Chapter 908: Zhang Yu’s Blank Law Scroll
Looking at the content of the edict uploaded by Zhang Yu, looking at the eloquently written lines of words, Fa Liuyuan only felt a wave of shock.
Originally, Tai Yuebai doing a Dual Rest week was already considered highly rebellious in Fa Liuyuan’s eyes, practically making enemies of countless upper-tier cultivators and lower-tier cultivators, and bound to become a thorn in the side of countless sect enterprises and companies, but he didn’t expect…
“Originally, that kid Tai Yuebai was already extremely rash, even stabbing many of the companies under us, but as a result, this kid Zhang Yu…
“He actually wants to establish a Law Edict expiration date?”
Fa Liuyuan smiled bitterly: “Simply absolutely lawless.”
In Fa Liuyuan’s view, setting a 50-year expiration date for Law Edicts — if this wasn’t absolutely lawless, what was? This Law Edict doesn’t have much to do with lower-tier cultivators, nor does it require lower-tier cultivators to comply with it, but rather it manages all the upper-tier cultivators who possess Law Edicts.
Especially… with Law Edict technology having developed for so long, how many Law Edicts have already exceeded 50 years? This is wanting to be the Law Edict that manages Law Edicts; this is wanting to make enemies of all upper-tier cultivators.
“Putting a shackle on the heads of upper-tier cultivators might be supported by lower-tier cultivators, but what use is the support of lower-tier cultivators?”
In Fa Liuyuan’s view, although Tai Yuebai’s Law Edict provoked countless upper-tier cultivators, it also had the support of countless upper-tier cultivators, which could be considered allying with one faction to strike at another. Therefore, even if he provoked countless lower-tier cultivators in labor-intensive industries, it wouldn’t be a problem.
But Zhang Yu’s Law Edict, even if it didn’t provoke a single lower-tier cultivator, was tantamount to making an enemy out of every upper-tier cultivator. The problem was far more severe.
After all, in Kunxu, as long as you had the support of upper-tier cultivators, you could afford to offend as many lower-tier cultivators as you wanted.
Conversely, no matter how much support you had from lower-tier cultivators, you absolutely could not offend the upper-tier cultivators.
After all, Fa Liuyuan knew all too well: in the eyes of upper-tier cultivators, did lower-tier cultivators even qualify as human?
Except for when it came to collecting taxes and fines, of course. At those times, even a stray dog by the side of the road might be classified as monsterfolk, instantly granted human rights and the obligation to pay taxes.
Meanwhile, inside the office, the reactions of all the other Judges completely validated Fa Liuyuan’s thoughts.
He didn’t see a single person supporting Zhang Yu’s Law Edict; they were all criticizing it from every possible angle.
And this criticism soon spread to Fa Liuyuan himself.
Ling Chenji — who came from the Innate Dao Lineage, consistently supported the Artifact Spirit Faction, and possessed the face of a young matron — sneered, “Fa Liuyuan, your Reformist Faction truly has a lot of nerve!!”
“You want to set up a Law Edict expiration date? Law Edicts over 50 years old will be temporarily frozen, re-audited, and renewed?!”
“And if they fail the audit, they’ll be gradually banned?”
Ling Chenji shouted sternly, “You Reformist Faction people are truly audacious! Are you trying to govern all the Law Edicts in Kunxu?!”
Another Judge said indifferently, “If this Law Edict really passes, does that mean all of us here now will have to be interrogated by your Reformist Faction?”
Someone said angrily, “Are you trying to be everyone’s dad?”
On the other side, although Bu Yuangui from the Myriad Laws Immortal Clan didn’t say anything, his eyes also carried a hint of dissatisfaction.
After all, once Law Edicts had such a thing as an “expiration date,” it meant that cultivators like them would essentially have an additional weakness.
Especially when a massive number of Law Edicts expired, were temporarily frozen, and entered the approval stage. How much open strife and veiled struggle would be stirred up around this “approval”?
“Law Edicts represent Kunxu’s order and the division of interests. Once all the old Law Edicts are re-approved… the major factions will definitely go all out to fight for the results most beneficial to them.”
Bu Yuangui thought to himself, Within the Myriad Laws Sect, an unprecedented chaotic struggle will also undoubtedly be stirred up.
