Chapter 11: The Decisive Battle in the State of Wei Section 1: The Indestructible Will of the Soul

Section 1: The Indestructible Soul Will

In Northern Wei, snowflakes swirled and drifted, heavily blanketing Bu Jingxian from head to toe.

On his journey to the remote city, he heard people discussing matters everywhere he went, all of them revolving around the secret manuals of ancient divine arts. In Northern Wei, merchants were printing and selling them in massive quantities. The North Martial Sect of the State of Yan clashed for days with numerous martial artists from the pugilistic world over a hidden treasure trove containing these manuals. The Flying Immortal Sect of the State of Zheng acquired more than a dozen ancient divine art manuals. Similar discoveries were made in the State of Chu, while the manual-containing treasures discovered in the State of Korea were completely looted and seized by wandering martial artists. Rumors had it that the States of Qi and Chen had also secured treasures, though they kept it strictly confidential.

Two days prior, Bu Jingxian had received a carrier pigeon message from Bai Xing, stating that she had dreamed of an immortal who led her to a hidden treasure. She had obtained fifty thousand liang of gold, three million liang of silver, three chests of jewelry, and nine sets of ancient divine art manuals.

Since this happened to Bai Xing, and she had indeed located the treasure through an immortal appearing in her dreams, Bu Jingxian could not help but harbor doubts regarding the tales of immortals.

Yet, immortals were, after all, ethereal and difficult to verify. At this moment, he cared far more about how to persuade the multi-billionaire Chen Shui.

Chen Shui's mansion in the remote city appeared quite ordinary. Covering an area of three miles, its interior and exterior construction lacked any hint of luxury.

The guards at the entrance wore cold expressions, and their demeanor was neither arrogant nor condescending.

"I must trouble you to announce my visit. Jianghu wandering swordsman Yi Shen Yungui requests an audience."

"Young hero, please wait a moment," one of the guards said before stepping inside.

A short while later, the guard emerged and said, "Young hero, please enter. The master is waiting in the study." He then took the lead, guiding Bu Jingxian through buildings and courtyards until they entered the rear garden. Along the way, Bu Jingxian noticed an unusual number of houses, and many of the people he saw looked rather bizarre. Every single one of them wore a cold and numb expression, ignoring the person guiding him as if he were invisible and simply walking past.

Working in the same estate yet maintaining such cold and detached interpersonal relationships was truly bizarre.

There were no antiques or jade ornaments to be seen in Chen Shui's study. Although the tables and chairs were not dilapidated, they were not crafted from superior wood either, bearing no resemblance whatsoever to the dwelling of a mega-wealthy tycoon.

After Bu Jingxian sat down, someone brought in a cup of hot tea. Once that person withdrew, only he and Chen Shui remained in the study.

Chen Shui was of a slender build with a refined and scholarly appearance, exuding a certain scholarly aura. He sat quietly beside the desk, seemingly unaccustomed to conventional pleasantries. After the tea-bearer left, Chen Shui spoke, "Yi Shen Yungui—such is the soul. Since we are fellow travelers of the same path, if you have encountered any difficulties, simply speak of them. But I wonder, who is your referrer?"

Only then did Bu Jingxian realize that Chen Shui indeed held the Soul Sect close to his heart. The simplicity of his daily life also inherited the past philosophy of the Soul Sect, and it was likely that he frequently aided members of the Indestructible Soul.

Bu Jingxian deliberately looked around the study for a long time before gazing directly at Chen Shui and asking, "Since the Soul Immortal has already given instructions, does mister not have any plans?"

Chen Shui's expression remained as calm as still water, and he indifferently replied, "What are your enlightened views?"

"Mister ought to deeply understand the impracticality of the Soul Sect's past philosophy of inaction. Now, the Immortal uses falling stars to instruct mortals, and fellow travelers everywhere are rising in revolt, obeying the Immortal's instructions to fight for survival and to glorify the soul's will. Since mister's wealth rivals nations, why not throw yourself into this cause?"

Chen Shui remained completely unmoved, calmly stating, "In these days, the fellow travelers who have come to urge me to rise in rebellion number at least eight hundred, if not a thousand. To this day, the three hundred who refuse to leave are all living right here in the estate. Repeating the same words countless times is utterly exhausting. I will ask you this: ten years ago, the number of fellow travelers across the world exceeded eight million; now, it is less than two million three hundred thousand, and that is without filtering out the elderly and the children. With the current situation of the world so clear, on what grounds should we start a rebellion?"

