Chapter 7039: Shifting the blame

Chapter 7039: Shifting the blame
Chen Xi was somewhat cursing, but it's understandable that he was being criticized. After all, those were tens of thousands of Binshi Demon Gods, which, based on their strength, amounted to almost tens of thousands of seventh-level fusion cultivators. Even without weapons and equipment, and if they could be overwhelmed by super shield guards, some losses were inevitable.

As a result, Sun Tzu and Wu Qi handed over their duties to him so easily.

"I'm really fed up, I don't want to hand over the reins!" Chen Xi said with a dark face.

"What's the use of you not wanting to hand over the reins? Those two have already entered the Void of Return. It will be difficult to pull them out again." Han Xin said speechlessly. What's the use of saying this now?

"Speaking of which, how did you know they entered the Ruins of Return?" Chen Xi asked Han Xin with a somewhat strange look. "I didn't sense anything just now."

“Isn’t it common sense that great figures enter the Void after death and emerge to witness the collapse of heaven and earth?” Bai Qi said calmly. “Only weaklings go to the netherworld.”

"I think you're attacking many people equally," Chen Xi said speechlessly, then recalled for a moment, "Well, Lord Wu'an has some unfortunate news for you: now even the weaklings aren't going to the underworld anymore, they've gone somewhere else."

Bai Qi was stunned for a moment upon hearing this. In their era, people paid attention to the Nine Springs and the Ruins of Return, which were the places where ordinary people and powerful figures went after they died.

"They've gone to the underworld instead," Han Xin chuckled. "You're quite ignorant, aren't you?"

"What is the underworld?" Bai Qi was taken aback.

"This is something Qin Shi Huang built," Han Xin said irritably. "Although it sounds absurd, it is indeed true. I even checked it out myself. Many ancient books, historical records, and other documents changed after Qin Shi Huang."

As a participant in the era, Han Xin didn't realize it when Chen Xi criticized him. But after Chen Xi finished speaking, Han Xin carefully checked and found that many ancient books, especially those from the Chu-Han period, truly described the afterlife as a hell.

As an important part of that era, Han Xin clearly remembered what he learned at that time, as well as the content of his sacrificial rites and the places where ordinary people go after death. Undoubtedly, at that time it was the underworld, but all the books afterward were uniformly about the underworld.

In other words, during the period from the end of the Qin Dynasty to the beginning of the Han Dynasty, the records of the underworld underwent a major revolution. The concept of the underworld completely eroded the ancient concept of the Nine Springs and gave rise to the Yin Si system.

"Ah, is that so?" Bai Qi was also a little confused. He had been reading books when he had nothing to do during this time. Apart from playing against AI opponents, the military strategist spent most of his time reading.

As for why it's against AI instead of real people, well, there's no other way. In the eyes of military strategists, there are hardly any real people. In this situation, the only option is to fight against AI.

"Yes, this thing is actually quite outrageous. I'd like to study it, but I can't delve too deeply into it, since it involves a certain unspeakable figure," Han Xin said calmly. "If you're interested, you can take a look and learn more about it. It's really quite interesting."

Chen Xi didn't say anything, but the transformation from the Nine Springs to the Underworld, or even the Yin Si system, is nothing in the human world. However, from the perspective of mythology, even creating a myth and making it circulate could not be so fast. In fact, even in official history, the Nine Springs system, which was used from the Shang and Zhou dynasties to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, directly became the Underworld after a short period at the end of the Qin and the beginning of the Han dynasties.

The main point is that there was no time for parallel processing in between; the replacement was completed directly.

It's important to understand that this involves cultural customs and traditions. Even if a real government wanted to change them, without a significant increase in productivity, it would take several generations to change customs and traditions. However, in reality, it was accomplished in just a few years.

Starting from the Han Dynasty, the concept of the underworld as the place where humans go after death became widely popular, while the concept of the Nine Springs (a metaphor for the netherworld) was basically phased out.

