On Reform

After a brief moment of distraction, Dragon suddenly snapped back to his senses.

His breathing was still ragged.

His chest rose and fell sharply.

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He stared at Rock, and for the first time, unmistakable doubt appeared in his eyes.

"Big Brother Rock..."

His voice was low, yet it could not conceal his shock.

"What you just said..."

"What exactly did you mean?!"

The wind swept between them, making their cloaks rustle softly.

Rock did not answer at once. He merely turned his head and glanced at him.

His gaze was calm, yet it seemed as though it had seen through every thought in Dragon's mind.

"I meant exactly what I said."

Rock's gaze returned to the sea, while a faint thought crossed his mind—

Little brother, what you see now is nothing more than a shallow reform.

What I have witnessed, however, is the rise and fall of dynasties across thousands of years, repeating endlessly beneath the way of heaven.

He continued, peeling back the essence of the issue for Dragon layer by layer.

"I do not deny your original intentions."

"Oppose oppression. Oppose exploitation."

"Let ordinary people live like human beings."

"All of that is good."

He paused slightly.

Waves churned across the sea, striking the shore again and again, like some history that had repeated itself countless times.

Rock's voice grew a little heavier.

"But you need to remember one thing."

"Every organization capable of winning the world..."

"Was like this in the beginning."

Those words did not deny ideals, but they directly tore apart the notion that ideals were unique.

Dragon's breathing stalled slightly.

He instinctively wanted to argue, but the words caught in his throat.

Because he suddenly realized that there was no flaw in that statement.

It was even too real—so real