Standing before Roy and the others was none other than the one-tailed fox, Daji, who had recently vanished from the Yellow Emperor's Mausoleum.
No one knew where this fox had been all this time, but she had changed into an outfit resembling a modern qipao, with long slits on either side of the legs revealing glimpses of snow-white skin.
With each graceful step, the alluring sight was almost too much to take in.
However, none present were the type to be swayed by feminine charms. Even Roy merely glanced once before averting his gaze, his brow furrowing as he scrutinized Daji, trying to discern whether she was lying.
She claimed to have a way to prevent the Pruning of Human Order!
The Pruning of Human Order was a unique law of this world—a phenomenon even more terrifying than the 'Incinerating of Human Order.' If the 'Incinerating of Human Order' was a man-made disaster, then the Pruning of Human Order was akin to natural calamities like hurricanes, storms, and earthquakes.
Humanity could hardly contend with natural disasters. Yet, Daji claimed to have mastered a method to resist them.
Roy turned to Tamamo-no-Mae. Daji was one of her tails, an incarnation. If Daji knew a way to evade the Pruning of Human Order, then Tamamo-no-Mae likely knew it as well.
If he mastered this method, Roy felt he wouldn't need to concern himself with so many things anymore. He could act as wildly as he pleased—what did it matter if human civilization reached a dead end? After all, the selfish him cared nothing for humanity's future. In fact, if such a method truly existed, he wouldn't even mind switching sides to assist the First Emperor now. It would be a perfect opportunity to witness firsthand just how far the First Emperor could go and what form human civilization might take under his rule.
As long as Yu Meiren wouldn't be pruned, Roy had nothing left to worry about.
However, Tamamo-no-Mae wore a look of confusion. Her fox-like eyes noticed Roy's gaze and understood what he was asking, but she could only shake her head blankly at him. The meaning was unmistakable—she had no knowledge of any method to avoid Human Order pruning.
'If Tamamo-no-Mae doesn't know this method, then unless Daji was lying, she must have encountered some entity or discovered some relic after their separation that allowed her to learn it.'
This thought flashed through Roy's mind before he grasped Yu Meiren's wrist beside him. If Daji hadn't lied and her method proved effective, Roy wouldn't mind joining forces with her either.
Yu Ji noticed a slight tremor in Roy's hand—whether from nervousness or excitement, she couldn't tell. Without hesitation, she placed her other hand over his, both delicate jade-like hands gripping him tightly as she conveyed her trust and strength.
The First Emperor didn't seem surprised by Daji's appearance. Rather than asking her about the method, he first turned to Xu Fu, "...Xu Fu, tell Us—what is this 'Human Order pruning'?"
Initially, the First Emperor hadn't believed Roy's words either, having never heard the term before. But from Xu Fu's reaction and Daji's statements, he realized there were matters others knew that eluded his understanding.
This enraged the emperor, for in his view, no secret in all under heaven should remain beyond his knowledge.
Xu Fu hesitated. His sole purpose was to leave this world for the outer side, preferring to avoid unnecessary complications. Yet with Roy and Daji's appearance, he knew some things were unavoidable.
With a sigh, he clasped his hands and bowed to the First Emperor, "...Your Majesty, simply put, 'Human Order pruning' is a natural mechanism of this world—much like earthquakes, floods, or droughts. It can be considered an unavoidable calamity..."
"...Except this disaster acts upon Human Order itself, making it the most terrifying catastrophe. When Human Order reaches a dead end, when human civilization loses all potential, the world's natural mechanisms will eliminate it, erasing it entirely."
"This isn't some divine punishment raining destruction upon mankind, but rather... the entire world being erased as if it never existed at all."
Xu Fu didn't elaborate further, but with the First Emperor's wisdom, how could he fail to grasp the implications? And precisely because he understood, the emperor flew into a towering rage:
"Are you trying to tell me that the Celestial Kingdom I seek is actually the wrong path, one that will strip human civilization of its possibilities and inevitably be pruned? How audacious! Xu Fu, do you not realize your words are the height of disrespect?!"
