Duke Zhenguo gradually calmed down, looking at Lin Bai as if re-evaluating the young man before him. "How confident are you in winning this War?"
"One hundred percent," Lin Bai answered without a hint of thought.
"What's your strategy?" Duke Zhenguo pressed on.
"I came to promote the laws; naturally, I will use them against my enemies." Lin Bai looked at Duke Zhenguo, as if to say, How did you become Duke Zhenguo?
The Duke's negative emotions never ceased—Lin Bai figured he might as well earn all the disapproval he could, since as long as Xu Longyun was with him, the Duke would likely never have a good impression of him anyway.
Is this the man you've chosen? Duke Zhenguo glanced at Xu Longyun, shook his head secretly, held back his anger, and said, "Lin Bai, if all laws are as benign as the law of marriage and the Milky Way, which only disgust people but don't harm them, then they are useless in this case. If you want to establish your reputation, you have to kill. The reason the Seven Righteous Sects and the Five Demonic Sects dominate the Cultivation World is that they have emerged from several God-Demon Wars, with a reputation built on mountains of corpses and seas of blood. So far, how many people has your Justice League killed? By joining the Justice League, they remain safe and suffer no losses. Consequently, their methods of dealing with you will become increasingly brazen and unscrupulous…"
"Your Highness, I am better at persuading people with virtue," Lin Bai said with a slight smile.
"Don't smile." Duke Zhenguo frowned at Lin Bai annoyedly, while ironically also maintaining a smile, performing a farcical facial contortion right in front of Lin Bai.
Seeing her usually dignified old father forced to make such a face, Xu Longyun could not help but burst out laughing.
Duke Zhenguo glanced at her and said, "Lin Bai, the Heaven Dao Magazine has already started elaborating on your laws. Have you thought about what the world will become if the laws you have mastered now are circulated? You claim to do all this for the Heavenly Dao, but in the eyes of the wise, your laws are the Path of the Evil Spirit. Tell me, how will Taiyi Country assist you?"
"Your Highness, in your heart, do you find the Path of Law more difficult to accept than the art of killing?" Lin Bai sighed inexplicably and then changed the subject. "I built the Magpie Bridge in a hurry because I want to change the world's impression of the Cultivation of Rules."
"Your Highness, the world is sick. Civilization should benefit the majority. But the current civilization benefits only the minority of Cultivators. They are trying to achieve immortality by consuming the resources of nature. What do they offer to the public?"
"Frankly, the Cultivators today are the pests of the world. The path of cultivation could be beneficial to the country and the people. People and civilization can complement each other, working together to rapidly advance the progress of civilization…"
As he spoke, Lin Bai looked at the Wen bamboo in Duke Zhenguo's study and, with a point of his finger, performed the "Spring Breeze Turns Into Rain Technique," a reward from the Farming System. A breeze blew over, and tiny droplets of rain appeared from thin air, covering the Wen bamboo. Under the eyes of the three of them, the small bamboo stretched out its branches and leaves, growing a full circle larger in a short while.
Xu Longyun's eyes involuntarily widened at this sight.
Watching the Wen bamboo grow instantly, Duke Zhenguo frowned slightly.
"The Spring Breeze Turns Into Rain Technique is a Cultivation Technique of the Righteous Door. It can speed up the growth of crops," Lin Bai explained. "If this technique is used in agriculture, there will be no more hungry people in the world. This is a Spell my master researched for the benefit of all people. Are there any such benevolent Spells in today's Cultivation World for the common folk?"
Duke Zhenguo remained silent.
"All Cultivators have strayed from the right path." The topic successfully shifted. Lin Bai looked at Duke Zhenguo and pressed his advantage, "Your Highness, you too are on the wrong path. When you truly dedicate yourself to the majority of people, you will undoubtedly gain their support. No baseless smear campaign can succeed against you."
"I have been at the forefront of everything. The Justice League now has so many members, and to date, not a single one has betrayed the cause. As the saying goes, 'Distance tests a horse's strength, and time reveals a person's heart.' I just need to do my part. Time will prove who is right and who is wrong."
Do you really think I'm ignorant of your tactics?
Can they survive without the Justice League?
Duke Zhenguo didn't realize that the topic had been unwittingly sidetracked by Lin Bai. He looked at Lin Bai with annoyance.
What about "time will tell"? And the matter of installing the Magpie Bridge in my residence—you did that! And you were the one who said earlier that failure would disrupt the world!
However, at this moment, Duke Zhenguo's opinion of Lin Bai had changed. Throughout history, all who accomplished great deeds possessed thick skin and a dark heart, and Lin Bai, this Little Fox, seemed to have already embodied these qualities.
He turned his head, saw Xu Longyun gazing intently at Lin Bai, and felt another pang in his heart. "Let's leave the matter of borrowing troops aside for now. You must give me an explanation for your relationship with Xiao Yun! As the Commandery Princess of Duke Zhenguo's house, she can't always be by your side without a proper title!"
Xu Longyun's eyes sparkled, and for the first time, she regarded her father seriously.
