Chapter 1376 - 1004: Passing Jinling

The human heart is the most reliable, yet the least reliable thing in this world.

Now that I think about it, I have no reliable confidants under my command, the only ones worthy of trust are the Xie family’s father and daughter.

In the Divine Power Era, one person could dominate the world, and a single person could turn the tide of the world, so there was naturally no need to cultivate confidants and beloved generals. But in the End of Dharma Era, a great era that requires ’human governance’, the human heart is the true key to determining the future direction of the world’s trend.

Thousands of thoughts were swirling in Zhang Chen’s mind. Behind him, everyone looked at Zhang Chen’s thin back, and all barriers in their hearts disappeared, replaced by admiration.

Being able to see a hundred steps ahead after taking one step is a talent that only a leader possesses.

Everyone came from a background of wealth and prestige, and while they certainly have compassion, it is impossible for them to sacrifice their own interests to be a good-natured person.

In the future, everyone will have to join Zhang Chen’s banner and settle down in the Northern Land. Zhang Chen’s decisive and iron-blooded methods, understanding the word ’sacrifice’, is instead a good thing for everyone.

Although Zhang Chen’s methods seem ruthless now, this ruthlessness used on enemies would terrify opponents, whereas in the eyes of one’s own people, it only provides great peace of mind.

"Let’s move on," Zhang Chen urged the fleet, "although my sword is formidable, it still cannot slay Marquis Wen. If we continue to delay, I’m afraid that once Marquis Wen realizes the truth, he will come looking for trouble with us."

The main reason is that the origin of the Immortal Slaying Sword is being poured into Heaven and Earth, making the power of the Immortal Slaying Sword weaker, while the power of Marquis Wen will continuously recover. Zhang Chen does not want to create any trouble.

Zhang Chen urged them forward, and soon the fleet grandly crossed through Marquis Wen’s territory without incident, with the large ship successfully passing through Marquis Wen’s land and continuing northward.

After crossing Marquis Wen’s territory, Zhang Chen raised his hand to retrieve a half-section of the Immortal Slaying Sword, as the large ship sailed upstream, eyes were met with rampant demon beasts and large human-demon armies.

The human race lived miserably, in the depths of suffering, being raised by demon beasts as food.

Ji Feihua looked at the large armies of demon beasts chaining groups of people along the shores, revealing an expression of compassion in his eyes, thinking, aren’t these enslaved like livestock still our fellow people?

"Demon beasts are sweeping across the world, intending to annihilate our human race, truly a great internal threat for our people," Ji Feihua said with a voice full of evil qi.

"Do not panic! In a few years, the roles of hunter and the hunted will reverse, and by then the ones being hunted will be the demon beasts. I just hope at that time the human race will be somewhat merciful and not kill the demon beasts to the point of extinction, which could affect the ecological cycle," said Zhang Chen with a tone full of sighs, having gained a deeper understanding of Heaven and Earth’s reincarnation. Today, the demon beasts are violent towards the human race, but in the future, when they lose their extraordinary power, and turn into unintelligent wild beasts, how will they resist the human race armed with knives, spears, and crossbow arrows?

Today, demons kill humans, tomorrow, humans kill demons, this is simply the law of cause and effect in the ever-changing reincarnation of Heaven and Earth.

Upon hearing Zhang Chen’s words, everyone present felt a sense of relief; Zhang Chen’s words were not without reason. In a few years, the human race will hold the upper hand and completely oppress the demon beasts, and by then the demon race’s blood will indeed spill on the earth, reversing the situation of both sides.

"To the Heavenly Dao, there is no difference, it is all slaughter," Zhang Chen muttered softly.

The large ship continued northward as time quietly passed by. The Northern Land was desolate for miles, even after a spring breeze, was uninhabited, and encountering the demon beast tribes caused Zhang Chen and others to merely observe from afar, not wanting to provoke any incidents.

As time flowed by, the former Jinling City came into view. The group followed the Yellow River all the way to the outskirts of Jinling City, seeing from afar the bustling scene of people coming and going, clearly a splendid image with no signs of decay.

"Wasn’t it said that Jinling City had already been breached by the demon race? Where do all these people come from?" Ji Feihua, standing at the bow of the ship, gazed at the figures entering and exiting outside Jinling City, inquiring with a look of surprise.

"You do not know that those within Jinling City are not humans, but the human-demon race. After being civilized by Chen Sanliang and with various families allying with the demon race, under the subtle influence, the human-demon race is frantically learning human knowledge and etiquette, and now it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call them half-human," Zhang Chen said, silently refining the half-section of the Immortal Slaying Sword in his hand.

Upon hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Ji Feihua was taken aback and then seemed to remember something and hurriedly said, "This is indeed troublesome!"

"How is it troublesome?" Zhang Chen inquired.

Ji Feihua said, "You mentioned that in three to five years after the End of Dharma Tribulation, demon beasts turned into animals unable to resist humans, but the End of Dharma Tribulation does not affect the human-demon race. The human-demon race is now learning human culture and the techniques of casting steel, so won’t they become a significant enemy of our human race by then?"

"Of course!" Zhang Chen nodded.

"This is not good! We must find a way to curb the human-demon race, otherwise, our territory in the Northern Land would be a lone fortress, facing the human-demon race from all directions, and would likely not be able to sustain itself," Ji Feihua looked at Zhang Chen.

