Shui Xuanzhi said,"Forty-seven."
Chen Shi couldn’t help but be moved, "At forty-seven years old, you’ve cultivated to the Mahayana Realm, Shui Changshi’s future is limitless!"
Walking and conversing with him, Shui Xuanzhi shook his head, "Young Lord Chen’s words are mistaken, Shui has reached the Mahayana Realm, and it’s already the peak. It’s difficult to advance any further in this lifetime."
The two headed towards the Inner City of the Western Capital, and Chen Shi noticed Qin Su, Dou Qi, and others were following closely behind them.
Shui Xuanzhi said, "You killed the young lord during the Imperial Examination, as his skills were inferior. Now that he has died, the Fuzheng Pavilion has been dissolved, and everything related to him has crumbled. Even if we had the audacity of the heavens, we wouldn’t dare oppose the Court. Personal power, in front of the Court, is just a drop in the ocean."
Chen Shi’s eyes flickered, glancing back at Dou Qi and the others, and laughed, "Then why have you come to see me?"
"To seek a place to belong!"
Shui Xuanzhi stopped walking, his eyes bright as snow, watching Chen Shi with sincere earnestness, "Young Lord Chen, we’ve been unrecognized despite our talents. That’s why we pledged loyalty to the young lord, exhausting efforts on his behalf, so our skills could be put to use, allowing the talented scholars a place to showcase their abilities! Though the Fuzheng Pavilion is no more, our aspirations have not faded. Young Lord Chen killed the young lord, then Young Lord Chen is our young lord now!"
His gaze was fervent, even a bit fanatic, "Young Lord Chen, you’re not just a mere top scorer; you aim for the world, you have ambitions to change this era! You are our young lord! The Fuzheng Pavilion has scattered, but our hearts have not. As long as you nod, we will wholeheartedly assist you in your official career, rising to the ranks of ministers, and even ascending the throne will come naturally!"
Chen Shi sought advice, "How does one ascend the throne?"
"As long as Young Lord Chen cooperates, claiming the surname Zhu, with Chen calling you his adopted son. We will gain momentum, with support from the Thirteen Families, ascending the throne and becoming the True King, wouldn’t that be an appropriate course?"
Shui Xuanzhi showed excitement, saying, "The increasingly chaotic heavens are the perfect time for heroes to rise! The West Bull New Continent hasn’t had a True King for over six thousand years; it’s time to reignite the True King Era! In the True King Era, everything is more prosperous; in the True King Era, the people live peaceful and busy lives; in the True King Era, Immortals exist! The Mahayana is no longer the limit of the Realm!"
Chen Shi’s face remained placid as he interrupted him, "Shui Changshi, do you know why I killed the young lord?"
Shui Xuanzhi was slightly surprised, "You needed to eliminate the young lord to ascend the throne, as he was your competitor!"
Chen Shi looked disappointed, shaking his head, "I killed the young lord because the children he persecuted made me empathize with them. Because I saw the deeds of the Taiping Sect, and the wickedness within the Tianlao Society. I’ve been to Gongzhou, to Yudou, and I know what you’ve done."
Shui Xuanzhi frowned, speaking earnestly, "For the greater good, for the grand cause, for the future where common people can live better, without worry, without being tormented by Evil Spirits, we need a lot of money, tremendous power, and sacrifices! These sacrifices are necessary!"
"Shui Changshi, you are no different from the young lord, because you are the young lord." fгeewёbnoѵel_cσm
Chen Shi glanced back at the crowd, saying, "You are all the young lord. But I am not. Do you know that you make me afraid?
"I’m afraid you’ll cut out my Divine Embryo and claim it’s for the greater good, that sacrifices are necessary. I’m afraid you’ll sell me, cut my knees, sever my arms, making me beg, while saying these sacrifices are necessary!"
"I’m afraid you’ll lock me in a cage, forcing me to steal White Lotus from the underworld, always risking being devoured by Ghost Gods! I’m afraid you’ll buy girls and force them into brothels, saying these sacrifices are necessary! Do you understand, Shui Changshi, is that I fear you, not you fear me! I’m extremely afraid, I fear even in my dreams!"
He paused before continuing, "So, Shui Changshi, I must kill you all. I can’t defeat you now, or you all, so I speak calmly with you. But one day, I will kill you all. You should hide while I’m still not strong enough, hide as far away as possible."
His words couldn’t conceal his intent to kill, "But rest assured, if you hide in the countryside, I will find you there and kill you.
"If you hide in the homes of the authorities, I will come to the homes of the authority and kill you.
"If you hide in the toilets, I will press your heads in the toilets and kill you.
"If you hide in the mouse holes, I will find the mouse holes and kill you there, and let the mice eat all your flesh."
Shui Xuanzhi clenched his fists, a wisp of faint murderous aura seeping out.
Chen Shi was indifferent, leisurely saying, "Shui Changshi, under the guise of righteousness you commit too many atrocities, daring to sacrifice others while unwilling to sacrifice yourselves."
Shui Xuanzhi’s eyes twitched, his voice hoarse, "Do you know I am in Mahayana Realm, I only need a thought to kill you!"
Chen Shi said calmly, "Kill a top scorer, defy the Court? If you have the guts, you can act now. You are no different from those like the young lord who engage in petty pursuits. Hide away, like mice hide away, until I come to seek you and kill you."
Shui Xuanzhi’s hands trembled, his expression shifting unpredictably.
At this moment, Director of Personnel Xiang Yunfei passed by from the opposite direction, upon seeing them, he frowned and scolded, "The Fuzheng Pavilion has long been dissolved, the young lord is dead, why are you still gathering here? Disperse! Disperse!"
He stepped forward and admonished Shui Xuanzhi.