Chapter 697: Never See You Again
Of course, it was because he understood that he felt sad.
But Chen Changsheng’s sadness was not due to the things he understood, but rather the parting and the difficulty of meeting again that followed.
Given his current status and position, and his relationship with Luoluo, when the Great Princess visited the capital, it would have been only natural for her to meet with him. But she did not.
This was the attitude of the Demon race.
“His Majesty and your teacher are friends.”
Jin Yulu looked at him and sighed, saying, “So in the beginning, His Majesty did not mind your closeness with Princess Luoluo, and was even happy to see it. However, His Majesty calculated everything except that your teacher would later have other ideas… and you… also have ideas.”
Chen Changsheng remained silent, offering no explanation for this.
Jin Yulu continued, “Of course, even if your teacher came up with new ideas, His Majesty still had ways to help you secure the position of successor to the Pope.”
The words of a sage have boundless authority.
Chen Changsheng recalled that saying.
His teacher, Shang Xingzhou, was now certainly a sage.
But the words of two sages would ultimately carry more weight than the words of one.
If the White Emperor firmly supported him, coupled with the Pope’s designation, even Shang Xingzhou could not oppose it.
Would the White Emperor support him? Before today, this seemed like a question that didn’t need asking.
Everyone thought it was only natural.
Chen Changsheng was Luoluo’s teacher and had always been close to the Demon race. For him to inherit the position of Pope seemed, from any angle, the best outcome for the Demon race.
Now, it appeared that the White Emperor’s attitude had clearly changed.
“Your behavior has been too immature. His Majesty is deeply concerned about this.”
Jin Yulu said, “Even if we support you and help you become the master of the Li Palace, do you have the ability to hold that position firmly? If not, why should we support you?”
Chen Changsheng’s mind was somewhat dazed.
He seemed to have been hearing the word “mature” a lot lately.
When he entered the capital at fourteen, he possessed a calmness and steadiness far beyond his years. Few people felt he lacked in this regard.
Now it seemed that was still not enough, at least not enough to become a great figure.
But what exactly was maturity?
Chen Changsheng understood that in the eyes of many, and in the eyes of the White Emperor and his wife, he had indeed done many immature things.
Since the Pope, his uncle in the sect, had personally spoken for him, if he would just admit defeat, surrender, and humble himself, his teacher would have no reason not to accept him back.
Even if that wasn’t possible, he should have behaved more maturely.
For instance, these past few days, he shouldn’t have been in the National Academy, but in the Li Palace, seizing the time to understand everything about the State Religion.
For instance, a few days ago, he shouldn’t have gone outside the city gate, to the side of the official road to collect Xue Xingchuan’s corpse, or gone to the Xue residence to pay his respects.
For instance, on that earlier day, he didn’t accept the imperial edict in the National Academy, but instead used a thousand swords to slash Eunuch Lin until he was covered in blood.
For instance, on that day, he carried the corpse of Saintess Tianhai down from the Heavenly Book Mausoleum, brushing past his teacher as if they were strangers.
Just like these past few days, he had been constantly anticipating the arrival of the envoy from White Emperor City.
He thought there would always be someone to support him. If not anyone else, then the Demon race.
Now, it seemed, this anticipation was truly laughable.
He looked out the window. The large banyan tree by the lake could no longer retain its full greenness, becoming much more desolate and cold. A thin layer of ice covered the lake surface, and a light frost condensed on the withered grass.
Yes, these were all immature, naive, childish, hot-blooded, impulsive, chuunibyou, pitiful, laughable things.
But weren’t they still warmer than this quiet, bleak, lifeless world?
…
…
The Great Princess went to the Imperial Palace, then to the Li Palace, to meet with Shang and Yin.
What the three sages said, no one knew. What agreements were reached between the Demon race, the imperial court, and the State Religion, no one knew either.
People only knew that she did not go to the National Academy, nor did she invite anyone from the National Academy to the detached palace where she was staying.
She did not see Chen Changsheng. This surprised many people and once again clarified the situation in the capital.
The southern envoys also arrived one after another. The Everlasting Sect, the Qiu Shan family and other noble clans, the Holy Maiden Peak also sent people, and even the Huaiyuan Academy sent a representative.
Everyone could see which way the wind was blowing in the capital. Consistent with the Great Princess’s attitude, not a single person from the southern envoys went to the National Academy.
Because it was sensitive, and also because they wanted to show their stance to the imperial court. Moreover, as southerners, they had no fondness for Saintess Tianhai and naturally would not support Chen Changsheng because of her.
The Holy Maiden Peak only sent some letters and supplies to the Nanxi Zhai disciples in the National Academy.
