Maj Ksoc= 20.000u.m.

=
n*VNAPLICAȚIA4:Osocietateîşimajoreazăcapitalulcu20.000u.m.,emiţând8.000deacţiunilaparitate.Capitalulsocialînaintedemajorareerade500.000u.m,iarrezervelede50.000u.m.Dacăr
atarentabilităţiifinanciarescadedupămajoraredela8%la7%,calculațidiluţiaprofituluipeacţiune.Rezultat final: Dil PPA = 0,03 u.m. VN = 20.000/8.000 = 2,5 u.m.Ksoc 0 = 500.000 u.m. =
VN*NN= 500.000/2,5 = 200.000n= 8.000Kpr0= Ksoc+Rez = 550.000DilPPA=Kpr 0 ∗Rr

hor has been in his attempts, to set up a monarchical absolute power in Afully persuaded that there ought to be magistracy
and rule in the world; yet I am never the less at liberty still, till it appears who is the person that hath right to my obedience;
since, if there be noto end with him, but was upon his decease conveyed intire to some other person, and so on to posterity.
Secondly, That the princes and rulers now on earth are possessed of this power of Adam, by a right way of conveyance derived
to them.

§. 83.
If the first of theese texts include theologically-focused historical accounts, hymns, parables, didactic letters, erotica, sermons, poetry, and
prophecies.

Those books included in the Bible by a tradition or group are called canonical, indicating that the tradition/group views the collection as the true
representation of God's word and will. A number of Biblical canons have evolved, with overlapping and diverging contents from denomination to
denomination.[2] The Hebrew Bible overlaps with the Greek Septuagint and the Christian Old Testament. The Christian New Testament is a
collection of writings by early Christians, believed to be mostly Jewish disciples of Christ, written in first-century Koine Greek. Among Christian
denominations there is some disagreement about what should be included in the canon, primarily about the biblical apocrypha, a list of works
that are regarded with varying levels of respect.

Attitudes towards the Bible also differ among Christian groups. Roman Catholics, high church Anglicans, Methodists and Eastern
Orthodox Christians stress the harmony and importance of both the Bible and sacred tradition, [3][4]
 while many Protestant churches focus on
the idea of sola scriptura, or scripture alone. This concept rose to prominence during the Reformation, and many denominations today support
the use of the Bible as the only infallible source of Christian teaching. Others though, advance the concept of prima scriptura in contrast.[3]

The Bible has had a massive influence on literature and history, especially in the Western world, where the Gutenberg Bible was the first book
printed using movable type. [5][6] According to the March 2007 edition of Time, the Bible "has done more to shape literature, history,
entertainment, and culture than any book ever written. Its influence on world history is unparalleled, and shows no signs of abating." [5] With
estimated total sales of over 5 billion copies, it is widely considered to be the best-selling book of all time. [5][7][8] As of the 2000s, it sells
approximately 100 million copies annually. [9][10]

Contents

• 1 Etymology

• 1.1 Textual history

• 2 Development

• 3 Hebrew Bible

• 3.1 Torah

• 3. Nevi'im

• 3.3 Ketuvim

• 3.4 Original languages

• 4 Samaritan Pentateuch

• 5 Septuagint

• 5.1 Incorporations from Theodotion

• 5.2 Final form

• 6 Christian Bibles

• 6.1 Old Testament 2

• 6.2 New Testament

• 6.3 Development of the Christian canons

• 7 Divine inspiration

• 8 Versions and translations

• 9 Views

• 9.1 Other religions

• 9.2 Biblical studies

• 9.3 Higher criticism

• 10 Archaeological and historical research

• 11 Bible museums

• 12

• 13 Illustrations

• 14 See also

• 15 NotesImage gallery
• 16 References

• 16.1 Works cited

• 17 Further reading

• 18 External links

Etymology
The word βιβλίον itself had the literal meaning of "paper" or "scroll" and came to be used as the ordinary word for "book". It is the diminutive
of βύβλος byblos, "Egyptian papyrus", possibly so called from the name of the Phoenician sea port Byblos (also known as Gebal) from whence
Egypst Being, is not only as illusory as the first, but commits in in addition an ignoratio elenchi, promising to lead us by a new path, but after a
short circuit bringing us back to the old one, which we had abandoned for its sake.

I said before that a whole nest of dialectical assumptions [491] was hidden in that cosmological proof, and that transcendental
criticism might easily dical. As such it may come within the cognisance of pure reason, but is, even then, not transcendental,
but moral, and cannot, consequently, occupy our criticism by itself.

The third question, namely, what may I hope for, if I do what I ought to do? is at the same time practical and theoretical, the
practical serving as a guidance to the answer to the theoretical and, in its highest form, speculative question; for all hoping is
directed towards happiness and is, with regard to practical interests and the law of morality, the same as knowing and the law
of nature, with regard to the theoretical cognition of things. The former arrives at last at a conclusion that something
is [806] (which determines the last possible aim) because something ought to take place; the latter, that something is (which
operates as the highest cause) because something does take place.

Happiness is the satisfaction of all our desires, extensively, in regard to their manifoldness, intensively, in regard to [647]
their degree, and protensively, in regard to their duration. The practical law, derived from the motive
of happiness, I call pragmatical (rule of prudence); but the law, if there is such a law, which has no other motive but to deserve
to be happy, I call moral (law of morality). The former advises us what we have to do, if we wish to possess happiness; the
latter dictates how we ought to conduct ourselves in order to deserve happiness. The former is founded on empirical principles,
for I cannot know, except by experience, what desires there are which are to be satisfied, nor what are the natural means of
satisfying them. The second takes no account of desires and the natural means of satisfying them, and regards only the
freedom of any rational being and the necessary conditions under which alone it can harmonise with the distribution of
happiness according to principles. It can therefore be based on mere ideas of pure reason, and known a priori. I assume that
there really exist pure moral laws [807] which entirely a priori (without regard to empirical motives, that is, happiness)
determine the use of the freedom of any rational being, both with regard to what has to be done and what has not to be done,
and that these laws are imperative absolutely (not hypothetically only on the supposition of other empirical ends), and
therefore in every respect necessary. I feel justified in assuming this, by appealing, not only to the arguments of the most
enlightened moralists, but also to the moral judgment of every man, if he only tries to conceive such a law clearly.

Pure reason, therefore, contains not indeed in its speculative, [648] yet in its practical, or, more accurately, its moral
employment, principles of the possibility of experience, namely, of such actions as might be met with in the history of man
according to moral precepts. For as reason commands that such actions should take place, they must be possible, and a certain
kind of systematical unity also, namely, the moral, must be possible; while it was impossible to prove the systematical unity of
nature according to the speculative principles of reason. For reason, no doubt, possesses causality with respect to freedom in
general, but not with respect to the whole of nature, and moral principles of reason may indeed produce free actions, but not
laws of nature. Consequently, the principles of pure reason possess objective reality in their practical [808] and more
particularly in their moral employment.

I call the world, in so far as it may be in accordance with all moral laws which, by virtue of the freedom of rational beings it
may, and according to the necessary laws of morality it ought to be, a moral world. As here we take no account of all
conditions (aims) and even of all impediments to morality (the weakness or depravity of human nature), this world is
conceived as an intelligible world only. It is, therefore, so far a mere idea, though a practical idea, which can and ought really to
exercise its influence on the sensible world in order to bring it, as far as possible, into conformity with that idea. The idea of a
moral world has therefore objective reality, not as referring to an object of intelligible intuition (which we cannot even
conceive), but as referring to the sensible world, conceived as an object of pure reason in its practical employment, and as
a corpus mysticum of rational beings dwelling in it, so far as their free-will, placed under [649] moral laws, possesses a
thorough systematical unity both with itself and with the freedom of everybody else.

The answer, therefore, of the first of the two questions of pure reason with reference to practical interests, [809] is this, ‘do
that which will render thee deserving of happiness.’ The second question asks, how then, if I conduct myself so as to be
deserving of happiness, may I hope thereby to obtain happiness? The answer to this question depends on this, whether the
principles of pure reason which a priori prescribe the law, necessarily also connect this hope with it?

I say, then, that just as the moral principles are necessary according to reason in its practical employment, it is equally
necessary according to reason in its theoretic employment to assume that everybody has reason to hope to obtain happiness in
the same measure in which he has rendered himself deserving of it in his conduct; and that, therefore, the system of morality is
inseparably, though only in the idea of pure reason, connected with that of happiness.

In an intelligible, that is, in a moral world, in conceiving which we take no account of any of the impediments to morality
(desires, etc.), such a system, in which happiness is proportioned to morality, may even be considered as necessary, because
freedom, as repelled or restrained by the moral law, is itself the cause of general happiness, and rational beings therefore
themselves, under the guidance of such principles, the authors of the permanent well-being of themselves, and at the same
time of others. But such a system of self-rewarding morality is [810] an idea only, the realisation of which depends on
everybody doing what he ought to do, that is, on all actions of [650] reasonable beings being so performed as if they sprang
from one supreme will, comprehending within itself or under itself all private wills. But, as the moral law remains binding
upon every one in the use of his freedom, even if others do not conform to that law, it is impossible that either the nature of
things in the world, or the causality of the actions themselves, or their relation to morality, should determine in what relation
the consequences of such actions should stand to happiness. If, therefore, we take our stand on nature only, the necessary
connection of a hope of happiness with the unceasing endeavour of rendering oneself deserving of happiness, cannot be known
by reason, but can only be hoped for, if a highest reason, which rules according to moral laws, is accepted at the same time as
the cause of nature.

I call the idea of such an intelligence in which the most perfect moral will, united with the highest blessedness, is the cause of
all happiness in the world, so far as it corresponds exactly with morality, that is, the being worthy of happiness, the ideal of the
supreme good. It is, therefore, in the ideal only of the supreme original good that pure reason can find the ground of the
practically necessary connection of both elements of the highest [811] derivative good, namely, of an intelligible, that
is, moral world. As we are bound by reason to conceive ourselves as belonging necessarily to such a world, though the senses
present us with nothing but a world of phenomena, we shall have to accept the other world as the result of our conduct in this
world of sense (in which we see no such connection between goodness and happiness), and therefore as to us a future world.
Hence it follows that God and a future life are two suppositions which, according [651] to the principles of pure reason, cannot
be separated from the obligation which that very reason imposes on us.

Morality, by itself, constitutes a system, but not so happiness, unless it is distributed in exact proportion to morality. This,
however, is possible in an intelligible world only under a wise author and ruler. Such a ruler, together with life in such a world,
which we must consider as future, reason compels us to admit, unless all moral laws are to be considered as idle dreams,
because, without that supposition, the necessary consequences, which the same reason connects with these laws, would be
absent. Hence everybody looks upon moral laws as commands, which they could not be if they did not connect a
priori adequate consequences with their rules, and carried with them both promises and threats. Nor could they do this unless
they rested on a necessary Being, as the supreme good, which alone can render the [812] unity of such a design possible.

Leibniz called the world, if we have regard only to the rational beings in it, and their mutual relations according to moral laws
and under the government of the supreme good, the kingdom of grace, distinguishing it from the kingdom of nature, in which
these beings, though standing under moral laws, expect no other consequences from their conduct but such as follow according
to the course of nature of our sensible world. To view ourselves as belonging to the kingdom of grace, in which all happiness
awaits us, except in so far as we have diminished our share in it through our unworthiness of being happy, is a practically
necessary idea of reason.

Practical laws, in so far as they become at the same time subjective grounds of actions, that is, subjective [652] principles, are
called maxims. The criticism of morality, with regard to its purity and its results, takes place according to ideas, the
practical observance of its laws, according to maxims.

It is necessary that the whole course of our life should be subject to moral maxims; but this is impossible, unless reason
connects with the moral law, which is a mere idea, an efficient cause, which assigns to all conduct, in accordance with the
moral law, an issue accurately corresponding to our highest aims, whether in this or in another [813] life. Thus without a God
and without a world, not visible to us now, but hoped for, the glorious ideas of morality are indeed objects of applause and
admiration, but not springs of purpose and action, because they fail to fulfil all the aims which are natural to every rational
being, and which are determined a priori by the same pure reason, and therefore necessary.

Our reason does by no means consider happiness alone as the perfect good. It does not approve of it (however much
inclination may desire it), except as united with desert, that is, with perfect moral conduct. Nor is morality alone, and with it
mere desert of being happy, the perfect good. To make it perfect, he who has conducted himself as not unworthy of happiness,
must be able to hope to participate in it. Even if freed from all private views and interests reason, were it to put itself in the
place of a being that had to distribute all happiness to others, could not judge otherwise; because in the practical idea both
elements are essentially connected, though in such a way that our participation in happiness should be rendered possible by
the moral character as a condition, and not conversely the moral 

m, but was upon his decease conveyed intire to some other person, and so on to posterity.

Secondly, That the princes and rulers now on earth are possessed of this power of Adam, by a right way of conveyance derived
to them.

