Published: March 4, 2025
CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO: The First Battle with the Crown Prince
"Ancestral figures were once a prominent family in the martial arts world; back then, the Tie family of Dongshan, before taking over the court, was also a force to be reckoned with." Tie Butian continued to speak without turning back, "However, once the power of the martial arts world becomes the ruler of the court, it must follow the court's rules; the methods of the martial arts world may govern a family or a local populace, but they cannot govern a nation; this is the limitation of the martial arts world."
"Thus, when the time comes, one must inevitably abandon certain things to gain others. Those things that are abandoned often include... loyal ministers! The martial arts world is a world of brothers, whereas the court is a realm of sovereign and subjects! If a minister treats the monarch as a brother, he will surely be purged by that very brother! Since ancient times, when the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked; when the flying bird is gone, the fine bow is hidden; when weapons are extinguished, the iron cavalry dissipates; when the sovereign and subjects thrive, the brothers perish!"
"This assertion may seem heartless, but it is necessary! All those who lament the fate of the cunning rabbit are failures. The so-called monarch, after having discarded these things, must bear the scorn of ages; only by enduring all of this can one be a qualified monarch! Governing a nation cannot rely on emotions, cannot depend on brotherhood, but must use means and legal systems. This is the greatest contradiction between the court and the martial arts world!"
Chu Yang furrowed his brow, deeply pondering Tie Butian's words, trying to decipher his meaning.
"Therefore, a king must be ruthless!" Tie Butian concluded, "Because if a king is compassionate, he cannot govern the nation well. Everyone knows the value and reliability of a brother; yet when a brother becomes arrogant from favoritism and poses a threat to the lord, even if it's clear that this brother remains loyal, one must reluctantly eradicate him. At midnight, one can only weep silently, or face the world's scorn while awake!"
"At such a cost, to exchange for political stability and peace in the world!"
Tie Butian turned to look at Chu Yang, "Mr. Chu has no interest in the court. The reason you came to Iron Cloud was to leverage the power of Iron Cloud as a martial artist to bring down Diwu Qingrou!"
Tie Butian said earnestly, "This is Mr. Chu's greatest purpose in coming to Iron Cloud!"
"Mr. Chu does not wish to be a minister to Butian, but rather to cooperate with Butian. To become brothers in another sense; that which Butian cannot achieve, Mr. Chu will complete in the martial arts way; this is Mr. Chu's method, approach, and intention!"
"The root of it all lies in the pride of Mr. Chu as a martial artist! This kind of pride will not allow Mr. Chu to yield to anyone! Nor will he willingly be driven by others."
He smiled faintly, with a hint of sorrow, and slowly asked, "Mr. Chu, do you think what Butian said is correct?"
Chu Yang felt a sudden shock, gazing into Tie Butian's clear eyes that seemed devoid of any impurities, and his heart trembled. This Tie Butian, in their first conversation, had grasped his intentions so accurately.
This keen insight raised Chu Yang's evaluation of the heaven-mending crown prince to a new height in an instant!
"You are indeed correct, Crown Prince." Chu Yang lowered his eyes slightly, responding calmly, "That is exactly what I mean."
"Hehe..." Tie Butian forced a bitter smile, coming back to his senses, and said, "Today, in our first meeting, I needed to clarify this matter. Because if Mr. Chu acts with this mindset, contradictions will arise between us, and this contradiction is the irreconcilable conflict between the court and the martial arts world."
"The Crown Prince is overthinking." Chu Yang replied lightly, "The contradiction you are concerned about is one that arises after peace in the realm; but I have no interest in the court's power at all. Once Diwu Qingrou is defeated, from that moment on, for the rest of your life, you shall never see me again!"