892 If You Manage to Die, I Lose (2/2)
However, the soil could only support three to four crop cycles before the fertility was depleted. Therefore, they had to keep on cultivating new farmland.
With the turmoil and chaos of war outside, along with the gods and devils of the celestial heavens appearing and disappearing unpredictably, it was very easy to be killed while cultivating new farmland. A lot of scholars had lost their lives because of this.
Be it inside or outside the capital city, there was an atmosphere of panic, despair, and gloom.
This day, the sky was filled with battleships of the celestial heavens, with countless awe-inspiring and dignified-looking gods shining brilliantly. Their weapons were gleaming, and their divine might was overbearing, suffocating the people of Eternal Peace.
Although the great army of gods and devils of the celestial heavens had arrived, they didn't attack. Rather, they restrained the gods and devils of the celestial heavens that were scattered all over the land, preventing them from hurting the people of Eternal Peace. Their discipline was evident.
Both inside and outside the capital, there were many people who bowed and offered incense to these mighty gods, praying for peace.
”When people are suffering, evil nature will flourish.”
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor stood at the top of the city and looked at the great army of the celestial heavens. He then looked down at the countless people praying to the great army of the celestial heavens. He smiled bitterly. ”Your Majesty, it seems like it's impossible to change this in our lifetime.”
Emperor Yanfeng stood behind him and sighed painfully, his voice hoarse. ”From the ancient times through the generations, revolutions and reforms were never bloodless. During the second dynasty of Crimson Light, Crimson Emperor died with his corpse destroyed, and no generation of High Emperor has had a good ending. During the destruction of the Founding Emperor Era, 33 heavens were wiped out in an instant, and a generation of mighty rulers had to put up with Carefree Village. The resistance to Eternal Peace's reform was greater, so if there's blood to be spilled…”
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor laughed. ”It would have to start from you and me.”
Emperor Yanfeng laughed heartily, then suddenly sighed. ”I'm worried that after we die, there won't be any successors. After all, there are a lot of foolish people in the world. The gods want the people to be stupid, not daring to resist and revolt, while foolish people will willingly remain stupid, not wanting to resist and revolt. Imperial Preceptor, since the start of our reform until now, there have been people worshiping these gods and devils. The greatest resistance to reform, sometimes, is from these people.”
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor felt dejected. ”To sacrifice your life for these people, is this worth it?”
”Worth it!”
Emperor Yanfeng raised his voice and said, ”To destroy gods in the temple and within their hearts, there are people who hesitate, but there are also people who don't kneel down!”
His eyes brightened as he smiled. ”There are people who kneel down again after standing up, but there are also people who will never kneel down. Even if you and I become the sacrificial offerings for this reform, there will be people who continue the path we took until this world is changed! This is worth it!”
A majestic god flew up and appeared in the sky above Eternal Peace's capital city.
His sheer size distorted the space around him, and the fleet of battleships of the celestial heavens circled him like stars orbiting the sun.
This was the Green Deity of the Eastern Sky.
He was so tall that he reached the clouds, his face sitting among the heavens, and the white clouds becoming ornaments around his waist.
He displayed an air of awe-inspiring righteousness as ten thousand rays of light glowed from him. He had immeasurable strength and power and could eradicate Eternal Peace's capital city and its billion people with a finger.
A god official flew and landed on the palm of the Green Deity of the Eastern Sky, kneeling and kowtowing respectfully as he called forth an imperial decree scroll. He then kowtowed again, raising the imperial decree above his head before bowing and flying off.
”I never had such rules here.” Emperor Yanfeng laughed upon witnessing the scene. ”The rules of the celestial heavens are just too strict and rigid.”
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor laughed in reply. ”Your Majesty must have forgotten. When Cult Master Qin and I were accused by the contrarians of the imperial court, we were sorry figures caught in a difficult situation, and we almost had to kowtow until our heads bled.”
Emperor Yanfeng's face darkened, and he said resentfully, ”I want your head, please remember that.”
