Chapter 2396: The Merciless Punishes the Sentient

Wind sweeps across the vast sky, the bitter sea turns to red dust.

The Law Stele stands alone on the high cliff, like a sword splitting the dome of the sky, yet it can also lie horizontally, deterring the human world according to law.

The thirteen characters of the Law Family's true words have resounded in ceremonial voices for ten thousand years.

And the Three Punishment Palaces often use the Law Stele as the "Ceremonial Gate".

Exiting means entering the world, entering means entering the Law Palace.

Gongsun Bu Hai carried a thorn basket, walking up the mountain steps, returning empty-handed.

Just by the Law Family's Ceremonial Gate, he met Wu Bing Yi, who was about to exit.

The disturbance in the Fallen Immortal Forest was growing. Jiang Wang's mastery of 'Zhu Xiang' becoming 'I', and the step of 'Ten Thousand Realms Returning to Truth' had shaken the myriad heavens even more than a martial dao cultivation breakthrough. He had also broken the barrier of dimness with his 29-year-old dao cultivation age, once again creating cultivation history.

Long-held understandings were repeatedly being broken.

That transcendent existence, called the "Nameless One," could no longer hide himself.

In fact, from the moment he entered people's vision and fought with Huang Wei Zhen, being referred to as the "Nameless One," he was no longer "nameless"!

In a sense, "Nameless One" was his name. People could discuss him, and they were discussing him more and more. Every discussion was an outline. This process was like peeling scales and removing feathers, and he would also become clearer.

The great battle between the Nameless One and Huang Wei Zhen during this period was merely a continuous expansion of time and space, delaying the process of clarification. Of course, the speed of transcendence, whether instantaneous or ten thousand years, was but a snap of the fingers.

Huang Wei Zhen naturally hoped to end the battle before the Divine Sky opened, while the Nameless One wanted to delay until a change occurred.

The danger level of the Fallen Immortal Forest during this period far surpassed the past. Even the Chu Kingdom's garrison troops tightly closed their camps and canceled patrols.

Time and space chaos flows would occasionally appear, instantly turning strong youths into rotten bones and famous generals into infants.

Inside the Fallen Immortal Forest, heaven and earth were turned upside down, and many old traces had disappeared.

The two transcendent beings were not fighting within the Fallen Immortal Forest, but in different times and spaces, in different causal lines, continuously chasing and fleeing.

But the Fallen Immortal Forest was the place where they truly fought for the first time. The aftermath of the transcendent beings' collision, as the battle continued, constantly expanded and manifested its power.

The battle of transcendent beings was impossible to observe.

Even peak powerhouses could only sense the ripples of that great war from the changes in the Fallen Immortal Forest.

Wu Bing Yi, the master of the Rectangular Ground Palace, frequently went to the Fallen Immortal Forest during this period to clear the time-space chaos flows and regulate the order of the present world, bearing the responsibility of the "Rectangular Ground." This was to prevent the aftermath of the transcendent beings' struggle from affecting the environment of the Fallen Immortal Forest and further shaking this world.

Although the Fallen Immortal Forest was not a place bounded by heavenly rules and earthly rectangles, its fierce reputation had never declined, but it was also not good for it to change too dramatically too quickly.

"Yan Chun Hui, huh?" Wu Bing Yi asked directly.

Gongsun Bu Hai turned over his palms, showing they were empty: "Didn't bring him back."

"No matter how strong Yan Chun Hui is, I don't see how he could have defeated you. Li Yi's initial and final holding, Jiang Wang's mastery of 'Zhu Xiang' becoming 'I', the return to truth of 'Ten Thousand Realms', plus the Void Pavilion and the thorn basket, if the operation was proper, trapping and killing Yan Chun Hui shouldn't have been a problem." Wu Bing Yi mused, "Who leaked the information?"

This was a very serious accusation!

It was also the reason why Jiang Wang didn't mention a word about it in the Valley of No Return.

As soon as the words were spoken, a rift appeared...

Although the relationship between the three true monarchs was not particularly close, they were all teammates chosen by Jiang Wang to surround and kill Yan Chun Hui. At least in the matter of sweeping the Valley of No Return, they could be united against evil.

Mutual suspicion would only make evil happy and good sad.

Without concrete evidence, Jiang Wang could only take the blame on himself.

Of course, Wu Bing Yi was also speaking in private.

