Chapter 74: Ordinary People Are Not Mere Ants!

The four of them left the Luo family and headed to the Martial Suppression Division.

In less than half an hour, they arrived back at the division.

In the main hall, Su Yang sat in the main seat, and Luo Hongsheng had also arrived. However, when he saw Luo Tian, who had accompanied them, standing beside Su Yang, he felt a sense of unease.

“You know your crime,” Su Yang said calmly, looking at Luo Hongsheng without expression.

“I know my incompetence. I haven’t collected any useful information. Please punish me, my lord,” Luo Hongsheng immediately admitted his guilt.

He hoped that his failure was only due to his incompetence, but unfortunately, the more one fears, the more likely it is to happen.

“Is that all?” Su Yang sighed. “You truly disappoint me.”

“Apart from the drought, the governance of Kaiyang City seems fine. I gave you half a month to think things through, but it seems you still haven’t realized or are clinging to some vain hope.”

“In Kaiyang City, there is no oppression by aristocratic families, no mistreatment of the common people by sect disciples. But in the end… it is their own corrupt officials who have brought suffering upon the people.”

“Isn’t that ridiculous?”

Su Yang questioned sternly, his disappointment evident. He knew that throughout history, no matter how much one desired honest officials, it had never been successful.

He understood this reality, but witnessing such a situation still filled him with disappointment.

Luo Hongsheng’s body trembled slightly as he struggled to find words. “My lord, I don’t understand what you mean by all this.”

Su Yang didn’t want to waste any more words and signaled for Luo Tian to present something.

Luo Tian stepped forward and took out a soil-yellow bead. “Commander Luo, you should be familiar with this.”

“It’s you!” As Luo Tian revealed the bead, Luo Hongsheng knew that everything was over. This was the only flaw he feared and exposed.

But why… Why did this one flaw cause him to lose everything?

Luo Hongsheng looked at Su Yang, his eyes filled with despair. “My lord, can you give me a chance for redemption?”

“This cultivation technique can lead me onto the path of immortality and help me cultivate spiritual roots.”

“Immortality… Isn’t that the ultimate goal? I can bring even more benefits to the people and Daxia with my own efforts.”

Madness flickered in Luo Hongsheng’s eyes, and the despair that had engulfed him vanished. A faint soil-yellow light emanated from him.

“See, my lord? I had no spiritual roots originally, but after cultivating this technique, I have now developed them.”

“The path of immortality lies before me. The suffering of ordinary people is inconsequential compared to that.”

“With my existence, I will bring more benefits to the people and Daxia. I am willing to offer this cultivation technique to you, my lord.” Luo Hongsheng took out a scroll and looked at Su Yang.

“Hahaha… The suffering of ordinary people is inconsequential?” Su Yang laughed loudly, his laughter resounding in the hall.

It turned out that this was how corrupt officials saw the common people, and this was how those in power viewed the world.

Su Yang stopped laughing, his expression turning cold, his gaze piercing. “I don’t care how you view the common people or ordinary individuals. But under my rule… all beings are equal!”

“Whether you’re a grandmaster or a martial saint, whether you cultivate immortality or become a true immortal, if you treat ordinary people as insignificant and trample on them at will, I will personally eradicate each and every one of you!”

“The destiny of this world is not determined by the emperor or the martial practitioners. It is determined by those in positions of power. Can you change their lofty status?” Su Yangs voice was firm, undeterred by Luo Hongsheng’s questioning and mockery.

“You may have the hearts of the people, but can you change the world? It will be a long and arduous path. I want to see if you can truly walk it.”

Luo Hongsheng sneered at Su Yang’s words. “Haha… My lord, are you still half asleep? Before, I thought I was mad for causing this drought. But now it seems you are even crazier than me.”

“Hahaha… Equality for all beings? In this world, there have always been hierarchies. Would the emperor agree to such a proposition? Would the martial practitioners agree? Even if you gain the support of the people, can you change the high and mighty image they have? So what if you become the ruler of their hearts?”

