Chapter 731: Master-Disciple Battle of Intent
Your life belongs to me.
When he said these words, Shang Xingzhou's expression was very calm, as if he were stating the simplest yet most unquestionable truth in the world.
Like the sun rising in the east and setting in the west, like the stars remaining eternal and unchanging, like eggs being best fried in vegetable oil.
Hearing this, Chen Changsheng naturally recalled the most famous scene from the turmoil at Mount Li that year.
Ruler and subject, father and son, master and disciple—these were the three hardest rules to break in the world.
Back then, the head of the Qiu family had spoken the words "father and son," and even someone as remarkable as Qiu Shanjun, in order to break those two words, had no choice but to stab a sword through his own chest.
What was Chen Changsheng supposed to do?
In truth, everyone knew that once the contradiction between master and disciple fully erupted, Shang Xingzhou would inevitably use the bond of master and disciple to crush him. Su Moyu and the teachers and students of the National Academy, as well as the clergy in the Li Palace, were all deeply worried about this, yet they could not think of a good way for Chen Changsheng to deal with it.
Chen Changsheng had naturally prepared himself mentally for this, having imagined such a scene many times, so he was not surprised.
He didn't speak, mostly because he was reminiscing.
Listening to his master's voice, recalling the scenes at Mount Li, gazing at the winter trees by the lake, remembering what Tang Thirty-Six had said.
That was a long time ago.
At that time, he and Tang Thirty-Six stood atop a large banyan tree, looking at the capital under the setting sun, the Imperial Palace nearby, and the Li Palace in the distance.
Tang Thirty-Six had said many things, many words of caution, which could also be understood as speaking ill of his master.
Then, Chen Changsheng remembered that night when the Pope returned to the Starry Sea, walking alone on the snow-covered grounds of the Li Palace for a long time.
Before that, he had already told the Pope how he would understand and handle this master-disciple relationship.
He was not Qiu Shanjun, and Shang Xingzhou was not the head of the Qiu family. The method of stabbing oneself with a sword was meaningless.
He didn't know that his senior brother, Yu Ren, had tried a similar method in the Imperial Palace, and even if he had known, he wouldn't have imitated it.
Because this method had to be built on a foundation—the head of the Qiu family cherished Qiu Shanjun, and Shang Xingzhou cherished Yu Ren.
Chen Changsheng calmly confirmed a cold fact: his master had never liked him.
The moment he fully understood this, he gained true freedom and peace.
So, just as he had told the Pope, and just as Tang Thirty-Six had taught him, he would speak.
"Thank you," Chen Changsheng said, looking at Shang Xingzhou.
Regardless of those disgusting and ugly schemes, the shameless harm done to an infant, you saved me in the creek and raised me, so... thank you.
And then, there was no more.
He looked calmly across the snowy ground, his eyes bright, without saying another word.
After a long silence, Shang Xingzhou narrowed his eyes slightly and said slowly, "That's it?"
Chen Changsheng thought for a moment and asked, "Do you want me to pay back the living expenses from all these years? Then, how much is it in total?"
As he spoke, his expression was very serious, as if he were not joking at all.
Because this matter was simply not something to joke about.
Even if I admit you saved my life, I've already thanked you. What more do you want?
Living expenses? Name the price. I'll pay it all back. I have money now, and I have a particularly wealthy friend.
Back then, atop the banyan tree, when Tang Thirty-Six said these words, his brows flew up as if they were about to burn in the twilight, brimming with smugness.
Chen Changsheng recalled that scene, and the corners of his lips couldn't help but lift.
Shang Xingzhou also began to laugh.
His laughter was very clear and bright, completely out of step with his age and experience, utterly unlike the silent, unremarkable middle-aged Daoist in Chen Changsheng's memory.
The snow piled on the banyan tree rustled down.
The laughter abruptly stopped.
"In this entire world, only the three of us—master and disciples—know why I won't let you stay in the capital."
Shang Xingzhou looked at Chen Changsheng coldly and said, "Because you are His Majesty's only weakness, or rather, his only vulnerability."
Many people didn't understand why Shang Xingzhou's attitude toward Chen Changsheng was so harsh. That was because they didn't know the bond between Yu Ren and Chen Changsheng.
A few days ago, when heavy snow was falling, the young Emperor stood in the snow, blocking Shang Xingzhou's path. The jade pendant tributed by the head of the Qiu family swayed gently. His decisiveness and will temporarily preserved Chen Changsheng's life, but also deepened Shang Xingzhou's wariness.
If someone in the future used Chen Changsheng to threaten Yu Ren, what would happen?
Of course, now Chen Changsheng was already the Pope of the National Religion. In principle, no one could use him anymore.
But if Chen Changsheng himself developed other ideas, with the power of the Pope combined with Yu Ren's feelings for him, what would the outcome be?
Chen Changsheng understood but did not accept it. He said seriously to Shang Xingzhou, "Master, you should know very well that I am not that kind of person."
Shang Xingzhou's expression did not change. He said, "People change."
He had lived in this world for a thousand years, seen too many changes in scenery, the seas turning into mulberry fields, and too many changes in people's hearts.
He knew very well that with changes in status and power, sometimes even just because of seating arrangements, once-loyal subordinates would harbor rebellious thoughts, once-comrades-in-arms would turn their swords on each other, and brothers turning against each other was nothing new in the history of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Chen Changsheng had not seen those old affairs in the storms; he was still a young man like the fresh wind of early spring.
Even though he had now seen much decay and darkness.
He said seriously to Shang Xingzhou, "I will not become that kind of person."
Shang Xingzhou said, "I don't believe you."
Chen Changsheng said, "Then couldn't you yourself covet the throne?"
Shang Xingzhou said, "No, because that would go against the true intent of my Dao heart."
Chen Changsheng said, "Master, you believe you can follow your heart's intent and will never covet worldly power and glory. Then why don't you believe me?"
Shang Xingzhou said, "Because I know very well where my heart's intent lies. But you are still too young. You don't even know what your own heart's intent is. How can you hold to it?"
Chen Changsheng now naturally knew that his master's lifelong pursuit was to fulfill the late Emperor Taizong's will—to destroy the demon race, secure a truly bright future for humanity, and lay an eternal foundation for the Great Zhou, regardless of the cost...
How many of those portraits in the Lingyan Pavilion, those legendary heroes depicted in them, had died at the hands of that Daoist Ji?
How many had already died to overthrow Empress Tianhai's rule, and how many more would die?
Shang Xingzhou firmly believed that everything he did was right, that he himself was right, without any guilt or pressure.
His Dao heart was always clear, light as a feather, turning freely, soaring to the azure sky and roaming the seven seas, yet also firm as a rock. What could a flood of heaven and earth do to him?
Chen Changsheng also cultivated the way of following the heart's intent, so he naturally understood.
Because he understood, he did not feel compassion; instead, a sharpness arose within him.
He clearly saw the only flaw in Shang Xingzhou's Dao method.
The old temple in Xining Town had taught him much, and Shang Xingzhou had also taught him much.
"You don't like me because I am Senior Brother's only vulnerability, but there is an even more important reason."
Chen Changsheng looked into his master's eyes and said, "You are afraid to see me."