Warhammer Cultivation: Cultivating the Tao Te Ching in the 40K Universe

He looked around, and in his dark pupils gleamed the light of the Legalist sages—a light that understood human nature and possessed absolute rationality.

My answer is simple.

He gently placed a data tablet in the center of the obsidian round table.

"—Establish laws for the 'Tao'. For the 'heart', forge a 'ruler'."

The data panel was activated, and a huge holographic projection filled with precise text and complex data models instantly enveloped the entire round table.

"This is the final draft of the 'Dao Heart Stability Quantitative Rating System,' which I completed with Sage Alkan over the past three months." Hector's voice, like that of the most rigorous scholar, explained to everyone present his grand blueprint, which was enough to overturn an era.

"I also call it the Legalist Ruler!"

"First, 'The Ruler of Form' - Monitoring the Frequency of True Essence Fluctuations."

He pointed to a section of data on the projection filled with complex waveforms, “As the Sage Alkan said, our students are not ‘chaotic,’ but ‘dynamically stable.’ This bio-energy sensor, modified with the Martian technology you just saw, can convert this ‘stability’ into data accurate to three decimal places, which is exactly what the Executive Yuan prefers.”

"If any student's true energy fluctuation frequency exceeds 20% of their personal safety baseline, the system will automatically issue a warning. If there are three consecutive warnings, their instructor must intervene and provide 'psychological counseling'. If counseling is ineffective, the Silent Sisters will conduct a temporary 'spiritual stasis'. All procedures are documented and governed by rules."

The eyes of the Executive Yuan ministers suddenly lit up! Quantifiable risks! Traceable processes! Archiveable reports!

His brow, perpetually furrowed by the bloated imperial bureaucracy, miraculously relaxed at this moment. This…this wasn't some kind of mystical art; this was clearly the "performance evaluation system" the Executive Yuan had been dreaming of!

"Second, 'Qi Mirror' - a record of the stability of the color of the soul's aura."

Hector switched the projector, and a series of soul spectrum charts filled with different colors appeared before everyone. "We do not deny the existence of 'emotions,' but we can 'observe' emotions. This aura spectrometer was previously used to observe the psionic environment of the newly explored world. After Sage Alkan combined it with the testing device technology from earlier, it can transform the daily mood changes of the trainees into the most intuitive 'color report.'"

"If any student's core light point, representing their 'self,' shows more than 5% 'color pollution,' their access will be automatically locked, and they will be forced to enter a 'quiet room' for 24 hours of 'introspection.' All their records will be used as evidence in court for the future determination of 'motives' by the Ministry of Justice."

For the first time, the gaunt body of the Justice Department judge leaned slightly forward! The motive is traceable! The guilt is definitively established! The sentencing has standards!

The biggest crack in his cold "law lattice"—the logical paradox arising from the inability to judge "thought"—was perfectly mended by this "yardstick" at this moment! What he saw was not an advisor, but a true "legislator" who, like him, believed in "rules" and "order".

"Third, and most importantly, is the 'Divine Balance' – the system for reviewing reports on inner demons."

Hector's voice became incredibly solemn, "Any external monitoring is merely an aid. True 'Dharma' requires both internal and external cultivation. We require every student to submit their 'insight reports' regularly, just as Astartes writes their battle reports."

"What we examine is not who has fewer 'inner demons,' but who can 'observe' and 'record' their own inner demons with a more 'clear-headed' and 'objective' attitude! A warrior who dares to face the darkness in his heart and can clearly describe it is far more reliable and trustworthy than a hypocrite who claims to have 'no demons in his heart'!"

"This report will be the ultimate standard for judging whether a psionicist is 'qualified'! It will determine whether this student should be granted further training qualifications or should be... sent back to the Sisters of Silence's 'stasis prison' for permanent 'protective isolation'."

“By the way,” Hector paused, winking at the Minister of the Executive Yuan, “the equipment used for the tests mentioned above is all a technical modification of existing equipment and does not take up too much of the Imperial budget, sir.”

"Gentlemen." Hector's gaze swept over every imperial magnate present, and his voice, at this moment, was filled with unquestionable confidence and power.

"This is my answer."

"A brand-new system that perfectly blends the most profound philosophy of introspection with the empire's most severe legal logic! It is not only a 'sword' to punish those who have lost control, but also a 'mirror' that allows practitioners to 'correct their appearance and distinguish honor from disgrace'! Its core lies not in 'punishment,' but in 'prevention'!"

"It acknowledges the complexity of human nature, yet it shackles that complexity with the strongest rules! It respects individual freedom, yet it draws the clearest line of responsibility for that freedom!"