Thinking of this, Bu Yuangui couldn’t help but criticize, “Establishing such a Law Edict is a very irresponsible performance, provoking internal strife within the sect and destroying the current stable situation! If there must be a reform, this is not the way to do it.”
While Bu Yuangui was speaking, his communication with Su Xianchen did not stop. Upon learning a shocking piece of news, the doubts in his heart deepened. He temporarily stopped evaluating Zhang Yu’s Law Edict and fell into deep thought.
Just then, a judge chimed in, “Exactly, this is provoking a comprehensive conflict within the sect! Especially with Zhang Yu’s Law Edict technology, can he manage the other sect’s Law Edicts? Only managing ours and ignoring the other sect’s? Isn’t this damaging the sect’s interests and giving the other sects an advantage?”
“Hall Master Dugu Ming, what do you think?”
Dugu Ming, who had been silent all along, shifted his gaze and said, “This Law Edict… is indeed too bold.”
Although Dugu Ming knew that the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor had given Zhang Yu a blank Law Scroll, he couldn’t take the initiative to reveal this matter.
Feeling the gazes of the many judges looking over at this moment, Dugu Ming simply said indifferently, “Law Edicts affect the Dao Lineages. If too many Law Edicts are frozen or perhaps banned, what will happen to the Dao Lineage they support? This indeed needs to be carefully considered.”
After making his brief assessment, the doubts in Dugu Ming’s heart did not diminish in the slightest: “Zhang Yu… what exactly is he trying to do? Will the Immortal Emperor really support him in establishing this kind of Law Edict? Setting aside the consequences of doing so, can Zhang Yu’s Immortal Dao Technology even support this kind of Law Edict?”
Dugu Ming glanced again at Zhang Yu’s potential evaluation score of grade 18 and thought to himself, “He would need to be at least achieve grade 3 to even have a chance of sustaining this kind of Law Edict.”
At the same time, Ling Chenji on the other side coldly snorted and said, “Then it simply won’t work. In my view, this Law Edict is completely whimsical, an outright rebellion against the heavens!”
“He wants to manage us? He wants to restrict the Law Edicts?”
“Is a mere Void Refinement cultivator like him even worthy?”
“Kunxu will not allow such an audacious Law Edict to exist!”
She turned to glare at Fa Liuyuan, shouting, “Fa Liuyuan! With your people acting so recklessly, you will all have to bear the historical responsibility for this!”
A judge from a pharmaceutical company said, “Reformist Faction, Reformist Faction, it’s just a name. Are you guys actually trying to cause trouble?”
Facing this one-sided criticism from the many judges, Fa Liuyuan naturally couldn’t take on everyone at once.
He could only wear a helpless expression, force a bitter smile, and explain to the crowd, “Everyone, listen to me. Our Reformist Faction truly did not know about this Law Edict established by Zhang Yu beforehand. If we had known he was going to do such a thing, we could not possibly have supported him acting so recklessly.”
Even as Fa Liuyuan offered apologies and explanations with a bitter smile, he secretly thought to himself, Zhang Yu, oh Zhang Yu, you want to use this Law Edict to carry out the Kunxu Reform? You’re too impatient.
A Law Edict to manage Law Edicts? How is this something that the current you, in your position, can even consider?
In Fa Liuyuan’s view, even if Law Edicts needed to be managed, it was absolutely not something Zhang Yu should or could bring up at this moment.
Thinking of this, Fa Liuyuan added, “As far as I know, to eradicate the sect’s cancer, Zhang Yu previously dared to confront the Supreme Truth Faction. Later, he went alone to the Former Days Graveyard for Heaven Mending and established Extraordinary Merit. He has always wholeheartedly worked for the sect and doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would act so recklessly. There might be some misunderstanding here…”
Ling Chenji gave a cold snort and said, “You don’t need to make excuses for him. Regulating all the Law Edicts in the world… I reckon your Reformist Faction doesn’t have the guts. There must be something wrong with this Zhang Yu; he might even be a pawn from outside the sect.”
“I suggest… apart from rejecting his Law Edict, we immediately open an investigation into him. Until we figure out the problem with him, his Law Establishment qualifications should be temporarily revoked.”
