Ze Tian Ji (Way of Choices)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

Using the array left behind by Zhou Dufu to harness the true strength of the Heavenly Tome Monoliths against Shang Xingzhou had been Chen Changsheng's plan from the start.

During those nights in the Li Palace's stone chamber, he had become extremely familiar with the ins and outs of this plan.

But in the original plan, he would have already set up the South Stream Temple sword array around the Mausoleum of Zhou by now.

Several thousand renowned swords would have returned to the plains, balancing out the four Heavenly Tome Monoliths, ensuring that the Garden of Zhou would not collapse.

If all these plans had been realized, he had a seventy percent chance of defeating his master.

Alas, all this swords had been snatched away by Shang Xingzhou, naturally reducing his chances of victory.

Crucially, without the timeworn sword intents of the several thousand swords to suppress them, the clear streams of light emanating from the Heavenly Tome Monoliths would probably destroy the Garden of Zhou before they defeated Shang Xingzhou.

Shang Xingzhou had needed only a glance to see through Chen Changsheng's intentions and understand the situation.

Thus, he would not retreat, and he certainly would not concede.

He would persist until the end, would even be willing to trigger the restrictions of the Garden of Zhou.

Chen Changsheng could continue using the Heavenly Tome Monoliths to attack until he won, but the Garden of Zhou might be destroyed before that happened.

…Unless Chen Changsheng wanted to take these four Heavenly Tome Monoliths and leave the Garden of Zhou as quickly as possible.

But once he returned to the real world, he would no longer have the seal of the Garden of Zhou, could not use the strength of the Heavenly Tome Monoliths, and he had no swords… How could Chen Changsheng possibly defeat him then?

It was a multiple-choice question.

Shang Xingzhou calmly stared at Chen Changsheng.

The lights spilling down from the sky were halted by his palm while clouds and winds engaged in a cycle of creation and destruction.

At the end, everything in the world was often a multiple-choice question.

It truly made one feel fed up.

"Why is it always me that has to make the choice?"

Chen Changsheng was truly angry, or perhaps irritated. His voice was carried far into the distance by the winds.

Shang Xingzhou had an indifferent expression. It seemed like he had no intention of answering.

From Xining Village to the capital, from ten years old to now, he had answered far too many multiple-choice questions. It was truly very annoying.

He really wanted to ask his master, 'Aren't you annoyed after doing this all the time?'

In the end, however, he did not ask, because he knew that asking was meaningless.

Just like in the past, he was used to doing things, not talking.

No matter what choice he had to make.

Or perhaps, he wouldn't make a choice.

Yes, today, he truly didn't want to make another choice.

His eyes were exceptionally bright, just like that moon hanging over Xunyang City.

His spiritual sense flew through the air into Shang Xingzhou's sleeve, attempting to seize back the Vault Sheath.

Even if he couldn't, he at least had to re-establish connection with the swords inside the sheath.

He was confident that once those swords perceived his spiritual sense, they would definitely follow his will, flying out of the sheath to appear in this world.

And yet, he failed.

His face went white, like the snow covering the wasteland.

A stream of blood trickled from his lips, a lonely winter plum in the snow.

Shang Xingzhou's right hand continued to hold up the sky.

As the wind ruffled his sleeves, one could faintly see that his left hand was holding the sheath.

Chen Changsheng's gaze was fixed there.

"A person's most authentic courage, intelligence, and temperament are most clearly on display when they make a choice."

Shang Xingzhou looked at him and said, "You have greatly disappointed me today, because you don't even have the courage to make a choice."

Chen Changsheng asked, "Since any choice is losing, why do I have to choose?"

Shang Xingzhou answered, "Because that is just your fate."

Many years ago, in Xining Village's old temple, he had said something to Chen Changsheng.

'You are sick. No one can cure it. That is just your fate.'

Today, again, he said something similar.

'No matter what you choose, you will lose. That is just your fate.'

Chen Changsheng gazed deep into the plains. He remained quiet for a very long time.

Shang Xingzhou calmly and quietly watched him.

After some time, Chen Changsheng looked back at Shang Xingzhou and said, "But my illness has been cured."

Yes, his illness had been cured.

He was still alive.

Thus, there was no such thing as fate.

Which meant that choices had meaning.

…Whether he won or lost.

……

……

It was very quiet, both inside and outside the Orthodox Academy.

Hundred Flowers Lane was packed with people, but there was no sound, not even a random noise.

Their faces were fraught with tension, anxiety, and concern.

