Chapter Fifty-One: Asking the Way by Throwing Stones

  Ximen said, "A thousand-year-old demon fox surrendering herself to repay a debt has honor. The Hundred-Eyed Demon King sending his disciples and even risking danger to capture people outside the pass has affection. The thousand-year-old demon fox killing many ordinary people to seek survival deserves death. This is my attitude. If you are a disciple of an evil sect, this matter has nothing to do with you. If you are a disciple of the Purple Eyebrow Sect, you will certainly prioritize your sect's orders. If you are a disciple of the Orthodox or Demonic Teachings, encountering such evil people must be eliminated."

  "Oh?" Lin Feng sank into thought.

  Ximen Shuai said, "The Yunqingmen occupies the blessed land of Yunqingshan, while evil people can only survive in the desolate and barren lands. Are they not all cultivators? You say you are righteous and he is evil, but he thinks that survival of the fittest, where the strong reign supreme, is the true principle of heaven. My demonic sect will surely triumph over heaven, and going against heaven to achieve our goals is not impossible."

  Lin Fan shook his head: "I'm a bit confused."

  Ximen said with a smile: "Why must it be clear? Are you a disciple of Yunqingmen?"

  "Yes!"

  "Is Yun Qing Men the orthodox way?"

  "Yes!"

  "How can Yunqing Gate tolerate evil people harming innocent civilians?"

  "Yes!" This actually appeared after the Great Evil War, and at that time there were many debates. Some people thought that the life and death of the common people had nothing to do with them? Others believed that protecting the weak and eliminating the strong was what they should be doing. This is different from when the evil sects invaded, as everyone was in a situation where "when one's lips are gone, one's teeth will be cold", representing their own interests. In the end, Yun Qing Men made a rule not to participate in civilian conflicts, but if there were evil people harming civilians, they would have to stand up for them. Wars between continents are none of our business, but if there are cultivators who want to slaughter ordinary people, then we will take care of it. There are many sects that hold this attitude, such as Lei Shan in the South Continent, Zi Xiao in the Central Continent, and Mo Jiao in the West Continent.

  Ximen said: "That's simple, you kill the thousand-year-old demon fox, and that's considered complete. However, this isn't the will of heaven, it's what you should do as a disciple of Yunqing Gate."

  Lin Fan asked in return: "The Way of Heaven? What is the Way of Heaven again?"

  "Haha, if I knew the answer, I would have already taken back the Demon Sect." Ximen Shuai looked at Lin Fan with interest: "Now let's discuss this, after we use the Thousand Year Old Fox Spirit to get what we want, will it still kill people? If it kills, then there's no trust; if it doesn't kill, then that's just being soft-hearted. Who knows how many more people will become the fox spirit's medicine?"

  Spicy chicken noodles...... Why are these problems so difficult? Lin Fan is going crazy, it seems like no matter what he chooses, it's all wrong. He just wants to be a good person, but no matter what he chooses, he ends up being the bad guy. A real man cannot establish himself without credibility, but letting the fox demon off would be helping evil thrive.

  "Alright, let's not think about it anymore. I'm glad I didn't misjudge you - at least you didn't consider the fox fur when thinking about it. There was a case in a certain county in Zhongzhou where the county magistrate was very capable and the local music and dance flourished, with the people becoming wealthy. However, this county magistrate also had corrupt behavior, and when the imperial court investigated and reported to the emperor, the imperial envoy arrived, but the people spoke up for the county magistrate. Now it's interesting - from a legal and moral standpoint, the county magistrate shouldn't be allowed to hold office again, but from an emotional standpoint, this person has turned several hundred mu of barren land into a rich and fertile area, which is a great achievement. Moreover, with the people's support, the imperial envoy found it difficult to make a decision, so he reported back to the emperor."

  "What happened next?"

  "It's a good question, interestingly, at that time, the Crown Prince of Western Zhou and the Crown Prince of Eastern Zhou were visiting Central Zhou. The Emperor of Central Zhou asked for their opinions. Western Zhou was governed by Legalism, which emphasizes law and no tolerance for emotions, according to the law, this official should be executed. Eastern Zhou was governed by Confucianism, believing that people can be enlightened with reason and moved with emotions, the hearts of the people can be used, nothing is better than kindness, merits and demerits cancel each other out, let him continue to serve, to observe his later achievements. Central Zhou followed Mohist thought, emphasizing universal love and equality, the Emperor of Central Zhou believed that merit should be rewarded and crime punished. In the end, this county magistrate was executed according to the laws of Central Zhou, as a punishment, after death, a temple was built for him, he was granted the imperial surname, and enfeoffed as a king, to reward his merits."

