Chapter 920 — Battle Will Unbroken
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
Xu Shenghua was silent a moment, then said: "Sect Master Shen, the Heaven Alliance of the Longhan Era was also a driving force of reform and change—and did they not rot in the end? If in the future we gain power and status, will we not also rot as they did? Can you guarantee that before the lure of power and desire you will still keep your original heart? And even if you can, can you guarantee that others will be as you are?"
Shen Mu raised his head and thought for a long while, then shook his head: "I cannot guarantee it."
Xu Shenghua fell silent.
Shen Mu patted his shoulder and said with a smile: "If in the future we do rot, there will be those who come after to overthrow us. There is no need to think so far ahead."
Xu Shenghua argued: "But the Dao arts and divine powers that combine classical divination and Taiwei divination have already reached absolute perfection. Even if we rot in the future, those who come after will have no chance to overthrow us! We possess the most powerful force of all time—past, present, and countless billions of years to come. Crushing those who resist would be effortless! We are forging a future more hopeless than any before!"
"It will not be more hopeless than today."
Shen Mu spoke with weight, his voice deep: "Brother Xu, the Heavenly Court of today also believes it has forged the strongest divine weapon and found the strongest cultivation method, that its dominion is eternal and none can overthrow it. But we found the Taiwei Calculation Classic, and through the Jingping Reform, their strongest weapon and strongest method are no longer invincible—there is hope of overthrowing them. How do you know that the people of the future will not find another path, one that makes our seemingly perfect arts and powers riddled with flaws?"
He was full of confidence, and laughed heartily: "From ancient times to now, Dao arts and divine powers have always been advancing. Each generation surpasses the last, each generation stronger than the one before. What once seemed perfect appears full of flaws to those who come after; what was once strongest may not be strongest in the future. Is this not progress?"
"What we must do is realize our own ideals and aspirations. The way of the sage lies in the daily use of the common people. Gods should no longer sit high above, unable to control the life and death of the people—they should be of use to others, bringing benefit to the people!"
Shen Mu clenched his fist: "I firmly believe that one day, gods will serve the people and work for them. If the gods do not do so, there will be reformers to overthrow them! Brother Xu, my fellow Daoist, my dearest friend! If we truly rot, there will surely be those who overthrow us!"
Xu Shenghua calmed down and thought carefully. He felt there was great sense in these words, and said: "I do not know why, but when you are by my side, I am always full of drive, and I have hope for the future, no longer pessimistic. Sect Master Shen, you are far too skilled at bewitching the heart!"
Shen Mu laughed: "Is it not precisely because our aspirations align that we call each other fellow Daoists? You are occasionally lost, and I merely help you find your way out."
Xu Shenghua was taken aback, then burst into loud laughter.
He had always been one to keep his countenance, and today's uncharacteristically hearty laugh was a rare thing.
Shen Mu imparted his own insights to him, saying: "Emperor Yanfeng and Emperor Jingping's teacher are also studying the Ancient Gods' Great Dao runes. Dao Master Lin Xuan has gone even further in this field. They may all come seeking you."
Xu Shenghua nodded lightly.
Shen Mu then recounted how Heaven Venerable Yu had opened the Yuan Embryo Divine Treasury and the Star River Divine Treasury, and told him of how his own Spirit Embryo had opened heaven and earth and birthed a soul. Xu Shenghua was both admiring and somewhat worried.