Chapter 101 The Guiding Path

Zheng Fan reached out and took the steamed bun, taking a bite.

The flour was perfectly soft, the shredded radish filling was just right, and especially with this bite, the combination of the bun and the filling was extremely satisfying.

The steamed buns that he often ate at home during the Spring Festival in his previous life were made by Lao Tian, as exquisite as pastries.

"How is it?"

Tian Wu Jing asked.

Zheng Fan shook his head and said, "It's still a bit off."

Tian Wu Jing didn't get angry when he heard this, just nodded.

Zheng Fan swallowed the bun in his mouth, put the remaining bun in his hand on the table, trying not to look at it.

He picked up his chopsticks and began to eat vegetables from the hot pot, saying as he ate, "Tian Tian also likes to eat the steamed buns at home, steamed by my wife herself. With a bowl of clear soup, he can eat four in one meal."

"Four?"

These weren't small buns or small steamed buns; these were quite large and thick.

"Yeah, the little guy has had a big appetite since he was a child. Yu Hua Ping said he was a natural prodigy and envies you."

A smile appeared on the corner of Tian Wu Jing's mouth, and he said, "He should be envious."

Obviously, Lao Tian himself had examined Tian Tian's physique.

Tian Wu Jing couldn't possibly miss what Yu Hua Ping could see.

In terms of vision and knowledge, how could Yu Hua Ping's *jianghu* (martial world) compare with the Tian family of the old aristocratic family and the imperial court;

In terms of personal skill, in addition to being a martial peak, Tian Wu Jing also knew a little bit of magic;

And, heaven knows what else he knew; even these steamed buns were steamed so well.

"The Sword Saint wants to take Tian Tian as his disciple."

"Oh?"

No parent would refuse a Sword Saint taking their child as a disciple; it meant a guarantee and a backing.

The so-called "people in the *jianghu*, helpless," was just the affectation of *jianghu* people trying to put on airs;

People in the imperial court faced far too much helplessness and compromise;

On the contrary, being in the *jianghu* allowed one to act more recklessly.

For example, if one day, the ruler wanted his subject to die, the subject had no choice but to die.

The head of the family led the whole family to commit suicide, not daring to resist.

Because he had to consider the interests of the family with the same surname, the teachings of the sage books he had read, and the ruler's grace was like the sea;

But these things were just a joke in the eyes of *jianghu* people. If you want to die, you can, but don't take my disciple with you. Then, I'll rush in alone and take away my disciple.

The Sword Saint had this ability.

"But Tian Tian refused."

"Refused?"

"He said he wanted to practice the saber."

"Practice the saber?"

Tian Wu Jing looked at Zheng Fan.

"Uh..." Zheng Fan continued with a stiff face, "I will teach him well."

"Mm."

The pressure on Marquis Zheng when he said this was really great, because Lao Tian also practiced the saber.

"That's good," Tian Wu Jing added.

He was happy to see this happen. His son following Zheng Fan to practice the saber made them both teacher and father.

He hoped that his son could live like Zheng Fan in the future.

The dream of a boy was nothing more than having unparalleled martial arts or commanding thousands of troops, but this was not true happiness, because Tian Wu Jing had already achieved both.

"Continue eating."

Tian Wu Jing got up and left the pavilion.

Zheng Fan continued to eat, and also picked up the steamed bun he had put down earlier and ate it. Then, he hesitated for a moment...

He was really hungry;

Finally, Zheng Fan took two more steamed buns from the steamer, using them as rice to eat with the hot pot.

In this world, there were few people who could make the Nan Wang (Southern King) of Da Yan cook in person. Marquis Zheng wasn't polite, and after eating with relish, he almost drank the hot pot soup.

When he was full, Zheng Fan got up and strolled around the courtyard.

When passing by the mourning hall, Zheng Fan lowered his hands.

The mourning hall had been tidied up and looked very simple.

There wasn't much ash in the incense burner.

Zheng Fan walked over, intending to light two incense sticks.

"No need to light them; she doesn't like these smoky things."

"Okay."

Zheng Fan nodded, but still knelt down and kowtowed.

