Chapter 2397: Not a Stone or a Tree

Tian Xing Cliff is not a silent place.

Because the law is not obscure, the law does not manifest in a dark room. The law is like the great sun, illuminating the world, promoting its might externally!

Wu Bing Yi’s voice, as if it had become an inscription on Tian Xing Cliff's stones, wrote in an unchangeable manner: “Gong Sun Bu Hai, because you and I have the same suspicion. That is why you will only speak of Equality Country here with me.”

“Yes, I have had it,” Gong Sun Bu Hai admitted directly.

“Gu Shi Yi’s life has been bright and upright. The only place that can raise suspicion about him lies in whether he has a secret identity. Ordinary organizations cannot match his power, nor are they enough to make you value.”

The holder of the Punisher Palace spread all ten fingers, not bending once. That was a posture of sincere exchange: “One True Dao will not exist among people outside the Dao Gate. Thus, your suspicion can only be limited to Equality Country—my suspicion towards him also lies here.”

Wu Bing Yi quietly waited for him to finish speaking.

“But Gu Shi Yi cannot possibly be a person from Equality Country,” Gong Sun Bu Hai said. “He is a person of free nature, quick with pleasure and enmity, who hates restraint the most. It’s impossible for him to join any organization, especially one with such a strict structure.”

Wu Bing Yi said faintly, “You were once as close as hand and foot, but ultimately parted ways, which explains that in some aspects, you are unable to understand him. Couldn’t I think this way— you don’t truly understand him?”

Gong Sun Bu Hai’s eyes drooped slightly: “Equality Country, this organization, has already continued for so many years. With Equality Country’s past style of action, Gu Shi Yi would not approve of them.”

Wu Bing Yi shook his head: “You and I both know that Equality Country doesn't actually have a fixed style of action. Each person has their own style. They walk in the same direction, but the specific path for each person is not entirely the same. Gu Shi Yi may not approve of others, but this is not a reason for him to refuse Equality Country.”

“Even if the past was all a disguise, strength cannot be faked,” Gong Sun Bu Hai said seriously. “Gu Shi Yi stood up for the people of Zheng Country, went to the grassland to challenge Hu Yan Jing Xuan, and achieved True Monarch in the public eye. And regardless of Sheng Gong, Zhao Wang, or Shen Xia, their appearances were all much earlier than this time, and they also showed strength beyond the Yan Dao level very early on.”

“It seems your suspicion towards him is that he is a certain leader figure of Equality Country. More specifically— you suspect he is Shen Xia,” Wu Bing Yi always proceeded in his own order. Rather than saying he was listening to Gong Sun Bu Hai’s explanation, it was more accurate to say he was seeking new evidence: “Why couldn't Gu Shi Yi be one of the twelve protectors? Today's Zhi Qian Tang Jun was also once Day Li Mao.”

Gong Sun Bu Hai said: “Gu Shi Yi will not place himself under anyone. He is bold and self-reliant, unable to endure constraint, and even less allows the existence of so-called ‘superiors’. If he were to yield even on this point, it would shake his fundamental will. He also couldn't have walked to today.”

“Is ‘self’ truly his highest pursuit?” Wu Bing Yi asked.

Gong Sun Bu Hai was silent for a moment.

He sat on Tian Xing Cliff, holding the Punisher Palace, and had seen too many people.

So he was completely able to understand the key to Wu Bing Yi’s question.

Before the highest pursuit, everything can be yielded. Including past life principles, scattered ideals, and self-respect...

The most resolute heart from ancient times to the present is not a heart full of evil, but the heart of a Dao seeker.

“Gu Shi Yi once as a Zheng Country prince, not content with clan arrogance and luxury, raised his sword to cut it and fill in water conservancy, greatly repairing water channels. A clan elder said to him, heaven-born noble, how can there be no *li* to manifest, you wear splendid clothes, tie beautiful jade, noble to the extreme of the world, slightly the same as the emperor's descendants. He then untied his splendid clothes, took off his beautiful jade, and from then on did not receive royal support.”

Gong Sun Bu Hai slowly said: “Gu Shi Yi’s own uncle, Zheng Chi’s own king, did evil in his fief, and a complaint was reported to Zheng Capital, but no one dared to handle it. Even the then Zheng Country emperor did not have the heart to act against his own younger brother, only rebuking him a few sentences. Yet he raised his sword and went to the door, listed the crimes, killed his imperial uncle in the main court, dipped his blood to write a book, saying ‘Yi of the place, though the imperial order is not received,’ and also said ‘Imperial father should arrest me by law, this foolish son can receive a small staff, but will run from a large staff,’ and just like this left the country.”

“He wielded his sword and traveled the world, meeting demons and chopping them, crying out against injustice, repeatedly going through life and death, his body full of wounds, there were five times when he was determined to be already dead, and yet crawled back from the edge of life and death. He offended not a few people, yet also gained the respect of more people. His fame spread ten thousand li, truly by him saving countless people.”

“Later, the Zheng Country emperor was critically ill and summoned him back to succeed the throne. He went back and accompanied him for a period of time, after which he resigned, refusing the dragon robe, and knelt before the sickbed, saying that returning to the country this time was just a son missing his father. Gu Shi Yi is by nature scattered and dares not mistake the country. He again left the country and went.”

