Transcending the Nine Heavens

“However, if it comes to sacrificing myself for such a person, knowing it is impossible and even dying because of it... I would laugh because that is absolutely impossible to happen, and more so, they are unworthy!”

“Do you not think that such a death would be unjust and foolish?” Chu Yang’s question resonated strongly.

“You might be being a bit extreme,” Yan Rushan sighed.

“Is it really extreme? I constantly remind myself that everything I do is never for others, but for myself. If not, I wouldn’t receive the corresponding rewards and would feel wronged and undervalued. But if it's for myself, everything is different.” Chu Yang smiled and said, “So I do not look at the world, nor at the common people; I only look at my own heart. When a person’s heart moves, everything follows.”

At this point, Yan Rushan fell completely silent.

“When my heart is at peace, then the world is at peace; when my heart is angry, I will draw my sword and sever the injustices of the world!” Chu Yang stood up and said, “They have come. I will go out to take a look.”

“Wait,” Yan Rushan said.

“What is it?” Chu Yang turned back.

Yan Rushan hesitated for a long time before taking out a completely green jade pendant from his bosom and said, “If you discover that there are forces in this city that are beyond your calculations, or if there are people from the Eastern Emperor’s government that you cannot handle... you can show this jade pendant.”

He said softly, “I am also a person of the government, and this jade pendant still has some use.”

Chu Yang focused his gaze on him for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, “Brother Yan, your righteousness, in that case, I will not be polite. I am grateful.”

He reached out to take Yan Rushan’s jade pendant, not even looking at it, and casually tucked it into his bosom as he walked out.

Yan Rushan’s expression changed, and a rare smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. It seemed that in this men’s hall, he, who least wanted to smile, unexpectedly smiled more than he had in the past year combined.

Previously, they had addressed each other as ‘Brother Yan’ and ‘Little Brother’.

This time, however, Chu Yang seemed to have intentionally or unintentionally changed his address to ‘Brother Yan’ and ‘my brother’.

If someone else heard it, they might not discern any difference, but for Chu Yang and Yan Rushan, it was fundamentally different.

Yet, when it reached Yan Rushan’s ears, he felt a hint of joy in his heart.

He had given this jade pendant because of Chu Yang’s open-mindedness, which meant he recognized Chu Yang.

And Chu Yang changing his address was precisely to reflect this recognition. Unintentionally, the seed of friendship had already sprouted in both their hearts.

Watching Chu Yang walk out, Yan Rushan smiled and silently thought, “I do not act for chivalry, nor for the benefit of the common people; I only seek peace of heart and righteousness, and live without regret, that is all.”

“I do not look at the world, nor at the common people; I only look at my own heart. When my heart is at peace, the world is at peace. When my heart is angry, I will draw my sword and sever the injustices of the world!”

“For myself, so I do not feel wronged.”

“What an interesting young man!” Yan Rushan smiled, lying back down on the bed. Suddenly remembering something, he called out, “Stop!”

Chu Yang had already stepped one foot outside the door. Hearing the voice, he halted but did not turn back, “Does Brother Yan have any other instructions?”

Outside, the sound of rapid hoofbeats was getting closer.

“I admire your mindset; however, I do not agree with your words,” Yan Rushan said slowly, “A person will only erupt when they reach their limits. That is why there are so many talented individuals buried in this world.”

Chu Yang listened quietly.

“For example, Wang Dao, if his family had not perished, if he had only suffered beatings and humiliation, even if he had a broken leg, as long as his family was safe, would he have rushed out today to ask you to kill Li Mingyue?” Yan Rushan asked.