Hearing Ling Chenji’s words, Fa Liuyuan thought to himself, Is their true motive finally revealed?
Fa Liuyuan understood very well that the reason so many judges were making so many criticisms was ultimately just to reach this step… to eliminate one of the Reformist Faction’s Law Establishment candidates.
“Sigh… That brat Tai Yuebai stabbed his own people in the back, and that brat Zhang Yu is about to throw away his law establishment quota. These two guys really are…”
Thinking of this, Fa Liuyuan suddenly felt a wave of mental exhaustion.
Right in the midst of the dispute between the two sides, Bu Yuangui suddenly said, “Actually, there might be some merit to Zhang Yu’s Law Edict after all.”
Bu Yuangui’s words were nothing short of earth-shattering, immediately drawing the attention of the many judges.
Under everyone’s surprised gazes, Bu Yuangui continued, “Law Edicts are the foundation of sect governance and the cornerstone of the present Kunxu. They indeed shouldn’t be changed lightly, but…”
But Bu Yuangui’s tone suddenly changed, and he said, “Considering that some Law Edicts were enacted too early, while they conformed to the environment of Kunxu at the time, they are out of step with current times and indeed have historical limitations. They really should be managed.”
Ling Chenji and the others looked at Bu Yuangui in surprise, not understanding why this high-ranking member of the Myriad Laws Immortal Clan would suddenly support Zhang Yu.
“Since when did the Myriad Laws Immortal Clan join forces with the Reformist Faction?”
Ling Chenji immediately looked at the chief judge Su Xianchen and asked, “Heavenly Monarch Su, what do you say?”
Ling Chenji hoped that Su Xianchen would quickly say something fair, thoroughly denounce and tear apart Zhang Yu’s Law Edict, and then suppress the Reformist Faction…
However, Su Xianchen said flatly, “I have nothing to say.”
Then, under everyone’s shocked gazes, Su Xianchen continued, “Just now, Zhang Yu’s Law Edict has already passed the review and been submitted upward.”
“What?!”
“We didn’t approve it?!”
“How was it submitted?”
Information immediately surged within the office, and the judges present fell into astonishment.
Su Xianchen’s gaze remained calm as he said, “There might have been some issue with the procedure. I am currently communicating with the higher-ups to feed back our opinions.”
What kind of problem could there be? Bu Yuangui thought to himself. How could it be that a grand Law Establishment Ceremony could actually have loopholes in its process?
Our approval process here was bypassed directly, which means there are procedures and processes we don’t know about.
Zhang Yu isn’t just acting recklessly…
Ever since his secret communication with Su Xianchen earlier, where he learned that Zhang Yu’s Law Edict had already passed approval, he had been pondering the crucial mechanism behind it and had overturned his original assumptions.
“For this kind of Law Edict from Zhang Yu to pass, it means it isn’t him who wants to restrict the world’s Law Edicts, but rather… someone higher up wants to restrict the world’s Law Edicts.”
Bu Yuangui slowly raised his head, his gaze seemingly crossing the office in front of him, crossing the minor realm, to look toward the unknown higher-ups of Kunxu.
With this layer of thought in mind, Bu Yuangui re-read the specific details of Zhang Yu’s edict, immediately feeling entirely different about it.
At the same time, Su Xianchen’s body trembled slightly before he slowly said, “The higher-ups say there is no problem. Zhang Yu’s approval process complies with the regulations, because he…”
“…has a blank Law Scroll, which possesses the highest degree of Law Establishment freedom. Its legislative content… is not subject to our review and control.”
Hearing these words, the entire office seemed to fall silent for a moment. All the surging information and the fluctuations of the Spirit Realm and Dharma Realm seemed to halt for a split second.
The next moment, all the judges were in a state of shock.
“A blank Law Scroll? The highest degree of freedom in Law Establishment?”
“How is that possible? How could Zhang Yu have such a thing?”
On the other side, Ling Chenji also found it unbelievable, “A blank Law Scroll? Has such a thing ever existed before? This is simply unprecedented. What right and ability does this Zhang Yu have…”
Although she felt astonished in her heart, as an Ascension Realm Level 10 Sect Staff, Ling Chenji’s emotions naturally returned to normal in an instant, and she began to ponder the intricacies involved.
