I Am King Zhou, Human Emperor! Part 7

Grand Tutor Wen likewise looked at the King before him, a faint trace of expectation seemingly in his eyes.

"I have long said that the Human Race rose from humble beginnings. We revere the Human Ancestor, such as the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, and saints such as the Holy Mother.

"The Human Race has carved its way through thorns and briars to reach this day. When have we ever begged the heavens? Why should we need Heaven's forgiveness?" Zi Shou declared righteously.

As soon as these words were spoken, expressions of "just as expected" appeared on many ministers' faces. The King had said such things before.

The expressions of Shang Rong and the other ministers truly changed. They had never expected that, even before such a natural disaster, the King's attitude would remain so resolute.

Just as they were about to remonstrate, Grand Tutor Wen stepped forward first and said, "For the King to think this way is truly a blessing for Great Shang!"

With Grand Tutor Wen's words, not only did the ministers no longer dare act rashly, but Zi Shou also gained a little more confidence.

"The Spirit of the Qi Water River and the Mountain God of Taihang Mountain cannot escape blame for this disaster! Grand Tutor, can Immortals and Gods be slain?" Zi Shou asked.

The entire hall was shocked by these words! Those were Immortals and Gods—how could they be executed so casually?

"Is that difficult? Please wait, Your Majesty. I shall go and slay the Spirit of the Qi Water River and the Mountain God of Taihang Mountain at once!" Grand Tutor Wen said loudly.

Why was Grand Tutor Wen called the Pillar of Heaven of Great Shang? One could see it from this very action.

Once Zi Shou had made his decision, Grand Tutor Wen wasted no words and immediately intended to slay the Spirit of the Qi Water River and the Mountain God of Taihang Mountain.

They were Immortals and Gods, beings worshipped by countless mortals. Could they really be killed just like that?

The ministers were so shocked that they did not know what to do. Even Zi Shou, the King himself, was speechless for a long while.

Seeing that Grand Tutor Wen was about to leave the great hall, he finally came back to his senses and said, "Grand Tutor, wait!"

"What further instructions does Your Majesty have?" Grand Tutor Wen turned and asked.

Zi Shou had recovered from his shock. Naturally, he could not allow Grand Tutor Wen to go and slay gods just like that.

"I have considered it carefully. Simply killing the Spirit of the Qi Water River and the Mountain God of Taihang Mountain will not solve the root of the problem!"

Though he had been somewhat surprised at first, on further thought, it was only natural that Grand Tutor Wen regarded godslaying so casually.

After all, he was a proper Third Generation Disciple of Jiejiao, apprenticed to Golden Spirit Holy Mother, one of the Four Inner Disciples of Jiejiao.

Zi Shou did not know exactly how powerful Grand Tutor Wen was, but killing two mere deities should have been effortless for him.

The Spirit of the Qi Water River and the Mountain God of Taihang Mountain naturally had to die, but there was still a proper way to kill them.

"Then how does Your Majesty intend to proceed?"

Grand Tutor Wen paused slightly. A hint of delight flashed across his face before he immediately asked respectfully.

"The Spirit of the Qi Water River and the Mountain God of Taihang Mountain are indeed guilty beyond forgiveness, but they should be publicly executed according to the law!" Zi Shou said loudly.

Bi Gan had just said that the Spirit of the Qi Water River and the Mountain God of Taihang Mountain had existed for a long time, and the people often made sacrifices to them.

This showed that the existence of Immortals and Gods was no secret among the Human Race. On the contrary, they had gradually become woven into the lives of the common people.

The people throughout the realm likely made many sacrifices to Immortals and Gods. This was a reverence deeply rooted in their hearts.

If he wanted to shatter that reverence, publicly executing Immortals and Gods according to the law was undoubtedly the best method.

When the people saw that Immortals and Gods could also be judged by the Human Race, even beheaded, how could they retain any reverence in their hearts?

Afterward, he would proclaim it to the realm and use this matter to make his stance known!

This was the land of the Human Race. This was Great Shang. Even Immortals and Gods could not act wantonly here!

If Immortals and Gods committed wrongdoing, they too had to accept the judgment of the Human Race and be publicly executed according to the law!

"That is easy enough. Your Majesty may gather the people along the Qi River. I will bring those two Immortals and Gods here myself!" Grand Tutor Wen said.

He was becoming increasingly satisfied with the current King. Even the way he looked at him had grown much kinder.

He truly had not expected that after going to the North Sea to suppress the rebellion for such a short time, the King would undergo such a great change.

Issuing an Edict of Self-Reproach had already set a precedent for all ages. Now, the King was not only so decisive, but could also see matters on a deeper level. It was truly rare.

"Pass on my decree. Let the people near Chaoge City proceed to the banks of the Qi River and witness the Grand Tutor slay gods!"

Since Grand Tutor Wen had already said so, Zi Shou naturally had no reason to hesitate. He immediately ordered preparations for the matter.

Shang Rong had originally wanted to say something, but seeing how resolute the King was, then looking at Grand Tutor Wen, he could only sigh inwardly.

The other ministers dared offer even less objection. Grand Tutor Wen had agreed—who would dare oppose him?

Soon, as the decree was issued, the people around Chaoge City began gathering along the banks of the Qi River.

