"One can truly say that the student surpasses the master."
Yan Chou was already a cunning man, yet he had unexpectedly been outmaneuvered by his own son just now.
The crucial point was that Yan Chou couldn't even bring himself to be angry. After all, it was his son. When a son tricks his father, the father should be happy.
But still—
Yan Chou raised his hand and slapped Yan Shouyi squarely on the backside.
While one shouldn't blame a son for being too smart, a father spanking his son was perfectly natural. What harm could there be in taking out his frustration on him?
Yan Chou shot Yan Shouyi a look and said, "Don't use these little tricks on your father in the future. Point your guns at the enemy."
Yan Shouyi whined, "What kind of father are you!"
Seeing Yan Shouyi being spanked, Lin Zhitong couldn't stop laughing.
Since their questions had been answered, Yan Chou had nothing left to conceal. "The lower volume of the Lu Ban scroll does indeed exist, and its contents are enough to subvert the present. I can't tell you more than this; knowing too much is not good for you."
Despite this, how could Yan Shouyi and Lin Zhitong not be curious?
Seeing their continued eagerness, Yan Chou added,
"The more you know, the more you bear. Everyone yearns for eternal life, yet they don't realize that those who achieve it long for death. Do you know why?"
The two were puzzled. They had only been in this world for twenty years; they hadn't even lived enough, so why would anyone wish for death?
Yan Chou said,
"When one achieves immortality, life loses its anticipation. Without the struggle to survive, one begins to ponder the meaning of life, thereby understanding humanity's insignificance and the terror of nature. Under the despair of a mind that cannot match one's abilities, eternal life becomes a burden, and death becomes a wish."
"I'm telling you this mainly to convey that knowing too much is detrimental, just as immortal beings, by thinking too much, increasingly desire death."
Even the clever Lin Zhitong couldn't fully grasp Yan Chou's words immediately.
Yan Shouyi, on the other hand, looked vacant, staring blankly at Yan Chou, resembling a simple-minded son from a landlord's household.
Yan Chou shook his head and continued,
"For example, imagine you are an ant. For the past twenty years, you've been happily eating and drinking, believing that the world only consists of ants, ant nests, and food. Suddenly, one day, you learn of the existence of humans. Although humans bear no malice towards ants, you know they could easily annihilate you and your kin. Knowing this, can you still eat and drink heartlessly?"
"Hearing you say that, I think I understand a little." Yan Shouyi nodded thoughtfully.
Lin Zhitong also closed her mouth, no longer inquiring about the lower volume of the Lu Ban scroll.
"Let's return to the ancient texts," Yan Chou said. "I'll make a backup of these ancient texts to study slowly. You take the originals back, and everyone can pool their wisdom. Perhaps more undiscovered details can be revealed."
"Alright."
After making a copy of the ancient texts, Yan Chou carefully packed the original and handed it to Lin Zhitong.
Lin Zhitong suddenly asked, "Dad, when do we leave?"
"The day after tomorrow," Yan Chou replied. "We'll have tomorrow free for you to bid farewell to your family. After all, once you leave, it will be at least ten to half a month before you can return."
"Mhm." Lin Zhitong didn't feel particularly attached to leaving. She had often gone out before and wasn't a home-loving girl. She just needed to comfort her father a bit more.
After all, having just married off his daughter, no father would feel entirely at ease!
Yan Shouyi and Lin Zhitong took the original ancient texts and returned to their rooms to rest.
Meanwhile, Yan Chou stood by the window, contemplating for a moment, and then let out a whistle.
Shortly after, Zou Xiazi pushed the door open and entered.
His eyes were closed, and he held no walking stick, yet he seemed to see everything in the study. He walked directly to a chair and sat down.
"What business do you have summoning me?" Zou Xiazi chuckled.
Yan Chou said, "The enemies we provoked back then have already learned that I have returned to the martial world."
"Oh? Those defeated rivals?" Zou Xiazi's reaction was identical to Yan Chou's. Not only was he unafraid, but he even laughed aloud. "I was just bored. Why don't we have them form a group and come find us? This old blind man will settle them one by one in the order they appeared back then!"
"They aren't particularly formidable individuals, but their actions might cause some disruption," Yan Chou stated calmly. "Xiazi, your mobility is limited. This time when we return to Chenjia Village, let Dog Daoist and Bald Monk accompany me. You stay in Rongcheng and protect my in-laws."
Zou Xiazi said indignantly, "What do you mean my mobility is limited? You're discriminating against disabled people!"
"Cut the crap!" Yan Chou shot Zou Xiazi a look and then tossed him a cigarette.
Zou Xiazi accurately caught the cigarette, placed it in his mouth, and rubbed the tip with two fingers, igniting it.
Yan Chou, less flamboyantly, found a lighter and lit his properly.
As they smoked, they continued their conversation. "West Lake now belongs to us. Someone needs to oversee the construction and array setting, especially guarding against those from the Lü Shan Sect. That's why I've chosen to leave you here."
Zou Xiazi pointed to his eyes, "How am I supposed to 'oversee'?"
"When I say 'oversee,' I mean someone I can trust. Dog Daoist is too unreliable, and Bald Monk has a bad temper. So, I can only choose you," Yan Chou said helplessly.
"Don't you miss my singing, my zither playing?"
"If you keep joking around, I'll have Bald Monk stuff your backside full of chrysanthemums."
"Leave this to me! Have a safe journey!"
Zou Xiazi, in reality, was already disinclined to travel. He had only been joking earlier. Now, he agreed very readily.
Yan Chou nodded and said meaningfully,
"This trip back isn't just to visit my father. It's also to retrieve Shouyi's Soul Slaying Blade. Most importantly... to retrieve the lower volume of the Lu Ban scroll."
Zou Xiazi pondered for a moment, a look of concern appearing on his face. "This journey will likely not be peaceful."
"Don't worry. With Dog Daoist and the others there, what could possibly happen?" Yan Chou chuckled. "It's also a chance to train my foolish son."
"To be fair, Shouyi is already very capable," Zou Xiazi said. "The four of us combined back then couldn't compare to him now."
"Descendants of Lu Ban are meant to surpass each generation," Yan Chou said, lowering his head. "If he isn't outstanding, how can he withstand the karmic tribulation?"
"Don't take it too much to heart. Shouyi's burden isn't entirely because of you."
"I know, but precisely because I am his father, I must see it through to the end!" Yan Chou's eyes were firm. "If that time truly comes, even if I die, I will absolutely not let Shouyi come to harm. Otherwise, how could I face my father?"