Republic of China Era: Entering the Dao through Divine Strike.

"What I hold dear in my heart is the livelihood of hundreds of millions of people, fairness and justice in the world, and a brand new hope for the world."

Imperial power will not become more compassionate towards the people because of a few reforms, nor will it become more enlightened and just because of a few new policies.

Human nature is inherently selfish; as long as imperial power exists, it will always be the root of suffering for the people.

Do you think that reform can save the dynasty, the country, and the people?

Wrong. The only ones who can be saved are the royal relatives, nobles, and wealthy merchants.

The new law may work well at first, but once the situation stabilizes, it will soon change and eventually become a shackle that binds the people.

On this system that oppresses the people, no matter how advanced the science and technology, how perfect the constitutional regulations, or how prosperous the industry and commerce, it is ultimately just a feast enjoyed exclusively by the upper class and the powerful.

The common people continue to toil like cattle to survive, with nowhere else to turn.

Tan Shaoyang's face flushed red. His ideals, which he had built up over many years, were shattered one by one, but he still refused to back down even an inch.

He spoke rapidly, with an almost tragic stubbornness: "You can only see the immediate suffering of the people, but you can't see the long-term situation over the next hundred years."

An unchanging law leads to the downfall of a nation, and after the nation's demise, its people have nowhere to even find a place to stand.

Preserving imperial power while reforming the system is a way to ensure stability and achieve gradual innovation...

If you stand idly by and watch the reform fail, the country will be beyond saving.

Once a dynasty collapses and the land is left without a ruler, it will descend into a state of warlordism and foreign powers carving up the territory, leaving the common people with even less hope of survival.

"Now the monarch is determined to make progress and is willing to reform the government. All we need is for you and me to work together to eliminate the conservative ministers and implement new policies."

That would allow for a peaceful transition and the revitalization of the nation. Why are you so determined to shatter everything and destroy the last remaining hope?

Li Xin's eyes flashed with an even sharper edge, his tone icy and ruthless: "I've already seen the ending, and you dare to argue with me?"

"The path of reform you have chosen is a doomed dream from the very beginning. The gentle reform approach to saving the country has never been able to save a chaotic world that is already deeply entrenched in problems."

For decades, the Empress Dowager and conservative ministers controlled the court and the country. Military and political power were deeply intertwined. The royal family, nobles, and local corrupt officials and gentry colluded with each other to exploit the people.

This is a large, deeply entrenched, and corrupt interest group.

With just a new policy document, how could a few passionate scholars expect to voluntarily give up their privileges and benefit the people?

It's utterly absurd.

The young emperor was eager to reform, but lacked the military power to rely on.

You reform ministers, though you hold pen and ink, lack the ability to implement your reforms.

Is it too naive to hope that foreign powers will step in to help, or that the powerful and wealthy will reflect on their own actions?

The great powers will only take advantage of the chaos to nibble away at our territory, and the old party forces will only launch a dying counterattack.

A grand and ambitious reform movement will ultimately only result in bloodshed on the execution ground, the abolition of all new policies, and an increasingly chaotic situation in the world.

All your passion, sacrifices, and the grand vision of reform you built over half your lives will ultimately become nothing more than sacrifices in the power struggles of the old court.

To die in vain is to have no real meaning whatsoever.

It's simply because you've never dared to admit the cruelest truth... This outdated system, this corrupt dynasty, is beyond redemption.

The true path to national salvation is not to repair dilapidated buildings and prolong life in a state of utter misery.

Instead, it is about overthrowing everything and starting anew, breaking down the old system and establishing a new world.

Smash the old system that enslaves the people, overthrow the corrupt imperial rule, and build a new world where the people are the masters and everyone is equal.

"Without relying on the charity of foreign powers, without depending on the favors and compassion of emperors, and without seeking survival through reform, only by relying on the self-reliance and strength of hundreds of millions of people can we usher in a new era for our nation."

Although Li Xin knew that some things he said were actually not understood by others, let alone listened to.

But he still wanted to say something.

At the very least, this should serve as a wake-up call for these two.

They don't understand now, but they will when they die.

Tan Shaoyang and Wang Zhengyi were speechless for a moment. Their hearts, full of grand ambitions and passion, were chilled by a bucket of ice water, and their hearts were filled with unbearable frustration.

They were born in this era, adhered to the ethical principles between ruler and subject, and firmly believed in the unity and coexistence of family and country.

They never dared to imagine a path to overthrow the dynasty and reconstruct the world order.

In their minds, the fall of a nation is the greatest tragedy.

In Li Xin's eyes, the continued existence of a corrupt dynasty that enslaves the people is far more tragic than the fall of the country.

They were idealists deeply immersed in the chaos of the world, taking it upon themselves to repair the declining Qing Dynasty. Li Xin was a clear-headed revolutionary with memories of the future, whose initial intention was to break down the old world and establish a new dynasty.

Different road non-phase plan.

Even though his arguments were refuted to the point of being completely discredited, Tan Shaoyang still refused to admit defeat.

The passion in his eyes had not cooled; he stubbornly raised his head, his voice hoarse but his will firm, possessing the most tragic and pure martyrdom of a scholar.

Even if the road ahead is fraught with peril, even if the new policies fail completely.

We, the people of high ideals, must also practice the great principles and awaken the world with our blood.

"We were born into this land and receive the salary of the dynasty, so we must bear the responsibility of protecting the country."

