The most secure job in Dajin

Chapter 427, Mission

“Hua Changxi, it’s not that you don’t want the Holy Land to operate according to your wishes, nor that you don’t want to set rules, it’s just that you don’t want to take responsibility.”

Gu Xing's gaze was extremely sharp, as if he wanted to completely pierce through Hua Changxi's layers of defenses.

Hua Changxi's gaze wavered under the scrutiny. In just a few seconds, her forced composure began to crumble, and a mix of embarrassment and panic at being seen through surged into her heart.

She subconsciously straightened her back, trying to maintain her usual composure and aloofness, but her gaze shifted away somewhat awkwardly and hastily.

To cover up her embarrassment, she spoke stiffly, her voice carrying a barely perceptible stiffness: "Don't act like you know me so well."

Gu Xing looked at her and calmly stated, "You once said that there is something that can reflect a person's state of mind to a certain extent—that is, a person's behavior."

“I completely agree with that.”

"A person's words can deceive others and even themselves; however, a person's behavior reveals a lot of the truth."

"It will expose all hidden desires, cowardice, and escapism in a naked manner."

Hua Changxi didn't reply. She crossed her arms over her chest, leaned back slightly, and rested against the edge of the cool stone table in the courtyard.

This pose may seem casual, but it carries a defensive posture that keeps people at a distance.

She slightly raised her chin and glanced at Gu Xing, as if to say: Let's see what earth-shattering truths you can come up with.

Gu Xing continued, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings, "If you were given another chance to choose, would you take over the Thirteenth Qihuang Hall? Would you take charge of the Danyuan Secret Realm? Would you still be willing to serve as the Peak Master of Danyuan Peak?"

"of course."

Hua Changxi's tone was stiff, carrying a hint of offended anger.

Gu Xing: "After you became the head of the Thirteenth Qihuang Hall, and after you obtained the Danyuan Secret Realm and became the peak master of Danyuan Peak, you rarely participated in specific management. However, the general direction of the operation of the Thirteenth Qihuang Hall, Danyuan Peak, and Danyuan Secret Realm was entirely carried out according to your will."

Hua Changxi's eyes flickered almost imperceptibly. She still didn't reply, but the fingers of her arms tightened slightly.

Gu Xing stared at her intently: "From the small to the large, can I speculate that even if today's meeting were to resume, you would still propose without hesitation that the Lord of the Secret Realm take charge of the Holy Land?"

Hua Changxi gave a perfunctory "hmm".

Gu Xing's tone remained calm, but carried an undeniable certainty: "Can you tell? The reason you attended the meeting is that you want the Holy Land to operate according to your wishes, isn't it?"

Hua Changxi opened her mouth, wanting to explain, to say that she was doing it for the good of the Holy Land, to say that it was the best solution, but under Gu Xing's all-knowing gaze, any explanation seemed pale and powerless.

Gu Xing didn't stop, continuing his in-depth analysis: "I can further speculate that in the meeting, you only thought about proposing the 'master of the secret realm,' but you didn't even consider the countless complex, tedious, and headache-inducing specific management details that would inevitably arise once this proposal was implemented, did you?"

Hua Changxi's expression changed slightly. This time, she didn't even bother with a perfunctory "hmm" and simply remained silent to indicate her agreement.

She really didn't want to deal with those complicated and tedious details. Putting aside the huge mess in Nanxiang County that awaited her, she also needed time and energy to improve her strength and alchemy skills.

Looking at her silence, Gu Xing slowly concluded, "You see, your behavior pattern has always been based on one attitude—focusing only on the general direction while ignoring the specific details."

Hua Changxi's tone was somewhat unconvinced: "I admit, that's really how I am. But does that mean I lack responsibility?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Xing slowly shook his head: "Most helmsmen only care about the direction."

"Your irresponsibility lies in the fact that you want the Holy Land to operate according to your wishes, but you are unwilling to pay any price."

"Otherwise, you wouldn't be so angry, feeling that the sacred tree stole your things."

Hua Changxi sneered and retorted, "Shouldn't I be angry? Shouldn't you ask for my consent before taking my things?"

Gu Xing's tone remained calm: "You can certainly be angry about this, but no one has ever experienced something like this before. This is a price that all 'first people' have to pay."

