Chapter 541: Chapter 540: External Strategy and Core Values of Heavenly Dao Palace

The small discussion on the forum made Fang Zheng realize the significant internal issues currently plaguing the Heavenly Dao Palace.

Actually, before this, Fang Zheng hadn’t thought much about it, since he felt that as long as he followed the principles of non-interference or peaceful coexistence, just like in his previous world, everything would be fine.

But after seeing these discussions by the Cursed Children, Fang Zheng realized that his ideas were still a bit naive.

In his previous life, his country was able to adhere to these principles because the citizens had been living on that land generation after generation; the cultural circle was relatively closed, and the population was relatively concentrated. In such circumstances, “everyone should sweep the snow from their own doorsteps and not bother about the frost on their neighbor’s roof” was easily accepted by most of the citizens. Therefore, even if the government did not intervene in the internal affairs of other countries, it appeared normal to most people, who preferred their government to focus more on domestic issues rather than intervening in some troubles of a country hundreds of miles away.

And if some countries inherently have cultural traditions like gender discrimination or a caste system, they would simply say, “Ah, it’s really unlucky to be born in such a country, I sympathize with you,” rather than think, “No, this kind of country is too inhumane, let’s wipe them out.”

Yet, the Heavenly Dao Palace was different.

Perhaps because they themselves were “the rescued,” the Cursed Children were imbued with a strong “Savior” complex. They couldn’t stand seeing others suffer, and similarly, they couldn’t just ignore those in other worlds who were oppressed or treated unfairly.

The reason is simple. The Cursed Children themselves were victims of this oppression and discrimination. If it were not for Fang Zheng and others rescuing them, their fate would have been either to be tortured to death by others or to die as Intestinal Creatures. Therefore, they were very sensitive in this regard and could hardly bear to see others in distress. It wasn’t because the Cursed Children were saintly, it was because they could “empathize.”

Therefore, Fang Zheng hurried back to call an urgent meeting with his core members during the night, all to ascertain the core ideology of the Heavenly Dao Palace.

This was similar to a gaming company’s corporate culture. Whether you want to make an exquisite AAA title, a money-grabbing top-up game, or a family-friendly game for all ages, you must have a clear style and type designated. It’s impossible to make something like Silent Hill today, fool people with Super Mary the next, and then make a mobile game to scam money a few days later.

Not to mention, such flip-flopping would probably drive the designers and planners crazy.

And the theme of this meeting was… if they encountered a world like Natsuse’s again, how should they respond? Although the final decision still lay in Fang Zheng’s hands, he still hoped to reach a consensus. After all, only in this way could internal peace, stability, and unity be ensured.

“From what we can see in the forum now, most people still agree with whatever Brother Zheng decides,”

Natsuse opened the forum and continued speaking. She had already initiated a vote on this issue beforehand, where those in favor of active intervention and those opting to maintain a distance and not interfere each accounted for two-fifths of the total votes, while the remaining three-fifths all chose to leave the decision to Zheng, just needing to take action accordingly.

This was also normal, as they were a group of children under ten years old who definitely hoped their parents would make decisions when they encountered difficult situations.

However…

“When they chose to let me decide, it could already be considered as showing their inclination…”

Fang Zheng certainly wouldn’t view this issue so simply. After all, the biggest impact he had on these Cursed Children was rescuing them from that dark world. So, when these Cursed Children chose to let him decide, it could already be considered as showing their own leaning.

“But… if those people don’t feel that they have been treated unfairly, then we shouldn’t interfere, should we…”

At this time, Midori also tentatively spoke up, but was quickly interrupted by Nobiru.

“So what are you saying? Just because we were infected with the Intestinal Virus and were going to turn into creatures, we should have been bullied by those adults? Weren’t there many sisters who thought it was their own fault at the time? You haven’t forgotten about Rinon, have you?”

Rinon, mentioned by Aohara Nobiru, was one of the first Cursed Children that Zheng rescued after arriving in the Pitch Black World. At that time, she was about to fill her eyes with lead to completely blind herself because her mother did not want to see the red eyes of the Cursed Child–fortunately, she was found and rescued by Fang Zheng and Fumie Busei just in time.