"The Magpie Bridge is the title," Lin Bai said gently to Xu Longyun. "Everyone knows that I wrote 'Magpie Bridge Immortal' for the Commandery Princess. Now, I have also comprehended the Magpie Bridge's Divine Skills through 'Magpie Bridge Immortal'. In the future, when the Magpie Bridge is established everywhere, whenever someone steps onto it, they will think of the love story between Xu Longyun and me. Your Highness, will such eternal fame be a worthy match for the Commandery Princess's status?"
"Yes, it's more than enough!" Before Duke Zhenguo could speak, Xu Longyun was already nodding her head eagerly. Her gaze towards Lin Bai was full of affection, her heart already completely captivated by him.
Confessing with 'Magpie Bridge Immortal' and using the Magpie Bridge to connect the world—there was nothing more romantic in the world than this! Compared to her, Jiang Qingqin was nothing!
"Of course, if Your Highness is still unsatisfied, after I have pacified the world and truly established myself, I will marry the Commandery Princess under the watchful eyes of all," Lin Bai gave a slight smile to Xu Longyun, then turned back towards Duke Zhenguo, his eyes firm.
Upon hearing this, Xu Longyun blushed, her whole being seeming to melt.
Sigh! Duke Zhenguo sighed silently. Having already come this far, what more could he say? Seeing his daughter cuddling against Lin Bai like a devoted bird, he still couldn't suppress his irritation and couldn't resist provoking him, "Lin Bai, have you ever thought about what would happen to my daughter if one day, you really achieve the Heavenly Dao?"
"Who can predict the future?" Lin Bai looked at Xu Longyun and said earnestly. "Your Highness, my goal is indeed the Heavenly Dao. However, as my Cultivation of Rules deepens, my comprehension of the Way of Love has already surpassed Spoken Law Follows. At this rate, I fear the likelihood of me becoming Cupid is far greater than achieving the Heavenly Dao. I am currently searching for a way for the Heavenly Dao and Cupid's Path to coexist. So, Your Highness, please don't insist on these minor details. In short, you must believe that I will absolutely not mistreat the Commandery Princess."
The Matchmaker System's task required him to achieve fame through Cupid's Path.
Lin Bai had to find a way to change his image of being obsessed with the Heavenly Dao.
Cooperating with Duke Zhenguo to promote the Magpie Bridge presented an excellent opportunity to reshape this image.
Lin Bai believed Duke Zhenguo would rather see him become Cupid, soaring blissfully with Xu Longyun, than the high and mighty Heavenly Dao, leaving Xu Longyun heartbroken.
Therefore, he gave Duke Zhenguo a clever hint.
For Lin Bai, both the Heavenly Dao and Cupid were mere means to an end. The System was paramount; thus, he would pursue whichever path was most advantageous.
"Your Highness, do you have any other questions?" asked Lin Bai. "The Justice League is in imminent danger. I cannot stay in Prince Zhen Guo's house for too long."
"You knew that exposing the Magpie Bridge would plunge the Justice League into the Abyss. Why didn't you quietly complete your plans instead of exposing the Magpie Bridge prematurely? Was it just to coerce Taiyi Country and tie Taiyi Country and the Justice League to the same boat?" Duke Zhenguo pondered for a moment and asked.
"The promotion of the Path of Law is urgent. Typically, I choose the most direct and effective method, not necessarily the most prudent one," Lin Bai said. "Your Highness, my time is measured in days. If I slow down, always aiming for prudence, the Seven Righteous Sects and the Five Demonic Sects will only become more entrenched…"
After closing his eyes and pondering for a moment, Duke Zhenguo reopened his eyes and looked at Lin Bai. "The order to deploy The Northern Army must come from His Majesty. I will persuade him. Even if I do persuade His Majesty, it will take two days for The Northern Army to assemble. You'll have to hold out on your own for those two days…"
"No problem," Lin Bai replied. "Two days is already very quick."
"Father, what other Magic Treasures do we have at home? Give more to my dear Lin for his protection!" Xu Longyun urged.
"Once The Northern Army is mobilized, it means Taiyi Country and the Seven Righteous Sects have formally severed ties. This will drag the entire nation into conflict; every official and minister will have to contend with the fallout from this break with the Seven Righteous Sects. After all, once this step is taken, there's no turning back. When that time comes, your father and your brother will very likely also have to go to the battlefield. All resources of Prince Zhen Guo's house will be prioritized for our soldiers; there will be nothing spare for the Justice League," Duke Zhenguo said, glancing at his daughter, who was so quick to side with an outsider. Pointing to a box of Spirit Condensing Fruit, he remarked, "The Righteous Door is wealthy; I imagine they don't need treasures from Prince Zhen Guo's house."
