Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Han Jinyue learns from Gao Shou that Zhao Cheng dislikes her due to her past actions against Fan Qingmeng.
• Han Jinyue investigates her past and discovers discrepancies, leading her to believe that Fan Qingmeng used Daoist arts to steal a portion of her life.
• Zhao Cheng, in his true form, observes the alterations in his Daoist body's past and contemplates the nature of strength and power.

Character Developments

• Han Jinyue: Struggles with her perception of reality, questioning if her cultivation has deviated or if the world has changed.
• Zhao Cheng: Continues to cultivate and prepare for his ultimate leap in power, planning to seize the Immortality Dao Fruit and establish a supreme Dao Kingdom.

Significant Themes

• The nature of reality and perception: Han Jinyue's struggle to discern what is real and what is a result of cultivation deviation or external influence.
• Power and strength: Zhao Cheng's contemplation on the true meaning of strength, focusing on the past, present, and future.

Character Interactions

• Han Jinyue and Gao Shou: Gao Shou warns Han Jinyue about Zhao Cheng's dislike for her and advises her not to mention Fan Qingmeng often.
• Han Jinyue and the world: Han Jinyue investigates her past and the world around her, trying to understand the changes she perceives.
• Zhao Cheng and his true form: Zhao Cheng observes the alterations in his Daoist body's past and reflects on the nature of power and strength.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Cheng plans to hold a sacrifice, stirring the Empire and reminding people of the Heavenly Mandate.
• News of the sacrifice spreads rapidly, exciting the populace who have been waiting for it.
• Zhao Cheng visits the Heavenly Craft Pavilion, where he sees various steam-powered innovations like armor, guns, and tanks.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng's mind has evolved swiftly due to pressure from the void heavenly demon, leading him to view matters from a detached, enlightened perspective. He sees Fan Qingmeng as merely a strand of fate, unburdened by her influence.
• Han Jinyue is surprised by Zhao Cheng's indifference and begins to doubt if he's the same person she remembers.

Significant Themes

• Sacrifice: The ancient custom of sacrifice is shown to have power over Heaven and Earth, stirring the hearts of the people and the Empire.
• Power and Detachment: Zhao Cheng's immense power has led him to a state of detachment from worldly matters, including his past love, Fan Qingmeng.
• Transitional Phases: Steam technology is seen as a transitional phase, with better alternatives like nuclear energy already being researched.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Cheng and Han Jinyue interact, with Han Jinyue sharing her memories of Fan Qingmeng and Zhao Cheng responding with detachment.
• Zhao Cheng visits the Heavenly Craft Pavilion, interacting with the Daoists there and observing their steam-powered innovations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Divine Martial Marquis (Lu Xun) returns to the capital, greeted with high honors, fueling speculation about his potential promotion to king.
• Lu Xun, Gao Shou, Li Tonghai, and Lin Yi are granted kingships, along with numerous other officials receiving noble titles, marking the successful opening of trade routes.
• Zhao Cheng hosts a private gathering with Lu Xun and Gao Shou, reflecting on their journey and the state of the empire.

Character Developments

• Lu Xun has reached a high level in martial arts, appearing younger than ten years ago. He reflects on his growth and the changing times.
• Zhao Cheng, Lu Xun, and Gao Shou have grown and changed over the years, with their ambitions and perspectives shifting.
• The child selling books in the Divine Capital represents the changing society and the influx of new ideas and cultures.

Significant Themes

• Power and Ambition: The characters' journey from ordinary men to kings and the emperor reflects their growth in power and ambition.
• Change and Adaptation: The changing times and society require the characters to adapt and grow, both personally and in their roles.
• The Price of Success: The characters reflect on the hardships and struggles they've faced in achieving their goals.

