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"Your mother is exceptionally talented, yet she is tormented by love and driven by hatred, trapped at the threshold of becoming a Grandmaster. The depth of her obsession has become her shackle, a lamentable situation. Shi Zhixuan is a prodigy, possessing the strengths of both the Flower and Heaven-Mending schools, creating the 'Undying Seal Technique,' nearly unlocking the secrets of the Grandmaster. However, he suffers from a split personality and conflicting traits, like a candle flickering in the wind. Even with his extraordinary wisdom, he cannot escape self-destruction. These two are the most outstanding figures of the Demonic Sect in this era. One is tormented by love, the other by inner demons. Though they possess the power to stir up storms, they are not destined to establish their dominance. As for the other sects, they are either confined to a corner or have dwindled in talent, truly mere skeletons in a tomb, not worth worrying about."

Yi Huawei concluded by saying this with a tone of indifference towards the dust of history:
"The righteous and the demonic paths, seemingly opposed, are actually both part of the grand scheme of things, drifting with the tide. Their rise and fall, their endless struggles, are merely the inevitable undercurrents and ripples in the long river of history. In terms of ultimately establishing dominance, their influence is far less than the support of the people, institutional reforms, military strength, resources, and the true vision of a king who can encompass the world. A true player should use their power wisely and counterbalance their harms, rather than being misled by the so-called 'good versus evil' struggle and neglecting the essential for the trivial."

His gaze swept over Shan Meixian: "As for Dongming, Madam has managed it well. Its foundation is overseas, and it stands on military equipment, remaining aloof from worldly affairs. This is the wisdom to survive in chaotic times. Maintaining this aloofness and indispensability is the right path."

Just then, the boat rocked slightly, as if the boatman was adjusting his course. At the bow, a huge golden carp suddenly leaped out of the water, its scales flashing a dazzling arc in the sunlight, before splashing back into the lake with a "plop," creating a spray of sparkling water.

"ah!"

Startled by the sudden commotion, Shan Wanjing pointed to the rippling waves and exclaimed with a mixture of surprise and delight:

"Mother, young master, look! What a huge golden carp!"

This exclamation broke the heavy atmosphere inside the painted boat, pulling everyone's thoughts back from the vast world situation to the small, still shimmering West Lake before them.

Yi Huawei's gaze fell upon the gradually calming water, his deep eyes reflecting the dancing spots of light.
"If even fish are like this, how can humans bear it?"

He said it casually, with an ambiguous meaning.

Following his gaze, Shan Meixian looked at the lake, now calm again. Recalling his earth-shattering pronouncements, the stirring in her heart and her admiration deepened. She gently brushed back the strands of hair ruffled by the lake breeze, her eyes filled with complex and unfathomable emotions as she looked at Yi Huawei.

"And what about me..."

Her gaze swept over the shyly looking at Yi Huawei's daughter, and Shan Meixian swallowed back the words that were about to come out. She took a deep breath, but the cool, damp air couldn't cool the turbulent thoughts churning within her. Looking at Yi Huawei again, her gentle eyes were now filled with an unprecedented seriousness, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible earnestness:

"Young Master's understanding of the evils of the Demonic Sect is crystal clear, striking right to the heart of the matter. As the daughter of the Empress of Yin, although I have long since left the sect, the blood ties remain, making it difficult to completely sever ties. The Demonic Sect originated from the persecution of 'the exclusive veneration of Confucianism,' which rendered the essence of various schools of thought, such as Mohism, Legalism, Yin-Yang, and the School of Diplomacy, as heretical. In order to survive, they incorporated the strange arts of the Western Regions, thus forming the 'two paths and six sects' of today, bound together by the 'Heavenly Demon Strategy.' Their true intention may be to break the monopoly of powerful clans, overturn Confucian ethics, and seek 'human liberation.'"

