Chapter 686: True Person
When hungry, eat; when sleepy, sleep; when ill, treat; when dead, bury—these are the natural order of things. What is the natural order? It is the greatest principle between heaven and earth.
Chen Changsheng's voice drifted away with the autumn wind, and the surrounding crowd fell silent. Xu Shiji had nothing to say, for before such principles, any words he spoke were without reason.
Chen Changsheng walked toward the wilderness beside the official road. Faint starlight emerged from within his clothes, so bright that even the clear daylight could not obscure it. Xu Shiji's expression tightened slightly as he said, "You want to fight me?"
This statement was both a threat and not a threat, more like a warning or a reminder. It had nothing to do with cultivation realm or strength, nor with power and influence. Chen Changsheng understood the subtext clearly.
—I am Xu Yourong's father. Are you sure you want to fight me?
Before the snow battle at Naihe Bridge, whenever Chen Changsheng thought of Xu Yourong, he occasionally felt sympathy or even pity for her, because she had a father like Xu Shiji. At this moment, he felt that Xu Shiji was actually pitiable as well, though the meaning of "pity" here carried a different, somewhat repulsive nuance.
He paid no attention and walked directly into the wilderness. Su Moyu, following his instructions, supported Madam Xue and waited on the official road.
Many pairs of eyes fell upon Xu Shiji. The soldiers of the City Gate Command gripped their swords and spears, unsure of what to do next. Xu Shiji knew he could do nothing.
The crossbow bolt that had directly blinded Tianhai Sheng, the Chief of the Ministry of Justice, had clearly been fired from a Divine Crossbow. Although neither the Ministry of Justice constables nor the City Gate Command cavalry had spotted the crossbowman, he was certain that the National Church cavalry were not far away. Moreover, deep in the alley at the city gate, he had already vaguely glimpsed the figures of several Red Archbishops.
Soon, those Red Archbishops arrived at the scene, followed by many priests from the Pontifical Council. Ignoring Xu Shiji's gaze and the changing expressions of the City Gate Command and Ministry of Justice personnel, the priests began treating the wounded soldiers of the Congzhou Military Prefecture. Matters in the wilderness were also naturally taken over by others.
Chen Changsheng returned to the official road. Only then did Madam Xue confirm his identity. She was somewhat startled and deeply moved, saying sincerely, "Thank you for your kindness."
Chen Changsheng replied, "You need not be polite. I knew nothing of this matter; I merely happened to pass by and see it."
Madam Xue said, "I only worry that this might affect you."
Chen Changsheng said, "It's fine."
Xu Shiji had been watching coldly from the side. When he realized that Chen Changsheng and Madam Xue were complete strangers, he truly confirmed that there was no prior connection between Chen Changsheng and the Xue household. This made him even more puzzled.
For the sake of a corpse, to defy the palace's decree and go against his own teacher—was it worth it? He looked at Chen Changsheng and asked, "I don't believe you did this just for so-called principles."
Chen Changsheng said, "I am not Wang Po, who takes the straight path in all things. I chose to do this because it benefits me."
Xu Shiji revealed a mocking smile, thinking to himself, "Just as I expected."
"I cultivate by following the heart's intent," Chen Changsheng continued. "No matter what I encounter, I must act according to my heart's intent. Otherwise, it would greatly affect my cultivation."
What does it mean to follow the heart's intent? If he finds the green mountains charming, then so be it. If he finds the green mountains displeasing, then he must remove them. If the road ahead is straight, then so be it. If the road is uneven, then naturally he must draw his blade. If the scenery is clear and beautiful, then he appreciates it. If his eyes are filled with filth and miasma, how can he remain silent?
Su Moyu thought admiringly, "Such following of the heart's intent—how is it any different from Wang Po's blade path?"
Xu Shiji asked one last question, "Are you truly not afraid?"
Chen Changsheng did not answer this question. He turned and walked toward the capital.
Four days ago, he had carried the remains of the Tianhai Holy Empress down from the Heavenly Book Mausoleum and buried them in the Hundred Herbs Garden. Having done that, what was Xue Xingchuan in comparison?
...
...
The remains of the generals were buried. Several graves appeared outside the capital, yet nothing happened within the capital itself. This surprised many, for in the past four days, the imperial court's will had been so resolute that it seemed exceptionally harsh. Everyone had assumed that the National Academy and Chen Changsheng would inevitably face a storm, even though the Li Palace had once again unhesitatingly shown its support.
In the autumn wind and rain, it was not the imperial army that came to the National Academy, but Madam Xue.
In spring, the National Academy had rebuilt the Council Hall, and it was here that Chen Changsheng met with Madam Xue. Madam Xue once again expressed her sincere gratitude, and Chen Changsheng once again told her not to worry.
Madam Xue said, "My late husband was actually very curious about you."
Chen Changsheng was puzzled and said, "Lord Xue actually mentioned me at home?"
As he had said the day before, there was no connection whatsoever between him and the Xue household; they were practically strangers. He couldn't understand why Xue Xingchuan would have mentioned him at home. Of course, he might have discussed some court affairs or the Holy Empress's thoughts with his wife, but "curiosity"... that seemed to belong to a more personal realm, unrelated to rumors about the Crown Prince Zhao Ming.
Madam Xue looked at him and said, "He said you were the second true person he had seen in his life."
Since coming from Xining to the capital, the world had given Chen Changsheng many evaluations—gifted beyond measure, calm and mature, tranquil as the spring breeze. He didn't know that before Xue Xingchuan, someone had already used "true person" to describe him.
Madam Xue said, "My late husband couldn't understand why, even though you had cut off his younger brother's arm, whenever you met him in the palace or elsewhere, you could always remain so calm."
Chen Changsheng understood. This referred to the past event on the wilderness when, escorting Su Li south, he had used the Wisdom Sword he had just learned to sever General Xue He's arm. Afterwards, he had many opportunities to meet Xue Xingchuan. Logically, he should have shown some unusual emotion—whether guilt or wariness—but he hadn't. He hadn't even mentioned these matters to Xue Xingchuan, as if they had never happened.
"At that time, Xue He said that if I didn't kill him, he would remember my kindness," Chen Changsheng said after a moment's thought. "They were brothers. I didn't want Lord Xue to remember that kindness, so I never brought it up."
Madam Xue was deeply moved.
Back then on the wilderness, Xue He had said: "You didn't kill me, only cut off my arm, so I will remember your kindness." In a world full of deceit and treachery, most people would not take such words seriously. But Chen Changsheng did.
Xue Xingchuan had thought about it for a long time before he understood that Chen Changsheng's calmness and silence meant he had taken those words to heart. That night, he said to his wife with emotion, "Chen Changsheng—a true person, indeed."