A long, long time ago, Bao Xiren had been stubbornly avoiding a fact.
This was a moral dilemma that all upright ministers had to face since ancient times. They might have great ambitions, they might be unyielding and indomitable, but the more noble their personality was, the more outstanding they would be, and the more they would have to face the interrogation of right and wrong in their hearts.
It was because their talents and status allowed them to see more of the truth and the essence of history.
They knew that the world was actually full of suffering.
Throughout the ages, for thousands of years, the masses had never been truly satisfied. War had killed countless people, famine had killed countless people, and plague had killed countless people. For 99% of the people in this world, they were born into this world and were destined to suffer. The so-called romance, the so-called peace, and the so-called peace and prosperity were only a few dozen words in the history books. Who knew how much pain and despair were hidden in just a few dozen words.
On the other hand, there was the rotten meat and wine, and the drunken nobles. The money that the nobles squandered in a day could provide a hundred families with enough food and clothing for the rest of their lives. The farmers, who worked hard for decades in silence, had to give most of their annual harvest to the landlords and the government. They had to do their best to maintain their food and clothing. When there was a natural disaster, they either had to sell their children or their whole family died in gullies.
Did the heroes of the Empire understand these things?
Understood, understood, they all knew in their hearts, and anyone with a conscience would admit that this difference in class was unfair and should not exist. But so what?
The nobles were like jade, and the commoners were like mustard seeds. Such a saying not only described the difference in future fate and social status between the two, but also the difference in social wealth and power. When the lowly commoners didn't even have the courage and strength to resist, who would care about their rights and life and death?
Those who wanted to plead for the people and change everything faced the resistance of the vested interest groups that controlled most of the world's wealth, voice, and violence. They could not only make you suffer and fail in every way, but also make you go down in history as the laughing stock of the world.
And that wasn't the most despairing thing.
The most despairing thing was that the supreme monarch, the sovereign of the Empire that all the ministers swore loyalty to, was the most powerful leader of the vested interests.
The heroes who were ambitious and wanted to change the world must've realized that.
That was the moral dilemma that they faced.
Since they cared about the people of the world, they must be loyal and capable ministers.
If they were loyal, they would serve the country loyally.
However, if they were capable ministers, they should have realized that … the emperor was never honorable.
Then, how should they choose?
They couldn't choose and didn't know what to do. The emperor was clearly a lone man who seized the world's hard-earned wealth. The world was clearly full of injustice and evil, but the ministers who cared about the people couldn't do anything. The angry ones had already resigned and left. What were the people who stayed behind doing?
Bao Xiren was running.
He could only escape, he could only pretend to turn a blind eye. He could only scrupulously abide by his duties and be a good governor. He could only stand up for the people who had suffered injustice and cried out in despair. He could only face the domineering nobles and arrogant princes. He could only use the law as a weapon to protect the last bit of dignity for the lowly people.
But now, he couldn't turn a blind eye to it. He couldn't escape.
Because Wu Hui's angry roar resounded in his ears.
His Majesty..
. His Majesty..
The roars of the Swordsmen of Mars were filled with fear, trembling, and desperation, like the people who were beating the drums crazily in front of the government office, kowtowing before him, and shouting themselves hoarse.
The people were vulgar, the people were afraid of trouble, the people were afraid of officials, and the people didn't want to cause trouble. If they didn't have nowhere to go, who would be willing to bear the risk of revenge and come to the government office?
Those people who were bullied by the tyrants and had nowhere else to go, just like Wu Hui now, treated himself as the governor of the capital city as their last hope of survival. They wailed, cried, and complained like a cuckoo crying blood. At that time, he was willing to uphold justice for every helpless soul.
But now.
The one who was suspected of murder … was the emperor.
Bao Xiren, the unyielding and righteous governor, was he going to accept this lawsuit?
Bao Xiren couldn't escape.
He had been running away from a certain fact, and he didn't want to face it. Which ambitious and hot-blooded official didn't want to be loyal to a wise monarch? But the reality was often unsatisfactory. A wise monarch was usually the same as a tyrant. The consequence of ruling the world was that the monarch would treat his subjects as chess pieces or even livestock. In order to maintain the majesty and power of the imperial power, the monarch would often play politics and balance in the court, and let the limited energy of the country be wasted in stupid internal strife and meaningless consumption.
He just didn't want to face this.
