Chapter 383: The Spring Light of Xunyang City
Continuing southward, they encountered three more groups of assassins. Chen Changsheng killed them, then fainted again, repeating the cycle. Though the number of times was not great, each encounter was extremely perilous. Throughout this process, the assassin Liu Qing, who had been hiding in the wilderness all along, never appeared. Sometimes Chen Changsheng even wondered if they had shaken him off.
Although they had already encountered six groups of assassins, compared to the various forces now searching for them around Tianliang Commandery, this was already the best possible outcome. Su Li had a very clear grasp of the situation. He knew exactly where those who wished to kill him would appear, and he knew even more clearly how to deal with such circumstances. Where did this ability come from?
All route selections were arranged by Su Li. He never went to crowded places, yet he didn't simply travel through desolate mountains and wild forests either. More often, they disguised themselves as ordinary travelers, heading south on the main roads alongside common folk. Chen Changsheng grew increasingly impressed by Su Li's arrangements, but also more puzzled. One day, unable to suppress his curiosity any longer, he asked why this was so. Su Li said, "Between heaven and earth is not a good place to hide. The best place to hide is among the human world. So walking among people is both safest and most dangerous. How to choose depends on the heart."
Chen Changsheng then asked what the "heart" in "depends on the heart" referred to, and how to make such judgments. Su Li thought for a moment before replying, "When you've killed as many people as I have, and been hunted by as many, you'll naturally develop this ability." Chen Changsheng thought it over and said, "If that's what it takes to learn, then it's better not to learn at all."
Regarding the stories and skills of assassins in the dark night, Chen Changsheng neither learned nor could learn them. His talent in this area was clearly lacking. But his talent in the way of the sword began to show its edge under Su Li's guidance. His mastery of the Wisdom Sword grew deeper and deeper, though his spiritual world still couldn't sustain it. His use of the Burning Sword became increasingly smooth and effortless, though of course he still paid a terrible price for the violent combustion of his true essence. Yet two more Star Gathering realm experts fell to his sword.
By this count, he had already completed five consecutive cross-realm kills. His opponents included Xue He, a renowned divine general, and Lin Pingyuan, a great hero of the northern lands.
He was still a youth not yet sixteen years old.
Whether such a thing had happened in the history of the cultivation world before was unknown, and whether it would happen again in the future was also unknown. But at least in the several hundred years since Su Li had descended from the mountain, such a thing had never occurred—not even Su Li himself had achieved it. Of course, this didn't mean Chen Changsheng was stronger than the young Su Li, because there were many specific differences. For instance, Su Li's focus at that time had been more on the Zhou Garden, and there had been no opportunity for him to continuously engage in life-and-death battles with Star Gathering realm experts. But Chen Changsheng had already proven strong enough—so strong that even Su Li was moved, and then stirred.
One night, Su Li began teaching Chen Changsheng the third sword technique. Chen Changsheng memorized the sword formula in the time it took to reheat last night's cold meat stew. Su Li looked at him and said with emotion, "You really are suited to learning the sword."
Chen Changsheng felt a bit embarrassed and said, "Senior, you flatter me."
Being suited to learning the sword was extremely high praise, especially coming from Su Li's mouth.
Su Li looked at him and said, "If I didn't have Qiushan and... the inheritance of my legacy, I might really have chosen you."
Chen Changsheng waved his hand and said, "No need, no need. This junior is the successor of the Orthodox Academy. I can't take another master."
Su Li knew that given Chen Changsheng's temperament, refusal was only natural. But the fact that he refused so quickly, without even a pretense of hesitation or difficulty, still made Su Li feel quite uncomfortable.
So he expressionlessly analyzed the six battles Chen Changsheng had encountered, using detailed data and calculations, and finally reached a conclusion: "You're just lucky. Otherwise, you'd have died long ago. What right do you have to be proud?"
Chen Changsheng thought it over and had to admit that the most important reason he and Su Li had survived until now wasn't Su Li's insight, Su Li's sword teachings, or his own talent in the sword—it was luck... Along the way, Su Li had praised his luck or fortune many times, saying very certainly that since both he and Chen Changsheng were people with great fortune, traveling together made it hard to die even if they wanted to. Having heard it so many times, Chen Changsheng grew somewhat numb. Occasionally, he even began to accept that his fate was good. But thinking about how his fate was truly very bad often left him feeling lost and confused.