"Does mister believe it is impossible?" Bu Jingxian calmly retorted.

Chen Shui answered with matter-of-fact indifference, "Of course it is impossible! Among the Seven Hegemons, whichever one wins or loses, there is simply no room for outsiders to intervene."

"What about the State of Zhou?"

"Hmph! In the past, I still held expectations for the State of Zhou. As a result, the Rosy Cloud Clan merely utilized the name of the Indestructible Soul to revitalize the Great Zhou. The Rosy Cloud Clan became the Great Zhou, yet failed to seize the momentum to establish the realm of the Indestructible Soul. From this, it is evident that the soul philosophies advocated in the past were all sheer pretense! Not worth mentioning!"

At this point, Chen Shui wore a rare expression of intense anger. Bu Jingxian's heart settled, knowing that Chen Shui had once harbored high hopes that the Rosy Cloud Clan would establish a soul state. Because his expectations were so great, his disappointment was equally profound, which was why touching upon this topic struck a raw nerve.

"The State of Zhou is indeed disappointing, but it is not necessarily hopeless. If mister is willing to lend a hand, within three years, the State of Zhou will undoubtedly be transformed into a soul state. It is even possible that we might use the will of the soul to unify the entire realm under one nation!"

"Such arrogant words. I assist you, and you take my place to achieve it—on what grounds do you utter such boasts?" Chen Shui spoke with considerable disdain, coldly sipping his tea.

"On the grounds that I am Zuo An."

Chen Shui could not help but be moved. He slowly lowered his teacup and stared intently at Bu Jingxian with an expression of utter astonishment, sizing him up for a long time.

"You are Northern Lord Zuo An?"

"Precisely."

Chen Shui fell silent for a moment. After pondering deeply for a while, he finally said, "If that is the case, can the Northern Lord enlighten this humble commoner as to why the State of Zhou failed to become a soul state?"

"Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together. Unfortunately, this lord realized this truth too late, allowing the soul state, painstakingly plotted, to suffer such a massive upheaval. To make amends for this mistake, this lord left the State of Zhou and gathered fellow travelers in Northern Wei to rise in revolt, seeking to one day utilize this strength to return to the Great Zhou and achieve systemic reform."

Chen Shui pondered for a moment, then shook his head again, saying, "Not enough. Where does the Northern Lord originate? This humble commoner does not recall any surname of 'Zuo' within the Soul Sect."

Knowing what Chen Shui was considering, Bu Jingxian retrieved the Soul Sect Leader's token from his bosom. "In the past, this lord was merely a slave, fortunate enough to encounter Bu Jingxian, the Young Sect Master of the Soul Sect, and was guided by him into the philosophy of the soul. Regrettably, he tragically martyred himself in Pixian County of the State of Zheng. For this reason, this lord spared no effort to descend into the abyss to find this Soul Sect token, vowing to inherit his will and realize the philosophy of the soul. This token alone is sufficient to gather fellow travelers across the world to accomplish great things. What does mister think?"

After meditating in silence for a moment, Chen Shui stood up and said, "Northern Lord, please return. This humble commoner requires some time to deliberate and consider this matter."

Bu Jingxian had no choice but to stand, cupping his fists as he said, "It is only natural that mister requires deliberation. But to be frank with mister, the soul army currently led by this lord is facing a massive crisis. If mister is willing to help, the crisis can be resolved; if mister is unwilling to help, the soul army will inevitably struggle to achieve anything further."

Having said that, Bu Jingxian cupped his fists in farewell, turned on his heel, and walked out of the estate the way he had come.

Chen Shui stepped out of the study and watched Bu Jingxian's retreating figure fade into the distance. He stood still for a long time, motionless.

Shortly after, a beautiful woman approached with hurried, dainty steps.

"Husband, was he here for money again?"

"No. He is not here for money. What he wants is for me to stake my family and my life, or else watch coldly from the sidelines and stay out of it."

The woman could not help but sneer, "Why must husband pay them any mind? Every single one of them knows that husband believes in the Indestructible Soul, and they start reckless rebellions. Whenever they run out of money and grain, they come running to husband for help, as if husband's wealth fell from the skies..."

Even as the woman was speaking, Chen Shui's primary wife also arrived upon hearing the news.

