Lord Shenxiu
Chapter 369: Reform (Seeking Monthly Pass at the Beginning of the Month)

Chapter 369: Chapter 369: Reform (Seeking Monthly Pass at the Beginning of the Month)

Zhong Shenxiu listened intently.

He didn’t really understand the upper echelons of this world, and some of the intelligence came from Zhang Taiyi’s Divine Soul.

And this fellow had been dead for a long time, so of course he wasn’t aware of the latest developments.

"Su, do you know why the ruler of the Second Yan Han Empire called himself the Yan Han Emperor instead of the Emperor?"

Chen Wenji asked with a smile.

Zhong Shenxiu recalled for a moment and answered, "Because the Second Yan Han Empire is a direct successor to the First Empire, we are all migrants from Outer Heaven, not natives. Our national rites do not worship the heavens but the Dao Ancestor!"

"Indeed!" Chen Wenji’s expression became solemn. "Su, you should have heard of the concept of the Three Thousand Worlds... We, the Yan Han people, all came from the Eastern Continent, and the world where the Eastern Continent is located is known as ’Taishang Heaven.’ Back then, the Dao Ancestor manifested and bestowed Daoist Skill, thus leading to the prosperous rise of the Immortal Dao, Buddhist Sect, and various other schools... Therefore, all laws originate from the Dao Ancestor, this is the legal tradition! It must not be forsaken!"

"Afterward, our ancestors could no longer bear the chaos of war and collectively migrated to this world, naming it ’Seven Luminaries Heaven.’"

"The Heavenly Dao of this ’Seven Luminaries Heaven’ is different from that of ’Taishang Heaven,’ and is even more resistant to our migrants and Daoist Skill, resulting in the downfall of the Yan Han First Empire..."

"Dragons battle in the wild, their blood blue and yellow; we, the Yan Han people, must strive ceaselessly. We do not revere the heavens of this place, only the Dao Ancestor!"

Chen Wenji solemnly said, "However, some people believe... how can humans overcome heaven? Heaven is right there, and no matter how humans or even cultivators act, how could they harm heaven in the slightest? If one has entered a realm, one should follow the natural way and harmonize with the people..."

"Is this why there are two factions, those who believe ’Man can conquer heaven’ and those who believe in ’Following heaven to respond to the people’?" Zhong Shenxiu said thoughtfully.

"Su, your summary is incisive. In fact, during the time of the Yan Han First Empire, there were very few supporters of the ’Following heaven to respond to the people’ view... But later, when the Heavenly Dao despised us, Daoist Skill declined, and the Yan Han First Empire fell, we had to make concessions, modify the ancient Daoist Skill, replacing the old laws with new ones. When the Second Empire was established, the ’Following heaven to respond to the people’ faction became more prominent, gradually influencing the current emperor."

"The term ’Emperor’ means ’Child of Heaven.’ If one worships heaven and earth and gains true recognition from the Heavenly Dao, might it prolong the dynasty’s reign?" Zhong Shenxiu snorted with disdain.

"That’s probably what they’re thinking, and there are quite a few supporters..." Chen Wenji sighed, "Previously, there were such overt and covert struggles within the court, the biggest example being the case of the Eldest Prince’s rebellion..."

Zhong Shenxiu’s face twitched, for that was an eternal pain for the Su Family.

"Now, the old emperor is also gradually starting to think about reforms, to change ancestral customs, and to worship the Heavenly Dao of this world to seek the prolongation of the dynasty’s reign, and perhaps even his own lifespan..."

Chen Wenji continued, "The groundwork was laid before, and this year he even announced a new era named ’Chengtian,’ revealing his intentions all too clearly. Replacing the old with the new laws is a necessary evil, but with this era change, we can no longer retreat."

’It seems that this senior sister is a firm believer in the "Man can conquer heaven" faction... But the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect has always been in cahoots with the court; perhaps the idea of "Following heaven to respond to the people" prevails among the higher-ups!’

Zhong Shenxiu muttered to himself, his expression turning exceedingly solemn.

He saw a massive vortex brewing.

Setting aside the true nature of the Heavenly Dao here for now.

Reform!