Gongsun Bu Hai was silent for a while, then said: "If there is indeed someone who leaked the information, this person would not be Jiang Wang. He has never been soft on humans and demons, almost killing them all from top to bottom, there is no reason for him to turn back at the last moment. Moreover, this action was also led by him. If Yan Chun Hui escaped, it would be his biggest trouble – he has no reason to release Yan Chun Hui."

The master of the Punishment Person Palace continued: "It would also not be Li Yi. Li Yi's origin, stance, and nature do not support any reason for him to do so."

"Zhong Li Yan is even more impossible. He wouldn't do it."

Speaking of this, Gongsun Bu Hai looked up, his expression very strange: "It seems only I am left."

He leaned slightly into the sunlight: "Could it be that I am an insider responding to the human and demon forces?"

The ceremonial stones chimed in response.

It seemed like the majestic judgment of the law.

The wind moved, the sound moved, only Wu Bing Yi did not move.

He stood there, his voice also fixed: "Leaking information is not necessarily due to subjective malice. Unintentional leaks of intelligence do not require reason. Therefore, others cannot be excluded. Even this information may not have been leaked by a specific person. Perhaps Yan Chun Hui was awakened by killing intent, or alerted by a spiritual sense, or perhaps because of some secret method or divine ability that is not known to others – Yan Chun Hui in this era, having achieved the dao with the 'forgetting self flying sword', cannot be measured by common reason."

"Yes, he cannot be measured by common reason. The human and demon evil has brought disaster for many years. If he were easy to kill, he wouldn't have survived until today." Gongsun Bu Hai was silent for a moment, then said: "But Jiang Wang has just achieved a breakthrough, suddenly today, and cannot kill him. It will be hard to have another chance in the future."

Two great masters of the Law Family, one with a high crown and wide belt, one in tight clothes and martial uniform; one with a poker face, one with heroic eyebrows and eyes; one quiet as a mountain stone, one fervent as a bonfire. They were truly two completely different people, standing opposite each other by the Law Stele, inside and outside the Ceremonial Gate.

One was about to walk out, one was just returning.

Wu Bing Yi was used to being serious in all matters, and at this moment there was no fluctuation in his mood. He only said: "Even if it's a warning. Although we couldn't kill Yan Chun Hui, at least let him know that the human and demon accounts of these years are all recorded with him, and there will be a day of reckoning sooner or later. Let him not be so unrestrained anymore."

Gongsun Bu Hai was not comforted, and Wu Bing Yi was not someone who would comfort others.

"A warning and deterrence lie in the ability to execute the punishment and killing," Gongsun Bu Hai said. "If we can't kill him today, perhaps it will help his arrogance grow."

Killing Yan Chun Hui would settle everything. Since Yan Chun Hui could not be killed, the so-called warning was naturally meaningless. No matter who spoke, how could it scare Yan Chun Hui in the slightest?

"You are right." Wu Bing Yi lifted his foot to walk, but thought for a moment, stopped, and suddenly asked: "Do you still have contact with Gu Shi Yi?"

Who would have thought?

A great master of the Law Family, the master of the Punishment Person Palace, and Gu Shi Yi, the world's first hero, were once friends!

At that time, Gongsun Bu Hai was still called "Sun Meng", also a world-famous hero, who had known Gu Shi Yi like an old friend at first sight and had interacted for a hundred years.

Later, he returned to the Three Punishment Palaces, changed back to his original name, and the world no longer heard of "Heroic Intent" Sun Meng.

While Gu Shi Yi walked alone in the human world, gradually becoming the spiritual leader of all wanderers in the world.

Not many people knew about this, but Wu Bing Yi was naturally one of the few.

Today, he suddenly brought it up, causing Gongsun Bu Hai to freeze on the spot.

The former "Heroic Intent" Sun Meng stood there, seeming to silently endure a difficult period of time, and finally only said: "The thorn basket is on my back."

He was carrying the responsibility of the Punishment Person Palace, which had existed since ancient times.

Bearing thorns and hanging scales, how could he dare to forget the "law"?

Gu Shi Yi was the most self-contained and most free-spirited person in the world, while the Law Family was the most rule-bound, strictest, and most majestic school of thought.

The so-called "heroes violating prohibitions with martial arts," "heroes" and "prohibitions," were originally difficult to reconcile.

Gu Shi Yi was lighthearted towards the world, but the law did not allow provocation.

Heroes acted quickly on emotions and grudges, relying only on likes and dislikes, only seeking to drink today if there is wine, and break heads today if they are unhappy.

The Law Family, however, wanted to confine everything within a cage.