In normal history, there might be some special reason for this effect, but Chen Xi was very clear that this era was not normal. Under such circumstances, it was impossible for Chen Xi not to think about it.

The last time Chen Xi thought about this, he even asked Han Xin about it. As a person who experienced that era firsthand, Han Xin actually replied to Chen Xi that there was such a thing.
This was a big problem. Later, Han Xin investigated and found that it was indeed the case, but he couldn't find anything specific. He only said it was about the First Emperor building the underworld.

So when Han Xin brought this up again, Chen Xi thought it would be good for Bai Qi to know as well.

"I see, then I'll look into it too." Bai Qi didn't think much of it and just answered casually, but Chen Xi knew clearly that Bai Qi would definitely investigate when he had time.

"Well, you can look into it when you have time," Chen Xi said calmly. "But I still want to ask, did Sun and Wu really leave without any regrets?"

"Customs vary from place to place. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, people in the south sometimes didn't care about life and death, after all, the environment there was really not a place for humans to live." Bai Qi, who was relatively close to that era, explained.

“Actually, it’s not just the people from the south. Zichuan, if you think back carefully, recall the records of the Shang and Zhou dynasties and the early Spring and Autumn period, you’ll understand.” Liu Bei also chimed in from the side. Liu Bei had traveled to many places, met many people, and visited many impoverished areas, so he naturally had some understanding and was more clear that the Shang and Zhou dynasties and the Spring and Autumn period were too difficult, which is why they were like this.

“You didn’t experience that era, but you can get a general idea from books. I’m closest to that era, so let me tell you this: that era was incredibly difficult. I’ve discussed this with the Eldest Princess and Consort Xian before. In that incredibly difficult era, people had to have a belief to live on.” Bai Qi said with a touch of melancholy, “There had to be something to restrain people so that everyone could survive in such a difficult era.”

"What you look like after death is not important, but the sense of purpose is. In many times, in those times of suffering, the reason for dying is extremely important," Bai Qi said with a touch of nostalgia.

“In times of great suffering, death is actually a kind of relief, especially death with some lofty belief,” Liu Bei added from the side. “For martyrdom, for belief, for faith, etc., are all a kind of relief for leaving this world.”

"So in times of great hardship, people value responsibility and dignity very much, because responsibility means that they are needed, and dignity means that others respect them. After all, there is no hope for material life, so they can only move forward in the spiritual world." Chen Xi seemed to understand and said.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei remained silent for a while, patted Chen Xi on the shoulder, but said nothing. What troubled Liu Bei the most about Chen Xi was that Chen Xi truly knew everything. He might not have had that kind of experience, but the divine being taught Chen Xi everything in his dream.

Simply teaching doesn't mean you've mastered it, mastering it doesn't mean you understand it, and understanding it doesn't mean you can apply it appropriately.

But regardless, Chen Xi did know.

"If you know this, you should understand why those two left. It's because they fulfilled their duties," Han Xin said calmly. "Whether they handed it over to their successors or you, Chen Zichuan, had other ways to handle it, it's the same. It shows that they no longer needed to cling to their former mission. For people of that era, death was their final destination."

"Of course, Wu Zi may still have some resentment, after all, his reforms back then were not completed, but the State of Chu has disappeared, destroyed by the State of Qin, and the State of Qin has also disappeared. Now the Han Dynasty reigns supreme, and everything now far surpasses what it used to be. He has seen it with his own eyes, and he has even met you." Han Xin looked at Chen Xi as if he were praising him, but Chen Xi could feel the sincerity in his words.

“Everything Wu Zi did back then could be considered as seeking fame in the early stages, but later it was more for the sake of the world. He also wanted to use his own methods to end the chaos and strife and create an ideal world. But the ideal world he envisioned has already been built by you. If we continue to elevate it, it will become the Great Harmony society of Confucianism and Mohism.” Bai Qi said with a touch of regret.

