NOVPUBChapter 845 -460: Heading to Central Prefecture, The World Stirs! (6k2)
Seven Profound Town.
Upon the bustling town, Chen Mu and Yuan Hong strolled leisurely. No one took notice of them despite their presence in the streets and alleys, as though separated by two distinctly different worlds from the common folk.
Yuan Hong walked a few steps forward, glanced at the hustle and bustle of the alley, and with some nostalgic feeling said, “Once, the world was still peaceful. I was the princely heir of the King of North Garrison but had a passion for martial arts. I mingled with the lower ranks, interacted with various people, led gangs to eliminate bandits, and once ventured deep into a bandit’s lair alone to rescue those in peril. My father reprimanded me, saying that a son of nobility should not risk his life carelessly, but I replied that doing chivalrous deeds required courage. My father then said that if so, I should carry out tasks unreservedly.”
“Later, I was assigned to serve as Chief Constable of the City Defense Division, governing a region, then dispatched to the military of the North Garrison Government as a Colonel to engage in battles with foreign races beyond the pass. I also served as Inspector, supervising officials… I was diligent in all tasks, fulfilling my duties earnestly until I took charge of the Seal of the Northern King, and everything was deeply ingrained in my heart.”
Chen Mu walked alongside Yuan Hong, listening to his recollections without showing much change in expression. The rise of the King of North Garrison, his lifetime experiences, was widely known in the Cold North.
Initially, surrounded by the lower ranks, and subsequently serving various yamen positions, the early journey was somewhat similar to his own. The difference was Yuan Hong, as the princely heir, always had secret protection despite mingling, whereas Chen Mu’s first two years in this world were filled with trepidation, walking on thin ice, and making any mistake could have led to irreversible ruin.
Yuan Hong continued, “I conversed with play actors, befriended constables, experienced the life-and-death ties among bandits, observed the warmth and coldness of wealth disparity, and finally questioned the heavens with human values, seeking the Unity of Heaven and Man, ascending to the supreme martial arts realm.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Mu finally spoke, “In general, the martial arts in the world involve comprehending the heavens, touching upon the essence of nature first. Unexpectedly, the prince reversed this path, questioning the heavens with human values instead, which is indeed rare in the world.”
Yuan Hong’s demeanor remained unchanged, without arrogance, and he said, “The Dao embraces all methods. Generally, the path of cultivation, regardless of its form, ultimately leads to a single route—starting from nature to humanity or from humanity to nature. It is merely a path of cultivation, nothing surprising.”
Chen Mu slightly nodded, “Indeed, that is true.”
Each Celestial Master has their own beliefs, and maintaining that sliver of faith and will is essential to withstand the Unity of Heaven and Man process, to preserve personal mind and not be assimilated into the universe, with the soul returning to nature.
Some hold martial arts as their faith, others, legacy as will, and like Yuan Hong, they embrace human values as their belief.
Though Yuan Hong’s words appeared fragmented, Chen Mu clearly understood. It was Yuan Hong candidly explicating his Heavenly Human Dao, discussing worldly martial arts while clarifying his pursuit, which is anchored in human values.
With faith in place, the pursuit of worldly peace isn’t mere rhetoric or a hollow statement for personal power. More than that, it might be an aspiration for global prosperity, societal flourishing, with everyone as strong as dragons.
“Do you wish to hold that supreme position?”
Chen Mu pondered for a moment and posed the question directly.
Yuan Hong’s gaze swept across the bustling street, shaking his head, he said, “It matters not who sits on that throne; I only hope for worldwide prosperity, stability for the common people, and growth in human values.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Mu responded in a calm tone, “That you aspire to the heavenly peak is no accident. The figures of the Ji Family have contended for power for decades, all aiming for that position, yet they fall short in terms of their state of mind, no wonder they failed to measure up.”
Every Celestial Master, who would care for power?
It is genuine when Yuan Hong says he doesn’t care for the emperor’s throne. Just like Chen Mu now, he too is indifferent to the so-called imperial throne, having little interest in worldly power.
He believes in his own talent and will, trusting that he will transcend this realm in the future, whereas Yuan Hong believes in humanity overcoming nature, embracing the entirety of racial values, beginning from the primordial era advancing to rule mountains and rivers, with a future to surpass this universe.
When it comes to Chen Mu and Yuan Hong’s realms, they are fighting against the universe.
But as for King Han, King of Jin, they still fight for power, contending with humans, thus lagging behind in realms, is no wonder that few among the Eight Princes have entered the Blood Exchange Realm, with Ji Xuanfei being the only one, achieving it after ascending the throne.
“What is Supreme Chen’s view on the world’s situation?”
Yuan Hong noticed Chen Mu’s candid conversation, without probes or maneuvers, thus paused and looked at Chen Mu.
Chen Mu cast his gaze into the distant horizon, leisurely said, “I am merely a martial man in this mundane world, what is the world to me? All I seek is to act freely and naturally.”
If in the previous life or when he just arrived in this world, he naturally would have the notion of striving for supreme status. But through countless hardships and challenges, aiming at Qiankun merely for power, such a notion has long faded.
The worldly affairs are nothing more than bindings.
Upon transcending the mundane, becoming sacred in the human realm, there is no longer any desire to delve into mundanity.
“So, it is indeed carefree.”
Upon hearing Chen Mu’s words, Yuan Hong sighed with admiration, yet unsurprised.
