But when he appeared on Iron Palm Mountain, leading the crowd against Shen He, his identity as a Great Monk vanished, replaced by the rapidly accumulating karma.
Because he chose to oppose Shen Hex, chose to oppose "Righteousness."
This is not some mind-poisoning philosophy, nor is it shameless praise Shen Hex gives himself as a victor, but the plain truth.
In this world, to be his enemy is to be an enemy of "Heaven and Earth Righteous Qi!"
Why?
Because he is the only person in this world who possesses "Righteous Qi."
Mad Hero!
This profession, along with the effect of the talent "Killing Life and Cutting Karma," allows him to become the only Righteous Cultivator in this world, strengthening his inner Righteous Qi by accumulating experience and the act of killing life and cutting karma.
This world is a low-level Small Thousand World, and Righteous Qi is a power belonging to higher worlds, which conventionally cannot be cultivated. Only such unconventional strength as a "profession" allows for its forced creation.
Therefore, in this world, Shen Hex, who has accumulated enough Righteous Qi, represents absolute justice and light. To be his enemy is to be an enemy of the Heaven and Earth's Orthodox Dao, subjected to its suppression and even harm.
This is why Fang Zheng died tragically. Originally a Great Monk, he was suppressed by Righteous Qi because he opposed Shen Hex. Since Buddhist Technique is also an Orthodox Technique, the righteous and majestic Shen Hex appeared before him like the Buddha descending to the world, full of great power, great compassion, and great light.
This led him into self-doubt, ultimately shattering his beliefs, unable to control the Muscle Transforming Gang Qi within, not only easily defeated by Shen Hex's Thousand Hands Buddha Palm but also ending up losing control and dying explosively.
One could say he brought about his own death!
Not just him, but other Gang Qi Grandmasters as well, with the Righteous Dao in self-doubt, the Evil Dao startled and in fear, mentally traumatized, and beliefs shaken, diminishing their strength, albeit not as evidently and extremely as Fang Zheng.
Thus is the strength of the "Mad Hero" profession apparent. Originally endowed with high-level martial arts like Xingyi Fist, Shen Hex's arrangements in this world of martial artists almost amounted to dimensional warfare, compounded by Righteous Qi suppression. These Gang Qi Grandmasters, before him, were utterly defenseless.
But these matters clearly cannot be talked about with others.
Therefore, he kept silent, and Zhuge Zhengwo wisely did not ask further, merely gazed at the corpses scattered across the ground.
"Beggar Gang, Iron Palm Gang, Giant Whale Gang, along with the Shaolin Sect, Quanzhen Sect, Lingxiao Sect... The top masters of Heluo, even the Central Plains, have essentially been captured by your net."
After speaking, he raised his gaze, confronting Shen Hex directly: "Will you continue?"
Shen Hex smiled: "The land of the world is not limited to Heluo, nor are the sinners confined to Jianghu."
"..."
Zhuge Zhengwo fell silent for a moment, before finally speaking: "Human nature is unchanged for eternity, not something that can be altered by mere force. Even if forcefully promoted, it would be superficial compliance, returning to its old state in a century, or even worse."
Shen Hex's expression remained unchanged: "Without attempting, how can one know the possibility?"
"..."
This statement caused Zhuge to fall silent again, the four onlookers behind him also remained voiceless.
They truly did not wish to ascend Iron Palm Mountain.
But many things cannot be decided merely by one's wishes.
Even their mentor, the illustrious Zhuge Shenhou, was powerless against the situation and unable to alter the course.
Because this matter involves not just one person or a single Jianghu faction but the entirety of the court, the nation, the overall situation.
At first glance, it may sound exaggerated that a Jianghu sect, a lower-tier Beggar Gang, could be connected with the nation?
A Beggar Gang naturally cannot.
But this matter involves much more than just one Beggar Gang.
The Martial Madman left nothing unchecked, targetting not just one faction but the entire industry—brothels, gambling houses, transportation—all gray enterprises, and even government offices were impacted by his assaults.
A Beggar Gang, despite its size, is not beyond suppression by the Divine Capture Sect; divided and conquered, even Lei Sanjue attempting Burning Jade and Stone Together cannot create substantial waves.
But the problem is that it involves more than just one Beggar Gang.
Various guilds, sects, clans, and major Noble Families, all local forces whose interests were harmed, have stepped forward.
The Beggar Gang and Lei Sanjue are merely representatives pushed forward, behind them lie the entire Heluo Noble Families, Jianghu martial arts world, and even the government offices of the court.
Although the Divine Capture Sect represents the court and holds a transcendent status, it cannot oppose all local forces and the court itself to the extent that Heluo and even the entire Central Plains would fall into chaos.
Moreover, they lack the power to reverse this direction. This Great Song court is far from when it was founded, since Prince Rui took the throne, becoming the present emperor, appointing treacherous ministers, rendering the political scene corrupt, obsessed with Daoist Techniques, engrossed in cultivation, leading massive constructions that burden the populace, causing uprisings.
Sooner or later, with the threat from the Liao and Jin Kingdoms and internal strife with rebel kings across four regions, the Great Song court's situation deteriorates daily.
Under such circumstances, should Heluo descend into chaos, the Great Song kingdom would face calamity.
Thus, despite their reluctance, they had no choice but to ascend Iron Palm Mountain.
Nevertheless, Zhuge Zhengwo did not expose the underlying causes, seeking not to explain or excuse to find a way out.
Looking at the person before him, his expression remained calm, his voice gentle: "Once someone said, the monarch and scholars govern the nation, not over the common people, this isn't absolute but contains some truth. Although you possess unbeatable power, to solely rely on it to govern the nation could lead to rivers of blood and suffering among the people."
Shen Hex smiled: "The power of one cannot solely govern the world, but just as the shining sun and bright moon cannot tolerate wickedness to prevail, even if rivers of blood flow and corpses pile up, we must ensure a bright and clear sky!"
"..."
Upon hearing these words, Zhuge Zhengwo fell into silence once more.
For a while, he sighed deeply, closed his eyes, and said: "Thanks for clearing up the confusion, let's proceed!"
"Master!"
"Shenhou!"
The four followers' expressions changed as they tried to step forward but were restrained by his Gang Qi, unable to move.
As the four followers stood frozen, Shen Hex simply turned away and left, leaving them bounded on the ground.
"..."
With eyes wide open, Zhuge Zhengwo watched him descend the mountain, letting out a soft sigh: "Let's go!"
"This..."
The followers exchanged looks, slightly surprised by the developments with Sheng Xiayou unable to suppress his voice saying: "Go where?"
"Return to the capital!"
Zhuge Zhengwo's tone remained calm, yet it echoed in the ears of the followers like a thunderbolt, revealing a sharp murderous intent.
Murderous intent?
To kill whom?
...
Shen Hex alone descended the mountain, thoughts wandering far, contemplating the world's situation.
The world, the world!
Just like Zhuge Zhengwo said, the monarch and scholars govern the country, the monarch is not a tyrant nor should be. They must be wise and discerning, offering concessions in certain areas, partitioning power and benefits to ensure stable rule.
This is the usual definition of kingly governance, a safe path to maintain national power for hundreds of years.
Yet, the consequence of such acts requires compromises at certain times, in certain places, as seen with the Divine Capture Sect.
This isn't what Shen Hex desires.
He aims to defy conventions, accomplish something unprecedented to change this nation, to change this world.
Thus, only through drastic and visible transformation can profound and lasting influence be generated, fostering his profession, acquiring even greater power.
For this, even if the world erupts, he will not hesitate.
It's merely a river of blood and a pile of corpses after all.