"Today I give you a choice: him or me. If you insist on taking him as a disciple, then we shall separate. From then on, we will have no ties! If you expel him from the household, we can remain as we once were."
Han Suzhen was stunned upon hearing this, stopping the rocking of her chair. Her expression froze, and she looked at Chen Sanliang, seemingly not believing her ears: "What did you say? I didn’t hear it clearly?"
The next moment, Han Suzhen suddenly sat up, raising her voice: "Chen Sanliang! You’ve grown bold, haven’t you?"
"I followed you since I was fourteen! I ran away from home for you, journeyed with you to the Academy to debate the Great Scholar, accompanied you to the bitter cold lands, always hungry and poorly clothed, never wearing a new garment for over a decade, and now you’re telling me what? You want a separation? You dare!"
With those words, Han Suzhen suddenly lunged at Chen Sanliang, clawing at his face: "You’re going to leave me? Abandon me after everything?"
In Han Suzhen’s voice was disbelief, and in an instant, she was entangled with Chen Sanliang.
"If you don’t expel that disgraceful wastrel, we are finished! I want to sever ties completely."
Zhang Chen witnessed this scene, took a deep breath, took out the manuscript Han Suzhen had given him from his sleeve, lightly pressed it onto the table, then stood up and quietly left.
Amongst the crowded sea of faces, a question suddenly arose in Zhang Chen’s heart: "In this world, do the common people truly have a way out?"
"Must the commoners always be commoners, and should they always face death?" Zhang Chen took a deep breath, eyes filled with indignation.
He was discontented!
Just because he was a commoner, should he suffer such treatment?
Zhang Chen walked to a secluded corner and transformed into mist, disappearing amidst the crowd.
When he reappeared, he was at the cave. The hornet lived well, but the hunting falcon was very thin, skin and bones, yet still wouldn’t leave.
Zhang Chen caught a great snake from underground to feed the hornet and hunting falcon, then summoned the Fox Spirit. It looked at the familiar mountain scenery and sighed: "These views really evoke nostalgia."
"I have something to ask you," Zhang Chen interrupted the Fox Spirit’s musings.
"What is it?" Fox Fairy Nannan turned to look at Zhang Chen.
Zhang Chen recounted Chen Sanliang’s story, and Fox Fairy Nannan was surprised, eyes filled with astonishment: "Unexpectedly, the Human Race produced another scholarly seed."
Seeing Zhang Chen’s puzzled expression, Fox Fairy Nannan explained: "He hasn’t gained fortune, but has found his own reason. His thoughts are expansive and he can reflect within, a manifestation of his growing spiritual power. He just needs to continue perfecting his scholarship, and his spiritual power will grow until his theories are flawless, then he’ll surely reach the Twelfth Tier."
"Essentially, creating scholarship and refining souls to enter the Mysterious World are the same, one relies on Visualization Image, the other on developing his theory, continuously strengthening his belief. As his theory spreads and receives more recognition, his cultivation accelerates. He’s extraordinary! In his presence, even Mr. Wuliu is beneath notice."
"A true scholar? With his own beliefs?" Zhang Chen heard this and fell into silence.
"Let me tell you, such scholars are the most stubborn, only adhering to their own principles, and they won’t hear others. They’re famously hard-headed," Fox Fairy Nannan said, "Their firm principles can’t be changed by anyone. Now that Chen Sanliang scorns you, don’t try to win his favor, hoping for him to change his views about you; it’s hopeless."
Zhang Chen heard this and smiled wryly: "I’ve already resolved to appear before that old man as little as possible to avoid ruining his marital harmony."
But Zhang Chen touched the post before his chest, and sighed lightly: "It’s difficult!"
Meanwhile, in Chen Sanliang’s courtyard, the couple quarreled vehemently, then sat silently. Chen Sanliang took a cloth dampened with alcohol and gently wiped his wounds.
"Why must you belittle him? Zhang Chen is not ordinary; he could steal so much wealth from noble families overnight, something no ordinary man can achieve. When you want to build a school, transmit knowledge, you’ll need much silver, and face oppression from the Academy; with his assistance, you’d find it much easier." Han Suzhen spoke, her voice filled with resignation.
"A gentleman acts with discretion and integrity, and I, Chen Sanliang, have lived an upright life. How could I use ill-gotten wealth? It’s an insult to me!" Chen Sanliang spoke righteously.
"Then don’t eat the grain bought with that silver!" Han Suzhen countered, gritting her teeth in exasperation.
Chen Sanliang was shocked, silent for a long moment before saying: "Where is my manuscript?"
"What do you intend to do?" Han Suzhen was puzzled.
"Sell my manuscript for food, and return his money." Chen Sanliang’s expression was resolute.
As his determination set, the white aura around him grew stronger.
"No! You need the manuscript to establish your theory, it suppresses destiny, how can you sell it?" Han Suzhen was suddenly anxious.
"I said sell it, so sell it. Stop with the fuss." Chen Sanliang reprimanded.
"The debate is approaching, don’t disturb my Dao." Chen Sanliang shouted angrily, turning into the house, leaving Han Suzhen standing speechless in the courtyard, tears slowly streaming down.
Inside Huangli Temple
Returning to the Daoist Temple, Zhang Chen was in low spirits, he continued meditating and cultivating Qi, exploring the Spiritual World, standing before the Yellow Springs, contemplating new uses for the Yellow Spring Water.
"Yellow Spring Water has the effect of erasing souls; if I place the Great Freedom Celestial Demon in it, could it be completely erased?" Zhang Chen pondered by the pool before the surging Yellow Springs.
The Great Freedom Celestial Demon is a calamity that could escape anytime, and if it possessed Xie Lingyun, it would be troublesome.
"But how can I bring the Great Freedom Celestial Demon into the Spiritual World?" Zhang Chen thought for a long time but found no answer, then looked at the meditating Fox Fairy Nannan, whose progress in the Spiritual World was rapid and also enhanced Zhang Chen’s Dragon Qi: "Say, is there a way for us to bring the Great Freedom Celestial Demon to the First Heaven and immerse it in the Yellow Spring Water to erase it completely?"
Fox Fairy Nannan put away her spell: "It’s as hard as ascending to heaven, utterly impossible. Remember, this is your Spiritual World; outsiders can’t enter it. Also, the worlds are different, one is Material world, the other is Spiritual World, there’s no way to cross. Unless you refine it into the Spiritual World, or let it reside in your heart, then you can bring it in."
"Let it reside in my heart? I wouldn’t dare! If it went awry and possessed me, wouldn’t that be ridiculous?" Zhang Chen wasn’t foolish, he wouldn’t just take risks.
The heart’s realm is extremely crucial, and Zhang Chen wouldn’t rashly experiment.
"I wonder if there’s a way to refine Celestial Demon into a Magical Treasure; then things would be easier." Zhang Chen looked at the ruins:
"The Ancient Divine People could bring external objects in, why can’t I? There must be a way, I just haven’t found it yet."