Chapter 74

Chapter Seven

As the rain intensified, Ye Qing slowly walked to the side hall through the vast, misty curtain of rain, not a single drop touching his body. As he stepped onto the dais, the guards all knelt down.

"Rise," Ye Qing waved his hand and ordered, "Set up another banquet for me. I want to enjoy the rain and the night scenery!"

"Yes!" The guards responded, and someone immediately went to relay the order. Over the past seven years, with his control over the storms and rains in Dongjun, the weather had been favorable, and the Dragon Shrines had spread throughout the region, with incense offerings growing day by day.

Consequently, the Daoist temple had been continuously expanded, the number of personnel increased, and Ye Qing's authority had grown. At this point, his commands were completely unified, and even the Sixteen had to become a true steward.

As Ye Qing stepped into the hall, he did not order the lights to be lit. The hall was dim, with only a few pearls emitting a faint light. Ye Qing did not sit down but slowly paced around the hall.

"Seven years have passed. I have recited the Three Thousand Elegant Essays fluently. I can say that my literary skills have reached the peak of a juren (scholar-official), or even the level of a jinshi (advanced scholar)."

"Being a jinshi is not just about literary talent but also about understanding the Dao."

"During these seven years, I have repeatedly explored the Lesser Martial Canon, the Six Yang Diagrams, the Three Primordial True Records, and the Dragon Dao Techniques, integrating and mastering them. I can say that if I return to my body, my cultivation speed will double!"

"In my previous life, I was at most a juren, managing at most a thousand people. But in these seven years, I have indirectly governed three hundred thousand people. I feel that my demeanor and physique have changed, and the experience I have gained is an invaluable wealth."

"However, even so, the Heavenly Court has not yet issued an edict to this space. What is the flaw that I have not considered?"

As he was thinking, the Guide appeared. It was the same as before, and no one else had seen it in the past seven years.

However, it seemed to have something on its mind, with a half-smile on its face. It entered the hall, sat down, and poured wine for itself, saying, "Young Master, are you still thinking about this problem? You seem very troubled!"

"Yes, I can't figure it out!" Ye Qing shook his head. Over the past seven years, he had become very confident in this area, handling things with ease. Why hadn't he triggered the final key?

"The will of heaven is inscrutable. We have discussed this dozens of times, and we are truly powerless!" The Guide looked exhausted as it spoke.

"What's wrong? Are you very tired? Is another task not going well?"

"You know, I'm not just responsible for you. Time flows differently for each person, so I have many other tasks. Recently, I encountered a person who is like a rotten log, relying on a hard background. Even after being demoted here, he still acts like a young master, bullying others without thinking about learning or improving to get out."

Ye Qing, who had been somewhat dispirited, smiled at this. "There are many such people. That's why they have to beg to survive, to torment their spirits."

As he spoke, he recited, "When heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on a man, it first exercises his mind with suffering, his sinews and bones with toil, his body with hunger, and his whole being with poverty, and it confounds his undertakings. Thus it stimulates his mind, hardens his nature, and increases his capabilities."

The Guide was stunned for a moment, then sighed after a long while, "I have been in this space for many years and have met countless people, but few are like you. Your words are profound. If everyone were like you, I could complete the three thousand tasks and return to the Heavenly Court with merit."

Of course, this Heavenly Court was not the Heavenly Court of this space. After seven years of interaction, they had become more familiar with each other.

After the Guide finished speaking, it continued angrily, "But there are too many fools. Some can't bear the hardship, so they sleep during the day and enjoy themselves here at night, treating this place as a refuge. They don't think about advancing—when I encounter such people, I really want to strike them dead with a thunderbolt!"

"Is the will of heaven so unpredictable? Do they really think this is a refuge? If they don't atone within a hundred years, they will never have another chance to enter here and will be completely destroyed. What a bunch of fools!"

This was just a complaint, but Ye Qing was suddenly shaken, a faint spark of inspiration flickering in his mind, though he couldn't quite grasp it.

The Guide, who was speaking enthusiastically, noticed Ye Qing's sudden solemnity and stopped, looking at his face and asking, "Young Master, what's wrong? Did I say too much?"

"No, what you just said sparked my inspiration!" Ye Qing's face was pale as he focused his mind.

"Is it about the fools who will be destroyed in a hundred years?"

"No, it's even earlier."

"The will of heaven is unpredictable?"

"Yes, exactly. The will of heaven is unpredictable, and they will be struck dead with a thunderbolt!" Ye Qing suddenly laughed loudly, his laughter shaking the entire hall. "Ha, I understand now. It was just a tiny bit that I couldn't figure out."

After seven years of acquaintance, the Guide was very familiar with Ye Qing. This person was definitely not the original dragon prince. The initial unfamiliarity was visible, but in just seven years, he had brought the storms and rains to this level, leaving people speechless.

Indeed, as long as there is a stage, there are people who can amaze the world.

Such a man would not exaggerate. If he said he had understood, he had understood. The Guide had pondered this countless times and found no reason, so it leaned in, "Tell me about it."

