Chapter 1237: If the State of Mind Isn't Reached, There Can Be No Breakthrough

"If I commit suicide now, can it end everything?"

Wu She suddenly asked a sharp question.

Chen Guanlou hadn't done anything yet, but Bai Yushu and the others were anxious.

"General, you cannot!"

"General, you absolutely cannot!"

"If we die, we die together!"

After the few finished arguing, Chen Guanlou finally spoke: "If you choose to commit suicide, that's not called ending everything; that's called suicide out of fear of crime, nailing the charge to the board. It has no benefit for the trial and sentencing of the case.

In this dynasty, there is no such principle as 'the debt is cleared when the person dies' or 'the case is closed when the person dies'. Even if you die, what needs to be investigated will still be investigated to the end. General Wu, the job of using your brain doesn't suit you; you'd better listen more to Military Advisor Bai and don't be reckless. You've already suffered the loss of acting recklessly; at least learn a lesson and don't be self-righteous."

His persuasion could be considered sincere, without sarcasm, without mockery.

Wu She, however, was unwilling.

He just wanted to use his life as a bargaining chip to end all this, letting others escape.

Chen Guanlou couldn't stand his appearance. "Who do you think you are? Do you think your life is very valuable? Bai Yushu, you'd better keep a close eye on him. If he acts recklessly, I don't mind letting his Wu family taste the nine-generations-wiped-out package."

"Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen, I, Wu, have no grudge against you; why do you want to harm my family?"

"No grudge?" Chen Guanlou laughed instantly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Do you know you are very stupid! This official is living comfortably here, backed by the big tree of the Hou Fu. You insist on stirring up trouble, implicating the Hou Fu, causing instability, and making me follow along, busy and running around. Is this called no grudge?"

If he were given money, he would be willing to run around.

Not a single copper coin, yet he had to spend his heart and time pointing out these few people; he was already being very polite.

Chen Guanlou's tone was gloomy, looking very much like he would kill if there was a disagreement.

Bai Yushu hurried to persuade him. "Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen, calm your anger! General Wu spoke without thinking; he absolutely has no bad intentions. You also know that people who are soldiers are all straightforward; the words aren't pleasant, but there really are no bad intentions."

"Whether he is straightforward or not, I don't care! You'd better manage his mouth! Next time, I don't want to hear inappropriate words again."

Chen Guanlou flicked his sleeves and left, instructing Chen Quan to arrange for people to watch those few people twelve hours a day, absolutely not letting them commit suicide. They could die of illness, die from falling, die from playing hide-and-seek, but they absolutely could not commit suicide!

Once Wu She died, the coroners of the Three Judicial Offices would all come to examine the body. The cause of death would be clear at a glance, and it couldn't be hidden.

He didn't want to invite such big trouble.

Returning to the office, his mood was still not smooth.

Mu Yiguan took two small snacks as side dishes for wine. "Why does the Warden need to worry about irrelevant people? Eating and drinking to one's fill is the most important."

"Old Mu, you examined the bodies of the four; how are they?"

"They are all quite good! They are worthy of being soldiers; they are very sturdy. Especially General Wu, his Qi and blood are vigorous; even without a martial pulse, he can compete with first or second-rank martial artists."

"A natural-born martial arts body!"

"The Warden's summary is very on point. He is indeed a natural-born martial arts seed. If he had a martial pulse, with his aptitude, the ninth rank would be within his grasp. In his lifetime, he might even be able to charge at the Grandmaster realm."

"I know the Grandmaster realm is very difficult! But is it really that difficult?" Chen Guanlou practiced martial arts quite smoothly. If he wanted to break through to the Grandmaster realm, he was just waiting for a turning point. This turning point didn't lie in the outside world, but in himself. When his heart moved and he wanted to break through, it would mean his state of mind was reached and the timing was right.

This was also the reason he had delayed going into seclusion to break through.

If the state of mind isn't reached and one breaks through by force, eight or nine times out of ten, the progress won't be smooth, and one might even develop inner demons, leading to going into Qi deviation.