In the face of Luo Hongsheng’s doubts and mockery, Su Yang remained calm. “Yes, there are hierarchies in this world. But in my eyes, distinctions based on wealth, status, knowledge, and power are acceptable and normal. However, every human life is equal.”

“As for the destiny of the world… If it is determined by the strong, then the tip of my sword will dictate the course of the world!”

“Changing the world will be a long and arduous path, but I will continue to forge ahead. The three-six-nine stratification of the world may not change, but in the future, the lives of ordinary people will no longer be treated as insignificant and expendable!”

“As for you… you may not live to see that day.”

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly changed, transitioning from turbulence to tranquility in an instant.

“My lord… You are pushing me,” Luo Hongsheng said with a dangerous glint in his eyes. It was evident that he had some trump card up his sleeve.

Su Yang shook his head, losing interest in engaging with him further.

With a thought, a sword intent materialized in the void and slashed toward Luo Hongsheng like a phantom. Luo Hongsheng only had time to widen his eyes before his head relocated.

As for whatever trump card he still had…

Su Yang didn’t want to know, nor did he intend to wait for the enemy to reveal their hand before taking action.

With a single slash, Luo Hongsheng’s life ended. Su Yang used his mind to retrieve a ring and the cultivation technique from Luo Hongsheng’s possession.

To cultivate spiritual roots? He was curious to see how effective this technique was. However, he didn’t rush to examine it. There were still matters to attend to in the Martial Suppression Division. After all, Luo Hongsheng had been a commander.

Su Yang’s words left a deep impact on the three people beside him.

Gu Xiu had been with Su Yang for a longer time, and as an elder, he understood what Su Yang was talking about even more.

However, that understanding made him even more astonished.

On the other hand, Jiang Xiaoyu and Luo Tian didn’t think too much about it.

Compared to Su Yang’s words, they were more amazed by his actions.

In their eyes, Su Yang embodied the qualities of a true hero.

Protecting the weak and resisting tyranny was the ideal image of a hero in their hearts.

Su Yang looked at them and sensed their thoughts.

He smiled and asked, “Admire me?”

“Brother Yang, that’s a no-brainer! You are the hero I’ve always envisioned!” Jiang Xiaoyu excitedly exclaimed without much reservation.

Su Yang smiled. This kid probably didn’t know that his previous actions were even more heroic.

Perhaps, in this kid’s eyes, a hero needed to have invincible strength.

“Well, don’t just admire me. Strive to become like me. If we want to change this world, we need thousands and thousands of people like us.”

“Alright!”

Kindness, wickedness, selfishness, indifference, passion…

No matter what kind of person they become, their upbringing and experiences shape them.

In the beginning, people are neither good nor evil.

They are simply a blank slate.

Next, Su Yang found the local magistrate and informed him, as well as all the commanding officers of the Martial Suppression Division, about Luo Hongsheng’s situation.

A new leader was chosen on the spot through a self-recommendation process among the group.

As the Four-Direction Inspector, Su Yang had the authority to make such decisions.

After the matter was settled, the four of them left the Martial Suppression Division.

“I want to thank Young Master Luo for providing crucial clues on this journey.”action

“This token contains my full strength. If you encounter danger, it can activate a life-saving measure.”

Su Yang took out a token and handed it to Luo Tian.

“Hahaha, I thank Su Yang for that.”

“Good.”

With this matter resolved, Su Yang and the two others walked outside the division.

“Xiaoyu, do you remember when I said I would resolve the drought with a single strike?”

“Brother Yang, is that really possible?”

Jiang Xiaoyu’s eyes shimmered with a mix of doubt and anticipation.

Su Yang, accompanied by the other three, walked out of the Martial Suppression Division.

“Xiaoyu, do you remember when I said I would end the drought with a single sword strike?”

“Brother Yang, can it really be done?” Jiang Xiaoyu’s eyes flickered with doubt and anticipation.

With the current matters resolved, Su Yang and the two others walked toward the outskirts of the city.

“Xiaoyu, do you remember when I said I would end the drought with a single sword strike?” Su Yang asked.

“Brother Yang, can it really be done?” Jiang Xiaoyu’s eyes sparkled with a mix of doubt and hope..