Douluo Continent: My Martial Soul is the Black Dragon, I am the Lord of the Gods

Chapter 367 Fight violence with violence
……

Wuhun City, side hall of the Papal Palace.

After escorting Bibi Dong to the Papal Palace, Xuanming and Gu Yuena did not leave immediately. On one hand, the information regarding the Fourth Trial had not yet arrived, and on the other hand, they were not in a hurry to return to Seagod Island.

On the other hand, Bibi Dong was struggling to master the Asura Demon Sword, so Xuanming decided to stay for a few days to help her adapt to this super artifact, based on his own understanding of the laws of killing and the use of power.

Deep within the Papal Palace, in a specially designated meditation chamber.

Bibi Dong was covered in sweat, her purple eyes fixed on the Shura Demon Sword floating in front of her, and she tried once again to communicate with and control it using her Killing God Domain and Shura God Power.

The dark red energy clashed violently between her and the greatsword, producing a dull roar. The sword remained as heavy as a mountain, its resistance evident.

"Concentrate your mind, but don't force it." Xuanming stood to the side, calmly instructing, "Imagine it as part of your body, an extension of your arm. Don't treat the Asura Demon Sword as a tool, and don't force it. Your killing intent is the trigger, not the whip. Try to resonate with it, not command it."

As he spoke, a trace of his killing domain, which had reached its limit, was released. The pure and vast killing intent was like the arrival of a king, which instantly calmed the restless Asura Demon Sword, and even the dark red light on the sword became a little more docile.

Bibi Dong seemed to understand something, adjusted her breathing, and tried again...

Just as Xuanming was instructing Bibi Dong in her cultivation, soft footsteps sounded outside the cultivation room. A servant respectfully announced, "Your Holiness, Prime Minister Ning requests an audience."

Bibi Dong frowned slightly, withdrew her divine power, and slowly placed the Asura Demon Sword on the ground. She took a deep breath to calm herself: "Let's go, let's go out and see them."

Ning Fengzhi is exceptionally capable and pragmatic. After the establishment of the Martial Soul Empire, he was appointed as the Empire's Prime Minister, responsible for handling a large amount of government affairs. In particular, during the past year, when she was away, Ning Fengzhi handled most of the affairs of the Martial Soul Empire on her behalf.

The three arrived at the side hall council chamber, where Ning Fengzhi was already waiting.

Upon seeing Bibi Dong and Xuan Ming emerge, he immediately stepped forward to pay his respects. His gaze paused slightly when it fell upon Xuan Ming, clearly sensing the increasingly unfathomable aura emanating from the other party.

"Your Majesty," Ning Fengzhi said, maintaining proper etiquette, "I heard you have returned, so I have come to report on recent state affairs."

Bibi Dong sat down in the main seat, gesturing for him to continue. Xuanming and Gu Yuena sat silently to the side.

Seeing the urgency in Ning Fengzhi's eyes, Bibi Dong glanced at Xuan Ming and said, "Ask whatever you want."

Ning Fengzhi was slightly taken aback. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

His gaze then fell on Xuanming, "I wonder... is Rongrong doing well on Seagod Island?"

Xuanming nodded: "She's doing well. The assessment is progressing smoothly, and her soul power is increasing rapidly. She should be able to break through to Soul Saint soon."

Hearing that his daughter was safe and sound and making rapid progress, Ning Fengzhi smiled with genuine relief, and his anxiety subsided considerably. The future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was promising.

But this relief didn't last long; his brows furrowed again, and a deep worry appeared on his face.

"Since you're here, there are some things I have to say." Ning Fengzhi's tone was somewhat heavy.

"The Empire... its current situation is truly worrying."

Bibi Dong frowned slightly. "Speak."

Ning Fengzhi's voice was filled with deep weariness, "Your Majesty is a man of great talent and ambition, and you unified the continent with thunderous means. This is an unprecedented achievement. However, it is easy to conquer the world, but difficult to govern it."

