Fifteen days ago, Author: Pig Heart Shrimp
Chapter 30 Heaven, Earth, and Man
Apart from cultivation, the two of them also enjoyed chatting.
Yu Hua lived in the ivory tower of the sect and rarely came into contact with people like Gu Wen, who went against the traditional ways.
Many of his ideas were peculiar, but she couldn't help but agree.
Especially his understanding of relationships such as sects, family, elders, parents, and master-disciple.
Under the shelter of the sect, nurtured by the master, cared for by the elders, I naturally treat them well; otherwise, I will strike back fiercely.
"You can make decisions, why can't I?"
"You, this pest, will only harm the sect."
Gu Wen's words awakened her: the animalistic nature of power always surpasses emotions, and any attempt to vie for dominance will be suppressed.
Moreover, when it comes to the sect, have you ever met the ones in power, talked to them, or shared a meal with them?
The sect cannot represent individuals, nor can it represent the sect.
The heavy topic only lasted for a moment.
Yu Hua took out the notebook she had taken from Gu Wen yesterday for calligraphy practice from her sleeve and softly recited:
"Who was the first to see the moon by the river? In what year did the moon first shine on people..."
Her voice was elegant and gentle, revealing a hint of ethereality under the moonlight.
After finishing, she asked, "Is there more?"
Many sentences in this book were incomplete due to Gu Wen's personal preferences or laziness, also to leave room for the claim of 'accidentally obtained masterpiece'.
Gu Wen could feel that Yu Hua really liked this poem, to the point that her tone became cheerful.
Troublesome, he knew there would be consequences, but there was no way around it.
Who told him to have a silver tongue and soft hands?
Fortunately, he had already prepared a response, saying, "This piece was accidentally obtained by Gu."
"Hmm?" Yu Hua slightly furrowed her brows, making a slight dissatisfied sound, saying, "You make one up."
Lady, you really don't understand the ways of the world, can this be made up casually?
Gu Wen felt a bit embarrassed.
How could he, with his abilities, compose "Spring River Flower Moon Night"? Adapting is not the same as fabricating, and jesting is not the same as nonsense.
At most, he could copy the original text, but he dared not make changes, as it would definitely be exposed.
However, he had to give Yu Hua a satisfactory answer.
Perhaps Yu Hua had no other intentions, just a pure love for "Spring River Flower Moon Night" and an urgent desire to know the continuation.
But Gu Wen couldn't solely rely on his own feelings; the other party was his investor.
When someone who has invested in you shows expectations, it is not the time to hide but to respond.
If you don't rise, how will others continue to invest in you?
If you're not good, how will others see potential in you?
I am in a different world, subject to others' control.
What's wrong with invoking the ancestors?
Yu Hua read the poem over and over again.
She could feel the charm contained in this poem, which could further her cultivation.
This was the mystery of experiencing the secular world after descending from the mountains; the Dao sometimes does not rely on the realm of cultivation but exists in all things, even in ordinary people.
The essence of the Dao is carried through words.
The loneliness conveyed by the lines "Who was the first to see the moon by the river? In what year did the moon first shine on people?" using the color of the river moon to illustrate the eternal nature of the world and the fleeting nature of individuals, had already stirred her Dao heart.
She believed there should be a continuation, but she was unsure.
Suddenly, a calm, steady, and slightly solemn sound came.
"Generations come and go endlessly, the river moon looks the same every year. Who knows who the moon is waiting for, only seeing the Yangtze River sending flowing water. A piece of white cloud drifts leisurely, the green maple shore is full of sorrow."
Yu Hua's eyes brightened, urging, "Is there more?"
"Who is the boatman tonight? Where is the Moon Yearning Tower of love? Pity the moon above the tower, it should reflect the departing person in the dressing mirror."
Gu Wen continued reciting, as he expected, the goddess in front of him, bathed in moonlight, hesitated, caught in a dilemma.