Glancing over Zhang Yu’s content again, she quickly reached a conclusion, “It’s not that Zhang Yu wants to regulate the world’s Law Edicts, but someone wants him to regulate the world’s Law Edicts. No… that’s not right, it’s not just that…”
On the other side of the office, after hearing the news announced by Su Xianchen, Fa Liuyuan’s eyes flashed fiercely, and his aura suddenly skyrocketed.
“A blank Law Scroll? When did this kid get this thing? Was it when he became a Kunxu Hero? Or after he achieved that Extraordinary Merit?”
“Who gave him the blank Law Scroll?”
Various thoughts flashed through his mind, and Fa Liuyuan instantly arrived at the only possible conclusion.
At this moment, the same speculation flashed through the minds of all the judges present like a bolt of thunder.
“The Immortal Emperor.”
“Within the Myriad Laws Sect, only one person can provide a blank Law Scroll, and only one person can directly bypass the Law Establishment approval process.”
That was the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor!
The judges from the Dharma Realm faction all revealed expressions of shock. They originally thought that in this Law Establishment, Lie Jinghong should have been the person the Immortal Emperor supported the most, but they never expected such a blank Law Scroll to emerge out of nowhere.
Fa Liuyuan thought to himself, “If it is the Immortal Emperor…”
At this moment, Fa Liuyuan looked back at Zhang Yu’s Law Edict and immediately felt the difference.
He thought to himself, “The Law Edict established by Zhang Yu stipulated a 50-year validity period, stipulated that after the Law Edict expires, it must be temporarily frozen and then reviewed for renewal, stipulated the specific process of freezing, and the gradual banning after a failed renewal… But…”
Fa Liuyuan’s heart stirred, “The Law Edict doesn’t actually define the specific approval process, but merely accepts the results of the approval.”
Beside Su Xianchen, Bu Yuangui thought to himself, “Zhang Yu’s Law Edict is a tool used to execute the freezing of Law Edicts. As for the specific power of review, he merely left behind an interface, ready to accept the review results at any time.”
“He treated his own Law Edict as a tool, allowing himself to become a sword for the Immortal Emperor, used to sever Law Edicts.”
“What a fine treasure sword.”
Right at this moment, the bodies of the many Judges jolted once again, simply because a notification of the Law Edict passing review appeared before their eyes.
This was not a notification that it had passed their review, but rather a notification that it had passed the review of the higher-ups.
“Has Zhang Yu’s Law Edict already been approved by the higher-ups?”
“So fast? The response is even faster than for the previous Law Edicts!”
“Sure enough, the higher-ups had planned this all along…”
At the same time, after confirming this result, a wave of realization dawned in Dugu Ming’s heart. “With the development of Kunxu and the advancement of Law Edict technology, the Immortal Emperor has probably long wanted to grasp the power to further manage Law Edicts.”
“Especially with the emergence of the third-generation Law Edict, Law Edicts… have gradually departed from the era of barbaric development. They will face stricter regulations, and unqualified Law Edicts will also be purged and eliminated.”
“This is both the will of the Immortal Emperor and the trend of the times.”
At this moment, the other Law Edicts from this session surfaced in Dugu Ming’s mind.
Whether it was Yue Qinglan’s minimum lifespan, Di Xuan’s ‘One certification, always certified’, Bu Yingshu’s ‘One certification, temporarily certified’, or Lie Jinghong’s obligatory Dharma Realm connection… all of these Law Edicts were conforming to the general trend of history, the overall situation of Kunxu, and the will of the Immortals.
It could be said that these cultivators participating in Law Establishment had all grasped the pulse of the era and, combining their own interests and background technologies, had made different Law Establishment choices.
Dugu Ming thought to himself, “The same goes for the Law Edict expiration date. There was bound to be such a person stepping into such a position, and Zhang Yu has seized this once-in-a-lifetime historical opportunity.”
“But if the Immortal Emperor hadn’t given him the blank Law Scroll, how could he have grasped this opportunity?”
“It is both the era that chose him, and he who chose the era.”
“Allowing himself to become this Myriad Laws Divine Sword that the Immortal Emperor can use to sever Law Edicts.”