§. 83.
If the first of these fail, the power of Adam, were it never so great, never so certain, will signify nothing to the present fully
persuaded that there ought to be magistracy and rule in the world; yet I am never the less at liberty still, till it appears who is
the person that hath right to my obedience; since, if there be no marks to know him by, and distinguish him that hath right to
rule from [98] other men, it may be myself, as well as any other. And therefore, though submission to government be every
one’s duty, yet since that signifies nothing but submitting to the direction and laws of such men as have authority to command,
it is not enough to make a man a subject, to convince him that there is regal power in the world; but there must be ways of
designing, and knowing the person to whom this regal power of right belongs: and a man can never be obliged in conscience to
submit to any power, unless he can be satisfied who is the person who has a right to exercise that power over him. If this were
not so, there would be no distinction between pirates and lawful princes; he that has force is without any more ado to be
obeyed, and crowns and scepters would become the inheritance only of violence and rapine. Men too might as often and as
innocently change their governors, as they do their physicians, if the person cannot be known who has a right to direct me, and
whose prescriptions I am bound to follow. To settle therefore men’s consciences, under an obligation to obedience, it is
necessary that they know not only, that there is a power somewhere in the world, but the person who by right is vested with
this power over them.

§. 82.l our author has been in his attempts, to set up a monarchical absolute power in Adam, the reader may judge [99] by
what has been already said; but were that absolute monarchy as clear as our author would desire it, as I presume it is the
contrary, yet it could be of no use to the government of mankind now in the world, unless he also make out these two things.

First, That this power of Adam was not to end with him, but was upon his decease conveyed intire to some other person, and
so on to posterity.

Secondly, That the princes and rulers now on earth are possessed of this power of Adam, by a right way of conveyance derived
to them.

§. 83.
If the first of these fail, the power of Adam, were it never so great, never so certain, will signify nothing to the present fully
persuaded that there ought to be magistracy and rule in the world; yet I am never the less at liberty still, till it appears who is
the person that hath right to my obedience; since, if there be no marks to know him by, and distinguish him that hath right to
rule from [98] other men, it may be myself, as well as any other. And therefore, though submission to government be every
one’s duty, yet since that signifies nothing but submitting to the direction and laws of such men as have authority to command,
it is not enough to make a man a subject, to convince him that there is regal power in the world; but there must be ways of
designing, and knowing the person to whom this regal power of right belongs: and a man can never be obliged in conscience to
submit to any power, unless he can be satisfied who is the person who has a right to exercise that power over him. If this were
not so, there would be no distinction between pirates and lawful princes; he that has force is without any more ado to be
obeyed, and crowns and scepters would become the inheritance only of violence and rapine. Men too might as often and as
innocently change their governors, as they do their physicians, if the person cannot be known who has a right to direct me, and
whose prescriptions I am bound to follow. To settle therefore men’s consciences, under an obligation to obedience, it is
necessary that they know not only, that there is a power somewhere in the world, but the person who by right is vested with
this power over them.

§. 82.l our author has been in his attempts, to set up a monarchical absolute power in Adam, the reader may judge [99] by
what has been already said; but were that absolute monarchy as clear as our author would desire it, as I presume it is the
contrary, yet it could be of no use to the government of mankind now in the world, unless he also make out these two things.

First, That this power of Adam was not to end with him, but was upon his decease conveyed intire to some other person, and
so on to posterity.

Secondly, That the princes anhough it be never so plain, that there ought to be government in the world, nay, should all men be
of our author’s mind, that divine appointment had ordained it to be monarchical; yet, since men cannot obey any thing, that
cannot command; and ideas of governm

§. 82.
How successfu
How successful our author has been in his attempts, to set up a monarchical absolute power in Afully persuaded that there
ought to be magistracy and rule in the world; yet I am never the less at liberty still, till it appears who is the person that hath
right to my obedience; since, if there be no marks to know him by, and distinguish him that hath right to rule from [98] other
men, it may be myself, as well as any other. And therefore, though submission to government be every one’s duty, yet since that
signifies nothing but submitting to the direction and laws of such men as have authority to command, it is not enough to make
a man a subject, to convince him that there is regal power in the world; but there must be ways of designing, and knowing the
person to whom this regal power of right belongs: and a man can never be obliged in conscience to submit to any power,
unless he can be satisfied who is the person who has a right to exercise that power over him. If this were not so, there would be
no distinction between pirates and lawful princes; he that has force is without any more ado to be obeyed, and crowns and
scepters would become the inheritance only of violence and rapine. Men too might as often and as innocently change their
governors, as they do their physicians, if the personl our author has been in his attempts, to set up a monarchical absolute
power in Adam, the reader may judge [99] by what has been already said; but were that absolute monarchy as clear as our
author would desire it, as I presume it is the contrary, yet it could be of no use to the government of mankind now in the world,
unless he also make out these two things.

First, That this power of Adam was not to end with him, but was upon his decease conveyed intire to some other person, and
so on to posterity.

Secondly, That the princes and rulers now on earth are possessed of this power of Adam, by a right way of conveyance derived
to them.

§. 83.
If the first of these fail, the power of Adam, were it never so great, never so certain, will signify nothing to the present fully
persuaded that there ought to be magistracy and rule in the world; yet I am never the less at liberty still, till it appears who is
the person that hath right to my obedience; since, if there be no marks to know him by, and distinguish him that hath right to
rule from [98] other men, it may be myself, as well as any other. And therefore, though submission to government be every
one’s duty, yet since that signifies nothing but submitting to the direction and laws of such men as have authority to command,
it is not enough to make a man a subject, to convince him that there is regal power in the world; but there must be ways of
designing, and knowing the person to whom this regal power of right belongs: and a man can never be obliged in conscience to
submit to any power, unless he can be satisfied who is the person who has a right to exercise that power over him. If this were
not so, there would be no distinction between pirates and lawful princes; he that has force is without any more ado to be
obeyed, and crowns and scepters would become the inheritance only of violence and rapine. Men too might as often and as
innocently change their governors, as they do their physicians, if the person cannot be known who has a right to direct me, and
whose prescriptions I am bound to follow. To settle therefore men’s consciences, under an obligation to obedience, it is
necessary that they know not only, that there is a power somewhere in the world, but the person who by right is vested with
this power over them.

§. 82.l our author has been in his attempts, to set up a monarchical absolute power in Adam, the reader may judge [99] by
what has been already said; but were that absolute monarchy as clear as our author would desire it, as I presume it is the
contrary, yet it could be of no use to the government of mankind now in the world, unless he also make out these two things.

First, That this power of Adam was not to end with him, but was upon his decease conveyed intire to some other person, and
so on to posterity.

Secondly, That the princes and rulers now on earth are possessed of this power of Adam, by a right way of conveyance derived
to them.

§. 83.
If the first of these fail, the power of Adam, were it never so great, never so certain, will signify nothing to the present fully
persuaded that there ought to be magistracy and rule in the world; yet I am never the less at liberty still, till it appears who is
the person that hath right to my obedience; since, if there be no marks to know him by, and distinguish him that hath right to
rule from [98] other men, it may be myself, as well as any other. And therefore, though submission to government be every
one’s duty, yet since that signifies nothing but submitting to the direction and laws of such men as have authority to command,
it is not enough to make a man a subject, to convince him that there is regal power in the world; but there must be ways of
designing, and knowing the person to whom this regal power of right belongs: and a man can never be obliged in conscience to
submit to any power, unless he can be satisfied who is the person who has a right to exercise that power over him. If this were
not so, there would be no distinction between pirates and lawful princes; he that has force is without any more ado to be
obeyed, and crowns and scepters would become the inheritance only of violence and rapine. Men too might as often and as
innocently change their governors, as become the inheritance only of violence and rapine. Men too might as often and as
innocently change their governors, as they do their physicians, if the person cannot be known who has a right to direct me, and
whose prescriptions I am bound to follow. To settle therefore men’s consciences, under an obligation to obedience, it is
necessary that they know not only, that there is a power somewhere in the world, but the person who by right is vested with
this power over them.
§. 82.l our author has been in his attempts, to set up a monarchical absolute power in Adam, the reader may judge [99] by
what has been already said; but were that absolute monarchy as clear as our author would desire it, as I presume it is the
contrary, yet it could be of no use to the government of mankind now in the world, unless he also make out these two things.

First, That this power of Adam was not to end with him, but was upon his decease conveyed intire to some other person, and
so on to posterity.

Secondly, That the princes and rulers now on earth are possessed of this power of Adam, by a right way of conveyance derived
to them.

§. 83.
If the first of these fail, the power of Adam, were it never so great, never so certain, will signify nothing to the present fully
persuaded that there ought to be magistracy and rule in the world; yet I am never the less at liberty still, till it appears who is
the person that hath right to my obedience; since, if there be no marks to know him by, and distinguish him that hath right to
rule from [98] other men, it may be myself, as well as any other. And therefore, though submission to government be every
one’s duty, yet since that signifies nothing but submitting to the direction and laws of such men as have authority to command,
it is not enough to make a man a subject, to convince him that there is regal power in the world; but there must be ways of
designing, and knowing the person to whom this regal power of right belongs: and a man can never be obliged in conscience to
submit to any power, unless he can be satisfied who is the person who has a right to exercise that power over him. If this were
not so, there would be no distinction between pirates and lawful princes; he that has force is without any more ado to be
obeyed, and crowns and scepters would become the inheritance only of violence and rapine. Men too might as often and as
innocently change their governors, as they do their physicians, if the person cannot be known who has a right to direct me, and
whose prescriptions I am bound to follow. To settle therefore men’s consciences, under an obligation to obedience, it is
necessary that they know not only, that there is a power somewhere in the world, but the person who by right is vested with
this power over them.

§. 82.l our author has been in his attempts, to set up a monarchical absolute power in Adam, the reader may judge [99] by
what has been already said; but were that absolute monarchy as clear as our author would desire it, as I presume it is the
contrary, yet it could be of no use to the government of mankind now in the world, unless he also make out these two things.

First, That this power of Adam was not to end with him, but was upon his decease conveyed intire to some other person, and
so on to posterity.

Secondly, That the princes anhough it be never so plain, that there ought to be government in the world, nay, should all men be
of our author’s mind, that divine appointment had ordained it to be monarchical; yet, since men cannot obey any thing, that
cannot command; and ideas of governm

§. 82.
How successfu

How successful our author has been in his attempts, to set up a monarchical absolute power in Afully persuaded that there
ought to be magistracy and rule in the world; yet I am never the less at liberty still, till it appears who is the person that hath
right to my obedience; since, if there be no marks to know him by, and distinguish him that hath right to rule from [98] other
men, it may be myself, as well as any other. And therefore, though submission to government be every one’s duty, yet since that
signifies nothing but submitting to the direction and laws of such men as have authority to command, it is not enough to make
a man a subject, to convince him that there is regal power in the world; but there must be ways of designing, and knowing the
person to whom this regal power of right belongs: and a man can never be obliged in conscience to submit to any power,
unless he can be satisfied who is the person who has a right to exercise that power over him. If this were not so, there would be
no distinction between pirates and lawful princes; he that has force is without any more ado to be obeyed, and crowns and
scepters would become the inheritance only of violence and rapine. Men too might as often and as innocently change their
governors, as they do their physicians, if the personl our author has been in his attempts, to set up a monarchical absolute
power in Adam, the reader may judge [99] by what has been already said; but were that absolute monarchy as clear as our
author would desire it, as I presume it is the contrary, yet it could be of no use to the government of mankind now in the world,
unless he also make out these two things.

First, That this power of Adam was not to end with him, but was upon his decease conveyed intire to some other person, and
so on to posterity.

Secondly, That the princes and rulers now on earth are possessed of this power of Adam, by a right way of conveyance derived
to them.
§. 83.
If the first of these fail, the power of Adam, were it never so great, never so certain, will signify nothing to the present fully
persuaded that there ought to be magistracy and rule in the world; yet I am never the less at liberty still, till it appears who is
the person that hath right to my obedience; since, if there be no marks to know him by, and distinguish him that hath right to
rule from [98] other men, it may be myself, as well as any other. And therefore, though submission to government be every
one’s duty, yet since that signifies nothing but submitting to the direction and laws of such men as have authority to command,
it is not enough to make a man a subject, to convince him that there is regal power in the world; but there must be ways of
designing, and knowing the person to whom this regal power of right belongs: and a man can never be obliged in conscience to
submit to any power, unless he can be satisfied who is the person who has a right to exercise that power over him. If this were
not so, there would be no distinction between pirates and lawful princes; he that has force is without any more ado to be
obeyed, and crowns and scepters would become the inheritance only of violence and rapine. Men too might as often and as
innocently change their governors, as they do their physicians, if the person cannot be known who has a right to direct me, and
whose prescriptions I am bound to follow. To settle therefore men’s consciences, under an obligation to obedience, it is
necessary that they know not only, that there is a power somewhere in the world, but the person who by right is vested with
this power over them.

§. 82.l our author has been in his attempts, to set up a monarchical absolute power in Adam, the reader may judge [99] by
what has been already said; but were that absolute monarchy as clear as our author would desire it, as I presume it is the
contrary, yet it could be of no use to the government of mankind now in the world, unless he also make out these two things.

First, That this power of Adam was not to end with him, but was upon his decease conveyed intire to some other person, and
so on to posterity.

Secondly, That the princes and rulers now on earth are possessed of this power of Adam, by a right way of conveyance derived
to them.