Character Interactions

• Lu Xun, Zhao Cheng, and Gao Shou's interactions reveal their camaraderie and shared history, as well as their differing perspectives on their achievements.
• The child selling books interacts with Zhao Cheng, highlighting the changing society and the influx of new ideas and cultures.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Cheng, the Emperor, is seen toying with a banned booklet, indicating his awareness and tolerance of human desires and entertainment.
• Cao Zheng, a high-ranking official, is reinstated after being arrested for writing banned books. Zhao Cheng sends him a booklet as a message.
• The Emperor discusses the balance between human desires and heavenly principles with Gao Shou, the Retired Emperor, emphasizing the importance of cultural diversity and the dangers of extreme suppression or indulgence.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng: Shows understanding and tolerance towards human desires and entertainment, demonstrating his wisdom and ability to balance different aspects of society. He also displays confidence in his power and vision.
• Cao Zheng: Initially fearful of Zhao Cheng's intentions, he later reflects on his past and the changes in his spirit over the years.

Significant Themes

• Balance between human desires and heavenly principles: The chapter explores the importance of maintaining a balance between human desires and the principles of society, with Zhao Cheng and Gao Shou discussing the dangers of extreme suppression or indulgence.
• Cultural diversity and its role in society: The conversation between Zhao Cheng and Gao Shou highlights the necessity of cultural diversity for a healthy society, with both extremes (absolute brightness and righteousness, or complete indulgence) being harmful.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Cheng and Gao Shou: Their conversation reveals their shared understanding of the importance of cultural diversity and the balance between human desires and heavenly principles. It also shows Zhao Cheng's respect for Gao Shou's wisdom and experience.
• Zhao Cheng and Cao Zheng: Though not directly interacting, Zhao Cheng's actions (sending the booklet and reinstating Cao Zheng) show his understanding and tolerance towards Cao Zheng's actions, while also serving as a message to him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Cheng, along with Lu Xun and Gao Shou, ascends the city walls of Divine Capital.
• Zhao Cheng observes the city and senses the impending collapse of the heavens.
• Zhao Cheng draws out the ancient vicissitudes of humanity, manifesting dragons and the power of the human way.
• He creates two divine artifacts, the Divine Martial Sword and the Sacred Flourishing Brush, for Lu Xun and Gao Shou.
• Lu Xun and Gao Shou leave Divine Capital with their respective missions.
• Elsewhere, a child awakens, revealing himself as the Buddha, and begins to spread his divine light.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng demonstrates his immense power and understanding of the human way, creating divine artifacts to aid Lu Xun and Gao Shou.
• Lu Xun and Gao Shou, initially leisurely, become solemn and determined, understanding their roles in the face of the impending calamity.
• The child, revealed to be the Buddha, awakens and begins to spread his divine light, indicating a new phase in his journey.

Significant Themes

• The power of civilization and human spirit: Zhao Cheng draws upon the collective aspirations and strength of humanity to create divine artifacts.
• The inevitability of change and calamity: The heavens are about to collapse, and no one can ultimately escape this fate.
• The awakening of destiny: Characters like Lu Xun, Gao Shou, and the Buddha awaken to their roles and powers, ready to face the challenges ahead.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Cheng, Lu Xun, and Gao Shou share a moment of understanding atop the city walls, with Zhao Cheng lending them the power of the human way.
• The Buddha's awakening is independent but concurrent with the events in Divine Capital, suggesting a larger, interconnected narrative.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A powerful being from the Void descends to the mortal world to regain strength and seize the "Dragon of Heaven and Earth" for Immortality.
• He converts people into believers to restore his damaged Dao Fruit and increase his power.
• Other powerful beings from the Void also descend, aiming to seize the Dragon and achieve Immortality.

Character Developments

• The protagonist, Shijia (also known as the Buddha), is revealed to be a powerful Void lifeform with a damaged Dao Fruit. He seeks to restore his power by converting people into believers.
• Zhao Cheng, the ruler of the mortal world, is mentioned but not significantly involved in this chapter.

Significant Themes

• The struggle for power and Immortality among the descended Void beings.
• The conversion of people into believers to restore the protagonist's power.
• The distinction between the Greater and Lesser Vehicle in Buddhist teachings, reflecting the power disparity among the characters.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist interacts with the people he converts, drawing power from their faith.
• The protagonist considers other powerful beings from the Void (like Taishang, Jun Heavenly Emperor, and Ancient Ones) as potential rivals or threats.
• There's no direct interaction between the protagonist and other characters mentioned (like Zhao Cheng) in this chapter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shijia, immune to earth's resistance, converts thousands to his faith with a single use of his power.
• In ten days, his believers swell to over five hundred thousand, providing him with vast faith power.
• Shijia halts, and three Buddhas emerge from him, both his incarnations and disciples.
• Shijia reveals he plans to lead all to the 'Other Shore' by devouring and merging with them.
• He senses immense danger, reminiscent of the Final Calamity.

