Ze Tian Ji (Way of Choices)

Chapter 1135 – Respectful Praise

The sprinkling and misty drizzle gradually soaked Chen Changsheng’s collar and cheeks.

The weeds and old leaves thrown near the ditch shone with pearls of dew and looked rather pleasing to the eye.

As the sun moved across the sky, he finished working the field. The Daoist boy appeared again and indicated that he should follow.

At the end of the seemingly boundless field of herbs were several lush hills. Winding through the hilly paths, he was greeted by a cloud of steam. Quite a few hot springs could be seen bubbling out from between pine and cypress trees.

Chen Changsheng found himself anticipating a dip in the hot springs. Just as he was prepared to untie his outer clothes, he saw a figure in the steam.

The pine and cypress maintained their vigor in the steam, but the most vigorous of all was the special moss growing on the rocks in the hot springs.

This moss had a rather yellow shade, one that could even be called golden. It was precisely Golden Cash Fur, a type of plant described in the pharmacopoeias as being exceedingly rare.

The figure in the steam was currently gathering the Golden Cash Fur. They were being exceptionally prudent, focusing all their attention on this task.

A sudden breeze scattered the steam, allowing him to clearly see the sight.

Though he was bent over, he still gave off the feeling that he was standing straight. His hair was already graying, but it was still combed as neatly as it was in the past.

Chen Changsheng bowed and then stood to the side.

As time passed, the sun climbed higher in the sky, and the mist scattered. The Golden Cash Fur began to recede all on its own, looking no different from ordinary moss.

Shang Xingzhou passed the herb basket to an attending Daoist priest. He then took a cup of clear water from the Daoist boy and took a sip, after which he walked to a pavilion and sat down.

Chen Changsheng walked to the pavilion.

Shang Xingzhou did not even glance at him, nor did he ask him to sit. He straightforwardly asked, “What’s Bai Xingye up to?”

……

……

The battle of White Emperor City ten years ago was the only time this master and disciple had worked together.

Chen Changsheng had not known beforehand, as Xu Yourong had acted as a bridge between them, but the final result had been excellent.

Master and disciple, one inside and one outside, one out in the open and one hidden, had left a supreme expert like the White Emperor without anywhere to retreat. In the end, he was forced to go along with their plans and see all living beings. Together, they had killed two Angels of Sacred Light and extinguished Madam Mu. As for whether the White Emperor had shed any tears above the sea of clouds, nobody would ever know.

It appeared that Chen Changsheng’s train of thought was right. Since what Shang Xingzhou cared about the most was the northern expedition, he would definitely be concerned over the alliance between the humans and the demi-humans.

Chen Changsheng replied, “The White Emperor still does not want to put out too much strength. You could even say… there’s no sincerity in his cooperation. I’m concerned about what will happen afterward.”

The negotiations between the two sides and specific clauses were being handled by the officials of the court and the bishops of the Li Palace.

But one could tell from certain details that the White Emperor truly had no interest in this war. Perhaps one could call him weak and weary.

Through his relationship with Luoluo, Chen Changsheng had a greater understanding of the situation.

The Demi-human race was currently on the decline. Perhaps the situation would have been better if the White Emperor had not taken the chance back then to eliminate the Xiang clan.

None of the experts of the Demi-human race’s middle generation, Xiaode included, showed any signs of breaking through. This was far too lacking when compared to the Human race.

For at least three more years, the Demi-human race would still only have the White Emperor as their sole expert of the Divine Domain.

His safety was far too important to the Demi-human race, so he would never leave White Emperor City and the protection of the Red River’s array.

And besides, what benefit would the Demi-human race gain from helping the humans defeat the demons?

The problem was that the Human race was flourishing so much that the Demi-human race found it impossible to refuse their request for troops.

If Chen Changsheng were in the White Emperor’s place, he would have no idea how to handle the current situation.

In truth, an extremely simple solution had always existed for this problem.

Over the last ten years, this solution had been making its way around the world, obtaining the support of more and more people.