§. 83.
If the first of these fail, the power of Adam, were it never so great, never so certain, will signify nothing to the present fully
persuaded that there ought to be magistracy and rule in the world; yet I am never the less at liberty still, till it appears who is
the person that hath right to my obedience; since, if there be no marks to know him by, and distinguish him that hath right to
rule from [98] other men, it may be myself, as well as any other. And therefore, though submission to government be every
one’s duty, yet since that signifies nothing but submitting to the direction and laws of such men as have authority to command,
it is not enough to make a man a subject, to convince him that there is regal power in the world; but there must be ways of
designing, and knowing the person to whom this regal power of right belongs: and a man can never be obliged in conscience to
submit to any power, unless he can be satisfied who is the person who has a right to exercise that power over him. If this were
not so, there would be no distinction between pirates and lawful princes; he that has force is without any more ado to be
obeyed, and crowns and scepters would become the inheritance only of violence and rapine. Men too might as often and as
innocently change their governors, as they do their physicians, if the person cannot be known who has a right to direct me, and
whose prescriptions I am bound to follow. To settle therefore men’s consciences, under an obligation to obedience, it is
necessary that they know not only, that there is a power somewhere in the world, but the person who by right is vested with
this power over them.

§. 82.l our author has You will be fabricating much trouble for me, and you will be unconsciously embroiling me in a great discussion, and in
considerable bother, if you put such petty questions as these; for in settling them I cannot disagree with my fellow-Stoics without impairing my
standing among them, nor can I subscribe to such ideas without impairing my conscience. Your query is, whether the Stoic belief is true: that
wisdom is a Good, but that being wise is not a Good.[1] I shall first set forth the Stoic view, and then I shall be bold enough to deliver my own
opinion.

2. We of the Stoic school believe that the Good is corporeal, because the Good is active, and whatever is active is corporeal. That which is good,
is helpful. But, in order to be helpful, it must be active; so, if it is active, it is corporeal. They (the Stoics) declare that wisdom is a Good; it
therefore follows that one must also call wisdom corporeal. 3. But they do not think that being wise can be rated on the same basis. For it is
incorporeal and accessory to something else, in other words, wisdom; hence it is in no respect active or helpful.

"What, then?" is the reply; "Why do we not say that being wise is a Good?" We do say so; but only by referring it to that on which it depends – in
other words, wisdom itself. 4. Let me tell you what answers other philosophers make to these objectors, before I myself begin to form my own
creed and to take my place entirely on another side. "Judged in that light," they say, "not even living happily is a Good. Willy nilly, such persons
ought to reply that the happy life is a Good, but that living happily is not a Good." 5. And this objection is also raised against our school: "You wish
to be wise. Therefore, being wise is a thing to be desired. And if it be a thing to be desired it is a Good." So our philosophers are forced to twist
their words and insert another syllable into the word "desired," – a syllable which our language does not normally allow to be inserted. But, with
your permission, I shall add it. "That which is good," they say, "is a thing to be desired; the desirable[2] thing is that which falls to our lot after we
have attained the Good. For the desirable is not sought as a Good; it is an accessory to the Good after the Good has been attained."

6. I myself do not hold the same view, and I judge that our philosophers[3] have come down to this argument because they are already bound by
clear that something which is on the way has not yet arrived. "Spring will follow": I know that winter is here now. "Summer will follow:" I know that
it is not summer. The best proof to my mind that a thing is not yet present is that it is yet to be. 29. I hope some day to be wise, but meanwhile I
am not wise. For if I possessed that Good, I should now be free from this Evil. Some day I shall be wise; from this very fact you may understand
that I am not yet wise. I cannot at the same time live in that state of Good and in this state of Evil; the two ideas do not harmonize, nor do Evil
and Good exist together in the same person.
 30. Let us rush past all this clever nonsense, and hurry on to that which will bring us real assistance. No man who is anxiously running after a
midwife for his daughter in her birth-pangs will stop to read the praetor's edict[7] or the order of events at the games. No one who is speeding to
save his burning house will scan a checker-board[8] to speculate how the imprisoned piece can be freed. 31. But good heavens! – in your case
all sorts of news are announced on all sides – your house afire, your children in danger, your country in a state of siege, your property plundered.
Add to this shipwreck, earthquakes, and all other objects of dread; harassed amid these troubles, are you taking time for matters which serve
merely for mental entertainment? Do you ask what difference there is between wisdom and being wise? Do you tie and untie knots while such a
ruin is hanging over your head? 32. Nature has not given us such a generous and free-handed space of time that we can have the leisure to
waste any of it. Mark also how much is lost even when men are very careful: people are robbed of one thing by ill-health and of another thing by
illness in the family; at one time private, at another public, business absorbs the attention; and all the while sleep shares our lives with us.

Out of this time, so short and swift, that carries us away in its flight, of what avail is it to spend the greater part on useless things? 33. Besides,
our minds are accustomed to entertain rather than to cure themselves, to make an aesthetic pleasure out of philosophy, when philosophy should
really be a remedy. What the distinction is between wisdom and being wise I do not know; but I do know that it makes no difference to me
whether I know such matters or am ignorant of them. Tell me: when I have found out the difference between wisdom and being wise, shall I be
wise?

Why then do you occupy me with the words rather than with the works of wisdom? Make me braver, make me calmer, make me the equal of
Fortune, make me her superior. And I can be her superior, if I apply to this end everything that I learn. Farewell.

Footnotes[edit]
1. ↑ For this sort of discussion see Ep. cxiii. 1 ff.
2. ↑ This adjective expetibilis is found in Tacitus, Ann. xvi. 21, and in Boethius, Cons. ii. 6.
3. ↑ i.e., the Stoics as mentioned above (with whom Seneca often disagrees on minor details).
4. ↑ i.e., the external things; see Ep. xciii. 7 and note, – defined more specifically in § 9 below.
5. ↑ Presumably an allusion to the syllogistic enthusiasts rather than to Lucillius and his like.
6. ↑ i.e., wisdom or being wise.
7. ↑ Cf. Ep. xlviii. 10 and note.
8. ↑ Cf. Ep. cvi. 11 and note.
clear that something which is on the way has not yet arrived. "Spring will follow": I know that winter is here now. "Summer will follow:" I know that
it is not summer. The best proof to my mind that a thing is not yet present is that it is yet to be. 29. I hope some day to be wise, but meanwhile I
am not wise. For if I possessed that Good, I should now be free from this Evil. Some day I shall be wise; from this very fact you may understand
that I am not yet wise. I cannot at the same time live in that state of Good and in this state of Evil; the two ideas do not harmonize, nor do Evil
and Good exist together in the same person.

30. Let us rush past all this clever nonsense, and hurry on to that which will bring us real assistance. No man who is anxiously running after a
midwife for his daughter in her birth-pangs will stop to read the praetor's edict[7] or the order of events at the games. No one who is speeding to
save his burning house will scan a checker-board[8] to speculate how the imprisoned piece can be freed. 31. But good heavens! – in your case
all sorts of news are announced on all sides – your house afire, your children in danger, your country in a state of siege, your property plundered.
Add to this shipwreck, earthquakes, and all other objects of dread; harassed amid these troubles, are you taking time for matters which serve
merely for mental entertainment? Do you ask what difference there is between wisdom and being wise? Do you tie and untie knots while such a
ruin is hanging over your head? 32. Nature has not given us such a generous and free-handed space of time that we can have the leisure to
waste any of it. Mark also how much is lost even when men are very careful: people are robbed of one thing by ill-health and of another thing by
illness in the family; at one time private, at another public, business absorbs the attention; and all the while sleep shares our lives with us.

Out of this time, so short and swift, that carries us away in its flight, of what avail is it to spend the greater part on useless things? 33. Besides,
our minds are accustomed to entertain rather than to cure themselves, to make an aesthetic pleasure out of philosophy, when philosophy should
really be a remedy. What the distinction is between wisdom and being wise I do not know; but I do know that it makes no difference to me
whether I know such matters or am ignorant of them. Tell me: when I have found out the difference between wisdom and being wise, shall I be
wise?

Why then do you occupy me with the words rather than with the works of wisdom? Make me braver, make me calmer, make me the equal of
Fortune, make me her superior. And I can be her superior, if I apply to this end everything that I learn. Farewell.

Footnotes[edit]
1. ↑ For this sort of discussion see Ep. cxiii. 1 ff.
2. ↑ This adjective expetibilis is found in Tacitus, Ann. xvi. 21, and in Boethius, Cons. ii. 6.
3. ↑ i.e., the Stoics as mentioned above (with whom Seneca often disagrees on minor details).
4. ↑ i.e., the external things; see Ep. xciii. 7 and note, – defined more specifically in § 9 below.
5. ↑ Presumably an allusion to the syllogistic enthusiasts rather than to Lucillius and his like.
6. ↑ i.e., wisdom or being wise.
7. ↑ Cf. Ep. xlviii. 10 and note.
8. ↑ Cf. Ep. cvi. 11 and note.
clear that something which is on the way has not yet arrived. "Spring will follow": I know that winter is here now. "Summer will follow:" I know that
it is not summer. The best proof to my mind that a thing is not yet present is that it is yet to be. 29. I hope some day to be wise, but meanwhile I
am not wise. For if I possessed that Good, I should now be free from this Evil. Some day I shall be wise; from this very fact you may understand
that I am not yet wise. I cannot at the same time live in that state of Good and in this state of Evil; the two ideas do not harmonize, nor do Evil
and Good exist together in the same person.

30. Let us rush past all this clever nonsense, and hurry on to that which will bring us real assistance. No man who is anxiously running after a
midwife for his daughter in her birth-pangs will stop to read the praetor's edict[7] or the order of events at the games. No one who is speeding to
save his burning house will scan a checker-board[8] to speculate how the imprisoned piece can be freed. 31. But good heavens! – in your case
all sorts of news are announced on all sides – your house afire, your children in danger, your country in a state of siege, your property plundered.
Add to this shipwreck, earthquakes, and all other objects of dread; harassed amid these troubles, are you taking time for matters which serve
merely for mental entertainment? Do you ask what difference there is between wisdom and being wise? Do you tie and untie knots while such a
ruin is hanging over your head? 32. Nature has not given us such a generous and free-handed space of time that we can have the leisure to
waste any of it. Mark also how much is lost even when men are very careful: people are robbed of one thing by ill-health and of another thing by
illness in the family; at one time private, at another public, business absorbs the attention; and all the while sleep shares our lives with us.

Out of this time, so short and swift, that carries us away in its flight, of what avail is it to spend the greater part on useless things? 33. Besides,
our minds are accustomed to entertain rather than to cure themselves, to make an aesthetic pleasure out of philosophy, when philosophy should
really be a remedy. What the distinction is between wisdom and being wise I do not know; but I do know that it makes no difference to me
whether I know such matters or am ignorant of them. Tell me: when I have found out the difference between wisdom and being wise, shall I be
wise?

Why then do you occupy me with the words rather than with the works of wisdom? Make me braver, make me calmer, make me the equal of
Fortune, make me her superior. And I can be her superior, if I apply to this end everything that I learn. Farewell.

Footnotes[edit]
1. ↑ For this sort of discussion see Ep. cxiii. 1 ff.
2. ↑ This adjective expetibilis is found in Tacitus, Ann. xvi. 21, and in Boethius, Cons. ii. 6.
3. ↑ i.e., the Stoics as mentioned above (with whom Seneca often disagrees on minor details).
4. ↑ i.e., the external things; see Ep. xciii. 7 and note, – defined more specifically in § 9 below.
5. ↑ Presumably an allusion to the syllogistic enthusiasts rather than to Lucillius and his like.
6. ↑ i.e., wisdom or being wise.
7. ↑ Cf. Ep. xlviii. 10 and note.
8. ↑ Cf. Ep. cvi. 11 and note.
clear that something which is on the way has not yet arrived. "Spring will follow": I know that winter is here now. "Summer will follow:" I know that
it is not summer. The best proof to my mind that a thing is not yet present is that it is yet to be. 29. I hope some day to be wise, but meanwhile I
am not wise. For if I possessed that Good, I should now be free from this Evil. Some day I shall be wise; from this very fact you may understand
that I am not yet wise. I cannot at the same time live in that state of Good and in this state of Evil; the two ideas do not harmonize, nor do Evil
and Good exist together in the same person.

30. Let us rush past all this clever nonsense, and hurry on to that which will bring us real assistance. No man who is anxiously running after a
midwife for his daughter in her birth-pangs will stop to read the praetor's edict[7] or the order of events at the gameThe commotion was just
subsiding, and the inhabitants of the village had begun to disperse from the little groups that had formed, each retiring to his own home, and
closing his door after him, with the grave air of a man who consulted public feeling in his exterior deportment, when Oliver Edwards, on his return
from the dwelling of Mr. Grant, encountered the young lawyer, who is known to the reader as Mr. Lippet. There was very little similarity in the
manners or opinions of the two; but as they both belonged to the more intelligent class of a very small community, they were, of course, known to
each other, and as their meeting was at a point where silence would have been rudeness, the following conversation was the result of their
interview:

“A fine evening, Mr. Edwards,” commenced the lawyer, whose disinclination to the
dialogue was, to say the least, very doubtful; “we want rain sadly; that's the worst of
this climate of ours, it's either a drought or a deluge. It's likely you've been used to a
more equal temperature?”
“I am a native of this State,” returned Edwards, coldly.

