Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme - Chapter 452

Chapter 452: Chapter 283: Coming to Invest_2

After all, life is indeed precious, but the price of freedom is even higher!

Thus, Xu Yang had to give them hope, to offer them a vision and a goal for struggle and toil.

Using a not very pleasant but quite vivid metaphor, it was — “drawing a pie!”

He would paint them a fragrant and tempting pie, one that they could actually taste, motivating these people to work for him even more actively.

As for whether a portion of them were truly loyal or not, it didn’t really matter.

Under the temptation of freedom, whether loyal or not, they would all be motivated to work more eagerly.

That was sufficient.

Xu Yang wasn’t looking to exchange sentiments of love with them, whether their feelings were feigned or sincere; as long as they didn’t slack off, everything was negotiable.

Regrettably, while he thought this way, the group of followers did not. Frantic and anxious, they all showed their loyalty.

In response, Xu Yang simply set the tone, saying, “There are laws to establish, and once established, they must be enforced. How can they be abandoned? You all have gained your freedom. Whether you stay or leave after is entirely up to you. Our Wandao School educates without discrimination, and all who are interested may join.”

Finished speaking, he then turned to Shi Jinglong and the others: “The same goes for you. With your sentences set, you can return to freedom after rehabilitation through labor.”

“This…”

Shi Jinglong was startled, and the four from the Evergreen Palace were also filled with doubt and shock.

They, the venerables of the Divine Intent, could also work off their crimes with labor to regain their freedom?

Was it just for show?

Or was it genuine?

For a moment, the five of them couldn’t come to a conclusion.

Xu Yang, however, didn’t care about that; he looked down at the crowd and stated clearly, “That’s it then, everyone may leave!”

Having said this, he swept his sleeve and was enshrouded in mist.

The crowd stood in stunned silence before gradually beginning to react.

“Taoist Master, is this truly your intention?”

Mo Bufan looked astonished, but then his expression turned to one of excitement as he stood up.

“To pardon us prisoners, and furthermore, to invite us into the doors of the Palace of Ten Thousand Dao, does this mean we are now the disciples of Ten Thousand Dao, students of the Scholar’s Palace?”

“So it is, so it is!”

“Hahaha, I never thought I, too, would have the fortune to be accepted into the Palace of Ten Thousand Dao. My life is complete!”

Mo Bufan was so overjoyed that he danced and did not care for the astonished looks of others, laughing loudly as he left.

After a moment, everyone else began to fully digest the news, their expressions varying, a display of all the vicissitudes of life.

Elsewhere…

Inside the Wandao School, which was the converted Evergreen Palace.

“Ancestor King!”

Su Shaoqing came to meet him, respectfully asking, “The representatives of the various families are waiting in the side hall. Would you like to meet them?”

“There’s no need.”

Xu Yang looked at her, smiling lightly as he said, “Just accept them all, as for the arrangements, that’s for you to decide.”

“This…”

Upon hearing this, Su Shaoqing’s brow furrowed slightly.

Taking sides has always been an art since ancient times.

Ever since the forces of good and evil, and the Demon Sect’s Sacred Place became insular, leaving vast territories without masters, the Wandao School announced to the world under the banner of righteousness. Since then, many have come to pledge allegiance, hoping to secure a position in the new order.

The composition of these people was also very complex.

A portion of them came forthright with claims of being “Tian Wu Remnants” and “Descendants of Great Zhou,” some even claiming ties to her.

Another part, while more restrained, claimed to be followers of Heaven Martial, coming forth under the banners of “Heaven Martial Meeting,” “Heaven Martial Sect,” “Heaven Martial Gang,” and such, showing an air of “one of us” overtly and covertly.

The last group consisted of various factions, including some peripheral branches of the Divine Martial Heritage, taking the stance of backing two sides, so that no matter the outcome, their lineage would survive and even their families could flourish.

Do not place all your eggs in one basket, this has always been the true principle of taking sides.

However, Su Shaoqing saw such behavior merely as opportunism.

Where were all these Tian Wu Remnants when everyone was calling for their hands and heads?

When the Ancestor King faced peril from enemies, where were all these loyal descendants of Great Zhou and devotees?

Now that the situation is favorable, they all emerge from the woodwork – one claiming to be a descendant of Tian Wu, another a remnant of Great Zhou?

If this wasn’t opportunism, what was it?

Indeed, among them there were some who were truly Tian Wu Remnants, descendants of Great Zhou, staunch devotees, and even die-hard loyalists of the Ancestor King. Prior to this, they did not offer their allegiance because there was no opportunity to do so; after all, the Ancestor King had been moving from place to place, with an elusive trail that even the great Divine Martial lineages could not track, so how could they offer their allegiance?

But this did not change the overall nature of these people, the majority being fair-weather followers, and even included those harboring ill intentions.

Considering this, Su Shaoqing’s original plan was to be selective rather than indiscriminate, choosing only those who were truly sincere.

Now Xu Yang, however, was ready to accept them all without exception.

This caused some worry for Su Shaoqing: “Ancestor King, among these people, there may be those with ill intentions!”

“So what if there are?”

Xu Yang smiled unconcernedly: “One is judged by actions, not thoughts. As long as their conduct causes no harm, then there is no reason to punish them for their thoughts. Now is the time when we need people, and there is no reason to turn them away. Let’s accept them for now; later arrangements will be made.”

“This… Understood!”

Though still hesitant, Su Shaoqing had no choice but to obey, bowing her head in assent after he had spoken.

Seeing her react this way, Xu Yang shook his head and advised, “Human nature is difficult to contain, and factional strife is inevitable. But as one in a position of authority, you must manage these disputes within a certain limit. They can exist, but must not cross the line. Personal feelings are allowed, but one must not forsake public duties for private interests, nor break the law for personal gain. Do you understand?”

“…”

Su Shaoqing was taken aback, lifting her head, her beautiful eyes filled with astonishment.

It was only then that she awakened to the realization, quickly kneeling down, saying repeatedly, “I have made a grave mistake, please punish me, Ancestor King.”

“Rise.”