"But!" Mo Zijin continued, "Even though you belong to the Imperial Court, I understand that Brother Shen and I are of the same kind. That’s why I didn’t take action."
The madness on Mo Zijin’s face had vanished, and he appeared normal again. His gaze toward Shen Changqing turned fervent. "Brother Shen, have you ever thought about joining us? Together, we could surely overturn this filthy world and establish a new one without calamity, Demon Evil, or injustice!"
"Thank you for your kind offer, Brother Mo!"
Shen Changqing was speechless. He had clearly come to persuade, but somehow the situation had turned into Mo Zijin persuading him; it was admittedly quite absurd.
However, upon serious reflection, Shen Changqing found that he didn’t know how to convince Mo Zijin. He wasn’t very clear about the events from over two hundred years ago. From Mo Zijin’s remarks, it was evident that he harbored deep resentment for the Imperial Court, a hatred even exceeding that for Demon Evil. If I were to attempt to persuade him forcefully, it would likely backfire, Shen Changqing thought. But to agree to join Mo Zijin is even more ludicrous. A world without Demon Evil, calamities, or injustice simply isn’t possible.
The Mo Zijin before him had seemingly become somewhat consumed by madness. Putting himself in Mo Zijin’s shoes, Shen Changqing felt that if he had experienced the same ordeal, perhaps he would be similarly disturbed. One should not assume to understand the trials of others, nor should one presume to advise them on virtue. He decided against trying to persuade Mo Zijin, hoping the man would eventually abandon such thoughts himself.
Hearing Shen Changqing’s refusal, Mo Zijin’s face showed some disappointment, but he did not become angry or turn hostile. "Brother Shen, you are not yet convinced, and I won’t force you. However, I hope that if one day you have thought it through, you will come to me. My door will always be open for you, Brother Shen."
"I understand!" Shen Changqing nodded. He paused thoughtfully before speaking earnestly, "But there’s one thing I hope you’ll remember, Brother Mo: no matter what, you are part of the Human Clan and should consider matters from the perspective of the Human Clan."
"Human Clan?" Mo Zijin shook his head with a wry smile. "Brother Shen, do you think I still count as a member of the Human Clan?"
"You do," Shen Changqing spoke gravely. "There is no definitive boundary that determines whether one belongs to the Human Clan. If you believe you are, and I believe you are, then you are part of the Human Clan."
Upon hearing this, Mo Zijin fell silent for a long moment. Then he slowly said, "Whether I’m part of the Human Clan is no longer important. I only wish to build a new kingdom, so that those who died from the plague may find peace!"
Leaving the Domain, the night breeze swept past, and Shen Changqing felt as if he were reborn. Throughout the conversation with Mo Zijin, he had felt a constant sense of oppression. He sympathized with Mo Zijin’s plight but was unable to change anything. The die is cast, he thought. The events of more than two hundred years ago have long since become part of the past. Mo Zijin’s ideals are clearly unattainable. A world without Demon Evil, calamities, or injustice is a utopian dream, existing only in imagination, never to be seen in reality.
Yet, Shen Changqing had no means to stop him, at least not at the moment. He was sure that if he had stubbornly opposed Mo Zijin, he certainly wouldn’t have left the Domain unscathed; a fight would have been inevitable, and a violent confrontation would have erupted. In terms of power, I am not confident I can contend with Mo Zijin. Even with Wei Lan waiting outside to support me, we would at best only have a chance to escape. Moreover, Mo Zijin hasn’t yet become my enemy. In some ways, despite his disdain for the Imperial Court, he shows some favorable sentiment towards me, which could ease our relationship. Perhaps this could be useful in the future. Considering this, I have even less intention of burning bridges with him. At least, not now.
Upon seeing Shen Changqing’s emergence, Wei Lan and Zhang Hongyuan, who had been waiting, immediately stepped out from their hiding spots.
Surprise was evident on both their faces. When the Yin Evil Aura had burst out moments ago, they thought a world-shaking battle was about to ensue. In the end, no battle occurred, and Shen Changqing emerged on his own, unharmed. This unexpected turn of events took them both by surprise.
"Shen Chumo, what happened inside?" Wei Lan asked first, confusion written on her delicate face.
Zhang Hongyuan beside her shared the same puzzlement. They were eager to know what exactly had happened inside—how a Yin Evil Aura could erupt without any signs of battle.
"Let’s talk when we get back," Shen Changqing said, shaking his head.
Seeing this, Wei Lan and Zhang Hongyuan had no choice but to hold back their questions.
Watching Shen Changqing leave, Mo Zijin remained expressionless. Under the flickering candlelight, his shadow on the floor writhed slowly, as though concealing something within.