"It may not be perfect. But at least, it follows the Great Emperor's instructions in Nicaea, rejecting abuse and prohibition, and offering the Empire, and those psionicists struggling in the darkness, a path that is neither indulgent nor self-destructive, beyond the living hell..."

"—A way out!"

When Hector finished speaking the last word, the entire Hall of the Scales of Truth was already deathly silent.

Everyone seemed to see that the "Legalist Ruler," forged from data, rules, and philosophy, had transformed into an incredibly heavy weight, shining with the light of reason and order, and was gently placed on one side of the scale.

Above the dome, the enormous golden scales, symbolizing the highest legal principles of the empire, finally, slowly yet irresistibly, tilted completely toward the tiny mortal boy standing in the center of the round table.

Chapter 63 The Legislative Battlefield

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The enormous holographic projection, composed of data and rules, floated silently above the obsidian round table, radiating a rational, cold light.

It is like a monument that has just descended from another dimension, filled with unknown laws, suppressing all doubts and prejudices.

The Chief Minister of the Executive Yuan unconsciously tapped his plump fingers lightly on the smooth tabletop. In his mind, there were no longer those ethereal concepts of "Taoist heart" and "metaphysics," but rather... clear tables filled with infinite possibilities.

"The 'Daoist Stability Quantitative Rating System'... from S to E... each level corresponds to a clear resource allocation plan, training ground specifications, and even... compensation standards. It's quantifiable! It's archived! It's auditable! My God, this... this is simply a miracle tailor-made for the Executive Yuan!"

For the first time, a greedy flame called "efficiency" erupted in his eyes, which had become clouded from years of dealing with the empire's bloated finances! He seemed to see countless new departments related to psionic energy being established, countless data-filled reports being generated, and he would become the undisputed... supreme administrator of this new system!

Meanwhile, the Chief Justice of the Department of Justice stared intently at the third module—the "Introspection Demon Report Review System." His thin, claw-like hands trembled slightly, uncontrollably.

"'Motive'... 'Intention'... these most vague and undefinable specters that have plagued Terra jurisprudence for thousands of years have actually... actually been given 'substance' by this mortal in such a simple yet profound way!"

The biggest crack in his cold "Lattice of Law" world—the logical paradox caused by the inability to judge "thought"—was perfectly mended at this moment by this "yardstick" from another land! What he saw was not an advisor, but a true "legislator" who, like him, believed in "rules" and "order"!

He seemed to already see that in future courts, the evidence presented would no longer consist only of bloody physical evidence and contradictory testimonies, but also the defendant's "insight reports" that had remained unchanged for decades and could not be forged! What a clear, what a... "fair" trial that would be!

Even Marcus Aurelius, the silent instructor of the Imperial Guard, had a complex glint in his eyes, which were as cold as a lake, a mixture of shock and...reminiscence.

He thought of his most proud students, long gone. He thought of their will, sharp as a drawn sword, yet equally unyielding and fragile. If they had possessed such a "ruler" back then, to constantly "observe" the tiny "cracks" growing within their hearts from their supreme power, perhaps those two thrones, still vacant to this day, would still have owners.

He looked at Hector with a gaze that was no longer that of an instructor scrutinizing a student, but rather that of an ancient warrior looking at a successor who had brought back the long-lost "hope" to the empire.

......

Over the next few dozen Terra days, the Hall of the Scales of Truth was completely transformed into a... legislative arena filled with Imperial characteristics, efficiency, and squabbles.

Hector's draft, which was thousands of pages long, was divided into tens of thousands of independent issues, which were reviewed and debated word by word, almost like an anatomy, by experts from the Executive Yuan, the Ministry of Law, the Cult of Mechanics, and even the Court of Assassins.

"Regarding the definition of 'silent interval' in 'the ruler of form,' our department believes it is too vague!"

A jurist from the Department of Law pointed out nitpickingly: "'Dead silence like an abyss' is a literary metaphor, not a legal term! I demand that it be revised to 'Under standard Terra gravity conditions, the amplitude of the fluctuation frequency of the subject's bioenergy field must not exceed plus or minus 0.5 percent of the average value within three consecutive Terra standard hours'!"

"Objection!" The Sage Alkan's electronic voice immediately rang out, filled with disdain for this carbon-based biological rigidity.

"This amplitude standard does not take into account the genetic differences between different races, as well as the gravity and subspace background radiation intensity of the test planet! I propose that a more complex dynamic mathematical model containing at least a thousand variables should be established to calculate the 'safe baseline' for each individual in real time!"