He cultivated following the natural course, doing everything according to his heart.

If the heart isn't there, it means he isn't ready yet.

Regardless, for him, cultivation was a simple matter. Breaking through to the Grandmaster realm was also just a matter of time.

With his current cultivation, far exceeding the peak of the ninth rank and infinitely approaching the Grandmaster realm, he called it a half-step Grandmaster, or a knock-off Grandmaster. Therefore, he could subdue Wang Hai in one move.

He had never properly exchanged martial arts insights with anyone, and his understanding of the martial artists in the Jianghu was only half-knowledgeable.

But Mu Yiguan was different; having lived for more than half a lifetime, with one foot in the grave, he was broad-minded and experienced, having had contact with high-ranking officials and people from all walks of life. Being a physician, he must have many unique insights.

Mu Yiguan stroked his beard and said after deliberation: "May I ask the Warden, is it difficult to take the imperial examination? The martial path is the same as taking the imperial examination; it's not difficult for those who know, and difficult for those who don't.

For example, for Minister Xie, the imperial examination is easy; he only needs 50% effort to take the top scholar position. For my Qingshan, even if you split him into three parts and he studies 24 hours a day, he can't take the top scholar, can't take the Jinshi, and can't even take the Juren. Throughout his life, he will only be a Xiucai.

Warden, you are a natural-born genius with top-tier talent; ascending to the Grandmaster realm is just a matter of time. But for most martial artists, throughout their lives, it is difficult to break through the fourth-rank cultivation. The fourth rank is the dividing line between ordinary martial artists and talented powerhouses."

Chen Guanlou nodded, understanding.

"I observe other martial artists, and more or less, they will all be troubled by inner demons. The higher the rank, the easier it is to encounter inner demons. Tell me about it. I have some ideas myself, but they aren't complete."

"In the final analysis, the higher the martial artist's rank, the more trembling their state of mind becomes. Their actions seem bold, but in reality, their inner courage is far inferior to when they were first or second rank. Precisely because they are worried about gains and losses, they easily develop inner demons."

"The older the Jianghu, the smaller the courage."

Mu Yiguan slapped his thigh. "The Warden's summary is wonderful. That's right, it's exactly 'the older the Jianghu, the smaller the courage'. Look at the streets; those showing off their might are mostly second or third-rank martial artists. Once they reach the fifth rank, they basically can't be seen. The ninth rank—that's even more ten years without showing their faces.

Logically, the higher the martial arts cultivation, the bolder the actions. Heh, actually, the few ninth-rank martial artists in the Jianghu all act very cautiously. Having finally become a guest elder or an elder, they dare not take risks easily. Like the Warden, hiding in the Heavenly Prison—you are the only one in the world."

Chen Guanlou said while pondering: "I don't think Master Qi is cautious, nor is he timid."

"Because he has the Jixia Academy supporting him, naturally he has the capital to be arrogant. Look at now, after the Jixia Academy suffered a great loss of vitality, is he still continuing to be arrogant? He is also afraid! Afraid of coming out and being beaten to death, afraid of encountering difficulties, and giving birth to inner demons."

"Master Qi is currently in seclusion; it is said he has the hope of breaking through to the Grandmaster realm."

Mu Yiguan, however, shook his head.

"You don't think highly of him?"

"Master Qi, that person—when he was young, I had indirect contact with him twice. His temper isn't considered very good, and he's prone to fighting. With this kind of mentality, if he wants to break through, the probability of going into Qi deviation is extremely high."

"You're wrong this time; it is said Master Qi had a miraculous encounter, which is why he chose to go into seclusion to break through. And the certainty is very high."

"He has been in seclusion for so long and hasn't broken through yet; the Warden doesn't need to worry. I dare to bet he will definitely fail to break through."

Chen Guanlou laughed happily; he also hoped Master Qi would fail.

"I accept your auspicious words! I also hope for his result." ===== CHAPTER 1238 =====