After finishing the leftover cold meat stew from the night before, Chen Changsheng tightened his clothes, rubbed his pale cheeks weakened by exhaustion, and began to quietly contemplate the third sword technique Su Li had taught him, unwilling to waste a single moment. Su Li leaned against the back of the woolly deer, watching the youth's back in silence for a long time, then looked southward and thought silently.
"Qiushan, a pretty good fellow has come after you. You'd better run faster, or he really might catch up."
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The escape between wilderness and main roads finally ended. The two arrived outside Xunyang City. Chen Changsheng gave the two woolly deer to a farmer outside the city, took out silver and a short sword, and through a mix of threats and bribes, made the man promise not to reveal anything and to take good care of the deer. Su Li watched this scene with a mocking smile but said nothing.
Xunyang City was the largest city north of Tianliang Commandery, bustling and lively. Su Li and Chen Changsheng disguised themselves as ordinary traveling merchants, quietly slipped into the city, found an inn to stay at, and went completely unnoticed. This was the first time Chen Changsheng had slept on a bed since entering the Zhou Garden. As soon as his head touched the pillow, he began to snore, just like Su Li had slept soundly in the hot spring of the Snow Ridge. He slept for an entire day and night, which showed how much mental pressure he had been under and how exhausted he had become during this journey.
After waking up, Chen Changsheng walked to the window and looked at the lively street scenes of Xunyang City in silence for a long time. He felt he couldn't continue like this anymore, because he was truly very tired and very weak. He didn't want to keep moving forward, waiting for waves of assassins and experts to appear. He didn't like waiting for the unknown. He didn't like this feeling. He found Su Li and said, "Many people have already come to Tianliang Commandery. I believe the Lishan Sword Sect has also received the news by now. Since that's the case, why are we still hiding our whereabouts?"
Su Li said, "I've told you, I only trust myself."
Chen Changsheng remained silent.
Throughout the journey, he had seen very clearly. On the surface, Su Li was a very casual, even sometimes adorable senior expert. But in reality, just like his name, he was distant from this world. Su Li didn't believe in human nature, didn't believe in the human heart, didn't trust this world, and didn't converse with it. So he would never ask this world for help.
He walked alone, and had been walking for several hundred years.
But Chen Changsheng didn't want to walk like this. He always believed that if he showed goodwill to the world, the world would show goodwill back to him. When you see the green mountains as charming, the green mountains will also look favorably upon you.
"Continuing like this puts us at too great a disadvantage. Every time we sleep, we only encounter enemies. We can't find a single ally."
"Where are there allies?"
"The world is made of night and day. These past days, we've been walking in the night, so all we've seen is darkness, all we've encountered is shadow. But if we step into the sunlight, perhaps we'll see the light." Chen Changsheng looked at Su Li very seriously and said, "Senior, why won't you give it a try?"
Su Li said, "Where did you pick up that pedantic poet's tone? I'm not willing to risk my life to prove your view wrong."
Chen Changsheng said, "But I very much want to prove that you are wrong."
Su Li raised an eyebrow and looked at him. "Don't you dare do anything reckless."
Chen Changsheng asked, "What counts as reckless?"
Su Li was very annoyed and said, "I know what you're thinking, you brat. Don't forget, this is my life. My life is mine to decide, not heaven's, and certainly not yours!"
"But... Senior, isn't the reason you're still alive because of my efforts?"
Chen Changsheng looked at him seriously, his bright eyes wide open. He looked very cute, but in Su Li's eyes, he was very detestable.
Su Li felt his hands go cold and lowered his voice to shout, "You little madman, I—"
Before he could finish, Chen Changsheng walked directly to the window and pushed it open with both hands.
In late spring, Xunyang City was filled with the noise of crowds and bright spring light.
The window was pushed open, and sunlight and spring wind poured into the room, illuminating the dark night.
A clear voice, bright as spring light, rang through the streets of Xunyang City.
"Lishan's youngest junior uncle, Su Li is here!"
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(There will be another update on the twenty-ninth of the twelfth lunar month. This is really... tsk tsk. Later, there will be a final Q&A summary on WeChat before the Lunar New Year. Well, also, the New Year holiday starts tomorrow. As in previous years, I'll rest for ten days and resume updates on the tenth day of the new year. Here, I wish everyone a happy New Year, a brilliant spring, and may you always remain young!)