“And now, he has abdicated to a worthy talent, casting aside power and wealth!”
“How sagacious is that?”
“In the past hundred thousand years, has there ever been such a sagacious Sect Leader?”
“What have we done to deserve witnessing the reign of such a sagacious Sect Leader? I heard that decades ago, people even rebuked him, calling him the Dog Sect Leader!”
“It’s an outrage to both gods and men!”
“Farewell, Sect Leader! Farewell!!”
Aside from the few who were already in the know, the entire Da Yu Capital City erupted in an uproar.
The disciples and Elders of the Gui Chen Sect were especially emotional, weeping uncontrollably as they told the crowds of their Sect Leader’s righteousness and benevolence.
Countless citizens were stirred by the news, and discussions about it could be heard everywhere.
As for this Sect Leader of the Gui Chen Sect, once reviled as the Dog Sect Leader, the countless people of the realm now felt mostly gratitude, with few holding any resentment.
Amid the clamoring, bustling crowd, Su Bai walked at an unhurried pace.
The Silver-White Dog Demon, not much larger than he had been eight years prior, followed closely at his side.
Behind Su Bai, Jin Yunfeng and Chen Shaoyou trailed, flanking him on his left and right.
「It had been a month since Jin Yunfeng and the others returned to the Da Yu Capital City.」
The biggest event of the month had been the transfer of the Sect Leader’s position from the Silver-White Dog Demon to Wang E.
Now, the new Sect Leader had taken his position. For them, the waves had settled, but the common folk and many figures of the Jianghu were still abuzz with discussion.
‘This is truly… unimaginable…’
Unlike Jin Yunfeng, who seemed oblivious, Chen Shaoyou’s expression was dazed, his mind reeling with disbelief.
‘In later generations, there were indeed legends of this “Gou Sect Leader.” According to the tales, this Gou Sect Leader was one of the founders of the new laws. The system of abdication he initiated was adopted for generations, and he was remembered as an unparalleled, enlightened sovereign. Many in later ages even came to regard him as a source of spiritual comfort.’
‘But who could have imagined that the Gou Sect Leader was literally the Dog Sect Leader!’
Even though his temperament had matured considerably and he had lost much of his faith in the legends of later ages, at this moment, he still found it impossible to accept.
‘How could a dog possibly be associated with a term like “unparalleled, enlightened sovereign”?’
Yet at the same time, he came to a realization.
‘This ancestor of mine… when it comes to the system of abdication for the Sect Leader… and the concentration of power in a single individual… he must be utterly displeased, even disgusted. Or even hold it in contempt. Otherwise, he would never have done something like this. This is a true disdain for Royal Authority, a true disregard for the powerful and privileged. A complete disregard for fame and fortune.’
“Hearing the praise from the people and the disciples, what are your thoughts?”
Hearing the discussions of the surrounding crowd and the cries of the many disciples, Su Bai couldn’t help but smile as he posed the question to the Silver-White Dog Demon.
“Governing through inaction is true governance.”
The Silver-White Dog Demon’s eyes held an indescribable emotion.
Then, it spoke slowly.
“Master was right. A truly perfected system has no need for a Sect Leader.”
‘In these past eight years, what have I actually done?’
The Silver-White Dog Demon thought about it carefully.
‘In truth, I didn’t do anything at all. I just followed the established procedures, meticulously adhering to the existing order and making one decision after another. If I had to say I did anything, it was probably just that I enjoy being a single dog. To this day, not a single female demon dog has caught my eye.’
“Governing through inaction is true governance…”
Jin Yunfeng repeated hoarsely, glancing at the Silver-White Dog Demon in surprise.
In that moment, for the first time, he truly saw the Silver-White Dog Demon for what it was.
‘Originally, I was somewhat resistant to the idea of this Silver-White Dog Demon being the Sect Leader of the Gui Chen Sect. I saw it as a casual, capricious, and irresponsible act toward the disciples of the Gui Chen Sect, and even toward all the common people of the realm. Even though facts had already proven that this Silver-White Dog Demon had done a better job than any Sect Leader in history, a part of me still felt unconvinced. At the very least, I felt a certain discomfort about it.’
‘But now, hearing the Silver-White Dog Demon actually utter the words, “Governing through inaction is true governance”… I was shocked to realize that I had truly underestimated this Dog Sect Leader. I knew Su Bai had been the one to tell the Silver-White Dog Demon these words. But for a casual remark from eight years ago to be remembered to this day, and to be consistently implemented over those eight years without the slightest deviation… how remarkable was that? I, at least, had to admit to myself that I probably couldn’t have done it. And yet a Dog Demon had succeeded. How could I not be in awe?’
“Ultimately, this matter must withstand the test of time before we know if it was right or wrong.”
As they conversed, the three humans and one dog made their way through the bustling streets.
And out of the Da Yu Capital City itself.
“Senior, where are we headed?”
Just as they passed through the city gates, the Silver-White Dog Demon’s ears twitched. It looked up and asked the question.
Su Bai’s gaze drifted toward the horizon.
Then, he spoke softly:
“We’re going to a place to get a book!”