Wuhun element periodic table, rubbing black hole in Douluo

Chapter 406 Orange: Save Me, Lin You
As she spoke, Orange's eyes reddened slightly. She took a big gulp of wine, her voice choked with emotion: "Is this kind of development... really healthy?"

Lin You remained silent for a moment before finally speaking, his voice calm yet sharp enough to see the essence of things: "Draining the pond to catch fish, burning the forest to hunt, only caring about immediate gains while damaging the foundation of the nation and overdrawing future potential. This development model is naturally unhealthy. If it continues, it will inevitably lead to internal strife, or even... self-destruction."

Hearing Lin You's answer, a glint of light flashed in Ju Zi's eyes, as if she had found agreement. She pressed on, "Then... then how should we govern this? How can we change all of this?"

Lin You looked at her, his eyes deep, and slowly asked in return:
"Sister Orange, tell me, in this world of Soul Masters, what ultimately... determines one's standing?"

Upon hearing this, Ju Zi's body jolted, and she fell into a long silence.

What do we rely on to speak?
The answer is self-evident.

fist!

It is absolute power!

It was precisely because of the rapid development of soul tools that the royal family and high-ranking officials of the Sun Moon Empire possessed what they believed to be "divine weapons" capable of crushing everything and protecting their rule. That's why they dared to be so unscrupulous, to indulge their desires so freely, and to carry out such cruel exploitation and rule over the lower classes!
It was precisely this arrogance and greed, twisted by power and authority, that led her parents, such kind and simple people, to such a tragic end!

Furthermore… as she conducted her clandestine investigations at Mingde Hall during this time, using her authority, she sadly discovered that tragedies like her family's were not isolated incidents within the vast empire, but rather… a vast number of such isolated cases!

In a sense, she was already extremely lucky to be able to enter the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, to be valued by Jing Hongchen, and even to be noticed by Crown Prince Xu Tianran.

What about those girls who, like her, lost their parents, were destitute, and were somewhat attractive?
How many people, after losing the protection of their families, were abducted by local powerful figures or thugs on the very night they lost their families, and never saw the light of day again? And how many were sold into those dark and gloomy red-light districts, becoming prostitutes for others' pleasure?

Some, with their fierce spirit, chose suicide; others, harboring resentment, clung to life, awaiting a slim chance for revenge; and still others, eroded by drugs and despair, utterly succumbed, becoming numb and apathetic…

Whose fault is this?
Were they the villains who directly committed the violence? Or the imperial officials who condoned or even participated in it? Or perhaps... the cold and cruel imperial system itself that tacitly approved or even encouraged all of this?

Orange's heart felt as if it were being tightly gripped by an invisible hand, causing her so much pain that she could hardly breathe.

Lin You's seemingly simple but actually incisive rhetorical question was like a key that unlocked the dark torrent that had been accumulating deep within her heart.

strength……

Yes, in the end, it all comes down to power.

Only by possessing enough power to overturn everything can one break this corrupt order and seek justice for one's deceased parents and for those who, like her, are struggling in the darkness!
But where does her power come from? Does she rely on Crown Prince Xu Tianran, who treats her like a plaything? What price would she have to pay for that?
Orange's eyes shifted constantly between confusion, pain, hatred, and a sliver of hope.

Lin You looked at her quietly without saying anything more.

Some seeds have already been sown.

Some answers she needs to find for herself.

However, she felt as if she had found her direction.

Ultimately, what determines the world's discourse?

It is absolute power!

This answer was like a thunderbolt, shattering all the fog and self-deception in her heart.

It is precisely because of the power of the soul tool that the royal family and nobles of the Sun Moon Empire dare to be so fearless, treating the common people as leeks to be harvested at will, and turning the entire empire into a machine to satisfy their greedy desires!
She herself had once placed her hopes on power and the Crown Prince's authority.

She believed that as long as she attached herself to Xu Tianran, she could gain power, take revenge, and change her fate.

But now, Orange despairingly discovers that that path is completely blocked.

Once she truly integrates into the royal class and becomes a member of the ruling class, she will have to protect the interests of that class. She will be assimilated, bound, and eventually become like those she once hated.

Xu Tianran would never allow her to harm the royal family's interests in the slightest for the sake of those "weeds" of commoners.

What he valued was only her talent and beauty, a useful tool, a pretty plaything.

The crown prince is unreliable; the royal family itself is a cancer.

She might be able to save herself, to survive in the cracks of power with her beauty and wisdom, and even to gain wealth and honor.

But what about those girls like her, whose families were destroyed and who struggled in despair?

What about those poor souls who were kidnapped, sold into slavery, and silently weeping in the dark corners?
She couldn't save them.

In the past, she might have chosen to be selfish and turn a blind eye.

Surviving and avenging her parents had already exhausted all her energy.

But now, after listening to Lin You's words and examining the operating logic of this vast empire from a completely new and more macro perspective, she only felt a deep-seated coldness and sorrow.

This system is rotten to the core.

Tragedy is not accidental, but inevitable.

As long as this royal family exists, and as long as this ruling model based on the power of soul tools and disregarding the common people exists, tragedies like her family's will continue to occur.

The only hope seems to lie in "external things".

And isn't this mysterious and powerful boy, who is as powerful as a god, the most conspicuous and incredible "external object"?

But... looking at Lin You, Orange felt an even deeper worry welling up inside her.

The "elemental power" he displayed was indeed powerful, and might even have surpassed that of a soul tool.

However, this power seems to be more difficult to master than a soul tool, and it relies more on talent.

Ordinary people rarely even have the opportunity to come into contact with soul tools, so how could they possibly master such a near-miraculous power?
If this power is ultimately monopolized by royalty and nobility, it will only strengthen the shackles of the rulers and ensure that the lower classes never have a chance to rise up!

The future of the empire will only become more brutal, and the lives of the lower classes will only become more difficult!

Thinking of this, a tremendous sense of powerlessness and despair gripped Orange.

Looking at Lin You's calm profile, her eyes welled up with tears, and her long-suppressed emotions finally broke down, causing them to fall uncontrollably.

"Woo..."

She covered her mouth, her shoulders trembling slightly, and suppressed sobs echoed in the quiet living room, "I've seen enough... I've really seen enough of this kind of tragedy..."

Her voice was thick with nasal congestion and choked with sobs: "Junior Lin You... do you know that what you've done... might bring you fame and fortune, and unparalleled honor... but for us ordinary people... it might mean... that the mountain above our heads has become even higher and heavier..."

Alcohol allowed her to shed all pretenses, but it also amplified her inner pain and fear.

This was the first time she had shown such a vulnerable and helpless side to Lin You.

(End of this chapter)