The world is plunged into chaos. Instead of planning for reform and seeking to prolong the nation's life, we readily speak of overthrowing and shattering order, thus abandoning hundreds of millions of people to misery.

"I know that the Qing Dynasty is corrupt and decadent, that its administration is chaotic and disorderly, and that the road ahead will be extremely difficult."

But what we are protecting is not the private power of emperors, but the integrity and continuation of our land, and the cultural heritage and traditions of China.

Even if it ultimately ends in disgrace and a bloody execution, they will fight for the last glimmer of hope for this dying nation.

Looking at the tragic expression on Tan Shaoyang's face.

Wang Wu, the Great Swordsman, was equally imposing.

Li Xin knew that it was no use saying anything now.

Knowing that the task of mending the sky was ultimately hopeless, he was still willing to sacrifice himself for his cause.

Their limited perspective is a constraint imposed by the times.

Their burning passion is a shining glimmer of light in a dark world.

Then let's not say anything, just watch.

Wang Zhengyi slowly drew his long sword from his waist, the clear sound of the blade breaking the silence of the courtyard.

The nine rings trembled slightly with the blade, and a powerful sword aura spread out, breaking the tense and stagnant atmosphere in the courtyard.

"When we debate the great principles based solely on words, each of us holds our own opinion, making it difficult to distinguish right from wrong."

Brother Xin, you are determined to overthrow the old world and create a new one.

I am determined to uphold the dynasty and reform the country to revitalize our nation; our paths are worlds apart.

"How about this, Brother Xin, let's have a few moves together."

"If I win by half a point, you will join us. If I lose, then pretend I never came today."

"Oh, Master Wang actually has the mind to consider competing with a junior?"

"It's not a test, it's a challenge."

Wang Wu looked very serious.

"I know that I will most likely lose this challenge, but I'm just hoping for a chance, for the sake of all my years of perseverance."

Li Xin shook his head and laughed, "Master Wang is too modest. Who doesn't know that Wang Wu's Wind and Cloud Six Harmony Saber is the number one saber in the world today?"

A drawn sword can subdue all heroes under heaven.

Who wins and who loses, we'll only know after the fight.

"Please, Brother Xin."

"Please, Master Wang."

……

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Zhengyi lowered his waist and steadied himself in a horse stance, his murderous aura rising into the sky like smoke from a wolf's beacon.

With the sword drawn, he slowly slashed out...

The sword's style is powerful and dignified, like a towering mountain.

He carried not a trace of ferocity or murderous intent, only a sincere heart dedicated to protecting his country.

His creation, the Wind and Cloud Six Harmony Blade, has six forms corresponding to the four directions, up and down, and the six harmonies of heaven and earth.

His moves are elegant yet powerful, with a grand and expansive artistic conception. Each move embodies his unwavering commitment to saving the country and his heartfelt desire to protect the people.

It is a peerless martial art that combines one's own martial arts and the path in one's heart.

The power of divine will surpasses even the skill of swordsmanship.

This is why he dared to challenge Li Xin even though he knew Li Xin's martial arts skills had reached an unfathomable level.

The mind is boundless...

Victory or defeat is never determined by external conditions, but by who has a stronger will and a more stable mindset.

The first move: Benevolence prevails throughout the land.

The swordplay is expansive and graceful, yet balanced and harmonious.

Like a gentle breeze sweeping across the world, nourishing all things silently, without a trace of ferocity or violence.

The grand vision of encompassing the world, pacifying the people, and consolidating the foundation has already reached Li Xin.

This reform embodies the original intention of the reform: to cleanse the world of long-standing malpractices, to promote benevolent governance and appease the people, to win the hearts of people from all over the world, and to seek prosperity and peace for the world.

Li Xin watched as the blade flashed towards him.

It was as if I had witnessed an overwhelming force, and the worship of all people.

Is this a game called "The Benevolent Are Invincible"?

Before the knife arrives, the intention precedes it.

Excellent knife skills.

Snapped……

Li Xin suddenly drew his long sword from his shoulder.

Like a bolt of cold lightning, it struck above Wang Wu's mighty and unstoppable sword strike.

The long and powerful sword aura instantly shattered and dissipated, and the boundless sword intent dissolved into nothingness.

Wang Zhengyi shuddered violently.

He felt a numbness in his tiger's mouth, and his entire arm was sore and weak. He involuntarily took half a step back.

A storm raged within him; Li Xin's martial prowess far exceeded anything he had ever known.

He knew his own limitations regarding the sword technique he had just used.

He was constantly building up his strength, using all his power, and even infusing it with his divine will.

Even if there is a mountain or a wall in front of you.

He even dared to cleave it in two with a single stroke.

Its power is so great that it is hard to find a match for it in the world.

However, Li Xin easily deflected this overwhelming force of the blade with a light flick of his blade tip.

It was as if he wasn't blocking a knife as heavy as a mountain.

Instead, it was a broken paper knife only good for cutting fruit.

The second move: Pillar of Mountains and Rivers.

Wang Zhengyi focused his mind and steadied himself, his long sword rising and falling once more.

With unwavering resolve, they followed the blade, using their bodies as pillars to stem the tide of the collapsing land, and charged forward with all their might.

In times of chaos and upheaval, those who practice martial arts become the pillars of the nation, supporting the crumbling society and protecting the country from destruction.

Li Xin gently pressed down with his hand, and the blade flashed back in a slash.

His inner energy was drawn inward and then suddenly burst forth, a gentle yet extremely powerful force instantly striking the broadsword.