Hearing this, Zhang Chen remained silent for a moment before saying, "Chen Sanliang is now plotting to seize power among the human-demon race. I only hope Chen Sanliang can successfully take a high position among them and provide protection for our Northern Land. If he cannot protect us, then during the End of Dharma Tribulation, our territory will inevitably face a bloody battle."

However, Zhang Chen wasn’t overly worried. Even if the End of Dharma Tribulation descended, he was almost certain to wield Extraordinary Power. At that time, though he might not be able to resist thousands of troops, assassinating the opposing leader shouldn’t be difficult. As long as he intervened a few times, he would surely intimidate the heroes of the world, making the Human Demon tribe of the Northern Land dare not act recklessly.

"Mr. Chen is ultimately an outsider to the Demon Race. He hasn’t mastered a tribe nor deeply rooted himself within it. Once the End of Dharma Tribulation descends, Mr. Chen might not be able to command the Demon Race’s army. At that time, he would just be a scholar without the strength to truss a chicken. How could he protect us?" Ying Feihua said worriedly.

Hearing Ying Feihua’s words, Zhang Chen smiled, "Mr. Chen isn’t a fool. He’s already started laying the groundwork. What do you think the people under his protection are doing? Once the Extraordinary Power disappears, those people under his protection will still be the most powerful elite force, ensuring he has a place among the Human Demon tribe."

Chen Sanliang isn’t a fool; Zhang Chen isn’t either. As the situation gradually reversed, he’d already started strategizing. Zhang Chen was now concerned whether Chen Sanliang had the means to suppress the human tribes he’d subdued.

Zhang Chen pondered whether he should preemptively plant a few Blood God Children into the Demon Race to prepare in advance.

But after considering, he gave up. Prince Pingbian’s territory was his base camp. Even if he were to plant Blood God Children, he needed to place them in the Northern Land to secretly control key positions and monitor the various major families’ movements there.

Because of Hu Li the Immortal’s hair, the Demon tribes saw the ships from afar and respectfully made way without any obstruction.

"As we’ve traveled, we’ve almost exhausted our supplies. Do you think Jinling City can resupply us?" Zhang Gaqi stepped forward to inquire of Zhang Chen.

"Of course!" Zhang Chen nodded, "With Hu Li the Immortal’s hair, no one would dare act rashly with us. We might as well disembark and see what Jinling City looks like now."

The large ship sailed all the way to the outskirts of Jinling City and stopped outside, intending to resupply.

As everyone disembarked from the ship, Demon soldiers quickly gathered and asked, "May I know where your lordship hails from and what you need? Please feel free to instruct us."

The Qi Mechanism of Hu Li the Immortal’s hair was like a candle in the night for the Demon Beasts. The Human Demon soldiers patrolling the canal didn’t dare act impudently, approaching respectfully to salute.

Zhang Chen stood at the ship’s bow, observing the Human Demons. He saw that they wore human clothing, wielded human weapons, and spoke the Human Race’s language. It was hard to doubt they were part of the Human Race.

"We intend to resupply materials. Here is the list; we can trade with you." Zhang Gaqi disembarked and instructed the Human Demon soldiers in front of him, handing over a document.

At this time, Zhang Gaqi was still a master and hadn’t yet been impacted by the End of Dharma Tribulation. Thus, he wasn’t nervous facing the Human Demon tribe. The respectful attitudes of the Human Demon tribe towards the ship along the way gave him plenty of confidence.

Seeing Zhang Gaqi’s demeanor and arrogance, the soldier quickly and respectfully took the list, "Please wait a moment. I’ll go communicate with the merchants right away."

Zhang Gaqi was responsible for handling the supplies, and Zhou Qiucheng approached from the ship, "I wonder how the old Chongzheng Academy is doing?"

He seemed to miss the days at Chongzheng Academy.

Hearing Zhou Qiucheng’s words, Zhang Chen smiled, "If you miss it, why don’t we go take a look?"

"Can we?" Zhou Qiucheng’s eyes lit up at the words.

"With Hu Li the Immortal’s hair, it won’t cause any trouble." After speaking, Zhang Chen instructed to gather horses, and he, along with Zhou Qiucheng, Ying Feihua, and Zhong Wubai, leisurely headed towards Jinling City.

With Hu Li the Immortal’s hair on them, those they passed, be it Human Demons or Demon Beasts, all retreated, not daring to offend in the slightest.

As the group rode into Jinling City, Zhang Chen’s eyes swept across the city and saw that Jinling City was still bustling as before, a vibrant scene. The taverns were still packed, and the streets were crowded with hawkers’ carts, just that there were many strange faces in the streets now — all with Demon Beast heads and somewhat human forms — and the Human Demon tribes, alongside the preserved noble lineage from Jinling City’s past.

There were hawkers with leopard heads and human bodies, carrying goods through the streets, reminiscent of the Human Race peddlers of the past.

There were also Demon Beasts with rabbit heads, pushing sugar carts and hawking on the streets, looking quite lively.

The liveliness was the same as before, but the people had been replaced by Demon Beasts.

It had gone from the grassroots folks wandering the streets of yore to today’s wandering Demon Beasts.

The only difference was the many hunched, emaciated Human Race slaves on the streets, wearing shackles, carrying heavy goods, their faces numb and devoid of any light in their eyes, entirely indifferent to life.

Demon Beasts wielded whips, constantly beating the Human Race slaves. The slaves, facing the lash, stumbled, causing the whip to strike even more harshly, adding to the already woeful scene.