473: Chapter 52 Showdown_2 473: Chapter 52 Showdown_2 Since becoming Yan Xin’s apprentice, Chen Jingxuan hardly ever left the Imperial City.
Now that he had become the Book Tower Master, the future State Preceptor of Great Chu, he was even more bound to the place.
Suddenly.
Chen Jingxuan softly spoke: “Actually, you’re not wrong.”
Xie Xuanyi was momentarily taken aback.
“The world is so vast, and only staying in the Imperial City, indeed, is something to regret.”
The Little National Master looked up, his eyes filled with regret, and slowly said, “If possible, I actually want to go out and see…”
Xie Xuanyi hadn’t thought too much when he had previously spoken those words.
But now it seemed.
That statement carried some double entendre.
“It’s just a pity, the nation is too heavy a burden, the common people too wretched.
Someone must always lead the fate of this world.”
Chen Jingxuan murmured: “My abilities are limited, I can shoulder the burden for my master for a while, so I will…
Perhaps in a few more years, I will have a proud disciple, and then a few years after that, I can leave this place.”
To Chu Yin, this Imperial City was a cage.
And wasn’t it the same for Chen Jingxuan?
The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility.
Generation after generation, the Sky Watchers, Book Tower Masters, all chose to sacrifice their own freedom for the stability of Great Chu.
In a few more days, the position of State Preceptor would have to be transitioned…
Perhaps it would wait until the end of the Southern Border Demon Cleansing?
Regardless, the succession of the proper State Preceptor’s position had lost all suspense.
The entire Great Chu Imperial City knew that Chen Jingxuan was the new authoritative State Preceptor, merely waiting for an auspicious day for Yan Xin to shed the “heavy burden” that had continued for a century.
Now the Old National Master had already retired to the Li Pavilion, almost abstaining from worldly affairs.
“Why must one shoulder all burdens alone…”
Xie Xuanyi unconsciously spoke, then stopped.
In truth, it was quite an irresponsible remark.
He was carefree.
Ten years ago, with his sword in tow, he ventured to all corners of the world.
The Pure Yang Master had taken up the vast majority of messes for him…
The reason he could act so unrestrainedly was that he had Zhao Chunyang, such a good master behind him.
The world is vast.
Someone must stand up.
And Chen Jingxuan, the Book Tower Observer, was such a person.
Wasn’t he himself also a bearer of burdens?
Xie Xuanyi often felt guilty when he recalled those past disputes filled with youthful vigor.
If he had realized earlier that after winning the Sword Champion title, his future would be as the Lotus Peak Master, as the new Sect Leader of Da Sui Sword Palace, would he have made so many enemies?
With that thought,
Xie Xuanyi sighed lightly: “Your days are harder than most people think.”
It’s not easy being State Preceptor.
“…all the same.”
Chen Jingxuan also unconsciously responded.
It wasn’t a good reply.
The usually thoughtful Little National Master realized he spoke words he shouldn’t have.
At any other time, in any other place, facing anyone else, he would never have spoken such heartfelt words.
But now, in the secluded Red Pavilion with just the two of them.
During this time.
They had already let down their guard.
What’s said is said, like water that has been spilled.
“What I meant was…”
Chen Jingxuan reacted quickly, hastily explaining: “All these years, wandering outside as a disciple of Xie Xuanyi, you must have suffered a lot…”
“Some things…”
“I know you know.”
“And you know I know.”
Xie Xuanyi looked at the Little National Master before him.
He smiled: “Since that’s the case, why make things so complicated?”
Ssssh.
A faint tearing sound came from the Red Pavilion, Xie Xuanyi reached out, slowly tore a slit in the mask, and took off the All Living Beings mask that Chen Jingxuan had given him, choosing to show his true face to this close friend he had been spiritually in touch with for years.
Chen Jingxuan did not expect such a turn.
He gazed fixedly at the black-robed youth before him, outside the Red Pavilion, the residual frost and snow on the ground whisked up by the wind, landing on his shoulder, and also on Xie Xuanyi’s hair tips.
Snowflakes whirled around, surrounding this young face of remarkable grace.