One evening, the door of the National Academy was knocked on. A guest had arrived.
The visiting guest was Guan Feibai, a disciple of the Lishan Sword Sect.
The people of the National Academy and the disciples of the Lishan Sword Sect had known each other for three years. The story between them was quite complex. They could be said to be both enemies and friends, but in the end, they had become familiar.
Because both sides were truly like-minded people.
This was, however, the first time a Lishan Sword Sect disciple had set foot inside the National Academy.
Guan Feibai followed behind Su Moyu, looking at the scenery of the National Academy with apparent interest. He only withdrew his gaze when he encountered a few junior sisters from Nanxi Zhai whom he had known before.
In the scripture library, he met with Chen Changsheng.
He was the future Pope. Although Guan Feibai was one of the Seven Laws of the Divine Kingdom and a genius disciple of Lishan, his status was far inferior to Chen Changsheng’s. However, their conversation did not turn into a so-called cordial chat or friendly meeting. Naturally, it was not filled with the sharp sword intent and hostility of years past either. They simply talked.
This conversation was truly simple.
“Did only you come from Lishan?”
“It’s just a formality. Why send so many people?”
“Why you?”
“It doesn’t matter who comes.”
“Then you might as well have sent Qijian.”
“Do you have any shame?”
Su Moyu interjected very timely: “Watch your language.”
Guan Feibai glared at Chen Changsheng with some annoyance and asked, “Where’s Tang Tang?”
“What do you want with him?”
“To fight, of course.”
“’Sword testing’ sounds better.”
“Whatever you say.”
“He’s not here.”
“Where did he go?”
“Went home.”
“…What about Zhexiu?”
“…Fighting again?”
“…Sword testing.”
“He’s not here.”
“Where did he go?”
“Don’t know.”
Hearing Chen Changsheng’s answers, Guan Feibai fell silent.
He only then realized that Tang Thirty-Six and Zhexiu were both not in the National Academy.
He could imagine how hard these days had been for Chen Changsheng in the National Academy.
“Then I’ll be going.”
“No need to see you out.”
Since the people he wanted to see weren’t there, and the fight he wanted to have couldn’t happen, it was only natural to leave. But before leaving, Guan Feibai had a request.
He said to Chen Changsheng, “See me out.”
Chen Changsheng shook his head and said, “No.”
Guan Feibai insisted, “Just see me to the academy gate.”
Chen Changsheng said, “No.”
If he saw Guan Feibai to the gate, many people would see it.
Guan Feibai wanted people to see.
Chen Changsheng didn’t want to drag Lishan into this muddy water, so he insisted.
Guan Feibai thought for a moment and said, “Then I’m off.”
Chen Changsheng said, “Thank you.”
Guan Feibai walked towards the academy gate without looking back, waving his hand and saying, “You’re welcome.”
…
…
Tang Tang had returned to Wenshui. Where had Zhexiu gone? No one knew.
The imperial court naturally hadn’t forgotten this young Wolf clan powerhouse. The secret agents of the Qingli Department had never stopped searching for him, but they had found nothing, just like with Wang Po.
The courtyard in the alley off the North Bingma Division Street had been completely restored. The leveled ground was covered with fresh soil, waiting only for spring to plant a layer of turf.
In the deepest part of the night, a layer of frost formed on the ground. From deep within the soil came the faintest sound of friction, like silkworms chewing mulberry leaves, like countless earthworms desperately burrowing deeper before the harsh winter arrived.
When autumn is at its deepest, winter arrives.
The grand celebration of the North-South confluence ended smoothly, but the various envoys showed no intention of leaving the capital, because the Pope’s illness grew worse with each passing day.
In the courtyard, Zhou Tong looked at the withered crabapple tree and murmured, “It’s time.”
For some people, it was time.
The accountant at the tea house south of the city bid farewell one by one to the owner, the manager, and the waitstaff, then walked out the door.
In just over ten days of getting along, everyone in the entire tea house, from the owner and manager to the most ordinary waiter, had developed a deep reluctance to see him go.
Chen Changsheng placed his brush back on the inkstone, blew on the paper to dry the ink, sealed it, and handed it to Su Moyu. He walked out of the scripture library.
Su Moyu watched his retreating figure, knowing that after this parting today, it might be hard to see him again.
…
…
(When writing about the night at the Heavenly Book Mausoleum, I mentioned three squirrels… and then… the Three Squirrels company sent me a big box of nuts… I’d like to express my thanks here. Today I mentioned so many “where to’s,” hmm, could there be free plane tickets or something? Of course, that’s a joke. I wish everyone good health and a smooth life. Let’s strive to meet every day in the book.)