Chapter 103: Aftermath
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readx; Su Moyu and the others didn't know what to say. They looked into each other's eyes and found that they still didn't know what to say.
"What exactly are you talking about?" Tang Thirty-Six stared into Chen Changsheng's eyes.
"I'm going to die. I probably have about twenty more days to live."
Chen Changsheng's voice was very calm, his expression very indifferent, as if he were describing something very ordinary.
The sky was about to rain, a mother was about to marry, who would collect the clothes from the roof?
The fresh chili peppers soaking in the clay jar had already been pricked with holes. Don't forget to add water to the jar's rim from time to time; otherwise, if mold forms inside the jar, all the pickled vegetables will have to be thrown away.
He had heard from his elders that if mold appeared in a pickle jar, strong liquor could be used to save it, but how could those pickles ever be considered perfect?
Look over there, so dark and deep, like a bandit's lair. It really looks like it's going to rain.
Silence, as if dead.
Only the sound of the fountain could be heard.
No one knew how much time had passed before Tang Thirty-Six finally spoke again: "What kind of joke are you playing?"
They all knew very well that Chen Changsheng was the last person to joke, and he certainly wouldn't joke about something like this. That's why their faces were all very grim.
Seeing the expressions of the four, Chen Changsheng felt somewhat apologetic for some reason.
Xuan Yuan Po's voice trembled slightly: "What's wrong with you?"
Tang Thirty-Six and Zhe Xiu had accompanied him to Han Mountain. They knew he had been severely injured by the Demon Lord, had watched him break through to the Gathering Stars realm, and then collapse, but they hadn't realized the problem was this serious. Kneel down and beg for Bai Du Hei Yan * Ge
Because Chen Changsheng hadn't said anything, they hadn't asked. Even now, at this very moment, they still didn't inquire about what had actually happened. They just looked at him.
Some things ultimately needed an explanation, because only when everything was clearly explained could it be considered a proper farewell.
Chen Changsheng looked at the four of them and said, "I have an illness, one I was born with. My meridians have always been problematic. I knew a long time ago that I wouldn't live past twenty. I never told you, and that was my fault. I thought I could solve this problem myself, but I didn't expect the illness to flare up on Han Mountain. My meridians are completely shattered, and there's no way to reconnect them. So, I'm probably going to die."
"What exactly are you trying to say? Were those words just now supposed to be your last testament?"
Tang Thirty-Six raised an eyebrow, looking at him with a sarcastic sneer. "If you're sick, go see a doctor. Why are you putting on this tragic act with us?"
This so-called sarcasm was merely a way to hide the unease and fear, along with a nameless anger, that hearing these words had stirred up.
"I am the best doctor."
Chen Changsheng looked at him and explained, his voice very calm, his expression very sincere.
He wasn't bragging; he was just stating a fact. But as always, it left people with nothing to say.
If the situation weren't so special right now, perhaps Tang Thirty-Six would have reacted quite violently. But now, he just fell silent.
"The Pope?" Zhe Xiu suddenly asked.
Chen Changsheng shook his head.
Su Moyu said, "What about the Saintess? Her Holy Light Technique is said to be unparalleled in the world. How could it not cure your illness?"
Tang Thirty-Six was thinking the same thing and was about to say something, but then he suddenly remembered some things and swallowed all those words back down.
During the ten-thousand-mile journey back from Han Mountain, he and Zhe Xiu had personally witnessed Xu You Rong never leaving Chen Changsheng's side for a single step. Recalling that after returning to the capital, Xu You Rong ignored the gossip and didn't care about the face of the Eastern Divine General's Mansion, insisting on staying in the National Teaching Academy, it was clear she had already known about this matter. And she also had no solution.
Silence fell over the group again. Everyone's expressions became extremely grim.
Chen Changsheng said apologetically, "I'm sorry."
Tang Thirty-Six could no longer suppress the emotions in his heart. He gritted his teeth and said coldly, "You're about to die. Who are you saying sorry to?"
"Among all the affairs in the world, only death is one's own business. But I think your attitude is problematic."
After learning this shocking news, Zhe Xiu appeared the calmest. He looked into Chen Changsheng's eyes and said, "Since you're still alive now, you can't think of yourself as a dead man. Even if you have to live these days with a heart resigned to death, you should focus on the last two words."
Chen Changsheng understood his meaning.
On the snow-swept northern plains, Zhe Xiu, driven away by the Wolf Tribe, was afflicted with a terrible disease yet still fought on without cease. He had the most experience with this kind of thing.
"Yes, but I still need to make some preparations in advance. There are some things that need to be arranged."
Chen Changsheng looked at Tang Thirty-Six and said, "You Rong... she and I were once betrothed. She is my fiancée. Although the engagement is now dissolved, and it seems I cannot marry her, I will still regard her as my wife. However, the division of property was already settled at the beginning of the year. I will organize some things, and when the time comes, you can give them to her for me."
Tang Thirty-Six habitually wanted to make a few sarcastic remarks, like what valuable keepsakes could a poor wretch like you possibly have. But in the end, he said nothing, just silently nodded his head.
Chen Changsheng continued, "Luo Luo is my student. Give her one-third of my property. Give one-third to my senior brother. And keep the last third in the academy for students from poorer families to apply for. As for you all, I've already given you swords, so I won't leave anything else."
