The Star of Literary Excellence was speechless. He wanted to muster a few teachings of the sages in rebuttal, but could not get them out.
His literary brilliance was unparalleled, acknowledged throughout the Three Realms.
If he wished, he could write "cherish all living beings" in ten thousand different ways, citing classics and weaving magnificent prose that would make even the Six Imperial Sovereigns nod in praise.
But writing essays did not require descending to the mortal world to roll in the mud.
He had been born a Star Lord.
From birth, he had sat high above the clouds.
He drank Jade Nectar from Yaochi and wore robes of celestial brocade. He had never endured the bitter struggle of low-ranking immortal officials. The myriad lives of the Mortal Realm, whether living beings lived or died, had always been nothing more than strings of numbers in a ledger.
When the numbers fell, they simply needed replenishing.
As for how they were replenished, who did it, or how many living beings died-what did any of that have to do with a Star Lord who governed literary fortune?
A long while passed.
The Star of Literary Excellence sighed softly and gave a bleak smile. "Lord Chen, I understand everything you have said. At this point, the victor is king and the defeated a bandit. I have nothing left to say. I can only confess my crimes and accept my punishment. How tragic, how lamentable!"
"You still do not understand." Chen Wei shook his head gently, turned, and walked to a white wall on the left side of the Main Hall. An exquisitely mounted piece of calligraphy hung there.
The writing paper was snow-wave paper.
Across it, the brush had danced like dragons and snakes, its strokes like iron lines and silver hooks, forming