“Well. I've often heard that point disputed; but it's so easy to get a man naturalized,
that it's of little consequence where he was born. I wonder what course the Judge
means to take in this business of Natty Bumppo!”
“Of Natty Bumppo!” echoed Edwards; “to what do you allude, sir?”
“Haven't you heard!” exclaimed the other, with a look of surprise, so naturally
assumed as completely to deceive his auditor; “it may turn out an ugly business. It
seems that the old man has been out in the hills, and has shot a buck this morning,
and that, you know, is a criminal matter in the eyes of Judge Temple.”
“Oh! he has, has he?” said Edwards, averting his face to conceal the color that
collected in his sunburnt cheek. “Well, if that be all, he must even pay the fine.”
“It's five pound currency,” said the lawyer; “could Natty muster so much money at
once?”
“Could he!” cried the youth. “I am not rich, Mr. Lippet; far from it—I am poor, and I
have been hoarding my salary for a purpose that lies near my heart; but, Before that
old man should lie one hour in a jail, I would spend the last cent to prevent it.
Besides, he has killed two panthers, and the bounty will discharge the fine many
times over.”
“Yes, yes,” said the lawyer, rubbing his hands together, with an expression of pleasure
that had no artifice about it; “we shall make it out; I see plainly we shall make it out.”
“Make what out, sir? I must beg an explanation.”

“Why, killing the buck is but a small matter compared to what took place this
afternoon,” continued Mr. Lippet, with a confidential and friendly air that won upon
the youth, little as he liked the man. “It seems that a complaint was made of the fact,
and a suspicion that there was venison in the hut was sworn to, all which is provided
for in the statute, when Judge Temple granted the search warrant.”
“A search-warrant!” echoed Edwards, in a voice of horror, and with a face that should
have been again averted to conceal its paleness; “and how much did they discover?
What did they see?”
“They saw old Bumppo's rifle; and that is a sight which will quiet most men's
curiosity in the woods.”
“Did they! did they!” shouted Edwards, bursting into a convulsive laugh; “so the old
hero beat them back beat them back! did he?” The lawyer fastened his eyes in
astonishment on the youth, but, as his wonder gave way to the thoughts that were
commonly uppermost in his mind, he replied:
“It is no laughing matter, let me tell you, sir; the forty dollars of bounty and your six
months of salary will be much reduced before you can get the matter fairly settled.
Assaulting a magistrate in the execution of his duty, and menacing a constable with
firearms at the same time, is a pretty serious affair, and is punishable with both fine
and imprisonment.”
“Imprisonment!” repeated Oliver; “imprison the Leather-Stocking! no, no, sir; it
would bring the old man to his grave. They shall never imprison the Leather-
Stocking.”
“Well, Mr. Edwards,” said Lippet, dropping all reserve from his manner, “you are
called a curious man; but if you can tell me how a jury is to be prevented from
finding a verdict of guilty, if this case comes fairly before them, and the proof is clear,
I shall acknowledge that you know more law than I do, who have had a license in my
pocket for three years.”
By this time the reason of Edwards was getting the ascendency of his feelings, and, as
he began to see the real difficulties of the case, he listened more readily to the
conversation of the lawyer. The ungovernable emotion that escaped the youth, in the
first moments of his surprise, entirely passed away; and, although it was still evident
that he continued to be much agitated by what he had heard, he succeeded in yielding
forced attention to the advice which the other uttered.
Notwithstanding the confused state of his mind, Oliver soon discovered that most of
the expedients of the lawyer were grounded in cunning, and plans that required a time
to execute them that neither suited his disposition nor his necessities. After, however,
giving Mr. Lippet to understand that he retained him in the event of a trial, an
assurance that at once satisfied the lawyer, they parted, one taking his course with a
deliberate tread in the direction of the little building that had a wooden sign over its
door, with “Chester Lippet, Attorney-at-law,” painted on it; and the other pacing over
the ground with enormous strides toward the mansion-house. We shall take leave of
the attorney for the present, and direct the attention of the reader to the client.
When Edwards entered the hall, whose enormous doors were opened to the passage
of the air of a mild evening, he found Benjamin engaged in some of his domestic
avocations, and in a hurried voice inquired where Judge Temple was to be found.
“Why, the Judge has stepped into his office, with that master carpenter, Mister
Doolittle; but Miss Lizzy is in that there parlor. I say, Master Oliver, we'd like to have
had a bad job of that panther, or painter's work—some calls it one, and some calls it
t'other—but I know little of the beast, seeing that it is not of British growth. I said as
much as that it was in the hills the last winter for I heard it moaning on the lake shore
one evening in the fall, when I was pulling down from the fishing-point in the skiff.
Had the animal come into open water, where a man could see where and how to work
his vessel, I would have engaged the thing myself; but looking aloft among the trees
is all the same to me as standing on the deck of one ship, and looking at another
vessel's tops. I never can tell one rope from another—”
“Well, well,” interrupted Edwards; “I must see Miss Temple.”
“And you shall see her, sir,” said the steward; “she's in this here room. Lord, Master
Edwards, what a loss she'd have been to the Judge! Dam'me if I know where he
would have gotten such another daughter; that is, full grown, d'ye see. I say, sir, this
Master Bumppo is a worthy man, and seems to have a handy way with him, with
firearms and boat-hooks. I'm his friend, Master Oliver, and he and you may both set
me down as the same.”
“We may want your friendship, my worthy fellow,” cried Edwards, squeezing his
hand convulsively; “we may want your friendship, in which case you shall know it.”
Without waiting to hear the earnest reply that Benjamin meditated, the youth
extricated himself from the vigorous grasp of the steward, and entered the parlor.
Elizabeth was alone, and still reclining on the sofa, where we last left her. A hand,
which exceeded all that the ingenuity of art could model, in shape and color, veiled
her eyes; and the maiden was sitting as if in deep communion with herself. Struck by
the attitude and loveliness of the form that met his eye, the young man checked his
impatience, and approached her with respect and caution.

The commotion was just subsiding, and the inhabitants of the village had begun to disperse from the little groups that had formed, each retiring to
his own home, and closing his door after him, with the grave air of a man who consulted public feeling in his exterior deportment, when Oliver
Edwards, on his return from the dwelling of Mr. Grant, encountered the young lawyer, who is known to the reader as Mr. Lippet. There was very
little similarity in the manners or opinions of the two; but as they both belonged to the more intelligent class of a very small community, they were,
of course, known to each other, and as their meeting was at a point where silence would have been rudeness, the following conversation was the
result of their interview:

“A fine evening, Mr. Edwards,” commenced the lawyer, whose disinclination to the
dialogue was, to say the least, very doubtful; “we want rain sadly; that's the worst of
this climate of ours, it's either a drought or a deluge. It's likely you've been used to a
more equal temperature?”
“I am a native of this State,” returned Edwards, coldly.

“Well. I've often heard that point disputed; but it's so easy to get a man naturalized,
that it's of little consequence where he was born. I wonder what course the Judge
means to take in this business of Natty Bumppo!”
“Of Natty Bumppo!” echoed Edwards; “to what do you allude, sir?”

“Haven't you heard!” exclaimed the other, with a look of surprise, so naturally
assumed as completely to deceive his auditor; “it may turn out an ugly business. It
seems that the old man has been out in the hills, and has shot a buck this morning,
and tha: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Actualised Dream World.

As the foundation of an Illusionary Divine Stage dream master, Fang Yuan’s dream world was very small. It was no taller than 2.6 metres
and its circumference was no longer than 3.2m.

“The cultivation of the Illusionary Divine Stage is the cultivation of the actualised dream world. One day, this will become a true world!”
In the centre of the heavens and earth, Fang Yuan’s true consciousness appeared, one hand pointed at the sky and the other hand
pressing against the earth.

“Crash!”
Dream elemental force surged forth and flushed the borders of the actualised dream world.

With every wave, the chaos of the outside world was washed away. The actualised dream world started expanding at a slow rate.

“The journey of a dream master in the Illusionary Divine Stage is a long and arduous one. Who knows how much effort is needed to
reach the Prominent Divine Stage!”

Fang Yuan sighed.

Every day after he completed his work, he would go out and arrive at an open field.

“Dream soldier master, in the beginning, his primary focus is to actualize soldiers and uses martial arts as a supplement. In the end, he
will walk the path of training his soldiers to have a better understanding of the world…Truth be told, it is to start with laws regarding
weapons and the likes before moving on to grasping the laws of the world! Any pathway of a dream master will ultimately reach to the
same end-goal!”

“My Master’s secret teachings, known as the 8 Gates Sword Array incorporate the essences of arrays and martial arts. Its prowess is
unparalleled. It uses the 8 trigrams as its foundation, and is able to transform and adapt to suit the situation!”

Fang Yuan have read through Master Heartless’s inheritance many times. At this time, verses of chants flashed across the bottom of his
heart, and he understood all the verses completely.

He sat cross-legged and his spiritual will penetrated the emptiness. He started to gather his previously-expended dream elemental force.

When his essence, energy and magic had recovered to their peak levels, Fang Yuan stood up, and suddenly shouted, “8 Gates Sword
Array, rise!”

“Whoosh!”
Sword radiance flashed!

All kinds of blue, red and golden coloured swords converged, with multiple colours flashing. The sharpness of the blades was threatening.
Suddenly, the swords fell to the ground and in the centre of the actualised dream world, 8 hazy sword shadows appeared.

Once the array appeared, the whole atmosphere within the space changed. It was as if sharp wills started to gather.

“Only the path is set at the start. Not a single divine soldier gather…this is merely beginning!”
Fang Yuan looked at the flickering sword shadows and shook his head, “At the peak of my master’s cultivation, he completed the 8 Gates
Sword Array. At my current level, it is very difficult to actualize 1 divine soldier. The good thing about this array is that it does not require
the 8 divine soldiers to converge. The array can be used even if it was just 1, 2 or 3 divine soldiers [1]!”

He turned his gaze towards the South with a solemn expression.

Over there, under a red cloud, a scarlet sword essence appeared to be holding up the heavens like a giant pillar. Within it, the sword’s
shadow was hazy.

“The true South gifts flames! This is for the fire-type sword! The easiest to gather amongst the 8 Gates Sword Array! It is the best place
for me to start!”

Fang Yuan consumed Flame Jade Rice daily and as such, his fire-type energy was the most abundant. Naturally, it would aid him in his
cultivation of the fire sword.

“South-leaving Fire, listen to my command, fire-type sword, gather!”

A beam of light shot from his eyes and onto the red sword pillar.

“Crash!”
Dream elemental force as vast as the sea surged forth and entered the fire-type pillar. The fire-type sword momentarily appeared as it
started to actualize.

The sword was around 1 metre long and the blade was scarlet in colour with simple and mysterious markings engraved upon it. The hilt
of the sword was in the shape of a fiery dragon. The whole sword appeared to be a raging flame and yet, there was a hint of green will.

The sword shadow, which was originally an illusion started to become real.

“10%?”
After a long time, with his dream elemental force depleted, Fang Yuan looked at the shadow and was pleased.

It was no easy feat to actualize a magical soldier.

What he had done so far was to create a form. He still had to slowly train.

Afterall, even if he had gathered the 8 spiritual swords and complete the array. It was a huge task to separate the array from the
actualised dream world and actualise it in the real world.

The path to reach the Prominent Divine Stage was indeed long and difficult!

Every actualised sword and the dream soldier master’s cultivation would bring about enormous changes. When the 8 swords are
gathered, it would be enough to shock the heavens and earth, make demons and deities afraid. The array would clear the path before
him.

“This 8 Gates Sword Array is split into levels according to the number of magical soldiers actualised. The most basic is the 1 sword,
followed by 2 swords, when at last the 8 swords form the array, it can affect the heavens and earth, one step at a time, clearing the way
forward!”

Fang Yuan stroked his chin, “It feels like this is similar to the spiritual meridians of the Wu Zongs!”

For a Wu Zong in the Meridian Opening Realm, the spiritual meridians were gathered and split into different levels. In each level, the
battle prowess of the Wu Zong was different.

“I hear that after a spiritual knight reaches the Elemental Opening Realm, the next step in his cultivation would be to link his spiritual
points!”

“Other dream master pathways are roughly similar and can be split into 8 or 9 realms…”
After remembering the recently-purchased information, Fang Yuan no longer had any confusion regarding the cultivation in the Elemental
Opening Realm.

For an ordinary cultivator, the main focus of cultivation was to attain the elemental force!

It was only after breaking through the Elemental Gathering Realm could a cultivator be considered extraordinary and considered to be on
a path of cultivation.

This step was known as cultivation to become a Wu Zong, spiritual knight or dream master.

The second step 

: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Actualised Dream World.

As the foundation of an Illusionary Divine Stage dream master, Fang Yuan’s dream world was very small. It was no taller than 2.6 metres
and its circumference was no longer than 3.2m.

“The cultivation of the Illusionary Divine Stage is the cultivation of the actualised dream world. One day, this will become a true world!”
In the centre of the heavens and earth, Fang Yuan’s true consciousness appeared, one hand pointed at the sky and the other hand
pressing against the earth.

“Crash!”
Dream elemental force surged forth and flushed the borders of the actualised dream world.

With every wave, the chaos of the outside world was washed away. The actualised dream world started expanding at a slow rate.

“The journey of a dream master in the Illusionary Divine Stage is a long and arduous one. Who knows how much effort is needed to
reach the Prominent Divine Stage!”