Dugu Ming pondered inwardly, “But to be this divine sword, one must also directly face the heavy pressures within Kunxu, and even more so, require the technological strength to overpower the masses… Can Zhang Yu achieve this?”
Just then, a Judge said worriedly, “This… is the Law Edict expiration date really going to be pushed forward? Won’t the inside and outside of the sect be thrown into chaos?”
“You are mistaken,” Bu Yuangui said. “I see that within the sect today, the Law Edicts are becoming increasingly complex, and it is indeed time for some pruning.”
“It’s just that all along, no cultivator has dared to face the pressure and take this step.”
“Today, Dao Monarch Zhang Yu has followed the development of the times and bravely shouldered this responsibility. We ought to strongly support him.”
Dugu Ming thought to himself, “Did this old dog Bu Yuangui see that this was the Immortal Emperor’s intention and immediately come out to support it?”
He sneered inwardly, recalling how Bu Yuangui was just nitpicking Zhang Yu’s Law Edicts moments ago.
Dugu Ming then said, “That’s right. To eradicate the backward Law Edicts within the sect, we need someone who can withstand the pressure and resist the temptation of benefits.”
“While he only had Spirit Transformation cultivation, Zhang Yu was able to fearlessly face Yun Taizhen and frankly submit a petition. Later, he was even able to perform Heaven Mending alone in the Former Days Graveyard, holding the Salary Increase Authority without losing his wits.”
“For him to establish the validity period of the Law Edicts and become the divine sword that clears out the sect’s outdated Law Edicts, I think it couldn’t be more fitting.”
One of the Judges said indignantly, “With Zhang Yu’s technical skills, managing the sect’s own Law Edicts will likely be tough enough, let alone the other sect’s Law Edicts. Can he keep things under control?”
Dugu Ming immediately retorted, “Managing cross-sect Law Edicts? Do you want to start a war with the other nine Great Sects?”
“As long as we manage our Myriad Laws Sect’s own Law Edicts well, the sect’s internal governance will become increasingly smooth, and the growth of the sect’s and the Immortal Emperor’s assets will surpass that of the other nine Great Sects. That is the true purpose.”
“Our Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor is in dire need of Zhang Yu as this Myriad Laws Divine Sword, to strike down mediocre Law Edicts from above and cast out incompetent cultivators from below.”
Listening to the successive praises from Bu Yuangui and Dugu Ming, Fa Liuyuan immediately understood. On the surface, they were extolling Zhang Yu, hyping him up as some Myriad Laws Divine Sword, but in reality, they were strongly backing the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor behind the scenes, building momentum for the Immortal Emperor to purge the Law Edicts.
This was especially true for the new Hall Master of the Heavenly Surveillance Hall, Dugu Ming. He was famously a solitary loyalist of the Immortal Emperor Faction and had always been a die-hard supporter of the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor.
After all…
“Myriad Laws Divine Sword… Myriad Laws Divine Sword… In our Myriad Laws Sect, besides the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor, who else has the qualifications to wield this Myriad Laws Divine Sword?”
Meanwhile, watching the crowd’s discussion, a trace of enlightenment flashed through Fa Liuyuan’s mind: “Facing Zhang Yu’s Law Edict expiration date, the upper-tier cultivators present can actually be divided into two factions.”
“Namely, those whose Law Edicts that already outdated, and those whose are not yet outdated.”
“Only the upper-tier cultivators whose Law Edicts are already obsolete and no longer suit the times need to oppose Zhang Yu’s Law Edict expiration date right now.”
“As for the cultivators whose Law Edicts are not yet outdated, which still align with the sect’s governance and can still bring benefits to themselves and the sect, even if they must eventually face a Law Edict expiration date, that is a matter for the future.”
Amidst his thoughts, Fa Liuyuan had already stepped forward and begun publicly expressing support for Zhang Yu’s Law Edict.
Suddenly, the prevailing winds in the office shifted, and support for Zhang Yu unexpectedly became the mainstream.
But many of the Judges knew in their hearts that this was not support for Zhang Yu, but rather submission to the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor.
At the same time, they harbored other thoughts in their minds.
With Zhang Yu’s technical proficiency, can he uphold this Law Edict? Can he maintain suppression over the other Law Edicts?
