Chapter 1582: Kindness and Weakness

Restraint...

Ye Guan said in a deep voice, "But this world has always respected strength above all else."

Sang Mei nodded. "Yes, it's been like that since ancient times. In fact, every civilization in the universe shares that kind of cultural trait... It's a deeply rooted but undesirable cultural trait."

Ye Guan said, "So you also think the strong should be restrained?"

"Of course," said Sang Mei with a smile. "For instance, if I lost my temper today and used my power to kill someone who didn't deserve to die, and one day I encounter someone stronger than me who also loses their temper and just kills me because they don't like me... isn't that just unpleasant?"

Ye Guan asked with a smile, "Is there anyone in this world who can kill you?"

He was testing her.

Sang Mei seriously thought for a moment and said, "There wasn't anyone before..."

Ye Guan was stunned.

Sang Mei turned to him and smiled brightly. She raised her fist, saying, "When I get mad, I become

super

fierce."

Ye Guan was lost for words.

"

Hahaha.

" Sang Mei laughed, "Just kidding. I'm actually not very good at fighting, and I've hardly been in any fights."

Ye Guan nodded and didn't ask further; any more would be impolite.

After walking a few more steps, Ye Guan suddenly asked, "Lady Sang Mei, if the strong should be restrained, how should they be restrained?"

Sang Mei replied, "The simplest way is to establish a legal system, to use law as the restraint. But that's not enough. Because laws are made by people, and the people who control the law can abuse their 'authority.'

"So, we also need to establish a new moral culture that clearly defines what is moral and what is immoral, draw a red line on their conscience, and have them exercise self-restraint.

"In plain terms, the law is the last line of defense for people's moral bottom line. If someone crosses that moral boundary and breaks the law, then they deserve death."

Ye Guan solemnly said, "Those who control the law..."

Sang Mei revealed a meaningful smile, saying, "Who controls the law? It's the one who establishes Order. If someone can't restrain themselves, how are they qualified to restrain others?"

Ye Guan fell silent in deep thought.

Sang Mei added, "Someone who establishes order must first be morally sound. If that person has no integrity but demands integrity from others, isn't that ridiculous?"

Ye Guan reflected. In his grandfather's era, one had to be ruthless to survive. As a result, his grandfather became extremely ruthless.

However, times were changing.

If he ended up abusing his authority as a member of the Yang Family... Ye Guan was suddenly struck with a realization. He realized what Sang Mei was trying to say. Restraint wasn't just about others; it ought to start with oneself.

Just then, Sang Mei asked, "Is your uncle powerful?"

Ye Guan immediately nodded. "Very powerful."

Sang Mei smiled. "A supreme swordsman. Of course, he's powerful. But if I were to tell you that if you establish a brand-new Order that convinces all living beings, you'd become even more powerful than him, would you believe it?"

Ye Guan looked at her.

Sang Mei smiled and added, "The keyword is 'convinces.'"

Ye Guan narrowed his eyes slightly, "You mean, if one day even my uncle is convinced by my Order..."

Sang Mei nodded. "A truly powerful Order is one that not only wins the hearts of your people but also earns the respect of your strongest rivals."

Ye Guan clenched his fists slowly, feeling a little excited. "To make even my strongest opponents feel convinced... will that day come?"

Sang Mei looked at him and revealed the same meaningful smile as earlier. "I don't know. That's hard to say."

Ye Guan couldn't help feeling a bit excited. In his heart, his strongest opponent was undoubtedly the Great Daoist Brush Master. If even he ended up acknowledging his authority... perhaps he could actually beat up his father...

Sang Mei continued, "Principles and laws, these two things should be the core of your Order. You must understand that your real goal is to make sure no one is above these two things.

"No power can be above Law. No strength can be above the principles."

Ye Guan took a deep breath, saying, "Miss, thanks to you, I realized that I have many flaws. In the past, my gaze was always set on the future, on the Great Daoist Brush Master, on my father, my grandfather, my uncle... I never stopped to look at myself and think about my Order. Looking back now, I was really a bit naive."

"Don't say that." Sang Mei shook her head. "Everyone was once young, and almost everyone is naive when they're young. Don't punish your present self for your past self, and don't regret being naive or foolish because that's unchangeable. Even if you could go back in time, with your knowledge and experience at the time, you'd still make the same 'foolish' choices."

"I see." Ye Guan nodded. "Seize the moment, and walk well into the future."

Sang Mei smiled. "Exactly. Keep going. I have high hopes for you."

Ye Guan looked at her. "High hopes?"

Sang Mei nodded.

Ye Guan smiled. "Why?"

