Chapter 219: Chapter 193: Different Paths; The Understanding and New Attempts of Cultivation (Request for Subscription of 5.2K Big Chapter Monthly Tickets.)_2
Translator: 549690339
This is what the ordinary people truly think.
Zhao Baiyang’s face was cold. Born in poverty, how could he not know?
The Mire Sect is known for winning people’s hearts. Whenever there’s a disaster, its followers are sure to be among those who appear.
He knew all too well what the victims thought.
Even in times of disaster, as long as relief was timely and they had enough to eat and wear, the victims wouldn’t riot. They’d patiently wait.
But in Zhao Baiyangt s view, this was unbearable.
Perhaps because of his background, there were many times when he felt that he was one of those victims.
At those moments, he’d feel a heavy sense of injustice hanging over his head.
Why, why is it that some folk are decked in finery, feasting from gilded platters and drinking from golden goblets; whilst some only have ragged clothes, hunger pangs, and lives of wandering destitution?
So, why wouldn’t these people desire Zhao Baiyang to reclaim what belongs to them? How could they not want that?
Pei Xuanjing scoffed, saying nothing.
But his attitude spoke volumes; he clearly did not agree with Zhao Baiyang’s words.
“Do you think I’m wrong, Brother Pei?” Zhao Baiyang asked, his voice deep.
“Should I agree? How are you different from those ambitious oppressors? Are you not exploiting and inciting the common folk too?” Pei Xuanjing’s face didn’t change. He spoke coldly. “Even if you suppress these people and change the regime in the future, what will really change? Aren’t you just replacing one group of people with another? Will that make any difference?”
His actions, in essence, were to incite the common people, using their blood and flesh to build his own glory.
“Naturally, I am different from those people!” Zhao Baiyang firmly denied Pei Xuanjing’s claim, speaking coldly, “I won’t oppress them, I won’t treat them like worthless…”
No one had ever disputed these matters with Zhao Baiyang before. He had shared his plans with some people.
Those people either denied them, thinking he was daydreaming, or, in awe of his power, didn’t dare to oppose him.
Only today, Pei Xuanjing leveled actual doubts against him, not simply dismissing his ideas outright.
Judging from the questions and doubts Pei Xuanjing raised, it’s obvious that he shares many understandings with me, Zhao Baiyang thought. This realization stirred a sense of camaraderie in his heart.
So, facing Pei Xuanjing’s doubts, Zhao Baiyang wasn’t angry. Instead, he calmly explained to Pei Xuanjing, trying to persuade him to join him.
Pei Xuanjing sneered: “The founding emperor of the Great Ming thought the same way, didn’t he? And how did that turn out? Six hundred years have passed. If it’s really the same as back then, why would you, brother Zhao, need to repeat all this today?”
All Zhao Baiyang’s words hung still in the air at this point. He was speechless, unable to refute Pei Xuanjing’s rebuke.
Yes, when the founding emperor of the Great Ming established the dynasty, despite having countless schemes as a man of humble origins, he never foresaw that his descendants would become the very people he once fought to overthrow.
So, even if I succeed, might the same outcome await a few centuries down the line?
This inevitable issue must be addressed.
Zhao Baiyang didn’t evade or surrender; he began to face this problem and sought solutions.
But that wasn’t all, Pei Xuanjing continued speaking, his cold voice echoing over the mountain peak. “Brother Zhao, you talk about fighting injustice, overthrowing oppressors, and serving the world, but by what right do you allow the common people to sacrifice for your ambitions? How are your actions any different from those you claim to fight against?”
Why should the common people sacrifice for Zhao Baiyang•s plans and objectives?
How is Zhao Baiyang’s manipulation of the common people different from those elites who look down upon them from their high places?
This is the difference between the two men.
Pei Xuanjing doesn’t believe he has the right to let the common people sacrifice for his plans.
Even if one day Pei Xuanjing has to do such a thing, he’d rely on his own strength and would not incite the common people to senselessly march to their deaths.
Huh-huh-huh..
The entire mountaintop fell eerily silent, broken only by the sound of the wind.
After a long silence, Zhao Baiyang’s voice broke the quiet once again.
He was a man of unyielding will. Even though he was struck by Pei Xuanjing’s words, he wouldn’t easily give up his plans.
With a determined look, he said to Pei Xuanjing, “I’ve thought of a solution.”
“Hmm?” Pei Xuanjing looked at the once-again composed Zhao Baiyang.
Then Zhao Baiyang said, “Brother Pei, as you said, after the first emperor of the Great Ming died, his warnings were discarded like waste paper. But what if the emperor hadn’t died? If he lived forever, he could always maintain it.”
If the original problem was due to the death of the ruler, then as long as he could live forever, he could always maintain the rules he had established.
Looking at the confident Zhao Baiyang, Pei Xuanjing was silent. It seemed like he wanted to say something.
That even the bravest dragon slayers never thought they’d become the dragons they detested..