Immortality: Starting with a grave, I'm invincible when burying corpses.

At this point, Zhuang Sheng was not particularly moved, because he did not recognize these people on the street.

These people surrounded him in the street and smashed him, not because they knew what kind of person Zhuang Sheng was, or because they believed he was an unforgivable sinner who deserved to be treated this way.

They were simply there to join in the fun and vent their emotions.

Zhuangzi, though disgusted by the misled ordinary people, could understand them and comfort himself.

but……

The prison van moved slowly forward, passing through bustling streets and flower-lined streets, heading towards the sixth ring road of Qi'an City.

Zhuang Sheng, who had always been calm and composed, panicked and felt fear for the first time in a long time.

In a daze, Zhuang Sheng found his hands trembling.

He was afraid. He was afraid that what was about to happen would shatter his beliefs, completely extinguish the warmth in his still-warm heart, and make him feel that everything he had done was meaningless.

Even though he knew many years ago that this was inevitable, a result of a lack of education, and the deliberate guidance of those despicable people.

Even though he knew perfectly well that he shouldn't be afraid, because that fear was pointless.

Everything he did in the past was to change these things, so that similar things would not happen again in the future.

In his youth, Zhuang Sheng had witnessed far too many similar things; he shouldn't be afraid.

Yes, he should hold his head high and face whatever comes next with composure.

Many people in the Sixth Ring Road area know him, and many have greeted him, saying that Zhuang Sheng is a great philanthropist and a respectable good man.

He should trust these people and believe that they won't do anything to make him despair.

But as the prison cart slowly moved forward, Zhuang Sheng lowered his head, which was not proud at all.

Various scenes kept flashing through Zhuang Sheng's mind; they were the people he knew, the people who had thanked him just a few days ago.

Without distinguishing right from wrong or remembering the kindness shown to him, they swung mud and filthy excrement at him.

What is meant by keeping the people ignorant? This is it.

Along the way, Zhuang Sheng had seen far too much; he had witnessed far too many foolish and ignorant people and things.

He has lost trust in most people so much that he habitually imagines all sorts of terrible scenarios before anything even happens.

As the prison van entered the Sixth Ring Road, Zhuang Sheng had to admit that he was afraid.

He has been in Qi'an City for half a year and has done many things.

If even Qi'an City, the most civilized city in the world, is like this, then the world that Zhuang Sheng longed for will probably never come.

Standing on the prison cart, Zhuang Sheng couldn't help but recall what Mu An had told him years ago.

Human nature is inherently evil; only through education can it be guided towards good.

However, education has its limits, but selfish desires are everywhere.

Diverse people are bound to have diverse ideas, and conflicts of reason will never disappear.

A perfect kingdom exists only in fantasy; reality is that we can only strive towards a goal, and this process is destined to be full of injustice.

Zhuang Sheng felt that if everything he feared actually happened, he would have to admit that what Mu An said was the true truth.

"Don't you think that prisoner looks a bit familiar?" an old man asked.

"It looks somewhat familiar," another old man chimed in.

"He looks somewhat like Lord Zhuang." This was a middle-aged man in his thirties or forties.

"Master Zhuang? Impossible! I know Master Zhuang. He's a very good man. He's the one who helped treat my grandson's illness!" an old woman retorted.

"It is indeed Lord Zhuang, I cannot be mistaken," the middle-aged man affirmed.

"How could this be? How could Master Zhuang be a criminal? This is a capital offense punishable by beheading! How could this be? How could this be! Absolutely impossible!" The old woman was quite agitated, repeating the statement several times.

The middle-aged man remained silent, but a young man spoke up excitedly.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Father! Master Zhuang could never be a bad person!"

The middle-aged man glanced at him and hurriedly covered the boy's mouth.

"Shut up! Say it again and I'll slap you!"

The woman beside him shielded the boy, saying, "Husband, could there be a mistake? Master Zhuang also spoke to me; he doesn't seem like the kind of person who would plot a rebellion."

The middle-aged man opened his mouth, then pulled his wife back, finally whispering, "Treason is a heinous crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family. I beg you, please keep your voices down, okay?"

Seeing her husband's attitude, the woman swallowed back the words she wanted to say and covered the boy's mouth, just like her husband had done.

"Son, listen to your father, let's stop talking."

Further afield.

"Another prisoner paraded through the streets? Or is it a serious crime like treason? Looks like we're in for a show. Do you have any mud? Give me some." This was a street thug who spent years hanging out on the streets.

"Get out of here! That's Master Zhuang, a kind man who gives out porridge every day. How could he possibly be plotting a rebellion? He must have been framed!"

A few bits of filth were thrown at Zhuang Sheng, but in no time, the person throwing things was subdued by those around him.

Whispers filled the entire street; no one stepped forward, and no one continued to smash things.

This scene made Zhuang Sheng, who had been keeping his head down, raise his head. He looked around at the crowd on both sides and saw many familiar faces.

Some of them were agitated, some met his gaze, and some avoided his eyes.

Despite being covered in filth, despite the stench emanating from the entire prison van, and despite no one standing up for him, Zhuang Sheng laughed.

very nice……

He hasn't lost yet.

That's enough; it's better if they don't step forward.

Everyone has their own life to live, and getting involved with him will only lead to the destruction of your family and the death of your loved ones.

Excellent, really excellent, extremely excellent, just like this is the best possible outcome...

only……

Zhuang Sheng rubbed his eyes and realized that he wasn't as excited as he had imagined.

He clearly didn't lose; he clearly proved that education is meaningful; this clearly means that his ideal world could be realized.

Human nature is not inherently evil, and the impact of education is far greater than imagined.

The one who's wrong isn't him, it's Mu An.

But why do his eyes feel so sore, and why does his beating heart feel so uncomfortable?

He was already content and shouldn't have expected anyone to stand up for him.

That would only harm those who stood up; Zhuang Sheng should not and could not think that way.

Why is that?

In a dark corner, Wan Shu, who had changed into clean clothes, covered her mouth and hid behind the wall.

The house was so tall that it blocked out the sunlight, casting the girl entirely in shadow.

Her eyes were red and swollen with tears.

But Wan Shu dared not cry out loud; she could only sob softly.

How could this happen? How could this be? How could this be?