By now, everyone knew that Shang Xingzhou and Chen Changsheng were fighting in the Garden of Zhou.

The crowd could not see sword glows or hear sword cries, and no one knew exactly what was happening inside.

However, Wang Po and the Prince of Xiang were experts of the Divine Domain, so space could not sever them from all information.

Why was it that they could not detect a single sword intent from within the Orthodox Academy?

The Prince of Xiang's face seemed ready to both cry and smile, making it impossible to tell what he was really feeling. However, the two hands holding up his plump belly began to subconsciously stroke his fat.

Wang Po thought of a certain possibility and his complexion turned rather dark.

Given his cultivation level, Tang Thirty-Six naturally could not tell what was happening in the Garden of Zhou, but he had been keeping a close watch on the changes in Wang Po's expression.

From start to finish, his gaze had been peering through a crack in the window at Wang Po's face.

This was his sole source of information at the moment.

The change in Wang Po's complexion allowed him to understand that the situation wasn't good, causing his own complexion to pale.

The shattered remains of a blue Ruyao porcelain cup could be found on the floor, along with water and tea leaves.

His hand gripped a tea pot, the tea in the pot already cold.

He put the tea pot to his mouth and drank down half a pot of cold tea, but he still could not slow his heartbeat, nor could he extinguish that fire in his heart.

He ran downstairs, pushing past Su Moyu, and ran all the way to the gate of the Orthodox Academy.

Linghai Zhiwang and the others were all surprised, wondering just what he intended to do.

Both the Imperial Court and the Li Palace had agreed to lock the gates of the Orthodox Academy. Only Wang Zhice, Shang Xingzhou, and Chen Changsheng could remain inside.

The Orthodoxy cavalry and black-armored cavalry were standing guard in the surroundings, as were countless cultivators, and even experts like Wang Po and the Prince of Xiang.

No one could even think about entering the Orthodox Academy at this time.

Tang Thirty-Six simply did not care about those unkind and warning gazes, and he certainly would not give those princes time to speak.

"Everyone, shut your mouths!

"This here is the Orthodox Academy, and I'm the academy superintendent! When Chen Changsheng isn't here, I'm the one with the most power!

"No one can enter because I won't agree to it! If I want to enter, whose agreement do I need?"

……

……

Hundred Flowers Lane was restless, sword intents rising in the air, and even a few crossbow bolts were arcing through the air.

Standing by the lake, Wang Zhice turned to look and saw Tang Thirty-Six.

Tang Thirty-Six guessed that he was Wang Zhice, but he did not offer his greeting. He immediately asked, "How do you get into the Garden of Zhou?"

It had been countless years since Wang Zhice encountered someone who knew his identity but simply didn't care. He was inevitably rather surprised, but then he became amused.

He opened his hand to reveal the black stone inside and explained, "This serves as the entrance."

Tang Thirty-Six demanded, "Give it to me."

His demand was concise and simple.

So much so that Wang Zhice blankly gazed at him for some time before reacting.

"Why?"

"The Garden of Zhou is Chen Changsheng's, so this thing is naturally also his."

"He was the one that gave it to me, and it was originally mine."

It was now Tang Thirty-Six's turn to blankly stare for a while before reacting.

"That it was originally yours means that it's no longer yours. And besides, how old are you now? He gives it to you and now you want it!"

Wang Zhice had never met such an unreasonable person before. He quickly guessed this fellow's background.

He said, "Not even your grandfather dares to speak to me like this."

"Duh. Who besides Emperor Taizong would dare treat you with disrespect?"

Tang Thirty-Six suddenly changed the topic, saying, "But I have to congratulate you today."

Wang Zhice asked, "Over what?"

"Congratulations for finally meeting someone other than Emperor Taizong who dares to curse at you."

Tang Thirty-Six sincerely said, "If you're not willing to give that thing to me, I'll curse your mother."

Wang Zhice perked his brows and said, "I am the judge for this match."

Tang Thirty-Six said, "You were invited by Shang Xingzhou. I don't trust you."

Wang Zhice replied, "The Pope trusts me."

Tang Thirty-Six asked, "What does that have to do with me?"

Wang Zhice calmly asked, "If I don't give it you, what will you do?"

Tang Thirty-Six's reply was simple and concise.

The Wenshui Sword left its sheath, carpeting the surface of the lake with thousands of golden leaves.

Wang Zhice's expression shifted.

It was not because of Tang Thirty-Six's sword.

It was because Tang Thirty-Six had reversed his sword.

To cut his own throat.