Fang Yuan sighed.

Every day after he completed his work, he would go out and arrive at an open field.

“Dream soldier master, in the beginning, his primary focus is to actualize soldiers and uses martial arts as a supplement. In the end, he
will walk the path of training his soldiers to have a better understanding of the world…Truth be told, it is to start with laws regarding
weapons and the likes before moving on to grasping the laws of the world! Any pathway of a dream master will ultimately reach to the
same end-goal!”

“My Master’s secret teachings, known as the 8 Gates Sword Array incorporate the essences of arrays and martial arts. Its prowess is
unparalleled. It uses the 8 trigrams as its foundation, and is able to transform and adapt to suit the situation!”

Fang Yuan have read through Master Heartless’s inheritance many times. At this time, verses of chants flashed across the bottom of his
heart, and he understood all the verses completely.

He sat cross-legged and his spiritual will penetrated the emptiness. He started to gather his previously-expended dream elemental force.

When his essence, energy and magic had recovered to their peak levels, Fang Yuan stood up, and suddenly shouted, “8 Gates Sword
Array, rise!”
“Whoosh!”
Sword radiance flashed!

All kinds of blue, red and golden coloured swords converged, with multiple colours flashing. The sharpness of the blades was threatening.
Suddenly, the swords fell to the ground and in the centre of the actualised dream world, 8 hazy sword shadows appeared.

Once the array appeared, the whole atmosphere within the space changed. It was as if sharp wills started to gather.

“Only the path is set at the start. Not a single divine soldier gather…this is merely beginning!”
Fang Yuan looked at the flickering sword shadows and shook his head, “At the peak of my master’s cultivation, he completed the 8 Gates
Sword Array. At my current level, it is very difficult to actualize 1 divine soldier. The good thing about this array is that it does not require
the 8 divine soldiers to converge. The array can be used even if it was just 1, 2 or 3 divine soldiers [1]!”

He turned his gaze towards the South with a solemn expression.

Over there, under a red cloud, a scarlet sword essence appeared to be holding up the heavens like a giant pillar. Within it, the sword’s
shadow was hazy.

“The true South gifts flames! This is for the fire-type sword! The easiest to gather amongst the 8 Gates Sword Array! It is the best place
for me to start!”

Fang Yuan consumed Flame Jade Rice daily and as such, his fire-type energy was the most abundant. Naturally, it would aid him in his
cultivation of the fire sword.

“South-leaving Fire, listen to my command, fire-type sword, gather!”

A beam of light shot from his eyes and onto the red sword pillar.

“Crash!”
Dream elemental force as vast as the sea surged forth and entered the fire-type pillar. The fire-type sword momentarily appeared as it
started to actualize.

The sword was around 1 metre long and the blade was scarlet in colour with simple and mysterious markings engraved upon it. The hilt
of the sword was in the shape of a fiery dragon. The whole sword appeared to be a raging flame and yet, there was a hint of green will.

The sword shadow, which was originally an illusion started to become real.

“10%?”
After a long time, with his dream elemental force depleted, Fang Yuan looked at the shadow and was pleased.

It was no easy feat to actualize a magical soldier.

What he had done so far was to create a form. He still had to slowly train.

Afterall, even if he had gathered the 8 spiritual swords and complete the array. It was a huge task to separate the array from the
actualised dream world and actualise it in the real world.

The path to reach the Prominent Divine Stage was indeed long and difficult!

Every actualised sword and the dream soldier master’s cultivation would bring about enormous changes. When the 8 swords are
gathered, it would be enough to shock the heavens and earth, make demons and deities afraid. The array would clear the path before
him.

“This 8 Gates Sword Array is split into levels according to the number of magical soldiers actualised. The most basic is the 1 sword,
followed by 2 swords, when at last the 8 swords form the array, it can affect the heavens and earth, one step at a time, clearing the way
forward!”

Fang Yuan stroked his chin, “It feels like this is similar to the spiritual meridians of the Wu Zongs!”

For a Wu Zong in the Meridian Opening Realm, the spiritual meridians were gathered and split into different levels. In each level, the
battle prowess of the Wu Zong was different.

“I hear that after a spiritual knight reaches the Elemental Opening Realm, the next step in his cultivation would be to link his spiritual
points!”

“Other dream master pathways are roughly similar and can be split into 8 or 9 realms…”
After remembering the recently-purchased information, Fang Yuan no longer had any confusion regarding the cultivation in the Elemental
Opening Realm.

For an ordinary cultivator, the main focus of cultivation was to attain the elemental force!
It was only after breaking through the Elemental Gathering Realm could a cultivator be considered extraordinary and considered to be on
a path of cultivation.

This step was known as cultivation to become a Wu Zong, spiritual knight or dream master.

The second step 

: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Actualised Dream World.

As the foundation of an Illusionary Divine Stage dream master, Fang Yuan’s dream world was very small. It was no taller than 2.6 metres
and its circumference was no longer than 3.2m.

“The cultivation of the Illusionary Divine Stage is the cultivation of the actualised dream world. One day, this will become a true world!”
In the centre of the heavens and earth, Fang Yuan’s true consciousness appeared, one hand pointed at the sky and the other hand
pressing against the earth.

“Crash!”
Dream elemental force surged forth and flushed the borders of the actualised dream world.

With every wave, the chaos of the outside world was washed away. The actualised dream world started expanding at a slow rate.

“The journey of a dream master in the Illusionary Divine Stage is a long and arduous one. Who knows how much effort is needed to
reach the Prominent Divine Stage!”

Fang Yuan sighed.

Every day after he completed his work, he would go out and arrive at an open field.

“Dream soldier master, in the beginning, his primary focus is to actualize soldiers and uses martial arts as a supplement. In the end, he
will walk the path of training his soldiers to have a better understanding of the world…Truth be told, it is to start with laws regarding
weapons and the likes before moving on to grasping the laws of the world! Any pathway of a dream master will ultimately reach to the
same end-goal!”

“My Master’s secret teachings, known as the 8 Gates Sword Array incorporate the essences of arrays and martial arts. Its prowess is
unparalleled. It uses the 8 trigrams as its foundation, and is able to transform and adapt to suit the situation!”

Fang Yuan have read through Master Heartless’s inheritance many times. At this time, verses of chants flashed across the bottom of his
heart, and he understood all the verses completely.

He sat cross-legged and his spiritual will penetrated the emptiness. He started to gather his previously-expended dream elemental force.

When his essence, energy and magic had recovered to their peak levels, Fang Yuan stood up, and suddenly shouted, “8 Gates Sword
Array, rise!”

“Whoosh!”
Sword radiance flashed!

All kinds of blue, red and golden coloured swords converged, with multiple colours flashing. The sharpness of the blades was threatening.
Suddenly, the swords fell to the ground and in the centre of the actualised dream world, 8 hazy sword shadows appeared.

Once the array appeared, the whole atmosphere within the space changed. It was as if sharp wills started to gather.

“Only the path is set at the start. Not a single divine soldier gather…this is merely beginning!”
Fang Yuan looked at the flickering sword shadows and shook his head, “At the peak of my master’s cultivation, he completed the 8 Gates
Sword Array. At my current level, it is very difficult to actualize 1 divine soldier. The good thing about this array is that it does not require
the 8 divine soldiers to converge. The array can be used even if it was just 1, 2 or 3 divine soldiers [1]!”

He turned his gaze towards the South with a solemn expression.

Over there, under a red cloud, a scarlet sword essence appeared to be holding up the heavens like a giant pillar. Within it, the sword’s
shadow was hazy.

“The true South gifts flames! This is for the fire-type sword! The easiest to gather amongst the 8 Gates Sword Array! It is the best place
for me to start!”

Fang Yuan consumed Flame Jade Rice daily and as such, his fire-type energy was the most abundant. Naturally, it would aid him in his
cultivation of the fire sword.

“South-leaving Fire, listen to my command, fire-type sword, gather!”

A beam of light shot from his eyes and onto the red sword pillar.
“Crash!”
Dream elemental force as vast as the sea surged forth and entered the fire-type pillar. The fire-type sword momentarily appeared as it
started to actualize.

The sword was around 1 metre long and the blade was scarlet in colour with simple and mysterious markings engraved upon it. The hilt
of the sword was in the shape of a fiery dragon. The whole sword appeared to be a raging flame and yet, there was a hint of green will.

The sword shadow, which was originally an illusion started to become real.

“10%?”
After a long time, with his dream elemental force depleted, Fang Yuan looked at the shadow and was pleased.

It was no easy feat to actualize a magical soldier.

What he had done so far was to create a form. He still had to slowly train.

Afterall, even if he had gathered the 8 spiritual swords and complete the array. It was a huge task to separate the array from the
actualised dream world and actualise it in the real world.

The path to reach the Prominent Divine Stage was indeed long and difficult!

Every actualised sword and the dream soldier master’s cultivation would bring about enormous changes. When the 8 swords are
gathered, it would be enough to shock the heavens and earth, make demons and deities afraid. The array would clear the path before
him.

“This 8 Gates Sword Array is split into levels according to the number of magical soldiers actualised. The most basic is the 1 sword,
followed by 2 swords, when at last the 8 swords form the array, it can affect the heavens and earth, one step at a time, clearing the way
forward!”

Fang Yuan stroked his chin, “It feels like this is similar to the spiritual meridians of the Wu Zongs!”

For a Wu Zong in the Meridian Opening Realm, the spiritual meridians were gathered and split into different levels. In each level, the
battle prowess of the Wu Zong was different.

“I hear that after a spiritual knight reaches the Elemental Opening Realm, the next step in his cultivation would be to link his spiritual
points!”

“Other dream master pathways are roughly similar and can be split into 8 or 9 realms…”
After remembering the recently-purchased information, Fang Yuan no longer had any confusion regarding the cultivation in the Elemental
Opening Realm.

For an ordinary cultivator, the main focus of cultivation was to attain the elemental force!

It was only after breaking through the Elemental Gathering Realm could a cultivator be considered extraordinary and considered to be on
a path of cultivation.

This step was known as cultivation to become a Wu Zong, spiritual knight or dream master.

The second step 

: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Actualised Dream World.

As the foundation of an Illusionary Divine Stage dream master, Fang Yuan’s dream world was very small. It was no taller than 2.6 metres
and its circumference was no longer than 3.2m.

“The cultivation of the Illusionary Divine Stage is the cultivation of the actualised dream world. One day, this will become a true world!”
In the centre of the heavens and earth, Fang Yuan’s true consciousness appeared, one hand pointed at the sky and the other hand
pressing against the earth.

“Crash!”
Dream elemental force surged forth and flushed the borders of the actualised dream world.

With every wave, the chaos of the outside world was washed away. The actualised dream world started expanding at a slow rate.

“The journey of a dream master in the Illusionary Divine Stage is a long and arduous one. Who knows how much effort is needed to
reach the Prominent Divine Stage!”

Fang Yuan sighed.

Every day after he completed his work, he would go out and arrive at an open field.
“Dream soldier master, in the beginning, his primary focus is to actualize soldiers and uses martial arts as a supplement. In the end, he
will walk the path of training his soldiers to have a better understanding of the world…Truth be told, it is to start with laws regarding
weapons and the likes before moving on to grasping the laws of the world! Any pathway of a dream master will ultimately reach to the
same end-goal!”

“My Master’s secret teachings, known as the 8 Gates Sword Array incorporate the essences of arrays and martial arts. Its prowess is
unparalleled. It uses the 8 trigrams as its foundation, and is able to transform and adapt to suit the situation!”

Fang Yuan have read through Master Heartless’s inheritance many times. At this time, verses of chants flashed across the bottom of his
heart, and he understood all the verses completely.

He sat cross-legged and his spiritual will penetrated the emptiness. He started to gather his previously-expended dream elemental force.

When his essence, energy and magic had recovered to their peak levels, Fang Yuan stood up, and suddenly shouted, “8 Gates Sword
Array, rise!”

“Whoosh!”
Sword radiance flashed!

All kinds of blue, red and golden coloured swords converged, with multiple colours flashing. The sharpness of the blades was threatening.
Suddenly, the swords fell to the ground and in the centre of the actualised dream world, 8 hazy sword shadows appeared.

Once the array appeared, the whole atmosphere within the space changed. It was as if sharp wills started to gather.

“Only the path is set at the start. Not a single divine soldier gather…this is merely beginning!”
Fang Yuan looked at the flickering sword shadows and shook his head, “At the peak of my master’s cultivation, he completed the 8 Gates
Sword Array. At my current level, it is very difficult to actualize 1 divine soldier. The good thing about this array is that it does not require
the 8 divine soldiers to converge. The array can be used even if it was just 1, 2 or 3 divine soldiers [1]!”

He turned his gaze towards the South with a solemn expression.

Over there, under a red cloud, a scarlet sword essence appeared to be holding up the heavens like a giant pillar. Within it, the sword’s
shadow was hazy.

“The true South gifts flames! This is for the fire-type sword! The easiest to gather amongst the 8 Gates Sword Array! It is the best place
for me to start!”

Fang Yuan consumed Flame Jade Rice daily and as such, his fire-type energy was the most abundant. Naturally, it would aid him in his
cultivation of the fire sword.

“South-leaving Fire, listen to my command, fire-type sword, gather!”