Character Developments

• Shijia's power and influence grow rapidly, with his believers numbering in the millions.
• Shijia's true Buddhist Dao is revealed to be an alternative version incorporating human morality.
• Shijia's compassion is shown to be unique and not bound by individual wishes or needs.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of unchecked power and faith.
• The tension between individual will and collective good.
• The cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth in the Buddhist context.

Character Interactions

• Shijia's relationship with his believers is one of guidance and absorption, not mutual exchange.
• The three Buddhas emerge as Shijia's incarnations and disciples, reflecting his growth and power.
• Shijia's interaction with the approaching man hints at an impending conflict.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shijia senses danger from Lu Xun's sword, which is imbued with the power of the human path and the earth.
• The earth reacts to Shijia's presence, perceiving him as a heretic and stirring its wrath.
• Lu Xun gains immense power and wisdom from the earth, allowing him to advance his martial arts to an unprecedented realm.

Character Developments

• Shijia: Feels dread from the earth's wrath and realizes the consequences of his past actions.
• Lu Xun: Gains immense power and wisdom, allowing him to advance his martial arts and comprehend the workings of the earth and life.

Significant Themes

• Karma and consequences of past actions.
• The power of the earth and the human path.
• The struggle between heaven and earth, and the role of cultivators within it.

Character Interactions

• Shijia and Lu Xun: Their interaction is indirect, with Shijia sensing Lu Xun's sword and the earth's reaction to it.
• Lu Xun and the Earth: Lu Xun gains immense power and wisdom from the earth, allowing him to advance his martial arts.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The martial arts world originally had three realms: Break Ten, Slash Hundred, and Steel Qi Refinement.
• Gu Daotian, at a young age, achieved Divine Transformation, adding a new realm to martial arts.
• Lu Xun, drawing from modern knowledge, understands Divine Transformation as targeted genetic optimization.
• Lu Xun experiences a rapid, vast exploration of martial paths and evolution during his Divine Transformation.

Character Developments

• Lu Xun gains a profound understanding of martial arts evolution and the human body's potential.
• He decides to pursue a non-human, extraordinary system path for his evolution, choosing to condense extraordinary organs.

Significant Themes

• Evolution and growth in martial arts and human potential.
• The influence of modern knowledge on ancient practices.
• The tension between human limitations and the pursuit of power.

Character Interactions

• Lu Xun's internal struggle and decision-making process are the primary focus, with no external interactions mentioned in this chapter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Xun's mental world experiences a thunderous explosion, symbolizing his evolutionary breakthrough.
• He completes millions of years of evolutionary progress in an instant, surpassing passive adaptation with active alteration.
• Lu Xun's body undergoes visible transformations, with his skin evolving to possess over a hundred special abilities and his pineal gland developing into a new organ to coordinate his life magnetic field.

Character Developments

• Lu Xun's understanding of martial arts deepens; he realizes their true nature as the application of natural laws and physical principles.
• He gains the ability to actively utilize the Earth's power, unlike any Void lifeform before him.

Significant Themes

• The contrast between the Earth's stability and the Void's unpredictability.
• The idea that excessive power requires time to manifest on Earth, unlike in the Void.
• The notion that martial arts are the application of physical principles, not idealistic Dao arts.

Character Interactions

• While not explicitly stated, Lu Xun's interactions with the Humanity Sacred Sword and Zhao Cheng's condensed vicissitudes of Humanity are implied to have protected him during his transformation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Xun completes his life's ultimate evolution, gaining 1,296 superpowers and an ultimate power.
• Lu Xun faces Shijia, who attacks with a powerful Buddhist punch. Lu Xun counters with his Divine Martial Killing Path and Divine Martial Seven Kills.
• Lu Xun's ultimate power allows him to attack Shijia multiple times in a single moment, causing Shijia's injuries to heal and reappear repeatedly.
• In the Divine Capital, Zhao Cheng orders an imperial decree to be sent to Zhao Xiang, who tries to open it but finds it unopenable.

