Published: March 8, 2025
Li Chunbo and Li Xiangsi both sighed at the same time, speechless, their hearts filled with emotion.
Why, why had no one told us this before? If we had followed this advice earlier, the Li family would never have faced such a catastrophe, and could have continued to thrive for ten thousand years or even longer.
They valued martial prowess but neglected the fundamentals!
“Before life and death, even cowards can become warriors, and warriors can also fear for their lives; despicable people can sometimes bravely face danger, while gentlemen may live in complacency. Changes in an instant cannot be clearly articulated by anyone. It can either be a sublimation or a fall…”
Meanwhile, Chu Le'er said slowly, “So, there’s really nothing to lament; only pride; because after all, they did not choose to live in cowardice and fear…”
“Among these people, I only respect those who are usually kind and righteous; because they deserve the respect of Chu Le'er, but the others…”
Chu Le'er snorted coldly and said, “Previously, I have heard you talk about the usual behavior of some of these people, and many are not upright, nor are they the actions of gentlemen… They only realized their mistakes ten days before death, which is indeed touching. But… what’s worth pondering is, why must one only realize before death?”
“Why must one only feel their foolishness and loss when there’s no way out?”
“A mere ten days of repentance cannot compensate for a lifetime of harm?”
“What were they doing before?”
“If that’s the case, can I think that if there were no such pressure of life and death, then these people might never repent throughout their lives, perhaps not even until death?”
Chu Le'er’s clear voice echoed high in the sky, leaving everyone, including Mo Tianji, stunned.
Yes, Chu Le'er's words were ruthless, cold, and even bloodless, piercingly icy to the heart.
However, they pointed directly to the most acute core issue.
At the moment when human hearts are most prone to softness and being moved, Chu Le'er maintained a high degree of clarity, and although her identity was that of an outsider, it was indeed rare.
Although this clarity was calm, cold, and nearly merciless, almost cruel.
But this cruelty is something few people in this world can achieve or even conceive.
Chu Le'er's childhood was fraught with hardships and illness, with each night feeling akin to crossing the threshold of life and death a hundred times. This shaped her unique character: what she cherished most is what she possesses now!
What cannot be grasped right now, no matter how good it is, will not move her! She will not value it!
Chu Le'er said lightly, “A myriad of honors after death is not as good as a little filial piety in life.”
Mo Tianji replied, “Le'er, your words are somewhat extreme. To repent at the last moment is also a sign of conscience awakening.”
Chu Le'er coldly responded, “Is it? I particularly cannot stand this behavior of realizing one’s mistakes only at the brink of life and death; on the contrary, I feel: it would be better for these people to die without repentance. Dying after repenting leaves their families with everlasting sorrow.”
“So I absolutely do not agree!” Chu Le'er’s delicate brows were icy as she said, “If it were me, I would rather die worse than let my family suffer after my death!”
Mo Tianji was utterly taken aback.
He never expected Chu Le'er would make such statements; while somewhat extreme, they were undeniably reasonable; moreover, such words should come from someone with extensive experience in life and death, yet how old is Chu Le'er?
How could she have such thoughts?
Chu Le'er stated, “The dead are gone.” She glanced at Mo Tianji.
Mo Tianji shuddered, suddenly enlightened, and deeply looked at Chu Le'er, saying, “Indeed, now is not the time for lamentation. Inform the army to retreat immediately at full speed.”
“Retreat at full speed?” Li Chunbo, with tears still drying at the corners of his eyes, looked at Mo Tianji in surprise.