Chapter 40: Changing the World’s Inquiry
Xu Yourong’s voice echoed continuously along the Divine Path. It was crisp and pleasant to the ear, but it did not evoke associations of a babbling brook. Because her voice was too cold, devoid of any emotional fluctuation or trace of pity, like the coldest wind and snow condensed into tiny beads falling onto a frozen, brittle porcelain plate, instantly turning to powder, leaving no evidence behind—only the chill lingering in the world.
Perhaps this was because she had been speaking of killing.
Starting with how to assassinate Prince Chenliu in the Taiping Dao’s Prince Xiang’s mansion, she had discussed many topics related to killing: the princes outside the Mausoleum of Books, the officials in the court and various prefectures, and the divine generals who held military power—she had plans for all of them.
With these words, the temperature along the Divine Path grew colder and colder. Behind the invisible wind and snow, faint, unbroken lines began to emerge, though it was unclear whether they were traces of history or marks of fate, or perhaps the images of the Destiny Star Disk turning.
No one knew how much time had passed before she finally ended her narration and turned her gaze to Shang Xingzhou.
If the Emperor truly stood on her and Chen Changsheng’s side, then in this war, they indeed held the advantage.
Under the current circumstances, she had a great chance of accomplishing those things.
Shang Xingzhou did not think so, or rather, he had not yet been convinced by her, because he was certain he understood Chen Changsheng very well.
“That fellow is pedantic and incompetent, and he’s petty-minded.”
He looked at Xu Yourong with a faintly mocking tone and said, “Are you sure he has such boldness?”
“I disagree with your view. He simply wants to be a good person.”
Xu Yourong’s eyelashes trembled slightly as she said, “And today, I am the one taking action. You know I can achieve these things.”
Shang Xingzhou sneered, “Does Wang Po know your thoughts? Do the Li Mountain Sword Sect and those clan families know your thoughts? If they knew you were this insane, would they still support your decisions? Are you sure they’ll go mad with you at the final moment?”
Xu Yourong replied, “On a ship sailing toward the far shore of the star sea, can everyone aboard truly be of one mind?”
Shang Xingzhou said, “Have you ever seen a sea ship capsize on its own?”
“As long as the benefits are sufficient, before the true outcome appears, even the most pessimistic sailor will harbor a hope for land.”
Xu Yourong said, “On the contrary, this will only give them more conviction of victory.”
Shang Xingzhou said, “So it’s coercion.”
Xu Yourong said, “When I read history, whether heroes or emperors, if they want to gather a crowd, they must do it this way.”
“What about the Li Palace then? The billions of believers in the north will not follow your will or your footsteps.”
Shang Xingzhou looked at her with a half-smile and said, “Does Chen Changsheng know your true thoughts?”
Xu Yourong was silent for a moment, then said, “I don’t care.”
Shang Xingzhou’s gaze grew deep and profound. “Even if it brings a flood that drowns the world?”
Xu Yourong said calmly, “Or an abyss ten thousand feet deep.”
Shang Xingzhou said, “You will leave an eternal infamy in the history books.”
Xu Yourong said calmly, “I told you, I don’t care.”
Shang Xingzhou said, “If the world falls into chaos and the people suffer, how will Chen Changsheng see you?”
Xu Yourong said softly, “I live for myself, not for others, and certainly not for his liking.”
Shang Xingzhou praised, “Impressive, but I am not someone who can be threatened.”
Xu Yourong said, “I want to try.”
Back in the wind and snow of Xunyang City, facing Zhu Luo, Wang Po had once said these words.
Later, when facing those opponents so powerful they seemed invincible, Chen Changsheng had also said these words.
Today, Xu Yourong uttered these four words as well.
Her eyes were bright, her expression calm, but the unwavering will within them represented the greatest madness.
Shang Xingzhou asked, “How sure are you?”
Xu Yourong said, “I used the Destiny Star Disk to deduce seventeen times. In four of them, you agreed to my request, and in three, I failed.”
Shang Xingzhou raised an eyebrow slightly and said, “Four out of seventeen, and you dare to threaten me?”
“In the remaining ten times, we both lost. The Great Zhou Dynasty fell apart, and grand ambitions became nothing but jokes.”
Xu Yourong said calmly, “So it’s not four times, but fourteen.”
Shang Xingzhou looked at this young girl dressed in white ceremonial robes, exquisitely beautiful and even appearing somewhat frail, and fell silent for a long time.
He suddenly said, “I don’t care either.”
Xu Yourong gazed at him quietly, as if she had already guessed what he wanted to say.
Shang Xingzhou said, “Even if I agree to your request now, I can go back on my word at any time later.”
During the Taizong era, there were many legendary figures, such as Prince Hejian and Divine General Qin Yu. Compared to them, Shang Xingzhou was not very famous.
In truth, he had done many things, some of which were no less important than Wang Zhice’s deeds.
He only cared about actual results, not his reputation. Given his style, facing Xu Yourong’s blizzard-like offensive today, he would most likely choose to temporarily retreat, waiting for the situation to ease before launching a thunderous counterattack.
“Yes.”
Xu Yourong looked at him with a smile and said, “So, I want more.”
Hearing this, Shang Xingzhou was momentarily stunned, then laughed.
The Mausoleum of Books became extremely silent. The faces of those who heard these words turned incredibly vivid, filled with utter shock.
Even Prince Xiang and the Old Madam of the Muzha family had expressions of sheer astonishment in their eyes.
Because they had just heard the most absurd words in the world.
…
…
From beginning to end, Xu Yourong had never stated what she was asking of Shang Xingzhou. Shang Xingzhou had never asked either. But whether it was them or the people outside the Mausoleum of Books who had been eavesdropping on this conversation, everyone knew she was demanding that he withdraw, retire, or step down.
Just now, Shang Xingzhou said he could go back on his word at any time, and Xu Yourong said she wanted more…
What could be more than withdrawal, retirement, or stepping down—essentially admitting defeat and surrender? What kind of request would that be?
Presumably, it wouldn’t be death, because Shang Xingzhou’s obsession was to witness the human army storming the Snow Old City with his own eyes, and such a request would be too absurd.
But could it be to cripple his own cultivation? That request was equally absurd… Who would agree to that?
How could Xu Yourong utter such a ridiculous and laughable request?
The silence of the Mausoleum of Books was broken the next moment by exclamations and murmurs.
Everyone thought Xu Yourong was a madwoman.
However, as time passed, the exclamations and murmurs gradually ceased.
The shock in people’s eyes grew even stronger, filled with disbelief.
The girls of the Southern Stream Sect could see that the faint smile on Shang Xingzhou’s lips had already faded.
Those outside the Mausoleum could see nothing and hear nothing, but this silence was so eerie.
Was Shang Xingzhou actually considering Xu Yourong’s request?
Prince Xiang’s face suddenly turned extremely ugly.
Absurd things could only happen to extraordinary people.
And Shang Xingzhou was an extraordinary person.
Xu Yourong dared to make this request because she had seen through it: if she was a madwoman, Shang Xingzhou was even madder than her!
“All madmen.”
The Old Madam of the Muzha family exchanged a glance with the head of the Wu family, seeing the terror in each other’s eyes.
“All madmen.”
Prince Zhongshan murmured, looking toward the Mausoleum of Books, a hint of excitement in his eyes.