A beam of light shot from his eyes and onto the red sword pillar.

“Crash!”
Dream elemental force as vast as the sea surged forth and entered the fire-type pillar. The fire-type sword momentarily appeared as it
started to actualize.

The sword was around 1 metre long and the blade was scarlet in colour with simple and mysterious markings engraved upon it. The hilt
of the sword was in the shape of a fiery dragon. The whole sword appeared to be a raging flame and yet, there was a hint of green will.

The sword shadow, which was originally an illusion started to become real.

“10%?”
After a long time, with his dream elemental force depleted, Fang Yuan looked at the shadow and was pleased.

It was no easy feat to actualize a magical soldier.

What he had done so far was to create a form. He still had to slowly train.

Afterall, even if he had gathered the 8 spiritual swords and complete the array. It was a huge task to separate the array from the
actualised dream world and actualise it in the real world.

The path to reach the Prominent Divine Stage was indeed long and difficult!

Every actualised sword and the dream soldier master’s cultivation would bring about enormous changes. When the 8 swords are
gathered, it would be enough to shock the heavens and earth, make demons and deities afraid. The array would clear the path before
him.

“This 8 Gates Sword Array is split into levels according to the number of magical soldiers actualised. The most basic is the 1 sword,
followed by 2 swords, when at last the 8 swords form the array, it can affect the heavens and earth, one step at a time, clearing the way
forward!”
Fang Yuan stroked his chin, “It feels like this is similar to the spiritual meridians of the Wu Zongs!”

For a Wu Zong in the Meridian Opening Realm, the spiritual meridians were gathered and split into different levels. In each level, the
battle prowess of the Wu Zong was different.

“I hear that after a spiritual knight reaches the Elemental Opening Realm, the next step in his cultivation would be to link his spiritual
points!”

“Other dream master pathways are roughly similar and can be split into 8 or 9 realms…”
After remembering the recently-purchased information, Fang Yuan no longer had any confusion regarding the cultivation in the Elemental
Opening Realm.

For an ordinary cultivator, the main focus of cultivation was to attain the elemental force!

It was only after breaking through the Elemental Gathering Realm could a cultivator be considered extraordinary and considered to be on
a path of cultivation.

This step was known as cultivation to become a Wu Zong, spiritual knight or dream master.

The second step 

: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Actualised Dream World.

As the foundation of an Illusionary Divine Stage dream master, Fang Yuan’s dream world was very small. It was no taller than 2.6 metres
and its circumference was no longer than 3.2m.

“The cultivation of the Illusionary Divine Stage is the cultivation of the actualised dream world. One day, this will become a true world!”
In the centre of the heavens and earth, Fang Yuan’s true consciousness appeared, one hand pointed at the sky and the other hand
pressing against the earth.

“Crash!”
Dream elemental force surged forth and flushed the borders of the actualised dream world.

With every wave, the chaos of the outside world was washed away. The actualised dream world started expanding at a slow rate.

“The journey of a dream master in the Illusionary Divine Stage is a long and arduous one. Who knows how much effort is needed to
reach the Prominent Divine Stage!”

Fang Yuan sighed.

Every day after he completed his work, he would go out and arrive at an open field.

“Dream soldier master, in the beginning, his primary focus is to actualize soldiers and uses martial arts as a supplement. In the end, he
will walk the path of training his soldiers to have a better understanding of the world…Truth be told, it is to start with laws regarding
weapons and the likes before moving on to grasping the laws of the world! Any pathway of a dream master will ultimately reach to the
same end-goal!”

“My Master’s secret teachings, known as the 8 Gates Sword Array incorporate the essences of arrays and martial arts. Its prowess is
unparalleled. It uses the 8 trigrams as its foundation, and is able to transform and adapt to suit the situation!”

Fang Yuan have read through Master Heartless’s inheritance many times. At this time, verses of chants flashed across the bottom of his
heart, and he understood all the verses completely.

He sat cross-legged and his spiritual will penetrated the emptiness. He started to gather his previously-expended dream elemental force.

When his essence, energy and magic had recovered to their peak levels, Fang Yuan stood up, and suddenly shouted, “8 Gates Sword
Array, rise!”

“Whoosh!”
Sword radiance flashed!

All kinds of blue, red and golden coloured swords converged, with multiple colours flashing. The sharpness of the blades was threatening.
Suddenly, the swords fell to the ground and in the centre of the actualised dream world, 8 hazy sword shadows appeared.

Once the array appeared, the whole atmosphere within the space changed. It was as if sharp wills started to gather.

“Only the path is set at the start. Not a single divine soldier gather…this is merely beginning!”
Fang Yuan looked at the flickering sword shadows and shook his head, “At the peak of my master’s cultivation, he completed the 8 Gates
Sword Array. At my current level, it is very difficult to actualize 1 divine soldier. The good thing about this array is that it does not require
the 8 divine soldiers to converge. The array can be used even if it was just 1, 2 or 3 divine soldiers [1]!”
He turned his gaze towards the South with a solemn expression.

Over there, under a red cloud, a scarlet sword essence appeared to be holding up the heavens like a giant pillar. Within it, the sword’s
shadow was hazy.

“The true South gifts flames! This is for the fire-type sword! The easiest to gather amongst the 8 Gates Sword Array! It is the best place
for me to start!”

Fang Yuan consumed Flame Jade Rice daily and as such, his fire-type energy was the most abundant. Naturally, it would aid him in his
cultivation of the fire sword.

“South-leaving Fire, listen to my command, fire-type sword, gather!”

A beam of light shot from his eyes and onto the red sword pillar.

“Crash!”
Dream elemental force as vast as the sea surged forth and entered the fire-type pillar. The fire-type sword momentarily appeared as it
started to actualize.

The sword was around 1 metre long and the blade was scarlet in colour with simple and mysterious markings engraved upon it. The hilt
of the sword was in the shape of a fiery dragon. The whole sword appeared to be a raging flame and yet, there was a hint of green will.

The sword shadow, which was originally an illusion started to become real.

“10%?”
After a long time, with his dream elemental force depleted, Fang Yuan looked at the shadow and was pleased.

It was no easy feat to actualize a magical soldier.

What he had done so far was to create a form. He still had to slowly train.

Afterall, even if he had gathered the 8 spiritual swords and complete the array. It was a huge task to separate the array from the
actualised dream world and actualise it in the real world.

The path to reach the Prominent Divine Stage was indeed long and difficult!

Every actualised sword and the dream soldier master’s cultivation would bring about enormous changes. When the 8 swords are
gathered, it would be enough to shock the heavens and earth, make demons and deities afraid. The array would clear the path before
him.

“This 8 Gates Sword Array is split into levels according to the number of magical soldiers actualised. The most basic is the 1 sword,
followed by 2 swords, when at last the 8 swords form the array, it can affect the heavens and earth, one step at a time, clearing the way
forward!”

Fang Yuan stroked his chin, “It feels like this is similar to the spiritual meridians of the Wu Zongs!”

For a Wu Zong in the Meridian Opening Realm, the spiritual meridians were gathered and split into different levels. In each level, the
battle prowess of the Wu Zong was different.

“I hear that after a spiritual knight reaches the Elemental Opening Realm, the next step in his cultivation would be to link his spiritual
points!”

“Other dream master pathways are roughly similar and can be split into 8 or 9 realms…”
After remembering the recently-purchased information, Fang Yuan no longer had any confusion regarding the cultivation in the Elemental
Opening Realm.

For an ordinary cultivator, the main focus of cultivation was to attain the elemental force!

It was only after breaking through the Elemental Gathering Realm could a cultivator be considered extraordinary and considered to be on
a path of cultivation.

This step was known as cultivation to become a Wu Zong, spiritual knight or dream master.

The second step 

door, with “Chester Lippet, Attorney-at-law,” painted on it; and the other pacing over
the ground with enormous strides toward the mansion-house. We shall take leave of
the attorney for the present, and direct the attention of the reader to the client.
When Edwards entered the hall, whose enormous doors were opened to the passage
of the air of a mild evening, he found Benjamin engaged in some of his domestic
avocations, and in a hurried voice inquired where Judge Temple was to be found.
“Why, the Judge has stepped into his office, with that master carpenter, Mister
Doolittle; but Miss Lizzy is in that there parlor. I say, Master Oliver, we'd like to have
had a bad job of that panther, or painter's work—some calls it one, and some calls it
t'other—but I know little of the beast, seeing that it is not of British growth. I said as
much as that it was in the hills the last winter for I heard it moaning on the lake shore
one evening in the fall, when I was pulling down from the fishing-point in the skiff.
Had the animal come into open water, where a man could see where and how to work
his vessel, I would have engaged the thing myself; but looking aloft among the trees
is all the same to me as standing on the deck of one ship, and looking at another
vessel's tops. I never can tell one rope from another—”
“Well, well,” interrupted Edwards; “I must see Miss Temple.”

“And you shall see her, sir,” said the steward; “she's in this here room. Lord, Master
Edwards, what a loss she'd have been to the Judge! Dam'me if I know where he
would have gotten such another daughter; that is, full grown, d'ye see. I say, sir, this
Master Bumppo is a worthy man, and seems to have a handy way with him, with
firearms and boat-hooks. I'm his friend, Master Oliver, and he and you may both set
me down as the same.”
“We may want your friendship, my worthy fellow,” cried Edwards, squeezing his
hand convulsively; “we may want your friendship, in which case you shall know it.”
Without waiting to hear the earnest reply that Benjamin meditated, the youth
extricated himself from the vigorous grasp of the steward, and entered the parlor.
Elizabeth was alone, and still reclining on the sofa, where we last left her. A hand,
which exceeded all that the ingenuity of art could model, in shape and color, veiled
her eyes; and the maiden was sitting as if in deep communion with herself. Struck by
the attitude and loveliness of the form that met his eye, the young man checked his
impatience, and approached her with respect and caution.

The commotion was just subsiding, and the inhabitants of the village had begun to disperse from the little groups that had formed, each retiring to
his own home, and closing his door after him, with the grave air of a man who consulted public feeling in his exterior deportment, when Oliver
Edwards, on his return from the dwelling of Mr. Grant, encountered the young lawyer, who is known to the reader as Mr. Lippet. There was very
little similarity in the manners or opinions of the two; but as they both belonged to the more intelligent class of a very small community, they were,
of course, known to each other, and as their meeting was at a point where silence would have been rudeness, the following conversation was the
result of their interview:

“A fine evening, Mr. Edwards,” commenced the lawyer, whose disinclination to the
dialogue was, to say the least, very doubtful; “we want rain sadly; that's the worst of
this climate of ours, it's either a drought or a deluge. It's likely you've been used to a
more equal temperature?”
“I am a native of this State,” returned Edwards, coldly.

“Well. I've often heard that point disputed; but it's so easy to get a man naturalized,
that it's of little consequence where he was born. I wonder what course the Judge
means to take in this business of Natty Bumppo!”
“Of Natty Bumppo!” echoed Edwards; “to what do you allude, sir?”

“Haven't you heard!” exclaimed the other, with a look of surprise, so naturally
assumed as completely to deceive his auditor; “it may turn out an ugly business. It
seems that the old man has been out in the hills, and has shot a buck this morning,
and that, you know, is a criminal matter in the eyes of Judge Temple.”
“Oh! he has, has he?” said Edwards, averting his face to conceal the color that
collected in his sunburnt cheek. “Well, if that be all, he must even pay the fine.”
“It's five pound currency,” said the lawyer; “could Natty muster so much money at
once?”
“Could he!” cried the youth. “I am not rich, Mr. Lippet; far from it—I am poor, and I
have been hoarding my salary for a purpose that lies near my heart; but, Before that
old man should lie one hour in a jail, I would spend the last cent to prevent it.
Besides, he has killed two panthers, and the bounty will discharge the fine many
times over.”
“Yes, yes,” said the lawyer, rubbing his hands together, with an expression of pleasure
that had no artifice about it; “we shall make it out; I see plainly we shall make it out.”
“Make what out, sir? I must beg an explanation.”