Obviously, she was not very satisfied, which was normal.
With a line like "Who was the first to see the moon by the river? In what year did the moon first shine on people?" preceding it, nothing could surpass it.
Otherwise, it wouldn't be called a quatrain.
Yu Hua was somewhat dissatisfied, saying, "Why does it turn into melancholy at the end?"
"Because it was written by an ordinary person."
Gu Wen seemed to guide her to separate the first and second parts, which indeed had differences.
He liked the grandeur of the first half and the human touch of the second half.
The ancestors couldn't cultivate immortality.
"Human life is short, with many desires and emotions, but only longing is eternal. Immortals may not appreciate it."
Rising from the bright moon, falling into the mortal world.
Yu Hua suddenly had an insight, stood up, and bowed to Gu Wen, saying, "Daoist friend, I have learned from you."
Gu Wen returned the gesture, marking the establishment of their relationship, beyond just interests.
Daoist friend, the beginning of a good relationship.
I wonder if Zhao Feng, that bootlicker, has been informed?
At Yu Hua's request, Gu Wen transcribed the entire poem "Spring River Flower Moon Night" into a book, but somehow his own calligraphy book seemed to have become hers.
As he wrote in his 'dog crawling script,' Gu Wen asked Zhao Feng, who was thousands of meters away, "Did Yu Hua give you ink to grind?"
Yu Hua's Dao heart was clear and free of distractions; she focused intently on Gu Wen's every stroke, almost unable to recognize them.
"Why add a variant on the side?"
"Two readings, different words, same meaning."
Due to the antiquity of ancient poems, different versions or variations in wording may arise during transmission. "Variant" is commonly used to indicate these differences.
Yu Hua softly recited "Spring River Flower Moon Night."
Gu Wen remembered the incident at the market and then asked, "Since Gu has been cultivating, he has never sparred with anyone. What are the odds if he were to fight someone, a mortal strong in martial arts?"
"With whom?"
"A mortal strong in martial arts."
"Life and death are just a thought away. I cannot estimate, but with your current First Stage of Dao Establishment, a mortal would not withstand a single move from you."
"What about a cultivator?"
Yu Hua paused, not hearing Gu Wen's thoughts, showing no signs of nervousness or fear.
"If you encounter a cultivator, come to me if the situation is dire. Do not engage in combat with them. Those who enter the world are all heirs of major sects, and their methods are not something your spiritual treasure can contend with. Moreover, with your shallow experience in cultivation, you are not familiar with many techniques."
At this moment, she had changed; she no longer hesitated to act based on her preferences.
"What if the situation is urgent?"
"Attack with full force. Killing the opponent will ensure your safety."
"Daoist friend's words are wise." Gu Wen fully agreed; often, troubles cannot be avoided.
The one who resolves the troubles is the true king.
He then asked, "Do you know how many Great Gan cultivators there are?"
"Normally, there are three hundred. Each time the Immortal Ascension Ground opens, the Tianji Pavilion lists the top three in the world, ranking the geniuses of various sects. Even the lowest tier, the Human List, requires one to achieve the Golden Core stage before the age of fifty."
Yu Hua replied, and upon hearing Gu Wen's surprised thoughts, she added, "Do you know where I rank?"
Gu Wen complimented, "Naturally, you are first."
However, Yu Hua did not deny it.
She raised a finger and said, "There are a hundred on the Human List, fifty on the Earth List, and ten on the Heaven List. I am at the top of the Heaven List, ranked first."
Is she that strong?
Gu Wen paused, but then found it reasonable.
If there were many foreign cultivators in the world, then Yu Hua was the only one who could stand on equal footing with the imperial power.
Yu Hua continued, "Those at the top of the Heaven List are invincible, those with extraordinary roots are naturally gifted, and there are countless geniuses. The three lists are not ranked by superiority; the Heaven List looks at destiny, the Earth List looks at roots, and the Human List looks at strength."
