Chapter 699: A Small Principle
"Every person is born as a small child."
The Pope smiled and gestured with both hands to indicate a length. "But people grow up. As long as one is willing to learn, there are some things one can certainly master."
Chen Changsheng had thoroughly read the Daoist Canon. Whether in the way of the sword or other skills, he had always learned them at first glance, possessing exceptional talent and comprehension. What could there be that he couldn't learn?
Hearing the Pope's words, he naturally recalled the conversation he had with the Pope in the Scripture Depository three days after the Mausoleum of Heavenly Books... But the world's books were vast as the ocean, knowledge abundant as the stars. Carpentry, farming, planting herbs, tailoring, repairing courtyards—there were so many things to learn. Why must he learn how to be a great figure?
"What if I don't want to learn?" He looked seriously at the Pope. "Does this mean I'm not a good candidate for the Pope?"
The Pope smiled and said, "That inference naturally has its reasoning. But even if you refuse to learn now, it would be fine for you to just stay quiet for a while."
Without any thought, Chen Changsheng directly refused: "I can't do that, because it wouldn't just be a while. Master needs my genuine submission."
The Pope gazed quietly into his eyes and asked, "You're unwilling, even if it's just on the surface?"
In the eyes of the world today, master and disciple were like father and son. For a student to obey their teacher was only natural. If a teacher didn't ask you to do something but merely told you to remain silent for some time, even if they ordered you to surrender without a fight or even take your own life on the spot, you should accept without hesitation—that was the student's duty.
Chen Changsheng didn't think so.
"Yes, I'm unwilling."
The Pope asked, "Why?"
Chen Changsheng had never thought about this question. But that night at the Mausoleum of Heavenly Books, from the moment he first saw his master and learned the full truth of the matter, he had formed his own opinion.
"Perhaps... it's because I don't like the things Master has done."
"If that's the case, do you approve of Her Majesty's actions?"
Chen Changsheng shook his head.
The Pope asked, "Then why have you made this choice now?"
The "choice" here referred to that day when the morning sun first rose, and he carried the remains of Saintess Tianhai down the Mausoleum of Heavenly Books.
It also referred to the National Academy being sealed off for several days, defying the imperial decree, to the point that even the court could do nothing about him.
The Pope's question was also the question of countless people in the capital. Old Eunuch Lin had asked it, Su Moyu had asked it, and many others had asked Chen Changsheng.
Ever since he came to the capital from Xining Town, he had lived as the successor of the National Church and, at the same time, as the adversary of Saintess Tianhai.
There was no affection between him and Saintess Tianhai.
He was not Crown Prince Zhaoming, so naturally, he was not her son.
Then why?
Chen Changsheng said, "Her Majesty was misled by my master and mistook my identity. She thought I was her son, which caused so many things to happen that night at the Mausoleum of Heavenly Books."
If it hadn't been for trying to reverse his fate, Saintess Tianhai might have actually won in that great upheaval, or at least saved her own life.
The Pope said, "Since it was a misunderstanding, her sacrifice was for your senior brother, not for you. You don't need to bear that debt of gratitude."
"I understand your meaning. But at that time on the Mausoleum of Heavenly Books, at least for a while, she truly regarded me as her son and cared for me."
Chen Changsheng was silent for a long time before saying, "I don't know who my parents are. Since she once truly treated me as a son, I will treat her as a mother."
The Pope sighed and said nothing more.
Since he regarded Tianhai as his mother, then naturally he had to see to her funeral rites.
No one could override that.
Chen Changsheng continued, "As for my master... since from the very beginning he never saw me as a disciple, then I won't acknowledge him as my master either."
The Pope looked at him with a smile and said, "That makes sense."
Having spoken the two things he most wanted to say, Chen Changsheng felt refreshed from the inside out and prepared to take his leave.
The Pope glanced at the sky between the eaves and said, "It's going to snow. Remember to bring your umbrella."
Chen Changsheng wasn't sure if there was deeper meaning in these words. He was just a little worried that this elder, who had been so kind to him, might feel disheartened by his departure.
He said to the Pope, "Uncle Master, the Li Palace still needs a new master eventually. Don't you think Dean Mao is very suitable?"
The Pope looked at him and said, "If suitability alone could make things happen, why would I let you leave?"
Chen Changsheng said, "I'm not suitable."
The Pope looked at him with a hint of a smile and asked, "Where are you not suitable?"
He couldn't say. Even Chen Changsheng's opponents couldn't point out where he was unsuitable to succeed as Pope.
He was the orthodox successor of the National Church, had thoroughly read the Daoist Canon, possessed extraordinary talent, held a high seniority, and had a pure, gentle nature—he was the best candidate for Pope.
In the past, some might have brought up his age—after all, he was too young. But now the south already had a Saintess even younger than him.
"I'm too immature. Young and impulsive, I'm prone to messing up important matters."
Chen Changsheng looked at the gloomy sky outside the hall, thinking about the young and impulsive thing he was about to do, feeling both nervous and uneasy.
"That's exactly why I chose you."
The Pope said with emotion, "If you're in the prime of youth but already mature and steady as a block of wood, at best you'd just become another me. What meaning would that have for the National Church or for all living beings?"
Chen Changsheng understood and said seriously, "Whether I stay or not, I will diligently cultivate as you, Uncle Master, have instructed."
The Pope knew he had understood his meaning and was very gratified. He said, "If you're going to leave the capital, remember to take my treasure with you."
Chen Changsheng followed his gaze and realized he was referring to that pot of green leaves.
...
...
Chen Changsheng left the Li Palace.
This news once again spread throughout the entire capital in an extremely short time.
The courtyard on North Bingmasi Lane was naturally the first place to receive the news.
Zhou Tong sat in his armchair, holding a red clay teapot flat in his left hand, his right hand lightly stroking the front of its belly. He stared at the ground with an expressionless face and asked, "Where did he go?"
Several officials exchanged glances, then said somewhat uncertainly, "All three routes confirmed he entered the Wei Mansion."
Hearing this, Zhou Tong looked up, squinted at his subordinates, and asked in a slightly sharp voice, "Wei Mansion?"
The officials quickly replied, "Sir, there's absolutely no mistake."
Zhou Tong knew his subordinates wouldn't make a mistake.
He just couldn't recall for a moment which family the Wei Mansion belonged to.
And he couldn't understand why Chen Changsheng, after leaving the National Academy and the Li Palace, hadn't come to North Bingmasi Lane... to kill him.
What exactly was the Wei Mansion?
The Qingli Department hadn't reacted. All the powers in the capital—Prince Xiang, Prince Zhongshan, Xu Shiji, even the Li Palace—hadn't reacted either.
Chen Changsheng had already arrived deep inside the Wei Mansion.
The snow in the sky finally began to fall, gradually covering the grass.
Just like the face of the master of the Wei Mansion, it was very pale.
Chen Changsheng looked at this man and said, "Lord Wei, hello."
That Lord Wei said tremblingly, "Dean Chen, hello. May I ask what business you have at my humble home?"
Chen Changsheng's eyes were very bright, his attitude very proper, his voice very sincere.
"I've come to kill you."
...
...
(Chen Changsheng's two statements to the Pope are what I value most. Because I'm worried there won't be a suitable scene later, even if it somewhat disrupts the rhythm, I still placed them before killing Zhou Tong.)