He paused, then continued, "The Spirit Hall is, after all, a Spirit Master organization. While it once had the responsibility of overseeing the world, its core remained a violent institution transcending the mundane. Now, having suddenly transformed into an empire, many of its past ills have not only failed to be eradicated but have actually intensified under the empire's aura!" "The former hall masters and bishops of the various branch halls have become governors and nobles. They are accustomed to being high and mighty, accustomed to deciding everything with the power of Spirit Masters. Now, with such power in their hands, they are even more unscrupulous! They oppress the common people, forcibly levy taxes, and even settle scores privately, disregarding imperial laws! In their eyes, the Spirit Empire is the empire of Spirit Masters, and mortals are mere ants, to be taken and demanded at will—it is only right!"

"Although His Majesty has issued orders to restrain them, the problems are too deeply entrenched to be reversed!"

Ning Fengzhi looked at Bibi Dong with a heavy expression.

"As the saying goes, the lower levels follow suit, and the entire empire is filled with naked violence! If this continues, public resentment will boil over, and even the lowest-ranking Soul Masters will have no chance to rise up. This empire may seem strong, but in reality, its foundation has begun to rot, and I'm afraid... it won't last long."

He recounted everything he had seen and heard over the past few years, as well as his inner anxieties.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is deeply intertwined with the Spirit Empire; their fates are intertwined, whether they prosper or perish.

As prime minister, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to the task, yet felt utterly powerless to reverse the situation.

If this "violent toxin" permeating the entire empire cannot be eradicated, the collapse of the Martial Soul Empire may only be a matter of time.

Ning Fengzhi took out a file and presented it: "These are dispute cases reported from various places in the past six months, 70% of which involve conflicts between Soul Masters and civilians. Although they have been dealt with according to law, such incidents are still increasing."

Bibi Dong flipped through the files, a cold glint in her purple eyes. She was well aware of these drawbacks, but the empire was newly established and needed stability; many things had to be done gradually.

"What suggestions do you have?" she asked Ning Fengzhi.

Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment: "The most urgent task is to establish a sound oversight system and strengthen the assessment of officials. Soul Masters are important, but governing a country cannot rely solely on force. I suggest that oversight departments be established in the Spirit Halls at all levels, jointly managed by loyal and reliable Soul Masters and civil officials proficient in government affairs."

Bibi Dong paused, then looked at Xuanming, "What do you think?"

Xuan thought for a moment, "They're all in cahoots. A simple oversight system is meaningless. There are policies from above and countermeasures from below. Oversight can only manage those who are timid. The real people behind these problems probably don't care about so-called oversight."

"The Martial Soul Empire is founded on military might. If we want to change the status quo, we must use the methods they approve of most. Since they believe in force, we should establish our authority through absolute force."

He looked at Bibi Dong: "Aren't you familiarizing yourself with the Asura Demon Sword? You can take this opportunity to let everyone understand what true power is and what insurmountable rules are."

"Stop killing with killing, control violence with violence. In chaotic times, severe measures should be used. Since gentle methods are ineffective, let's establish authority in the most direct way."

Bibi Dong frowned slightly, "But at this time, to carry out internal reforms using such direct and violent means will damage the morale of the Martial Soul Empire's army..."

"Morale?" Xuanming interrupted her. "Are you referring to the morale of those corrupt officials, or the morale of the soldiers who are truly loyal to you and willing to sacrifice for the future of the empire?"

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the magnificent Martial Soul City.

"An empire built on violence will collapse even faster if it doesn't dare to pluck out the rotten flesh within. What you need now is not to maintain superficial stability, but to establish absolute order. Make everyone understand that power is not a privilege to bully the weak, but a tool to uphold the rules."

He turned to look at Bibi Dong: "You wield the Asura Demon Sword, holding the power of judgment and slaughter. This sword was born to sever evil and purify order. Use it to establish the first and most important ironclad rule for your empire—those who defy it shall die!"

Gu Yuena's cool voice rang out at the opportune moment: "Chaotic mercy is no match for orderly ruthlessness. Every cancer you eliminate now is prolonging the life of the empire. Otherwise, when internal strife erupts, it will be the day the empire collapses."

Ning Fengzhi stood aside, listening to their conversation, his heart filled with trepidation.

He had to admit that while Xuanming's method was extreme, it hit the nail on the head. The Martial Soul Empire's problems were deep-seated, and mild methods were indeed insufficient to cure them. Perhaps, such a drastic remedy was truly needed.

(End of this chapter)