Character Developments

• Lu Xun's evolution leads to a transformation in his form of life, liberating his spirit and revealing his true nature.
• Zhao Xiang shows her rebellious and ambitious side, contemplating usurping the throne if Zhao Cheng goes senile.

Significant Themes

• The liberation of the spirit and true nature upon reaching a certain level of power.
• The consequences of ambition and power struggles within a royal family.

Character Interactions

• Lu Xun and Shijia's battle showcases their immense power and the differences in their paths and thinking.
• Zhao Xiang's interaction with the imperial decree highlights her rebellious nature and her relationship with Zhao Cheng.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shijia, a void lifeform, manifests a thousand arms and attacks Lu Xun, freezing time within a radius of over ten li.
• Lu Xun withstands Shijia's attack, which contains the power of one hundred thousand punches condensed into one.
• Shijia's time-stop ability is significantly weakened on Earth, with a maximum reserve of ten seconds.

Character Developments

• Shijia's true form and power are revealed, showing his immense strength and unique abilities.
• Lu Xun demonstrates his resilience and ability to withstand powerful attacks, hinting at his growth.

Significant Themes

• The contrast between void lifeforms and Earth's lifeforms in terms of stability, madness, and freedom.
• The concept of Dao Truth, Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light, and the path to the pinnacle.
• The idea that obtaining Spiritual Light through trickery is more difficult than through orthodox means.

Character Interactions

• Shijia and Lu Xun's conflict escalates, leading to a powerful attack from Shijia.
• The interaction between Shijia's void lifeform nature and Earth's environment is highlighted, showing the limitations and changes in his abilities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Xun faces an overwhelming opponent, Shijia, who can stop time and strike with hundred-thousand punches.
• Lu Xun's future-seeing power is useless against Shijia's independent, timeline-defying attacks.
• Shijia blasts Lu Xun into light particles, then freezes time repeatedly to scatter and mix them.
• Celestial Emperors discuss Shijia's actions, planning to use his distraction to seize power.

Character Developments

• Lu Xun accepts his fate and finds a moment of great freedom, understanding the price of such freedom.
• Shijia is revealed to be an ancient, powerful lifeform who has lost meaning of time.
• Celestial Emperors show unity and strategic planning, aiming to seize the Dao Fruit.

Significant Themes

• The struggle against overwhelming power and the acceptance of fate.
• The decay of immortality and the coexistence of opposites (immortality and decay).
• The pursuit of power and possibility in the Great Dao.

Character Interactions

• Lu Xun and Shijia's battle highlights the power gap between them.
• Celestial Emperors' discussion showcases their unity and shared goals.
• Lu Xun's thoughts reveal his acceptance of his situation and the price of freedom.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Xun repeatedly dies and reassembles, but Shijia cannot destroy him in one blow.
• Lu Xun's power comes from the human spirit and the earth.
• Lu Xun's spiritual will is depleted with each resurrection, eventually leading to mental exhaustion.
• Shijia believes that everything can be killed, given enough effort.
• Lu Xun's repeated deaths lead to a profound exhaustion and mental unrest.
• Lu Xun approaches a state of liberation and enlightenment near death.
• Lu Xun's body reassembles, but his will is scattered, leaving him an empty shell.

Character Developments

• Lu Xun: Becomes stronger with each resurrection but ultimately suffers mental exhaustion and loses his will.
• Shijia: Maintains his belief that everything can be killed, given enough effort.

Significant Themes

• Entropy: The world's increasing disorder and the need for rest to decrease it.
• Limits of Life: No lifeform can grow infinitely stronger without rest.
• Will and Exhaustion: The depletion of will leads to mental exhaustion and loss of self.

