Xi Butui said, "That's right, you understand very clearly. The Yao family was involved in this matter ten years ago, which is why we had to eradicate them."
Chen Jiuyang's heart rippled. How could an ordinary merchant family like the Yao family, despite possessing hundreds of billions in assets, be connected to the emergence of a Venerable realm expert?
"The current destiny of the Dragon Country can at most cultivate a Grand Commander of the Heaven realm, but not a Prince of the Venerable realm. Once a Venerable realm martial artist emerges, the destiny of the Dragon Country will be overturned, leading to widespread suffering and the rebellion of noble families."
"When a state prospers, the common people suffer; when it is in chaos, the common people suffer."
"Who says only those who stand in the light can be called heroes?"
Xi Butui said, "You have followed me for so many years. Although I forced you to follow me back then, and I, Xi Butui, have used you to do many dirty deeds, our stance of patriotism and love for the people is the same."
Chen Jiuyang frowned and remained silent for a long time.
Having interacted with Xi Butui for ten years, Chen Jiuyang knew that Xi Butui was ruthless in his actions. Once he made a move, he would annihilate entire families, yet he had never harmed ordinary people.
If he were an ordinary person from the lower strata, he would undoubtedly consider Xi Butui a good official.
With Xi Butui stationed in Fengcheng, no martial arts sect or noble family dared to cause trouble and harm ordinary citizens.
Different angles, different stances, different perceptions.
Xi Butui said, "You have done many things over the years, though none of them were in the open. But for every task I assigned you, weren't they all scums who had committed heinous crimes and persecuted ordinary people in secret?"
"Some people believe that as long as their evil deeds are not exposed, they have not committed a crime. But I, Xi Butui, simply cannot tolerate such things. To eliminate evil for the sake of reputation and protect the people, we don't need to wait for their crimes to be exposed; as long as we know, we can preemptively eliminate some criminal scums, and the people will suffer less."
Chen Jiuyang remained silent for a long time, agreeing with Xi Butui's statement.
Indeed, as Xi Butui had said, Fengcheng did not have many inherent advantages, except for its large population. After Xi Butui took charge of Fengcheng, by secretly and openly clearing out the dregs, Fengcheng had developed rapidly, and the lives of more ordinary people had improved.
Xi Butui was a man with a certain charisma.
Chen Jiuyang asked, "Why are you telling me all this today?"
Xi Butui smiled slowly and said, "Because I don't have much time left. Although I am backed by the Third Prince, Zhou Fangzun, and I am the Chief Constable of the Six Doors in Fengcheng, I have ultimately broken the law by using you to kill and do dirty deeds."
"Illegal and criminal acts can be evaded for a time, but not forever. I will eventually face legal sanctions."
"The Divine Constables from the Six Doors in Longjing are already on their way to arrest me."
Xi Butui slowly stood up and stood before the vast floor-to-ceiling window, gently caressing the glass with one hand, his eyes gazing longingly at the bustling Fengcheng citizens, who were working hard for their happy futures.
"With such a scene, my life, Xi Butui, though I have done many unsavory things, I believe it was worth it. In this life, I have no regrets."
"Jiuyang, your talent is extraordinary. You have done dirty deeds for me for ten years. Whether you hate me or want to kill me, you should not be buried any longer. The Dragon Country needs patriotic talents like you. I have asked my young master for a favor."
"This is a quota to enter the Sword Bearer Corps of our Dragon Country. You shall go to the Sword Bearer Corps."
"Contribute your strength, and... shine... your... light..."
Xi Butui's weak voice faded as a drop of crimson blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. His life force slowly ebbed away, and his eyes closed, never to open again.
Chen Jiuyang looked at Xi Butui's retreating back, his heart filled with complex emotions. After a long while, Chen Jiuyang cupped his fists and bowed.
"Rest in peace!"
As Xi Butui had said, regardless of whether Chen Jiuyang hated him or wanted to kill him, Xi Butui had always acted with the nation and its people in mind, and he had made contributions to both.
However, Chen Jiuyang did not entirely agree with his methods, though he had received much guidance from him.
Chen Jiuyang put away the letter of report to the Sword Bearers and then the Divine Constables from the Six Doors of Longjing arrived. Seeing Xi Butui's corpse standing by the window, his hand still resting on the glass, the Divine Constable from Longjing Six Doors sighed with emotion.
"Why did it have to come to this? But at least he left himself some dignity."
"Guards, escort Mr. Butui back to his hometown... and bury him..."
Chen Jiuyang, unaware of what happened next, went to Longjing alone and reported to the Dragon Country's most mysterious and powerful Sword Bearer Corps, becoming a new recruit.
"It is not only those who stand in the light who are heroes."
This was the motto of the Sword Bearer Corps. It was only then that Chen Jiuyang realized that after retiring from the Sword Bearer Corps, they would be assigned to various counties, cities, and provinces to serve as local Sword Bearers.
If one has never experienced darkness, how can one appreciate the preciousness of light, and how can one uphold rules and wield authority?
Five years passed in a blink of an eye, and Chen Jiuyang had become a veteran soldier in the Sword Bearer Corps.
On this day, he received a mission that was considered a death sentence.
To assassinate a good civil official who had made contributions to the Dragon Country.
This person was named Lin Xianxing. He had made contributions to the Dragon Country, but because of him, the people of the Dragon Country suffered setbacks abroad. If Lin Xianxing did not die, those Dragon Country citizens abroad would continue to be suppressed until they were all killed, and the Dragon Country would lose its communication and development with the outside world.
For the sake of the Dragon Country, Lin Xianxing had to die.
If the Dragon Country were stronger, unafraid of those powerful bandits and rogue nations, would it have come to this?
It was only at this moment that Chen Jiuyang truly understood the feelings Xi Butui had experienced over the years.
Chen Jiuyang had the opportunity to escape, or he could have injured himself to refuse the mission, letting someone else carry it out.
He thought for a long time and agreed to undertake the mission. Before leaving the Sword Bearer Corps in Longjing, Chen Jiuyang glanced once more at the inscription in front of the corps.
It is not only those who stand in the light who are heroes.
Chen Jiuyang rushed abroad. On a luxurious yacht, Lin Xianxing, dressed in a suit, calmly accepted his fate, waiting for Chen Jiuyang to kill him.
Beside Lin Xianxing were more than twenty bodyguards with formidable martial arts cultivation.
Chen Jiuyang's sword pierced Lin Xianxing's heart. Lin Xianxing's face showed no pain as he looked at Chen Jiuyang and said, "Child, you have suffered. Go now."
The bodyguards beside Lin Xianxing did not attack Chen Jiuyang; instead, they saluted him.
Afterward, Chen Jiuyang leaped off the yacht and became an exile in a foreign land. Five days later, Chen Jiuyang was surrounded and attacked by over a hundred foreign martial artists.
"How dare you ruin our affairs! Die!"
"Hahahaha!"
Chen Jiuyang fought with all his might, killing an unknown number of people. His expression seemed to have been sublimated, his face relaxed, and he laughed heartily.
"I have no regrets in this life for entering the Dragon Country. I hope to be born in Zhonghua again in the next life."
Suddenly, Chen Jiuyang had an epiphany. What was the purpose of practicing martial arts?
From personal wealth and prosperity, to protecting family safety, and then to the safety of the nation and its people.
Chen Jiuyang looked back at his life, and he had no regrets!
He gazed in the direction of the Dragon Country, thinking of the citizens who were working hard for their happy lives, the human warmth and dreams, carrying the hope of the Dragon Country's rise.
No regrets!