Chapter 83: Chapter 82: Netherworld, Heaven and Earth Resonate Together
The spirit of the Great Scholar believed that Chen Xu’s remark "Love knows not where it begins" had expressed the ultimate essence of "love."
Yet he heard Chen Xu slowly and with great power, utter another set of soul-stirring words:
"The second speculation, still related to the concept of love, but it’s no longer the love between a man and a woman, but a profound love for the mortal world.
What could make a Great Scholar abandon his ambitions, forsaking the path of conquering the world?
I pondered endlessly, the choice of a fox-wife should be a choice, but should not be the reason.
The real possible reason can only be one, and that is... the so-called serving a wise ruler to aid the world may not truly be aiding at all.
Senior, if you find that the path you chose is not the path you truly want,
would you have the courage to break off and change your course?"
With this question, the spirit of the Great Scholar was momentarily speechless: "I, I..."
He seemed about to float backwards.
Yet, ultimately he remained where he was, looking at the calm young man in front of him, his soul turning over and over, suddenly there emerged a stirring feeling like clouds and waves rising.
He was no longer tongue-tied and loudly declared, "Why should I not dare?
It is merely a brave man’s resolution, if indeed a wrong choice is made, it must be corrected in time, even if it means shattering to pieces!"
"Indeed, I believe, this must have been your choice back then. Why gave up on your ambition at that time?
Pondered again and again, this is the most unresolved point."
Then the young man in front of him softly recited:
"Ask not of dukedom and marquisate, for behind every victory, countless bones have rotted!"
...
At this moment, when the chant ended, it seemed as if both heaven and earth, and the Netherworld River’s waves, fell silent.
An indescribable feeling of shock surged at this moment, sweeping over the hearts of all who heard.
Its ferocity surpassed even the mighty waves of the Netherworld River.
And above that great river, nine chain-like fire dragons quietly lay dormant without knowing when.
No more sound of chains clanking and fiercely rattling.
The body of the floating Great Scholar’s spirit landed on the ground unknowingly, his once majestic aura now rolling with green energy.
His entire form trembled, as if attempting to break free from some distant chaos, shouting something into the air.
He made no sound, but Feng Yuanbai could no longer restrain himself and was about to turn around.
Not for anything else, just an overwhelming urge to see the expression on the young man behind him who spoke the line "behind every victory, countless bones have rotted" at this very moment.
If he couldn’t see it, wouldn’t he have wasted his presence at this grand occasion?
In this life, he feared he would beat his chest and stamp his feet, overwhelmed with regret!
Suddenly, a hand reached out from behind and firmly pressed down on his head.
Feng Yuanbai couldn’t help but shout, "Chen Xu!"
This call startled the trembling Great Scholar’s spirit, who suddenly stepped forward and grasped Chen Xu’s arms, saying: "Is this a poem, right?
This poem must have a complete set, doesn’t it?
Do you already have the full text of the poem in your heart?
Write it down, write it down!"
Seeing that Chen Xu did not respond, he hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, it’s paper and pen. Paper and pen, I have them, I have."
Saying this, he fumbled inside the lapel of his robe, found nothing, and then quickly reached into his sleeve pocket.
Still finding nothing, he seemed as if struck by lightning, his body trembling.
Then he wept: "I brought nothing into life, and take nothing after death.
I am a spirit, not a ghost, and after death, I have nothing at all.
I have nothing..."
Lack of a single coin is not the pain, but the inability to pen down that complete poem is truly agonizing.
Amidst this intense anguish, the County Magistrate Feng’s voice cautiously sounded, "Senior, I... I, the humble junior have brought paper and pen with me."
"You have paper and pen?" came a loud shout, "Why didn’t you say earlier? Quickly, take them out!"
How could Feng Yuanbai dare to delay?
He hurriedly took out his seal from his sleeve pocket, and with a flick of his fingers, pen, ink, paper, and inkstone fell out of the seal.
The spirit of the Great Scholar brushed with his sleeve, rolling up the paper and pen and handing them to Chen Xu, then he spun around and positioned his back to Chen Xu.
This Great Scholar from thirty years ago said aloud: "Young Friend Chen, although we have paper and pen here, there is no desk, but that’s no matter.
You and I can emulate the ancients, use the stone wall as a desk, and still write poetry."
Chen Xu was dumbfounded, what stone wall as a desk? You’re using your back as the desk!
It is said that the ancients wrote poetry on donkey backs in difficult conditions, also considered free-spirited and leisurely.
But now using the back of a Great Scholar as a writing desk to compose poetry, what should this be called?
Chen Xu felt he was creating a new anecdote, yet he did not refuse the Great Scholar’s spirit.
Why shouldn’t he write? He dared!
Xuan paper was laid upon the spirit’s back, and Chen Xu laughed heartily, saying: "Senior, pardon the intrusion."
Over thirty years ago, a vaguely recorded battle broke out in the Great Li Southern Border.
Chen Xu did not know the exact cause of this battle but had read a brief account in historical records:
"King of Cangjiang rebelled due to tax issues, the Emperor dispatched ten thousand chariots to suppress him. The King was defeated and executed by dismemberment."
Chen Xu lifted the pen and dipped it in ink.
The pen flew like dragons and snakes, its power concentrated like a mighty force.
As the words took shape, the Great Scholar’s spirit before him responded, loudly reciting:
"The waters and mountains are drawn into the war map, how can the common people enjoy their livelihoods?
Ask not of dukedom and marquisate, for behind every victory, countless bones have rotted.
It is said that a battle causes gods to worry, when strong troops cross the banks without cease.
Who says Cangjiang is always peaceful, when lately blood flows in its currents?"
After reciting, tears flowed down his cheeks.
A strand of cyan smoke rose from his back, soaring into the sky.
Unlike an illusory mist, it seemed like a cyan dragon ascending, straight up to the Netherworld.
The mighty dragon roared "Kang" with exaltation.
Then came a loud laughter: "The waters and mountains are drawn into the war map, how can the common people enjoy their livelihoods?
Ask not of dukedom and marquisate, for behind every victory, countless bones have rotted!
Hahaha... behind every victory, countless bones have rotted, why did I retreat a step?
Why did I fail near completion?
It’s because I couldn’t bear it, but I’m not a coward, not timid, nor failing.
Behind every victory, countless bones have rotted! How can the common people enjoy their livelihoods...
How could I bear it?
If I could bear it, then why did I study, why did I write, why pursue the path?"
His passionate voice echoed throughout the Netherworld, the murky lands, only the sound of the wind howling, and the great river surging.
The Netherworld River, unbeknownst to when, began to flow again.
In both the heavens and the earth, it seemed there were countless faint chants rising: "The waters and mountains are drawn into the war map..."
Strange shadowy texts fell from the mysterious void, each word difficult to perceive but seemed to contain profound meaning.
A dim world, a grand scene.
The chanting voice was mysterious and vast, yet a clear voice pierced through all obscurity, traversing the long night’s ignorance.
"My life is finite, while knowledge is infinite.
At thirty-nine years old, I found my path at the Southern Border.
I created the ’Koushi Collection.’
My name is Ji Weizi!"
In the howling wind, the ethereal figure with a tall cap and broad sash became tangible.
He turned to face Chen Xu, his long eyebrows extending to his temples, wearing a gentle smile.
He said: "Brother Chen, from now on, in this Netherworld, you shall be my close friend."
At the same time, the Food Cauldron Celestial Book suddenly flipped open.