448: Completely corrupted!

"I am willing to compensate you! I'll give you all my property! I'm willing to be your servant, your beast of burden! Please, spare me!" Merchant Zhao kowtowed incessantly, his forehead breaking open and blood flowing freely.

Liu Yan did not speak, only slowly raising his hand.

Black Lotus True Qi condensed at his fingertips, forming a black lotus flower.

This black lotus contained powerful destructive energy, as well as dense negative emotions.

"I want you to taste the humiliation my wife suffered back then," Liu Yan's voice was bone-chillingly cold.

With a wave of his hand, the black lotus flew toward Merchant Zhao.

Merchant Zhao was instantly enveloped by the black lotus. A powerful force began to tear at his body, while countless negative emotions flooded his mind, making him feel endless pain and despair.

"Ah! It hurts! It hurts so much! I was wrong! I was really wrong! Please spare me!" Merchant Zhao's screams were incredibly shrill, even more wretched than those of the Village Head and Wang Er.

He could clearly feel his body being torn apart bit by bit, and his spirit being destroyed piece by piece.

Liu Yan stood to the side, watching all of this with indifference.

He could clearly feel the fear, despair, and pain in Merchant Zhao's heart pouring into his body like a surging river, being frantically absorbed by the Black Lotus World Annihilation Art!

He thought of the humiliating experiences Zhang Qinghe had written about in her letters, and the despair she felt when she threw herself into the well to end her life.

These images made the hatred in his heart grow stronger, and further solidified his resolve to make Merchant Zhao pay a tragic price.

After an unknown amount of time, the black lotus gradually dissipated.

Merchant Zhao's body had been torn into a bloody mess, his breath faint. He lay on the ground with only his last breath remaining, his eyes full of despair and regret.

Liu Yan walked up to Merchant Zhao, crouched down, and looked at him with a cold voice: "Merchant Zhao, don't worry, I won't let you die so quickly. I want you to suffer in endless pain."

With a wave of his hand, Liu Yan enveloped Merchant Zhao's body with Black Lotus True Qi. From then on, Merchant Zhao would suffer the double torture of the black lotus on both his body and spirit every moment, yet he would not die.

Furthermore, everyone in Qinghe Town learned of this matter. Every day, a constant stream of people came to witness Merchant Zhao's wretched state.

Even outsiders specifically came to Qinghe Town to witness this miraculous scene.

Ridiculously, this actually became a famous attraction in Qinghe Town. Every day, countless outsiders came here to listen to the townspeople tell how Merchant Zhao had persecuted the Liu family and how Liu Yan had returned for revenge.

Storytellers even composed a mythical tale, saying Liu Yan was a natural deity descended to the mortal world who, after enduring immense suffering, became a god.

Liu Yan stood by the river in Qinghe Town, looking at the familiar water as a flash of complex emotion crossed his eyes.

After the pleasure of revenge passed, there wasn't much joy in his heart, only an endless void.

He missed his parents and his wife; he even wanted to end his own life.

At the critical moment, Dawn Moon sent a dream to Liu Yan: "Child, do not forget your mission! Your life has only just begun!!"

Liu Yan came to his senses. That's right, his life had only just begun. He needed to become stronger, he needed to Cultivate. Perhaps, one day, when his cultivation reached a certain Realm, he could resurrect his parents and his wife!!

The void in Liu Yan's eyes was gradually replaced by a murderous aura.

He wanted all the happy people in the world to taste the flavor of despair, just like him.

He thoroughly enjoyed the emotions released when others were in fear and despair; it was addictive, it was mesmerizing!!

He found the Mohist Mo Jiantong and personally destroyed his ten-thousandth artifact.

Watching Mo Jiantong's pained and broken appearance, Liu Yan felt ecstatic.

"Don't lose heart, work hard, and keep creating. When you've made another ten thousand artifacts, I'll come find you again."

Hahaha!

"You Children of Destiny, I just love seeing your expressions of despair!! The next target is Han Fei!"

Lu Chen had to admire it; this Liu Yan was a very successfully shaped character. As expected of the yandere Dawn Moon, this was simply too twisted!!

