"Fu Gui, I have a way."
Deng Ling Yao Yao seemed a bit shy. She lowered her head, and after a while, she looked up and said.
"What way do you have?" Zhou Fu Gui asked.
"To embrace all under heaven, love all beings, brave the boiling oil, and tread the sharp blades." Deng Ling Yao Yao replied, "In this current era, the moral order is in ruins, bribery is rampant, powerful clans and noble families live in extreme luxury, their cuisine so exquisite it surpasses that of royalty, costing ten thousand coins a day, yet they still complain there is nothing to eat. They are debauched and extravagant, without restraint. Natural disasters and man-made calamities, corvée labor and military conscription are increasingly heavy, leaving the people with nothing to eat and forcing them to take desperate measures. The Hu and Di gallop their horses, further plunging the people into misery. I wish to wield a three-foot sword, to slay demons and eradicate devils, to support the weak and suppress the strong, to redress grievances and prohibit violence, to punish evil and promote good. Fu Gui, are you willing to abandon everything and join the Mohist school with me?"
Deng Ling Yao Yao seemed to have spoken with all her might. Her face turned flushed, appearing somewhat agitated and excited.
Unexpectedly, Zhou Fu Gui was not appreciative at all. He shook his head and said, "To roam the world with a sword, acting heroically? Is that like what you did in Qu County? The world is in turmoil, and the people suffer, do I not know this? But with just a few of you, how many can you kill? How many can you save? Although Miss Deng Ling is a woman, she has a heart that cares for the populace, and I deeply admire you! But I cannot agree with your actions, nor do I wish to roam the world with a sword and act heroically."
"Are you, as your name suggests, greedy for wealth and glory, willing to be a running dog for the barbarians?" Deng Ling Yao Yao asked angrily.
"Not so!" Zhou Fu Gui shook his head. "The Xianbei barbarians have committed countless evils. I have long detested them, so how can I be greedy? To save the world..."
Zhou Fu Gui said this, clenched his fists, exerting all his strength, turning his hands somewhat pale.
"What do you mean?" Deng Ling Yao Yao asked in surprise, looking at Zhou Fu Gui's fist.
"Power!" Zhou Fu Gui said indifferently. "Only by holding power can one achieve what is in one's heart!"
"You..." Deng Ling Yao Yao looked at him in shock and said, "Do you intend to conquer the world?"
All day long, he was jovial and glib-tongued. Deng Ling Yao Yao never expected such a person to harbor such ambition, an ambition that was terrifying and chilling.
Zhou Fu Gui nodded, his expression solemn. "That's right, I do wish to possess supreme power. Only by controlling power can one control one's own destiny, and even change the destiny of others!"
"But do you know how difficult it is to gain power?" Deng Ling Yao Yao frowned. "Do you know how many officials there are in this land you inhabit? They govern thousands of common people, and they have the power to command countless armies."
Zhou Fu Gui nodded. "Indeed! Power is something many dream of, even ordinary people desire it!"
Deng Ling Yao Yao sighed. "Since you understand this, then why do you still want power?"
"I will not give up," Zhou Fu Gui said with firm conviction.
"Why?" Deng Ling Yao Yao asked.
"Because I am a man of seven feet!" Zhou Fu Gui answered righteously. "If I cannot achieve this, how can I speak of saving the times and rescuing the common people of the world?"
Deng Ling Yao Yao fell silent. After a long while, she said softly, "Fu Gui, your wish is noble, but this path is too arduous, too difficult. Are you truly ready? If you fail, you will never be able to recover, and you might even have your entire clan exterminated. Can you bear such a price?"
Toiling day and night just for hunger,
Once fed, they think of clothing;
When both food and clothing are sufficient,
They desire a beautiful wife;
Having married a beautiful wife and had children,
They lament the lack of land and a weak foundation;
Acquiring more fertile land,
They resent the lack of a horse for travel;
If the stable is secured with mules and horses,
They fear being bullied without an official position;
A seventh-rank county magistrate is still considered low,
And they wish to wear purple robes in court;
Becoming prime minister with first-rank status,
They still want to usurp the emperor's throne;
Once satisfied with being emperor,
They seek immortality;
Once the elixir of immortality is obtained,
They want to contend with God.
Never satisfied, never content, what can one do in life?
If the world is to be satisfied,
It can only be in a dream of Nanke.
If a person has no ambition, like a corpse without desires, they are destined to be a mere salted fish. But if the pursuit is excessive, it becomes ambition, and the price of ambition is exceptionally heavy, a price one cannot afford.
Deng Ling Yao Yao couldn't help but worry for Zhou Fu Gui.
To sing heartily while leaning on a sword, to roam the world acting heroically, unrestrained, wholeheartedly, boldly, and freely; this was the life Deng Ling Yao Yao had once cherished. Yet, she utterly failed to understand why Zhou Fu Gui was unwilling to live such a life with her, and instead pursued the ethereal, standing with a blade at his throat, as if treading on thin ice.
"Since I emerged into this world, my head has been tied to the belt of my trousers. I have traveled through horse-riding grasslands and seas of snow, across vast deserts stretching to the sky." Zhou Fu Gui said with a bitter smile. "Thank you for your reminder, but my mind is made up."
"Fu Gui..." Deng Ling Yao Yao remained silent. After a long pause, she spoke softly, "A general returns in triumph, his bones beneath his horse's hooves. Fu Gui, this path is destined to be one of bloodshed, destined to be one of slaughter, destined to be a path of thorns."
