Championing for the People

Seeing He Hong questioning him, Guo Lin was unable to save face. He harshly addressed Yang Jing Tian, "Yang Jing Tian, what do you want?"

Yang Jing Tian replied with a smile, "Lord Guo, you're mistaken. It's not about what I want, but what you should do."

Attempting to maintain composure, Guo Lin asked, "What do you want me to do?"

"Since Lord Guo has solicited my opinion," Yang Jing Tian declared loudly, "I will speak on behalf of the residents of Jinsha Village."

At this point, Yang Shun stepped forward, tugging at Yang Jing Tian, and said, "Son, don't be polite with him. Make sure our family gets something good out of this."

"Don't worry, I guarantee you'll be satisfied this time," Yang Jing Tian assured him with a smile.

Clearing his throat, Yang Jing Tian called out, "Fellow villagers, I know how hard you work in the sun and rain, fishing and farming, and I know it feels worthwhile to work for our food, right?"

"Right!" The villagers responded in unison, creating a powerful scene.

Yang Jing Tian continued, "Jinsha Village is our ancestral home, the land that belongs to every single one of us, right?"

"Right!" came the response again from the villagers.

"But," Yang Jing Tian went on, "since the Guo family arrived here decades ago, they've used despicable methods to seize our land. They neither farm nor fish, yet they eat better than us. Why? Because they've plundered the fruits of our labor and used henchmen to oppress us."

Outraged, Guo Lin countered, "Yang Jing Tian, you are spreading lies. It was your ancestors who sold the land to us in debt, and we hire you to farm and fish."

"The land was taken by force, not sold," Yang Jing Tian retorted. "Even if my ancestors sold the land to you, neither my father nor I agreed. This land belongs to everyone who lives here. Why should we farm it for you? Besides, we've been tilling and fishing for your Guo family for so many years, any debt should be considered repaid."

"That's right! Jinsha Village is ours, we want our land back!" Lin Hao led the rallying cry as the assembled villagers joined in their chant.

"Oppose exploitation!"

"Return our land!"

Guo Lin sneered, "You filthy fishermen think you can rebel? Not a chance."

"If you don't return the land to the people," Yang Jing Tian pressed, "according to village rules, we'll have to dunk your son in a pig cage."

"Dunk him in the pig cage!" cried the people, rallying behind Yang Jing Tian in one voice as he called to arms.

Guo Lin pondered, concerned that if the upheaval persisted, the Guo family's downfall was imminent. "Capture the leaders to quell the rebels," he thought. "If we seize Yang Jing Tian, the villagers will surely cower."

With firm resolve, Guo Lin stood forth and proclaimed, "My fellow villagers, you've been temporarily blinded by Yang Jing Tian's deception, for which I don't blame you. However, if this continues, you will force me to act."

Upon hearing his warning, the villagers fell into a hushed silence. Indeed, the Guo family had bullied Jinsha Village unchecked for decades; Yang Jing Tian alone may not be enough to confront them. The more apprehensive began to draw back. Even those with bolder spirits remained silent, adopting a posture of wary observation.

Seeing the effectiveness of his intimidation, Guo Lin smugly warned, "Yang Jing Tian, if you know what's good for you, step back down."

"I won't be cowed that easily, especially not by your worthless lackeys," Yang Jing Tian retorted defiantly.

"You're bold," Guo Lin barked, "but you'll regret not heeding my words."

Yang Shun, sensing the impending escalation, urged his son, "Let's get out of here, son; that old Guo is dangerous."

"How do you know he's dangerous if you've never crossed him?" Yang Jing Tian brushed aside his father's plea confidently addressing Guo Lin, "Come on, old man. Give me the chance to see what you've got."

"Seize him!" commanded Guo Lin as the Guo guards surged forth in a tide of steel.

Twenty-eight blades bore down with a singular purpose—to take down Yang Jing Tian. The flash of their steel, as they were drawn, was chilling to the core.

The villagers' will began to falter, with the faint-hearted retreating a distance, the brave daring not to step closer, and no one willing to stage a defense.