This was why he and Sun Lang had been quarreling. From before the war to after the war, the differences in their views couldn't be reconciled … Because the lawless Sun Lang had never been loyal and reverent, he could say those treacherous truths without any psychological pressure, those things that Bao Xiren didn't want to agree with.
But now, he had no way out.
He stood dumbly in place, his lips trembling. He couldn't say a single word. Faced with this desperate plea for help, he should have asked for the cause and effect, but he couldn't say a single word.
But it didn't matter. Sun Lang had done everything for him. The Shentse general's professional ability was even higher than the professional bailiffs. He calmly asked for all the details of the matter. His words were like sharp arrows that penetrated every hole. Bao Xiren heard every word clearly and had no way to escape.
"How do you feel?"
Sun Lang's voice was calm and indifferent, but in Bao Xiren's ears, it was filled with endless mockery.
Bao Xiren didn't say a word.
Sun Lang then said, "Of course, you can forcefully explain that all of this was a scheme arranged by me. For example, I used methods that Wu Hui couldn't imagine to intimidate and frighten him. I also instigated him to falsely accuse the Emperor and make false statements and accusations against you to drive a wedge between you and the Emperor."
Bao Xiren slowly raised his head and glanced at Sun Lang. His eyes were calm like a dead spring, calm and without any fluctuations.
He slowly said, "I'm not stupid."
Sun Lang's expression was still calm. He repeated, "Then, how do you feel?"
Bao Xiren smiled bitterly. "… It's terrible."
Sun Lang glanced at the haggard Wu Hui standing to the side. He didn't fear him and said calmly, "There's something wrong with Wu Hui's Imperial Army. Previously, he almost died because the Imperial Army took control of his body. I don't need to say what this means, right?
Bao Xiren, do you know what your Emperor is planning to do? "
Sir Bao's heart was in chaos. The fortress he had built to escape had almost collapsed in an instant. Not only that, he had to face an even crueler truth and future.
"There's not much time left for you, but it has nothing to do with me."
Sun Lang said concisely and comprehensively. "I'll only ask you two questions. First, do you want to keep Wu Hui's life or not? If you nod, he can live.
Second, the Emperor wants to kill him but can't. Today, there are many people in the sword palace. Everyone is an eyewitness. The Emperor will know of Wu Hui's contact with me and will also know of your participation. In other words, given the Emperor's personality, you will be placed at the top of his list of suspects. "
He was not stingy with his mocking words. "So, I feel very sad. You were ordered by the Emperor to fight against me, a traitor. In the end, I, a traitor, exposed your Emperor's dark material and caused you to be placed on the Emperor's list of suspects and silences. What's even funnier is that the Emperor can't do anything to me, but he has a way to take your life. So, you, the imperial envoy, will face an even greater danger to your life. Hahahaha."
The muscles on Bao Xiren's face twitched violently. He clenched his fists.
Sun Lang didn't care at all about the other's suppressed anger. He had flirted with many people and had never been beaten to death.
The number one martial artist in the world could do whatever he wanted.
Thus, General Shentse continued to mock him. "Rather than using your eyes to kill me, why don't you think about what you want to do? What do you mean by doing whatever you want?
The Emperor suspects you and doesn't even need evidence. He will kill you without hesitation. You've offended so many people these years. Do you want to have a taste of being attacked by a group?
Wait, being attacked by a group … Wow, the classic gay is insulting me … "
He muttered a few terrible words that no one else could understand. He then continued, "So, what do you plan to do?
Are you going to openly denounce and accuse the Emperor in court, or are you going to shrink your head and pretend you don't see him? Or are you going to seek refuge with the Emperor in secret to protect your life? "
Bao Xiren gazed at Sun Lang and suddenly said, "What do you want to say? Just say it."
"Just say it …" Sun Lang said calmly. "Go find your master and ask him to come out of the mountain."
Bao Heizi suddenly laughed coldly. "This is your goal, isn't it?"
Sun Lang's expression didn't change. "The Emperor can control Wu Hui's Imperial Army to kill people. Is this the only case?
To what extent can he do it?
To be able to control Wu Hui's Imperial Army, then Zhang Hui, Li Hui, Wang Hui, who else can do it?
How many Imperial Army members are registered?
How many Imperial Army martial artists are registered? "
"I'm not sure about the exact number, but I know that those who have the right to control the Imperial Army are all important court officials, high officials, Grandmasters, and local legends. Anyone who has some achievements in the country's military and political system is qualified to be part of the Imperial Army. The power and prestige of this country are all built upon the Imperial Army. Do you know what I'm saying?"
