Chapter 1134: Secret Thoughts (Part )
"A bright path?" Xunzhen raised his eyebrows and shook his head in embarrassment. "For me, following the Young Prince of Qin is the best path in the world. If I were you, I would abandon the differences between Song and Liao and stand wholeheartedly on the side of Xilu Wuzong. This is a bright and smooth path. It's a pity that what I think is a bright path is undoubtedly a dead end in your eyes. Even if I try my best to persuade you, I can never shake your mind. So, how can I help you?"

"Considering that we have known each other for a long time, can't you temporarily put aside the intrigues of the martial arts world and just consider me as a friend?"

"Liu Xunyi, why are you so naive?" Facing Liu Xunyi's confident words, Xunzhen couldn't help laughing. "After several ups and downs, I'm sure you've long been tired of the intrigues in the court and the rivers and lakes. I'm afraid you're now determined to live in seclusion and stay away from the troubles of the world. If I were to think about it for you, the most suitable way for you is probably to retire, and to take Liu Xunyu with you, right?"

"This……"

"It's useless to be right, because this road is completely blocked." Xunzhen bluntly interrupted Liu Xunyi who was about to speak but hesitated, and unceremoniously pierced the only remaining fantasy in his heart, "The clear road I pointed out is blocked because you can't get over your own hurdle. And the clear road you asked for is also blocked because you can't get over the hurdles of Lord Xie and Chief Teng."

"I……"

"Since both roads are blocked, you can only stay here." Xunzhen said helplessly, "But whether you stay here to establish yourself in the Xianwang Mansion, Jueqing Valley, or Xiangxi Teng Clan, I'm afraid it's not what you want. If it's not what you want, how can you talk about a clear path? Since there is no clear path at all, how can I help you?

"Even if I have no choice... I don't want to act against my will." Liu Xunyi hesitated, "For example... let others arrange everything for me, and I just sit back and enjoy the results... It's not that I'm hypocritical, but I really... can't do it. Even if I stay, I hope that my stay will be worthwhile."

"So what really bothers you is not whether to stay or not? But why to stay? Or even how to stay?" As Xunzhen uncovered Liu Xunyi's inner knot like peeling off silk threads from an onion, the look he gave him gradually evolved from the playful and helpless one just now to a scrutiny mixed with cunning and suspicion.

At this moment, a vague thought arose in Xunzhen's heart: "Is Liu Xunyi just playing around?"

"You're right!" Liu Xunyi nodded, "Rather than a clear path, it's better to say an answer, or a reason, a reason that's worth my staying and going all out."

"It seems that you won't have peace until you find the answer. You can only be manipulated like a puppet or run around like a headless fly." Xunzhen just agreed with Liu Xunyi, but was not in a hurry to express his own views. "But even in this Danfeng Garden, there are more than a few people who are worthy of your confiding. No matter how you count... it seems that it is not my turn, right? Even if you are concerned about their feelings and are unwilling to say your true thoughts, you can still ask a few questions indirectly and discern the truth from their words. This... doesn't seem to be a difficult task?
"How do you know I didn't?"

Liu Xunyi knew that Xunzhen was extremely intelligent. If he rashly said that she was the first person to open up to him, he would definitely not believe it. Instead of hiding it, it is better to admit it generously: "As the saying goes, 'Don't air your dirty laundry in public'. What's more, I am in the martial arts world and have just escaped from a desperate situation. If I tell anyone about my difficulties now, I am afraid I will not be able to escape the charge of being ungrateful. Therefore, at first I never pinned my hopes on anyone, but only hoped that I could figure it out alone. But I overestimated my own abilities. No matter how I comforted myself, I couldn't muster the desire and ambition to compete for the Central Plains. I knew that I was already standing on the cusp of the storm and there was no way out, but I just couldn't muster the slightest bit of fighting spirit. For hegemony? For revenge? For fame? Ha! For a person who has been in and out of the gates of hell seven times, all of the above are just passing clouds. Especially after I killed Qingfeng with my own hands, it was not as refreshing as I imagined. On the contrary, And... there is a bit of sighing, a bit of sadness. I have seen too many people living in danger in the bloody storm, and I have also seen too many tragedies where people were prosperous yesterday but were exposed to the wilderness today. Alas! After thinking about it, God has treated me well, so what should I care about? What else can I dare to hope for? On the contrary, I am a little timid now, and I am afraid that if I make a mistake, I will lose everything. Now I not only want to live a stable life, but also want to persuade Master Xiao, Master Xie, and Chief Teng to see through the bloodiness and ruthlessness of this world as soon as possible. Life is short, and there are not many days left. If everyone can put aside their greed and ambition, abandon grudges and hatred, and no longer live in fear, wouldn’t it be good? It’s a pity that I don’t think it’s possible to convince them, and I even worry that my ideas may chill their hearts.”