Bai Qi, who had been in the Han Dynasty for almost ten years, could understand Wu Qi's mentality very well. Especially since Wu Qi was a reformer who had actually carried out reforms, the impact he suffered would only be greater than his own. It can be said that Chen Xi almost realized Wu Qi's vision for the future.

Some things that were not realized were not because they were impossible to realize, but because they were out of step with the times and were therefore discarded, which is quite remarkable.

The problem is that Wu Qi's vision already reached the limit of his abilities; any further advancement would have led to the unseen era of the Three Kings and the utopian ideal of Great Harmony, which existed only in his imagination.

In other words, for Wu Qi, Chen Zichuan has completely surpassed him. The only reason for him to stay is to take on the responsibility of ending the Demon God. Chen Xi can shoulder this responsibility, so why should he continue to struggle in this era?

For Wu Qi, death was the only true peace.

"I see." Chen Xi said thoughtfully.

As for Chen Xi, he could actually understand it. After all, everything he was building was too impactful for the ancients, which was why he had almost won over everyone and why Chen Xi could stand on the moral high ground and point fingers.

"Then let those two rest well. Once Lord Xuande has gathered enough men, we'll go and take down the Corpse Demon God." Chen Xi composed himself and, in front of Sun Wu and the other two who were already on their way, made a promise.

"Let's go. The small world is about to collapse. Let's go to the Myriad Manifestations Divine Palace to have some hot food and wine to warm up and bring the Grand Martial Arts Competition to a close for now." Liu Bei patted Chen Xi on the shoulder and said, "Besides, the team points leaderboard has only awarded the first place, and hasn't awarded the others yet. I should go see those guys. Zichuan, do you want to come with me?"

"Alright," Chen Xi nodded and said.

As for Rome's dream team, well, it's a mess. There's no way around it; their raw strength is extremely formidable. If they really played their points well, winning first place wouldn't be out of the question. After all, Hasgard, Slavnis, Ibilis, Actaeon, Degel, and Vebius are all top-tier players.

As a result, only Degel was accumulating points; the others were either having fun, killing demons to absorb their power, or chasing down their teammates.

When Liu Tong led Liu Bei and Chen Xi to the side hall arranged for the Romans, the group was furiously berating Slavnis. Well, compared to Vebius, who was fooling around, Actaeon, who was chasing Huang Tao, and Hasgard, who was leveling up his demon god, Slavnis was killing his teammates!

Iberis's death is inextricably linked to Slavnis!

What's worse is that despite all this, Slavnis didn't get many points, only a mere 70,000. Hasgard was furious. Although he had failed to dodge due to carelessness and his Blood Frenzy failed to activate, and he was pulverized by Jiang Guang's Three-Stage Heavenly Demon, he had at least fought until the finale. But what was Slavnis doing? He was attacking his own teammate!
"You don't have Zhang Yong's strength, but you've got Zhang Yong's problems!" Hasgard was about to punch Slavnis.

“I’ve learned how to manipulate miracles,” Slavnis said irritably.

"What were you thinking back then? Why did you even kill me?" Elias said with a dark face.

"I'm practicing how to use Miracle Transformation," Slavnis lied without batting an eye.

"Can you please stop talking about miracles?" Korovia's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. He didn't encounter Jiang Bin, but he did encounter Zhao Zhen, and was beaten to death by Zhao Zhen. His death was similar to Jiang Bin's, with blood flowing from all seven orifices. So when he came out and saw Slavnis still talking about miracles, he was also in pain.

"Alright, alright, you've all done very well. The Han Dynasty is here to reward you." Ganassis said, somewhat speechlessly, looking at the group of still making a fuss.