Gongsun Bu Hai, representing "law," and Gu Shi Yi, representing "heroes," had a moment of coexistence based on "justice," but their natures could not stand together.

Perhaps this was the reason why they were once close friends and later parted ways.

Still have contact?

Of course, they would no longer have contact.

A hundred and seventy-seven years ago, in the wind-blown rice fragrance, the two did not know each other until they fought, first clashing and then drinking, laughing heartily while drunk. Nine years ago, in the bleak mountain wind, the two drank their last wine, both not fully satisfied. They had not met since.

The right path of the human world is full of vicissitudes!

Gongsun Bu Hai's answer undoubtedly satisfied Wu Bing Yi.

He only nodded and walked towards the outside of the Ceremonial Gate.

Gongsun Bu Hai brushed past him and walked into the Ceremonial Gate.

The master of the Rectangular Ground Palace and the master of the Punishment Person Palace exchanged positions, only then concluding this conversation. Afterwards, each had their own affairs and responsibilities.

But Gongsun Bu Hai stopped and spoke again: "You suspect Gu Shi Yi?"

He did not turn his head, nor did Wu Bing Yi.

The two just spoke with their backs to each other.

Wu Bing Yi's words were like chiseling stone, hammering out word by word: "An extremely stubborn and self-contained person, if he firmly believes that he is correct, then for this 'correctness', he will do anything. All the strange things that you find unimaginable and unreasonable are insignificant before that correctness. I think Gu Shi Yi is just this kind of person."

Gongsun Bu Hai turned back, standing inside the Law Family's Ceremonial Gate, looking towards the outside of the Ceremonial Gate: "When my teacher died in battle outside of heaven, it was you who wrote the letter summoning me back. The Three Punishment Palaces are divided equally, without high or low. But I have always respected you greatly."

He originally addressed Wu Bing Yi as "you."

But that word "heart" was cut off by Wu Bing Yi.

Because the master of the Punishment Person Palace, in all matters involving "law," cannot mix personal feelings.

"You comprehended the classics at nine, and could annotate the 'Law Classic' at thirteen. At sixteen, you traveled the world to learn, nine changes with thorns, handled one thousand three hundred and forty-six cases, every one of which was fair. To explore the boundary between heroes and law, you transformed into Sun Meng and earned the name 'Heroic Intent', becoming the only hero in the world who has never violated any law. Within the same generation, no one can match you. It's hard to say if there will be any Law Family disciples who can compare with you in the next several hundred years. You can hold the Punishment Person Palace, which is the inevitable reason of the law."

Wu Bing Yi also turned back and faced Gongsun Bu Hai: "This is not something I or Mister Han say counts, nor does it mix any emotions. The letter I wrote was a public letter, not a private letter."

Punishment is an emotionless thing, and people are emotional beings.

A punishment person is someone who punishes the emotional with the emotionless.

Gongsun Bu Hai, of course, did not need anyone to teach him.

But at this moment, looking at Wu Bing Yi, he still couldn't help but feel a few points of annoyance.

I respect you, like a teacher, like a father. And you are like iron and stone. So many years have passed, and I still can't get used to it.

He opened his mouth and said: "Are you staring at Gu Shi Yi because he is the spiritual leader of world heroes, one call can gather a hundred responses, and his footsteps can shake the world? Or because he has truly done something evil, and there is something worth suspecting?"

"There is no evidence to prove that he has done anything evil, so I don't acknowledge that he has done evil. He has certainly violated some laws in different places, but they are not acts of evil that make people's hair stand on end, just his natural freedom, not bound by anything." Wu Bing Yi said directly: "I am staring at him because he doesn't care about 'law'. He has the will to disrupt the law and the ability to disrupt the law."

"Then you should also stare at Jiang Wang like this," Gongsun Bu Hai said. "Refining demons, cultivating in the Morning Hear Dao Heaven Palace, he fundamentally despises order and disrespects rules. Whether it's the views of the world or the Law Sword of the Punishment Knife, nothing can frame him. He is also extremely self-contained and repeatedly challenges the existing order."

"You are wrong. You and Jiang Wang walk the same path, but you haven't truly recognized him." Wu Bing Yi said without any emotion: "The true I, Jiang Wang, and the hero Gu Shi Yi seem similar, both self-indulgent, but they are actually completely different types of people. Gu Shi Yi has no law in his eyes, and walks his own path. While Jiang Wang is precisely a person who understands the law very well and respects the law very much. He can recite your 'Proving Law and Balancing Heaven' backwards. As for Xue Gui's 'Myriad World Law', he didn't even know the name at first, but later he could debate with Zhuo Qing Ru on the views in the book - he has more understanding than you imagine."

