Chapter 1133 - 376: I Don’t Need You Crowned in Glory, I Just Want You Safe and Sound

"But I refuse to accept the judgment handed down to Bai Zhiyong."

Not a single breeze stirred in the bamboo forest. The dead silence was terrifying.

Yuan Longhan and Su Qingfeng both looked at Su Yue in surprise, listening to his thoughts. Yuan Longhan frowned deeply, realizing he seemed to have underestimated Su Qingfeng’s son.

"Su Yue, how do you want me to punish Bai Zhiyong?

"According to the laws of the Divine Land, although he forged a secret order, it was an attempted crime and does not warrant the death penalty.

"I can’t just kill him," Yuan Longhan asked.

"I don’t know. I just think it’s unfair.

"If they dare to threaten my dad, how many Combat Martial Artists have they threatened in the past?

"We put our lives on the line fighting in the Wet Realm, and I don’t believe our dignity should be trampled on by Qi and Blood Martial Artists.

"What gives Qi and Blood Martial Artists the right to bully them?

"The Divine Land’s law is not a sword for Qi and Blood Martial Artists to wield, nor are they qualified to pick it up."

Su Yue’s tone grew colder as he spoke. He was actually quite stubborn by nature. He couldn’t forget Bai Zhiyong’s aggressive face, nor his father’s helpless sigh.

So what if you were a King?

A Qi and Blood Martial Artist could still make a hero feel powerless. If Bai Zhiyong’s issue wasn’t resolved, Su Yue wouldn’t be able to let it go. He could just leave the bamboo forest and return to West Martial to continue his studies. He had no obligation or reason to help the Divine Land retrieve the Star-Washing Ice Crystal. Legally, this had nothing to do with him.

"Sigh, I apologize to you regarding Bai Zhiyong." A few seconds later, Yuan Longhan sighed.

He looked at Su Yue with an expression of helplessness, yet also a hint of admiration. He appreciated Su Yue’s defensiveness over Su Qingfeng; this was the temper a son should have. If he defended his father, he would definitely defend the Divine Land. This was a trait etched into his bones, impossible to change. However, Yuan Longhan was also helpless against Su Yue’s stubbornness. When someone like this fixed their mind on something, they were incredibly hard to sway.

"The conflict between Qi and Blood Martial Artists and Combat Martial Artists has actually plagued the Divine Land for a long time.

"Not just in the Divine Land, but in every country on Earth, there is deep-seated friction between them.

"But running a nation is highly complex. Many things simply cannot function without Qi and Blood Martial Artists.

"The Qi and Blood Martial Artists you see are only the tip of the iceberg.

"Bai Zhiyong is a Qi and Blood Martial Artist. Alchemists are Qi and Blood Martial Artists. The Blacksmiths and researchers at the Research Institute are also Qi and Blood Martial Artists.

"They are equally important, and it’s hard to distinguish who is more valuable or noble.

"The Ministry of Commerce’s affairs can’t be handed over to ordinary people either. If they were, the tension between Martial Artists and regular people would become even more volatile and acute.

"In this vortex of conflict, the Divine Land Government can only try its best to find a balance.

"I admit, this is a failure on the part of those of us in power."

Yuan Longhan sighed again and continued, "Actually, there is a solution to these conflicts, and that is to wait until the world is completely at peace.

"Once the alien races in the Wet Realm are entirely eradicated, Combat Martial Artists can focus solely on their cultivation. They can serve as the Divine Land’s national defense force, but in all likelihood, they won’t face any life-threatening danger.

"Meanwhile, Qi and Blood Martial Artists will continue their scientific research.

"Only then might the two types of Martial Artists achieve true equality where neither side is disadvantaged. But right now, no one can hold this bowl of water perfectly steady.

"Therefore, those Combat Martial Artists who sacrificed themselves deserve the utmost respect from future generations. They are the most selfless people."

"Son, there’s no such thing as a one hundred percent fair government in this world," Su Qingfeng explained, squeezing the back of Su Yue’s neck. "It didn’t exist in the technological era, and now in the Martial Arts Era, things are even more complicated, making it even more impossible.

"Don’t dwell on these things; it’s easy to get depressed.

"The law must be followed, and we must adhere to human moral standards. Otherwise, the Divine Land would become no different from the alien races, and that’s not the world we want to protect.

"It’s fine!"

This little guy was quite a talent, managing to leave even the Marshal stumped and speechless. However, Su Qingfeng was also deeply moved. His son had finally grown up. To argue with the Marshal for his sake—he was a good son.

"I can understand the difficulties faced by the Divine Land Government and the Military Department, and I know that all Divine Land Martial Artists must obey the law. But I simply cannot stand seeing my dad humiliated by Bai Zhiyong.

"Marshal, I’ll say it again: I can help the Divine Land retrieve the Star-Washing Ice Crystal, but I must make these people pay the price they deserve.

"Otherwise, my mind won’t be at peace."

Su Yue still wore a stubborn expression. If they had insulted him, he might have just noted it down for later. After all, there was plenty of time in the future. But his dad was a towering mountain in his heart; no one was allowed to humiliate his dad. Since he had witnessed it, this matter could not just end. He didn’t care what kind of background the other party had. He just couldn’t get over this hurdle in his heart.

"Su Yue, the Star-Washing Ice Crystal is of utmost importance to the Divine Land. You can refuse to go undercover in the Eight Races Sacred Land, but we truly need your help with the Star-Washing Ice Crystal.

"As for Bai Zhiyong, you can state your terms. Within the boundaries of the law, I can give you a satisfactory answer!" Yuan Longhan said calmly.

Now that Su Yue had the right to negotiate terms, Yuan Longhan found himself admiring the young man even more. The kid was almost endearingly stubborn. Moreover, he was much shrewder than his father.

"Since those people from the Ketone Trust Group came to the bamboo forest, let them venture ten miles deep into it, right in that direction.

"Since they love to look down on Combat Martial Artists, let them experience the hardships of Combat Martial Artists for themselves.

"If they can successfully make it out of the bamboo forest, we’ll wipe the slate clean, and I’ll retrieve the Star-Washing Ice Crystal for the Divine Land."