Zhe Xiu and Xuan Yuan Po weren't wealthy, but with Tang Thirty-Six around, Chen Changsheng didn't need to worry about them.
"Are you really asking me to take over the National Teaching Academy?" Su Moyu said. "I'm a bit uneasy, because this burden is quite heavy."
As he spoke, he looked into the distance at the students reading in the buildings and corridors.
Last autumn, the National Teaching Academy had enrolled over a hundred new students. According to the rules of the Great Zhou Dynasty and the Orthodoxy, these new students could no longer transfer to other academies. This meant that their fates were tied to the fate of the National Teaching Academy. If Chen Changsheng really died, the National Teaching Academy would naturally lose its current glory. How much longer could it last then?
"Let me do it," Tang Thirty-Six said expressionlessly. "It can't be helped. I was born to be the protagonist. Besides, if the Dean kicks the bucket, it's only right that I, as the Proctor, step in."
Chen Changsheng was slightly surprised upon hearing this. After that long conversation by the lake, he knew better than anyone how much pressure Tang Thirty-Six was under. He lived a free life in the capital and at the National Teaching Academy, but as he grew older, the Tang Clan of Wenshui would surely demand that he return as soon as possible to inherit the family business.
Tang Thirty-Six said, "That old man of mine might not be much, but he's still my father. Besides, the old man looks pretty healthy, so he shouldn't be in too much of a hurry."
Chen Changsheng knew this was a lie. Even if the Tang Clan of Wenshui wasn't in a hurry to train an heir, they wouldn't want to see Tang Thirty-Six in danger, staying in the capital for a long time.
"If you really die, I'll go back two years late. They should be able to understand."
Tang Thirty-Six looked at him seriously and said, "So you'd better not lie to me. When the time comes, you absolutely have to die."
This was, of course, a joke. But it wasn't funny. It was very stiff, especially at a time like this. It was as hard as a steamed bun that had been left out for two nights, choking people up and making them unable to speak. It was very sad.
Su Moyu looked at Chen Changsheng and said, "Don't worry. I'll stay and keep an eye on him."
Zhe Xiu said, "If you die, after I finish that one thing, I'll return to the north."
He was a wolf from the north, only stopping briefly in the bustling capital to heal his illness and wounds. Once healed, he would naturally leave.
But what was that one thing he needed to finish?
The atmosphere was oppressive and heavy. After hearing Zhe Xiu's words, it became even colder.
They all knew that the one thing Zhe Xiu had to do before leaving the capital was—kill Zhou Tong.
...
...
Chen Changsheng was the first new student of the National Teaching Academy in over a decade.
It was precisely because of him that the National Teaching Academy was reborn.
If there was one thing in the capital he couldn't bear to part with, besides those people, it was naturally this quiet and secluded academy.
After he left this world, could the National Teaching Academy continue to exist? Could it continue to exist as it did now?
Tang Thirty-Six and Su Moyu gave their promises. After Tang Thirty-Six promised to provide sufficient funds, Zhe Xiu told Chen Changsheng that he would be willing to kill for the National Teaching Academy at any time and asked him to leave in peace. At that moment, Chen Changsheng wondered if he should just close his eyes and pretend to have passed away peacefully.
When they looked at Xuan Yuan Po, wanting to know his plans, Xuan Yuan Po said one sentence and then left. The sentence he said was: "I'm leaving."
Xuan Yuan Po left very quickly, without any hesitation or delay, as if someone were chasing him, or as if the National Teaching Academy were about to collapse.
"Is this what they mean by 'when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter'?"
When he confirmed that Xuan Yuan Po had even taken the Profound Iron Heavy Sword from the kitchen, Tang Thirty-Six sucked in a breath of cold air.
Zhe Xiu said expressionlessly, "He's obviously rushing back to White Emperor City."
Tang Thirty-Six asked in confusion, "What is he going to White Emperor City for?"
"To find Princess Luo Luo and tell her that Chen Changsheng is going to die. Only Princess Luo Luo can ask the White Emperor to come to the capital to treat Chen Changsheng."
After saying this, Zhe Xiu looked at Chen Changsheng and continued, "You see, a lot of people don't want you to die. Princess Luo Luo certainly doesn't want you to die either. And don't forget, you have to cure my illness. If you die, I might die in two years as well. So you'd better stay alive."
Chen Changsheng said, "I'll do my best."
The Heavenly Dao, or fate, had always been unfair and cruel to him. But this world had treated him fairly well. Many people didn't want him to leave, like Luo Luo, like Xuan Yuan Po and Tang Thirty-Six. And if he died, what would happen to Zhe Xiu? What would happen to the Black Dragon? Who would take care of her?
Just as he was thinking about these things, a visitor arrived at the National Teaching Academy. This guest was of noble status, but also a great source of trouble.
If Xu You Rong hadn't been summoned to the palace at that moment, and if Chen Changsheng was still in the building, then he certainly wouldn't have been able to meet Prince Chen Liu, let alone have this conversation.
"You... are you really Zhao Ming?"
The sunlight filtered through the spray of the fountain, falling on Prince Chen Liu's handsome face, turning into many spots of light that formed a complex pattern, much like his expression at that moment—complex and full of emotion.
In the past two years, Chen Changsheng hadn't met with this representative of the Chen Imperial Clan very often, but they had gotten along quite well.
He hadn't expected the other party to ask this question so directly.