"However, after today, not only the Dan Sheng Temple, but also the other four holy lands should know about the Holy Land Laws, and your name, Hua Changxi, will spread throughout every holy land."

Hua Changxi snorted dismissively, "Who cares about that?"

Gu Xing looked at her and said, "You may not feel it now, but in the future, you will definitely know the importance of 'prestige' and 'popular support'."

He paused for a moment: "The Xia family and the royal family, they were so actively promoting the convening of the first Alchemy Conference, expending enormous manpower and resources. What do you think they were after?"

Hua Changxi seemed lost in thought and did not respond.

Gu Xing didn't continue the topic, but brought the conversation back to the present, his gaze fixed on her again: "Are you sure your anger is just because Shenmu didn't ask for your opinion?"

Hua Changxi glanced at Gu Xing: "Otherwise what?" Gu Xing: "Don't you feel like you've lost out?"

Hua Changxi fell silent, averting her gaze from Gu Xing.

Yes, she felt she had been taken advantage of.

Gu Xing sighed: "Hua Changxi, do you still remember why you chose to join the Department of Medicine in the first place?"

Hua Changxi was taken aback. The question came so suddenly that she was momentarily dazed.

Why?

The floodgates of memory open: to escape the oppressive life of a secluded household and earn a living; to put their skills to use, to practice medicine and heal the sick; to find an opportunity for cultivation and uncover the truth of this world...

Gu Xing's voice rang out at the right time, carrying a heavy sense of time: "To live in this world, one needs to take on some responsibilities. Unfortunately, most people live by going with the flow, and only a few find their own mission."

He emphasized the word "mission".

"mission?"

This word struck Hua Changxi's mind like a thunderclap, catching her completely off guard!

She froze, her pupils contracted slightly, and an indescribable sense of shock and resistance instantly swept over her.

The word was too heavy, too grand, making her instinctively feel panic and rejection.

Gu Xing stared intently at Hua Changxi: "But some people are avoiding their mission."

Hua Changxi suddenly raised her head, her expression a mixture of anger and impatience at being seen through, and stared directly at Gu Xing: "What exactly do you want to say?"

Gu Xing met her gaze: "Since ancient times, rights and responsibilities have been equal. However, to take on responsibilities, one also needs to have the ability."

"Hua Changxi, you possess the strength to shake the order of the Holy Land, yet you haven't thought of taking on any responsibility."

Hua Changxi strongly resisted this imposed responsibility, and sneered, "There are so many people in the Holy Land, can you please stop focusing all your attention on me? Does the Pill Saint Hall still function without me?"

Gu Xing looked at her and said, "When you took the Qihuang Token, I reminded you not to be greedy."

“If you take something, you have to take on the corresponding responsibility.”

Seeing that Hua Changxi was still unconvinced, Gu Xing continued, "Some benefits are obvious, while others are unknown to others."

"You should understand this very well."

"Heaven's way is always fair; you have to bear the consequences of what you gain."

"The strong must bear the responsibilities of the strong."

"Hua Changxi, you need to understand one thing: you are not an ordinary disciple. Your words and actions can already affect the fate of others."

"If you continue to hold yourself to the standards of an ordinary person, that would be going against the grain."

Hua Changxi frowned, offering no rebuttal, but her expression clearly showed her dissatisfaction.

Gu Xing sighed: "Sometimes, I have this illusion that you are just a passerby in the Dan Sheng Temple. You have not truly rooted yourself in this land, shared its breath and fate, and felt its rise and fall."

"It's not just the Dan Sheng Temple; you seem to treat your own family and relatives the same way."

“Hua Changxi, you lack something called ‘human touch’.”

"You always analyze things calmly, judge them rationally, and then do what you believe is right. As for those who are affected by your decisions, their joys and sorrows, their hopes and disappointments, you don't seem to care much."

Gu Xing's words stirred up a storm in Hua Changxi's heart, leaving her somewhat stunned.

Gu Xing continued: "People live in groups, starting with home. After leaving home, they seek a foothold for survival and development."

"Whether it's the Hua family or the Dan Sheng Palace, you always maintain a detached attitude."

Have you ever seriously considered why this is?

Are you afraid of being tied down? Or do you simply not believe in or care about any ties between you and anyone?

(End of this chapter)