Different from when he had just been reborn in Yuzhu Town.
The current Xie Xuanyi, having attained Perfect Grotto Heaven, delving into the Tao Rules of Life and Death, no longer carries sickness in his eyes, nor is his complexion pale.
This face, compared to back then, is sharper and much more composed.
“You…”
Chen Jingxuan’s expression is one of shock.
After a moment, he takes a deep breath, slowly calming his expression, a hint of helplessness in his eyes: “Since you know that I know, why meet in true form?”
“Do you remember what I said before?”
“Just living like this is really suffocating.”
Xie Xuanyi speaks indifferently, “Even Chu Yin could shed his disguise here…
Yet I must carry All Living Beings, weighing every word when I speak to you…”
When did Chen Jingxuan start to discover his true identity?
Xie Xuanyi wasn’t certain.
Perhaps with Chen Jingxuan’s wisdom, he had sensed something amiss as early as the chaos in Qing State.
However.
The Little National Master had never spoken about it.
He had shown him the utmost respect.
The Ruyi Order, All Living Beings, Chen Mansion, Spring Breeze Grass, including the identity of the Book Tower Dark Child…
Every item handed over by Chen Jingxuan feels immensely significant.
Officially, they were entrusted to a close friend.
In reality, the Little National Master had worried greatly for him.
“…Heh.”
Chen Jingxuan rubs his forehead, unable to help but let out a light laugh.
He recalls their previous conversation, acknowledging that indeed, there exist some interesting coincidences in this world.
One phrase, corresponding with the situation of three people.
Today,
He and Xie Xuanyi meet at the Red Pavilion.
He has laid his cards on the table.
So has Xie Xuanyi.
One seeks to overthrow the Holy Empress, under the guise of State Preceptor, to instigate the behavior of a rebel, inciting an unprecedented, fierce uprising in Great Chu.
The other, guilty of the grave crime of assassinating the previous emperor.
In some sense, these two people with completely different styles of conduct are actually walking the same path.
“Brother Xuanyi.”
Chen Jingxuan’s expression is complex, seldom does anything shock him.
He sincerely says: “I thought a meeting like today’s would have to wait a long while…”
“If everything developed as you imagined.”
Xie Xuanyi gives a self-deprecating smile, saying: “Then the next news you would hear about me would probably be the second North Sea purge.”
“No…”
Chen Jingxuan shakes his head: “I won’t let such a thing happen a second time.”
Ten years ago,
His power was still weak.
The North Sea purge happened too suddenly, and he was trapped in the Imperial City, unable to go anywhere, unable to help.
But this time, it will be different.
He will not let Xie Xuanyi be “forsaken and helpless,” falling into a lethal trap again.
“This talk of yours…”
Xie Xuanyi feels a warmth in his heart, he takes a deep breath, subconsciously straightening his back, calmly saying: “I will not let such a thing happen a second time either.”
To pursue cultivation, one must first cultivate the heart.
After choosing to meet Chen Jingxuan with honesty, Xie Xuanyi’s Heart Lake is now clear and reflective as a mirror.
The line of gloom hanging over the Heart Lake is thus erased.
Hiding and dodging, beating around the bush.
This is not his path.
“After you leave here, you still need to wear ‘All Living Beings’.”
Chen Jingxuan takes a deep breath, earnestly admonishing: “Brother Xuanyi, I know that your Sword Heart is clear, improving rapidly, and now you are invincible in the Grotto Heaven, ready to enter the Yin God Realm at any moment…
but some things cannot be solved by becoming a Yin God.
Even after you succeed in ascending, it will be very difficult to handle those troubles.”
“I know.”
Xie Xuanyi nods, speaking gravely: “During the upcoming mission to the East, I will find a way to complete my ascension…
even if you’ve covered up for my ‘Reincarnation’ as the Great Square Master of Fangyuan Square, it’s not a long-term solution.”
He is well aware.
The longer it drags on, the more people will suspect.
His identity will one day have to be revealed to the world.
On that day.
He will be met with countless troubles.
“Exactly.”
Chen Jingxuan asks curiously: “Brother Xuanyi, currently, how many people know of your true identity?”