The Emperor would never admit that his path was wrong, especially not this First Emperor who claimed achievements surpassing the Three Sovereigns and virtues exceeding the Five Emperors!
The Emperor could never be mistaken. Every decision made by the Emperor was correct. If the Emperor erred, he would be a foolish ruler, more contemptible than even a tyrant!
Thus, the First Emperor would never lightly admit that his actions were wrong—that the idea he had spent countless years contemplating, the dream of eradicating all war from this world, was flawed.
Xu Fu could only smile bitterly, not daring to speak. From the Emperor's perspective, or even from that of an ordinary human, the First Emperor's grand vision could, in a way, be considered the aspiration of a sage. Setting aside his intended policy of keeping the people ignorant, the mere idea of eliminating war and disease was enough to inspire longing.
Especially since the First Emperor was not someone who merely boasted without ability. Not only did he possess such nearly 'utopian' ideals, but he also had the means to put them into practice and achieve success.
However, from the perspective of an alchemist or a magician, if the First Emperor truly realized his ambitions, this world would be on the brink of being pruned. Even if every human in the world at that time held only the First Emperor in their hearts, this world would still face pruning.
Moreover, Xu Fu did not believe the First Emperor could succeed—because he himself was human. He understood humanity all too well. No matter how much you deceive them or deny them knowledge and information, deep in their bones, souls, and genes, humans will always harbor a heart that yearns for freedom.
0·········Seeking Flowers········
Freedom is an indelible yearning in the depths of human consciousness, and as long as this yearning exists, the First Emperor is destined to fail.
Freedom, in its own way, is also a form of human evil.
But the Xu Fu of the past would never have spoken these words to the First Emperor. To him, it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble—so long as he could transcend this world, why should he care if the First Emperor would eventually be pruned away along with it?
The First Emperor quickly regained his composure. From Xu Fu's expression, Roy's thoughtful demeanor, and Su Daji's confident smile, he realized that his previous line of thinking was indeed deeply flawed—perhaps enough to bring about the destruction of this world.
But what did it matter if he knew? Even now, he would never admit he was wrong. "Edicts of Self-Reproach" were only issued by emperors on the verge of losing their empires.
...0....
He was the Emperor, the First Emperor. He would not surrender so easily, nor would he concede defeat. There was only one thing he would do—
If his previous thoughts were mistaken, then he would simply change them. But this was something only the Emperor could accomplish!
"Your Majesty, you are the Emperor, the sole sovereign beneath the heavens. Your will and thoughts are absolute, unopposable, and infallible! I can help you resist the pruning of human order, allowing you to shape your grand empire as you desire. And all you need to do... is agree to one small request of mine..."
Su Daji narrowed her eyes, a fan covering half of her delicate face, revealing the cunning of a fox—like the ancient serpent tempting Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
"Hahahaha!! Do you think this emperor does not know who you are, you fox? Su Daji, are you threatening me?!"
"I am not King Jie of Xia, nor King Zhou of Shang! How could I be swayed by your demonic words? What I choose to do is my will alone—how dare you presume to speak so boldly before me?!"
The First Emperor's voice boomed like thunder, his imposing presence forcing Su Daji to pale and stagger back two steps, her expression flickering with shock and uncertainty.
She had never expected the First Emperor to reject her outright—without even asking for her method. Though she had indeed come with ill intent, she hadn't even bothered to hide it. Yet the First Emperor's refusal was so decisive, his bearing so incomparable to the weak kings she had encountered in the past.
He was Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor—not some doomed ruler on the brink of collapse!
"I—"
Before Su Daji could speak further, the First Emperor cut her off. "—If you dare spout another word of nonsense, I will have you skinned alive and your tendons ripped out!"
Su Daji's face instantly twisted in terror, her gaze involuntarily darting to Roy. Not long ago, she had suffered that very fate at his hands. Who would have thought the First Emperor's thoughts aligned so perfectly with Roy's—both were equally ruthless!
The memory of that agony made her shudder. She dared not speak another word.