“The eight hundred li of the Red River, the thirty thousand li of rivers and mountains, and all the people of the Demi-human race are waiting for you to marry their princess. All levels of society support you, so why are you still hesitating?”

Shang Xingzhou asked.

Chen Changsheng wanted to say something but stopped himself.

Shang Xingzhou prodded, “Equal wives is not without precedent.”

Chen Changsheng shook his head.

Shang Xingzhou was not surprised at his answer, nor at the speed with which it was given.

“That’s right—there’s no need for that, and this matter is not as important as the people imagine.”

Chen Changsheng was a little puzzled at these words, thinking to himself, isn’t the alliance with the Demi-human race of utmost importance?

“In Taizong’s era, it was the weak fighting the strong, so we needed to unify all the strength that we could unify, but now it’s not necessary. The confluence of the north and south was a necessity because we share the same blood. If the demi-humans are willing to contribute their strength, that’s great, but it’s also fine if they don’t. It’s just a minor matter. When carrying out a task, one has to rely on oneself at the end. If we’re strong enough, what need is there to care about anything else?”

Shang Xingzhou was speaking these words for Chen Changsheng to hear, and also for everyone in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

The Monastery of Eternal Spring had always maintained communication with the Imperial Palace, and the emperor would often spend the new-year holidays at Luoyang, but it was said that Shang Xingzhou had never spoken a word on government policy.

In other words, this was the first time in ten years that Shang Xingzhou had spoken on worldly affairs.

His meaning was loud and clear. The stance toward the Demi-human race needed to be tough and unflinching.

Even if White Emperor City was not willing to send troops, this war would still proceed.

Chen Changsheng voiced the most important question.

“Why did Sir write a letter to Wang Po asking him to pick us up? How did Sir know that this was a scheme of Black Robe and the Eight Great Mountain Men?”

Shang Xingzhou replied, “Black Robe let me know on purpose.”

Chen Changsheng was dumbstruck. Just what was going on? Were the demons still suffering from internal strife? Did Black Robe and the Demon Commander want to use human experts to completely exterminate the last traces of the Grand Scholar’s line? But on second thought, with the demons in such perilous circumstances, could Black Robe do something so unwise?

Not even Shang Xingzhou could be sure what the real answer was. Was it because she was still a human? Or did Wang Zhice go to Xuelao City?

As Chen Changsheng awakened from his shock, he asked, “Just who is Black Robe?”

In the end, Shang Xingzhou did not answer this question.

Chen Changsheng was led away by the Daoist boy. He was taken to a small side courtyard, where he partook of a simple meal. Afterward, he received a box.

“Did the ancestor have you give this to me?”

He looked at the young Daoist boy and asked in shock.

The Daoist boy vigorously nodded and then ran out of the small courtyard. His flailing arms were quite the adorable sight.

Chen Changsheng was truly flabbergasted.

He couldn’t seem to recall a time when his master had ever sent him anything.

Those two items that had served as rare gifts ended up being nothing more than sorrowful groundwork for the future.

He somewhat nervously opened the box. Inside were two small and exquisite magical artifacts, seeming to primarily be made of bronze. After studying them for quite a while, he understood that these were communication artifacts made from the shards of the Clear Sky Mirror. Using the innate abilities of the Clear Sky Mirror, one could use these artifacts to communicate in real time over long distances.

These were extraordinary objects that were completely capable of being ranked on the Tier of Legendary Weapons. They had presumably been personally forged by Shang Xingzhou and had probably needed a great deal of energy and focus.

These precious magical artifacts should have been used on the battlefield, so why had his master given them to him?

His spiritual sense fell on the stone pearls at his wrist. A gray stone pearl brightened.

Xu Yourong’s voice came out from the pearl.

“Speak. I’m busy.”

Chen Changsheng explained what had happened.

Xu Yourong’s voice disappeared for a time, and then it spoke again.

“Perhaps… it was given to both of us.”

Chapter Notes:

Since Shang Xingzhou has, through his thoughts, revealed the gender of Black Robe, I will from now on be referring to Black Robe as a woman in the narration.