He looked into Bao Xiren's eyes and said resolutely, "If Wu Hui's case is common, and if the Emperor has such plans, then one day, perhaps not too far away, he will completely control the fate of this country. It's because through the Imperial Army, everyone's lives are in his hands. He can eliminate those who disagree with him and fight those who agree with him. There are far too many things he can do."
"Do you think that this is normal?"
"Do you think that the Emperor's actions are appropriate?"
"Do you think that this is the ideal relationship between a ruler and his subjects?
The subjects entrust their lives and possessions to the ruler in exchange for great power. The price is to become the ruler's puppet and weapon. They have no right to refuse, no need to think. The slightest disobedience will cause their lives to vanish in an instant. "
"Is it very interesting?"
"So," he repeated his idea, "inform your master and have him prepare."
Bao Xiren asked coldly, "Prepare for what?"
Sun Lang said, "Prepare to come out and clean up the situation, because the Emperor and I will beat this country to a pulp. If he's not willing to pick up the scraps, it's best that he stands on my side."
Bao Xiren gritted his teeth and said, "You're just doing this for your own revenge."
"Be more mature, Old Bao."
Sun Lang patted him on the shoulder and said in a very gentle tone, "This world is not black and white. Even if we have different goals, we still have a common enemy. At the very least, I have no interest in controlling this country by controlling the Imperial Army. I don't love power, and I have no interest in it."
Then he looked at Wu Hui and said, "Let's go back to the first question. What should we do with his life?
I'll listen to you this time. If you want to keep him, I'll protect him. If you don't want to keep him, then I'll use his life to appease the Emperor and ease the relationship. Let's see if we can get any benefits from it. "
Wu Hui was already extremely terrified. Just now, he had been forced by Sun Lang to open his mouth and accuse the Emperor. Not to mention that he had nothing left to lose, he was about to be smashed to pieces. Under these circumstances, whatever heroic spirit, whatever grandmaster's bearing, they were all thrown out of the window. They were all humans, and when humans were scared, they were all the same.
He looked pitifully at Bao Xiren, his eyes full of pleading.
Bao Xiren did not say anything. He knew what it meant to protect Wu Hui.
Sun Lang did not give him a chance to be embarrassed. After waiting for three seconds, he grabbed the Swordsman of Mars and said indifferently, "You must think that the Emperor will not easily touch Wu Hui in order to avoid suspicion after his plan has been exposed. Ha, you underestimate me too much. I won't wait for the Emperor to silence him. I'll drag Wu Hui into the palace and throw him in front of the Emperor. I'll say that this old thing tried to assassinate me in the Sword Palace and was specially captured for the Emperor to deal with. What do you think will happen?
What will the Emperor do? "
Wu Hui's fluke that had just been born suddenly shattered. He cried out, "Master Bao!
Master Bao! "
Bao Xiren sighed deeply and said, "… Please save his life."
Sun Lang nodded and said, "That's fine. After all, this Swordsman of Mars may know some secrets about Chi Lianyan and the Sacred Sword of Fire. He may even have more important information that he hasn't revealed. He is still of great intelligence value … Keeping him alive is still useful."
He patted Wu Hui's shoulder hard. A sharp Sword Qi surged out and poured into the Swordsman's body.
Wu Hui's expression suddenly changed. He subconsciously wanted to mobilize his internal Qi to fight back. But when he met Sun Lang's calm eyes, his body trembled and he gave up resistance.
"This Sword Qi can protect your heart meridian and prevent your heart from suddenly stopping like just now. When you fully mobilize your internal Qi to resist the attacking enemy, this Sword Qi will also be activated to help you resist the enemy and buy you time. If you die, this Sword Qi will also mark the murderer and make it easier for me to avenge you."
Sun Lang had always been very honest. "Of course, the most important thing is that this is a loyalty insurance. As long as I want, your heart can explode at any time. Show me your loyalty and value. Mr. Wu, first of all, hand over the Mars Sword Palace to me in one piece."
Wu Hui's expression changed several times. In the end, he slowly bowed and said, "Yes … Sword Master."
Bao Xiren witnessed all of this. His expression was very complicated. He couldn't stand Sun Lang's way of doing things. If he saw him on a normal day, he would definitely stop him and scold him. But now, he couldn't say anything.
In the end, he just sighed and said, "You're not much better."
Sun Lang smiled and said, "I like the word 'also'."