Chapter 1502: The Gentry's Lifestyle

Pressed by his mother's teasing gaze,Zuo Guangshu's face instantly flushed crimson, and he stammered.Yet, after much stammering, he could not utter anything coherent.The Great Chu Princess Yu Yun, however, stared at him, tilting her head and craning her neck to peer here and there, a hint of disappointment in her voice: "There's no mark at all."Zuo Guangshu, both shy and annoyed, cried out: "Mother! What are you saying!"Xiong Jingyu, as if discovering a new world, exclaimed: "Hoh! You truly understand now!"Then, feigning sorrow, she sighed: "Alas, the child has truly grown up. While Mother has grown old.""Old at what," Zuo Guangshu said testily: "For a Divine Arrival cultivator, living for a few hundred years..."His voice came to an abrupt halt.He realized he had said the wrong thing.For a Divine Arrival cultivator, living for merely a few decades was also quite normal.Such as his father.Such as his elder brother.Extraordinary power also meant extraordinary responsibility and extraordinary burden.Some people could not live peacefully until their lifespan ended because they gave that peace to those who came after them."Speaking of which," holding his mother's arm, Zuo Guangshu said: "I remember that the food most favored by the Phoenix Pattern Sleeping Flower Ants is the Golden Feather凤仙 flower, right?""It is," Xiong Jingyu replied cooperatively: "A famous flower of the Qi land, we have to spend a great deal of money to buy some each year.""Bought less in recent years?""It seems their production is insufficient. The amount they can spare for us is also limited.""I remember we had a fixed quota, and the money paid each year wasn't small either."Xiong Jingyu smiled: "Although fewer flowers are sent, the price has increased greatly.""That truly brings solace to your son.""My foolish child. How can there be anything in this world that remains unchanged? I heard that over there, the one in charge has also changed.""Oh. Like that..."Mother and son chatted thus, slowly walking along the sunlit path.Time was sometimes still, yet at other times it flowed truly.Some pains were untouchable.Thinking of it once brought tears once.

Huangliang Terrace.Jianwo Tower.It was still the same group of people as last time, only this time, the late arrival was Chu Yuzhi.Although not particularly close to the aristocratic families, he had a good private friendship with Zuo Guangshu and Qu Shunhua and often came to Huangliang Terrace to share a meal."I'm late, I'm late, truly sorry," as soon as he came upstairs, he apologized repeatedly."It's fine," Qu Shunhua smiled: "Anyway, we didn't wait for you, find a seat for yourself."Duke Yu of Chu was not presiding over Huangliang Terrace today, so everyone ate a little more casually.Still seated in their usual positions, Chu Yuzhi looked left and right, then suddenly sighed: "A room full of dukes and ministers!"The descendants of dukes from the State of Chu, high-ranking officials of the third rank from the State of Qi, indeed, each one was illustrious.Look at their radiant divine light, eating the world's delicacies, enjoying supreme wealth. Achieving their desires in the Mountain and Sea Realm... where could they not achieve their desires?Truly like embroidered flowers on brocade, families of extravagant luxury."I am no duke or minister," Ye Lan'er's gaze flowed carelessly: "What, have you been discouraged by Dou Zhao?"Chu Yuzhi had not expected that a casual sigh from him would reveal his emotions, and for a moment, he felt as if Ye Lan'er was paying great attention to him.Of course, he knew that was an illusion.Humanity's greatest illusion was "she is interested in me."Especially when that "she" was Ye Lan'er."Not quite," Chu Yuzhi smiled: "I had already anticipated the gap between me and Dou Zhao, and now it's just a little more exaggerated than I expected... The road must always be walked slowly.""Then why are you sighing?" Ye Lan'er asked at her leisure."The road... is too long," Chu Yuzhi said.The gap between Chu Yuzhi and Dou Zhao, and the gap between him and Zuo Guangshu and Qu Shunhua, was the gap between a commoner cultivator and the progeny of top aristocratic families. Far more than what was visible to the naked eye.Those tangible and intangible chasms required a long time and effort to fill.I know the road must be walked slowly, but this road, it's truly too long...This was the reason why even someone as resolute as Chu Yuzhi couldn't help but let out that sigh."I am also no duke or minister," Jiang Wang