Soul Land 5: The Rebirth of Tang San

Chapter 798: The Sword of Judgment, Righteousness of Heaven and Earth

Is this the power of judgment?

Tang San reached behind himself at that moment, and a heaven-shaking sword intent erupted.

As that sword intent appeared, the Sword Saint Demon Emperor could no longer sense Mei Gongzi's presence; it was as if she had vanished into thin air. Behind Tang San, a red light shot into the sky, and the unique energy he had gathered surged toward that crimson glow like rivers pouring into the sea. A blood-red light shone on Tang San's forehead, forming a small crimson sword rune.

This red did not carry the hues of grief, bleakness, or bloodshed. Instead, it exuded a vast, majestic aura.

Tang San's right hand slowly moved upward, as if unsheathing a sword tied to his back, and the heaven-shaking crimson light behind him condensed toward his palm. In the next moment, a crimson beam flashed that appeared to connect heaven and earth.

As this sword strike was launched, it seemed to draw in a unique and terrifying force. That terrifying force descended in an instant, slashing down upon the Sword Saint Demon Emperor's spiritual sword mountain with the momentum of an entire world collapsing.

The sword mountain trembled.

The Sword Saint Demon Emperor trembled violently, and blinding sword light erupted from him. The towering sword mountain rose to meet the strike head-on.

BOOM!!!

The crimson sword light burst forth in indescribable brilliance, instantly enveloping the entire sword mountain. Yet, the mountain remained steadfast, seemingly unscathed. It was just that, as the crimson light swept over the sword mountain, the sword intent erupting from the mountain shattered instantly.

Immediately, the Sword Saint Demon Emperor's entire body was shrouded in red. Yet although astonished, he felt no harm—only a strange aura brushing past his body. That was all.

Yet the full-power sword intent he had just unleashed had vanished without a trace.

The crimson light gradually receded, and Tang San's face turned slightly pale. At some point, a blood-red longsword had appeared in his hand. The sword floated away, landing beside him and transforming back into Mei Gongzi.

Yes—Tang San had just used Mei Gongzi as the sword to unleash that judgment strike.

The Sword Saint Demon Emperor stood in silence for a long time, while the sword mountain continued to tremble, emitting a persistent hum.

Tang San and Mei Gongzi remained still, quietly sensing the changes within themselves. Especially Mei Gongzi; she could clearly feel that when Tang San had used her as the sword to strike that blow, something seemed to have been imprinted within her. That something made the Asura Sword in her sea of consciousness become visibly more solid.

After a long while, the light returned to the Sword Saint Demon Emperor's eyes.

"This is...the Sword of Judgment?" he asked solemnly.

"Yes, this is the Sword of Judgment. Do you understand?"

The Sword Saint Demon Emperor shook his head. "I understand some, but not fully. You wielded the power of heaven and earth; my sword intent couldn't block your strike. That power seemed impervious to bloodline power and divine consciousness, or at least it could only be partially obstructed. So what exactly did you use to strike me? And why did I not feel any harm?"

Tang San smiled faintly and said, "Your Majesty, you are without sin; what is there to judge? You are your own strict judge, and you know that you are innocent. The Sword of Judgment would not strike you down."

The Sword Saint Demon Emperor paused, pondering Tang San's words, momentarily stunned.

Tang San continued gravely, "The Sword of Judgment is the sword that strikes down evil. The more heinous an enemy, the more evil they have committed, the more effective this power is against them. Conversely, it's clear that you have committed no great wrongs in your life. Your moral compass is righteous and you follow it unerringly, and thus the strike simply brushed past you. Had you been guilty... the outcome would have been very different."

As Tang San explained to the Sword Saint Demon Emperor, Mei Gongzi listened attentively by his side.

Before they came, Tang San had told her that he would reveal the true meaning of the Asura Sword and its real power. And now, he had done just that.

Judgment will fall upon those who are guilty.

"But then, what kind of energy does the Sword of Judgment use?" asked the Sword Saint Demon Emperor.

Tang San replied solemnly, "The righteous energy of heaven and earth!"

As he heard these words, the Sword Saint Demon Emperor's eyes sparkled brilliantly.

At his level, what he needed was no longer arduous cultivation of bloodline power, but a deeper understanding of himself, the world, and the meaning behind his sword. And when Tang San spoke of the righteous energy of heaven and earth, the Sword Saint Demon Emperor felt a sudden moment of enlightenment. In that instant, he understood where Tang San's sword intent came from and why it possessed such formidable power.

It was not bloodline power, and neither was it the power of the spirit. Tang San's sword was a conduit for the righteous energy of heaven and earth—the only judgement that was true and unbiased was that of heaven and earth!

The Sword of Judgment triggered a baptism of this righteous energy, which judged one's past deeds and cleansed all that was evil. Those without sin would naturally feel nothing, while those who were guilty... would suffer according to their crimes.

This judgment was unavoidable and could not be stopped, as it came from within as well as from without. Those subject to it could only rely on their own power to endure it.

The Sword of Judgment... So this is what it means. It is the symbol of the righteousness of heaven and earth.

Mei Gongzi was also reflecting on these words.

When one's sins reached the point where heaven and earth could no longer abide them, they would be subject to judgment; the vast righteous energy of heaven and earth was judge, jury, and executioner. The Asura Sword was the embodiment of this energy. That was why it held power even over the true gods ruling over a divine realm. Whether lowly rat or God King, none could escape it. Before it, all trembled in fear.

Even though only a trace of the Asura Sword's intent resided within Mei Gongzi, it was more than enough. It could summon the righteous energy of heaven and earth, something as of yet inaccessible to the beings of this plane.

"I understand. Thank you for the guidance." The light in the Sword Saint Demon Emperor's eyes gradually receded, but he looked more spirited than ever. He gave Tang San a slight bow. With today's enlightenment, his cultivation would surely reach new heights, and his understanding of the sword would advance to another level.

Tang San added, "Your Majesty, the strongest sword in the world is the Sword of the King. The sword of a ruler is a sword that must impart judgment, and for that reason it cannot only be sharp and mighty."

The Sword Saint Demon Emperor nodded slightly. "I understand what you mean. To pursue the ultimate sword, one must also strive for the ultimate self—perfect, just, unblemished in mind and body. The ultimate sword is the flawless sword."

Tang San said nothing more, whether to confirm or to refute. Each individual had their own understanding of the divine sword within their heart. What the Sword Saint Demon Emperor had grasped now was the concept of the flawless sword, which was in a way similar to the Asura Sword but not really the same thing. Of course, the fact that he had been able to gain insights from the sword intent of the Asura Sword would undoubtedly make him stronger nevertheless.

From this moment on, even if the Sword Saint Demon Emperor ended up not being their ally, he would surely never become their enemy.

"May you advance even further, Senior!" Tang San bowed slightly with Mei Gongzi, then turned and left without hesitation.

As he watched them leave, the Sword Saint Demon Emperor's gaze became even clearer.

"Convey my decree: from today onward, I will enter seclusion. The Sword Saint Mountain is closed."

As Tang San and Mei Gongzi descended the mountain, the voice of the Sword Saint Demon Emperor echoed in their ears. It seems that, due to the inspiration he had just had, he was preparing to enter seclusion to strive for a higher level.

With this, Tang San and Mei Gongzi had accomplished all they came to do at the Ancestral Court; it was time for them to leave.

He held Mei Gongzi's hand and looked toward the Celestial Fox Sacred Mountain, a flash of coldness passing through his eyes.

For their future, for humanity, and for this plane, he only had one thing to say: "I will become stronger, and I will return!"