“That’s not what I mean…”

Facing Nobiru’s rebuttal, Midori muttered a few words in a low voice and then bowed her head again. Seeing this scene, Tilia also slightly furrowed her brow and then leaned in close to Fang Zheng’s ear.

“Elder Brother, it looks like this indeed is a problem that needs to be addressed.”

“Absolutely.”

Watching the somewhat somber scene before him, Fang Zheng’s expression was also serious. For the Cursed Children, intervening in the affairs of the outside world seemed a natural course. Their disagreements were just about whether to intervene proactively or to wait until being asked for help.

Of course, these Cursed Children meant well, but Zheng had to strictly control their actions. Good intentions could often lead to bad outcomes, especially since these group of Cursed Children were particularly sensitive about these matters due to their own experiences. A mishap could lead to big problems.

Ruling a power was much more troublesome than managing a company. At least the latter didn’t need to worry about these issues… With that thought, Fang Zheng also raised his head and looked forward. There, Aohara Nobiru and Fumie Busei were primarily arguing, with Natsuse and Tina occasionally interjecting, while Iona was completely on the sidelines as a bystander (for Iona and the other Sea Mists, being weapons, they only needed to know where to go, who to kill, and how much). As for Nymph, she was whispering secretly with Tilia, clearly also discussing the matter, while Black Katie was in a meditative state like a High Monk, utterly unmoved.

“Ah …”

Seeing this, Fang Zheng sighed helplessly. He wanted to think of a solution, but how easy could it be to come up with one? At least for now, he didn’t have a perfect solution, but he couldn’t let things continue this way.

“Black Katie.”

With this in mind, Fang Zheng quickly made up his mind and looked towards Black Katie. Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s voice, Black Katie also turned around and watched him quietly.

“Yes, Alliance Hierarch.”

“You are in charge of calming these Cursed Children down for now, at least prevent them from arguing too heatedly about it.”

Fang Zheng was well aware that the more people quarreled, the more they would stick to their stances. Perhaps initially, someone thought “maybe this way is better,” but as they argued, it could become “only this way is better” and “it cannot be otherwise!” By then, it would indeed be troublesome to argue about thought education, and we would have to rely on our Grand Priestess.

After all, the Crimson Realm commissioner had maxed out those skills.

“Starting next week, all academies will add a course on ideological education … no, wait until I get back and see if I should bring some Marxist or materialist materials …”

As he said this, Fang Zheng also reached out to rub his forehead, then he looked towards Tina.

“Tina.”

“Here, Brother Fang Zheng…”

“It’s fine to pass the time with storytelling in the evening, but let’s skip the ghost stories, especially the bloody ones, I feel like listening too much might leave a psychological shadow…”

Moreover, there were Cursed Children in Heavenly Dao Palace who had integrated mantis genes, how would they feel listening to this!

Could it really be that to love you means to consume you?

“Okay …”

Tina knew she had caused trouble this time as she answered quietly while lowering her head, but her disappointed expression was, of course, impossible to hide. Seeing the little one look so aggrieved, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but smile.

“But it indeed gets boring at night, hm … Compared to posting water-cooler stories and gaming all night, listening to stories is a healthier lifestyle choice. Here’s what, I’ll write down some stories I’ve read before so you can read them every evening.”

“Really?”

The moment Tina heard this, her head shot up excitedly. Fumie Busei and Nobiru also looked at Fang Zheng with curiosity.

“Brother Fang Zheng, what stories are you planning to write?”

“Um …”

Fang Zheng had initially thought of Andersen’s fairy tales, but after a moment’s consideration, he had a flash of inspiration.

Yes, that novel would be perfect.

As he spoke, the corners of his mouth curved slightly upward.

“Mm … It’s about a girl who rides a talking motorcycle, traveling everywhere. The story is called …”

Fang Zheng paused for a moment.

“… Kino’s Journey.”