National Division

Chapter 36 Shen Xian: Is this some kind of philosophical discussion? (Seeking monthly votes!)
Meanwhile, Shen Xian was unaware that his physical attributes and cultivation level had been disliked by an "old lady." He carefully put away the wooden box containing silver notes and jewelry and went to the front yard.

It was March, the peach blossoms were red and the willows were green, and the sunlight streamed in from under the eaves, making people feel a little lazy.

Xue Zhihua was idly looking at the scenery in the courtyard.

The beautiful woman wore a crimson, wide-sleeved, pleated dress, resembling a vibrant peach blossom. Although her eyes and brows were cool and aloof, her smile was as warm as the rising sun, highlighting the three-petaled peach blossom mark between her brows, which made her skin appear even whiter and more delicate.

"Are you all done?" Xue Zhihua asked when she heard footsteps.

Shen Xian apologized, "I'm sorry to have kept Miss Xue waiting."

"Fortunately, we didn't have to wait long." Xue Zhihua smiled, not correcting Shen Xian's subtle change in address, and said, "Let's go take a look at Guhe County."

Shen Xian said, "I would like to trouble Miss Xue with a favor."

Upon hearing this, Xue Zhihua asked in surprise, "Tell me."

Shen Xian carefully considered her words: "My father is currently severely injured. If he encounters demons again, he will be in great danger. I beg Miss Xue to protect him."

After the incident with the Taoist priest who guarded the cranes in the green sheep, he now has a psychological aversion to asking others for help.

Xue Zhihua smiled and said, "I left a spiritual mark on your father earlier. If there are any demons, the spiritual mark will react."

"Spiritual energy imprint?"

Xue Zhihua explained, "It can only last for three days, serving only as a warning. Unfortunately, I don't know how to make talismans, and the talismans I carry all require spiritual power to activate, so they may not be as effective as the blood essence talismans on your father's body."

Thinking of this, Xue Zhihua still felt a pang of emotion.

This father and son, one sacrificed his own innate essence to slay demons, while the other risked his life to become bait for demons.

In fact, Shen Xian thought Xue Zhihua valued his business acumen, but from beginning to end, it was this aspect that she valued most.

Human nature contains both selfishness and selflessness, reflecting everyone's inner pursuit of divine light such as justice.

Shen Xian bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you, Miss Xue."

Everyone thought of things before him.

Xue Zhihua looked at the serious-looking young man, her gaze softening slightly, and said, "Alright, let's go."

As they talked, the two left the hall of the Shen residence.

The butler had prepared a carriage, which was quietly parked on the steps.

"My identity is special, and I'm afraid it will attract the attention of outsiders," Xue Zhihua explained.

With that, he lifted his skirt saw and got into the carriage first.

Shen Xian didn't stand on ceremony and got into the carriage as well, the two sitting on opposite sides of the carriage.

With the sound of whips cracking, the carriage slowly drove away from the Shen residence.

Xue Zhihua observed the young man before her and suddenly asked, "That day at Qingyang Temple, you used poetry to satirize Daoist Heshou. Weren't you afraid of Daoist Heshou's revenge?"

This is one of the things she admires about the young man in front of her.

If one knew she was acting in secret and still did this, then it would be considered opportunistic and utilitarian.

Actually, this was also because the powerful being in Yu Qingchan's spiritual platform previously looked down on Shen Xian's physical attributes, but believed that Shen Xian had a superior temperament.

Because Shen Xian didn't know the value of Yu Qingchan's appearance at first.

If you weigh the pros and cons beforehand, you lose your sincerity.

A person who is overly calculating and lacks integrity and chivalry will have a shallow perspective.

Of course, none of these people knew that Shen Xian's ideas came from later generations and had their own free and unrestrained logic.

Prioritize interests over sentiments; when the two conflict, assess the situation and maintain a bottom-line mentality.

Do good deeds within your ability, but of course, you won't be foolish enough to act like a saint.

Shen Xian said, "I thought about it at the time, but Daoist He Shou had taught me, and I didn't say anything. I just wrote a poem. If Daoist He Shou resented me for this, then he was underestimating me as his teacher."

A gentleman can be deceived by reason. Besides, he did not speak rudely.

He will still acknowledge He Shou Daoren as his teacher in the future.

He's just an old man with outdated ideas; we just have different beliefs.

Xue Zhihua chuckled and said, "You're right. If he harbors resentment because of one of your poems, he would truly be unworthy of being a disciple of the Taiqing Sect."

Shen Xian said, "The Book of Changes says, 'When things reach an extreme, they change; when they change, they become accessible; when they become accessible, they endure.' I don't know Master He Shou's level of immortality, but he lives a secluded life in the city, most likely seeking that one sliver of opportunity. If he doesn't seek change, it's hard to say what opportunity he might have."

