1132 Li You Rans Choice (1/2)
Li You Ran had always been a dangerous talent, but Jun Mo Xie was full of confidence of controlling him! There was no other reason; with Jun Mo Xie's current strength, no matter what sort of schemes… trying to defeat him was merely a joke.
A glint flashed in Li You Ran's eyes as he considered it for a long while. Finally, he shook his head.
”The Li Family of the Capital, be it in the Imperial Court or out, is already part of your rule! And your position in Tian Xiang is essentially only beneath one person and above everyone else, or maybe even higher!” Jun Mo Xie said seriously. ”Everything that can be obtained in the world, aside from the throne, you have already gotten it. Don't tell me that there are greater things that you seek?”
”No! That is not what I meant. Third Young Master, you and I are ultimately different!” Li You Ran chuckled bitterly, stood up and walked over to the window. After a long while, he said, ”Third Young Master, you and I have known each other for some time. I understand what you are thinking of doing and also know what it is that you want. But you have never understood what it is I seek, and I fear that you have never understood it before.”
”Then what exactly is it that you want?” Jun Mo Xie furrowed his brows.
”What I want… is nothing. It is actually just a sort of feeling! That is all.” Li You Ran's brow twitched as he suddenly stretched his hand out and pointed at the scenery outside the window. ”Third Young Master, look, how big is this Xuan Xuan Continent? In this world, how many people are there, who wish to be like you!
He sighed gently and gave a self-mocking laugh. ”Back then when we were battling, a Sky Xuan expert already had the strength to turn the world upside down! Back then, we both knew that a Spirit Xuan was already the peak of the world, an existence that mortals could only admire from below! Thinking back, it was truly ridiculous. Let's not even talk about your prowess; it is truly difficult for someone who is a Sky Xuan to be even enter the eyes of Tang Yuan or me!
”There are Supremes above Spirit Xuans, and Superior Supremes above Supremes; then it is the Venerables, Saints, Saint Emperors and now, Saint Venerables have appeared!” Li You Ran stood stoically at the window, his posture maybe upright, but it had an indescribable air of loneliness.
”Who knows, what sort of existence stands above Saint Venerables. This is just a path that goes on forever without an end in sight.” Li You Ran laughed bitterly. ”Third Young Master, I am not inferior, but I also cannot be considered to be a real prodigy. If I put myself into Xuan cultivation, I may be able to reach the levels of a Venerable, or Saint, but how much time will I have to put in?
”Even if I have the cultivation of Venerable, Saint, so what? There are still so many Saint Emperors up there! Any single random one of them can easily slaughter me!”
Li You Ran sniggered. ”No matter how high my cultivation is, in this world, I do not dare to proclaim myself as unrivalled! I am merely a passing visitor of this world! Continuously cultivating like this, slowly, until I grow old and die, how boring is that?”
How boring is that?
Jun Mo Xie couldn't help but widen his eyes when he heard this 'critique'.
A glorious matter like being unrivalled and invincible in the world was a 'boring' affair in Li You Ran's eyes!
”Although I am not the Emperor in the court, but all my thoughts can be implemented without a hitch. All my ambitions can be achieved! I may be beneath one person, but I am truly above ten thousands of people! No matter where I go, all I'll hear is flattery and fawning; perhaps you will think that that is disgusting, but I view it as power! And what I, Li You Ran, have been pursuing! This sort of feeling of ruling above everyone else!
”I would rather enjoy the wealth and influence amongst the common people, than be thin ice in the forest of the strong!” Li You Ran said pensively.
Jun Mo Xie was speechless. This seemed to be what they call: better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion! He wasn't sure to call him unambitious, or not hungry for success, willingly resigning himself to a common place…
”But have you ever thought that if you continue like this, without adequate Xuan cultivation, you will only be able to live slightly over hundred years at most. Don't tell me you don't wish… to live for a longer time?” Jun Mo Xie frowned and asked.
Li You Ran laughed carefreely. ”In the life of a man, a hundred years is extremely sufficient. The moment it is long, it may not be a good thing for the country and for himself! Third Young Master, I have been playing with schemes and plots for my dreams for decades. Being an official that has some power is enough. It is impossible to continue forever. Don't tell me you want me to continue playing with schemes for hundreds and thousands of years? Then I wouldn't be a powerful official, but an old demon who maintains political affairs!”
Jun Mo Xie was completely dumbfounded. He really did not imagine the Li You Ran who always dwelled in deep, profound thoughts was so unambitious!
”Moreover, someone like me will not be someone good. Sometimes you may not be capable of doing something, but that doesn't mean that I am also incapable of it.” Li You Ran smiled bitterly. ”I have already used to this sort of unscrupulous methods in order to achieve my goals as a habit. And I also feel exhaustion this habit. So after I enjoy a few more years of power, I can turn into ashes with no regrets.
”Those who are close like father and son, brothers, and husbands and wives can still plot against each other and fight to the death. All these things may be laughable in the eyes of others who are not involved, but it is even more tragic for those who are trapped in it. Yet, they do not have a choice. For the sake of my goal, I can sacrifice the woman I love. This is who I am. I really have no lingering attachments.
”This world is really boring!” Li You Ran said. ”Aside from that momentary thrill that arrives in the moment I watch someone else fall into my trap and that pleasant feeling of wielding the power that allows me to summon hundreds with one call, I really have no other expectations. Although I understand that I will soon turn sick or even tired of that thrill and pleasant feeling, but that is already my last bit of doctrine!”
Li You Ran left, waving his hand.
There was one thing that thought Li You Ran did not outrightly say, but he had already made it clear ambiguously. In the court, although he was lowly, he was still able to wield great command.
But in the pugilistic world, there was not much use for his clever schemes. And Li You Ran… was not willing to resign himself to being under someone. If he worked under Jun Mo Xie, with Li You Ran's pride, he would feel uncomfortable…
So Li You Ran rejected.
And Young Master Jun Mo Xie continued to sit in his seat. As he watched Li You Ran walked out slightly, Jun Mo Xie felt as if a part of time that belonged to him had slowly came to an end along with Li You Ran's departure.
Although his strength was mediocre during that period of time, he would never forget about it. He was so much stronger now. He will never be able to return to those days.
From today on, he was the Evil Monarch!