Chapter 382: Whose “Thoughts” Is It?

The Flood Dragon Emperor silently put away the Reverse Scale and took a sip of tea, looking resigned.

Liu Shi instinctively let out a sigh of relief, comforting herself in her heart: A gentleman takes revenge even after ten years; there’s always a chance in the future.

“Why didn’t you make a move?” Gu Ning’an’s meaningful voice suddenly broke the silence, making both the Flood Dragon Emperor and Liu Shi tense up.

The Reverse Scale naturally possessed the ability to evade spiritual detection, meaning it could only be seen by the naked eye rather than sensed through spiritual power.

This was why Flood Dragon Emperor had hidden it under the table, mimicking the motion of a martial artist preparing to launch a hidden weapon.

Yet, to their shock, Mr. Gu had noticed it anyway?

“Mr. Gu, what do you mean by that?” The Flood Dragon Emperor feigned ignorance. “I was merely contemplating your words.”

Gu Ning’an chuckled lightly and did not pursue the matter. Instead, he changed the subject. “I came here today mainly to remind you, Flood Dragon Emperor. Whether you believe me or not is beyond my control.”

“Finally, I would like to ask—Flood Dragon Emperor, you are determined to lead the demon race out of Northern Huangtian and have even allied with the Great Wu prince. What exactly are you after?”

“After?” Flood Dragon Emperor laughed, then asked in return, “Mr. Gu, let’s take Great Wu as an example…

“What is the difference in living conditions between the land inside and outside Northern Huangtian?”

Gu Ning’an replied, “Like heaven and earth.”

“Good!”

The Flood Dragon Emperor continued, “Then let me ask you, Mr. Gu—should the demon race be forced to dwell in the barren deserts, enduring the scorching heat by day and freezing cold by night, suffering from the scarcity of spiritual energy?”

“Should this vast land be exclusively occupied by the human race? Are we demons, simply because we are born from eggs and wet environments, destined to be confined to the wilderness?”

Gu Ning’an answered, “The mountains and rivers of the world belong to all living beings, not just humans.”

The Flood Dragon Emperor had been prepared to argue, but Gu Ning’an’s unexpected response left him momentarily speechless. After a pause, he said, “Then, since I have inherited the demon race’s destiny and risen to the rank of a Great Demon, shouldn’t I fight for my people?”

“Whether you should or not is your own decision,” Gu Ning’an said calmly. “If you believe it must be done, then it must be done. No one else can judge.”

Then he asked, “If one day, Flood Dragon Emperor, you conquer a territory and establish the world’s first demon nation, will you expel all humans? Or enslave them?”

“Expel or enslave?” The Flood Dragon Emperor sneered. “Mr. Gu, your question is rather narrow-minded.”

“We demons, before gaining intelligence, are indeed beasts that survive by instinct. However, once we gain wisdom and take human form, we learn the ways of the mortal world.”

“Slaughter is part of survival instincts, but humans seem more harmonious only because they are bound by laws and rituals.”

“If demons were to establish a nation, there would also be laws and regulations. Just as the Heavenly Dao allows demons to take human form, it implies that humanity is the favored child of Heaven. This suggests that Heaven desires all beings to follow laws, restrain slaughter, and pursue the Dao while nurturing the world.”

“Therefore, if I were to rule a demon nation, I would certainly not drive out or enslave others. The path of cultivation is about survival, the pursuit of the Dao, and longevity. Those who only crave power, wealth, and lust will not go far.”

Gu Ning’an nodded. “Flood Dragon Emperor does have a broad vision, but your subordinate, Hei Shui, does not.”

“In his pursuit of spiritual essence, he sent ghostly beings to devour an entire prosperous town, turning it into a land of the dead.”

“I am aware of that,” Flood Dragon Emperor said, taking another sip of tea. “From the demon race’s perspective, Hei Shui did nothing wrong.”

“Do you realize that if Hei Shui had acquired that spiritual essence, within fifty years—perhaps even sooner—he would have become the second Great Demon of the Demon Capital?”

“By then, even without the Void Emperor, we could stand against the two True Immortals of Northern Huangtian, allowing the demon race to break free from its confines!”

“In the end, right and wrong depend on one’s perspective. Since you stand with the humans, Mr. Gu, you naturally see Hei Shui as wrong…”

“But from my perspective, Hei Shui did nothing wrong at all.”

“One’s identity shapes their thoughts,” Gu Ning’an said with a smile. “So, in your eyes, I am merely an obstacle in your path—nothing more than the villain of this tale.”

The Flood Dragon Emperor was briefly stunned, then burst into laughter. “Mr. Gu, that is quite the fitting analogy…”

“Now that you understand our intentions, what do you plan to do?”

“And let me be clear—save your words of persuasion. If you wish to stop us, you’ll have to do so by force.”

At this point, the atmosphere grew tense once again. Liu Shi swallowed hard, thinking that if a fight broke out, she must immediately summon all the demons in the city to aid them.

“I’m not here to fight, so there’s no need to keep testing me.” As he spoke, Gu Ning’an gestured toward the heavens and earth. “The world belongs to all living beings. The demon race’s desire for change is only natural.”

“From your perspective, establishing a nation in lands where it’s easier to gain intelligence and take human form does seem ideal for your kind.”

“Though I am human, I have no right to declare that a race seeking change and a way out of hardship is evil or should be eradicated.”

“However, I hope the Flood Dragon Emperor will remember—no matter how much you may struggle and fight, do not commit atrocities against other races outside of war.”

Hearing this, the Flood Dragon Emperor was momentarily puzzled. From the way Gu Ning’an spoke, it seemed he had no intention of interfering with the demon race’s revolution—as long as they did not harm other races beyond the battlefield.

Afraid he had misunderstood, the Flood Dragon Emperor simply asked outright, “Mr. Gu, you’re not going to stop me?”

Gu Ning’an shook his head. “No.”

The Flood Dragon Emperor said, “Our demon race possesses great strength. Many humans will die when the time comes!”

Gu Ning’an replied calmly, “Conflict brings casualties. Many demons will die as well.”

The Flood Dragon Emperor continued, “We fight for change, for the prosperity of our descendants. We do not fear death.”

Gu Ning’an nodded. “There are no saviors in this world. The battle between humans and demons is both a catastrophe and an opportunity for rebirth. Only when one forges their own path will they truly cherish peace when it comes.”

Hearing this, the Flood Dragon Emperor pondered for a moment before standing up and clasping his hands in respect. “Sir, you are no ordinary man… truly extraordinary.”

Smiling, Gu Ning’an waved his hand dismissively, drained the tea in front of him, and, after a brief word of thanks, left without looking back.

It wasn’t until his figure disappeared beyond the great hall’s entrance that Liu Shi finally spoke. “Mr. Gu really left?”

The Flood Dragon Emperor nodded. “He left.”

Liu Shi said, “Just like that?”

The Flood Dragon Emperor looked puzzled. “Did you want to go with him?”

Liu Shi quickly shook her head. “I’m just surprised that he didn’t make a move. And in the end, neither did you.”

“You think I didn’t want to?” The Flood Dragon Emperor picked up the half-broken bamboo stick from the tea table and muttered, “It was just… some strange thought in my mind kept telling me not to act.”

“Was that thought my own?”

“Or…” At that, the Flood Dragon Emperor lifted his head and looked upward.