Great Zhou Martial Immortal

Chapter 45 Confirmation of Love
The guest quarters of the Prince of Wei's residence.

Inside the quiet room of Qinglian Residence, the conversation continued.

Wu Chengsi: "...If you, young master, were willing to display your talents and show the unparalleled demeanor of a disciple personally taught by Lord Yunzhe, wouldn't it be immediately clear who would win and who would lose? Such a glorious and upright path, young master...why not use it?"

In the quiet room, only the medicinal fragrance emanating from the warm jade wine pot and the echo of King Wei's words remained.

Gao Jian remained silent.

He lowered his eyes, looking at the amber-colored liquid in his glass.

The warm liquid seemed to reflect Lu Chenyuan's all-knowing, subtly mocking eyes.

Wu Chengsi's words were like a pebble thrown into a still lake, creating ripples and igniting the pride and resentment he had suppressed as a disciple of Yun Zhejun, which had been suppressed by jealousy.

However, just as these complex emotions were surging, past memories reverberated, and his master's clear and distant voice echoed deep within his mind.

"The chessboard is like a river, flowing endlessly."

The master's voice was indifferent and calm, as if stating the ultimate truth of the universe: "Is victory or defeat determined by a single move? Foolish child, you only see the small world and not the vast sky."

The scene from his memory then surfaced: on the star platform atop the sea of ​​clouds, the cold wind billowed his snow-white robes. He held a white chess piece, smooth and lustrous, between his fingers, and instead of placing it down immediately, he softly said:

"The essence of chess lies not in winning or losing in a short time, but in observing the overall situation, accumulating momentum, and waiting for the opportune moment. Chess has an end game, but the overall situation is ever-changing. Who knows if today's defeat is not the prelude to tomorrow's victory? And who knows if today's victory is not the beginning of tomorrow's downfall? To be fixated on the gains and losses of a single city or place, or the outcome of a single game, is to be bound by appearances and fall into a rut. The way of chess is connected to the way of heaven, and the way of heaven never judges success or failure based on a single moment or place."

Master's words were like a clear, cool spring, instantly extinguishing the burning flames in Gao Jian's heart stirred up by the King of Wei, and clearing his restless mind.

Yes, Master's realm has long transcended the simple matter of winning and losing.

He observes the celestial phenomena and plays chess, using the common people as chess pieces. He sees the general trend, the flow of fortune, and the unpredictable trajectory of the Heavenly Dao. In his master's eyes, the defeat in the Mechanized City is perhaps not even a tiny ripple.

"The game of chess is not a chess piece, and the mind of chess is not a chess game."

Master's final words of advice were like a brand, deeply engraved in Gao Jian's heart.

A true chess player is playing against the laws of nature and the clarity of their own mind, rather than fighting to the death against a specific opponent. If one is fixated on targeting Lu Chenyuan, wouldn't that be lowering one's status and falling into the lowest level that Master despises the most?
Gao Jian's fingers, which were holding the jade cup, relaxed slightly, and the ripples in the wine gradually subsided.

The sharp glint in his eyes faded, replaced by an almost instinctive detachment and calmness inherited from his master. The path of "competing for talent" described by the Prince of Wei was certainly tempting and seemed upright, but in essence, wasn't it still about competing with Lu Chenyuan in the small space of "Princess Taiping's favor"?
What is the essential difference between this and being obsessed with winning or losing through mechanical arts?
Wu Chengsi keenly noticed the change in Gao Jian's aura.

The newly ignited fighting spirit seemed to be suppressed by some force, replaced by a deeper, unsettling calm.

He was about to speak, adding fuel to the fire.

However, just as Gao Jian was about to completely return to the "transcendent" state of mind that his master had spoken of, he caught a glimpse of the black jade chess piece on the star-patterned chessboard—a piece that had become dull and lifeless due to being rejected by Lu Chenyuan's "true meaning" of destiny.

This chess piece, like a chilling mockery, instantly shattered the transcendent state of mind that had just been built!

The Master's realm is too high, so high that he looks down upon all living beings and regards temporary gains and losses as fleeting clouds. But Gao Jian is not like that!
He's caught in the middle of it all!
He paid the price of coughing up blood and endured the backlash of "extreme intelligence leads to harm" in order to acquire this skill!
He couldn't be like his master, ignoring Lu Chenyuan's "rising star" destiny and "cost-free" insight. He also couldn't accept that he was like this bleak pawn in the other's destiny, rejected, ignored, and completely crushed!

"The game of chess is not a chess piece... The mind of chess is not a chess game..."

Gao Jian silently recited in his heart, but his eyes gradually became sharp as knives. Beneath that calmness was an even more turbulent and condensed determination. His master's reasoning was correct, but Gao Jian's current state of mind could no longer contain that transcendence.

He slowly raised his eyes and looked at Wu Chengsi.

The previous coldness and despair have faded, replaced by a settled, calm sharpness, as if everything is being destroyed.