Shan Meixian's voice carried a hint of reminiscence and heaviness:

"However, as you said, young master, after a thousand years of suppression, survival has become extremely difficult. Some branches, in order to survive and seek revenge, have become increasingly cruel and extreme in their methods, such as the assassinations of the Butian Pavilion, the blood sacrifices of the Extinction Path, and the bizarre practices of the Evil Extreme Sect... They have long deviated from their original intentions and become 'demons' in the eyes of the world. By the time of my mother's generation, the Demonic Sect was weak, and its ambition to fight against the world had long been worn away. All it sought was to survive under the siege of the righteous path and rely on a powerful local lord to continue its lineage. Its strategy has fallen from 'fighting for the world' to 'fighting for survival.' Its confrontation with Cihang Jingzhai is nothing more than a continuation of the struggle for survival."

She paused slightly, her gaze fixed intently on Yi Huawei's deep eyes, and finally asked the question that had been lingering in her mind, a question that even carried a hint of presumption:

"Young master, your wisdom is as vast as the sea, and you understand the past and present. I dare to ask, this... this demonic sect, afflicted with deep-seated problems for a thousand years, is there... a way to save it? Is there... a chance for it to be reborn from the ashes?"

This question is not only about her quest for answers to her complex feelings toward her mother, but also implies a final test of Yi Huawei’s wisdom that transcends the times—can he really provide an answer that will overturn the millennia-old dilemma?

Yi Huawei withdrew his gaze from the lake and landed on Shan Meixian's face, which was filled with complex emotions, as if he could see through her thoughts. After a moment of silence, his gaze seemed to pierce through the dust of a thousand years, seeing the bloodstains and twisted trajectory of the Demonic Sect's struggle for survival.

"save?"

Yi Huawei's voice remained calm, yet carried an undeniable decisiveness: "Yes. However, it's not a minor repair; it requires radical reform, a thorough overhaul to remove the dross and retain the essence!"

"Removing the dross and retaining the essence?"

Shan Meixian murmured repeatedly, her heartstrings taut.

"Exactly."

Yi Huawei's tone was resolute, carrying an almost cruel calmness: "For the Demonic Sect to survive and be reborn, its primary task is to completely sever those rotten, utterly devoid of humanity, and reduced to pure destruction and symbols of evil! The Path of Extinction of Emotions, indulging in blood sacrifice and evil arts, obliterating human ethics—what good is it to keep it? The Evil Extreme Sect acts strangely and mysteriously, almost to the point of madness—it has become a burden! The True Transmission Sect (Laojun Temple, the True Transmission of the Dao Ancestor), feigning divine power and using evil cultivation techniques, has corrupted its foundation and will leave endless disasters! The Demonic Appearance Sect (Zhao Deyan's lineage), relying on the Turks, has acted despicably, betraying China—its heart deserves to be condemned!"

These branches are like festering sores on the body of the Demonic Sect; their very existence is the sect's greatest stain and burden, the root cause of universal indignation and the all-out attack by the righteous path! If they are not completely eradicated, the Demonic Sect will never rise again; any talk of reform will be nothing but empty rhetoric!

Yi Huawei's words were like a cold blade, mercilessly dissecting the darkest and most corrupt parts of the Demonic Sect and sentencing them to death.

Dan Meixian was horrified. She knew Yi Huawei was right. The actions of these branches had long crossed the line. They were an indelible stain on the Demonic Sect and a source of chaos that even her mother, Zhu Yuyan, the Empress of Yin, could not fully control.

"Then... what is 'reserved essence'?" Shan Meixian's voice was a little hoarse.

Yi Huawei's gaze shifted to her, a hint of scrutiny in his eyes regarding the "potential talents": "The Yin Kui Sect is the core of the Demonic Sect, with a profound foundation and the essence of the 'Heavenly Demon Strategy.' Although bound by Zhu Yuyan's obsession, its inheritance and organizational system still have merit. The Hua Jian Sect, while adhering to aestheticism and nihilism and pursuing the ultimate in art and spirit, seemingly uninvolved in practical matters, has many exceptionally talented members skilled in manipulating people's hearts and building information networks. If their talents can be guided towards 'technique' rather than indulging in 'art,' they can become powerful tools. The Butian Pavilion inherits the way of assassins, specializing in stealth, assassination, and intelligence techniques. It is an indispensable spear and shield in the darkness. Its 'martial power' itself is neither good nor evil; it depends on who uses it and for what purpose. The Tian Lian Sect follows the way of commerce, with the flow of wealth and a network of connections throughout the world. This is an excellent platform for building a foundation and infiltrating all sides in a chaotic world, and its 'merchant' identity is an excellent cover."