"Xiao Yun, with the Chaos Jade and Thousand Miles Talisman, I am already content. Don't make things difficult for Duke Zhenguo," Lin Bai interjected with a smile, stopping Xu Longyun who was about to argue for him. He bowed to Duke Zhenguo. "Since we are in agreement, I shall await your good news in Zhen City. After returning there, I will find more loving couples within the Justice League to establish several more Magpie Bridges between Zhen City and the Capital City. This way, The Northern Army and supplies can be quickly transported to Zhen City. Your Highness can also maintain contact with Zhen City through these loving couples. Should any new developments arise, we can communicate instantly…"
「 」
After persuading Duke Zhenguo, Lin Bai immediately returned to Zhen City through the Magpie Bridge, while Xu Longyun was kept behind by Duke Zhenguo.
「Upon his return to Zhen City,」
Lin Bai informed the members of the initial alliance between the Justice League and Taiyi Country. After further bolstering the army's morale, he began using the Milky Way to find true couples among those who had been pre-selected.
「All this while,」
Although Lin Bai had always advocated high standards for practicing the Great Path of Love, the Matchmaker System's requirements for couples weren't actually that stringent. There are many forms of love in the world; it's impossible to demand that every pair's love be as steadfast as gold. As long as there was affection between two people, the Milky Way could be easily triggered.
Excluding the locals paired with Players, the majority of temporarily formed Daoist couples within the Justice League surprisingly passed the Milky Way's test.
This greatly boosted the confidence of the Justice League members in cultivating the Way of Love.
Before being tested by the Milky Way, everyone was apprehensive. Being eliminated by the Milky Way meant one wasn't loyal enough in love. If word got out, the women might fare better, but the men, in particular, would find it nearly impossible to find another Daoist couple to practice the Way of Love with.
Fortunately, the Milky Way was quite accommodating, validating most people.
In this test of love, the Players became pariahs. Their repeated failures in the Milky Way test dissolved all the sham couples, and no local was willing to form a couple with them anymore.
Players who had joined places like Wash Flower Valley and Hundred Flower Valley, intending to live off their partners, cried foul. They protested indignantly, swearing their loyalty to their former lovers, but no one cared about their feelings. With war imminent, useless Players were merely seen as burdens by the locals…
After a period of clamor yielded no results, the Players quickly quieted down. They also knew their 'love' was driven by ulterior motives, so failing was perfectly normal.
If they actually passed, they'd have more to worry about.
They'd dread being called out on the forums, likely becoming targets of ridicule for all Players.
In the game, you could fall for another Player, but an NPC? Unthinkable!
But the convenience of the Magpie Bridge still made the Players reluctant to give up.
Looking at the Magpie Bridges built by the locals, connecting Zhen City to the Capital City, the Players were green with envy. They turned their sights to the Lin Bai Supporting Group, hoping to find partners there and somehow activate the Magpie Bridge function through Lin Bai.
If they possessed their own teleportation bridge, they wouldn't need to spend coins and could live comfortably in the game.
After all, the game provided a complete sensory experience, making life inside it even more comfortable than outside!
「 」
「While the Justice League was busy,」
Duke Zhenguo, on the other hand, faced obstacles. For ten thousand years, the Seven Righteous Sects and the Five Demonic Sects had accumulated immense prestige and inspired deep awe; consequently, not everyone was willing to openly declare war on the Seven Righteous Sects.
The court was in an uproar. Some saw this as a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity; others viewed it as an omen of the country's destruction. Some even proposed expelling the Justice League preemptively…
However, individuals confirmed as loving couples by the Milky Way began arriving in Zhen City via the initial Magpie Bridge established by Lin Bai and Xu Longyun.
Then, with Lin Bai acting first and reporting later, a series of Magpie Bridges, like rainbows, connected Zhen City and the Capital City, and the voices of protest gradually fell silent.
After all, aside from Lin Bai, no one else could cancel the Magpie Bridge.
Even though Taiyi Country, with its long-accumulated strength, could easily eliminate the Bridge Protectors sent from the Justice League, doing so would be tantamount to declaring war on the Justice League before confronting the Seven Righteous Sects. The Duke Zhenguo's Commandery Princess was Lin Bai's lover, and Duke Zhenguo held immense power in Taiyi Country. If they fought the Justice League and, in doing so, pushed Duke Zhenguo to their side, the country would fall even faster.
Thus, the protests gradually died out, forcing all the ministers of Taiyi Country to discuss the specifics of cooperating with the Justice League…
「 」
Of course, Lin Bai didn't give them a chance to retract their decision. That very day, he announced the news of the collaboration between the Justice League and Taiyi Country to popularize the Magpie Bridge in the Justice Weekly.
However, the publication of this article did not cause a significant stir.
Whether it was ordinary people or nations like Taichu and Taihao, everyone's attention remained fixed on the conflict between the Justice League and the Seven Righteous Sects.
Everyone knew that the emergence of the Magpie Bridge was significant enough to change the world, but the prerequisite for that change was Lin Bai's survival; otherwise, everything was merely an illusion.
The conflict had erupted so suddenly that it caught everyone off guard, leaving them without even a strategy to respond.
For now, all anyone could do was watch and wait—wait for an initial outcome between Lin Bai and the Seven Righteous Sects before making any decisions…