"Initially, this space was set up to make the sinful gods learn and atone, right?"

"Yes, that was the purpose. This was a benevolent policy of the Green Emperor. It's not that mistakes are unimportant, but they should not be punished too harshly. They should be given a chance, a path, and an opportunity!" The Guide seemed to know a lot of the inside story and spoke slowly, recalling the details.

"Because they not only possess divine power but also have destiny. Killing or deposing them would harm the vitality of the Daoist court."

"But to improve, mere learning is not enough. It's just theoretical. So the Green Emperor, in his wisdom, created this space. Though it is illusory, it is no different from reality. Therefore, learning, improving, and governing here can also be applied outside."

"Those who qualify here can return with greatly increased efficiency and improved skills, and their sins can be quickly atoned for. This is a great policy—hey, what's wrong with you?"

Ye Qing shook his head, tears welling up in his eyes. "I just think this is a heroic move."

He thought of the past on Earth. With the development of virtual technology, a great sage proposed a famous reform called the 'Virtual Prison.'

Criminals could not only learn, work, and practice inside but also make suggestions during the simulation. If their suggestions were adopted, they could offset their sins.

This quickly spread throughout society. The sage publicly published the 'Theory of Infinite Choice' on the internet, which rapidly spread, with billions of people listening.

"The fundamental rule that determines the status of human society in the long river of history and the status of individuals in the vast sea of society is the right to choose."

"The essence of all rights is the ability to choose one's own life."

"These are the words of the sages, but even now, few people can achieve the theory of choice. Countless people are buried in the masses, ultimately because they lack a stage and the opportunity to choose and hone themselves."

"The positions in the material world are limited and cannot meet the growth needs of every citizen. But now everything has changed. The existence of the virtual world is not just for games but to provide the largest stage for everyone."

"Scientists can have endless research conditions, artists can learn from and listen to the teachings of all artists throughout history."

"Artists, writers, musicians, scientists, military strategists, politicians..."

"For every citizen, the birth of a real virtual world means that everyone has infinite choice and an endless stage to choose from, to gain experience and talent, free from the influence of wealth and status!"

"At this moment, everyone is equal. Let us celebrate, for the theory of choice has been expanded to infinity, and the golden age of humanity will truly arrive."

Unfortunately, he had not seen it himself before he died and was reborn here.

Thinking of this, tears fell from Ye Qing's eyes. He wiped them away, composed himself, and said in a choked voice, "Don't mind me. I was just recalling something and feeling a bit emotional."

"Let's get back to the topic. This space was set up to make the sinful gods learn and atone, with the ultimate goal of making them understand the duties and powers bestowed by the Daoist court, to govern and operate better."

The Guide sighed and murmured, "You are absolutely right. That's the principle!"

At this point, Ye Qing's mood was calm, and he smiled to himself, saying, "In the end, it's about governance, not just good deeds!"

Ye Qing continued, his eyes gleaming, "You may think that in these seven years, I have achieved perfection, with favorable weather and no mistakes. But if I continue to wield power in this way, I may not only fail to meet the will of heaven but also invite great disaster one day."

The Guide seemed to understand, deeply interested, leaning forward, "Go on!"

"Where is the will of heaven? It is neither in benevolence nor in malevolence. This is called 'Heaven and Earth are not benevolent, they treat all things as straw dogs,' as the Daoist scriptures clearly state."

Seeing the Guide listening intently, Ye Qing continued, "Life and death, existence and extinction, are one. Governance is not just about bestowing blessings but also about wielding thunder and lightning."

"I have brought favorable weather, killed locusts, and bestowed blessings on the people, which is a great act of kindness. But this actually hinders the operation of the Heavenly Dao and is not beneficial to the rise and fall of human society..."

Before Ye Qing could finish, the Guide was enlightened, stunned for a long time. Finally, it came to its senses, bowed deeply to Ye Qing, and said, "I have truly learned. I didn't expect to be taught about the will of heaven by you!"

"Therefore, we must follow the will of heaven and the destiny, not only bestow blessings but also bring disasters, making the world as solid as an iron bucket. This is the empire of the Daoist court!" Ye Qing sighed as he spoke.

The Guide also sighed. Just as it was about to speak, it suddenly heard a loud "boom," and a rolling thunder echoed through the heavens.

In the next moment, a voice descended, "Shao Yuan, receive the edict!"

A crack appeared in the sky, and golden light shone down, revealing a faint green realm, the Heavenly Court. Seeing this, Ye Qing immediately understood and hurriedly went out to kneel. An angel holding a purple-golden ruyi (scepter) descended and read the edict of the Heavenly Emperor.

"Your ability to bring clouds and rain not only promotes human prosperity but also demonstrates your might and martial prowess, which is in line with the will of heaven. Therefore, your sins are pardoned, and you are granted a title. So be it!"

As the angel read, blue talismans descended, representing the authority of the Heavenly Court. In the next moment, it was as if chains were breaking, and the world became hazy.

After a flash of light, Ye Qing heard the familiar sound of water waves and finally woke up on a stone.

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End of Chapter Seven

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