He paused, his tone carrying a politician's coldness and pragmatism:

"Preserve these four core lineages, discard their outdated ideas and extreme methods, and clarify their 'value' for the new order—Yin Kui as the foundation, Hua Jian as the eyes, Men Tian as the blade, and Tian Lian as the vein. With the essence of these four lineages as the core, reorganize resources and clarify the goal: no longer a nihilistic destruction that subverts all social norms, nor a lingering existence dependent on powerful figures, but rather... becoming a powerful, secretive, and indispensable 'special force' in the process of building the new order. It can be a covert observer, a controller of information, a eliminater of specific targets, and a covert regulator of economic channels... Its position must transcend worldly struggles, yet be deeply embedded in the bones of the new order, becoming a 'hidden cornerstone' tacitly approved or even relied upon by the new dynasty."

Dan Meixian was deeply moved. Yi Huawei's vision completely overturned her imagination of the future of the Demonic Sect! They would no longer be a pariah, but a force with a unique position in the new order! But this vision was too grand and too shocking. She couldn't help but ask, "Young Master, such a positioning... how easy is it to achieve? How can the new dynasty... tolerate the 'Demonic Sect'?"

Yi Huawei's profound gaze seemed to pierce through the heavy fog of history as he slowly spoke. His voice, though not loud, resonated like a great bell, carrying an aura of supreme authority, as he uttered that timeless imperial maxim:

"Madam, do you know that water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it?"

Upon hearing these eight words, Shan Meixian was utterly shaken! It was as if a thunderbolt had exploded in her mind! This was not the insight of a commoner, but... this was a profound truth that only an emperor who had truly wielded the power of the state and understood the essence of rule could utter!
The look in her eyes as she gazed at Yi Huawei was instantly filled with unparalleled awe and shock! The pale figure before her, reflected in the shimmering waters of West Lake, exuded an invisible imperial majesty that almost suffocated her!

Ignoring her shock, Yi Huawei continued calmly, as if explaining a very simple truth:

"This 'water' represents all the people under heaven, the seemingly weak yet vast collective will and sentiments of the people, and the countless streams that support the operation of the dynasty. This 'boat' represents the dynasty and the monarchical power. A boat sails on water; with the current, it is safe; against the current, it capsizes. The key to the Demonic Sect's survival in the new dynasty lies not in whether its name is 'demon' or 'righteous,' but in whether its existence and actions 'go with the current'!"

His gaze was piercing, fixed directly on Shan Meixian:
"If the integrated Demonic Sect can abandon its past extreme and wicked practices, its 'eyes' can perceive the suffering of the people and the gains and losses of officialdom; its 'blade' can eliminate corrupt officials and national scourges (rather than indiscriminately killing the innocent); its 'pulse' can dredge the economy and stabilize people's livelihoods (rather than hoarding and disrupting the market); its 'foundation' can restrain its members and form effective internal governance... If its actions are conducive to the stability of people's livelihoods, the consolidation of the state, and the strengthening of the foundation of the new dynasty's rule, then it is 'going with the flow'! Its power is the power to 'carry the boat'! If the new dynasty's monarch has any sense, would he destroy his own Great Wall to eradicate such a force that can help him consolidate his rule and monitor the shadows? On the contrary, he would tacitly allow its existence, or even... secretly support it, making it a sword hanging over the head to check the court and monitor the martial arts world!"

Yi Huawei's voice carried an air of absolute certainty, as if he were in complete control:

"At that time, whether the name of the Demonic Sect survives or perishes will no longer matter. What matters is that it will have been transformed, integrated into the new order, and become a powerful undercurrent supporting the 'boat' to sail steadily on the 'water'. This is the Demonic Sect's only way out—to transform from a destroyer of the 'capsulating boat' to a protector of the 'carrying boat'. This path is difficult, requiring the guidance of someone with great wisdom and courage, and even more so, the complete eradication of past ills and malpractices. However, this path... is feasible."