Onlookers all, they sympathized with Yang Jing Tian yet cherished their own lives more dearly. None believed he could survive the onslaught of twenty-eight sharp blades—an undertaking as insurmountable as ascending to the heavens.

Only one person held unwavering faith in Yang Jing Tian—his master, Old Master Mo.

The blades were sharp and swift, their descent cutting through the air with an audible hiss.

Yang Jing Tian stood empty-handed, facing the descending steel. At that critical moment, everyone witnessed Yang Jing Tian's fury ignited. His eyes, face, even his entire body ignited into a fiery crimson as if set ablaze.

The intense flames pierced through the icy chill wrought by the blades. Then, all heard Yang Jing Tian's thunderous roar.

"Flame Slash!"

"Flame Slash!"

A powerful cleave reminiscent of scorching flames.

Though Yang Jing Tian wielded no sword, all witnessed the edge as sharp as flame burst forth from his being.

With a sweeping motion, he cut through the advancing sea of blades like a towering wave, the force sweeping aside all opposition.

Yang Jing Tian, like a honed blade, pierced straight through the guard of twenty-eight sharp swords.

Flames surged like the great Yangtze River, raising waves after waves in a billowy dance; countless silver serpents flickered across the sky in a dazzling display. Though Yang Jing Tian stood unarmed, the vital energy within him was channeled throughout his body. With each intake and release of breath, swords were swept away, and those struck faced inevitable injury. The gravely wounded sustained internal organ damage, while others suffered broken limbs. Yang Jing Tian's internal strength was as rigid and powerful as it was invincible.

With the final adversary falling to the ground, all twenty-eight sharp blades were subdued, their wielders strewn across the earth, moaning in agony, never to hold a sword again—such was the punishment Yang Jing Tian delivered.

Guo Lin's eyes could not fathom the scene before him, and the villagers shared his disbelief.

Regaining his usual demeanor, Yang Jing Tian spoke coldly, "From this moment forth, the Guo family's residence no longer exists in Jinsha Village. I hereby declare that the land of Jinsha Village belongs to every villager of Jinsha."

"Good!"

"Jinsha Village!"

"Jinsha Village!"

Villagers raised an earth-shattering cheer, a few of them storming into the courtyard of the Guo family. That moment marked the end of the Guo family's historical dominance in Jinsha Village.

Without their guardians, the Guos could no longer wield power and terrorize the village.

On that day, the entire village decided Jinsha Village would revert to the rules of over thirty years ago. The village head would be elected from among the villagers, and no one could seize others' land for any reason. All lands would be redistributed equally. The Guo family estate was confiscated and designated as the official residence for future village heads.

In line with the old village rules, the head would be elected every five years, with any youth over the age of sixteen eligible to run. The election method was simple: within a limited three-day period, whoever caught the largest fish at sea would emerge as the victor in the village head race.

After overthrowing Guo Lin's control over Jinsha Village, the villagers unanimously determined the next village head election would take place on the 28th of the following month, which coincided with Yang Jing Tian's sixteenth birthday. Thus, he would be eligible to run in the election.

As the villagers stormed the Guo estate, they retrieved what was rightfully theirs. The Guo family, including Guo Lin's four wives and one daughter, were relegated to a cramped and humble abode. Now without servants or protectors, they were crammed into a narrow house.

From the Guo residence, Yang Jing Tian gathered some personal items belonging to He Zhuofang. His father, Yang Shun, puzzled, asked, "Son, what do you need the young lady's belongings for?"

With a knowing smile, Yang Jing Tian replied, "Don't worry about it, Dad."

Jin Lian interjected, "What do you know? Our son is picking out nice things for his future wife. Unlike you, always thinking of yourself, and never once thought to bring me anything."

Amidst the villagers' cheers, Yang Jing Tian felt the pride of being hailed as a hero for the first time, fueling his resolve to venture into the broader world of adventure. The outside world, as described by Old Master Mo and various records, was vibrant and colorful.

Yang Jing Tian longed for the day when his name would echo in every corner of the world—much like the cheers he received that day.

And so his dream marched on, never ceasing.