Chapter 729 – A Battle of Wills between Master and Disciple (1/2)

Chapter 729 – A Battle of Wills between Master and Disciple

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

(TN: Way of Choices will be on break from December 25th, 2017 – January 7, 2018)

”Your life is mine.”

As he spoke, Shang Xingzhou's expression was very calm, as if he was describing one of the simplest yet most unquestionable truths of the world.

The sun will rise in the east and set in the west, the starry sky will forever remain unchanging, and eggs are best fried with oil.

After hearing these words, Chen Changsheng very naturally thought of that famous sight that occurred in Mount Li's internal strife on that year.

Lord and minister, father and son, master and disciple: these were the three most difficult-to-break laws in the world.

At the time, when the Qiushan clan head spoke the words 'father and son', even an extraordinary individual like Qiushan Jun was forced to run his sword through his chest in order to break them.

How should Chen Changsheng handle it?

In truth, everyone knew that once the conflict between this master and disciple fully exploded, Shang Xingzhou would inevitably use their relationship as master and disciple to strike. Su Moyu, the students and teachers of the Orthodox Academy, and the priests of the Li Palace were deeply concerned about this fact, but none of them could think of a way for Chen Changsheng to respond.

Chen Changsheng had naturally mentally prepared himself for this and had imagined this scene many times, so he was not surprised.

He did not speak mostly because he was reminiscing.

When he heard his master's voice, he recalled that scene at Mount Li. When he gazed at the snowbound trees around the lake, he recalled his conversation with Tang Thirty-Six.

It had been so very long ago.

At the time, he and Tang Thirty-Six stood on top of the great banyan and gazed at the capital in the twilight, the nearby Imperial Palace and the distant Li Palace.

Tang Thirty-Six had said many things. They had been warnings, and they could also be understood as slurs aimed at his master.

Chen Changsheng then began to recall the night the Pope returned to the sea of stars. Alone, he had trekked across the snowy grounds of the Li Palace for a very long time.

Before that, he had already told the Pope how he understood and would treat this relationship of master and disciple.

He was not Qiushan Jun, and Shang Xingzhou was certainly no Qiushan clan head. Suicide by sword had no meaning here.

He did not know that Senior Yu Ren had attempted such a method in the Imperial Palace, but even if he knew, he would not emulate it.

This was because such a method was established on a certain foundation: the Qiushan clan head cherished Qiushan Jun, as Shang Xingzhou cherished Yu Ren.

Chen Changsheng had coolheadedly affirmed a very cold and callous fact: his master had never liked him.

The moment he was thoroughly convinced of this fact, he gained true calm and freedom.

So then just as he had said to the Pope and just like how Tang Thirty-Six had taught him, he should speak.

”Thank you,” Chen Changsheng said to Shang Xingzhou.

No matter if it was part of some disgusting and ugly scheme meant to do shameless harm against an infant, you saved me by the stream and raised me, so…thank you.

And then…well, there was no 'and then'.

He calmly looked across the snow at the person before him, his eyes bright, not a single word more coming out of his mouth.

After a long period of silence, Shang Xingzhou slightly narrowed his eyes and slowly said, ”That is it?”

Chen Changsheng pondered the question, then asked, ”Does Master want me to return the cost of living for those years? Then, how much money is it in total?”

He spoke very earnestly without the slightest hint of joking in his voice.

This had never been a matter to joke about in the first place.

Even if I admit that you saved my life, I've already thanked you. What more do you want?

You want living expenses? Then say it, and I'll completely return it. I have money now, and I also have a friend who's particularly rich.