"Can you play chess?"

"I'm a terrible player. I'll play with you if you want."

"Then I won't play; it's no fun."

"Alright, next time, next time I'll practice when I get back, and my chess skills will definitely improve."

"Forget it, don't wait until tomorrow; accompany me to Tian Hu (Heavenly Tiger) Mountain now. We'll leave the city immediately tomorrow and return to the capital."

"You go ahead, and I'll follow."

Tian Wu Jing looked at Zheng Fan and said, "You're a marquis now, but you still speak so glibly; aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"

"What am I afraid of being laughed at in front of you?"

Anyway, we're already family.

Then, a *wangye* (king) and a *houye* (marquis), the two people with the highest authority in Da Yan in Jin territory, rode two pixiu directly out of Li Tian City.

The Sword Saint didn't follow; his responsibility was to protect the Pingxi (West Pacifying) Marquis; and when the Pingxi Marquis was by the side of the Jingnan Wang, unless that *wangye* fell, no one could hurt him.

Moreover, Li Tian City and its surroundings were mostly Jingnan Army camps. Foreign troops of any size couldn't possibly enter. Even if some small thieves sneaked in, what could they accomplish?

The Sword Saint was happy to have some leisure at this time.

………

The Taoist temple on Tian Hu Mountain had long been burned to the ground in the fire several years ago.

Zheng Fan had come once last year, and he was here again this year.

In fact, it was better without the wooden fish and bell sounds on the mountain. The mountain had become a mountain again.

The two pixiu were left at the foot of the mountain.

Tian Wu Jing and Zheng Fan climbed the steps together.

On the way, they passed the pavilion, said to be the place where Du Juan fell off the cliff.

But Tian Wu Jing didn't linger, just took a few more glances and continued up the mountain.

Marquis Zheng had already entered the state early on. It didn't matter where Lao Tian went. He would just follow behind.

Both of them were in good health. Marquis Zheng was at least a sixth-rank martial artist. Climbing a mountain wasn't tiring.

They didn't rest along the way, and their speed didn't change. Finally, they reached the top of the mountain.

From this position, they could clearly see the ruins on the hillside in the southwest.

Tian Wu Jing sat down on the ground.

Seeing this, Zheng Fan sat down opposite him.

Lao Tian closed his eyes and didn't speak.

Zheng Fan, on the other hand, propped his hands on the ground behind him, making himself more comfortable, looking around as if he was enjoying the autumn scenery.

The grass and leaves at the foot of the mountain were already withered and yellow, but the mountain still retained some green.

The人间四月芳菲尽，山寺桃花始盛开 (*ren jian si yue fang fei jin, shan si tao hua shi sheng kai*) (All the flowers of April fade away, but the peach blossoms in the mountain temple are just beginning to bloom).

After sitting for a while, seeing that Lao Tian was still closing his eyes, Zheng Fan simply lay down on his side and couldn't help but yawn.

The mountain breeze blew from time to time, bringing coolness to ordinary people, but it was just right for those who practiced martial arts.

Dozing off, Marquis Zheng also closed his eyes.

Lao Tian might be thinking about something or clearing his mind, or at least meditating; Marquis Zheng, on the other hand, had really fallen asleep, and because of his irregular sleeping position, he was even snoring slightly.

Although the mountain breeze rustled the vegetation, the only people here were Tian Wu Jing and Zheng Fan, so the sound was still very clear.

Tian Wu Jing opened his eyes, saw the person in front of him sleeping soundly, shook his head slightly, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

He opened his palm, and a gentle gust of wind came, picking up the vines on one side and gently covering him.

He, Tian Wu Jing, was a demon who had exterminated his entire family, and his reputation among the people of Da Yan was extremely bad.

Even though he had made great military achievements, everyone in the Jingnan Army was respectful and didn't dare to breathe loudly in front of him.

But it was only him who could have a better appetite and sleep more soundly in front of him.

Like a child who had found true peace.

In fact, that was indeed the case.

Waking up in a new world, new scenery, and a group of demon kings with different personalities by his side.