"I know..." Zhou Fu Gui's eyes flickered, his gaze burning. "I also know it is difficult, but for the sake of my aspirations, for the sake of not yielding to others, even if the future is covered in thorns, even if the path ahead is a mountain of knives and a sea of blood, even if I am covered in wounds, I must forge ahead. When man is the knife and I am the fish, it is time for the fish to resist."
"Mm..." Deng Ling Yao Yao nodded.
What Zhou Fu Gui sought was nothing more than strength, power, wealth, riches, and status. Yet, his unyielding courage and his determination to shoulder responsibilities, to take charge, made Deng Ling Yao Yao feel a sense of admiration.
At the same time, a person like Zhou Fu Gui was someone Deng Ling Yao Yao found difficult to understand.
As night deepened, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse. A night breeze blew, lifting Deng Ling Yao Yao's silken hair by her ears. Standing by the lakeside in the gentle breeze, she said faintly, "Since you have decided to walk this path, I cannot dissuade you. But there is something I must say."
"Please speak, Miss!" Zhou Fu Gui nodded.
"Universal love, non-aggression!" Deng Ling Yao Yao said calmly. "If you undertake the conquest of Jiangzuo, and engage in widespread slaughter, my Mohist school of Xichuan will have no choice but to stop you, and we will use any means necessary to do so."
"Heh, do you wish to be my enemy, Miss?" Zhou Fu Gui shook his head and laughed. "Conquer Jiangzuo? Engage in widespread slaughter? Since I descended into this world, I have rarely committed acts of slaughter. Yes, I have many lives on my hands, but they were almost all irredeemable villains, people who deserved to die! Except... except for the incident in Youzhou. Alas, that was due to my youthful ignorance! I will bear in mind what Miss Deng Ling has said!"
"Mm..." Deng Ling Yao Yao nodded. "Seeking revenge for your brother is understandable, but why did you slaughter the innocent? Killing the ringleaders would suffice. The entire families of women and children, how innocent they were, yet they met a tragic death under your blade!"
Years ago, when Zhou Fu Gui, in a fit of rage, annihilated the entire Qin family and the Duan family father and son, he was imprisoned. Deng Ling Yao Yao abandoned Zhou Fu Gui at that time, not only because she was outmatched, but also because she hated his actions and despised what he had done. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Is that how you left back then?" Zhou Fu Gui asked with a bitter smile. "Miss, please do not misunderstand. I ask this with no other intention, but I feel I have failed in my promise to my late brother Tang, and to you, Miss Deng Ling, of today."
After sighing, Zhou Fu Gui continued, "My desire for power, my desire not to be prey to others, does not mean I have the ambition to conquer the world. Do I not know my own capabilities? Conquer Jiangzuo? Miss, you are exaggerating. You have misunderstood my intentions. Not only that, but I have long harbored the desire to return to Han!"
Return to Han? Deng Ling Yao Yao stared at Zhou Fu Gui, lost in thought.
Leading his troops south to rejoin the Han would indeed be good news for Xia, a cause for joy and celebration, a blow to the enemy and a boost to oneself. However, for such an ambitious individual to pledge allegiance to Xia, whether it was good or bad for Xia remained unknown.
Zhou Fu Gui suddenly brought up the matter of returning to Han, leaving Deng Ling Yao Yao uncertain of his true intentions, knowing nothing at all.
At the same time, the matter of Zhou Fu Gui leading his troops back to Han was too significant, too overwhelming for Deng Ling Yao Yao to process.
The cool evening breeze made Deng Ling Yao Yao shiver. The surrounding trees cast dancing shadows, and the chirping of insects created a somber atmosphere.
"Fu Gui, I'm leaving..." After a very long time, Deng Ling Yao Yao said to Zhou Fu Gui.
"Leaving already? Won't you stay a few more days?" Zhou Fu Gui asked, reluctant.
Deng Ling Yao Yao shook her head silently.
Deng Ling Yao Yao then walked slowly out of the garden.
"Fu Gui, you truly won't come with me?" Deng Ling Yao Yao asked softly, stopping and turning around with a heavy heart, as she reached the garden gate.
Zhou Fu Gui also shook his head slightly.
Those who walk different paths cannot plan together. If their paths diverge, they cannot walk together.
The moon was bright and the stars were sparse. An autumn wind swept across, creating ripples on the lake's surface. Zhou Fu Gui's reflection was cast upon the water. The figure in the lake suddenly slapped himself hard across the face...
"Slap!" With a loud sound, Zhou Fu Gui slapped himself hard, almost swelling his left cheek...
Zhou Fu Gui believed he understood women, but in reality, he did not understand them at all.
Zhou Fu Gui had opened his heart to Deng Ling Yao Yao, or rather, a part of it. Deng Ling Yao Yao, however, had completely opened her heart to Zhou Fu Gui. And what did it mean for a woman to completely open her heart to a man? This was a case of unrequited love, of the flower willing, but the water uncaring, as described in the saying.
Even if Zhou Fu Gui did not agree with the actions of Deng Ling Yao Yao and the Mohist disciples, he should not have been so resolute, causing Deng Ling Yao Yao to leave heartbroken.
Where had his usual skills at charming girls gone? Where had his aura of dominance over the world gone? Had it been lost in Java?
Moreover, what Deng Ling Yao Yao said was not entirely unreasonable.
"Plop..." Zhou Fu Gui then dived into the water.
Perhaps the cold lake water would help Zhou Fu Gui clear his head.