Your life is mine.
As he said this, Shang Xingzhou's expression was very calm. It was like he was speaking of the world's simplest and most unquestionable truth.
Just like how the sun rose in the east and set in the west, the starry sky would never change, and eggs were best fried in vegetable oil.
Upon hearing this, Chen Changsheng very naturally recalled the most famous scene from the internal strife of Mount Li that year.
Ruler and subject, father and son, master and disciple — these were the three most difficult laws to break through in the world.
At the time, the Qiushan clan head had said the words' father and son ', and even someone as extraordinary as Qiushan Jun had been forced to stab through his own chest in order to break through these two words.
What should Chen Changsheng do?
In truth, everyone knew that once the conflict between master and disciple completely exploded, Shang Xingzhou would assuredly use the bond of master and disciple to smash it down. Su Moyu, the teachers and students of the Orthodox Academy, and the priests of the Li Palace were all deeply concerned, but none of them could think of a good way to deal with it for Chen Changsheng.
Chen Changsheng had naturally mentally prepared himself for this. He had imagined this scene many times, so he was not surprised.
He did not speak, mostly because he was remembering.
Hearing his master's voice, thinking of Mount Li, looking at the winter trees by the lake, thinking of Tang Thirty-Six's words.
That was a matter from a very long time ago.
At the time, he and Tang Thirty-Six had stood on the great banyan tree, gazing at the capital under the setting sun, the nearby Imperial Palace, and the distant Li Palace.
Tang Thirty-Six had said many things, many things related to vigilance, but they could also be understood as bad things about his master.
Soon after, Chen Changsheng recalled that night when the Pope returned to the sea of stars. He had walked alone on the snowy ground of the Li Palace for a very long time.
Before that, he had already told the Pope how he would understand and treat this relationship between master and disciple.
He was not Qiushan Jun, and Shang Xingzhou was not the Qiushan clan head. There was no meaning in killing himself.
He did not know that his senior brother Yu Ren had tried a similar method in the Imperial Palace, and even if he knew, he would not have tried it.
Because this method had to be established on a certain foundation: the Qiushan clan head loved Qiushan Jun, and Shang Xingzhou loved Yu Ren.
Chen Changsheng very calmly confirmed a cruel fact: his master had never liked him.
The moment he completely understood this matter, he obtained true freedom and peace.
Then just like he had said to the Pope, just like Tang Thirty-Six had taught him, speak.
"Thank you," Chen Chang Sheng looked at Shang Xingzhou and said.
Regardless of those disgusting and ugly plots and the shameless harm to the baby, you saved me in the stream and raised me. So … thank you.
Then, there was no then.
He looked calmly at the opposite side of the snowy ground. His eyes were bright, and he did not say another word.
After a long period of silence, Shang Xingzhou narrowed his eyes and said slowly, "That's it?"
Chen Chang Sheng thought for a while and asked, "You want to get back your living expenses from these years? How much is the total? "
When he spoke, his expression was very serious. It didn't seem like he was joking at all.
Because this matter was not something that could be joked about.
Even if I admit that you saved my life, I have already thanked you. What else do you want?
Living expenses? Tell me, I'll give it all back to you. I'm already rich, and I have a very rich friend.
Back then, on the big banyan tree, when Tang Thirty Six said these words, his eyebrows were raised as if they were about to burn in the twilight. He was very proud.
Chen Chang Sheng recalled the scene at that time and couldn't help but smile.
Shang Xingzhou also began to laugh.
His laughter was very clear and bright, completely at odds with his age and experience. It was completely different from the silent and unremarkable middle-aged Daoist in Chen Chang Sheng's memories.
The snow on the big banyan tree rustled down.
The laughter suddenly stopped.
"In the entire world, only you and I, master and disciple, know why I cannot let you stay in the capital."
Shang Xingzhou coldly said to Chen Chang Sheng, "Because you are His Majesty's only weakness, or loophole."
Many people did not understand why Shang Xingzhou's attitude towards Chen Chang Sheng was so unyielding. This was because they did not know of the relationship between Yuren and Chen Chang Sheng.
A few days ago, when the snow was swirling, the young emperor had stood in the snow, blocking Shang Xingzhou's path. The jade pendant the Qiushan clan head had offered as tribute gently swayed. His resolve and will had temporarily preserved Chen Chang Sheng's life, but it had also deepened Shang Xingzhou's apprehension.
In the future, if someone were to use Chen Chang Sheng to threaten Yuren, what would happen?
Of course, Chen Chang Sheng was already the Pope of the Orthodoxy. Logically speaking, no one could use him.
But if Chen Chang Sheng himself had other ideas, given the authority of the Pope and Yuren's affection for him, what would the result be?
Chen Chang Sheng understood, but he did not accept it. He solemnly said to Shang Xingzhou, "Master, you should be well aware that I am not this sort of person."
Shang Xingzhou's expression did not change. "People change."
He had lived in this world for one thousand years. He had seen far too many changes in scenery, the transformation of the sea into mulberry fields, and had seen far too many changes in people's hearts.
He was keenly aware that as one's status and authority changed, even if it was often just because of a change in seat, once loyal and devoted subordinates would turn traitor, once comrades who had gone through life and death with each other would turn against each other. In the history of the Great Zhou Dynasty, incidents like brothers falling out with each other were common occurrences.
Chen Chang Sheng had never seen those storms of the past. He was still a young man like the new wind of spring.
Even though he had already seen many things of decay and darkness.
He solemnly said to Shang Xingzhou, "I will not become that sort of person."
Shang Xingzhou replied, "I don't believe you."
Chen Chang Sheng asked, "Then does that mean that Master will not covet the throne?"
Shang Xingzhou replied, "I won't, because that would go against the original intent of my Dao heart."
Chen Chang Sheng asked, "Master, you believe that you can follow your heart, that you will not covet the glory and power of the world, so why don't you believe me?"
Shang Xingzhou replied, "Because I am keenly aware of where my heart lies, and you are still too young. You simply do not know where your heart lies, so how can you maintain it?"
Chen Chang Sheng now naturally knew that his master's lifelong pursuit was to complete Emperor Taizong's dying wish, to exterminate the demons, to seek a truly bright future for the Human race, to establish a foundation for the Great Zhou that would never change. For this, he would not hesitate to pay any price …
Those portraits in the Lingyan Pavilion, those legendary ministers depicted in those portraits, just how many of them had died at Daoist Ji's hand?
In order to overthrow the Tianhai Divine Empress's rule, just how many people had died in this world, and just how many more would die?
Shang Xingzhou firmly believed that what he had done was correct, firmly believed that he was correct. He felt no guilt, much less any pressure.
His Dao heart had always been clear, light as a feather, able to turn as he wished. Ascending the blue sky to swim the seven seas, also like a boulder. Even if a flood soared to the heavens, what could it do?
Chen Chang Sheng also cultivated the Dao of following one's heart, so he naturally understood.
Because they understood, they would not be compassionate. They would only develop a sharp spirit.
He could clearly see the only flaw in Shang Xingzhou's Dao.
Xining Village's old temple had taught him much, and Shang Xingzhou had also taught him much.
"You don't like me because I am Senior's only flaw, but there is an even more important reason."
Chen Chang Sheng looked into his master's eyes and said, "You are afraid to see me."
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