Chapter Thirteen: The Heart of the People Flows Like Water,

to sincerely make friends..."“Get out!”A roar like thunder shook the ground, startling the two horses pulling the carriage so hard they took a step back.Indeed, it was Chongxuan's voice.Even if Bao Z...Zhuang Country Xincheng.

Before the temple, an old man with flower hair knelt down and couldn't get up.

In the grand new Ancheng, few people recognized him.

But if it were in the old Maplewood Forest domain, he would be nearly unknown.

For he was the former lord of Fenglin City before Wei Quji.

His governance was exemplary in its benevolence and diligence.

During his time ruling the Fenglin City domain, he walked through every town and village under his jurisdiction with his own two feet. This was something Wei Qiji had never done. There wasn't another lord in all of Zhuang Guo who did such a thing.

Back then, thirteen-year-old Du Yexi committed murder in court, but it was he who personally presided over the reversal of the case. He also sent Du Yexi to the Daoist Academy for training, which is how the now renowned General Du came to be in Jiujing Xuanjia.

During his time in Fenglin City, he was deeply loved by the military and civilians. Later, realizing he was aging and his cultivation weakened, he voluntarily stepped down to retire.

He lived a life without children, no wife, no relatives, and no disciples.

During that time when Zhuang Gao was fighting against Yong, he achieved remarkable military exploits.

After receiving the Maple Forest City from Zhuang Ting for his achievements, he did not take a single penny and dedicated his entire life to it before returning the city to the country.

And now, the Maple Forest Domain is gone.

Not even a dog, a chicken, or a handful of soil could remain within the entire Fenglin City domain.

It is said that the Bai Gu Dao caused the chaos.

Where did this cult, dormant for a century, get so much power

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What does the Ministry of Justice in Zhuang State do What was it that they didn't notice at first

Why did the entire Fenglin City domain die out, but Dong A survived alone!

Why was Dong aware of the conspiracy Even though Duke Du Ruhui, a renowned national master, was close at hand, he was still unable to stop it!

Why...

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Zhuang Ting's explanation was able to persuade everyone in the world.

It's not because the explanation was perfect or flawless.

It's just because those people are not from the Maple Forest City domain.

It's just because Fenglin City is deserted!

Only he, Liu Yi'an.

Only this aged body, with its impending demise, still relentlessly pursues.

But he asked the prime minister, but the prime minister avoided him.

He asked the king, and the king locked up the deep palace.

He asked his ministers, but none of them paid him any attention.

Who would care for an elderly man who has no chance of rising again, a frail and withered one whose cultivation has crumbled, leaving him utterly powerless

Especially when he was so insistent, during the time when the entire state of Zhuang was flourishing, he had to expose the festering wounds and scars.

The old man is now just an ordinary person.

A white-haired old man named Liu Yi'an wandered alone in the vast new city of Xin'an, searching for answers for nine whole days.

For nine whole days, there was no answer.

Nobody paid any attention.

On the tenth day, he knelt before the temple of worship.

He would ask the great ancestor!

If Taizu were still alive to see this present day and this scene, wouldn't he be speechless!

"Just as a boat relies on water, so too do people depend on the ruler. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it!"

He wept bitterly before the shrine.

helpless like a child.

On the corner of the long street across from the temple.

Zhuang Guo's deputy prime minister, Dong A, stood with his hands by his side, silent.

Outside the ruins of Fenglin City.

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With hair as black as ink, Du Ruhui stood with his hands clasped behind him. Though his face bore the marks of age, his spine remained straight as a spear.

Throughout the entire nation of Zhuang, there was only one person who could cause him to be so respectful—Zhuang Guoxian, the ruler of Zhuang.

There was a middle-aged man with a peaceful countenance, gazing intently at the misty expanse of Fenglin City. At first glance, he appeared no different from an affluent gentleman out for a leisurely spring outing.

On the surface, no one could have imagined him to be such a decisive man. His firmness and sharpness in state affairs surpassed all previous monarchs of the Zhuang Kingdom.

After a while, Zhuang Gaoen smiled and said, "Master, this time you've thoroughly hurt the White Bone Demon God. It tried to drag this place into the Netherworld, but only managed halfway before stopping. It left Fenglin City domain suspended between the mortal world and the Netherworld, turning it into a purgatory. Neither absorbed by the Netherworld nor allowing my Zhuang territory to heal, such a move is clearly harmful and self-defeating. It shows the intensity of its resentment."

