Chapter 609 - 340: New Rules, New Society

Xiao He was quite pleased with this sweeping rectification campaign.

Now that he held the ultimate authority, he certainly didn’t want a swarm of parasites using his name to prey on the innocent and commit all manner of evil in the shadows.

Absolute purity was an illusion. Within his limited reach, Zhao Rui could only trace the corruption to its source and restore a semblance of justice to the world.

When he was weaker, he could only go with the flow of society and acquiesce to the whims of human nature.

Even in his past life, no matter how rich or powerful one became, there were always things beyond one’s control.

But this was the age of the Martial Dao—an age where a single word could shatter all techniques, where a single palm strike could sunder mountains and rivers.

Those who submitted, prospered. Those who resisted, perished.

With a single thought, Zhao Rui could make planets shatter and the starry sky collapse.

With such power, what were worldly customs, human nature, or intricate social networks?

In the face of his absolute power, they were all utterly insignificant.

When the great purge was nearly complete, Zhao Rui ascended into the sky and revealed his colossal Dharma Body. He then used a Divine Soul Transmission to broadcast his voice to every corner of Blue Star.

"The Martial Dao, wealth, power, authority... none of these are a license to prey upon the weak or bring chaos to the world.

All living beings have a right to exist. Whether an ordinary mortal or a low-level martial artist, all shall enjoy justice and dignity.

There will be order between the strong and the weak. Propriety and law shall go hand in hand. Merits and demerits, right and wrong, will be judged by principle alone—not by the fist.

From this day forward, tyranny is abolished and justice shall be done. Cease all senseless slaughter and settle your disputes.

Anyone who brings chaos to the world, harms living beings, or acts as a tyrant—regardless of their Realm or background—I will personally suppress them. There will be no mercy!

Do not say you were not warned!"

As soon as he spoke, all of Blue Star was in an uproar.

"Is he trying to restore the justice and fairness of the old era? To bring back the social order that existed before the Martial Dao?"

"That’s... not very realistic, is it? Even if the Great Emperor’s might awes the world, the human heart is treacherous. He can’t possibly oversee everything."

"Who knows? But at least with the Great Emperor’s promise, people like us might be able to live with a little more dignity."

"Let’s hope so."

"I heard that in the old era, justice was judged according to legal principles. But the people who administered the law often acted in their own self-interest, which is how you got things like online public opinion..."

"But people are complicated, and public opinion is often misled and manipulated..."

"In the end, it’s still a world where might makes right..."

In an instant, the entirety of Blue Star, especially the technologically advanced nations, was abuzz with discussions about institutional development and legal matters.

The internet, in particular, erupted in a frenzy of debate.

Some were optimistic about the future, while others were pessimistic. But without exception, everyone held a positive view of the current situation.

After all, Zhao Rui’s public persona had never once faltered.

Powerful, a savior, low-key, seeking neither fame nor fortune.

As long as there were no external enemies or signs of chaos, he would vanish into the populace like an invisible man.

Even as the Great Emperor, he hadn’t seized authority over any territory—not even a small village.

Anyone with half a brain knew that at his Realm, power, status, money, and beautiful women were all utterly worthless.

With Zhao Rui’s endorsement, the high-ranking officials of the Central Plains Dynasty opportunely introduced a series of legislative proposals to establish the rule of law.

They actively promoted the civilized development of the entire Central Plains Dynasty.

This was Emperor Zhao’s homeland. Stability and peace were what he wanted to see.

It was also what all the ordinary people wanted to see.

As a result of these measures, society began to visibly flourish and thrive.

Where some were satisfied, others were naturally discontent.

Those unwilling to relinquish their power and their lofty status said nothing openly, but secretly, they were all waiting for an opportunity.

An opportunity to overthrow Zhao Rui’s "authority."

Unfortunately for them, they did not hide deeply enough and underestimated Zhao Rui’s Divine Techniques.

The current Zhao Rui had long since achieved a state of profound mystic perception. Anyone within his Domain—that is, the area covered by his Divine Power—who mentioned or even thought of his name, or any mark related to him, would be instantly perceived by him.

He had acquired this ability long ago, when he first entered the Bright Domain and learned its associated Divine Techniques.

After all, the ability to sense summons and reverence is fundamental to a god.

He had coveted this particular Divine Technique for a very long time.

How could he possibly not learn it?