Character Interactions

• Lu Xun vs. Shijia: Lu Xun's repeated deaths and resurrections against Shijia's relentless attacks.
• Lu Xun's internal struggle: His mental state deteriorates as he faces repeated deaths and exhaustion.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shijia, having killed Lu Xun sixty thousand times, decides to find Supreme.
• Shijia creates an avatar of the Buddha of the Past using Lu Xun's body.
• Shijia and Supreme, both Void lifeforms, decide to confront each other.
• Gao Shou finds Supreme and attempts to use his literary path against him.
• Supreme uses his Dao Truth to exile Gao Shou's will to the Land of No-Delusion.

Character Developments

• Shijia and Supreme, both powerful Void beings, show their strategic thinking and determination.
• Gao Shou, despite his literary prowess, lacks a stable foundation, leading to his defeat.

Significant Themes

• The conflict between Void lifeforms and earthly beings, highlighting their incompatibility.
• The power of the Dao and its ability to defy conventional strength.
• The importance of a stable foundation in cultivating one's path.

Character Interactions

• Shijia and Supreme, both aware of each other's presence, decide to confront each other.
• Gao Shou attempts to use his literary path against Supreme but is ultimately defeated.
• Supreme's Dao Truth is shown to be powerful enough to exile Gao Shou's will.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The emperors observe the Divine Province's changes, noting that the Heaven-Answering Kingdom's emperor has exceptional skills, even for an anomaly.
• They discuss the reassembly of Yuanshi status, which they believe was orchestrated by Jun, the Ancient Ones, or both.
• They acknowledge that the calamity's outbreak was abnormal and seems scripted, with an unseen force pushing events forward.
• In the Divine Capital, Zhao Cheng attends court, aware of Lu Xun and Gao Shou's struggles against Shijia and Supreme.

Character Developments

• The emperors display their towering spirits and determination, despite noticing anomalies.
• Zhao Cheng shows his strategic thinking, allowing Lu Xun and Gao Shou to face challenges for their growth.

Significant Themes

• The power of the human path and the earth, and how they converge.
• The mysterious force manipulating events from behind the scenes.
• The importance of perseverance and growth through challenges.

Character Interactions

• The emperors engage in a dialogue, sharing their observations and thoughts about the current situation.
• Zhao Cheng's attention is divided between the court and the events unfolding with Lu Xun and Gao Shou.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter opens with Zhao Cheng, now in his thirties, reflecting on the passage of time and the aging of his followers.
• Li Tonghai and Lin Yi resign from their positions, recommending successors, as they feel they have reached the peak of their careers.
• Zhao Cheng delays his decision on the recommendations, causing confusion among the ministers.
• Zhao Xiang, now a regent, is curious about an imperial edict but cannot learn its contents from the ministers.
• Lu Xun, within the Absolute Abyss, encounters a powerful demon god and is blown apart again, but this time, he has a thought, which forces him out of that realm.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng: Reflects on the aging of his followers and the cyclical nature of life and power. He delays decisions, causing confusion but maintaining control.
• Li Tonghai and Lin Yi: Resign from their positions, demonstrating wisdom and selflessness.
• Cao Zheng: Aspires to take Li Tonghai's position but understands his limitations.
• Zhao Xiang: Struggles with her role as regent and her curiosity about the imperial edict. She feels frustrated with Zhao Cheng's actions.
• Lu Xun: After being blown apart multiple times, he finally has a thought, showing progress in his cultivation.

Significant Themes

• The cyclical nature of life, power, and cultivation.
• The passage of time and its effects on individuals and society.
• The struggle for power and control within the court.
• The challenges and progress in cultivation and self-improvement.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Cheng and the ministers: Zhao Cheng's delayed decisions cause confusion and uncertainty among the ministers.
• Zhao Xiang and the ministers: Zhao Xiang tries to learn about the imperial edict but is met with silence from the ministers.
• Lu Xun and the demon god: Lu Xun encounters a powerful demon god and has a thought, marking progress in his cultivation.
• Li Tonghai and Lin Yi: They resign from their positions, demonstrating mutual respect and understanding.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Cheng, in his true body, lets Lu Xun depart without further assistance, believing that pushing a friend at the crucial moment is the best help, and too much aid would hinder Lu Xun's growth.
• Zhao Cheng finds Gao Shou, an exiled cultivator, and helps him by merging his consciousness into "Nothingness," causing a page of time to unfold.
• Shijia and Taishang, after refining their incarnations, descend to the earth and meet within the Blackwater territory of Qing Province. They engage in a life-and-death battle without hesitation.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng: Shows his philosophy of limited help, believing it's the best way to support friends and avoid hindering their growth. He also demonstrates his power and influence by aiding Gao Shou.
• Shijia and Taishang: After descending to the earth, they become more focused on seeking truth, feeling stronger despite losing illusory aspects of themselves. They show their true nature as powerful, instinct-driven beings when they immediately engage in battle upon meeting.