"Your Highness, Prince Wei."

Gao Jian's voice was unusually calm, yet contained an undeniable power. He picked up the cup of warm medicinal wine, stared at the amber liquid, as if making a major decision. "Master's teachings are always etched in my heart. The way of chess is profound and cannot be judged by the gains or losses of a single moment or place."

Wu Chengsi felt a pang of anxiety, thinking that he was about to back down.

But Gao Jian's tone shifted abruptly, carrying a strange sense of sudden realization and determination: "However, what Your Highness said is like a sudden awakening. Within the game of chess, there may be the grand scheme of things, beyond human control, but outside the game..."

He paused slightly, then downed the wine in his glass in one gulp. A surge of warmth, accompanied by the pure medicinal power, instantly swept through his limbs and bones, not only soothing the pain in his internal organs but also seemingly igniting his dormant vitality, making his eyes shine with astonishing brightness.

"Beyond the chessboard lies a vast world."

Gao Jian put down his empty cup, a faint yet unwavering smile curving his lips. His smile carried the proud elegance befitting a disciple of the Cloud Lord, but also a sharp edge born of being forced into a corner. "Your Highness is right. To use one's weaknesses to attack the enemy's strengths is not the way of the wise. One should use one's strengths to break the enemy's momentum!"

When that bright moon no longer provides protection, I'll see if there are any hidden reefs in your destiny.

Extreme wisdom inevitably leads to harm; this is the ultimate truth of the universe!
Looking at Gao Jian, who was completely different from before, Wu Chengsi felt much more at ease. Although the process had been somewhat bumpy, the final result was even better than he had expected! The sharpness in Gao Jian's eyes and the pride and confidence that had been rekindled in him as a peerless disciple were exactly what he wanted.

Taiping... If you stand in my way as Crown Prince, I will make you pay the price!

Wu Chengsi laughed loudly and stood up: "Young Master's thinking is truly a wise move! I am eager to see how Young Master will use his unparalleled talent and elegance as the Lord of Yun to impress the Taiping Emperor!"

He deliberately emphasized the phrase "look at him with new eyes," the deeper meaning of which is self-evident.

Gao Jian raised his cup, his eyes clear and no longer confused: "Thank you, Your Highness, for the good medicine, and thank you even more for your wise words."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

……

Princess House.

On the soft couch, Li Lingyue's gaze was intense, awaiting his answer—"Do you blame me?"

Lu Chenyuan tried his best to calm himself down and took a deep breath: "It's not surprising... cough, I didn't expect that a mechanical city would have such complicated factions. Jiang Zhanqiu and Gao Jian are the King of Wei's people, Yan Bingning and Song Zhenyue are His Majesty's people, Ying Wuqiu should be considered His Highness's people, it seems that only Huiming and Mao Poluo are really here to unlock it, haha."

After saying that, Lu Chenyuan cursed himself inwardly. His attempt to change the subject was too clumsy and unprofessional. What a useless thing!
Li Lingyue stared intently at him, listening to the pounding of his heart, her expression strange.

—You've finally met your match.

Li Lingyue's lips curved slightly, and her whole being visibly brightened. She closed her eyes, enjoying his massage, and casually said, "Mao Poluo is loyal to his duty and is naturally one of Mother's people. Huiming is a bit special. He was recommended by the National Preceptor, but the National Preceptor has not left the Great Ci'en Temple and is still studying the Zen of Life and Death. Only a recommendation letter was sent to Ziwei City. Xue Huaiyi secretly made the connection. Strictly speaking, he is one of Xue Huaiyi's people. The 'Heavenly Craft Scroll' is so important that those who master it are naturally a major bargaining chip. Now that there is an opportunity to plant people, naturally no one will give it up easily... But they are all doomed to lose."

Li Lingyue said confidently, "Because you are mine..."

These words had a double meaning. Li Lingyue's tone was off when she said it, and Lu Chenyuan sensed the hidden meaning, so he took another deep breath.

What's wrong with this little vixen?

She's evolved into a super-evolution?!

In his previous life, Lu Chenyuan only chose wealthy women to make money, with an age of no less than twenty-five and no more than thirty-five.

Those under 25 are either poor or too innocent; you'd feel guilty making money off them. Those over 35, needless to say, are not the type to mistreat themselves.

Li Lingyue is twenty-five years old this year, but she is as pure as a blank sheet of paper when it comes to love.

When such a person gives their true feelings, the words they say can be incredibly damaging!

Because Lu Chenyuan knew very well that she wasn't just putting on an act, or being insincere, at least not now...

Something doesn't feel right.

Damn, I'm feeling guilty!

He had long noticed that Princess Taiping in this world was a bit too innocent. He had hesitated to make a move on her in order to gain her favor, and he felt guilty for deliberately ignoring her for the sake of "The Treasure Book of Swallowing Gold" and divine weapons. Therefore, he didn't act out the parts he cared about much; most of his actions were spontaneous.