If the Fenglin City domain were to be completely pulled into the underworld, this area in the mortal realm would be erased. At that time, neighboring Qi Chang mountain range might be Wangjiang City domain or Sanshan City domain. As time passed, it would gradually be forgotten by people.

But now, trapped between reality and the netherworld, the White Bone Divine is expending divine power in vain, receiving no benefit himself. And the Zhuang Kingdom is forever left with this deathly place. Every person who sees this desolate land will remember this history.

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Even when Zhuang Gaojian was still a prince, Du Ruhui had been his teacher.

After Zhuang Gaoxian's ascension to the throne, the position of prime minister was not considered for anyone else.

“Your Majesty,” Du Ruhui bowed. “The old minister has heard that ancient wise rulers rejoiced when their people were at peace and wept when they suffered. Outside the former site of Fenglin City, Your Majesty should not laugh. While Zhuang Jun's ascension to Dongzhen is an honor for Zhuang Nation, sacrificing the lives of its people to achieve this is a disgrace to him. Moreover, those souls who will never find peace are right before your eyes.”

"I have learned my lesson," Emperor Zhuang immediately bowed his head in shame, saying, "Indeed, I was overly focused on catching up to the old man from Yong Guo and thinking about how it would ensure peace at the border and tranquility for the people. I let myself be carried away."

Zhuang Gao Xian's current state has surpassed Du Ruhui, yet he still maintains the respect a student has for their teacher.

When Du Ruhui heard this, he didn't pursue it relentlessly nor did he show excessive relief. Instead, he gently changed the subject.

"Your Majesty could erect a spirit tablet in this foreign realm to commemorate the fallen. The inscription should acknowledge my responsibility for the loss of land and record it as a national grievance. We shall abolish White Bone Dao and reinstate it as a national policy, thereby offering solace to the departed spirits. This way, we can appease public discontent, win over the hearts of the people, and unify their will."

Zhuang Gao sighed with admiration: "These are truly words of gold and jade!"

The last time the state of Zhuang adopted removing the White Bone Dao as its national policy was during the reign of Emperor Zhuang Chengqian, the founder. Back then, they truly uprooted the White Bone Dao to its core.

Today, the reemergence of Bai Gu Dao's influence pales in comparison to its former glory. However, this renewed emphasis on ancestral traditions serves as a reminder to the people of Zhuang Guo. It demonstrates their commitment to upholding traditional customs while also showing their resolute opposition to Bai Gu Dao.

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All the resentment would be focused on Baigudao. Once Baigudao was removed, Zhuang Gaoxian wouldn't be blamed for the loss of Fenglin City, but instead would win the hearts of the people by avenging his country.

Du Ruhui's chess playing was like spring breeze and rain, his methods were old-fashioned yet refined.

This is also an important reason why he could support Zhuang Ting during the time Zhuang Gao Xian was recuperating.

In the territory of Fenglin City, mist billowed, obscuring the carnage within. As if all the stories that unfolded in this place had fallen between heaven and earth, there was no more daylight.

“I have seen the Formation of Non-Birth and Non-Destruction. What does Your Majesty intend to do next”

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Zhuang Gaoqian gently brushed his sleeve and said, "Since we've come to Qinghe County, how can we not visit our elders at Qingjiang"

After Ziyouguo left, Jiang Wang continued to head in the direction of Qi.

For him, the Heavenly Protected Country was just a stop on his journey. He had his own path to follow.

The journey itself is not the only goal, what matters more is to temper one's sword, body, and heart along the way.

Using Heaven and Earth as the furnace, worldly affairs as fire, and oneself as copper.

From the small Zhou Tian, to the great Zhou Tian.

Upon encountering a mountain, climb it. Upon encountering a river, wade through it. Upon encountering a shop, rest there. Upon encountering injustice... draw your sword.

The path beneath your feet grows longer with each step, and the path of practice widens with each journey.

He gradually felt a change taking place.

Just like a road shrouded in mist and clouds, it's becoming clearer and more certain.ets had been burned. Just as the chief officiant was about to declare the ceremony finished, suddenly a commotion arose from the elevated platform where noble officials and dignitaries stood.General G...