Everything was unfamiliar; that was why Zheng Fan spared no expense to gather experts in his mansion and maintain vigilance. He simply lacked a sense of security.

But when he was in front of the Jingnan Wang, Zheng Fan would naturally let down all his guard.

This sleep didn't last long, only half an hour.

When he woke up, he felt refreshed and extremely satisfied.

Lifting the grass covering him, Marquis Zheng sat up and stretched.

In front of him, a figure stood on the edge of the cliff.

He hadn't finished enjoying the scenery yet. Marquis Zheng rubbed his eyes, wondering if he should sleep a little longer.

"Zheng Fan."

But unfortunately, although his back was turned, Tian Wu Jing couldn't possibly be unaware of what was happening behind him.

"Here."

Zheng Fan got up and walked behind Tian Wu Jing.

"Thirty years of fame, dust and dirt; eight thousand miles of road, clouds and moon. How did you think of writing such a line?"

This *Man Jiang Hong* (All Red River), in the Yan army, no, more precisely, in the armies of other countries, was extremely popular.

Because what the poem revealed was not only tragedy, but also the heroic spirit of soldiers aspiring to avenge their shame.

This keynote didn't fit the Yan army, which had been constantly winning in foreign wars in recent years, but was more in line with the mood of the Chu and Qian armies, who had been defeated again and again by the Yan army.

It was spread from that carriage, in which four people were sitting at the time.

侠 (*Xia*) Chen, the sword maker, Marquis Zheng, who hadn't been enfeoffed yet, and the Regent of Da Chu.

Because the Regent liked this poem very much, and Zheng Fan's identity at the time was the closed-door disciple of Yao Shi, in that era, it was a matter of course for a literary master to write poems for nobles, and for nobles to use their influence to promote literary masters.

Moreover, the background of this poem was under Yu Pan City, where the Chu people were slaughtered as prisoners, lowering their heads in shame and signing a treaty.

Therefore, this poem was quickly spread, but even the Regent didn't expect that soon after, Zheng Fan would tear off his disguise and snatch his younger sister.

Spilled water is hard to recover; that's probably what it meant.

This poem also spread to Yan, but the "zealous to feast on Yan barbarian flesh" inside was naturally changed.

The Yan Dynasty didn't have a literary inquisition, and this kind of random adaptation, coupled with the subsequent development and the Regent's rare confusion, really made the Yan people and nobles feel very comfortable.

It was said that the Yan Emperor had ordered Zhao Jiu Lang to copy this poem and hang it in the inner room of his imperial study, which was the place where the emperor rested after working.

Last time when he entered the capital, Zheng Fan had entered the imperial study, but he hadn't been able to enter the inner room, so he didn't know if this rumor was true or not. He couldn't be sure if His Majesty the Yan Emperor was also his fan.

And Tian Wu Jing's question seemed very natural, because he understood Zheng Fan's temperament. Poems and lyrics were all sung to express aspirations, and this poem was even clearer, but it didn't seem to be Zheng Fan's state of mind.

"Wangye (King), the way of poetry is just a plaything; I've told you this before."

In the past, Tian Wu Jing had asked similar questions. Zheng Fan couldn't possibly say that he had plagiarized it, so he could only use this more high-end reason to prevaricate.

Yao Zizhan had obtained many circulated "Poems by the Marquis of Pingxi." After reading them, he was so angry that he blew his beard and glared, even opening with a sentence in his hometown dialect: "It's an insult to culture! An insult to culture!"

Essays and poems were originally elegant things. You, a martial artist, wrote them, and it would be fine if you wrote them well, but you deliberately hit one thing one moment and something else the next, turning this elegant thing into your random graffiti. How were others supposed to play?

Specifically speaking, how was he, Yao Zizhan, supposed to freeload in the future?

"I really like this poem; it resonates with me."

Zheng Fan subconsciously swallowed.

No, brother, the original author of this poem didn't have a good ending.

"Wangye, I recently wrote another poem, very appropriate, writing about this moment. Do you want to hear it?"

Zheng Fan felt that he had a duty to pull Lao Tian out of the emotions of *Man Jiang Hong*. Don't resonate anymore.