The young woman hurriedly greeted, "Elder sister," and then repeated what Chen Shui had just said.

Chen Shui's primary wife was already over forty years of age, her youthful beauty gone, and she possessed a naturally kind and harmonious disposition. Out of consideration for Chen Shui, she had previously urged him to take a concubine, marrying that young woman who later indeed bore Chen Shui another son. Ordinarily, their relationship was very harmonious, and Chen Shui was not a man who cast aside the old for the new. Therefore, the concubine deeply respected Chen Shui's primary wife and never dared to show any disrespect. At this moment, she hoped the primary wife could persuade her husband not to entertain those who came begging for money.

Seeing him remain silent, Chen Shui's primary wife asked, "Husband, who was that person?"

"The Northern Lord—Zuo An."

"It's him!" The young concubine was immensely surprised. She had long since heard of Northern Lord Zuo An's renown: his martial valor in lifting a massive boulder on the summit during the Divine Martial Tournament, his winning the affection of Princess Luo, and his brilliant intellect in revitalizing the declining aristocratic Rosy Cloud Clan into the present Great Zhou. "No wonder husband is so hesitant." She suddenly understood why Chen Shui's heart was stirred with restless ambition.

"Over the years, husband has managed the business, never daring to slacken for even a single day due to father's heavy entrustment. All we sought was to live free from hunger and cold, and unbullied by others. Yet, husband himself has never felt happy for a single day. In the past, how many fellow travelers berated and cursed you as a traitor and coward? No matter how hard you tried over the years to help them to the utmost of your ability, you could never exchange it for the forgiveness and recognition of your former bosom friends. We have seen all of this with our own eyes. Whenever we urged husband to go ahead and do what he wished to do, husband would always shake his head bitterly and say that some things cannot be done, and that managing this household well was his lifelong responsibility and hope."

As Chen Shui's primary wife spoke, she could not help but wipe away tears of sorrow.

"Yet we all know that husband has never forgotten the dream of the Soul Sect; you have simply been tormented by the inability to realize it. Ever since the news spread that the Soul Immortal manifested divine miracles and instructed soul believers everywhere to actively revitalize the soul's will, husband has grown twice as silent. If you let go and do it, you fear implicating us, mother and son; if you do nothing, you find it hard to let go in your heart. Father passed away many years ago, yet husband has never forgotten his kindness and assistance. Up until today, it has been enough. Now that the Northern Lord himself has come seeking you, his fame is known to all under heaven, and he will surely not fail husband. Husband must no longer consider only us. Wherever we go, as long as we follow husband, we harbor no complaints or regrets. If doing so allows us to see husband's smile unfold, what a comforting and joyous thing that would be!"

"Elder sister..." The young concubine attempted to dissuade her, but Chen Shui's primary wife rebuked her sternly, "Say no more! You have been married to husband for over seven years; do you still not know the pain in husband's heart? What husband seeks is not wealth and power; no amount of money or high status can ever make him happy or bring him true joy! A woman follows her husband in marriage. Watching husband harbor endless grief and remain depressed every day—are you truly unwilling to see him smile? Are you truly unwilling for him to find genuine happiness and joy?"

The concubine was so thoroughly chided that she lowered her head in shame and dared utter no further sound.

Chen Shui's eyes had long since turned red, and at this moment, he could no longer hold back as he used a handkerchief to wipe away his tears.

"Those who truly understand me are my wife and you. In this world, those who seek only their own selfish desires are wicked ghosts; even if they achieve extraordinary success, they are merely demons. People possess a heart of benevolence, hence they understand the duty of nurturing and protecting their families. Yet fulfilling these merely amounts to possessing ordinary benevolence. Knowing how to act for the country and for others—that is merely great benevolence. The philosophy of the Soul Sect seeks the freedom, equality, and joy of an entire race. Transcending the boundaries of family and nation—that is sacred benevolence! To live in this world and, knowing of sacred benevolence, refuse to pursue it—would that not be utterly foolish? In the past, I knew the situation did not permit it; acting recklessly would not only fail to achieve sacred benevolence, but would instead forfeit even basic benevolence and implicate my family and kin. Now that the Soul Immortal has given instructions to the world, and Northern Lord Zuo An has gathered hundreds of thousands of fellow travelers with the intent to establish a state of the soul's will, if I still remain motionless and inactive, how could I ever face the passionate and ardent yearning within my heart to pursue sacred benevolence?!"