Cut Down the Grass and Wipe Out Evil Entirely

Li Shun only swept his gaze over the texts of the other branches in passing. What they recorded was no different from what he had previously learned.

The only unusual thing was that the yellowed blank spaces and gaps between the characters were densely filled with detailed annotations. The ink varied in shade, and the brushwork ranged from vigorous to gentle, clearly not the work of a single hand.

"So many annotations, and with scholars personally drilling and teaching them besides—given such abundant resources, it would be hard not to become accomplished." Li Shun closed the book and murmured with feeling.

Then he reached out and drew out the text of the Confucian School's [Sole Righteousness] branch, the Sole Righteousness Scripture.

"Heaven's way favors recompense, and Reason abandons nothing in vain. Worldly Confucians delight in speaking of repaying resentment with virtue—but what then can virtue bear? Thus, repay resentment with uprightness, blood with blood. A hatred lasting nine generations must be avenged even after a hundred. This is the great boundary of Heaven and Earth, the ultimate principle of human relations. If vengeance is not extinguished, righteousness cannot stand; if blood is not spilled, the Way cannot shine!"

The opening passage was like a blade cleaving straight at his face, brimming with icy killing intent.

Li Shun could not help narrowing his eyes slightly.

"No wonder this branch is not seen in the world. Great Qian today was founded upon the destruction of the Seven Kingdoms; who knew how much boundless slaughter it had wrought? If this theory were followed, every remnant of the old kingdoms could openly seek vengeance for the grudges of bygone years."

"Great Qian's authorities are destined never to permit it."

As his gaze moved downward, Li Shun also noticed that the Sole Righteousness Scripture had