Inside the pleasure boat, a deathly silence fell once again.

Shan Meixian stood there, stunned, as if struck by lightning, the eight words echoing repeatedly in her mind: "Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it!"
Yi Huawei's analysis not only pointed out an unprecedented path to survival for the Demonic Sect, but also starkly revealed the core secrets of imperial rule! This is a perspective that no martial artist, or even a strategist, could possess! This is the art of imperial rule! The true way to govern the world!

The look in her eyes as she gazed at Yi Huawei was no longer merely one of awe and reverence, but rather one of almost fanatical devotion and profound fear. She finally understood the terrifying existence she was facing: a human emperor who had seen through the rise and fall of dynasties and wielded the power of the state!
Although Shan Wanjing could not fully understand those profound political metaphors, her mother's shocked and dazed appearance, as well as the invisible majesty emanating from Yi Huawei that seemed capable of crushing the entire West Lake, made her instinctively hold her breath and tightly grasp her mother's sleeve with her small hands.

The lake breeze remained gentle, ruffling the stray strands of hair that fell across Shan Meixian's forehead. Gazing at the pale figure before her, she felt as if the vast expanse of West Lake and the turbulent winds of the world could be easily manipulated and shaped by the man's every word.

The millennia-old predicament of the Demonic Sect was so coldly and clearly resolved in his words...

Yi Huawei shifted his gaze to a seemingly ordinary pleasure boat slowly approaching in the distance. His voice was not loud, but it clearly pierced through the gentle breeze on the lake:
"Since the Queen of the Underworld has arrived, why not show yourself and have a chat? Eavesdropping on others' conversations is not the behavior of a grandmaster."

As soon as she finished speaking, Shan Meixian shuddered and abruptly turned her head to look at a certain spot on the lake. Shan Wanjing also widened her eyes in surprise, her little hands unconsciously gripping her mother's sleeve.

The beaded curtain of the painted boat slid silently to both sides, and a figure, as if imbued with moonlight and night magic, appeared silently at the bow.

Yi Huawei narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of amazement flashing in them.

The newcomer appeared to be no more than twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, bearing a seven-tenths resemblance to Shan Meixian, yet possessing a more mature charm and a bewitching allure. Time seemed to have stood still for her; the ultimate anti-aging effect of the Heavenly Demon Art granted her breathtaking youthful beauty, yet also a profound charm unique to mature women.

She wore a long, flowing black dress with wide sleeves and gold patterns. The hem was embroidered with dark gold mandala patterns, and her movements were like flowing water in the dark night, mysterious and noble. Over this dress, she wore a semi-transparent, crimson-purple gauze outer garment that shimmered eerily in the sunlight, vaguely revealing the exquisite curves of her figure. A silver silk belt inlaid with obsidian was tied around her waist, outlining her slender waist breathtakingly.

Her skin was as smooth and flawless as snow, shimmering like jade in the lake's reflection. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, with eyebrows like distant mountains, eyes like deep pools holding stars, a straight and elegant nose, and full lips like newly blooming roses, their color a natural rosy red.

What's most captivating are those eyes, so deep they seem to steal your soul. With each glance, there's a natural, alluring gaze, a smile that's not quite a smile, a frown that's not quite a frown. Without any effort, every frown and smile is enough to bewitch and captivate.

Her long, jet-black hair was not styled in much detail, only loosely held up with a simple, dark crystal hairpin. A few strands of hair fell lazily down her smooth neck and chest, adding a touch of casual and alluring charm.

A pair of flawless, bare feet, delicate and beautiful, each step seemed to follow some mysterious rhythm. Though it was just ordinary walking, it gave the illusion of graceful dancing. The full curves of her chest rose and fell slightly with her breath, and as her waist swayed gently, the hem of her skirt rippled like water, showcasing the ultimate charm of a woman, yet also carrying an unassailable dignity.

This is Zhu Yuyan, the sect leader of the Yin Gui Sect, the number one expert of the Demonic Sect, and the world-renowned "Empress of Yin"! (End of this chapter)