“Looking at Gu Shi Yi’s life trajectory up to this point, although willful and not receiving law, there is truly nothing to criticize. Everything is done with the character *yi* first!”

Gong Sun Bu Hai spoke sincerely, as if to convince himself: “How could a person like him approve of human demons, save down human demons?”

Wu Bing Yi quietly listened to all of this, his ancient well of a heart undisturbed: “You are clearer than I am that the past cannot represent the present.”

Gong Sun Bu Hai said: “But at least before he truly did anything wrong, the path of the past is the manifestation of his character!”

Wu Bing Yi looked at him: “We are saying so much now, it seems all to find reasons to convince ourselves respectively, and not to prove anything. So I don’t need to elaborate on my suspicion again, nor do you need to speak your reasons again— the Fa family ultimately speaks with evidence.”

Gong Sun Bu Hai said: “At least I cannot find reasons why Gu Shi Yi belongs to Equality Country.”

He said with a kind of near-stubborn seriousness, word by word, tone by tone: “Gu Shi Yi will not do that, even if he truly is the person you imagined. He also cannot cooperate with human demons, he has his insistence and bottom line. To truly speak of Equality Country's three big leaders, on the contrary Sheng Gong and Zhao Wang are a bit more indifferent to means.”

“Gong Sun Bu Hai, you have too many cognitions and too many definitions regarding Gu Shi Yi. When you have such a strong ‘feeling,’ you deviate from the essence of ‘Fa’,” Wu Bing Yi said. “You believe him to be good, or believe and suspect is also fine. As for Gu Shi Yi, just don’t stare at him anymore. I will add one point, Mister Han can also put in a little effort.”

Gong Sun Bu Hai opened his mouth. As the author of 《Zheng Fa Tian Heng》, he had thousands of reasons he could bring out to debate with Wu Bing Yi, but in the end, he swallowed them all. He was silent for half a moment, and then said somewhat frustratedly: “You are right. When it comes to Gu Shi Yi, it’s very hard for me to maintain the objectivity of ‘Fa’.”

“People are not grass or wood, who can be without emotion?” Wu Bing Yi turned his body and walked down the mountain, saying nothing else.

The words for today were already exhausted.

Afterward, it would only be a matter of looking at the evidence.

That cold and stern figure with a high crown and wide belt paved the stone steps all the way to the foot of the mountain.

Gong Sun Bu Hai quietly watched this retreating figure go far away, remaining silent for a long time.

Yes, people must have emotions.

But this master of the Fa family named “Wu Bing Yi” was an existence almost close to the Fa and without emotion.

The wind on Tian Xing Cliff quietly blew.

Gong Sun Bu Hai woke up from his thoughts and was about to turn back to the Fa palace, when he looked up and saw a person, then asked: “Qing Ru, why are you here?”

Zhuo Qing Ru, the true transmission disciple of Ju Di Palace, slowly walked out, very cuối (end) prudent and polite: “Today is my turn to guard the Fa stele, Master Gong Sun.”

Gong Sun Bu Hai nodded his head and thus returned to the mountain.

Zhuo Qing Ru stood there for a while, old and real, like a known disciple of the Fa family, serious, upright, earnest, and orderly.

And in the void, a pure white scroll slowly opened. An invisible pen outlined on the paper, free and unrestrained—

The two great masters met on the road, and even chatted idly like ordinary people, looking very intimate.

Can’t hear what they were saying, weren’t they also talking about last night’s light snow?

Senior Brother Xu initially said that towards Palace Master Gong Sun, the teacher is also a teacher and also a father existence. It seems he didn’t say wrong, it’s extraordinarily good...

Wonder if I can call him Senior Brother next time I see Palace Master Gong Sun?

“Senior Brother Jiang!!!”

Inside the Ling Xiao secret realm, boiling voices filled the sky.

The once clear and quiet place was now like a pot of boiling water.

As Ye Ling Xiao increasingly displayed power, Yun Country remained neutral as usual, but its posture was less restrained, and Ling Xiao Pavilion also expanded greatly— Ye Qing Yu’s attempted commercial expansion was also a part of this.

A group of Ling Xiao Pavilion disciples surrounded the center of the square in three layers inside and three layers outside, as if surrounding some rare world treasure, making the place impenetrable.

“Senior Brother Jiang, do you still remember me? Last time we met, you even smiled at me!”

“Cabinet Elder Jiang! This is a sword art I created myself, please give me some pointers! Come, come, everyone move a bit, don’t squeeze, let out a space, I’ll demonstrate for Cabinet Elder Jiang—”

“Demonstrate your mother’s head, roll aside, your three-legged cat sword art is not taking up space! Senior Brother Jiang— look at me!”

“Ai, don’t fight, don’t fight, go outside and fight!”

“Ah! Ah— Senior Brother Jiang, you usually admire me the most, oh no, I usually think highly of you, what am I saying, Senior Brother Jiang, I’m so excited, True Monarch Jiang! This is my sword, please touch it, just touch it! Grant me spiritual light!”