  Lin Fan nodded thoughtfully: "Mohism, Confucianism, and Legalism are all correct, it mainly depends on how you look at it."

  "What's your decision?"

  "Established with trust, this matter is settled. If there's another chance, we'll eliminate the demonic fox again."

  "Not bad! You're right, you've got a lot to say, but it's all just empty talk. It's time for the disciples to come out and see the world, many things are not just black and white." Ximen said: "Since you have no intention of surrendering, then let's settle this with our fists?" He was worried that Lin Fan would hesitate at the last minute.

  Lin Fan shook his head: "Not good."

  "Why is it bad?"

  "This emerald valley is a hundred miles away from the Zitianmen General Altar, and there is only one personally transmitted disciple guarding it. This thousand-year-old demon fox not only wants to be eliminated by the righteous path, but also has the skin of the thousand-year-old demon fox, which I'm afraid some disciples of the evil sect are also eyeing. Since you all know that the thousand-year-old demon fox's cultivation is greatly damaged and its power is less than two hundred years, how could the nearby evil sect not know?"

  It makes sense that these thousand-year-old demon beasts and spiritual beasts are relatively rare, and they are also essential materials for making the Qiankun bag. Ximen Shuai asked: "What do you think?"

  "We'll test the waters first."

  ……

  Lin Fan and Ximen Chuiyi hovered in mid-air near the Emerald Valley, waiting. Zi Ye immediately went to meet them: "This is the Emerald Valley, you two quickly leave."

  Lin Fan said: "The order of the preaching master is to hand over a letter to the Hundred Eyes Demon Lord."

  "The master left just yesterday."

  "Ah." Lin Fan was surprised: "This... how is this good? We asked the Tongtian Sect's disciples yesterday, and they said that Mo Jun was in Cui Lü Valley. Does this sister have any method?"

  Zi Ye shook her head: "We can only send a message to Mo Jun, asking him to come here quickly, but we cannot convey any information."

  Lin Fan said: "This matter is urgent, our cultivation is still shallow, the Hundred Eyes Demon Lord's cultivation is profound, going back and forth to the Emerald Valley is not a trivial matter."

  "Hmph, what do you think our sect leader is? You can't even follow orders properly."

  Lin Fan smiled and explained, "It's not what you think. It's just that this matter is of great importance. If sister has a way to help, please do so for your little brother. Otherwise, if I go back and receive punishment, it's no big deal, but delaying the Master's important matters would be bad."

  What's the big deal? Zi Ye shook her head: "We send messages to defend against external enemies. Once an enemy invades, opening the green screen can hold on for an hour, and Mo Jun will arrive in time to fight the enemy. It's not a matter of life and death, so you should go back to the main altar again. My family's leader, Ren Xin, will speak beautifully on your behalf to your leader and exempt you from punishment."

  "It seems it can't be helped, thank you sister." Lin Fan and Ximen Shuai bid farewell and left.

  There is actually a treasure like this, Ximen Commander is very clever and knowledgeable, he immediately understood. This emerald screen must be the treasured object of Baiyan Demon King, because when merged with the demon fox in dual cultivation, the demon fox can also control this treasure. Once an external enemy invades, it will immediately open the emerald screen to defend itself, and at the same time, Baiyan Demon King can sense that the emerald screen has been opened, knowing that there is an external enemy invading Emerald Valley, he will come over to defeat the enemy and protect the valley. Hmph, this Baiyan Demon King actually has a sense of justice, using the emerald screen in Emerald Valley can be said to be underutilizing it, such a treasure should be kept at the main altar to prevent sudden attacks from external enemies.

  "Hey, throwing stones to ask the way, what's next?" Ximen Shuai was somewhat helpless. The main target was the demon fox. Although its cultivation had suffered greatly, it wasn't something that could be taken down with just one encounter. As soon as the green screen started, he couldn't break through.

  Lin Fan said: "The beacon fire is playing with the princes."

  "Are you playing with the feudal lords?" Ximen Commander retorted.