rained down.

Chen Qisheng's solemn gaze fell below. At this moment, Xin'an City was filled with a heavy smell of burning, and the red mist of evaporating blood almost stained the entire city blood-red.

The boiling flames lacked replenishment and were quickly extinguished under the successive attacks from the fields of flesh. One after another, ferocious-looking farm beasts crawled out from the cracks in the fields.

A fierce bombardment emptied the Ink Cavalry Whale's stock, but seemed to have no effect on this Grain Field.

"Is there still no way?"

Chen Qisheng's face was livid, his brows deeply furrowed.

Just as he was at his wit's end, he was startled to see a sudden change in the Grain Field.

The fields of flesh undulated like boiling water, and the newly born farm beasts simultaneously let out uneasy growls, turning their heads as one to look at the center of the Grain Field.

The severed tendrils swung wildly, regenerating at an incredible speed, and changed direction, one after another fiercely piercing the same spot.

Flesh flew and blood spurted.

The entire Grain Field seemed to be engaging in a mad act of self-mutilation, as if trying to block an enemy that was breaking through from the inside out.

"Brother Jun?!"

Chen Qisheng's eyes suddenly lit up, veins bulged on the back of his hand holding the sword, and the Dharma Image of true qi behind him dispersed into a crowd of True Martial spirits, guarding the surroundings.

But just as he was about to act, a black-red thunderbolt suddenly burst out from the fields of flesh, piercing heaven and earth.

Boom!

In an instant, the entire Grain Field seemed to pause in unison. The next moment, a violent shockwave, starting from the hole where the thunder had blasted, swept across dozens of zhang around.

Whether it was the tendrils covered in hard bone armor or the fields of flesh with strong regenerative abilities, they were instantly cut into shreds as thin as hair by the shockwave and scattered in all directions.

A monstrous ferocity surged like a vast ocean, and in the place where the black-red thunder had dissipated, a human figure appeared.

Li Jun's black hair whipped in the gale, his naked upper body covered in corrosive scars, standing there like an abyss or sea, bringing an endless sense of oppression.

Even Chen Qisheng felt somewhat breathless.

"Brother Ma, take a nap first. After I've slaughtered these beasts, I'll take you to the Southern Branch."

Li Jun looked down at the Ink Armor core in his palm, shaped like a broken sword, and murmured to himself.

The broken sword trembled slightly, as if in response.

"Don't worry, this time I'll definitely make their Grain Field suffer complete annihilation!"

Li Jun grinned, then took a deep breath, drawing in the scent of blood and smoke from Xin'an City into his lungs, and in his pupils, a flame seemed to be blazing.

"Trying to run?"

Black and red lightning flashed, and Li Jun's figure abruptly materialized somewhere in the city. Touching down, he leaned forward and drove his fist into the ground.

Boom!

Like a boulder plunging into a lake, the field quaked and surged. Blood burst upward a full ten zhang, and the spread of carnage surpassed even the blast radius of the Moqi Whale's cannon rounds.

The soil and gravel buried beneath the fields of flesh splashed up, minced meat littered the plains, and heaven and earth were washed in a dim red.

A shrill, barely suppressed scream rang out, unmistakably Tian Chou's voice.

On the ground, sodden to mud with blood, a mass of rotting flesh slowly congealed into a human shape. Before its features could even form, it frantically knelt and kowtowed to Li Jun.

The intense fear surging in his heart left Tian Chou with no thought of resistance.

An indescribable weight pressed down on him, making Tian Chou feel like a fish cast ashore, on the verge of suffocation, no longer able to swim freely through the fields of flesh.

That incredibly sharp force was unstoppable, clinging to the torn flesh and rendering recovery impossible.

Deprived of its ability to regenerate and conceal itself, the field was nothing to fear before Li Jun.

“Please, spare...”

On his flayed crimson face, Tian Chou's features grew distinct, but before he could finish his plea, Li Jun stomped his head underfoot.

The force scoured through like a thousand cuts, carving Tian Chou into a pool of blood and minced flesh.

【Gained 100 Proficiency Points】

【Remaining Proficiency Points: 282】

【Martial Technique ‘Collapse Force’ Learned (Taotie Consumption)】

Li Jun ignored the tiny text blossoming before his eyes, and his sweeping gaze crossed the faces of Shen Li and Wang Qi, who had just arrived.

“Move out, kill.”

Meeting their blazing eyes, Li Jun grabbed their shoulders and soared into the sky.

When they landed on the Moqi Whale's back, Zou Sijiu and Chen Qisheng were already there.

Their gazes met; likewise, no words were needed.

Zheng!

The Moqi Whale swung its Kun tail, its body rapidly shrinking and transforming. A pair of iron wings extended from its sides, splitting wind and clouds, leaving trails of air ripples behind as it shot straight towards the northwest!