"In terms of power, with Xilu Wuzong, Xianwang Mansion, Jueqing Valley and Xiangxi Teng Clan behind you, even the Xianwang Mansion and Jinjianwu, which were at their peak in the past, can hardly compare. In terms of fame, now that you say you are second, who in the world dares to claim to be the first? As for revenge, the two people who hurt you the most, Qingfeng, have died, and the past grudges should be written off. Qin Wei has even become a prisoner, and it was only thanks to your kindness that he was lucky enough to save his life. As for the rest... the Song Dynasty court persecuted you in every way, but you would rather die than rebel. And you were even more powerless against the Mongolian prince who stole your beloved woman." Xunzhen responded with agreement, "Thinking about it this way, the things that are most likely to arouse others to give it a try are really not attractive to you. It's not surprising that you are discouraged and want to retreat."

"When I realized that I couldn't convince myself, I tried to find answers from Second Master Xie, Master Xiao and even Tang Afu. Unfortunately..." Liu Xunyi ignored Xunzhen's agreement and said, "It cannot be denied that every word they said was sincere and reasonable. I was deeply moved and even agreed with them, but... it didn't touch my heart.

"Maybe... you were too subtle, which gave them the illusion that you had great ambitions." Xunzhen's mind moved, and he pretended to be nonchalant to test, "I wonder what expectations they have of you?"

"I'm sure you can guess their intentions without me saying anything." Liu Xunyi said with a wry smile, "Second Master Xie's attitude has always been consistent. He hopes that I will inherit the mantle of the Northern Sage King, and for this reason he has taken the initiative to show weakness to Master Xiao and make friends with him."

Having said this, Liu Xunyi cast a meaningful look at Xunzhen, and said with a hidden meaning, "Don't pretend to be ignorant and deliberately test me. In fact, you understand Mr. Xie's thoughts much better than I do. After all, you have already reached a tacit understanding between you two."

Xunzhen was touched in the soft spot by Liu Xunyi, and her cheeks turned red unconsciously. In order to avoid being passive, she could only pretend to be angry: "You don't have to insinuate. Since I have reached a new agreement with you, I will not force you to do anything."

Liu Xunyi and Xunzhen are both smart people, and many things are already tacitly understood by both parties, so there is no need to dwell on them.

After collecting his thoughts, Liu Xunyi sighed and continued, "I understand what Valley Master Xiao meant. She doesn't want me to have anything to do with the Xianwang Mansion. She wants to take Yu'er and me back to Jueqing Valley or the Xiangxi Teng Clan. But because of my firm attitude, she had to reluctantly give in and temporarily make peace with Second Master Xie."

"Women are gentle by nature, but they become strong when they become mothers." Xunzhen admired Xiao Zhirou's compromise and praised her, "A woman has gone through so many hardships, borne so much pressure, suffered so many grievances, and tormented for so many years... but now she is willing to let go of her grudges for the sake of her son. It is really rare."

"As for Chief Teng... he is an old man who is still full of ambition." Liu Xunyi seemed to be deliberately avoiding Xiao Zhirou's heavy love for him, which was full of guilt, so he hurriedly changed the subject, "He is the lord of Xiangxi, and has been active in the martial arts world for decades. Now he is the leader of the Central Plains martial arts world. Naturally, his thoughts and ideas are different from those of Valley Master Xiao."

"What do you mean?" "Although Chief Teng didn't say it explicitly, I can vaguely feel that he doesn't object to me taking over the Xianwang Mansion." Liu Xunyi recalled the conversation with Teng Sanshi during this period and said thoughtfully, "It's just that he hopes that I can establish myself in the Xiangxi Teng Clan and absorb the Xianwang Mansion as the young master of the Teng Clan, and even... recruit more sects so that he can succeed him as the leader of the Central Plains martial arts world in the future."