Ganassis was actually quite satisfied with the second-place finish, after all, he had witnessed firsthand how these people were messing around in the small world. Of the entire Rome Dream Team, only Degel, the girl, was working hard to accumulate points; the others, including Hasgard, were all doing their own thing!
Now that this group of people is surrounding and criticizing Slavnis, Ganassis has only one feeling: Damn it, even the worker Degel hasn't said a word, and you guys are already trying to find someone to take the blame!

"Haha, it's quite lively here," Liu Tong said with a smile as he looked at the group of people.

"Greetings, Your Highness, Prince Jin, and Marquis Chen." Led by Ganassis, the Romans bowed to the three of them together, creating a somewhat chaotic scene.

"Congratulations on achieving second place," Liu Tong said with a smile. "First, these twelve slow-release injections. As for the secret medicine, due to the physical condition of you Romans, our secret medicine is not suitable for you. Therefore, we have converted it into vouchers at the current market price. Moreover, you can exchange it for the secret medicine at any time if you need it."

Due to the physical problems caused by metallization, many medicines of the Romans were not compatible with those of the Han Dynasty and the Kushan Empire, so the secret medicines prepared for Rome were relatively limited, hence the option of exchange.

"Then comes the Dragon Bone Divine Weapon." Liu Tong had a set of divine weapons brought up for the Romans to choose from. Hasgard chose the gauntlets. After trying them on, he felt that they were somewhat different from the gauntlets that Fang He had used during the martial arts competition in the small world, but they were still much better than the ones he had used before, so he chose them. After all, they were made of dragon bone rolled steel. Although they were not as good as tungsten steel, they were still top-tier.

A group of Roman veterans received these dragon-bone rolled steel divine weapons, tried them out a few times, and were all excited. For them, these things were much more exciting than the previous two rewards. They were truly top-notch divine weapons. After all, they were all veterans of the battlefield, so how could they not know what good quality weapons were?

“Truly a divine weapon.” Slavnis held a triangular rapier, about the same size as his usual Roman short sword, and after testing it, said with a rather solemn expression.

"Even our Han Dynasty can't mass-produce this thing; it belongs to the top-tier divine weapons," Chen Xi said with a hint of regret. Of course, this was absolutely true today, but it might not be so in a while. The Xiangli clan was adjusting the metal ratio, and this high-strength dragon bone steel should be able to be mass-produced soon.

As for the issue of steel rolling, once the alloy can be mass-produced, steel rolling will no longer be a problem.

"Speaking of which, do these gauntlets come in that jet-black color?" Hasgart asked with some curiosity. Although the gauntlets he was using now were already quite good, the ones he had snatched in the small world were even better. Those gauntlets were a bit rough in workmanship, but they were really sturdy!
"This is the only type that can be produced online right now. The other type is the boxing gloves that Fang He uses himself," Chen Xi said, feigning ignorance.

Hasgart tried it a couple of times and didn't say anything more. The strength of this thing had exceeded Hasgart's imagination, and the feel and fit were really unbelievable to Hasgart. It fit his fingers perfectly, which was simply incredible.

Nonsense, this thing has a shallow spirituality. If it has the same kind of faith as Pratt, it can even achieve a telepathic connection with the Dragonbone Steel Divine Weapon, greatly amplifying its own power.

After presenting the prizes, Liu Tong led Liu Bei and Chen Xi to the Kushan veterans' group. To be fair, the group's results were actually quite good. Pratt and Gureley both received rewards on the leaderboard, although they were only ranked in the teens, which was still quite impressive.

Needless to say, the survival list also includes several people who survived to the end. From a certain perspective, the Kushan Empire did indeed have some foundation left.

When Liu Tong brought Liu Bei and Chen Xi, the group felt somewhat awkward. After all, no matter how much they pretended, they knew their own identities. They had both sides had been pretending not to know before, but now that they were receiving an award, pretending not to know was not quite right.

If you can still claim the "God's Light" reward, please do so again. High-level VIPs with over 60,000 followers should be able to claim it, but I only have 1400+ followers, it's so pathetic.