"Someone gave him news of the demon skill, hoping that he would cultivate it when there was no other way out, but he refined it but did not cultivate it. Although he refined demons, he placed himself in the Law Palace, wore shackles himself, and wielded the Punishment Knife himself. He built the Morning Hear Dao Heaven Palace by pushing step by step, and only after communicating with various sides could he do so. If you seriously examine him, you will discover that many of his seemingly wild and unrestrained actions are within the framework of the existing order. Even that battle in Heaven Capital City that shook the world."

The master of the Rectangular Ground Palace stood on the high cliff, giving his final definition of 'Jiang Wang': "He is actually very willing to respect rules, and also willing to act under the rules, as long as the rules are fair. I think he has already understood the true meaning of 'order', and knows that it is the foundation of all peace."

"Perhaps you understand Jiang Wang very well!" Gongsun Bu Hai shook his head: "But you don't understand Gu Shi Yi."

"Whether I understand them or not is not important," Wu Bing Yi said without any emotion. "I only look at facts."

Gongsun Bu Hai looked at him like this, and finally said: "You suspect Gu Shi Yi now, but at the root, you suspect me."

The master of the Rectangular Ground Palace and the master of the Punishment Person Palace are suspicious of each other!

If this news were to spread, it would surely shake the Law Palace and shock the world.

"You know I am not targeting you." Even in such a serious situation, Wu Bing Yi remained expressionless. He did not try to conceal anything: "Originally, it should have been a nine-out-of-ten certain action, but it failed by a single gap. Yan Chun Hui's escape does indeed have many possibilities, but those possibilities are all very small – I suspect every single one of you."

Gongsun Bu Hai said: "You should suspect! But not groundless suspicion!"

Wu Bing Yi's body was like cast iron, not even allowing the wind to shake his crown and belt: "Before evidence appears, suspicion is just suspicion. Since you say you should, how can it be 'groundless'?"

"Your suspicion has two points." Gongsun Bu Hai raised his hand and held up one finger: "First, you suspect that I still have contact with Gu Shi Yi, and that I leaked the information to Gu Shi Yi. I cannot prove this myself, because with my strength and Gu Shi Yi's, we can contact each other by bypassing any known monitoring method."

Wu Bing Yi said lightly: "You don't have to prove it yourself. There is no reason in the world to let people prove themselves innocent."

Gongsun Bu Hai ignored him and held up a second finger: "Second, you suspect that Gu Shi Yi advanced the news, thus allowing Yan Chun Hui to escape. To be honest, your suspicion is very far-fetched, without any basis, a suspicion of drawing the target after shooting the arrow - what does this have to do with Gu Shi Yi?"

"Firstly, this is one of my suspects, not all of them. Listing all suspects and then eliminating them one by one is also a normal method of handling cases. You are overly agitated. Do you feel that I shouldn't suspect you, or do you not want me to suspect Gu Shi Yi? You should know that your 'feelings' and 'hopes' have no influence on me. This is also not targeting you. Whether you hold the Punishment Person Palace or know me, Wu Bing Yi, it is the same."

Wu Bing Yi did not conceal his thoughts at all, and he had no need to conceal anything from Gongsun Bu Hai. He believed that 'law' was a matter of public reason, and his suspicion could also be fully exposed to the sunlight.

There is no private truth in the world!

"Secondly, I have always been keeping an eye on Gu Shi Yi these years, and I know that you have too. Your intensity in investigating Gu Shi Yi even surpasses mine. Is it difficult for you not to have suspicions about him? He has many unclear times. I believe you are even clearer than I am."

He paused, seemingly giving Gongsun Bu Hai some time to buffer, and finally said: "I have my reasons for suspicion, but because of your irrationality before the name Gu Shi Yi, I cannot share them with you. Now I can only say - I think this possibility exists. Jiang Wang, you, Gu Shi Yi, Yan Chun Hui, there can be an intelligence line among them. But before using evidence to confirm this possibility, I will not say anything to the outside."

The mountain wind was quiet.

The ceremonial stones were also silent.

After a long silence, Gongsun Bu Hai opened his mouth: "Do you think Gu Shi Yi is a person from the Equal Country?"

Wu Bing Yi said: "I didn't say that, I didn't even mention the Equal Country, but why..."

He looked at Gongsun Bu Hai: "Would you think like this?"

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