spoke: "A few years ago, I was merely a commoner. Looking at myself now, there isn't much difference."Chu Yuzhi looked at him deeply: "Brother Jiang, you are not a Chu person, you do not understand."Jiang Wang heard the unusual meaning in his words, but merely smiled and did not speak.But Chu Yuzhi seemed to have been stirred by some emotion, unable to hold back, unable to speak freely. He looked at Jiang Wang, yet not as if looking at Jiang Wang, and continued: "The accumulated ills of the State of Chu over a thousand years, all began with the aristocratic families!"This was too sudden.This sentence was too sudden.This attitude was too sudden.This one utterance, like the sound of ripping silk, the clang of swords and spears, instantly changed the atmosphere in the room.Qu Shunhua sat upright at the head, expressionless: "Brother Chu, you haven't even drunk wine yet, and you are already drunk."Chu Yuzhi grasped the wine cup, holding it tightly: "Yes, I am drunk."In a gathering of friends, this atmosphere was truly uncomfortable.When with Qu Shunhua, Zuo Guangshu was always the one who spoke less.But today, he uncharacteristically and actively looked at Chu Yuzhi: "Brother Yuzhi, Shunhua and I treat you with sincerity. Why today, before my Brother Jiang, do you suddenly come with this, putting me in a difficult position?"Chu Yuzhi was silent for a moment, then said: "Guangshu, I am sorry."He pulled out his chair and stood up again, saying very seriously: "Shunhua, I am sorry."He bowed his head to apologize to each one: "Brother Jiang, I am sorry.""Miss Ye, I am sorry.""I have spoiled everyone's mood."He stood alone before the dining table, facing the table full of delicacies, facing the seated众人, his tone low: "Originally, friends gathering together to eat and drink is a very happy thing. I also came with the wish to be happy together with everyone.""But I cannot be happy.""I truly wanted to drink and chat merrily with everyone, but I opened my mouth and could not speak a single pleasant word."He reached out and pressed his hand to his chest: "I have something to say, but cannot. My heart is filled with sorrow!"Zuo Guangshu looked at him with extreme seriousness: "Brother Chu, if you have something, speak it out. There is always a way to resolve it. Is it absolutely necessary to be like this now... to act like this?"Chu Yuzhi met his gaze, pulled at the corner of his mouth, and then shook his head: "Brother Guangshu, I am not sorrowful for myself. Not pained for myself.""Do you know Xiao Shu?" he asked.He said: "My friend, Xiao Shu. A genius from the State of Dan, he paid a great deal to participate in this Mountain and Sea Realm trial. We mobilized one thousand two hundred warriors from the Mao Kingdom, blocking the Central Mountain, wanting to use this to negotiate conditions with others, to preserve at least one share of the harvest. But as you know... he was cut to pieces by Dou Zhao alone.""I am not complaining here, seeking sympathy. Nor do I wish to speak of how Dou Zhao was. If one's skills are inferior, one cannot blame anyone else. Being a frog in a well is our own problem.""But,"Chu Yuzhi took a deep breath, and then said: "Before I left, I just received news. Xiao Shu, because he consumed a large amount of resources in the Mountain and Sea Realm, and ended up with nothing, his divine soul was damaged... he has been stripped of the qualification to participate in the Yuan Shi Dan Association.""Alchemy is prevalent in the State of Dan, and this Yuan Shi Dan Association is their most important grand ceremony. It is also a ritual for nurturing young cultivators and allocating important cultivation resources.""Xiao Shu is a genius of the younger generation in the State of Dan, second only to Zhang Xun, yet he has been excluded from this list.""Very foolish, isn't it? Very absurd, isn't it?"Chu Yuzhi grinned: "But the State of Dan has limited resources, only given to those who can repeatedly prove themselves."The entire table of people watched him in silence."Of course, there are exceptions. For example, Zhang Jing of the Zhang clan in the State of Dan, Li You of the Li clan in the State of Dan..."Chu Yuzhi looked at the expressions of the crowd and smiled: "Very unfamiliar, right? Unfamiliar is correct. You don't need to know who they are, because they are originally just wastes fed with elixirs.""At the Yuan Shi Dan Association ten years ago, there was a Heavenly Yuan Great Elixir. In the various tests before the association, Xiao Shu was first. Finally, that Heavenly