Chapter 54: The World’s Greatest Fear Is Innocence
No one burst into laughter, and for a long time there was no sound at all, which felt very strange.
Suddenly, a squirrel from somewhere ran along a branch beside the sacred path, catching the eye of a certain Imperial Guard captain. He instinctively loosened his grip on his iron spear, and the heavy weapon fell onto the instep of a nearby colleague, producing a dull thud.
“Ouch!”
The frozen atmosphere shattered. People finally came to their senses, absurd expressions spreading across their faces.
An uproar erupted.
Chen Changsheng’s proposal was simply too ridiculous!
This matter concerned the Great Zhou throne, the future of the human race, the content of history books, and the lives or deaths of millions.
And he wanted to settle it by fighting his own teacher?
Back in Luoyang that year, the battle between Zhou Dufu and the Demon Lord had indeed changed the course of history, but that was a war against an external enemy. If all conflicts in the world could be resolved through such simple means, why had so many imperial descendants died in the Hundred Herb Garden? How had the National Academy become a desolate tomb over twenty years ago?
“That’s impossible.”
Wang Zhice said to Chen Changsheng, his tone carrying no mockery, but rather some comfort.
Chen Changsheng replied seriously, “Since we’re supposed to prioritize the welfare of the world, not wanting too many deaths to weaken the human race, yet neither side is willing to yield—then let us fight to decide the outcome. Whether he dies or I die, everyone else will still live. Isn’t that the best method?”
Hearing this, the crowd gradually quieted.
People looked southward at the fading dust cloud and the other dust cloud drawing nearer, sensing the hidden but unspent killing intent, and fell silent.
The absurdity they had felt at Chen Changsheng’s proposal had faded considerably. It was still ridiculous, but it also seemed to have some logic.
Most importantly, Chen Changsheng was right—whether he died or Shang Xingzhou died, what did it matter to them?
They would still live. The capital would be fine. Wasn’t that the most important thing?
Wang Zhice’s gaze grew deeper. “Matters of the world are not child’s play, nor are they children fighting.”
Using a single battle to decide the future of the human race—no matter how you looked at it, it was absurd.
Chen Changsheng looked at Wang Zhice and said, “I’ve read many books since I was young. They’re full of schemes and conspiracies, but if you look deeper, or think simpler, what difference is there from children fighting in Xining Town? It’s just a matter of whether they’re fighting over candy, fish, the world, or the weight of their place in history books.”
Wang Zhice was silent for a long time.
Before Chen Changsheng and Gou Hanshi became famous for mastering the Daoist Canon, he was the earliest genius to have read it through.
The books he had read were certainly no fewer than Chen Changsheng’s, but only today did he begin to think about certain contents from a different angle.
“Governing a great state is like cooking a small fish”—he had always thought this meant caution, but according to Chen Changsheng, it could also mean that one need not care at all.
The struggle for hegemony among heroes was just children fighting. Don’t talk about bloodshed in the palace; remember that killing a fish also draws blood.
Wang Zhice said, “I admit your view might have merit. But your teacher won’t agree.”
While Chen Changsheng and Wang Zhice were speaking, Shang Xingzhou remained silent.
He stood within the Nanxi Zhai sword formation, showing no intention of breaking it, quietly gazing into the distance, lost in thought.
Chen Changsheng knew Wang Zhice was right.
He understood Shang Xingzhou’s thoughts better than anyone.
Shang Xingzhou was the most cautious and calculating person in the world.
He planned everything before acting, never striking without absolute certainty, and even then, leaving no trace.
That was why all those meritorious officials in the Lingyan Pavilion had died by his hand, yet few in the world knew of Ji Daoren’s existence.
That was why, in the years after the National Academy massacre, even Heavenly Empress Tianhai could not find his trail.
Someone like Shang Xingzhou would never stake everything on a single battle.
No matter how certain his victory seemed.
Because he sought eternal glory, and every battle carried uncontrollable variables.
How could Chen Changsheng convince him?
“When I saw Wu Daozi step down from the stone wall, I started thinking about how to handle this.”
As he said this, Chen Changsheng glanced at Xu Yourong.
It was at that moment he realized Wang Zhice would appear, and she would lose to his teacher.
He looked back at Wang Zhice and continued, “Then, I suddenly thought of a way.”
At these words, countless gazes fell upon him.
Shang Xingzhou also turned to look at him, as if wanting to know what idea he had come up with.
“I know it’s hard to convince my teacher to agree to my proposal.”
Chen Changsheng said to Wang Zhice, “But you can.”
Shang Xingzhou had invited Wang Zhice to the capital to persuade Xu Yourong not to resort to a desperate, self-destructive act.
Chen Changsheng had done nothing because he, too, was waiting for Wang Zhice to appear.
He hoped Wang Zhice could convince Shang Xingzhou to agree to his proposal.
Yes, the only person who could persuade Shang Xingzhou was Wang Zhice.
“And since it’s a fight, we always need a referee.”
Chen Changsheng said, “You’re the only one on the continent qualified to be that referee, because your reputation is high enough, and everyone trusts your fairness.”
Wang Zhice was silent for a moment, then said, “So you really were waiting for me to appear.”
People finally understood Chen Changsheng’s words and grasped his plan.
Xu Yourong had entered the palace late at night; Prince Chenliu had gone to Luoyang. While the capital’s situation was extremely tense, Chen Changsheng had been meditating on the sword path in the stone chamber of the detached palace.
Why? Because he needed to prepare for this battle, because he was waiting for Shang Xingzhou to bring out Wang Zhice.
So he had been waiting for Wang Zhice to appear all along.
So he had been waiting here for Wang Zhice all along.
But what made him certain Wang Zhice would help him?
Just because of Wang Zhice’s reputation and fairness?
Wang Zhice looked at Chen Changsheng and said, “My relationship with your teacher isn’t good.”
His expression turned much colder.
Chen Changsheng said, “I know. But since you came, it means your relationship isn’t as bad as I initially imagined.”
Most of the meritorious officials and generals in the Lingyan Pavilion had died at Shang Xingzhou’s hands.
Shang Xingzhou was Emperor Taizong’s most invisible and most terrifying blade.
Wang Zhice had a poor relationship with Emperor Taizong, and he was also one of the figures in the Lingyan Pavilion portraits.
Logically, he should hate Shang Xingzhou deeply.
Chen Changsheng had thought so too.
But when he discovered that Wang Zhice would come to the capital at Shang Xingzhou’s invitation, he began to re-evaluate their relationship.
He recalled that time on Hanshan when the Demon Lord was chasing him, and Wang Zhice had suddenly appeared.
This confirmed to him that there must have been ongoing contact between his teacher and Wang Zhice.
Wang Zhice said, “You’re wrong. My coming to the capital has nothing to do with your teacher.”
This brought them back to the original point.
The welfare of the world.
Chen Changsheng was surprised, but not disappointed.
Because so-called persuasion was still essentially about taking sides.
As long as Wang Zhice was willing to stand on his side, then Shang Xingzhou would have to agree to his proposal.
Otherwise, Shang Xingzhou would pay a price too heavy to bear from a rational standpoint.
The problem was, even if Wang Zhice was swayed and no longer supported Shang Xingzhou, why would he help Chen Changsheng?
Again, because of the welfare of the world?
That was still a powerful reason, but Chen Changsheng didn’t want to use that phrase.
It had appeared too many times today, so many that it made him uncomfortable.
He looked at Wang Zhice seriously and said, “Because… Wu Daozi will die.”