Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'-Chapter 1256 - 256: Empire Line: Toward the [Spiritual Deer] Ending (51)

"If only Starry Abyss had compensated me for what they owed back then, I wouldn't have needed to usurp Morphederia."

Li Aozi casually joked, prompting uproarious laughter.

Oshen gave a wry smile and shook his head:

"Now that things have come to this, we can only fight to the end. Everything Lai Anding does is for the stability of himself and his interest group, and we intend to dismantle such a group."

"Lord Leoz has provided a large population and resources through the Empire, which can serve as a foundation for the development and upgrading of the samurai, but the most urgent matter, apart from our own strength, is to choose a side, which seems even more pressing."

"With just our small group, we can't possibly take on Lai Anding, not to mention we still need to enter the Void, so I just thought, could we first make a move against Land Loyd?"

Oshen spoke rather vaguely about targeting Land Loyd, but how exactly to take action?

Kidnapping, coercion, temptation, persuasion, house arrest—there are many means, and the effects are different.

Friends familiar with coups know that kidnapping is a thankless task.

A political leader who can reach the top is often as cold-hearted as steel.

Even if you occasionally kidnap their family, it may just become a political stunt for them, turning you into a terrorist instead, failing to achieve your goal, and tarnishing your reputation, making you a pariah.

However, a well-executed kidnapping can become a turning point for you.

Most people go with the flow, even if they know the Sovereign's family is sucking the marrow from their bones, they're afraid of the revolutionary 'mob.' After all, if they don't respect the Sovereign's authority, and can casually kidnap and extort them, wouldn't they be even crueler to the defenseless masses?

Therefore, Oshen speaks cautiously, hoping for a serious discussion on how to handle Land Loyd.

"Land Loyd was carefully nurtured, definitely consuming significant resources."

"Indeed, if handled roughly, it's likely our loss in Primordial Abyss."

"After all, he's the successor of the Chief God. If treated well and elevated to the divine throne, Land Loyd will surely lean towards us."

At the meeting, many people spoke cautiously, with some straightforwardly believing that Land Loyd himself hadn't done anything wrong, or, compared to his value, his actions were insignificant. Besides, Land Loyd is still their compatriot.

Compared to being perceived by the Primordial God Clan as terrorists, handling a compatriot prudently yields more benefits.

However, Li Aozi had no such qualms.

Because he started off committing terrorist attacks.

From the Mingji Humanity massacre, full-scale aerial bombardment of the Frost Plated Republic, bloodbath at the Sky Ring Country's auction and Houjo Heavy Industries, attacking Valenkov, to the genocide on Ziluo Star.

Even his fellow rebel Uncle Canyue, upon seeing Li Aozi's earlier actions, believed he might be a bit too extreme.

"I don't think it's as complicated as that."

Li Aozi offered a blunt suggestion:

"Let's directly kidnap Land Loyd, drag him in front of Lai Anding, and threaten him to either step down or we'll cut off a part of Land Loyd's body every minute and send it to Lai Anding."

"I just want to see if the 'Redemption Sprite' Lai Anding, seeing his dismembered son, can pull out all the stops to save him."

"If he saves him, we'll seize the chance to publicize that Lai Anding only cares about family matters, having no regard for the continuance of the Primordial God Clan."

"If he doesn't save him, we'll publicize that Lai Anding lacks the skill of redemption and is unqualified to be Chief God."

Unfortunately, this blunt suggestion met with fierce reactions from the Divine Clan Warriors.

"That's way too cruel! To make a mother watch her child get dismembered and delivered like roast duck would drive Lai Anding mad. What if he's pushed to the brink?"

"I think it's still lacking. We should prepare a fake Land Loyd, and when Lai Anding fails to save him and breaks down in tears, present him with the real Land Loyd's head."

"You're just venting vengeance! We aim to oust him, and if even we resort to terrorist acts, how will future generations view us? Will they imitate us, using what we're doing today against us in the future?"

Amidst the chaotic debates and arguments, Oshen was speechless.

He glanced at Li Aozi and said:

"Lord Leoz, do you truly believe this is the way to proceed?"

"You understand me, Oshen. I only care about the outcome; the methods have never mattered to me."

"And that's why you're called a tyrant, an usurper, a usurper. Your methods are too crude."

"Oshen, two percent of the world's people hold ninety-eight percent of the world's wealth. I'm merely killing off that two percent, redistributing their wealth among the other ninety-eight. If they criticize me, it only indicates that the deceased two percent were related to them, or that they aspire to be in that two percent."

"But, as you know, Lord Leoz, there will forever be that two percent. The world will never achieve equality—in the event our revolution succeeds, you, I, and everyone here will become part of that two percent."

Oshen solemnly responded:

"You're already benefiting from this system. Give us a chance."

"Oshen."

Li Aozi looked at him calmly:

"I've started believing in the Taoist Sect in recent years."

"The Taoist Sect? You, have beliefs now?"

"Yes."

Li Aozi said:

"I'm destined not to be someone who enjoys life. In this lifetime, my greatest pursuit as a person is to read scriptures, cultivate, practice alchemy, and follow the way of non-action, living peacefully and freely."

"I've been a blacksmith, gone to battle, served as cannon fodder, and have experienced most of life's hardships. To achieve what I have today, it's half timing and half hard work—but you know, among those who live genuinely, how many reach where I am?"

"No matter the Narrative Civilization, this world is a sort of hell for honest, straightforward people."

"I greatly admire Earthlings, especially East Asians, who are practical, sincere, and toil without complaint. I've even dreamt multiple times of reincarnating as an Earthling! In that part of Asia, people like me, who work diligently, can achieve social mobility through effort. They become officials through exams, change their fate through studying. They don't need to fight wars, don't end up as cannon fodder. Just by studying, they succeed. I'm envious as hell of those Earthlings! How come they only need exams to gain everything? I fought tirelessly for Starry Abyss, witnessing the extinction of numerous stars, what did I get in return?"

Li Aozi poked his own chest, speaking softly to Oshen:

"Even now, having become a demigod, I haven't been granted a nobility title from Starry Abyss."

"I've killed dozens, even hundreds of demigods, yet Starry Abyss refuses to grant me a title. If I were in [Society], I'd immediately receive a senator title!"

"If not for my love of my homeland, for Starry Abyss, any sensible person would've defected to Gaia long ago—but I'm not normal, and you should be grateful Li Aozi isn't a regular guy."

"I'm unwilling, Oshen, truly unwilling. I've started learning from Earthlings, studied Chinese for forty years. Sometimes, I even think if I just believed in the Taoist Sect and worshiped the Three Pure Ones, devotedly practiced, maybe Starry Abyss would grant me a status."

"If only Starry Abyss people were like Earthlings. With fewer worldly desires, focusing all their efforts on practical work rather than worrying about origin and behavior, Earth would've been the one invaded today!"

Li Aozi let out a long sigh, sat upright, no longer looking at Oshen.

Oshen listened to these words and fell into silence.

After a long while, he slowly spoke:

"Therefore, we must change Starry Abyss. Your tragedy shouldn't be repeated—it begins with us, ensuring such things don't happen is the better path."

Oshen looked at Li Aozi and said:

"Trust me, Lord Leoz, no, Mr. Li Aozi, we're going to forge an unprecedented, truly great, radiant Grand Narrative illuminating the stars. Our societal values must be more progressive, more dignified, and humane than any other civilization."