”Your Majesty won't have the chance anymore.” Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor smiled. He saw his wife and daughter in the city and felt pain in his heart, but he turned without changing his expression.
”Sinners of Eternal Peace, receive the imperial decree!”
The god official carried the imperial decree in his hands, his voice booming like thunder, resonating among the clouds.
Countless people, including some divine arts practitioners among them, knelt upon hearing the voice. Emperor Yanfeng and Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor felt pain in their hearts, but they felt better after seeing that there were many who refused to kneel.
The god official took a glance at the two of them and laughed coldly as he unfurled the imperial decree and read it out loud. ”By the will of the heavens, the people of Eternal Peace didn't think of the kindness of the heavens and acted against the heavens. The reform has disrupted the Heavenly Dao, resulting in the wrath of the heavens and the resentment of the people, with the masses destitute and struggling to survive. However, the heavens have the virtue of loving all living beings. His Majesty decreed to only punish the leaders and not the masses. The will of the heavens is as follows:
”One—confiscate all books and records on reform from every college and academy to be burnt in front of the people. Future generations shall not be able to reform.
”Two—Eternal Peace shall restore the ancient system, keeping the position of emperor to govern the country. All sects and cults shall worship the gods, and all the people shall worship and pray to the gods.
”Three—Eternal Peace's authority to issue coins shall be handed over to the celestial heavens. The coins of the celestial heavens shall be circulated among the people. The Eternal Peace Empire shall not compete with the people for profit.
”Four—Eternal Peace shall not forge heavy divine weapons. For those who forge, their families will be executed.
”Five—Eternal Peace shall follow the teachings of the ancestors and not tamper with the paths, skills, and divine arts.
”Six—Every year, the Eternal Peace Emperor shall hold a grand festival to thank the heavens for its kindness.
”Seven—The people of Eternal Peace whose houses contain artifacts that are able to perform any strange tricks shall destroy them and not hide them.
”Eight—Emperor Yanfeng and Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor disrupted the order and spread lies, causing chaos and turmoil. They shall be seized and escorted to the God Execution Stage, where their corporeal bodies and primordial spirits will be executed to serve as a warning to others! End of imperial decree—”
There was a commotion within and outside Eternal Peace's capital city. Countless divine arts practitioners and gods and devils of Eternal Peace felt a sense of humiliation, anger, and resentment. They couldn't wait to charge forward and attack the heavens.
Emperor Yanfeng laughed loudly and bowed. ”Your criminal accepts the imperial decree!”
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor passed down an order—no one was to move or take action.
A few ships of the celestial heavens flew over, dragging the God Execution Stage. The blood on the stage gleamed across the sky, the two blood knives moving like blood trails, embroiling incessantly with one another.
The god official said, ”The two of you, please get on the God Execution Stage.”
The inside and outside of Eternal Peace's capital city fell silent as countless people stared at the God Execution Stage in the sky.
”If you want to kill the leader, so be it.”
Suddenly, the silence was broken by laughter. The people and divine arts practitioners looked furiously towards the sound and saw Qin Mu appearing behind the fleet of ships of the celestial heavens. He stood on the forehead of the dragon qilin, his face pale as though he was seriously ill.
The dragon qilin stepped on fire clouds and moved calmly into the midst of the fleet. He then looked sideways at the face of the Green Deity of the Eastern Sky, who was towering high above.
”The God Execution Stage is scary.”
Qin Mu looked towards the God Execution Stage and laughed. ”You speak as though they are dead with their souls dispersed, as though I am unable to bring them back to life.”
He didn't look at the Green Deity of the Eastern Sky. Instead, he waved at Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor and Emperor Yanfeng, saying with a weak tone, ”Imperial Preceptor, Emperor, please go ahead and die. If you manage to die, I lose.”
Behind him, the Green Deity of the Eastern Sky raised his hand, stopping the gods and devils of the celestial heavens who were drumming up their rage to kill. ”This is Celestial Venerable Mu, please show him some respect.”