“Why, killing the buck is but a small matter compared to what took place this
afternoon,” continued Mr. Lippet, with a confidential and friendly air that won upon
the youth, little as he liked the man. “It seems that a complaint was made of the fact,
and a suspicion that there was venison in the hut was sworn to, all which is provided
for in the statute, when Judge Temple granted the search warrant.”
“A search-warrant!” echoed Edwards, in a voice of horror, and with a face that should
have been again averted to conceal its paleness; “and how much did they discover?
What did they see?”
“They saw old Bumppo's rifle; and that is a sight which will quiet most men's
curiosity in the woods.”
“Did they! did they!” shouted Edwards, bursting into a convulsive laugh; “so the old
hero beat them back beat them back! did he?” The lawyer fastened his eyes in
astonishment on the youth, but, as his wonder gave way to the thoughts that were
commonly uppermost in his mind, he replied:
“It is no laughing matter, let me tell you, sir; the forty dollars of bounty and your six
months of salary will be much reduced before you can get the matter fairly settled.
Assaulting a magistrate in the execution of his duty, and menacing a constable with
firearms at the same time, is a pretty serious affair, and is punishable with both fine
and imprisonment.”
“Imprisonment!” repeated Oliver; “imprison the Leather-Stocking! no, no, sir; it
would bring the old man to his grave. They shall never imprison the Leather-
Stocking.”
“Well, Mr. Edwards,” said Lippet, dropping all reserve from his manner, “you are
called a curious man; but if you can tell me how a jury is to be prevented from
finding a verdict of guilty, if this case comes fairly before them, and the proof is clear,
I shall acknowledge that you know more law than I do, who have had a license in my
pocket for three years.”
By this time the reason of Edwards was getting the ascendency of his feelings, and, as
he began to see the real difficulties of the case, he listened more readily to the
conversation of the lawyer. The ungovernable emotion that escaped the youth, in the
first moments of his surprise, entirely passed away; and, although it was still evident
that he continued to be much agitated by what he had heard, he succeeded in yielding
forced attention to the advice which the other uttered.
Notwithstanding the confused state of his mind, Oliver soon discovered that most of
the expedients of the lawyer were grounded in cunning, and plans that required a time
to execute them that neither suited his disposition nor his necessities. After, however,
giving Mr. Lippet to understand that he retained him in the event of a trial, an
assurance that at once satisfied the lawyer, they parted, one taking his course with a
deliberate tread in the direction of the little building that had a wooden sign over its
door, with “Chester Lippet, Attorney-at-law,” painted on it; and the other pacing over
the ground with enormous strides toward the mansion-house. We shall take leave of
the attorney for the present, and direct the attention of the reader to the client.
When Edwards entered the hall, whose enormous doors were opened to the passage
of the air of a mild evening, he found Benjamin engaged in some of his domestic
avocations, and in a hurried voice inquired where Judge Temple was to be found.
“Why, the Judge has stepped into his office, with that master carpenter, Mister
Doolittle; but Miss Lizzy is in that there parlor. I say, Master Oliver, we'd like to have
had a bad job of that panther, or painter's work—some calls it one, and some calls it
t'other—but I know little of the beast, seeing that it is not of British growth. I said as
much as that it was in the hills the last winter for I heard it moaning on the lake shore
one evening in the fall, when I was pulling down from the fishing-point in the skiff.
Had the animal come into open water, where a man could see where and how to work
his vessel, I would have engaged the thing myself; but looking aloft among the trees
is all the same to me as standing on the deck of one ship, and looking at another
vessel's tops. I never can tell one rope from another—”
“Well, well,” interrupted Edwards; “I must see Miss Temple.”

“And you shall sIn ancient times, when tacticians face city lords that have requests of
them, they will often phrase the situation in a way that make it seem like they are in a
very difficult situation, as though their lives may be lost anytime.
Everyone have fears. When one’s life is threatened, they would be extremely alert and careful. When the city lords hear from their
tactician that their life is hanging, they would uncover it to the end despite how much they don’t believe in it. If they realize that they are
in a precarious situation after an intensive interrogation, naturally, they will seek for a solution through the tactician.

Then, the opinions of the tactician would be much more respected. When the crisis is averted, the standing of the tactician would
naturally rise through the ranks. Following their rise in standing, their new opinions will become more and more respected, allowing their
rise in power to be more and more rapid.

The saying ‘I accept the responsibility of leading the army when the country’s on the verge of defeat. In times of trouble, I will carry out
my job’ probably means this kind of situation. This has nothing to do with the matter at hand, it is just a trick used by tacticians to be
more respected by the city lords they are serving. The wiser the tactician is, the better they are at employing this trick.

“Master, please teach me.” It seems that according to this lady’s script, I should be shouting these words.
After that, she would analyze for me how did the Lion King and Dragon Empress fake their falling out and that as soon as we make a
move against them, they would declare war on us, spreading the notion that we are spies sent by the surface to destroy the Alliance from
within, causing others to be wary of us. Then, they would personally attack us and force us to the corner. By then, it would be too late to
leave.

But if it is just to this extent, they are really underestimating me, Wumianzhe.

“I got it, you stay with your sister for the time being. You both should have a lot of things to say.”
“I…” Facing my unexpected coldness, Victoria sits up, agitated, with anxiety spelt on her face. She seems to be on the verge of saying
something but looking at the emotionless me, she ends up leaving the room helplessly.

“Elisa.”
“…”
“If you don’t come out now, your wages next month will be gone.”
“…Master, please pay me the wages you owe me on last year’s this month before saying such words.”
“Cough. Elisa, what do you think of the present sent by the Dark Elves.”
“Lord, this must be a trap.” Propping up her glasses, she says these words beside my ear, emotionless.
“…Duh. The kindness of the Dark Elves is as lacking as that lass’s chests. I am asking you what do you think of the thing with the
Dragon Empress.”

“Lord, the original saying is ‘the kindness of a Dark Elf is equally improbable as a rational Beastman’ and mocking the lacking of others
isn’t a proper action for a gentleman that respects ladies. If she were to hear your words, she would be depressed.”
Even though she said these words, her tone obviously softened by 20%.

“But, from my personal view, her words are probably true.”

“The reason?”
“Intuition.”
“Hehe, intuition your head. Don’t tell me that you haven’t received the report and analysis from ‘Observer’.”
As a diplomat, it is impossible to survive blind and deaf in a land full of enemies working against you.

As soon as we entered the city, my intelligence team ‘Observer’ immediately dispersed and started to collect information. From my
understanding of their work efficiency, all kinds of reports should be stacked up on Elisa’s desk by now.

“… The Lion King and the Dragon Empress really crossed blows and their fight was quite intense. Half of the Lion King Residence being
destroyed isn’t a false news. But it is precisely because of that we can be sure that they are definitely staging a show.”

“Is it too fast? Too obvious? That’s right, there is still more than 20 days before the auction date, they could have researched it together.
Even if a fight were to blow up, it shouldn’t happen right now.”

“No, it is just that if they really fell out, the Dragon Empress which is 2 ranks higher than the Lion King would have long stole the items
and escaped. But, the Scepter is still in the hands of the Lion King, which shows everything. Furthermore, when 2 such experts start
fighting, it should the entire street around the Lion King Residence getting destroyed and not just the Lion King Residence itself. This is
just a show and if we were to really make a move, they would move on to make us the public enemy of the Alliance.”

I nodded my head satisfied. What Elisa said concurs with what I was thinking.

From the very start, we, Sulfur Mountain City, is the anomaly of the underground world. Joining the Alliance would not necessary be a
good thing to the few current Underground Autarch, especially for the Lion King and Dragon Empress who have a grudge with us.

I could collude with Kajah and Ainsterna and make use of the Eternal Night Scepter to divert firepower away from us. But, Shou and
Molly aren’t fools and the tacticians under them wouldn’t be so incapable to be unable to see the situation clearly. Naturally, they won’t
allow us to successfully join the Alliance, so it is almost an inevitable that we would face schemes and troubles.

Even if this isn’t a trap, I only intend to contact Kajah and Ainsterna. I never intended to get involved in it.

We are the newcomers, newcomers that don’t belong to any factions or powers. It cannot be helped that people would be wary of us.

If I were to take the initiative to attack the Dragon Empress, then they would only have to spread rumors that we are ambitious for power
and that Adam is born on the surface. We would be seen as enemies by most of the neutral city lords. When this gets past a certain
extent, coupled with the incitement of Underground Autarchs, we would be exiled by the Alliance and even hunted down.

In ancient times, when tacticians face city lords that have requests of them, they will
often phrase the situation in a way that make it seem like they are in a very difficult
situation, as though their lives may be lost anytime.
Everyone have fears. When one’s life is threatened, they would be extremely alert and careful. When the city lords hear from their
tactician that their life is hanging, they would uncover it to the end despite how much they don’t believe in it. If they realize that they are
in a precarious situation after an intensive interrogation, naturally, they will seek for a solution through the tactician.

Then, the opinions of the tactician would be much more respected. When the crisis is averted, the standing of the tactician would
naturally rise through the ranks. Following their rise in standing, their new opinions will become more and more respected, allowing their
rise in power to be more and more rapid.

The saying ‘I accept the responsibility of leading the army when the country’s on the verge of defeat. In times of trouble, I will carry out
my job’ probably means this kind of situation. This has nothing to do with the matter at hand, it is just a trick used by tacticians to be
more respected by the city lords they are serving. The wiser the tactician is, the better they are at employing this trick.

“Master, please teach me.” It seems that according to this lady’s script, I should be shouting these words.
After that, she would analyze for me how did the Lion King and Dragon Empress fake their falling out and that as soon as we make a
move against them, they would declare war on us, spreading the notion that we are spies sent by the surface to destroy the Alliance from
within, causing others to be wary of us. Then, they would personally attack us and force us to the corner. By then, it would be too late to
leave.

But if it is just to this extent, they are really underestimating me, Wumianzhe.

“I got it, you stay with your sister for the time being. You both should have a lot of things to say.”
“I…” Facing my unexpected coldness, Victoria sits up, agitated, with anxiety spelt on her face. She seems to be on the verge of saying
something but looking at the emotionless me, she ends up leaving the room helplessly.
“Elisa.”
“…”
“If you don’t come out now, your wages next month will be gone.”
“…Master, please pay me the wages you owe me on last year’s this month before saying such words.”
“Cough. Elisa, what do you think of the present sent by the Dark Elves.”
“Lord, this must be a trap.” Propping up her glasses, she says these words beside my ear, emotionless.
“…Duh. The kindness of the Dark Elves is as lacking as that lass’s chests. I am asking you what do you think of the thing with the
Dragon Empress.”

“Lord, the original saying is ‘the kindness of a Dark Elf is equally improbable as a rational Beastman’ and mocking the lacking of others
isn’t a proper action for a gentleman that respects ladies. If she were to hear your words, she would be depressed.”

Even though she said these words, her tone obviously softened by 20%.

“But, from my personal view, her words are probably true.”

“The reason?”
“Intuition.”
“Hehe, intuition your head. Don’t tell me that you haven’t received the report and analysis from ‘Observer’.”
As a diplomat, it is impossible to survive blind and deaf in a land full of enemies working against you.

As soon as we entered the city, my intelligence team ‘Observer’ immediately dispersed and started to collect information. From my
understanding of their work efficiency, all kinds of reports should be stacked up on Elisa’s desk by now.

“… The Lion King and the Dragon Empress really crossed blows and their fight was quite intense. Half of the Lion King Residence being
destroyed isn’t a false news. But it is precisely because of that we can be sure that they are definitely staging a show.”

“Is it too fast? Too obvious? That’s right, there is still more than 20 days before the auction date, they could have researched it together.
Even if a fight were to blow up, it shouldn’t happen right now.”

“No, it is just that if they really fell out, the Dragon Empress which is 2 ranks higher than the Lion King would have long stole the items
and escaped. But, the Scepter is still in the hands of the Lion King, which shows everything. Furthermore, when 2 such experts start
fighting, it should the entire street around the Lion King Residence getting destroyed and not just the Lion King Residence itself. This is
just a show and if we were to really make a move, they would move on to make us the public enemy of the Alliance.”

I nodded my head satisfied. What Elisa said concurs with what I was thinking.

From the very start, we, Sulfur Mountain City, is the anomaly of the underground world. Joining the Alliance would not necessary be a
good thing to the few current Underground Autarch, especially for the Lion King and Dragon Empress who have a grudge with us.

I could collude with Kajah and Ainsterna and make use of the Eternal Night Scepter to divert firepower away from us. But, Shou and
Molly aren’t fools and the tacticians under them wouldn’t be so incapable to be unable to see the situation clearly. Naturally, they won’t
allow us to successfully join the Alliance, so it is almost an inevitable that we would face schemes and troubles.

Even if this isn’t a trap, I only intend to contact Kajah and Ainsterna. I never intended to get involved in it.

We are the newcomers, newcomers that don’t belong to any factions or powers. It cannot be helped that people would be wary of us.

If I were to take the initiative to attack the Dragon Empress, then they would only have to spread rumors that we are ambitious for power
and that Adam is born on the surface. We would be seen as enemies by most of the neutral city lords. When this gets past a certain
extent, coupled with the incitement of Underground Autarchs, we would be exiled by the Alliance and even hunted down.

In ancient times, when tacticians face city lords that have requests of them, they will
often phrase the situation in a way that make it seem like they are in a very difficult
situation, as though their lives may be lost anytime.
Everyone have fears. When one’s life is threatened, they would be extremely alert and careful. When the city lords hear from their
tactician that their life is hanging, they would uncover it to the end despite how much they don’t believe in it. If they realize that they are
in a precarious situation after an intensive interrogation, naturally, they will seek for a solution through the tactician.
Then, the opinions of the tactician would be much more respected. When the crisis is averted, the standing of the tactician would
naturally rise through the ranks. Following their rise in standing, their new opinions will become more and more respected, allowing their
rise in power to be more and more rapid.

The saying ‘I accept the responsibility of leading the army when the country’s on the verge of defeat. In times of trouble, I will carry out
my job’ probably means this kind of situation. This has nothing to do with the matter at hand, it is just a trick used by tacticians to be
more respected by the city lords they are serving. The wiser the tactician is, the better they are at employing this trick.

“Master, please teach me.” It seems that according to this lady’s script, I should be shouting these words.
After that, she would analyze for me how did the Lion King and Dragon Empress fake their falling out and that as soon as we make a
move against them, they would declare war on us, spreading the notion that we are spies sent by the surface to destroy the Alliance from
within, causing others to be wary of us. Then, they would personally attack us and force us to the corner. By then, it would be too late to
leave.