Yuan Great Elixir was given to Zhang Jing... that is, the younger brother of the number one person under thirty in the State of Dan, Zhang Xun.""Zhang Xun spoke, who would dare to disagree? It is of course not unreasonable for an elder brother to do this for his younger sibling. The progeny of large aristocratic families always have more foundation; although it may not be apparent before opening their meridians, they will surely have a greater future after becoming extraordinary!""It is only a pity that Zhang Jing only opened his first inner mansion last year, not even comparable to a single finger of Xiao Shu."Chu Yuzhi shook his head: "At the Yuan Shi Dan Association ten years later, there is a Six Senses Elixir, which is of great benefit to refining spiritual consciousness. Xiao Shu has lost even the chance to participate in the competition directly...""Because I dragged him to participate in the Mountain and Sea Realm. To prepare for this Mountain and Sea Realm trial, he borrowed many resources... but he lost everything. I also do not have the resources to compensate for his losses.""My opportunity to participate in the Mountain and Sea Realm was won in the military competition. I used my blade, used victory after victory, to win this opportunity.""Xiao Shu did not have such an opportunity in the State of Dan, so he accepted my invitation.""We have many colleagues in the military, many powerful cultivators. Some are the sons of generals, some are the nephews of marquises... But I chose Xiao Shu. Because this spot is mine. Because Xiao Shu is stronger than all of them, and can bring me closer to victory."Chu Yuzhi spread his hands: "But as you can see, we lost.""Everyone must bear the consequences of their choices, and we are prepared to face these.""But I think, I can't help but think."His lowered eyelids could not conceal his strong gaze.He said: "Why can those children of aristocratic families have countless opportunities? And people like me and Xiao Shu, cannot afford to lose even once? Why, when we lose once, are we trampled into the mud?"He asked: "What is the difference between the State of Dan and the State of Chu?""The State of Dan today is perhaps the State of Chu tomorrow. Can you see it?" He looked at Zuo Guangshu, and also at Qu Shunhua: "I am grieved by this!""I do not know what the situation in the State of Dan is, nor do I know how unfair it is there. But the State of Dan is the State of Dan, and the State of Chu is the State of Chu," Zuo Guangshu said as calmly as possible: "Throughout the generations of the Zuo clan, countless have died for the country. There is no need to speak of past glories; if you flip through the national history, the blood of my Zuo clan is a deep red! My father died in battle for the country. My elder brother put on his armor and fought to the death. In the future, if Great Chu has need, I, Zuo Guangshu, am also prepared to die. From ancient times to the present, I ask myself, the Zuo clan does not fail Chu!"His clear eyes could not completely hide his anger: "Now you say, the ills of Chu, all began with the aristocratic families?""The Duke of Huai's Mansion, a family of loyal martyrs, I certainly know! I am filled with admiration!" Chu Yuzhi said sincerely: "What kind of person you, Zuo Guangshu, are, I also understand, otherwise how could I be friends with you?"He stood there, a mountain seemingly pressing down on his brows."This generation of the Zuo family has Zuo Guanglie, and you. This generation of the Qu family has Qu Shunhua, the Dou clan has the Dou Zhao and Dou Mian brothers... My Great Chu aristocratic families are filled with talent! But..."He sighed: "If you were not so outstanding, perhaps the State of Chu could still be saved."The word "saved" was truly absurd.Although Great Chu lost the River Valley War, it was still the overlord of the Southern Territory, one of the six strongest in the world. Every move could stir up the winds and clouds of the world, and it was far from the time to mourn for it.But Chu Yuzhi's expression was very serious."Guangshu, Shunhua, have you ever thought - what if you were two mediocre talents? What would the world be like? What would you be like?""Let me tell you, there would be no change whatsoever.""You would still enjoy so many resources, still have so many opportunities reserved for you.You only need to be together well and have a child.The aristocratic families of Great Chu, with three thousand years of history, have enough foundation and time to wait for the next generation to