I alone have my own laws; I start by fabricating myths and legends of mountains and seas.

Chapter 138 On the Way

Based on the information about his deeds in Japan, I originally expected him to be very domineering.

Xia Jie seemed to chuckle. The laughter didn't travel through the air; it resounded directly in people's minds, like a rusty sword scraping against their skull.

"This place is quite popular; it seems the later development has been rather good!" Xia Jie's voice was deep and thunderous. "However, I am the ruler and can represent this country. Who do you think you are?"

"Your Majesty the King of Xia is an ancient ruler, a sage descended to earth. It is not unreasonable for you to wish to observe the current state of affairs. However, the actions of a king must be measured. In the past, King Yu controlled the floods and divided the land into nine provinces, knowing how to guide rather than block, and how to be gentle rather than tyrannical. Since the King of Xia claims to be the Mandate of Heaven, he should know that the Mandate of Heaven is not constant, and only virtue can assist him. Overpowering others with force and suppressing the masses with power may bring temporary success, but actions that lack virtue are unlikely to last and are not in accordance with the conduct of a king." The Director of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, as if Xia Jie had not affected him in the slightest.

Even if you are a tyrant, even if you are unruly and domineering enough, I have brought up your founding monarch to suppress you. You should have stopped by now! Moreover, I have given you the grand titles of sage and ancient king.

"If this were not the place today, anyone who dared to speak to me like this would be a dead man! But I am not here to kill anyone today." Xia Jie's voice echoed in every corner, cold and majestic yet unquestionable. "Lead the way to the altar you have prepared."

"I want to see if, four thousand years later, our homeland still has any outstanding talents worthy of my attention."

Xia Jie was in a good mood, or rather, his demeanor was much more friendly than when he was in Xia Kingdom and Japan! At least he consistently followed the rules and didn't just crush anyone he didn't like!

However, the director of the Bureau of Unorthodox Management was not too happy. Who knew if this person would suddenly go crazy? After all, no one could guarantee what Xia Jie, the tyrant, would think or do.

The real test has just begun. This man has called for China to prepare an altar and gather outstanding talents to exchange ideas and discuss the Dao with him.

Although things are stable now, no one can guarantee anything. We can only go along with him for now and take him to the temporary altar set up in the suburbs.

Fortunately, China is known for its infrastructure prowess, and was able to build a magnificent altar in the suburbs in a short time, with the intention of minimizing the harm caused should this person go mad.

The director of the Bureau of Extraordinary Affairs got into the car and said, "In that case, I will lead the way for Your Majesty."

The car was moving at a steady pace, as if it were simply guiding a distinguished guest who had come from afar.

The hundred ghostly soldiers and generals silently turned around, re-formed, and stepped onto invisible steps to protect Xia Jie in the center. Their figures appeared slow in the air, but in reality, they closely followed the convoy below.

Like a moving natural disaster, it slowly pressed down on the edge of the city along with the figure in the air.

The hearts of everyone in the city were in their throats, their eyes following the strange procession in the air and the silent convoy leading the way on the ground.

Xia Jie's entourage sped up to the left of the Director of the Bureau of Extraordinary Affairs' vehicle. Xia Jie, with a tone that seemed both mocking and inquisitive, said, "I observe this world, with its forests of buildings and rampaging iron beasts. Human strength has indeed been extended considerably by relying on external objects." He paused, "However, by relying too much on these inanimate objects and mechanisms, the flesh and blood body appears weak and feeble."

The director of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs remained unmoved. Seeing that the other party's honor guard was keeping up, he instructed the convoy to maintain a steady speed, and calmly replied, "As the Xia King sees it, for thousands of years, it is only natural for people to use the power of tools to improve their lives and explore the world. Given time, it is not impossible to forge a new path."

"A new path?" Xia Jie's voice was even more sarcastic. "It's nothing but copying others. Back then, there were countless great shamans who could summon earth fire and heavenly thunder, but what happened in the end? The world changed drastically, and they all returned to dust. Opportunism and trickery are putting the cart before the horse; their limits were already predetermined."

The director's fingers tightened slightly, but his voice remained steady: "The path is made by walking. The methods of the ancients may not be entirely suitable for the present age, and modern exploration may well make up for the shortcomings of our predecessors. King Xia came here to exchange ideas and discuss the Dao, wasn't it precisely to witness firsthand the path of our time?"

Xia Jie remained silent for a moment, his dark red eyes gleaming as he pondered something. The convoy then entered the outskirts of a recently completed complex of buildings.

The convoy stopped at the edge. The head of the Bureau of Unorthodox Affairs was the first to get out of the car and looked up at the slowly descending Xia Jie's entourage.

Xia Jie stepped onto the ground, his black robe fluttering. His gaze swept over the altar, which was obviously brand new and even still smelled of construction. The mocking smile on his lips deepened.

"A last-minute attempt to cram in this mess has produced this incongruous piece of work. Oh well, it's better than nothing."

Everyone had already entered the venue. This plate of dumplings was made because of Xia Jie's visit. What attracted the most attention were the three teams that were already waiting there.

The first group consists of Buddhist and Taoist practitioners, both young and old, whose auras are profound and concentrated, representing the Chinese faith-based divine arts system. The predominance of elders is likely due to Su Fan's intention not to lead China down the distorted path of faith-based divine arts. He also considered that some elders might not be suited for internal energy martial arts and that their devout faith was a factor in his decision to offer them this training.

Although all the gods are in an embryonic state, and Su Fan has left a backup plan, the upper limit of this path ultimately depends on the gods' will.

Leading the group were several elderly men with white hair and beards and clear, bright eyes. They chanted scriptures in low voices, and a faint aura of pure energy circulated around them, subtly resisting the malevolent energy permeating the area. Kong Shizhang was among them, a figure whose prowess was perhaps due to his exceptional fighting ability when Xia Jie attempted to debate and argue about culture.

The second group was a team of men and women with a sharp and capable demeanor. Their clothing varied, but most of them were simple and practical, with sharp eyes. Chen Yang was the leader.

They are some of the more outstanding representatives of internal energy martial arts within the official system, as well as some independent cultivators who have emerged from the common people and have been registered with the Bureau of Extraordinary Cultivators after preliminary investigation.

The third group consisted of several composed middle-aged men, including military representatives and leading figures in the scientific research field. Their expressions were solemn, and their gazes conveyed unspoken messages. Jiang He's father, Jiang Wenbai, was also among them!

"Shamans, brutes, and artisans who dabble in strange and ingenious tricks?" Xia Jie looked around, his voice resounding in everyone's hearts. Each word was like a cold pebble thrown into a lake. "Is this the formation chosen by our homeland four thousand years later to discuss the Dao with me? It reminds me of the variety shows and acrobatics kept in the palace back then. They were diverse and lively, but unfortunately, they were not up to standard."

The Director of the Bureau of Different Affairs remained composed: "Your Majesty, King Xia, you flatter me. Times have changed, and paths have diverged. Shamans carry on the ancient traditions, martial arts pioneer new paths in this era, and science studies the principles of all things—all in an effort to explore the true meaning of heaven, earth, and humanity, and to protect the flame of civilization. Since Your Majesty wishes to discuss and exchange ideas, why not specify the rules?"

"Rules?" Xia Jie stopped in his tracks, put his hands behind his back and looked up at the sky, as if recalling something. "When I met with the feudal lords, debated with the shamans about the heavens, and fought with the strongmen, did I ever need any rules? Where there is reason, words can be sharp and actions can be sharp. A thought can be a discussion of the Way."