"The people are foolish and deeply servile, believing that imperial power is above all else."
"Absurd!"
Upon hearing Xu Long's words, Shi Gonghu immediately became agitated. "Imperial power is divinely ordained; His Majesty is the Son of Heaven. Who are you to dare spread such heretical rumors?"
"Why."
Xu Long sighed. It was impossible to have a conversation with someone who wasn't mentally sound.
"Godfather, listen to him."
Tang Yu tugged at him. Although he felt that Xu Long's words were blasphemous, the current situation was too dire. With two super strong individuals facing each other, they were not qualified to confront them head-on.
"Then tell me! I'd like to see what tricks you have up your sleeve!"
Shi Gonghu snorted coldly and fell silent for the time being.
"All people are born free and equal. Everything we have is earned through our own labor, not bestowed by the emperor. The so-called Heaven does not actually exist; perhaps it is merely a being more powerful than us. The so-called divine right of kings is nothing but a way for rulers to fool the people, to instill servility in them so that they can be better controlled, just like the Moon Worship Sect."
Xu Long picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Master, am I right?"
"I thought I was the only smart person in the world, but it turns out you're just as smart as I am, little brother."
A look of surprise appeared on the face of the Moon Worship Sect Leader, as if he had met a kindred spirit.
"Fools kneel before imperial power, marveling at its grandeur, yet they fail to realize that if they united, even hundreds or thousands of emperors could be overthrown. The same applies to the supreme divine authority."
Xu Long filled everyone's glasses. "You must know that man can conquer nature. The power of mortals can slay gods and immortals. This world should belong to all people, not just the emperor's family. Every emperor is a heinous traitor; they drain the nation's resources and hinder social development."
"In your opinion, young brother, how can we rid people of servility and ignorance?"
"Eliminate all religions, exterminate all royalty and nobility. Social resources should be allocated according to ability; the stronger one's ability and the greater one's contribution, the more resources one receives and the higher one's status. Of course, this is only a temporary solution; the best way is still education. Let every child understand the essence of freedom, let every child have a heart that constantly strives—that is a good society."
What Xu Long said was not nonsense, but a collision of two paths.
Xu Long used the principles he firmly believed in to challenge the principles of the Moon Worship Sect Leader.
Whoever wavers loses.
After this period of reflection, he has come to understand the limits of power in this world.
Without a doubt, the Wine Sword Immortal, the Five Demonic Beasts, the Moon Worship Sect Leader, and the Sword Saint Dugu are all S-rank powerhouses. Among them, the Moon Worship Sect Leader and the Sword Saint Dugu belong to the strongest group of S-rank powerhouses and are only one step away from breaking through to S-rank.
They found their path and have been moving forward steadfastly ever since.
The Moon Worship Sect Leader firmly believes that there is no love in the world, and he wants to destroy the world and then rebuild a world full of love.
If he succeeds, he can achieve a breakthrough.
Sword Saint Dugu cultivates the Heavenly Dao, conforms to the Mandate of Heaven, and achieves results through non-action.
He has truly attained enlightenment when what he focuses on perfectly aligns with his vision of the future.
What Xu Long needs to do is to break the Dao of the Moon Worship Sect Leader; even if he fails, he must shake it.
"Young man, do you believe in love in this world?"
What difference does it make whether it exists or not?
Xu Long smiled. "If I had to say, then yes. For example, I only love myself. Even if the seas dry up and the rocks crumble, even if heaven and earth collapse, my love will not waver in the slightest."
"You only love yourself? What about your wife? You wouldn't care even if she died?"
"The Moon Worship Sect Leader asked."
"I care, because I can't be the only one in the world; I need companions too."
Xu Long picked up his teacup and gently blew away a little foam. "Evil must exist in the world; only then does good have meaning. If only good remains, then small acts of kindness become evil. Evil is not merely bad; it is also the standard by which we judge good. Love is the same. I love my wife, I love my pets, and I even love everyone around me. But compared to these, I love myself more than anything else."
"That makes a lot of sense. Well then, I'll ask you one last question."
The Moon Worship Sect Leader put down his teacup. "Why can't I receive love?"
Why can't you receive love...?
Xu Long murmured something and fell silent.
About five seconds later, Xu Long raised his head. "Master, have you ever loved anyone else?"
"I..."
Upon hearing Xu Long's words, the Moon Worship Sect Leader suddenly became dazed.
Memories began to surface out of thin air in his mind, fragments of his childhood with Shi Gonghu.
His adoptive father, Shi Gonghu, loved him, but he chose to abandon that love.
If you've never loved anyone, what right do you have to receive love from others?
"Get out of here!"
Xu Long spoke to Tang Yu with a very serious expression.
Even someone as powerful as the Moon Worship Sect Leader was shaken.
But the Moon Worship Sect Leader is still the Moon Worship Sect Leader. Even if his principles wavered, it only slowed his progress.
It is absolutely impossible to break his power.
"You..."
Seeing the Moon Worship Sect Leader's current appearance, and then looking at Xu Long's expression, Shi Gonghu finally understood what was going on.
His mind was still reeling from Xu Long's outrageous remarks, and he began to doubt whether what he had been adhering to was correct.
Only when Xu Long's words reached his ears did he understand what had happened.
"Thank you!"
Shi Gonghu thanked him, then pulled Tang Yu and turned to leave.
He didn't care about his own life or death, but he was worried about Tang Yu.
That demon is too powerful; we need to plan this carefully.
Shi Gonghu and the others had already left. Xu Long filled his teacup and vanished from the spot in an instant.
He desperately wanted to take this opportunity to kill or severely injure the Moon Worship Sect Leader, but it was all in vain.
Despite the Moon Worship Sect Leader's seemingly dazed appearance, the opponent would immediately wake up if he dared to make a move.
Doing so will not only be unhelpful, but will also disrupt the other person's flow.
Instead of wasting time and effort, it's better to let him think about it on his own.
It's better if you don't understand, but it doesn't matter if you do understand.
Inside the carriage, Anu was devouring a roast chicken.
"Hmm, the prince consort is so kind, giving Anu food."
Anu's little mouth never stops; she's either eating or talking, she always has to do one of them.
"I wonder where my husband has gone off to."
Zhao Ling'er murmured to herself, feeling a sense of emptiness in her heart.
"Little girl, come with me."
A faint voice suddenly entered his ears, and the Rice Bucket, seeing the figure that appeared out of nowhere, felt the hair on his neck stand on end.
Danger!
Extremely dangerous!
This is a master even stronger than his master!
Even though he knew he couldn't win, the Rice Bucket still chose to fight!
"Awoo!"
A long howl echoed in all directions, and the Rice Bucket bucket lunged forward.