Ling Chenji thought to herself, “The tide of the era perhaps dictates the need to begin managing Law Edicts, ending the era of their barbaric development. However, the one who becomes the Myriad Laws Divine Sword in the Immortal Emperor’s hands might not necessarily be Zhang Yu in the end.”
On the other side, Bu Yuangui thought to himself, “Throughout history, the first to stick their neck out always faces a bleak end. A crucial position like Law Edict management is often only settled after waves of fierce competition and development, ultimately determining who will take the prize.”
“Zhang Yu might be a divine sword for our Myriad Laws, but he could also be a sacrificial pawn used by the Immortal Emperor to test the waters. No, it would be more accurate to say that if he succeeds, he is the divine sword, and if he fails, he is a discarded pawn — a piece of bait thrown out by the Immortal Emperor to incite competition among the major factions.”
Dugu Ming thought to himself, “After stirring things up like this, if he fails, I’m afraid even more people will step forward during the next Law Establishment, wanting to compete for the Law Establishment and snatch the position of Law Edict management.”
Fa Liuyuan was also pondering the upcoming situation in his mind, “Zhang Yu… I wonder if his current skills are enough to complete this Law Edict.”
“But even if he completes it and becomes the divine sword in the Immortal Emperor’s hands, the road ahead will by no means be smooth, but rather fraught with danger at every step.”
On the other side of the Law-Knowing Abode.
Walking out of the room, Zhang Yu took a deep breath. Recalling the Law Edict he had established, he thought to himself, “In the end, I still took a step back.”
Immortal Slayer said, “Establishing a Law Edict expiration date is already our current limit. If we wanted to also grasp the review power, even the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor wouldn’t have approved it.”
Immortal Slayer seemed very satisfied with the current situation and said, “Sweeping away Law Edicts means entering the deep waters of the Myriad Laws Sect’s governance. Even with the Immortal Emperor’s support, the struggles within will be incomparably fierce.”
“Zhang Yu, we must seize this rare opportunity of a lifetime, but we shouldn’t actively court death.”
“Handing over the review power now avoids the area with the most intense competition.”
“Only by handing over the review power would the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor possibly approve this Law Edict.”
“As long as we can control the Law Edict expiration date, we have the opportunity to enter the fray at any time. After all, no matter how they want to freeze or ban Law Edicts in the future, the higher-ups won’t be able to do without you.”
Immortal Slayer said excitedly, “It looks like taking a step back, but it’s actually taking two steps forward. Not only did we get a seat at the table, but we also left a glimmer of hope for the future reform of Kunxu.”
Desolate Ox, who also possessed Zhang Yu’s memory, suddenly spoke up at this moment, “As the saying goes, a proud dragon repents, and what is full cannot last. From the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor at the top down to us, if one wants to climb to the peak, they must learn this word, ‘retreat’.”
“In order to successfully establish the Law Edict, we took a step back. But if the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor wants to successfully sweep away the Law Edicts within the sect, he must give up on clearing the cross-sect Law Edicts so as not to provoke a siege from the other nine Immortal Emperors; this is also a step back.”
“Only by stepping back can one stay at the table, see the situation clearly, and accumulate strength.”
“Moreover, I’m afraid many people still haven’t realized…”
Desolate Ox’s tone carried a rare hint of excitement, “The Law Edict expiration date appears to be restricting the Law Edicts. But as long as a Law Edict is within its expiration date, how is that not supporting the Law Edict?”
“This is a Law Edict capable of supporting all Law Edicts.”
“It is also a Law Edict that the masses do not need to obey.”
“And it is even…”
Right at this moment, a voice sounded from behind Zhang Yu.
“Zhang Yu.”
Tai Yuebai looked at Zhang Yu in front of him and said, “You’re finally out? Have you finished uploading the Law Edict?”
Tai Yuebai thought to himself, “Zhang Yu, if you can establish the Salary Increase Law Edict to support my Dual Rest Law Edict, we will definitely take the first step to change Kunxu.”
Zhang Yu nodded and said, “Yeah, the upload is done. I didn’t receive a rejection notice, so it should have passed.”
Tai Yuebai asked, “Is it… a Salary Increase Law Edict?”