"Model? What a damn model!" The Chief Minister of the Executive Yuan, wiping sweat with a silk handkerchief, retorted breathlessly, "Don't you Martians know that every additional variable means my department will have to add at least a hundred clerks and five logic engines for auditing? This doesn't conform to the 'cost-effectiveness' principle!"

This was Hector's first official appearance in the political landscape of the human heart. And he displayed astonishing political skill that was completely out of character for his age.

He did not act superior or use his status as "chief metaphysical advisor" to suppress anyone.

On the contrary, he was like the most humble and resilient sponge, moving among various forces, patiently listening to everyone's demands, and politely and respectfully answering any inquiries and questions about the draft, even those that were blatantly malicious.

Faced with the rigidity of the Ministry of Law, he would cite the oldest legal precedents to argue that "legal principles" also need to keep pace with the times.

Faced with the Executive Yuan's stinginess, he would use the most accurate data model provided by the Sage of Alcan to show them how an initial "investment" would save the Empire from enormous "losses" caused by the out-of-control psionicists over the next few centuries.

A thousand people, a thousand faces; a thousand faces, one person.

He even calmly explained, before the ever-silent representative of the Assassin's Court, the unparalleled potential of the "Way of Silence" in terms of "mental disguise" and "aura shielding." At that moment, he could clearly "see" a ripple... of "interest" rising within the shadow that represented "nothingness."

The discussion gradually shifted from "whether it is feasible" to "how to implement it".

The argument gradually shifted from a complete rejection to a fierce struggle over every single detail.

The draft was constantly refined and improved in these debates, which were full of imperial characteristics and were a mix of efficiency and bickering, like steel being forged through a hundred trials.

People have almost forgotten that this meeting was supposed to be a life-or-death struggle between two paths...

It wasn't until the very last day, when the final draft, which had been revised tens of thousands of times and whose every punctuation mark reflected countless compromises and negotiations, was presented to Makado, that people suddenly remembered the other protagonist in this contest.

Lucius Vero, the once invincible chief star communicator who defended his truth with seven million torches of souls.

Chapter 64 is titled "Taoist Academy" (two chapters combined).

In the past few days, he hasn't said a word, and hasn't even moved.

In the end, all eyes were drawn to the head of the round table—the true number two figure in the empire, who had remained silent throughout.

Imperial Regent, Macado.

Just as Macardo was about to rise and deliver the final verdict in this hearing that would be recorded in the annals of the Empire, Hector Kane once again bowed and stepped forward.

The clamor in the hall instantly fell silent. All eyes, filled with a hint of confusion, focused on him once more.

"My lords," Hector bowed deeply to the people around the round table, his humility a stark contrast to his earlier composed demeanor. "Before Your Regent makes your final decision, please allow me, the drafter of this bill, to offer one last... supplementary suggestion."

The minister of the Executive Yuan frowned almost imperceptibly; what he was most worried about was this kind of last-minute "variable".

"The core of the 'Way of Silence' lies in 'stillness'," Hector's voice was calm and sincere. "As our ancestral classic says: Still waters run deep. True change is never a sudden storm, but a gentle, pervasive spring breeze. The Empire is a magnificent ship that has sailed for centuries, and any overly drastic turn could lead to a catastrophe of shipwreck and loss of life."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, his eyes filled with the deepest understanding and respect for the vast system of the empire.

"Therefore, I implore the committee, and I also implore the Regent, to add a 'parallel' clause when approving this draft."

The council chamber was deathly silent. Above the dome, the ancient mechanical ark's engine emitted a low, deafening hum, like the sigh of a god. Hector's voice rang out in the stagnant air, clear and steady, yet carrying a power capable of cleaving through solid rock.

“My proposal is,” he said, glancing around at the assembled imperial leaders, his gaze meeting those eyes, some hidden in the shadows of their hoods, others gleaming with an inhuman light, “that we should establish a completely new psionic affairs agency. Its sole mission will be to test this nascent bill that we have just discussed.”

He paused briefly, allowing the suggestion to take hold in everyone's minds.

“Furthermore, I must emphasize the initial scope of its authority.” Hector’s voice grew increasingly solemn, as if he were establishing a sacred covenant.

"In the first decade, and even in the first imperial century, its functions and the effectiveness of its laws will in no way involve replacing or interfering with any existing psionic functions of the Empire."

“This includes—” He pointed out each name precisely, looking at each corresponding committee member.

"The Star Language Hall of Holy Terra, the Psionic Mind Management Office under the Political Commissar of the Imperial Defense Forces, the noble Navigator family, and—if the Emperor's wisdom allows it to be rebuilt in the future—the think tank of the former Astartes Legion."