"Haha, Chief Teng is indeed an old man, and he is far-sighted. He has not only planned the future of the Xiangxi Teng Clan, but he has also considered the Xianwang Mansion and other sects, as well as the entire Central Plains martial arts world, as his possessions." Xunzhen laughed, "It's not surprising. Chief Teng has been a hero all his life, but the only flaw is that he has no children, and he is afraid that there will be no one to succeed him. Your appearance, especially with the death of the Northern Xianwang and the decline of the Xianwang Mansion, has undoubtedly become his life-saving straw to turn the tide. As I expected, Chief Teng is not in a hurry to let you return. To Xiangxi, he doesn't care even if you are worshipped as the 'Young Sage King' by Xie Xuan. He knows that blood is thicker than water. A Sage King's Mansion without Luo Tianjin is still a group of outsiders no matter how close they are to you. As for your grandfather, the Teng clan leader is still a close relative even if they are thousands of miles apart. After three to five years... or even thirty to fifty years, when Xie Xuan and other people who have a history with you have gradually died, your relationship with the Sage King's Mansion is bound to change. However, no matter how time passes, the fact that you are the grandson of Teng Sanshi and have the blood of the Teng clan in your body will never change. "

"You mean... Chief Teng's attitude towards me is to play the long game and catch the big fish?" Liu Xunyi frowned slightly, dissatisfied, "Xunzhen, do you know why I am on guard against you? It is because in your concept, everything in the world is calculated based on pros and cons, thus ignoring morality and feelings. In thirty or fifty years, Chief Teng may have passed away, so what is the point of his calculations?"

"Calculating the person in front of you is always just a clever trick. Chief Teng is playing a big game. He is not calculating for himself, but preparing for the future inheritance of the Xiangxi Teng tribe for decades or even hundreds of years." I don't know whether Xunzhen could not hear Liu Xunyi's sarcasm, or was pretending to be confused, and still spoke to himself with confidence.

"According to what you said, Chief Teng is just using me as his grandson and has no feelings for me at all?"

"No!" Xunzhen shook his head in a mysterious manner, "Human nature is complex and changeable, it is definitely not black and white. I believe that Chief Teng must love you and Liu Xunyu very much and have deep feelings for you."

"then you……"

"Not all calculations are evil, just as not all feelings are beautiful." Xunzhen knew Liu Xunyi's confusion, so he took the initiative to explain, "Many times, feelings and calculations are not contradictory. Just like..."

Xunzhen suddenly looked embarrassed when she was halfway through her words, and swallowed them back.

"Just like what?" Liu Xunyi frowned, and became more and more curious. "Tonight I will tell you everything, so don't hesitate and keep confusing me!"

Hearing this, Xunzhen no longer hesitated and said boldly: "Just as Qin Ku values ​​his brotherhood with you, he is also willing to take advantage of your old feelings for Qin Wei and let him go."

"What do you mean?" Liu Xunyi's face changed, and his tone was slightly dissatisfied, "Could it be that in your heart, Qin Ku didn't kill Qin Wei out of calculation? Don't forget that it was me who couldn't bear to kill Qin Wei!"

"If Qin Ku has no selfish motives and only wants to avenge you, then... you will never see Qin Wei alive." Xunzhen said seriously, "I know Qin Ku is your good brother and saved your life. What I said just now will definitely make you dissatisfied. But the fact is that Qin Ku is the head of the Qin family, and Qin Wei is at least a third-rank official in the Song Dynasty court. For both public and private reasons, Qin Ku is unwilling and should not kill Qin Wei. Doing so is likely to cause trouble for the entire Qin family. Even if he thinks that less trouble is better, it is better for him to let Qin Wei go than to kill him. At least he can avoid getting into trouble."

"Brother Qin's actions are also human nature..."

"Of course it's human nature!" Xunzhen smiled, "Qin Ku's selfishness comes from protecting the entire Qin family. As the head of the family, he should shoulder the honor and disgrace of the family. But even so, he is still loyal to you and shares the same hatred and enemies. Otherwise, he could just turn a blind eye to Qin Wei, this hot potato, like other people. Why bother to capture him alive? As you know, offending the court officials is a risk in itself. Therefore, although Qin Ku has his own little calculations, you can't say that he is immoral."

"That makes sense!" Liu Xunyi nodded slowly and thoughtfully, "Calculation is not necessarily a bad thing, maybe it's just out of more consideration. Just like I refused to reveal my thoughts to Lord Xie and Lord Xiao, in essence... it was also a calculation."

"Everyone is the same! You and I are like this, Qin Ku is like this, Xie Xuan is like this, and Teng Sanshi is also like this!" Seeing that Liu Xunyi's expression has eased and no longer misunderstood him, Xunzhen couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief, "In my opinion, the only one among these people who has no calculations against you, or has the least calculations against you, is probably Master Xiao."

"More than that!" Liu Xunyi smiled bitterly and shook his head slowly, "Maybe... there is one more person."

"Who?"

"The ruthless swordsman, Tang Afu!"

……

(End of this chapter)