Chapter 1118: The Meaning of Battle
(There will definitely be more typos and omissions in the past few days, as my energy still can't keep up, and I have even less time for corrections, but the plot is fantastic! Fantastic!)
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Swords hung like rain, aimed at the master and disciple pair on the ruins.
The wind stopped. The stones no longer rolled. Naturally, there was no sound. Only silence.
The people in Hundred Flowers Alley noticed this silence and knew that something major had happened inside.
Life and death, of course, were truly major events.
Within the National Academy, that shocking surge of killing intent had seized everyone's minds and hearts.
Suddenly, a single note of a zither rang out, followed by countless snapping strings.
Before the gates of the National Academy, crossbow bolts flew wildly. Holy light illuminated the darkened sky.
The howl of arrows breaking the air and the muffled grunts of those struck and wounded sounded intermittently.
After the chaotic situation was brought under control once more, several pools of blood had appeared in the alley. Wang Po was gone.
The King of Linghai's face turned exceptionally pale, because he feared something had happened to the Pope.
If nothing had happened at the National Academy, if the Pope wasn't in danger, why would Wang Po have forcefully struck out at such a tense moment and then charged into the academy?
Before Maple Pavilion, a blade intent of extreme sharpness arose.
A gentle breeze stirred the red maple leaves. Wang Po appeared before the ruins.
Looking at the scene before him, sensing the lingering Daoist techniques and sword intent in the air, he quickly confirmed the general situation.
"A remarkable man of his generation, how could he stoop so low?"
Wang Po's words were like a blade, incredibly sharp. The few wisps of cold wind that had just been stirred by the blade intent were instantly severed.
Tang Thirty-Six sighed emotionally and said, "Yeah, it's really shameful."
He spoke with such sincerity that it felt entirely as if he were considering Shang Xingzhou's reputation.
Xu Yourong said nothing.
At some unknown time, she had already moved to stand behind Chen Changsheng.
Extremely close, only a few steps away.
This was a very risky move.
Her expression was unclear, because she had her head lowered. Only her slightly trembling eyelashes could be seen.
The eyelashes were brilliantly illuminated by light, like ginkgo leaves in autumn.
The light came from the depths of her eyes. It was the burning Phoenix essence blood.
She was ready to strike at any moment.
Either to save Chen Changsheng.
Or to perish together with Shang Xingzhou.
The clouds in the sky scattered in all directions. The mountain-like dragon's body drew closer and closer to the ground, its shadow growing heavier and heavier.
The next moment, the shadow stopped deepening, because she had clearly seen the scene and felt fear.
Where was Yu Ren again?
Wang Po was not wrong, and Tang Thirty-Six had spoken from the heart.
Given Shang Xingzhou's status and position, going back on his word was indeed indefensible.
Moreover, he was originally Chen Changsheng's master, which made it all the more shameful.
Wang Zhice had been invited to the capital by him, but he wouldn't support him either. He said, "If you make a move, you know what I will do next."
Shang Xingzhou might not have much fear of Wang Zhice, even if he might join forces with Wang Po.
The Prince of Xiang and the princes of the Chen family would support him, along with the experts in the court and the military forces.
This war could be fought, though it was somewhat risky.
He really wanted to go back on his word and then kill Chen Changsheng.
Just now, Wang Zhice had said he had lost. He closed his eyes and saw many futures.
Those were the different futures resulting from his different choices.
Among them, one future looked the most beautiful, so he very seriously deduced it five times. Four times, he successfully repeated that perfect process.
That future also began with his choice.
— His finger would exert a little force.
Chen Changsheng's head would fall to the ground like a ripe fruit, then smash to pieces.
What followed would be an extremely dangerous battle. He might lose, he might win, but basically, his life wouldn't be in danger.
Regardless of victory or defeat, at the most brutal moment of the battle, he would voluntarily give up, confess his sins to the young Emperor, and request to be confined in Luoyang.
In the following years, with the Li Palace leaderless, internal strife would inevitably arise. Coupled with external pressure, he should be able to conveniently reclaim the power of the National Religion.
At some point in time, he would have Prince Chenliu killed.
A few more years later, the Prince of Zhongshan would rebel, leading the troops of Yong Lan Pass south.
At that time, he would return from Luoyang.
Even if he didn't return, the Prince of Zhongshan would surely be defeated. But he had to seize that opportunity to have a clear talk with the young Emperor about the past events and put those old matters behind them.
Only then could master and disciple be of one mind, and only then could the world unite in heart.
A few more years, the world would be unified, the people would be united, humanity would prosper, and that would be the day of the Northern Expedition.
A million strong army, encamped at the city gates.
Which city?
Of course, it was Xue Lao Cheng.
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This was the result Shang Xingzhou had deduced.
This was that incomparably beautiful future.
For this future, he was willing to give up everything, sacrifice everything.
"Even if doing so will leave a stench for ten thousand years?" Wang Zhice asked.
"For centuries, I have always remained hidden behind the scenes. If Tianhai hadn't pressed me so hard, perhaps even today I wouldn't have stepped onto the stage."
Shang Xingzhou said, "I don't even care about leaving my name in history, so why would I care whether I leave a bad name or a good one?"
Wang Zhice said nothing more, because he knew Shang Xingzhou was indeed that kind of person.
Wang Po also said nothing, his right hand tightly gripping the hilt of his blade.
Shang Xingzhou's killing intent towards Chen Changsheng was so real.
His hand was right on Chen Changsheng's throat.
Who could still stop him?
The courtyard wall behind Maple Pavilion suddenly collapsed. Dust and smoke gradually settled, revealing Yu Ren's figure.
Shang Xingzhou looked at him quietly.
Yu Ren shook his head very slowly, appearing extremely heavy-hearted.
Shang Xingzhou understood his meaning.
Yu Ren was saying to him: Your deduction cannot stand.
If you kill Junior Brother, then I will never forgive you.
Without master and disciple being of one mind, naturally there would be no unity of the world, and thus no final scene.
Shang Xingzhou was not affected at all.
Because he was very confident.
Shang Xingzhou believed that, given enough time, Yu Ren would eventually understand his good intentions.
But then, why hadn't he made his move yet?
Or perhaps, it was because someone was being too quiet?
That person was about to die.
Die from shamelessness.
He had ample reason to be angry.
He could curse loudly.
He could speak with passion and indignation.
He could even spit in Shang Xingzhou's face.
But he did none of these things.
While Shang Xingzhou was talking with Wang Zhice and the others, he just quietly watched him, as if appreciating a play.
Across the distance of an arm's length.
Everyone thought Shang Xingzhou would kill him. Why was he so calm?
Shang Xingzhou was silent for a moment, then asked, "Did you foresee this?"
"I know you very well. If the world thinks you are wrong, you will definitely think it is the world that has the problem, not yourself."
Chen Changsheng said, "A person as eternally correct as you, how could you possibly admit your own failure?"
Shang Xingzhou asked, "Then why did you arrange this battle today?"
If, regardless of the outcome of this battle, Shang Xingzhou would not abide by the prior agreement, then what was the point?
If Chen Changsheng had already calculated this, why had he spent so much effort forcing Shang Xingzhou to agree to his demands, bringing the situation to this point?
"Of course, it was very meaningful, because it would help you see yourself clearly."
Chen Changsheng looked at Shang Xingzhou and said, "Look, how ugly you are now, how unsightly."
His eyes were clean and bright, like mirrors, reflecting a face.
It was a somewhat aged face, covered in bloodstains, along with the smugness and wildness born of self-hypnosis.
Shang Xingzhou looked at that face and felt it was very unfamiliar.