Tian Wu Jing turned around and looked at Zheng Fan, saying, "Your poems and lyrics are really excellent if you don't know the person or aren't familiar with you."

"........." Zheng Fan.

"However, it doesn't prevent you from reciting it."

Zheng Fan nodded and recited: "待到秋来九月八，我花开后百花杀。冲天香阵透上京，满城尽带黄金甲 (*Dai dao qiu lai jiu yue ba, wo hua kai hou bai hua sha. Chong tian xiang zhen tou shang jing, man cheng jin dai huang jin jia*)." (When autumn comes in the ninth month, my flower blooms and all others wither. The fragrant array soars to the capital, the city is full of golden armor.)

The theme of this poem was very simple, clear, and direct.

When I'm awesome, I'll beat you all!

Tian Wu Jing closed his eyes and tasted it for a while, saying, "It's a good thing I know that you're good at the way of poetry and lyrics, and you treat them as playthings. If someone else wrote it..."

Marquis Zheng asked cautiously, "Would they be executed?"

Tian Wu Jing shook his head, saying, "Too strong is easy to break. Simply seeking pleasure without leaving room means that it's inevitable that it will rise suddenly and fall suddenly."

Zheng Fan opened his mouth. That's right.

"When doing things and being a person, you have to leave some leeway unless it's absolutely necessary. You've always done this very well."

"Wangye, you're wrong. I've always liked to eliminate the roots."

"Think it in your heart, don't show it on the outside."

"Yes, I understand."

The sky gradually darkened.

Zheng Fan kept waiting for Tian Wu Jing to say that they should go down the mountain.

But Lao Tian stood there, admiring the sunset.

In the distance, a large area of clouds was dyed red, like a pool of blood soaking through.

"After entering the capital, the imperial court will probably ask you to hand over some of your power, either territory or a division of military power, taking advantage of your presence in the capital, using a straightforward conspiracy."

"Wangye, what should I do?"

The blind man and the Wild Man King had already guessed this possibility.

The central government has an instinct for centralization. Although the imperial court has always been dominated by the will of the Yan Emperor in recent years, the authority of the central government has long been established.

In other words, whoever is in that position will instinctively take back some power from the local vassals, provided that they don't rebel.

While the Yan Emperor is still in power, while you are in Yanjing, while this wave is gathering momentum.

This is indeed a straightforward conspiracy, and once the Yan Emperor dies, the authority of the central government will inevitably decline with the succession of the throne. No matter whether it's the crown prince or the sixth prince, they can't change this situation.

And if they choose other princes, or if they are really not afraid of "a young ruler and a suspicious country" and choose a little seventh prince to be "Fulin," the degree of decline will be even greater.

In fact, even if Lao Tian didn't ask this, Zheng Fan would find a chance to ask him on the way to Yanjing.

This matter mainly depends on Lao Tian's attitude, just as Lao Tian said at the beginning, he was still here.

To put it bluntly, Zheng Fan was able to develop to this scale because of his Jingnan Wang's indulgence.

Otherwise, if the Jingnan Wang wanted to insert his own people or split him up, he would have the ability to nip everything in the bud.

The world thought that it was because the Jingnan Wang's son was being raised in Zheng Fan's mansion, so all of this was the Jingnan Wang giving money to his son's wet nurse;

But in fact, only the parties involved knew that this was not the case.

"This is easy to handle. Just counter the conspiracy with a conspiracy. After entering the capital, whoever dares to openly attack you, you can just beat them directly. It doesn't matter if you injure them, kill them, or cripple them. This *wang* (king) is standing behind you. The sky won't fall."

This feeling, how was it so familiar?

Last time when he abolished the Third Prince, it seemed to be a similar situation.

"Wangye, I understand."

"Mm, the sun has set."

"Are we going down the mountain?"

"We're going down the mountain, but there's still one thing to do before going down the mountain."

"What thing?"

"Your realm has been stuck at the sixth rank for a long time, right?"

"Yes, Wangye."

He had been stuck at the sixth rank for a long time indeed.