Now that the direct approach is coming, he's finding it hard to handle.

Lu Chenyuan's massage movements became increasingly stiff, and cold sweat seeped from his palms.

Li Lingyue sensed it, but did not open her eyes. Her eyelashes trembled slightly as she nervously awaited his response.

Lu Chenyuan had no intention of starting another relationship—"Would you fall in love with an ATM?" This question was too damaging. He knew that women were good and bad, but he didn't want to distinguish anymore. He just wanted to get what he needed and make money on the side, so he was able to remain completely unmoved by his clients.

Because from the very beginning, they were that kind of people; he didn't believe in turning back before it's too late, so refusing them felt effortless.

But Li Lingyue is different.

After meeting her in person, he could no longer lie and say that she would keep countless male lovers like the one in history—if there were any signs, that would be fine, but there were none at all. If there were, there would be no need to worry!
How to do this?
He is now in a dilemma. On the one hand, he has a hidden worry that he might once again be wrongly trusted. Li Lingyue is influenced by historical inertia and is fickle, keeping countless male lovers. After all, people's hearts are fickle. Even if someone is as handsome as Jiao Enjun or Daniel Wu, his wife will still cheat on him. He may not be an exception. He would be disgusted to death by then!
On the other hand, now that things have come to this point, pretending to be asleep won't work anymore. A decision must be made: either immediately withdraw, stay far away, find another rich woman to win her favor, and continue the previous strategy of exchanging emotional value for rare treasures and powerful weapons, or go for real, otherwise the guilt will only get heavier.

Lu Chenyuan stopped what he was doing, his expression serious.

Li Lingyue sensed something and opened her eyes. She had a premonition of something, and her eyes were full of tension and anticipation.

Lu Chenyuan said softly, "Shall we talk about business first, or personal matters first? Those martial arts masters are—"

"I don't care if they die!!!"

Li Lingyue suddenly bristled, staring intently into his eyes, her body tense, her voice trembling: "You...you're willing...to be my person..."

All was quiet except for the ticking of the water clock.

Lu Chenyuan's silence was like a dull knife, and Li Lingyue felt as if the blood in her body had frozen.

As time passed, her eyes gradually welled up with tears, and that stubborn blush burned from the corners of her eyes all the way to the tips of her ears.

Just as her tears were about to fall, she suddenly heard a soft laugh.

"You're really not easily amused, Your Highness."

Does Lu Chenyuan like Li Lingyue? The answer is of course yes. Who wouldn't like such a silly, strong, and cute beauty? So, would he be willing to try again for this love? Until Li Lingyue was about to cry, he was unwilling and even prepared to back out. But when he saw her on the verge of tears, he simply couldn't resist.

That's it.

It's all Li Lingyue's fault for insisting on finding a scapegoat, and she just had to pick me. Didn't you just walk right into her trap?
I was just being a fool. I could see how innocent she was, but I still tried to win her over, and now I've made a mess of things.

Anyway, the worst outcome is just being an ATM who provides emotional value again. By then, I'll probably have learned and used all the tricks and techniques. I'll just leave before she gets tired of me and out of sight, out of mind.

"Did you forget it?"

Lu Chenyuan let out a long breath, raised his hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes, as if speaking to Li Lingyue, but also as if speaking to himself:

"I am already yours."

All of a sudden.

A thousand fireworks exploded in my heart.

Li Lingyue felt a warm current surge from her heart to her limbs, even her fingertips felt numb and hot. Those suppressed emotions turned into honey at this moment, so sweet that her eyes were hot, yet she couldn't help but raise the corners of her lips, letting the wave of joy completely engulf her.

She grabbed Lu Chenyuan's hand tightly, suppressing her embarrassment, and pressed it against her face: "I really want to hit you for making me wait so long!"

Lu Chenyuan's lips curled slightly as he deliberately said, "I'm afraid if I say even half a word of no, I'll be splattered with blood on the spot. There's no other way; my martial arts skills are lacking, so I can only submit to the heroine. Alas, circumstances are beyond my control."

Li Lingyue blushed instantly, glared at him, but her eyes were full of laughter: "You sound very unwilling."

"How is that possible?"

Lu Chenyuan's smile faded, and he leaned down to say softly, "Do you remember what I said? Your Highness is stunningly beautiful, like a full moon in the night sky, pure and flawless. Who wouldn't love you? I'm human too, so tell me, do I love you or not?"

"..."

Li Lingyue's breath hitched, and her heart skipped a beat.

I felt my ears burning, and my neck was flushed red.

She instinctively tried to avoid his gaze, but in the end, her emotions overcame her shyness.

She bit her lower lip, gazing back at him with deep affection, her voice as soft as a dream: "Then you must remember this: from now on, you can only have me, this moon, in your eyes..."

　Stop cursing! You guys can't even wait for one chapter? I give up! I'll release this chapter early.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)