Unity of Knowledge and Action, Enlightenment!
Zhang Chen seemed to sense that his true nature was awakening, the various shackles of the past were gradually being broken, even the distorted views brought by the 21st century seemed to be constantly dissolving, and the obsolete thoughts from Confucianism were being cleared away one by one.
Taking advantage while his family was repairing the house, Zhang Chen directly used the Earth Escape Technique to enter the neighboring city, walking through the town, he looked at the spiritual demeanor of the people in the streets, his heart filled with emotion.
Although the citizens in the town continued to live in hardship, their eyes full of numbness, at least their spirits were serene, not like the fearful ones in Prince Pingbian’s territory.
Zhang Chen walked the streets, observing the coming and going citizens, searching for a place to buy maps, but traversing over dozens of streets, he didn’t find the map he desired.
He had thought wrong, a map in this era was a rare item, an absolute strategic resource; who would even sell it?
Especially in this era without map navigation, possessing a map and becoming a guide was a profitable profession, enough to sustain several generations.
"This is troublesome, is it forcing me to steal the map? But since I’ve already decided to seek Enlightenment, how could I do such illegal and cunning things?" Zhang Chen stood on the street, his expression bewildered, eyes scanning all around, and suddenly his gaze paused as he saw someone familiar sitting by a window in a nearby tavern.
"Why is he here?" Upon seeing the person, Zhang Chen couldn’t help but have his eyes shrink, disbelief flashing in his eyes.
Who did he see?
Someone who absolutely shouldn’t be in the Northern Land!
Chen Sanliang!
"Isn’t Mr. Chen supposed to be in the Northern Land, spreading teachings, preparing for a pivotal moment in his path? How could he appear in this town?" Zhang Chen’s expression was full of disbelief, as a feeling of impending misfortune began to rise in his heart.
Opposite Chen Sanliang sat a tall figure, but due to the angle of vision, Zhang Chen couldn’t discern the person’s features, the two engaged in joyful conversation, clearly very engrossed.
At this moment, Chen Sanliang seemingly sensed Zhang Chen’s gaze, turned his head towards the street, noticing Zhang Chen in the town’s center, their eyes locking and Chen Sanliang was taken aback, then narrated a few words to the person across, upon which that person took leave, Chen Sanliang then turned and gestured towards Zhang Chen outside.
Zhang Chen walked towards the tavern with an uncertain expression, maintaining composure once at Chen Sanliang’s private box, took a deep breath to regain his calm, pushed the door open and entered, seeing Chen Sanliang sipping on his drink leisurely.
Compared to their farewell a year ago, Chen Sanliang had undergone a tremendous change in demeanor, no longer bearing his former haggard image, his frame balanced, face flushed, even the gray strands atop his head had turned completely black, looking as though he was back in his thirties, youthful and spirited.
His clothing had transformed, dressed in luxurious silks as if a wealthy noble son.
"Your pace was too slow, we’ve been apart a year, how did you just leave Prince Pingbian’s territory now?" Chen Sanliang spoke warmly, motioning Zhang Chen to sit opposite him, then directed the waiter to remove the remnants and replaced them with three dishes, one soup, and new wine.
"I was with family, unable to utilize my skills, so I had to proceed step by step." Zhang Chen looked at Chen Sanliang, noticing the meticulously groomed hair atop his head, imbued with an aura of authority.
Chen Sanliang nodded upon hearing this, serving Zhang Chen a cup of wine, setting down the pitcher, and clinking their cups, draining it in one go, refilled Zhang Chen’s glass once more and spoke, "Previously, I heard news that Jin Dou was defeated by a Human Race member, causing Tiger Soul Pass to be breached, several hundred thousand refugees escaped, I was puzzled that the Northern Land had such experts who could best Jin Dou. But upon seeing you now, calculating your journey, the one who acted at Tiger Soul Pass must be you, right?"
Although Chen Sanliang hadn’t seen Zhang Chen in action, he was certain Zhang Chen wasn’t ordinary, someone constantly on the mind of Hu Li the Immortal, who dared not face him directly, even going so far as to bestow the Desolate Bell to deal with him, could he be normal?
"It was I!" Zhang Chen nodded, not denying it, there was no need to refute, now possessing ninth-level Skill, he had some confidence and wasn’t too afraid of exposing himself.
"Has Mr. Chen been faring well recently?" Zhang Chen scrutinized Chen Sanliang.
"You know, since the Demon Race breached into the Northern Land, countless noble families aligned with the Demon Race, healers, musicians, craftsmen of all kinds, have all been captured by them. In such a case, naturally, there are those weaving silk for me, constructing palaces, attending to my dietary habits, making delectable food, hence my good complexion." Chen Sanliang spoke with a smile.
Chen Sanliang was smiling, but Zhang Chen did not, for he could not bring himself to smile, all of this came at the cost of blood-soaked flesh and bone.
"Are you blaming me? Thinking that all I now enjoy is built upon mountains of corpses and a Sea of Blood?" Chen Sanliang asked in return.
Zhang Chen let out a deep sigh, lifted his drink and drained it; while he didn’t directly answer Chen Sanliang’s question, his attitude had already said it all.