There was also a child’s voice. A new disciple of Ling Xiao Pavilion, a generation younger than Jiang An An, looking five or six years old, tied with sheep horn braids, jumping and shouting: “Uncle Jiang! Uncle Jiang! Give me a hug!”

Jiang An An grabbed her and hugged her up, smiling with narrow eyes: “Senior aunt will hug you. Little girl, have you been standing straight well? Did you copy the book today? Senior aunt has some good brand new ones— uh, specially bought for you, this is for you, is that good?”

The little girl struggled out of her embrace and turned her head and ran.

Jiang Wang, of course, was not coming to the Ling Xiao secret realm for the first time. In fact, after he proved Dao to the absolute peak, the first thing he did was leap into the Heaven Dao deep sea, tour the four directions, visit all his relatives and friends, and even chased down Senior Guan Yan and the little troublesome granny far away in the outer heavens to visit.

The appearance of the little troublesome granny being surprised and happy for him was truly interesting. Life’s sense of achievement was no more than this.

After seeing all his relatives and friends, the next thing was to convene the Tai Xu conference and plan to build the Chao Wen Dao heavenly palace.

But calculating carefully, this was indeed the first time he had so formally walked through the door of Ling Xiao Pavilion after proving Dao to True Monarch and claiming the title of absolute peak.

Presenting a worship post, although on the worship post there were only the two words “Jiang Wang”.

At a fixed time, although the time was just half an hour after the post was presented.

And then grandly, he walked up from Bao Xue Peak all the way—

Bao Xue Peak is covered in snow all year round because of its high altitude and coldness.

It was early winter, and even the clouds were frosted.

The formerly silent, nameless white-haired youth is today a figure sung by the world.

In the entire Yun Country, only Ye Qing Yu recognized him. Today, in the entire world, those who do not know the name “Jiang Wang” are already few and far between.

The way he walked down the mountain alone step by step that year is the way he walks up the mountain step by step today.

In the past, everyone asked who he was. Today, those who hear his name all vie to see him.

The only thing unchanged is that at the highest point of Yun City, it is still the young pavilion master of Ling Xiao Pavilion, Ye Qing Yu, who personally tears open the sky to welcome him.

The way she was clear and elegant that year is the way she is tranquil today.

Time seems unable to change everything.

It only allows the subtle threads and pieces to weave into a seamless heavenly garment.

It only allows two people to casually look at each other and smile, with that natural tacit understanding.

Her moon-white long skirt outlined her slender figure. Her soft long hair always hung to her waist, like a piece of black bright satin.

Because of Bai Ge Xiao’s “turbid world refine immortal” method, and also because Ye Ling Xiao intentionally delegated power, she has increasingly taken responsibility for Ling Xiao Pavilion’s affairs over the years, and more or less has some authority in her hands. Instead, she is not very serious, just quietly standing on the cloud platform, fluttering in the wind, smiling and looking in this direction.

“The skirt you are wearing today seems to be the one you wore that day,” Jiang Wang said while coping with the enthusiastic Ling Xiao Pavilion disciples, quietly transmitting his voice to Ye Qing Yu.

“Which day?” Ye Qing Yu blinked her eyes, her gaze as clear as a forest stream, as if she didn't remember at all.

Heaven knows how long she searched for this dress. In the end, she specially had someone make a new one according to the old one. Just for the meeting today, several years later, tearing open the sky again.

This is just one of countless if not intentional little thoughts.

Just... she thought he wouldn't remember.

Initially, when Jiang Wang sent An An to Ling Xiao Pavilion, they met as they walked up the long stone steps of the mountain, and she was wearing this very dress.

Strictly speaking, that was their first meeting.

At that time, she hurried out to welcome him, forgetting to wear her veil, and it was the first time she allowed Jiang Wang to see her true appearance.

But unlike all the other men who saw her true appearance for the first time.

In the eyes of that youth at that time, there was only his sister, only a kind of strong suppressed calm under endless pain and torment.

Traveling alone ten thousand li, the youth wielded a sword.

That was just the beginning of her truly impressive journey.

At that time, he thought.

Though heaven and earth are vast, there is no home.

At that time, he thought.

How can I not make my sister suffer?

At that time, he thought.

This is just a teacher of mine, this is such a pure person, who will do the right things.

In this world, there are still people who can be trusted. Not just An An, not just Brother Hu.

“What are you thinking?” Ye Qing Yu leaned on the railing as if nothing were happening, standing far away on the cloud platform, looking quite lively like a jade orchid in the valley, yet she transmitted her voice and asked.

“Come, no rush, everyone has a share. You are An An’s same door, and Qing Yu’s same door, so you can also be considered my same door.”

Jiang Wang bent his index finger and knocked on the welcoming swords one by one, sending out wonderful sounds of dong, dong, dong.

Amidst the wonderful thoughts of “praying for blessings” among these young boys and girls, he simultaneously transmitted his voice and said: “At that time, I thought, this fairy-like girl, beautiful both inside and out... I must repay her.”

Talking privately in a noisy environment has a very special feeling—

Amidst the endless noise, we have our own infinite quiet.