Ze Tian Ji (Way of Choices)

Chapter 1041 – I See

‘Jiexing’ was Emperor Taizong’s old name in Tianliang County.

Ever since the Heavenly Tome Monoliths descended upon the world, there was no one who could ever surpass this man’s status in history.

For this reason, everyone on this continent, whether they were born before or after him, would always pay him the highest honor and respect.

Neither human nor demi-human, nor even those demon dukes in Xuelao City that hated him to the bone, would ever directly address him by his name.

But today, Black Robe had called it out, and he had even called him ‘little boy’.

Anyone could hear that his hatred for Emperor Taizong extended straight into the marrow of his bones.

“If time could forget all things of the past, what meaning would there be in our existences?”

Black Robe sneered at Wang Zhice, “You once said that you did not care about worldly affairs, but it looks to me like you still can’t let them go.”

Wang Zhice said, “Since you collaborated with people from the other race, this is no longer a worldly affair, but an affair that is beyond this world.”

Black Robe asked, “And so what?”

Wang Zhice replied, “As long as you are willing to give up on this insane way of thinking, I am willing to do anything for you.”

“Anything?”

Black Robe ridiculed, “I’ve seen your shameless cruelty. Did you think I would be fooled by you another time?”

After saying this, he turned and stalked toward that metropolis deep within the snowstorm.

The Demon Commander and the Demon Generals followed, while those massive figures in the black mists gradually faded away.

Wang Zhice gazed at Black Robe’s figure, an extremely complicated expression on his face.

……

……

The Demon Lord silently left White Emperor City, the entire process so peaceful that nobody noticed.

There were many human experts that wanted to kill the Demon Lord within the city, but nobody could touch him, as the White Emperor had loudly proclaimed a decree.

This decree was the exact same as Madam Mu’s, a word-for-word copy.

‘One who has come from afar is a guest.’

Anyone could understand what this meant.

Everything in the world needed to be in equilibrium.

In order to guard against the Human race becoming too strong on its own, the Demon race could not be weakened too much.

The Council of Elders remained silent, as did the Demi-human Court and experts like Xiaode, because this was His Majesty’s will. Only Jin Yulu, just like he did several hundred years ago, entered a fierce quarrel with the White Emperor, after which he was driven out of the Imperial City to continue his life tilling the fields.

Chen Changsheng and Tang Thirty-Six stood on the observation platform, looking into the hall.

The sun was extremely bright and the hall was extremely gloomy. It was difficult to clearly see anything within, only the ministers, generals, and elders prostrating on the ground in a dense wave.

Tang Thirty-Six recalled the bloody battle that had taken place around the courtyard. In a terrible mood, he sneered, “Is that what ‘the weak are reasonable’ means?”

Chen Changsheng said nothing, only sighed.

It didn’t take long for the court to conclude its session.

The ministers, generals, and elders began to file out. From a distance, they respectfully bowed at Chen Changsheng, then dispersed. No one dared to come forward and speak with them, not even the Bear tribe elder or the Shi clan leader. The circumstances today were completely different from the circumstances several nights ago in the Daoist church.

After several years, the White Emperor had finally returned to his city. There was no need for him to attempt any politics or strategy for the entire Demi-human race to unite under his will.

Moreover, the only person that could threaten his status, the Xiang clan leader, had died a violent death, and the Xiang clan itself was very unstable.

Chen Changsheng and Tang Thirty-Six entered the hall.

There was no seat for Chen Changsheng to sit on, but Tang Thirty-Six could not call this disrespectful, as the White Emperor was also not sitting.

“How is your grandfather doing?”

The White Emperor asked Tang Thirty-Six.

No matter how many silent curses he had, Tang Thirty-Six still responded very calmly and appropriately. There was nothing to criticize in either his courtesy or bearing.

But in the end, he still could not help but say a few words.

“I really can’t understand why he still loves to stir so many storms, even though he’s this old.”

He was clearly speaking of the Tang Old Master, but the object of his ridicule was the White Emperor.

The White Emperor ignored him. Turning to Chen Changsheng, he said a few words.

These words had a simple meaning that could easily be imagined.

It was just looking back on the extremely close and excellent relationship between both sides and an expression of hope that it could continue.

Lastly, the White Emperor said, “At Holy Maiden Peak, you and Zhexiu killed that fellow. It was excellent.”

This comment ended the conversation.

An attendant led Chen Changsheng and Tang Thirty-Six to Luoluo’s residence.

Chen Changsheng continued to ponder those final words.

Tang Thirty-Six explained, “He was speaking of the White Tiger Divine General. That fellow was also incredibly bold to dare call himself ‘White Tiger’. If not for the alliance between the two races, he would have been killed by the White Emperor ages ago. It wasn’t easy for the White Emperor to act, so he should truly be quite elated to see you kill him.”

As they reached that stone hall at the highest point, they saw a figure standing by the railing. Chen Changsheng was somewhat surprised, but he still went into the hall first.

Tang Thirty-Six naturally did not follow, instead walking toward the woman by the railing.

The stone hall was not of crude construction. Round windows and ebony partitions made the space appear very luxurious and beautiful.

Luoluo stood in front of a painting like a lonely white flower in a pot.

Her face was pale and her expression mournful. She looked very pitiful.

It was not merely because of the callousness of her mother and her death, nor was it just because of the parting soon to come. Many other things contributed to this sadness.

Chen Changsheng stood in front of her, remaining quiet for a very long time. Suddenly, he proposed, “Do you want to come with me?”

Luoluo lowered her head, saying nothing.

Drip, drip, drip. Tears splashed against the floor.

After a few moments, she raised her head and wiped the tears off with her sleeve. She revealed a sincere smile and replied, “Teacher, there’s no need.”

If Chen Changsheng had said ‘come with me’ instead of ‘do you want to come with me’, she might have followed him.

The latter was a proposal seeking her opinion. The former was an order.

As a student, how could she defy her teacher’s will?

Alas.

She very naturally leaned into Chen Changsheng’s chest.

Just like in the past.

Chen Changsheng didn’t know where to put his hand.

When he saw the trails of tears on her face, her dazzling smile, and her clear eyes, he thought of many things.

The walls of the Orthodox Academy, pockmarked by rain, the dazzling twilight visible from the great banyan tree, and that clear lake.

His hand fell.

But it was different from the past.

This time, his hand fell on her back.

……

……

A long time had passed, but Chen Changsheng had still not come out.

Tang Thirty-Six could not help but look to his side again.

Xu Yourong paid him no attention, and she also did not turn to look into the hall.

This was the highest place in the Imperial City, higher even than the observation platform.

Standing by the rail, she could clearly make out the observation platform.

She knew that a pear tree had once grown there.

She knew how touching the sight of pear blossoms bathed in rain was.

She had personally witnessed the sight not too long ago1. (TN: ‘Pear blossoms bathed in rain’ is a Chinese expression that means ‘weeping beauty’.)

Just who would not pity that young face drenched in tears?

Tang Thirty-Six finally could suppress himself no longer. “You…”

Xu Yourong impassively said, “Shut your mouth.”

Somewhat angry, Tang Thirty-Six said, “I…”

Xu Yourong lightly arched her brows, saying, “Even I cannot help but love her upon seeing her, much less him.”

1.’Pear blossoms bathed in rain’ is a Chinese expression that means ‘weeping beauty’.