Unsheathed

Chen Ping'an threw his head back as he took a large swig of wine, then wiped a hand across his mouth as he mused, "So what do I do? Initially, I thought that I would be free once I traveled to the Northern Complete Reed Continent, but Senior Cui has told me that while this will work, it will only have a trivial effect, and it doesn't address the problem at its roots.

“This has made me very... hesitant. I'm not afraid of danger, hardships, or adversity, but I'm terrified of the feeling of being lost and without direction. I am alone in this vast world with no relatives to speak of. If I do something right, there is no one to praise me, and if I do something wrong, there is no one to reprimand me.

“This was how I felt as a child, and it was a terrible feeling, one that has continued to linger in my heart, and just the mere thought of it has me feeling a sense of despair. I know that this is a very bad mindset, and I've been trying to change over the years, but it's still not good enough. Hence, when it comes to Gu Can, to Liu Xianyang, to people who I view as my friends, I want to give them everything that I have. Is it truly out of a place of generosity and benevolence?

“Of course not. It's just that I've become convinced that I can't hold onto anything, but they'll be able to do so in my stead, and as long as it still exists and I can see it, then that's better than losing it altogether, whether it be money or other things. I'm also really fond of this Golden Sweet Wine robe. It has saved me during many perilous ordeals, so how could I not be attached to it?

“On the contrary, I'm extremely sentimental, and I felt compelled to bring even Qu Huang back to Downtrodden Mountain with me. However, if I were to die someday during my travels, my possessions would be taken by my enemies or people I don't even know, so I may as well hand them off to Liu Xianyang in advance."

"These concerns of yours are not unique to yourself, Young Master. Instead, these are difficult problems that countless people in history have had to contend with," Zhu Lian said as he set down his flagon. "Not only are you plagued by such concerns, I was as well back in the Lotus Flower Blessed Land, as was Ding Ying, and this is also true for all of the scholars in the Majestic World, whether they be virtuous scholars, noble scholars, or sages.

“In fact, all beings in this world with higher intelligence must eventually face these very same tribulations. At their roots, the principles of the Three Teachings and Hundred Schools of Thought are all contending with the heart of man. In Confucianism, it's stipulated that one must suppress their selfish urges, and that they must act with morality and virtue even when alone and outside the scrutiny of others.

“In Daoism, it is encouraged for one to follow the natural flow of things and not forcibly manifest things. In Buddhism, it is stated that one must tame their thoughts and desires. These are all great principles in theory, but they're far too difficult to carry out in practice.

“The positive aspect of Cui Chan and Cui Dongshan's theory of practical ability is that it can guide one in one's life down to even the most minute details, but the downside is that too much energy and effort must be spent on frivolous matters. Everything must be weighed up and considered, and one can easily find themselves worn down over time.

“It's too pragmatic and pays no heed to the abstract and profound, making it difficult for one to elevate one's mental state to higher levels."

Zhu Lian rose to his feet and gently rested a finger against the surface of the desk as he smiled and said, "Please pardon me for this one instant of disrespect and allow me to refer to you directly by name, Young Master. Chen Ping'an, what does stalling in your progress entail? It entails that the way you view this world is at odds with how you want to feel and act.

“This seems like a trivial discrepancy, but it'll become more and more magnified as you attain more power. Right now, you are able to topple houses with a single punch, and someday, you will be able to topple even the city walls of mortal capitals with a single punch. Right now, your sword can intimidate your enemies and allow you to escape from peril, but in the future, perhaps you'll be able to eradicate entire sects with just your sword qi alone.