Sword God in a World of Magic

Yet, even though the Lightning Emperor understood Shang better now, the problem still hadn't been resolved.

Naturally, the metaphor the Lightning Emperor had given couldn't completely cover all the aspects of the problem.

For example, while the beast in the metaphor could help the person become more powerful, Shang couldn't possibly help the Lightning Emperor become more powerful.

The Lightning Emperor was already at the peak of what he could achieve. Even if Shang became a Warrior Emperor and even if he decided to help the Lightning Emperor with everything, what would that accomplish?

At most, the Lightning Emperor would become the strongest Emperor after Shang, but that didn't make much difference to him.

Not everyone was like Shang, and the Lightning Emperor was fine with the power he had.

He could do what he wanted, talk with whomever he wanted, and go wherever he wanted.

Becoming the strongest Emperor wouldn't change that.

As for reaching Lucius' power, that was impossible. The Lightning Emperor knew that much.

Sure, Shang could become an incredibly powerful Warrior King, which would boost the Lightning Manor's prestige and soft power.

But then what?

They would have a bit more power for 100,000 years, and then Shang would die, and everything would return to normal.

And if he hadn't died by then, it meant that he had become an Emperor, in which case every other Emperor needed to fear for their lives.

There was nothing positive about supporting Shang.

"Your goal is to become powerful?" the Lightning Emperor asked.

Shang nodded.

"Powerful in what sense?" the Lightning Emperor asked. "Do you want to rule over others?"

"No," Shang answered.

"Do you want the freedom to do whatever you want?"

"No."

"Do you want to use your power on others?"

"No."

"Then what do you want with that power?" the Lightning Emperor asked with furrowed brows.

Everything Shang had said up to now was in tune with the world, which meant that he wasn't lying.

Yet, exactly that confused the Lightning Emperor so much.

was not a goal, but a means to

It was a tool.

could do whatever one wanted without

seemed like Shang only wanted to have the power without actually having a reason to use

trying to hoard the most powerful

Look at them?

Have them?

have power?" the

I want to be the

the status?" the Lightning

Shang didn't immediately

answered after two

Emperor blinked a

world, would you still

"Yes," Shang answered.

don't care about the

"No."

Realm, and it is completely impossible for anyone else to even reach the Fourth Realm? Would

"Yes," Shang answered.

"Why?"

I want to be the strongest," Shang said. "I don't expect you to understand. I don't know why I want to be

feel like this is

to do, and if I can't achieve it, nothing else

ignoring his tea at this point since he

doesn't sound like an ambition," the Lightning Emperor said. "It

"Mind control?" Shang asked.

do these things. You can question every conscious action of a human with a why, and

"You want power, right?"

Shang nodded.

you

"Because I want power."

said. "Your action is self-referential. The reason for your action is your action, and your action is

exists because

this reason for existing, a human's action definitely isn't one of these

even if you don't know the reason, you can be assured that it is

that something

Shang said. "Then, what's my reason

haven't seen your life," the

Lightning Emperor sighed. "I think we have strayed too far

Shang nodded.

King and you reached the top of your Realm, what would you do next?"

become

assuming you are an Emperor, what would you

a

specific reason why you want to