become talented.If the next generation doesn't succeed, there's the generation after next.Even if several generations in a row don't succeed, they can still, like the Xiang clan, find a collateral branch to elevate. Even if some aristocratic families fall, those who swallow them will be other aristocratic families.Most of this country's resources and opportunities are reserved for you. Reserved for your descendants, generation after generation."He asked: "But the tens of millions of commoners, like me... what about us?"On the Jianwo Tower, all were silent."The dukes and ministers in the imperial court might say, haven't we given you opportunities? Didn't you, Chu Yuzhi, enter the Mountain and Sea Realm? If you are not capable yourself, who is to blame?""But take the Mountain and Sea Realm trial as an example. Of the seven Nine Chapter Jade Tablets, only one is for people like me to contend for. The remaining six are all in the hands of the aristocratic families. But how many children of aristocratic families are there in the world, and how many children of commoners?""A few dozen aristocratic families sitting and dividing the pie, while hundreds of millions of commoners, barefoot and bloody, scramble for the only piece of pie. This is the State of Chu today!"Jiang Wang opened his mouth, about to speak.Chu Yuzhi had already looked at him: "Brother Jiang, do not speak to me of effort, of struggle. Your effort and struggle are merely exceptions. Many people struggle their entire lives, and can only eat a full meal and have a tile over their heads. If you were in the State of Chu... you would not have progressed so quickly.""Oh, no," he shook his head: "You are so close to the Duke of Huai's Mansion, you would progress even faster. Look, this is the State of Chu today. Truly prosperous in all directions, a world of brocade!""Chu Yuzhi! Speaking like this is too disheartening!" Qu Shunhua looked at him and said: "Do you know that Guangshu specially brought a Yuan Po pill for you today? Otherwise, why do you think we invited you to this banquet at this time? You have your difficulties, you have your grievances, but are those difficulties and grievances caused by us? Do we not treat you sincerely? Have we ever belittled you, that today you must use these words to hurt people!?""That is why I say I am sorry."Chu Yuzhi shook his head, then shook his head again: "Guangshu, Shunhua, I know you are very good and treat me very sincerely. I can completely feel your sincerity! But we are in the State of Chu, and we were born different. I thought I could interact with you as equals through my own efforts. In fact, you have always been accommodating me, taking care of me. I know you still treat me as a friend now, but by repeatedly accepting pity, I am merely in fact, a vassal of the aristocratic families. If not today, then tomorrow.""This country has a history of several thousand years, and several thousand years of history only describe one thing - this country belongs to the aristocratic families, it belongs to you!"Chu Yuzhi looked at them: "The Yuan Po pill that Guangshu took out precisely proves what I said, doesn't it?"He bowed deeply: "For my personal rudeness, for the harm I have caused you, I apologize once again.""I am extremely sorry, but I have already decided thus.""Farewell, everyone."After saying this, he turned and walked down the stairs.He arrived without drinking a single cup of wine, and left without drinking either."Wait!"Zuo Guangshu called out to Chu Yuzhi, stood up, and took out an exquisite jade bottle from his怀.The jade bottle was held in his hand, emanating a subtle precious light."Although the roads ahead are different, today we see the divergence. After all, we have been friends," Zuo Guangshu said: "Take this Yuan Po pill anyway. Only by compensating for the loss of your divine soul can you do what you wish to do."Chu Yuzhi's figure paused at the stairwell.Zuo Guangshu truly considered him a friend.And he, in fact, had few friends in the State of Chu.The path he had chosen was destined to be lonely for a long time."Guangshu, I have never been targeting you, I have no dissatisfaction with you whatsoever. No one would be hostile towards someone as clean as you. I also cherish the friendship you and Shunhua have given me... but it ends here.""We part ways here.""I will not take your Yuan Po pill.""Your sympathy and help, please do not bestow it anymore.""If I fall in the mud, let me fall in the mud. Someone will walk over my corpse.""I want to find a path for the