Chapter 1373

Su Xiao: "Of course it's because he's too indecisive and weak-willed."

Xiao Mai: "Exactly, he has no manly sense of responsibility at all."

Yue Buqun: "I don't agree with that."

Xiao Mai: "??? Master Yue, aren't we on the same side?"

Su Xiao: "Yes, Master Yue, do you really think Zhuo Yihang did the right thing?"

Yue Buqun: "Haven't you noticed one thing? Zhuo Yihang had no other choice."

Xiao Mai: "??? That's not right—he could've just left Wudang."

Zhang Sanfeng: "Cough, cough, Miss Xiao Mai, you're oversimplifying it. In the Jianghu, the cost of betraying your sect is far greater than you imagine."

Xiong Nu: "Correct. At that point, not only would your own sect hunt you down, but anyone with any ambition in the world could kill you."

Xiao Mai: "Do other people really care that much?"

Huang Rong: "In the Jianghu, betraying your sect is called a traitor to the martial world—even if you join the demonic sects, you'll be mocked constantly. This isn't a joke."

Li Shimin: "In ancient times, society was almost entirely governed by filial piety. Disobedience was one of the Ten Heinous Crimes—unforgivable even under amnesty. A master is like a father; betraying your master is equivalent to disobedience, and it's never easy to bear. If you truly did it, you'd lose a layer of skin and be pointed at forever."

Su Xiao: "Is that so?"

Ye Hei: "More importantly, Zhuo Yihang grew up in that environment, from a scholarly family—the Three Bonds and Five Constants were already deeply embedded in his soul. His actions naturally reflected those values. In contrast, Miss Lian, having had little exposure to such things, possesses a stronger spirit of rebellion, closer to modern thinking."

Zhang Taixuan: "This is truly a tragedy of the era. Very few can transcend their historical context. People like Miss Lian, who carry no such rigid constraints in their hearts, were likely nonexistent in that age."

Zhu Youjian: "Even if such people existed, they'd struggle to survive. Defying norms and clan law would never be forgiven."

Xiao Mai: "Then is there really no solution?"

Su Xiao: "Surely there must be a path where true lovers eventually unite?"

Zhu Wushi: "You're overthinking it. In ancient times, once branded as disobedient, there could be no peaceful life. Commoners might lose their lives outright; even martial artists would only fare slightly better—forced into constant wandering."

Zhang Taixuan: "Think of 'The Peacock Flies Southeast'—you'll understand. In ancient times, to defy parents or elders for love, you'd have to hang yourself from the southeast branch."

Su Xiao: "Ugh, my dead memories are attacking me again!"

Xiao Mai: "Now that you mention it, I get it."

Hu Yifei: "Does Xiao Mai know about this too?"

Xiao Mai: "Don't forget—I'm a top student. I've read all these poems. I used to think Jiao Zhongqing wasn't a man—he didn't dare defy his mother to stand up for his wife. Now I realize: he literally couldn't do anything except die."

Su Xiao: "Exactly. Ancient parents weren't like modern ones—they held absolute life-and-death power over their children. The relationship was clearly hierarchical. To rebel meant, at best, losing inheritance and becoming refugees; at worst, bearing the charge of disobedience—and dying."

Zhang Taixuan: "So Jiao Zhongqing already reached his limit. Zhuo Yihang is the same—he'd abandon his family background, give up his status as a prestigious sect disciple, but he'd never defy his elders. His choice was predetermined."

Xiao Mai: "Ancient times were so dark!"

Su Xiao: "Everywhere are deadly rules and constraints."

Hu Yifei: "That's why it's called a cannibalistic feudal society."

Ye Hei: "I can't fathom why anyone without a cheat system would dare go back to ancient times."

Zhang Taixuan: "Because they think being transported means becoming nobility or princesses, never realizing they might not even become a landowning farmer."

Xiao Mai: "What about becoming a maid? 【Evil grin】"

Ye Hei: "Even a young lady's maid needs to be pretty."

Su Xiao: "Then if you don't have a cheat system, Brother Taixuan wouldn't want to go back either?"

Zhang Taixuan: "Isn't that obvious? In modern society, with so many opportunities, you still can't make a name for yourself. Do you really think going back to ancient times will suddenly make you enlightened and become a genius? Without a cheat system, don't even dream of it."

Lian Nishang: "So Zhuo Yihang's choice had so many underlying reasons?"

Su Xiao: "We're just analyzing the era—Miss Lian won't change your mind, will you?"

Lian Nishang: "No. I'm just struck by how powerful societal rules are—they can bind even a martial genius, robbing him of freedom."

Zhang Taixuan: "That's why people say: the sky is vast, the earth is vast, but principles are the greatest. All human behavior is guided by thought. And where does thought come from? From life experience, from books. These principles seem like our own insights—but most are inherited from the past. We think we're free, but we've always been trapped in the great web of thought woven by our ancestors."

Su Xiao: "Stop, stop—the kids are getting scared."

Xiao Mai: "Same here. I'm starting to wonder if my thoughts are even truly my own!"

Ying Zheng: "According to Daojun's words, aren't we emperors also bound by these rules?"

Zhang Taixuan: "What are emperors, compared to the principles laid down by our ancestors? Even immortals mostly live within the principles of human society."

Zhang Taixuan: "In many worlds, humanity is considered the protagonist of heaven and earth—perhaps for this very reason. Because humanity has established principles for all races, binding all beings under heaven."

Jin Chan: "Why does humanity suddenly feel terrifying? Like some kind of conspiracy mastermind."

Ye Hei: "The terrifying upright apes!"

Zhang Taixuan: "There's no need to fear. Human principles are supported by our own kind and by other races—because they at least align with the interests of most humans and most races. Otherwise, no matter how noble the principle, if it doesn't serve people's interests, who would follow it?"

Su Xiao: "So by that logic—in 'The Peacock Flies Southeast,' filial piety also served the majority's interests?"

Li Shimin: "Naturally. Filial piety serves the emperor, the nobility, and every parent in the land. As for the children? They had no power when young; their opinions didn't matter. When they become parents themselves, filial piety will serve their interests too. They might rebel only when they're children—but once they're parents, would they oppose it themselves?"

Xiao Mai: "..."

Hu Yifei: "It's a vicious cycle."