But if it is just to this extent, they are really underestimating me, Wumianzhe.

“I got it, you stay with your sister for the time being. You both should have a lot of things to say.”
“I…” Facing my unexpected coldness, Victoria sits up, agitated, with anxiety spelt on her face. She seems to be on the verge of saying
something but looking at the emotionless me, she ends up leaving the room helplessly.

“Elisa.”
“…”
“If you don’t come out now, your wages next month will be gone.”
“…Master, please pay me the wages you owe me on last year’s this month before saying such words.”
“Cough. Elisa, what do you think of the present sent by the Dark Elves.”
“Lord, this must be a trap.” Propping up her glasses, she says these words beside my ear, emotionless.
“…Duh. The kindness of the Dark Elves is as lacking as that lass’s chests. I am asking you what do you think of the thing with the
Dragon Empress.”

“Lord, the original saying is ‘the kindness of a Dark Elf is equally improbable as a rational Beastman’ and mocking the lacking of others
isn’t a proper action for a gentleman that respects ladies. If she were to hear your words, she would be depressed.”

Even though she said these words, her tone obviously softened by 20%.

“But, from my personal view, her words are probably true.”

“The reason?”
“Intuition.”
“Hehe, intuition your head. Don’t tell me that you haven’t received the report and analysis from ‘Observer’.”
As a diplomat, it is impossible to survive blind and deaf in a land full of enemies working against you.

As soon as we entered the city, my intelligence team ‘Observer’ immediately dispersed and started to collect information. From my
understanding of their work efficiency, all kinds of reports should be stacked up on Elisa’s desk by now.

“… The Lion King and the Dragon Empress really crossed blows and their fight was quite intense. Half of the Lion King Residence being
destroyed isn’t a false news. But it is precisely because of that we can be sure that they are definitely staging a show.”

“Is it too fast? Too obvious? That’s right, there is still more than 20 days before the auction date, they could have researched it together.
Even if a fight were to blow up, it shouldn’t happen right now.”

“No, it is just that if they really fell out, the Dragon Empress which is 2 ranks higher than the Lion King would have long stole the items
and escaped. But, the Scepter is still in the hands of the Lion King, which shows everything. Furthermore, when 2 such experts start
fighting, it should the entire street around the Lion King Residence getting destroyed and not just the Lion King Residence itself. This is
just a show and if we were to really make a move, they would move on to make us the public enemy of the Alliance.”

I nodded my head satisfied. What Elisa said concurs with what I was thinking.

From the very start, we, Sulfur Mountain City, is the anomaly of the underground world. Joining the Alliance would not necessary be a
good thing to the few current Underground Autarch, especially for the Lion King and Dragon Empress who have a grudge with us.
I could collude with Kajah and Ainsterna and make use of the Eternal Night Scepter to divert firepower away from us. But, Shou and
Molly aren’t fools and the tacticians under them wouldn’t be so incapable to be unable to see the situation clearly. Naturally, they won’t
allow us to successfully join the Alliance, so it is almost an inevitable that we would face schemes and troubles.

Even if this isn’t a trap, I only intend to contact Kajah and Ainsterna. I never intended to get involved in it.

We are the newcomers, newcomers that don’t belong to any factions or powers. It cannot be helped that people would be wary of us.

If I were to take the initiative to attack the Dragon Empress, then they would only have to spread rumors that we are ambitious for power
and that Adam is born on the surface. We would be seen as enemies by most of the neutral city lords. When this gets past a certain
extent, coupled with the incitement of Underground Autarchs, we would be exiled by the Alliance and even hunted down.

In ancient times, when tacticians face city lords that have requests of them, they will
often phrase the situation in a way that make it seem like they are in a very difficult
situation, as though their lives may be lost anytime.
Everyone have fears. When one’s life is threatened, they would be extremely alert and careful. When the city lords hear from their
tactician that their life is hanging, they would uncover it to the end despite how much they don’t believe in it. If they realize that they are
in a precarious situation after an intensive interrogation, naturally, they will seek for a solution through the tactician.

Then, the opinions of the tactician would be much more respected. When the crisis is averted, the standing of the tactician would
naturally rise through the ranks. Following their rise in standing, their new opinions will become more and more respected, allowing their
rise in power to be more and more rapid.

The saying ‘I accept the responsibility of leading the army when the country’s on the verge of defeat. In times of trouble, I will carry out
my job’ probably means this kind of situation. This has nothing to do with the matter at hand, it is just a trick used by tacticians to be
more respected by the city lords they are serving. The wiser the tactician is, the better they are at employing this trick.

“Master, please teach me.” It seems that according to this lady’s script, I should be shouting these words.
After that, she would analyze for me how did the Lion King and Dragon Empress fake their falling out and that as soon as we make a
move against them, they would declare war on us, spreading the notion that we are spies sent by the surface to destroy the Alliance from
within, causing others to be wary of us. Then, they would personally attack us and force us to the corner. By then, it would be too late to
leave.

But if it is just to this extent, they are really underestimating me, Wumianzhe.

“I got it, you stay with your sister for the time being. You both should have a lot of things to say.”
“I…” Facing my unexpected coldness, Victoria sits up, agitated, with anxiety spelt on her face. She seems to be on the verge of saying
something but looking at the emotionless me, she ends up leaving the room helplessly.

“Elisa.”
“…”
“If you don’t come out now, your wages next month will be gone.”
“…Master, please pay me the wages you owe me on last year’s this month before saying such words.”
“Cough. Elisa, what do you think of the present sent by the Dark Elves.”
“Lord, this must be a trap.” Propping up her glasses, she says these words beside my ear, emotionless.
“…Duh. The kindness of the Dark Elves is as lacking as that lass’s chests. I am asking you what do you think of the thing with the
Dragon Empress.”

“Lord, the original saying is ‘the kindness of a Dark Elf is equally improbable as a rational Beastman’ and mocking the lacking of others
isn’t a proper action for a gentleman that respects ladies. If she were to hear your words, she would be depressed.”

Even though she said these words, her tone obviously softened by 20%.

“But, from my personal view, her words are probably true.”

“The reason?”
“Intuition.”
“Hehe, intuition your head. Don’t tell me that you haven’t received the report and analysis from ‘Observer’.”
As a diplomat, it is impossible to survive blind and deaf in a land full of enemies working against you.

As soon as we entered the city, my intelligence team ‘Observer’ immediately dispersed and started to collect information. From my
understanding of their work efficiency, all kinds of reports should be stacked up on Elisa’s desk by now.

“… The Lion King and the Dragon Empress really crossed blows and their fight was quite intense. Half of the Lion King Residence being
destroyed isn’t a false news. But it is precisely because of that we can be sure that they are definitely staging a show.”

“Is it too fast? Too obvious? That’s right, there is still more than 20 days before the auction date, they could have researched it together.
Even if a fight were to blow up, it shouldn’t happen right now.”

“No, it is just that if they really fell out, the Dragon Empress which is 2 ranks higher than the Lion King would have long stole the items
and escaped. But, the Scepter is still in the hands of the Lion King, which shows everything. Furthermore, when 2 such experts start
fighting, it should the entire street around the Lion King Residence getting destroyed and not just the Lion King Residence itself. This is
just a show and if we were to really make a move, they would move on to make us the public enemy of the Alliance.”

I nodded my head satisfied. What Elisa said concurs with what I was thinking.

From the very start, we, Sulfur Mountain City, is the anomaly of the underground world. Joining the Alliance would not necessary be a
good thing to the few current Underground Autarch, especially for the Lion King and Dragon Empress who have a grudge with us.

I could collude with Kajah and Ainsterna and make use of the Eternal Night Scepter to divert firepower away from us. But, Shou and
Molly aren’t fools and the tacticians under them wouldn’t be so incapable to be unable to see the situation clearly. Naturally, they won’t
allow us to successfully join the Alliance, so it is almost an inevitable that we would face schemes and troubles.

Even if this isn’t a trap, I only intend to contact Kajah and Ainsterna. I never intended to get involved in it.

We are the newcomers, newcomers that don’t belong to any factions or powers. It cannot be helped that people would be wary of us.

If I were to take the initiative to attack the Dragon Empress, then they would only have to spread rumors that we are ambitious for power
and that Adam is born on the surface. We would be seen as enemies by most of the neutral city lords. When this gets past a certain
extent, coupled with the incitement of Underground Autarchs, we would be exiled by the Alliance and even hunted down.

In ancient times, when tacticians face city lords that have requests of them, they will
often phrase the situation in a way that make it seem like they are in a very difficult
situation, as though their lives may be lost anytime.
Everyone have fears. When one’s life is threatened, they would be extremely alert and careful. When the city lords hear from their
tactician that their life is hanging, they would uncover it to the end despite how much they don’t believe in it. If they realize that they are
in a precarious situation after an intensive interrogation, naturally, they will seek for a solution through the tactician.

Then, the opinions of the tactician would be much more respected. When the crisis is averted, the standing of the tactician would
naturally rise through the ranks. Following their rise in standing, their new opinions will become more and more respected, allowing their
rise in power to be more and more rapid.

The saying ‘I accept the responsibility of leading the army when the country’s on the verge of defeat. In times of trouble, I will carry out
my job’ probably means this kind of situation. This has nothing to do with the matter at hand, it is just a trick used by tacticians to be
more respected by the city lords they are serving. The wiser the tactician is, the better they are at employing this trick.

“Master, please teach me.” It seems that according to this lady’s script, I should be shouting these words.
After that, she would analyze for me how did the Lion King and Dragon Empress fake their falling out and that as soon as we make a
move against them, they would declare war on us, spreading the notion that we are spies sent by the surface to destroy the Alliance from
within, causing others to be wary of us. Then, they would personally attack us and force us to the corner. By then, it would be too late to
leave.

But if it is just to this extent, they are really underestimating me, Wumianzhe.

“I got it, you stay with your sister for the time being. You both should have a lot of things to say.”
“I…” Facing my unexpected coldness, Victoria sits up, agitated, with anxiety spelt on her face. She seems to be on the verge of saying
something but looking at the emotionless me, she ends up leaving the room helplessly.

“Elisa.”
“…”
“If you don’t come out now, your wages next month will be gone.”
“…Master, please pay me the wages you owe me on last year’s this month before saying such words.”
“Cough. Elisa, what do you think of the present sent by the Dark Elves.”
“Lord, this must be a trap.” Propping up her glasses, she says these words beside my ear, emotionless.
“…Duh. The kindness of the Dark Elves is as lacking as that lass’s chests. I am asking you what do you think of the thing with the
Dragon Empress.”

“Lord, the original saying is ‘the kindness of a Dark Elf is equally improbable as a rational Beastman’ and mocking the lacking of others
isn’t a proper action for a gentleman that respects ladies. If she were to hear your words, she would be depressed.”

Even though she said these words, her tone obviously softened by 20%.

“But, from my personal view, her words are probably true.”

“The reason?”
“Intuition.”
“Hehe, intuition your head. Don’t tell me that you haven’t received the report and analysis from ‘Observer’.”
As a diplomat, it is impossible to survive blind and deaf in a land full of enemies working against you.

As soon as we entered the city, my intelligence team ‘Observer’ immediately dispersed and started to collect information. From my
understanding of their work efficiency, all kinds of reports should be stacked up on Elisa’s desk by now.

“… The Lion King and the Dragon Empress really crossed blows and their fight was quite intense. Half of the Lion King Residence being
destroyed isn’t a false news. But it is precisely because of that we can be sure that they are definitely staging a show.”

“Is it too fast? Too obvious? That’s right, there is still more than 20 days before the auction date, they could have researched it together.
Even if a fight were to blow up, it shouldn’t happen right now.”

“No, it is just that if they really fell out, the Dragon Empress which is 2 ranks higher than the Lion King would have long stole the items
and escaped. But, the Scepter is still in the hands of the Lion King, which shows everything. Furthermore, when 2 such experts start
fighting, it should the entire street around the Lion King Residence getting destroyed and not just the Lion King Residence itself. This is
just a show and if we were to really make a move, they would move on to make us the public enemy of the Alliance.”

I nodded my head satisfied. What Elisa said concurs with what I was thinking.

From the very start, we, Sulfur Mountain City, is the anomaly of the underground world. Joining the Alliance would not necessary be a
good thing to the few current Underground Autarch, especially for the Lion King and Dragon Empress who have a grudge with us.

I could collude with Kajah and Ainsterna and make use of the Eternal Night Scepter to divert firepower away from us. But, Shou and
Molly aren’t fools and the tacticians under them wouldn’t be so incapable to be unable to see the situation clearly. Naturally, they won’t
allow us to successfully join the Alliance, so it is almost an inevitable that we would face schemes and troubles.

Even if this isn’t a trap, I only intend to contact Kajah and Ainsterna. I never intended to get involved in it.

We are the newcomers, newcomers that don’t belong to any factions or powers. It cannot be helped that people would be wary of us.

If I were to take the initiative to attack the Dragon Empress, then they would only have to spread rumors that we are ambitious for power
and that Adam is born on the surface. We would be seen as enemies by most of the neutral city lords. When this gets past a certain
extent, coupled with the incitement of Underground Autarchs, we would be exiled by the Alliance and even hunted down.