Chapter 66 : The Saintess’s Confusion: Is This Truly the Righteous Path?

Chapter 66: The Saintess’s Confusion: Is This Truly the Righteous Path?

The Ascension Group’s internal publication, Ascension Weekly, Issue No. 1, had just been freshly released.

It was another one of Chu Feng’s new tricks.

In his own words, this was called “strengthening corporate culture, unifying ideology, and spreading the Group’s core values.”

The front page headline, printed in the largest, boldest typeface possible, bore a strikingly eye-catching title:

“Learn from Comrade Murong Xue’s Advanced Deeds, Strive to Be a Pioneer of Innovative Management!”

The article, written in a tone bordering on shameless flattery, painted the Chief Risk Control Officer, Comrade Murong Xue, as a great pioneer who delved deep into the frontlines, cared deeply for the miners, and, with unparalleled managerial wisdom, had boldly resolved the historical dilemma between “safety” and “efficiency.”

It lavishly praised her for achieving a dual victory of safe production and economic growth in the mining area. In conclusion, it called upon all “family members” of the Group to learn from Comrade Murong Xue, to carry forward the Ascension Spirit of “daring to think and act, managing scientifically,” and to strive toward building the number-one enterprise in the Cultivation World.

This weekly report was simultaneously distributed to every corner of the Group — from the high-level executive offices to the miners’ cafeteria at the lowest level.

When Murong Xue saw the article, that eternally unchanging iceberg of a face of hers cracked for the first time — just slightly.

“Murong Xue… Comrade?”

She mulled over this strange form of address repeatedly, feeling her teeth ache, her stomach churn.

What made it even more absurd was that the accompanying image in the article was a portrait of her standing at the entrance of the mine. The artist had clearly inherited Chu Feng’s “true teachings” — she was painted upright and righteous, eyes sharp and determined, with what seemed like ten thousand rays of golden light shining behind her.

And that wasn’t all.

Soon after, someone from the Finance Department knocked on her office door. Wearing a fawning smile, they respectfully handed her a heavy storage pouch.

“Chairwoman Murong, congratulations! This is a special grant personally approved by President Chu — five hundred top-grade spirit stones, your ‘Outstanding Innovation Contribution Award!’”

When that pouch of spirit stones was placed into her hands, Murong Xue’s emotions became indescribably complex.

Had she… won?

It seemed she had.

She had perfected Chu Feng’s system, making the miners’ work environment safer, and also helping them earn more money. It was fully in line with the “upholding justice, benefiting the people” ideal she had always believed in.

But why… was there not the slightest trace of joy in her heart?

She felt like a chess player who had painstakingly fought an opponent, finally playing a brilliant move that secured victory — only to realize afterward that her piece had merely filled a corner of her opponent’s board, and that very move had made his entire layout flawless.

She hadn’t defeated Chu Feng’s rules.

She had merely become the most dazzling, most promotable example within them.

Was this truly the way of the Righteous Path?

She sat silently in her office, gazing at the bustling mining area outside the window, sinking into deep confusion.

Just then, there was another knock on the door.

“Come in.”

The one who entered was that old miner, Li Ergou — the first to ever receive an “Innovation Award.”

He was holding something wrapped in lotus leaves, smiling awkwardly yet sincerely, standing at the doorway unsure what to do.

“Chairwoman Murong… I–I came to thank you.”

He placed the bundle carefully on her desk and unfolded it — inside were several golden roasted spirit sweet potatoes, their fragrant aroma filling the room instantly.

“My wife grew these herself. They’re not worth much, just a small token of appreciation. If you don’t mind…”

Murong Xue stared blankly at the steaming spirit sweet potatoes.

“Thank me… for what?” she asked softly.

“For treating us like people!”

Li Ergou’s eyes reddened. The honest, clumsy man wasn’t good with fancy words, but each one came from deep within his chest.

“Before, we were like beasts in the mine. No one ever looked us in the eye. Even if we had ideas or skills, we didn’t dare say a word. If we did, no one listened — maybe we’d even get scolded for slacking off.”

“But since you came, everything’s changed.” He grinned, showing a row of tobacco-stained teeth. “You made us realize — even rough folks like us, the thoughts in our heads are worth something! What we say actually matters! That feeling… I’ve lived nearly a hundred years, and it’s the first time I’ve ever felt it.”

“Just two days ago, I suggested to Steward Wang a small fix to make the mine carts run smoother. After hearing it, he recorded five contribution points for me on the spot! He even patted my shoulder and said I did great!”

“Five points! When my wife found out, she was so happy she couldn’t sleep all night!”

After saying that, Li Ergou bowed deeply to Murong Xue, then left the room, embarrassed.

Inside the office, Murong Xue sat dazed.

On the desk, on one side lay the storage pouch filled with five hundred top-grade spirit stones, radiating powerful spiritual energy; on the other, a few simple roasted spirit sweet potatoes, still carrying a faint earthy scent.

Li Ergou’s words struck her heart like a heavy hammer, shattering something within her she had thought unbreakable.

He hadn’t spoken of “justice” or “righteousness.”

He spoke of being treated like a human, being respected, being recognized as having value.

Murong Xue suddenly thought of her sect — Heavenheart Holy Land.

It was the symbol of the Righteous Path, brimming with immortal energy, where everyone abided by strict rules and hierarchy.

But were the disciples there truly respected?

Outer Sect disciples bowed to Inner Sect ones. Inner Sect disciples avoided the True Disciples by three steps.

Everyone’s value was fixed the moment their spiritual root was measured.

She remembered a Junior Brother with mediocre talent but great skill in mechanisms and runes. Because he wanted to improve the Sect’s protective array, he was scolded by an Elder for “neglecting cultivation and reaching beyond his station,” then punished to meditate at the Cliff of Reflection for ten years.

In that place, rules only existed to preserve the inequality one was born into.

Was that world — truly more “righteous” than Chu Feng’s copper-scented, calculative “den of demons”?

Crack…

A faint, crisp sound — one only she could hear — echoed from the depths of her Dao heart.

She didn’t know how long she sat there until the sunset’s glow spilled through the window and fell upon her face.

She picked up a still-warm spirit sweet potato and took a gentle bite.

It was… sweet.

A thought sprouted in her mind — fragile yet unstoppable, trembling between fear and a newfound liberation.

Perhaps…

Chu Feng was the one who was right.