Significant Themes

• Fate and Karmic Affinity: Zhao Cheng values karmic affinity as a powerful and stable anchor, suggesting that strong cultivators should nurture bonds of fate.
• Power and Truth: Shijia and Taishang, despite growing weaker after losing illusory aspects, feel better as they can now more easily seek truth. This emphasizes the theme of power not being about strength alone, but also about understanding and truth.
• Instinct vs. Reason: Shijia and Taishang's immediate engagement in battle highlights the theme of powerful beings being driven by instinct rather than reason, especially when their goals clash.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Cheng and Gao Shou: Zhao Cheng helps Gao Shou without revealing himself, demonstrating their karmic connection and Zhao Cheng's influence.
• Shijia and Taishang: Their immediate, wordless battle upon meeting showcases their instinct-driven nature and the clash of their goals.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shijia, having absorbed Lu Xun's power, seeks out Supreme without delay.
• Shijia's powerful attack, a fusion of martial arts and his own power, seems to shatter Supreme's body.
• Supreme reveals he was prepared for Shijia's time stop, using a false body and hiding his true form.
• Supreme counters with the Supreme Clarity Immortal Light, a formidable divine-light art.
• The battle between Shijia and Supreme becomes intense and evenly matched, causing destruction on a massive scale.
• Emperor Lords observe the battle and consider intervening, aiming to disrupt Heaven-Answering Kingdom's plans.
• The Human Way spirit merges with Shijia and Supreme's void power, amplifying their inherent traits and causing a catastrophic reaction.

Character Developments

• Shijia's power has significantly increased by fusing Lu Xun's strength with his own.
• Supreme demonstrates his strategic prowess and powerful divine arts.
• The Emperor Lords reveal their intentions to intervene in the battle.

Significant Themes

• The power of the Human Way and its influence on the void and earth.
• The consequences of amplifying inherent traits and the potential for catastrophic reactions.
• The struggle for control and manipulation among powerful entities.

Character Interactions

• Shijia vs. Supreme: A fierce and evenly matched battle between two powerful entities.
• Emperor Lords: They consider acting together to disrupt Heaven-Answering Kingdom's plans and end the battle early.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter describes the preparations and atmosphere in Divine Capital on the day of the Heaven Sacrifice.
• Zhao Cheng, the Heaven-Answering Emperor, sets out for the ceremony at around six in the morning, with a vast ceremonial procession.
• The citizens and foreign students line the streets to watch, with mixed emotions ranging from reverence to fear and curiosity.

Character Developments

• Li Tonghai, the chief minister, is shown to be worried and reflective about the upcoming Heaven Sacrifice and the Dao Nation issue.
• Zhao Cheng is portrayed as a decisive and ruthless leader, who has stabilized the realm through a combination of prestige and military might.

Significant Themes

• Power and Control: Zhao Cheng's rule is characterized by his ability to maintain order and control through fear and force.
• Legacy and Change: The chapter explores the changes brought by Zhao Cheng's rule, including the abolition of old practices and the education reforms that have shifted the people's loyalties.
• The Past and the Present: The narrative contrasts the current stability and order with the turbulent past, highlighting Zhao Cheng's nostalgia for those times.

Character Interactions

• Li Tonghai and Lin Yi exchange a glance but do not interact further, suggesting a level of understanding or shared concern between them.
• The people of Divine Capital and the foreign students watch Zhao Cheng's procession, with their emotions ranging from reverence to fear and curiosity, reflecting their complex views of the emperor.