Xue Zhihua nodded and said, "You're right. Opportunity lies in the word 'fate,' and needs change accordingly."

Crane Guardian is indeed transforming into a mortal.

Having traveled from the capital, she has gained much insight from what she has seen and experienced in the past day or two. Her initial illusory state upon entering the Danxia Realm has now become completely solidified, and she will soon reach the peak of the early Danxia stage.

Xue Zhihua did not continue the topic of Daoist Crane Guard, but instead asked, "Which do you think is more important, the path of immortality or the path of humanity?"

Shen Xian was taken aback upon hearing this.

Is this a secret passage for discussing metaphysics and the Dao?
The prevailing social customs among aristocratic families, and even among the upper echelons of the Great Jing Empire, valued philosophical discussions.

If you are a master of philosophical discourse, you might even become a guest of honor of aristocratic families.

Xue Zhihua looked at the young man, waiting for him to speak.

This question arose because of Shen Xian's previous poem.

Shen Xian knew that Xue Zhihua intended to test him, so he carefully chose his words and said, "The way of immortals and the way of man both belong to the way of heaven. The two are like yin and yang, like inside and outside. The Tao Te Ching says, 'All things carry yin and embrace yang, and achieve harmony through the interaction of these two forces.' Yin is within yang, not opposite to yang."

It can be described as a dialectical unity, a unity of opposites.

This is also a philosophical thought from later generations, implicitly containing the principles of Heaven.

The following sentence comes from "The Thirty-Six Stratagems," a book written in the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Upon hearing this, Xue Zhihua's clear eyes gleamed with a strange light, and she nodded, saying, "With this answer, I find it hard to believe your father's claim that you are illiterate."

This is a case of profound wisdom appearing as foolishness, and a mind brimming with hidden brilliance.

Shen Xian said, "The path of immortality and the path of humanity are interdependent, like skin and fur. If the skin is gone, where will the fur attach? Without farming, reading, fishing, and woodcutting, without needlework and women's work, immortals cannot create things out of thin air, and not everyone can eat the clouds and rinse their mouths with dew."

Upon hearing this, Xue Zhihua's expression turned serious.

“Nowadays, the world is gradually showing signs of demons causing chaos. The immortals are worshipped by the people, appointed by the court, and revered by all. They should be slaying demons and eliminating evil, and cleansing the demonic atmosphere. However, many immortals are aloof and stand by. I believe this goes against the principle of Yin and Yang. The human heart is the heart of Heaven. When Yin and Yang are out of order, the inner and outer aspects are at odds, which is the way to chaos.”

Shen Xian suddenly fell silent, then concluded with a powerful and resounding sentence:
"Therefore, the path of immortals regards the path of humanity as their own limbs, while the path of humanity regards the path of immortals as their heart and soul. The path of immortals regards the path of humanity as mere weeds, and the path of humanity will surely regard the path of immortals as their enemy!"

For example, the theory that the path of immortality should serve the path of humanity is too outrageous. I wonder what Xue Zhihua, a person of the path of immortality, thinks about it. It would be better to leave it at that and keep it to oneself.

Xue Zhihua remained silent, seemingly lost in thought amidst the rhythmic and varied classical Chinese prose. After a while, her unfocused gaze gradually sharpened, and when she looked at the young man again, it was filled with admiration. She said, "Your words are consistent with what a supreme being usually says."

The world is vast, and heroes are as numerous as carp crossing a river. I never imagined that such a young and brilliant man with extraordinary insight could be found in such a small county as Guhe.

"Who is it?" Shen Xian asked instinctively.

"Empress." Xue Zhihua blinked, the girl who originally had a cold expression now had a bright smile in her eyes, and her tone was already a little teasing.

Shen Xian: "..."

The carriage wheels rumbled as the vibrant spring sunshine of March streamed through the carriage curtains into the suddenly quiet carriage. The fragrance of flowers outside drifted into the carriage, mingling with the faint scent emanating from the beautiful woman, silently dissipating into the tranquil and beautiful years.

Even after many years, Shen Xian still cherishes the memory—that day was the sixth day of the third month of the second year of the Tiansheng era of the Great Jing Dynasty.

Shen Xian, perhaps taken aback by Xue Zhihua's smile, lowered his eyes and said, "Then...then we are truly of the same mind."

This empress dowager, who must be the current empress dowager, actually had such "treasonous" thoughts?

Of course, it is not surprising. This person acts on behalf of the emperor, his word is law, and his words carry the weight of heaven's will. Naturally, he is dissatisfied with the so-called lofty immortal path.

(End of this chapter)