At the same time, Zi Shou and Grand Tutor Wen led the ministers in a grand procession and quickly arrived at the banks of the Qi River.

Once most of the people of Chaoge City had gathered, Zi Shou nodded to Grand Tutor Wen.

Holding the Male and Female Jiaolong Double Whips and riding the Ink Qilin, Grand Tutor Wen rose into the air and flew above the Qi River.

"Spirit of the Qi Water River, Grand Tutor Wen Zhong of Great Shang is here! Show yourself at once!" Grand Tutor Wen roared.

Whether ministers or gathered commoners, all looked at Grand Tutor Wen with a trace of reverence in their eyes.

Grand Tutor Wen's voice shook heaven and earth like Nine Heavens Thunder. Standing in midair, he truly seemed like a deity.

One day, I too will possess such strength! Zi Shou thought to himself.

Having now entered the Four Extremes Secret Realm, he could naturally sense the abyssal, ocean-like aura surrounding Grand Tutor Wen.

Compared to Grand Tutor Wen, he was undoubtedly still like a child learning to walk. He still had a long road ahead.

Yet he had cultivated for only a dozen or so days and already possessed his current cultivation. What would the future bring?

Just as his thoughts wandered, the Qi River suddenly began to churn after Grand Tutor Wen's furious roar.

At first, the Qi River merely rippled, but it soon became towering waves.

It was as though a deity had become enraged. Seeing this sight, many commoners had already fallen to their knees and repeatedly kowtowed.

"You insignificant Spirit of the Qi Water River, you had already committed grave sins, yet you still dare act so brazenly?"

Standing on the banks of the Qi River and facing its surging waters, Zi Shou was not the least bit afraid. Instead, he appeared exceptionally furious.

Afraid? With Grand Tutor Wen here, what did he have to fear?

Before the eyes of countless commoners, he naturally knew what the correct choice was.

In truth, Grand Tutor Wen had not acted immediately against the raging Qi River because he had been waiting for Zi Shou to state his position.

Now that Zi Shou's furious voice had sounded, Grand Tutor Wen hesitated no longer. He swung the Male and Female Jiaolong Double Whips in his hand and pointed them at the Qi River.

The once-turbulent Qi River instantly became calm beneath Grand Tutor Wen's gesture.

"Who dares behave so insolently in the Qi River? Do you not know the consequences of angering a deity?"

A thunderous roar rang out. Amid the terrified gazes of countless people, the Qi River parted to either side, and an enormous creature emerged.

It was a Giant Serpent a thousand zhang long, yet claws grew beneath its belly and it had no horns on its head. It was precisely a Jiaolong of legend.

Zi Shou looked at the Jiaolong before him. This should be the River God of the Qi River.

"Spirit of the Qi Water River, do you know your crime?" Zi Shou said loudly.

He had brought the entire court and the people of Chaoge City to the banks of the Qi River with such fanfare. How could the Spirit of the Qi Water River not know?

Yet it still put on airs, as if it had only just discovered their arrival. It was rather laughable.

"Know my crime? I was personally appointed by the Jade Emperor and govern the Qi River. What crime have I committed?" the Spirit of the Qi Water River said.

As it spoke, the enormous body of the Spirit of the Qi Water River began to sway, once again raising towering waves in the Qi River.

"Spirit of the Qi Water River, you recklessly caused the Qi River to flood, leaving countless people homeless. This crime warrants execution!" Zi Shou said in a deep voice.

The Spirit of the Qi Water River knew full well what it had done but feigned ignorance. Zi Shou could not be bothered to waste further words on it.

After all, he had come to slay a god, not to reason with one!

"You petty mortal, how laughable! The flooding of the Qi River was ordained by Heaven. I merely obeyed Heaven's Mandate, so what fault do I bear?

"Besides, even if I were in the wrong, it would not be for a mortal like you to judge. The Jade Emperor will naturally uphold justice!" the Spirit of the Qi Water River said.

"This is the land of the Human Race. This is Great Shang! Whoever offends Great Shang may be executed, even Immortals and Gods!" Zi Shou declared decisively.

As Zi Shou spoke, Grand Tutor Wen had already begun swinging the Male and Female Jiaolong Double Whips.

One whip fell like Mount Tai crushing down from above, striking directly onto the Spirit of the Qi Water River.

The thousand-zhang Jiaolong began visibly shrinking.

In the blink of an eye, the once-majestic Spirit of the Qi Water River had become less than a foot long.

The Jiaolong had become a loach. Faced with such a contrast, Zi Shou could only marvel at Grand Tutor Wen's formidable strength.

"Release me! I am the Spirit of the Qi Water River personally appointed by the Jade Emperor, an Immortal and God of the Heavenly Court. Do you truly dare act so recklessly?"

Suppressed by Grand Tutor Wen, the Spirit of the Qi Water River finally became panicked, though it was clearly putting on a fierce front to conceal its weakness.

"Spirit of the Qi Water River, you recklessly caused the Qi River to flood and left countless people homeless. I am the Human Sovereign, and today I shall personally execute you!"

As he spoke, Zi Shou drew his long blade. With one strike, the Spirit of the Qi Water River was immediately beheaded.