But it was fine; giving these Children of Destiny some suppression could also help them grow better... Top floor of the Scripture Pavilion, Jixia Academy.

Han Fei sat cross-legged, the pages of the Hao Ran True Scripture spread before him emitting a faint golden light.

Fifty years had passed since he was taken in as a closed-door Disciple by Kong Mingyuan. He had shed his former rags, his moon-white scholar's robes washed crisp and neat. Though his face still carried a hint of thinness, his eyes had become increasingly clear and profound.

In those fifty years, he read through the Confucian classics. His Hao Ran Righteous Qi grew more refined by the day, and his cultivation progressed rapidly, going from the first level of Qi Refining straight to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, far surpassing the Disciples of his generation and becoming the most dazzling new star of Jixia Academy.

"Junior Brother, Revered Master calls for you to discuss matters in the main hall." Meng Hongyi's gentle voice came from outside the door. He was now the second-in-command of the Confucian school and thought highly of this Junior Brother who came from humble beginnings yet possessed extraordinary talent.

Han Fei rose and adjusted his robes, carefully putting away the Hao Ran True Scripture before responding, "Thank you, Senior Brother."

Inside the Discussion Hall, Kong Mingyuan sat in the main seat, with several core Elders of the Confucian school standing on either side. Seeing Han Fei enter, a flash of approval showed in Kong Mingyuan's eyes, and he gestured for him to sit: "Han Fei, I have called you here today to discuss a matter with you."

"Please speak, Revered Master. This Disciple is all ears." Han Fei bowed respectfully, his posture humble.

"Now that you have reached the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage and mastered most of the core Mind-Cultivation Technique of the Hao Ran True Scripture, it is time for you to go down the mountain for some experience," Kong Mingyuan spoke slowly, his voice like a great bell. "The Dao of Confucianism lies not in reading behind closed doors, but in practical application for society. You come from a humble background and know the suffering of the common people well. For this journey, go travel through the various provinces and counties, see the true face of the world, and spread the Confucian Dao of benevolence and righteousness in all directions."

Han Fei's heart stirred; he had long intended to descend the mountain. Over the past fifty years, he had read extensively in the Scripture Pavilion. Besides Confucian classics, he had also delved into the works of other schools, and different ideas about 'governing with benevolence and righteousness' had gradually begun to form in his mind.

This journey down the mountain was the perfect chance to verify his thoughts.

"This Disciple obeys your command," Han Fei replied in a deep voice.

Kong Mingyuan nodded and took out a jade talisman, handing it to Han Fei: "This is the Confucian 'Hao Ran Jade Talisman.' With this, you can mobilize the power of Confucian branches everywhere. If you encounter mortal danger, crush the talisman, and I will sense it. Remember, no matter what, you must never abandon the benevolent heart of Confucianism."

"This Disciple will keep Revered Master's teachings firmly in mind." Han Fei took the jade talisman and carefully put it away.

Three days later, Han Fei left Jixia Academy with a simple pack on his back.

He did not choose to go to the prosperous capital, but instead headed straight for those remote provinces and counties to go deep among the people and see the true lives of the commoners.

Along the way, the scenes Han Fei witnessed were completely different from the "prosperous age of cultivation" he had heard about at Jixia Academy.

In a small county on the border of the State of Qi, he saw officials levying heavy taxes and people being displaced;

At the border between the State of Zhao and the State of Zhongshan, war raged, corpses littered the fields, and orphans and widows begged in the streets;

In a town in the State of Wei, powerful landlords were annexing land, forcing farmers to sell their children, while the local government turned a blind eye.

"Benevolence? Morality?" Han Fei stood on a barren ridge, looking at the commoners who were thin and sallow from hunger, his heart filled with confusion.

He had once firmly believed that the Confucian Dao of benevolence and righteousness could save all living beings, but the reality before him had dealt him a harsh blow. Those officials who spoke incessantly of "benevolence and morality" were secretly committing atrocious acts; those powerful men educated in Confucianism treated the common people like weeds.