Sang Mei thought for a moment, then said, "First, you're more talented than most. Secondly, even though you're a little sly sometimes, overall, you're a good person. As for being sly, you're young, it's understandable. I was way more mischievous when I was your age."

Ye Guan curiously asked, "Lady Sang Mei, how old are you?"

Sang Mei raised her fist and menacingly said, "See this fist? If this hits you, even your tiny pagoda will get smashed in. Want a taste?"

Ye Guan was dumbfounded.

Little Pagoda was rendered speechless.

"

Pfft!

" Sang Mei giggled. "Actually, age doesn't matter for us, cultivators. As long as I want, I will always be eighteen. Don't you agree?"

Ye Guan quickly nodded. "Makes sense."

Hearing that, Sang Mei nodded in satisfaction and lowered her little fist.

Just as they were about to leave the shopping mall, a man appeared in front of them.

It was Jun Buqi.

Ye Guan looked at Jun Buqi without speaking.

Jun Buqi smiled. "Please don't misunderstand, Miss. I'm not here to harass you, I'm here to apologize. I was reckless earlier. Though my feelings were sincere, my actions caused you inconvenience. For that, I sincerely apologize."

He bowed slightly.

"Alright, I forgive you." Sang Mei smiled. She then turned to Ye Guan. "Let's go."

Ye Guan nodded.

Just as they were about to leave, Jun Buqi said, "Miss, please wait."

Sang Mei turned to him.

Jun Buqi smiled politely, "Miss, here's the thing. Tomorrow evening, the Jun Clan will be hosting a banquet. The younger generation of all the major civilizations and clans will attend along with some officials from the Temple of the Gods...

"I don't know why you're in this city, but attending such a banquet and meeting more people will definitely be beneficial to you."

He paused and smiled again. "Of course, if you don't wish to attend, then won't you be inconvenienced if you end up in some unnecessary trouble later on in this city?"

Jun Buqi had decided to gamble, so he was running out of patience. When it came to women, coaxing sometimes wasn't enough; sometimes a little threat was needed. And if even that didn't work, then force could be used.

Sang Mei thought for a moment and said, "Come closer."

Jun Buqi felt pleased and took two steps forward.

SMACK!

A loud slap echoed.

Jun Buqi flew away and smashed hard into a wall, which immediately crumbled.

He was still alive, but the slap ruined his face.

Everyone in the mall was stunned. Someone dared to make a move here

?

And the victim was a young master of the Jun Clan?

Jun Buqi was quite flamboyant, so many people recognized him.

Ye Guan was also stunned. He hadn't expected Sang Mei to attack. What truly shocked him was her attack itself. It looked slow, but Jun Buqi couldn't dodge it!

Not just Jun Buqi...

Honestly, neither could he dodge it.

Sang Mei looked at the dazed Jun Buqi lying on the ground and coldly said, "That slap was me being merciful. You should treasure it. You know, back in the day, whenever I killed people, I would destroy their home universe as well."

Ye Guan was dumbfounded.

At that moment, some guards in hiding rushed out.

They were guards of the Vast Commerce. They were shocked; clearly, they hadn't expected someone to make a move in the mall.

Still, none of them made a move.

Anyone bold enough to attack someone here was either a fool or someone with serious backing. Without orders from above, they wouldn't dare act.

Ye Guan tugged at Sang Mei's sleeve, saying, "Didn't you say the strong should show self-restraint? Why did you do that all of a sudden?"

"Kindness must always be accompanied by ferocity. Otherwise, it's just weakness and will invite bullying," Sang Mei said. Then, he looked at Ye Guan. "Many evil people exist because kind and honest people let them exist.

"Hence, the kind and honest must have some temper, some edge. If someone bullies me once and I endure it, that's kindness. Twice, I endure? That's still kindness.

"If there's a third time and I still endure, it'll no longer be kindness. It'll become weakness. And you deserve what you tolerate."

"Makes sense." Ye Guan nodded. Then, he asked, "By the way, have you actually destroyed an entire universe before?"

Sang Mei blinked and whispered, "I lied."

Ye Guan was speechless.

Sang Mei looked at Jun Buqi rolling on the ground. She was still angry, "I already turned him down twice. Wasn't I polite and kind? However, this damned fool didn't appreciate it.

"Couldn't he tell that I'm someone who can fight really,

really

well?"

Little Pagoda was dumbfounded.

"Honestly..." Ye Guan hesitated before saying, "Not really."

Sang Mei looked at him and blinked. "Do I not look like a top expert?"

Ye Guan shook his head. "Not really."

Sang Mei thought for a moment and replied, "Maybe you're just too weak."

Ye Guan's face stiffened.