"Every person is born a little person."
The Pope smiled as he used his hands to measure the length. "But people will grow up. There are some things that, as long as one is willing to learn, one can definitely learn."
Chen Changsheng was well-versed in the Daoist Canon. Whether it was the path of the sword or any other skill, he had always been able to learn them with a single try. His talent and comprehension were both excellent, so what could he not learn?
Hearing the Pope's words, he very naturally thought of the conversation he had with the Pope in the library three days after the Mausoleum of Books … but the books of the world were as vast as the sea and knowledge as numerous as the stars. Carpentry, farming, herbalism, tailoring, repairing courtyards — there were many, many things that needed to be learned. Why must one learn how to be a powerful person?
"What if I don't want to learn?" he seriously asked the Pope. "Doesn't this mean that I'm not a good candidate for the Pope?"
The Pope smiled. "This deduction naturally has its reasons, but even if you're not willing to learn now, a period of silence is fine."
Chen Changsheng did not even think before straightforwardly refusing. "I cannot do it, because this cannot be a period of time. Master requires my true obedience."
The Pope calmly looked into his eyes and asked, "You're not willing, even if it's only on the surface?"
In the view of the people of the present day, master and disciple were like father and son. As a student, obeying their teacher was a matter of heaven and earth. As a teacher, if they didn't want you to do something or have you stay silent for a few days, even if they wanted you to be captured or even commit suicide on the spot, you should unhesitatingly accept. This was the duty of a student.
Chen Changsheng did not think this way.
"Yes, I'm not willing."
The Pope asked, "Why?"
Chen Changsheng had never thought of this question. It was just that on that night in the Mausoleum of Books, when he first saw his master and learned of the entire matter, he began to have his own thoughts.
"Perhaps … it's because I don't like the things Master does."
"In other words, you like the Empress's way of doing things?"
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 sun rose and he carried the Tianhai Divine Empress's body down from the Mausoleum of Books.
It also referred to the sealing of the Orthodox Academy for several days, the defiance of the decree, and the Imperial Court's inability to do anything to him.
The Pope's question was also the question of countless people in the capital. Eunuch Lin had asked it, Su Moyu had asked it, and many people had asked Chen Changsheng.
Ever since he had come to the capital from Xining Village, he had always been the successor to the Orthodoxy, simultaneously living his life in opposition to the Tianhai Divine Empress.
There was no affection between him and the Tianhai Divine Empress.
He was not Crown Prince Zhaoming, so he was naturally not her son.
So, why?
Chen Changsheng said, "The Empress was misled by Master and misunderstood my identity, which is why she took me to be her son, which is why so many things happened in the Mausoleum of Books that night."
If not for the fact that she had to defy the heavens and change his fate, the Divine Empress really might have been able to obtain victory in this great upheaval. At the very least, she would have been able to preserve her life.
The Pope replied, "Since it was a misunderstanding, her sacrifice was for your senior brother, not for you. There is no need for you to bear this kindness."
"I understand what you mean. But on the Mausoleum of Books, at least for a period of time, she truly treated me as her son, cherished me. "
Chen Changsheng fell silent for a very long time, then said, "I don't know what sort of people my parents were. Since she truly once treated me as her son, I treated her as my mother."
The Pope sighed and said no more.
Since he treated Tianhai as his mother, he naturally had to send her off in her place.
No one could cross this line.
Chen Changsheng continued, "As for Master … since he never treated me as his disciple from the very beginning, I will not recognize him as my master."
The Pope smiled at him. "Reasonable."
Having said the two things he wanted to say the most, Chen Changsheng felt refreshed from inside out and prepared to bid farewell.
The Pope glanced at the sky between the eaves and said, "It's about to snow. Remember to bring an umbrella."
Chen Changsheng was not very clear on whether these words had any deeper meaning, but he was somewhat worried that this elder that had cared for him so much would become disheartened by his departure.
He said to the Pope, "Martial Uncle, in the end, the Li Palace still needs a new master. Does Your Holiness not feel that Principal Mao is very suitable?"
The Pope looked at him and said, "If you were suitable, then it could be done. How could I let you leave?"
Chen Changsheng replied, "I'm not suitable."
The Pope smirked at him and asked, "How is it not suitable?"
It was impossible to say. Even Chen Changsheng's opponents could not say why he was not suitable to succeed the Pope.
He was a legitimate successor of the Orthodoxy, well-versed in the Daoist Canon, extremely talented, of even higher seniority, and with a pure, calm, and benevolent personality, he was the best candidate for the Pope.
In the past, there might have been people who would argue about his age — he was still too young — but now, the south already had a Holy Maiden that was even younger than him.
"I'm too immature, young and impulsive, easily delaying important matters."
Chen Changsheng gazed at the gloomy sky outside the hall and thought about the young and impulsive matter he was about to do in a little while. He was somewhat nervous and uneasy.
"This is the reason I chose you."
The Pope sighed, "If you are as mature and steady as a block of wood in your youth, then in the future, you will at most be a second me. To the Orthodoxy, to all living beings, what meaning would that have?"
Chen Changsheng understood and seriously said, "Regardless of whether I stay or not, I will diligently cultivate according to Martial Uncle's requirements."
The Pope knew that he understood and was very gratified. "If you leave the capital, remember to take my treasure with you."
Chen Changsheng followed his gaze and realized that it was that pot of Green Leaf.
… …
… …
Chen Changsheng left the Li Palace.
This news once more spread to the entire capital in an extremely short amount of time.
The courtyard in the alley of the Northern Military Department was naturally the first place to receive the news.
Zhou Tong sat in his palace armchair, his left hand holding a red clay teapot while his right hand lightly stroked the top of the pot. He looked at the ground and expressionlessly asked, "Where did he go?"
Several officials glanced at each other, then said somewhat uncertainly, "All three routes have confirmed that he entered the Wei Estate."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Tong raised his head and squinted at his subordinates, his voice slightly shrill as he asked, "The Wei Estate?"
The officials hurriedly replied, "Milord, there is absolutely no mistake."
Zhou Tong knew that his subordinates could not be mistaken.
It was just that for a moment, he could not remember which estate the Wei Estate belonged to.
And he could not understand why, after Chen Changsheng had left the Orthodox Academy and the Li Palace, he had not come to the alley of the Northern Military Department … to kill him.
Just what sort of place was the Wei Estate?
The Department for Purging Officials had not reacted, nor had all the factions of the capital, the Prince of Xiang, the Prince of Zhongshan, Xu Shiji, and even the Li Palace.
Chen Changsheng had already arrived deep within the Wei Estate.
Snow had finally fallen from the sky, gradually covering the grass.
Just like the face of the master of the Wei Estate, it was very pale.
Chen Changsheng looked at this person and said, "Greetings, Lord Wei."
Lord Wei said in a trembling voice, "Greetings, Principal Chen. For what noble purpose have you come to this lowly official's household?"
Chen Changsheng's eyes were very bright, his attitude very proper, his voice very sincere.
"I've come to kill you."
… …
… …
(Those two sentences that Chen Changsheng said to the Pope were what I valued the most. Because I was worried that there would not be a suitable scene in the future, even if it was somewhat disruptive, I still placed it before killing Zhou Tong.)
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