Chapter 21: Clear Wind Asks the Way
Xu Yourong’s bloodline and true essence were now completely depleted, leaving her extremely weak. Not only could she not fight, she couldn’t even walk. So when she said, “Do you want to die?” it lacked any sense of pride, nobility, or dominance—instead, it was somewhat laughable. Of course, in Chen Changsheng’s eyes, this laughableness was more like cuteness.
He smiled and said, “If you weren’t sick, how could you have such an absurd idea?”
Xu Yourong struggled to control her emotions and asked, “What’s so absurd about this idea?”
Chen Changsheng replied, “I told you before, there are no perfect people in this world. If you can’t achieve perfection and feel ashamed for being inferior to others, isn’t that absurd? Should the Pope feel ashamed because his skill at growing potted plants is inferior to the gardener at the Hundred Herbs Garden? Should the Empress feel ashamed because her embroidery isn’t as exquisite as the needlework of the women from Wenshui City?”
Xu Yourong raised an eyebrow slightly and said, “I’m talking about an attitude toward life. Only by living with such an attitude can one become more perfect.”
Chen Changsheng shook his head and said, “I’m not saying this attitude is wrong. But have you considered that if, as you say, what matters is the attitude, then as long as we keep striving, we can’t say we have no chance at perfection until the very end of our lives. Since the outcome is still undecided, why feel ashamed in advance?”
“As for inferiority, that’s even less likely.” He took a freshly roasted root vegetable from the fire and handed it to her, swapping it for the slightly cooled one in her hand. He continued, “If you can’t do it now, it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to later. And even if you never can, so what? Effort should come from an inner desire, not from the psychological gap created by comparing yourself to others. As long as you’ve truly tried, that’s enough.”
Xu Yourong remained silent, lost in thought.
Chen Changsheng added, “I think you should think this through. What others expect of us isn’t important. What we truly want to do ourselves is what matters. Shouldn’t people live for themselves?”
Xu Yourong looked up and glanced at him.
Chen Changsheng understood her meaning and said, “Of course, we have to take on the responsibilities we should. But living should still be for ourselves, and the latter should come before the former.”
Xu Yourong thought for a moment and said, “I can’t understand that.”
Chen Changsheng thought for a moment, then smiled and said, “I was just speaking casually.”
After this conversation, he realized that this young girl was like a hedgehog in the forest, always on guard, easily hurting the flowers and grass around her and the hands that reached out with goodwill, and just as easily hurting herself. Perhaps that was why, beneath her calm, composed, and powerful exterior, she was so sensitive and fragile.
Earlier, when he talked about perfection, he was just going along with her words. In truth, he had never thought about it. He found her way of thinking strange, which was why he thought she was sick. What ordinary person would set perfection as their goal in life and then, upon realizing they couldn’t achieve absolute perfection, start to deny and belittle themselves?
“What you said sounds somewhat reasonable. It might make life easier, but if…”
Xu Yourong hesitated for a moment, then asked for advice, “The education I received since childhood prevents me from accepting your viewpoint. So how should I deal with this pressure?”
Chen Changsheng pointed at the root vegetable in her hand and said, “Eat it while it’s hot. Let’s just chat casually.”
Xu Yourong followed his advice and tore off the slightly charred skin of the root vegetable. Along with a puff of steam, a faint fragrance wafted out.
Chen Changsheng said, “First, we need to know what we most want to do and what the purpose of living is.”
Seeing her expression, he quickly added, “Don’t say the word ‘perfection’ again. Perfection is used to describe a degree, not a concrete fact.”
Xu Yourong thought for a moment and said, “What I most want to do is cultivate the Dao.”
“Then cultivate the Dao,” he said.
Xu Yourong was a bit displeased, thinking he was just fooling her.
Chen Changsheng explained, “Aside from cultivating the Dao, don’t think about anything else.”
Xu Yourong said, “But those things still exist.”
Chen Changsheng said, “Close your eyes, and it’s dark. Don’t look at the world, and the world doesn’t exist.”
Xu Yourong said, “That’s idealism. How can I convince myself with that? And cultivation is just a means, not an end.”
Chen Changsheng looked at her, recalling what he had seen and heard along the way, and said, “If I’m not mistaken, your goal in cultivating the Dao should be… to become stronger?”
Xu Yourong said, “Only by being strong enough can I bear the responsibilities I should.”
Chen Changsheng said somewhat helplessly, “Can we forget the word ‘responsibility’ for now?”
Xu Yourong said seriously, “I dare not forget it for even a moment.”
Chen Changsheng thought carefully and said, “Then I suggest that before you become the strongest person, temporarily forget this goal and focus all your energy on the means of cultivation.”
Xu Yourong said, “Without a goal, how can I walk steadily?”
Chen Changsheng said, “That proves your goal isn’t firm enough, not unshakable. If that goal has already penetrated your consciousness and blood, why do you need to remind yourself of it constantly?”
Xu Yourong thought for a moment and said, “That makes sense… Then what about your goal in cultivation? Have you forgotten it?”
“Of course not.” Chen Changsheng was quiet for a moment, then said, “What I seek is longevity.”
He cultivated by following his heart’s intent and sought the path of longevity.
“What’s the benefit of doing this?” Xu Yourong asked.
Chen Changsheng understood she was asking about the benefit of preserving the intention while forgetting the thought, not the benefit of seeking the path of longevity.
Regarding this approach, no one in the world could better understand its specific benefits than him—because the goal he pursued was itself an immense pressure. The shadow of death had always loomed at the end of his cultivation path, waiting for him, drawing ever closer. If he hadn’t learned to forget this matter, he would have long gone mad under the terror of such immense pressure.
Why had he been cultivating by following his heart’s intent ever since the old temple in Xining Town? Because if his heart’s intent wasn’t clear, he couldn’t live normally at all. How could he keep his heart’s intent smooth under such terrifying pressure? Only by forgetting, yet remembering his original thoughts, living instinctively that way—only then could he find peace and tranquility.
His voice kept sounding, very calm, not fast, his meaning very clear. No matter how violently the wind and snow raged outside the temple, they couldn’t suppress it.
The door of the dilapidated temple had long been broken, letting in cold wind mixed with snowflakes. Most of it was blocked by the campfire, but some landed on his face, just like the firelight fell on his face.
The cold wind and the warm firelight merged together, becoming a clear breeze.
Xu Yourong listened very seriously, watching his face, her eyes growing brighter and brighter.
This young man seemed to have experienced all the world’s affairs, yet he wasn’t old and weary. He was still full of vitality, like a clear breeze, making one feel extremely comfortable.
(This chapter was a bit hard to write. For an ordinary person like me to write about the exchange between geniuses is pure nonsense. So later I had to stop writing specifics. In short, they were discussing the Dao and then preparing to talk heart-to-heart. A transitional chapter. The next chapter will still be released after seven o’clock. I’ll try to update on schedule from now on. Yes, I have some saved drafts now, even if it’s only one chapter.)