Emperor’s Domination

“Don’t be afraid, Brother. I’m just passing by.” Sixth-sense said with a smile.

Light God calmed down since there was no malice.

“I have to say, Xian Chengtian is one step ahead of us on many things.” Sixth-sense poured himself a cup of tea.

“He’s not a fool, just selfish and free.” Li Qiye smiled.

“Who wouldn’t want to be like that? They live the freest and most comfortably.” Sixth-sense said.

“You’re not free?” Li Qiye smiled.

“I wouldn’t be here to see you if I were free, and if you were free, you wouldn’t be here either.” Sixth-sense poured a cup for Li Qiye.

“That’s certainly true. How enviable.” Li Qiye nodded in agreement.

“And we’re not free compared to you.” Sixth-sense said: “Of course, we don’t envy you.”

“Why’s that?” Li Qiye smiled.

“Your path appears to be free, slaying whoever you want.” Sixth-sense responded: “However, that’s all appearance. You are constantly restraining yourself, letting go of chances to be free despite having more than we do.”

“True.” Li Qiye took a sip first before answering.

“So you are your own warden.” Sixth-sense said.

“Does this count as a persuasion attempt?” Li Qiye smiled.

“No.” Sixth-sense said: “I’m just speaking the truth. You know full well the easiest way to get rid of the pests is to destroy everything in this mortal world. None will survive. The villainous heaven doesn’t descend, but you’re right here.”

“It would be meaningless to do so.” Li Qiye said.

“Since you have always been restraining yourself, wouldn’t it become a heart devil eventually?” Sixth-sense said: “We live together with heaven and earth, even longer. We exist when nothing does. That is our strength so when we aren’t free, this heart devil will grow stronger and become permanent.”

“The logic is sound, no wonder why so many people are willing to make pacts with you regardless of their dao heart.” Li Qiye said.

“I’m not that persuasive. They were already tempted and I tore off the veil, a scapegoat. Their downfall stemmed from themselves, not my persuasion.” Sixth-sense shook his head.

“Sure, if the heart doesn’t move, temptations are useless.” Li Qiye said.

“Thank you for understanding, Sir.” Sixth-sense bowed.

“You made a good point, but it isn’t right for me.” Li Qiye said.

“Where is the error? Please enlighten me.” Sixth-sense asked sincerely.

“Unbounded freedom is a form of depravity, an invasion of the self, not freedom.” Li Qiye said: “Although the dao is limitless, there are still limits defined by the cultivator. These boundaries are essential for moving forward. Otherwise, they will lose themselves in the boundless dao and fall into depravity.”

“I suppose boundaries are required.” Sixth-sense contemplated before nodding.

“You’re persuading others while being aware of your boundaries. Otherwise, you would have fallen to the darkness.” Li Qiye smiled.

“What do you think my boundaries are?” Sixth-sense asked.

“What’s between us is nothing more than a clash of factions.” Li Qiye said: “What would you do without boundaries?”

“No different from the others. Eating happily with zero shackles.” Sixth-sense smiled.

“Then could you still reach the shore?” Li Qiye smiled.

“No, we’ll be in the marsh but perhaps there is happiness there.” Sixth-sense drank his tea.

“Thus, I don’t need to answer where your boundaries are.” Li Qiye smiled.

Sixth-sense smiled wryly and said: “The shore, one day.”

“Your boundaries are why you are still alive while the others are dead.” Li Qiye said.

“Doesn’t mean I won’t die, perhaps just a bit later than them.” Sixth-sense said sentimentally.

“They only had one available path, death.” Li Qiye said: “What about you?”

“First is to be killed by you, second is to kill you, third is reaching the other shore without killing you, fourth is returning to the marsh but this will end with death…” Sixth-sense said sincerely.

“Would you have had these choices if you had started without shackles?” Li Qiye asked.

“No.” Sixth-sense said.

“Therefore, my boundaries help me reach the desired end.” Li Qiye drank his tea: “This is the fundamental key to an unwavering dao heart.”

“So arduous and tiring, what a torment.” Sixth-sense commented.

“You speak as if recklessness brings no torment. Look at them, they devoured everything and what were they left with? Nothing, they clung to life like starving dogs. Do you think your suffering is worse than theirs?” Li Qiye asked.

“Hard to say which suffering is worse, but at the very least, we keep our dignity.” Sixth-sense said.

“With all this said, do you think you can persuade me?” Li Qiye asked.

“Sir, no one can move your dao heart, we’re just chatting at best.” Sixth-sense said.

“Then I apologize for the unfair accusation.” Li Qiye smiled.

“You’re too kind.” Sixth-sense shook his head.

“Then why are you here?” Li Qiye asked with a smile.

“Just to talk about the dao heart.” Sixth-sense said.

“You don’t look like someone who’s here to talk about the dao heart with me.” Li Qiye said.

“We all want to reach the shore.” Sixth-sense said: “Personally, we have no feud with you. Everything we do is for this goal, so please, don’t misunderstand.”

“I never mind having one more or one fewer enemy.” Li Qiye said.

“It’s easy for you to kill us.” Sixth-sense admitted.

“You all think that you have a high probability of success in killing me as well.” Li Qiye said.

“We lean toward the other shore more.” Sixth-sense said.

“Either way, the first is to kill me.” Li Qiye said.

“It’s a difference in philosophy. Anyone who wishes to ascend higher needs a stepping stone, no?” Sixth-sense said.

“And I happen to be the most suitable stepping stone.” Li Qiye smiled.