Chapter 1445 — The People's Heart as Blade

"Are the laws of Jingping rule by man or rule by law? Is it governing the country by law, or governing according to law?

Do the old laws of Jingping still suit the present era? " "If Jingping's Dao methods and divine abilities must change, must Jingping's laws also change? " "Have the good laws of those years become evil laws today?

How to punish evil, how to promote good, how to achieve justice? " "It is impossible to completely abandon rule by man. How to strike a balance between rule by man and rule by law?

" "Is the lawgiver self-disciplined, disciplined by others, or the law itself?

" "My lord Minister of Personnel! " "The law concerns the direction of the people's hearts! " "The people's heart is a blade, the strongest divine blade.

It can cut down one or two corrupt officials, and it can also destroy a powerful nation.

My lords, concern yourselves with the people's heart on my behalf. " "Today I, on behalf of the court, bestow the blade upon you.

The reform and transformation of the law is entrusted to you! " Shen Mu bowed and presented the Blade of Law.

The Minister of Personnel stepped forward, received the divine blade with both hands, and retreated with lowered head.

Standing in line with the other officials, he said solemnly, "Where the law lies, the Ministry of Personnel will brave fire and water, and not fail the people's heart under heaven!

" Shen Mu followed Zaifu away from the new city of Jiangling, step by step.

This bestowal of the blade in the new city would cause no small stir in Jingping. The reform of the law would surely be promoted and spread, perhaps restoring to Jingping a clear and bright political order. "Grandpa Tu, where is our next stop?

" "This mortal world is a vast holy land and also a vast purgatory. Living beings transcend in this holy land and sink in this purgatory.

There are too many injustices in the world, too many struggles. Open strife and veiled contention, scheming against one another, countless. The blade Dao must be tempered in the red dust and also tempered on the battlefield. " Zaifu said, "I will take you to the battlefield.

Although you are my disciple, you have never been to war.

The war in Taihuang Heaven you only skimmed the surface of. Back then. . .

" He stared blankly, then shook his head.

"Never mind. " Shen Mu asked curiously, "Grandpa Tu, since you have begun, why not continue? " Zaifu hesitated. Seeing that Shen Mu was not as grave as before, and that after bestowing the Blade of Law upon the Ministry of Personnel, Shen Mu's Dao heart had become firm again, stronger than before, Zaifu was happy for him in his heart, so he did not conceal it. "Back then I could still be counted a talented scholar.

Though I was tall and powerfully built, I had read deeply of the classics and histories, and I had some small fame for my essays, poetry, and songs. At that time I was a man of letters, infatuated with a life of luxury, lingering in the flower streets and willow lanes. It was not until the enemy invaded, the country broken and the home destroyed, that I saw the misery of those days and threw down my brush and ink, drew my blade, and joined the army for the battlefield.

Of the several hundred talented scholars of Jiangnan who went with me, those who returned.

. .

" His voice was bitter. "Only I. " Shen Mu patted his shoulder.

Zaifu let out a turbid breath. "The blade on the battlefield is different from the blade you ordinarily encounter. The blade on the battlefield is a blade of slaughter and also a blade of redemption. " Shen Mu was slightly startled and asked for its meaning. Zaifu said, "The blade kills the enemy, and saves the rivers and mountains behind you, the common people who live within those rivers and mountains. A common man's blade splatters blood five paces, taking joy in vengeance. The blade of the battlefield gallops a thousand li, hands stained with blood, and keeps countless people alive! Come with me to the battlefield, to meet comrades in arms! " Shen Mu was greatly shaken and followed him, striding forward.

They journeyed for dozens of days and came to the battlefield in the Southern Wilderness.

After the Ten Heavenly Venerates partitioned the Yuan Realm, the pressure on Jingping increased greatly.

The first force to attack Jingping was the army under the Fire Heavenly Venerate of the Southern Land, a mixed force of humans and demigods, attacking Jingping, seizing cities and territory. These gods, demons, and divine-ability users came from the Southern Heaven, the humans and demigods of the Southern Heaven. Zaifu and Shen Mu each used false names and enlisted.

"The army opposite is also made of people," one soldier said, trembling, looking at the opposing army.

"Do not entertain such thoughts. " An old soldier comforted him. "Think of what is behind you. Behind you is Jingping! The people of Jingping!

If you treat the enemy opposite as people too, then you will die, and so will the people you must protect!

" "Huff, huff. . . " Someone was panting heavily, legs trembling, face pale with panic, somewhat short of breath: "This is my first time on the battlefield.

Before, I always drilled with other scholars in the academy.

I have never truly been in formation.

. .

" "Just follow me later.

" An old soldier with a scar on his face laughed. "Remember what the teachers taught you in the classroom? When you see someone waving a flag in the sky, stand up. When you hear the drumbeat, if the drums beat continuously, advance.

If the drumbeats quicken, run and charge.

When you hear the bell, halt. When you hear the drum and gong, retreat. Besides, there will be those skilled in divine consciousness who transmit to our minds through divine consciousness; there will be no mistakes. " The scarred veteran looked at Shen Mu again and offered him a water pipe, smiling.

"You do not look panicked.

Could you be an old soldier? Smoke this; the taste is good. " Shen Mu took the water pipe and took a puff, saying, "I once went to the battlefield of Taihuang Heaven and fought blindly for a while. " "The battlefield of Taihuang Heaven? That was more than twenty years ago. " The scarred veteran's spirits lifted. He waved his hand.

"Later, everyone come to this brother's side. Our whole squad, come over! " The other few divine-ability users gathered around.

The scarred veteran chuckled. "Here is an old soldier who has been to Taihuang Heaven!

When the fighting starts later, we will charge together.

Following him, our chances of survival are greater! Come, come, everyone remember each other's faces.

We must get familiar. "