commoners of the State of Chu. This path begins with myself."He walked down the stairs without looking back.His footsteps echoed, fading away little by little.Jiang Wang, who had been sitting for a long time, silently stood up.He saw him off with his gaze.On the second floor of Jianwo Tower, the curtains were drawn back, open on all sides.If a person sits high for too long, it is inevitable that they can only see the distant horizon.Ye Lan'er, the most beautiful woman in Great Chu, watched Chu Yuzhi's departing back, her eyes changing slightly, as if she was seeing this person for the first time.Chu Yuzhi was interested in her, this was no secret.Among the young heroes of the State of Chu who were interested in her, they could line up from Yingcheng to Lincheng. If the restriction of "young heroes" was removed, it would not be strange to line up to Xianyang City.Chu Yuzhi had never concealed his fondness, always expressing it with great discretion, never causing annoyance.So she did not mind occasionally sitting down to eat and chat with him.Only today, as he turned to leave, he did not spare her a second glance.Before an ideal one could strive for their entire life, other things became unimportant - men were always like this."Long have I lamented that the human heart is not like water, ordinary flat ground suddenly giving rise to waves," Ye Lan'er laughed lightly, shaking her head, unsure whether it was a sigh or annoyance: "Just like that, we part ways."Her laughter was carried by the wind, turning into threads of tangled thoughts.No one knew if she cared, or if she did not."I think he is just using this method to strengthen his path," Jiang Wang retracted his gaze and sat back down.There were many problems in this world.Perhaps there was more than one way to solve problems.And many people believed that they had found the only path.Some people struggled their entire lives, only to practice one possibility.In any case, a person with noble ideals, and who steadfastly walked towards them, was worthy of respect.This was the reason Jiang Wang stood up to see him off.Zuo Guangshu held the jade bottle in his hand, and slowly sat down, as if explaining to himself: "His entering the Mountain and Sea Realm this time was also a military spot won. He refused arrangements from so many people, and in the end, he gained nothing and his divine soul was weakened... he is definitely under some pressure."Qu Shunhua rolled her eyes at him: "He treats your intentions so poorly, yet you are still speaking up for him."But she continued: "This time after coming out of the Mountain and Sea Realm, Xiang Bei directly entered a life-and-death seclusion in the Xiang clan's ancestral home. It is said that his determination is great, he will not come out until he has broken through. Perhaps Chu Yuzhi also needs to strengthen his belief."As she spoke, she smiled to herself: "So he specially came today to cut ties with us, after all, if it were any later, your Yuan Po pill would have already been given away."Whether it was Zuo Guangshu or Qu Shunhua, they both had their natural positions.They were born into families of wealth and prestige, born dukes and ministers, and would die dukes and ministers.This was an unchangeable fact.Their families had fought for their family's cause for dozens of generations, generation after generation sacrificing their lives. Was it not for the luxurious carriages and fine horses of today, was it not to allow their descendants to possess the "endless opportunities" that Chu Yuzhi spoke of?They could not abandon these.But they also understood Chu Yuzhi's choice.With the talent and intelligence Chu Yuzhi displayed, once he leaned towards any aristocratic family, he could quickly gain support. But that also meant that Chu Yuzhi would become a part of the aristocratic families of Chu.Chu Yuzhi, an orphan who emerged from the military, did not attach himself to any aristocratic family, took the nation as his surname, and held steadfast to his path, had already chosen the most difficult road.It was precisely because Chu Yuzhi's journey had not been easy that he knew even more what those who, like him, started from scratch and struggled, needed.Their paths were different, their roots were different; in the same country, they were in completely different worlds.Perhaps it was destined from the beginning that their friendship could not last long.This was not anyone's problem.Sometimes no one was wrong.But as Chu Yuzhi said -"It ends here."All departures in this world are ultimately thus.