Altering ancestral customs!

These were matters that could lead to death, a great many deaths, and if not careful, there was the chance of a complete collapse due to missteps!

"The great affairs of the state are but war and ritual... Rash changes bring grave dangers."

Zhong Shenxiu sighed.

By now, he was no longer naïve, understanding why most historical reforms had failed.

He also knew why once a feudal dynasty wanted reforms, a bunch of people would jump out and argue that ancestral customs must not be changed!

There was some truth to this.

From the perspective of maintaining the throne, the reason you, the emperor, can inherit the position is precisely because of the ancestral customs!

If the laws of the ancestors can be changed at will, doesn’t that imply that the position of the emperor could also be changed at will?

Therefore, as reforms progressed, they reached a point where even the Emperor’s position became unstable. It was inevitable for those emperors who realized what was happening to recoil.

How could the welfare of the world and the common folk at dawn compare to the significance of their own supreme seat?

They would rather hold on to a decaying dynasty, with all its industries in shambles, than see the rise of a new era that could potentially diminish their power!

Moreover, these emperors lacked the prestigious authority of the founding forefathers and did not possess the domineering presence that combined military and political power, commanding respect throughout the lands with both cultural and martial achievements!

Even if they did possess it, they could perhaps suppress it temporarily, but what about their successors once reforms succeeded?

Would they also reform? And overturn everything their predecessors had accomplished?

This directly became a deadlock with few historical instances of success.

Even among those who succeeded, the pioneers often did not meet good ends.

Now it fell to the Second Yan Han Empire, and their reforms were not just any kind, but rather concerning the ancestral rites!

This was, after all, a world inhabited by cultivators and those with divine skills!

All cultivators could claim to be descendants of the Dao Ancestor, as evidenced by Chen Wenji’s attitude.

And the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect had always been close to the imperial court; even the thoughts of its disciples were now in turmoil.

Zhong Shenxiu really did not regard the old emperor’s maneuver positively.

’Is this him feeling his death approaching and therefore acting recklessly? Hoping that if he could succeed, he might extend his life span?’

Zhong Shenxiu’s gaze was piercingly cold.

The Emperor’s affairs were not his concern, but the Su Family still had some karmic ties.

"In summary, from the start of Chengtian First Year, the world will plunge into great chaos."

Chen Wenji gave a bitter smile, "Jiugong Mountain is the very source of this calamity. It was originally a Sealing Demon Cave, but recently there have been frequent disturbances, with evil demon auras escaping and causing catastrophes in all directions... My Supreme Dragon Tiger Sect is tasked with guarding this place, but we have attracted the covetous gaze of six paths from the Demon Sect. We’ve had several magical battles, with varying outcomes, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. We’re in desperate need of more hands."

"So you thought of me?"

Zhong Shenxiu bitterly smiled.

Even in a great battle between good and evil, the pawns were the first to be sent out.

Primordial Pills and Primordial Spirits, like immortals with long lives, naturally hesitated to risk their Dao Fruit.

The Innate and Ferocious Spirits were too weak.

As a result, the Divine Power Practitioners were the ones who died the most!

Even for the vast sect like the Supreme Dragon Tiger Sect, it felt somewhat stretched thin.

Thus, Su Daoshi, freshly appointed to his position, was urgently promoted to take on the role of a Fighting Daoist General.

"Indeed, within Divine Power Level Battle, Su, with the protection of your Nine Clear Immortal Lights, you can almost stand invincible..."

Chen Wenji went on to mention several well-known True Disciples from the Demon Path and Daoist Sects, advising Zhong Shenxiu to be cautious.

Among them, Huang Xie from the Yellow Spring Prisoner was notably present.

’What’s called a karmic affliction, this is it.’

Zhong Shenxiu rolled his eyes and said with a bitter smile, "Yellow Spring Demon Sect, Five Lotus Sect, Evil Dao... With half of the six paths of the Demon Sect involved, is this truly the beginning of an age of great conflict?"

"Our side also has strong experts in place. Do not worry, brother, Divine Power Level Battles are confined to the Divine Power Practitioners."

Chen Wenji offered these words of comfort.