"In fact, the most difficult hurdle on the path of martial arts is from the fourth rank to the third rank, just like in the imperial court, it's most difficult to enter the third rank from the fourth rank, but once you step in, it's a completely different situation.

However, there's also a ditch to cross from the sixth rank to the fifth rank. At the fifth rank, whether it's a martial artist, a swordsman, or a Qi cultivator, they can be called a small grandmaster.

A grandmaster must have their own belief, their own Dao (Way).

This is breaking through the realm with your mind, breaking through the realm with your Dao (Way). Do you understand?"

"Wangye, I understand." Zheng Fan answered with a wry smile.

He really understood, because there were many experts in the Marquis's mansion, and there was the Sword Saint to guide him from the side.

Moreover, he knew more about all kinds of ambiguous theoretical knowledge than others.

But the key to the problem was here. Perhaps it was really because of his personality, or perhaps he was instinctively greedy for comfort.

When he occasionally went to the battlefield, Zheng Fan wasn't incapable of charging to the death. In the past, he often did this;

But now, even on the battlefield, he had the Sword Saint, A Ming, to protect him, and the demon kings would always take care of each other. Moreover, after his status became higher, he also had three wives at home, and his life was going well, so he became more and more afraid of death.

Zheng Fan hadn't gone out to try to train himself. He had gone out several times this year, but other than sharpening his saber skills and fighting skills, he hadn't made any progress in his realm.

Of course, this didn't mean that he had to face life and death constantly to break through. It could only be said that this was the most direct method. The key was to have a firm belief.

At least, according to Zheng Fan's understanding, that was it, but he didn't have it.

Yes, he didn't have it;

Living a carefree life was his main goal, and it was also the aesthetic that the demon kings all agreed on;

To put it bluntly, you're essentially a dilettante.

A dilettante also wants to play around and break through his realm freely. That's underestimating some of the rules of this world too much, and it's too disheartening for those ascetics who have a firm will and are wholeheartedly devoted to the Dao (Way).

It was just that when Lao Tian said this, a glimmer of hope couldn't help rising in Zheng Fan's heart.

Listening to the meaning of these words, Lao Tian had the ability to help him?

Enlightenment? Power transmission?

Tian Wu Jing pointed to the road down the mountain, saying, "Let's go down the mountain."

This scene was like back then on the edge of Wang Jiang (Looking River), when Zheng Fan was walking on the riverbank full of floating corpses, almost going into a state of madness, and Tian Wu Jing was following behind him.

Zheng Fan nodded, turned around, and started to go down the mountain, but in the next moment, a palm fell on his shoulder, with warmth in his palm.

Zheng Fan's mind condensed, and as he was preparing to continue walking downwards, he suddenly saw that in front of him, Lao Tian's figure appeared. Lao Tian had already walked in front of him.

He had already gone ahead.

Zheng Fan continued to walk down, but he heard Lao Tian's voice coming from behind him: "Did you see it?"

Zheng Fan's body trembled, and he subconsciously wanted to turn his head, but he still held back. Vaguely, he understood something.

Because he lacked something, he was stuck in this realm, unable to advance, and even unable to see the road, feeling very confused;

Lao Tian was helping him make up for what he was lacking.

Not enlightenment, not power transmission, but using his back to lead the way for him in front.

This was no longer something a martial artist could do; this was something that only a true great Qi cultivator could do...a *xianren zhi lu* (immortal pointing the way)!

The purpose of pointing the way was to clarify the Dao (Way).

Lao Tian's voice came again from behind him, saying, "Remember this scene, remember this road. It's not that you'll break through after walking it once and going down the mountain, but keep it in your heart and take it out from time to time to recall and ruminate, and your realm will gradually become clear. Your talent is already good, but it's probably just that you've been walking too smoothly and lack something.

But this isn't wrong. Smooth sailing is envied by everyone. Where is that wrong?

Having to find a pit to jump into is the real obsession, the real unnecessary thing.

If you have a good life, accept it, accept it with peace of mind, accept it generously.

This *wang* wants to see you live a life of ease."

"Wangye..."

"Don't be anxious, don't panic. This road, this *wang* will lead you down."