"To prevent large-scale conflicts between sects, each sect with a True Sovereign can only send in three people: one to enter the world, one as a protector, and one as a guardian of the Dao."
Yu Hua inexplicably turned to look at Gu Wen, pausing in her words, the candlelight on the table reflecting a faint outline of her chin through the light veil.
Initially, Gu Wen didn't think much of it, but due to this sudden silence, he understood something.
Clearly, the Gu family was the guardian of the Dao, and now it had become the Zhao family.
"Aren't you resentful?" Yu Hua asked softly.
A silent thought came with the breeze, and Gu Wen continued to write poetry for her, the candlelight casting shadows on his features, his eyes deeper than the night.
He couldn't be called handsome, but he was definitely not ugly.
He was like a fish in muddy waters, a fish in a deep pool.
"This is the karma of the Gu family. I have sold myself to survive, not something Gu Wen sought."
"I have overthought it."
Yu Hua fell silent, her emotions unreadable behind the light veil.
Internal conflicts within the sect were ambiguous, the protectors took advantage recklessly, and the guardians of the Dao did not act as rulers.
She needed a new ally; otherwise, she would struggle alone.
She was not the only one in the world who had entered the world.
Without a protector or a guardian of the Dao, even if one found the elixir of immortality, they might not be able to leave the Immortal Ascension Ground.
But Gu Wen was right; the sect had already severed the karma voluntarily, so what right did she have to seek help? Abandoning a genius who had cultivated for four days and refined his spirit for one day in exchange for a fool who had not yet cultivated.
She did not insist, only hoping that this goodwill would be useful in the future.
Gu Wen put down his brush and changed the subject, saying, "Just because of a moment of gratitude, Gu is willing to go through fire and water for it. It has nothing to do with the Daoist sect, the Gu family, or even the Zhao family. Gu Wen, an ordinary man, does not understand the ways of the heavens; he only knows the gratitude he has received."
He didn't know what Yu Hua was up to, but he could sense her unease.
He understood that he had to reassure his investor and tell Yu Hua that there would be a thousandfold return.
So he quickly doubled down.
Yu Hua was stunned.
Although he was like a fish on the edge of a cliff, avoiding everyone, at least now he had blown a bubble at her.
"That's fine."
For the first time, she showed a clear emotion, a kind of joy like that of a bird's chirp.
Then, as if feeling she had overreacted, she changed the subject, saying, "Your handwriting is so ugly."
If a peerless genius who had cultivated for four days were to rise completely, he would become the greatest help to her outside the sect.
Yu Hua felt that karma was quite miraculous.
Initially, it was only out of guilt and pity that she had extended a helping hand to him, but now it seemed that he could become her greatest support.
Although their original karma had been severed, new karma would connect them.
It seemed as if it were destined; the karma set three thousand years ago could not be severed overnight.
"A mere merchant, making the immortal lady laugh."
Gu Wen replied with a faint smile.
The sun nourished the vines, the vines took root, and the tender branches accustomed to the sunlight would never want to return to the shadows.
The sprouting embryo breaking through the soil would never reverse its growth.
He didn't know what the future held; the essence of the heavens and the imperial essence destined that he could not always remain hidden.
Since he was enjoying Yu Hua's investment, then returns were inevitable; there was never a business without capital.
He could only strive to become the best in the world, unparalleled.
He asked seriously, "How can I not make the list?"
First, let him become invincible, then they could talk about him being the best in the world.
Yu Hua paused for a moment and smiled, "While others fight to the death, you take a different path. It's impossible not to make the list. When you were weak, no one knew you; when you are strong, everyone will know."
As she got up to leave, the silver plate of the moon highlighted the celestial beauty, and Gu Wen gazed at her as if looking up, while the celestial beauty also looked at him.
"I am already at the top of the Heaven List. When will you be the top of the Human List, the pinnacle of the Earth List, and peerless in the world?"
Many books are now hard to find, so cherish them while you can.