"The agency will pilot the bill within the scope of its defined authority and responsibilities."

"Special economic zones exist within the country, but no special privileges are granted outside!"

These words shattered the silence in the hall with an invisible shockwave. Everyone present was stunned!

Even the Sage Alcan, representing the Martian Mechanicus, seated at one side of the council table, had his pair of dark blue optical sensors flash with intense data streams at the suggestion, as if he were calculating the billions of possible impacts of this variable on the future of the Empire at a rate of one millionth of a second.

Everyone saw that a general who had just won a great victory voluntarily gave up the power that was about to be obtained and the opportunity to wipe out the enemy.

This was incompatible with the empire's political and social norms.

For the first time in the entire meeting, Makado's eyes revealed approval. It wasn't directed at Hector, but rather at the ancient and brilliant political wisdom behind him.

Despite the silent commotion, Hector remained as steady as a rock. He raised a hand and, in a calm yet powerful tone, drew everyone's attention back to himself.

“In the initial phase, there will be only one responsibility.” His voice was filled with unquestionable certainty, condensing the complex plan into a crystal-clear core.

That is, to deal with the 'new' rather than touching the 'existing' stock.

"All newly discovered, untrained wild psionicists sent to Terra from the black warships will undergo our first round of screening, evaluation, and training. Meanwhile, the Empire's existing, vast and complex psionic system will continue to operate in accordance with its ancient methods, which have been passed down for thousands of years, without any impact."

He withdrew his hand and placed his hands together in front of his chest.

"Please understand, everyone, this is by no means a compromise."

"We do not seek quick success; that would be nothing but a fool's delusion."

"What we seek is to lay the foundation for the empire to last for another ten thousand years!"

His voice echoed in the magnificent council chamber, carrying a profound sense of history.

"We will, with the utmost rigor, cultivate a small 'experimental field' on the very body of the Empire. This field will be strictly isolated, and its irrigation will not rely on blind faith and outdated dogma, but on facts, on data, and on generations of 'living' psionicists whom we have personally nurtured, who are infinitely loyal to the Emperor and humanity and capable of creating endless value for the Empire, to prove to the entire galaxy that this new path is the correct one!"

He took a step forward, his momentum reaching its peak, his eyes seemingly burning with the flames of the future.

"When the time is ripe, and the spring breeze of change sweeps across the desolate fields of the empire, when the new crops we have sown with our own hands grow into towering trees that block out the sun, those old, rotten trees will naturally, in the unstoppable torrent of time, silently... turn to dust."

After he finished speaking, no one else said a word.

Hector's blueprint has been laid out; it is not a revolution that happens in a flash, but a great transformation that will take place over a century and will subtly influence people.

After the initial shock, everyone present, whether allies or potential enemies, began to seriously examine this seemingly mild but actually ambitious and grand plan.

This is the true meaning of "He who does not contend, therefore none in the world can contend with him".

This is the strategy of "taking three steps forward and two steps back"... a gradual, incremental approach.

This is still the starting point of wisdom for the greatest miracle on that planet.

With special economic zones inside and no special privileges outside... it may seem to narrow the scope of the application of power, but there are too many things that can be done within the special economic zones.

These words, like the gentlest yet most unstoppable tide, instantly breached the last dam of fear of change deep within the hearts of all the bureaucrats present.

A genuine, relieved smile spread across the Minister of the Executive Yuan's obese face. No replacement! No interference! Only addressing the incremental changes! This meant that his vast bureaucratic system would experience no painful transitions! This wasn't just reform; it was clearly adding a completely new, infinitely potential "growth point" to the empire!

The Grand Justice of the Ministry of Law nodded slowly. Parallelism, observation, and letting the facts speak for themselves—this perfectly aligns with the highest principles of Imperial law regarding "precedent" and "practice"!

Even Vero, who had been silent the whole time, moved his face, which was covered by a black cloth, almost imperceptibly.

Hector, with his final and most exquisite step of "retreating," won for himself... the final "advance."

Makado slowly rose from the deep shadows.

He didn't look at Hector, nor at the draft document that could overturn an era. His gaze, however, calmly fell upon Lucius Verro, who still stood there, his figure desolate, as if abandoned by the entire world.

“Vero.” Makado’s voice was old, yet carried an undeniable weight of history itself. “Three hundred years ago, during the purification war in the ‘Zandu’ system, your dearest friend, the Star Speaker Master Ilya, voluntarily sacrificed his own soul as the final ‘seal’ in order to close a warp rift opened by a demon.”