Chapter 499 – The Li Palace Unties the Bell (2/2)

This storm had originally been the opening of an assault by the Tianhai clan and the new faction of the Orthodoxy against the Pope, but it had been stopped cold at the gates of the Orthodox Academy. It was only natural that the Li Palace maintain its silence.

The Pope walked back to his chair and indicated that Chen Changsheng should sit. ”Besides, this is an opportunity.”

These were simpler and even more ambiguous words, but Chen Changsheng still understood.

If the assault of the Tianhai clan and the Orthodoxy's new faction could be limited to a certain extent, then to him and the Orthodox Academy, this was an incredibly valuable opportunity.

Just as his spiritual sense had been washed in that ocean of sword intent and become purer and more tenacious, these battles would enable his sword to grow steadier and stronger.

”Only this way can we have you mature as quickly as possible,” the Pope said to him with a kind gaze.

Chen Changsheng only understood a part of this conclusion. After his discussion with Tang Thirty-Six, this was the only point that he could not be certain of. Why had the Pope chosen this method of having him mature? It seemed rather rushed. To use Tang Thirty-Six's words, it was like pulling up the plants by the roots to help them grow.

Seeing his expression, the Pope was rather surprised. ”I thought that you wouldn't be that interested in these matters, that you would still need some time to understand, or else have come to find me even earlier.”

”There are many things you might lack interest in, but you still have to learn. Since you can't avoid it…this is what Tang Tang said to me,” Chen Changsheng replied.

Tang Thirty-Six had said to him, ”Since you're going to become the Pope, you have to learn about those seemingly uninteresting things. You have to have your own team, like the Orthodox Academy.”

The reason he had been able to understand all of the Pope's previous statements was also because Tang Thirty-Six had done a similar analysis.

Now it seemed that all of Tang Thirty-Six's deductions had been correct.

”You've got a very good friend.” The Pope seemed somewhat emotional. ”When I became acquainted with his grandfather, we were about your age. It was just that due to a few things later on, I and his grandfather had differing opinions, naturally making it impossible to maintain that friendship. He returned to Wenshui, I entered the Li Palace, and in a flash, so many years have passed.”

A few days ago, when he was watching Mo Yu and Tang Thirty-Six converse, Chen Changsheng became aware of the so-called upper layer of society, but he still had not imagined that the Pope and the Old Master of the Tang clan were once so close.

”Since you had not come in the past few days, I thought that you would not be coming for some time. Why did you suddenly come tonight?” the Pope asked.

The Orthodox Academy had already endured through the most difficult period. As it had not asked for the Li Palace's assistance at that time, there was even less reason to ask for it now.

”I went to the Divine General of the East's estate,” Chen Changsheng explained. ”I wanted to end the engagement, but that side has always delayed, so I wish to request Martial Uncle's assistance in directly removing this marriage.”

The Pope realized that his expression was very serious. With a somewhat strange look, he asked, ”Do you know what this marriage signifies?”

In the past, Chen Changsheng would definitely have believed that story his master had told him: Xu Yourong's grandfather represented Emperor Xian in offering sacrifices to the mountains and then was ambushed and heavily wounded by a great general of the demons. Even the imperial physicians were powerless to cure him, but his master Daoist Ji just happened to be passing through the area. With magical hands, the man was cured. In his excitement, the Grand Minister decided this engagement. But now, he naturally was aware that this engagement definitely had some ulterior motive.

After all, his master was not merely Daoist Ji, but also Principal Shang, the Divine Empress's most powerful enemy.

”No matter what this engagement signifies, it has nothing to do with me.”

If an ordinary youth said this sort of thing to an elder, their word would often be rich with a childish and laughable feeling, brimming with a hot-blooded feeling that caused others to cover their noses when it was really nothing but selfishness and presumptuousness. But when these words came from Chen Changsheng's mouth, they had none of these problems. He spoke very calmly and very persuasively. The difference was that an ordinary youth often had no idea what the responsibility meant, while he had very seriously thought it over before confirming that this was not a responsibility he had to bear.

Life and death was his own matter, marriage was his own matter, to have children or not was his own matter, how to raise the child was his own matter. Chen Changsheng had not sorted out these things in his mind, only naturally did things in this manner, or perhaps it was because he had always cultivated the Dao of following his heart, and the previous four points were all the lowest on his heart's demands.

The Pope asked him again, ”You will not regret it in the future?”

A profound sensation flashed through those eyes of his that were as vast and boundless as the sea of stars.

Chen Changsheng did not notice. ”I will not.”

The Pope calmly gazed at him. ”Very well.”

Before Chen Changsheng took his leave, he asked, ”Is it possible to not fight?”

This was naturally speaking about that event anticipated by the people…the battle between him and Xu Yourong. According to the news Tang Thirty-Six had heard, it was said that the Thirteen Divisions of Radiant Green were already preparing the letter of challenge, the writer apparently a great scholar of the Imperial Court. After his visit today to the Divine General of the East's estate, he grew even more sympathetic for that girl he had still yet to meet. Now that he had received the Pope's approval to end the engagement, he felt that there was even less of a reason to fight this battle.

”We both cultivate the Dao of following the heart. As long as you wish it, of course it's okay. Even if the other side wants it, you can still avoid it.”

The Pope raised up the wooden ladle from the pool of water and continued to slowly water the Green Leaf. He slowly spoke, ”If you are able to confirm it to yourself, then your choice will truly be according to your heart's desire.”

Chen Changsheng gazed at the Pope's back. This time, it could finally be said that he somewhat understood. He knew that these words contained some other profound meaning.