"How can we build a world without Demon Evil, without calamities, without any injustice?" he murmured, seemingly to himself, yet also as if inquiring of another.
As he spoke, the shadow continued to writhe restlessly, a strange hissing sound seeming to emanate from it.
Mo Zijin spoke calmly, "Only by overthrowing the existing tainted world can we establish a brand-new realm. More than two hundred years ago, we witnessed the brutality of Demon Evil as well as the hypocrisy and cruelty of the Imperial Court. In the eyes of Demon Evil and the Imperial Court alike, we are no different from ants. They have the power of life and death over us, and we have no way to resist. This is unfair—"
"Once our power strengthens further, I can bring you all back into existence. Then we will build a new realm together, an ideal realm of our dreams! Brother Shen is a talent; he is actually one of us. It’s just that he’s been misled by the Imperial Court and hasn’t found his way out yet. Give him some time, and he will join us. Moreover, Brother Shen is my confidant. If we act rashly now, we will inevitably ruin the bond between us!"
In the brightly lit hall, Mo Zijin questioned and answered himself, his chilly voice sounding somewhat eerie in the dark night.
Meanwhile, outside the manor, the cobblestone streets were incrementally expanding. What was once a single main street now branched out into several others, and the number of houses lining them grew, as if appearing out of thin air. Subsequently, a faint light shone from some pitch-dark houses, as if people were moving within. All of this was happening slowly. Unbeknownst to anyone, the area of Minor Hillock Mountain being engulfed was growing.
Shen Changqing and the others took their seats. Upon returning, Wei Lan, unable to wait, pressed for details on what had happened. Shen Changqing did not conceal much, sharing almost everything about his conversation with Mo Zijin, omitting only the part where Mo Zijin tried to recruit him. There was no need to discuss that matter, he thought.
After Shen Changqing finished speaking, the tent fell silent. Wei Lan and Zhang Hongyuan had different expressions on their faces.
"Mad! That calamity has truly gone mad!" Zhang Hongyuan exclaimed, shocked. Upon hearing Shen Changqing’s words, he almost thought it was a joke. But this strong figure from Guangyuan Prefecture’s Demon-Subduing Division knew Shen Changqing’s account could not be a jest. This meant the calamity harbored an incredibly powerful and twisted ideal.
Wei Lan frowned thoughtfully. "I’ve heard about the Demon Evil havoc and the great calamity that befell Great Qin in its 132nd year. That disaster lasted for four years, only ending in the 136th year of Great Qin. To think that this calamity had such a past... it’s both sad and lamentable!"
She too felt some sympathy for Mo Zijin’s radical stance. However, as a member of the Human Clan, Wei Lan certainly would not truly side with a calamity or dwell on such matters from his perspective.
Zhang Hongyuan said solemnly, "Whether he is pitiable or not, when a person dies, it’s like a lamp extinguished; the events of over two hundred years ago should have long since faded away. Yet now, he persists, unwilling to die—becoming an undying calamity. According to Lord Shen, that calamity clearly harbors thoughts of world destruction. If we don’t find a way to contain it, it will become a monumental problem in the future."
Wei Lan nodded in strong agreement with Zhang Hongyuan’s words. A Demon Evil set on overthrowing the existing world to establish its own ideal dominion is undoubtedly perverse, she thought. Such a calamity is much more terrifying than a typical one.
Shen Changqing, unperturbed, spoke, "As the calamity is undying, we currently have no means to confront him. All we can do for now is to ask Demon Slayer Zhang to tighten defenses and ensure his power does not grow significantly. One of the Demon Evil that attacked Minor Hillock Mountain died at the calamity’s hands. It was by absorbing that Demon Evil’s power that he has now grown stronger. But looking at it another way, we need not worry for the time being that he will side with the Demon Evil."
Given Mo Zijin’s level of loathing for Demon Evil, he would certainly not compromise with them. This might just be the only piece of good news, Shen Changqing mused.
Wei Lan and Zhang Hongyuan fell silent. Indeed, Mo Zijin not siding with Demon Evil at least ensured he wouldn’t ally with them against Great Qin. What remained was to consider how to fully curb the calamity’s growth, or perhaps even use its power to combat Demon Evil.
Observing their expressions, Shen Changqing remarked indifferently, "There isn’t much I can do. Although the calamity didn’t kill me, our conversation was limited due to his disdain for the Imperial Court. The rest is for the superiors to decide. It’s getting late, so I should return to rest. I must report back to the capital early tomorrow."
"Lord Shen, you’re leaving so soon?" Zhang Hongyuan was taken aback. He thought Shen Changqing would stay a few more days.
Shen Changqing shook his head. "The situation is dire, and I cannot stay long. I hope you will understand, Demon Slayer Zhang."