[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl":3,"chapter-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-427":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Great Jin's Most Iron Rice Bowl",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1897201,2531,"Chapter 427: Mission","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-427",427,"\u003Cp>\"Hua Changxi, it is not that you do not want the Sacred Land to operate according to your will, nor that you do not wish to set the rules; you simply... do not wish to bear the burden.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing's gaze was extremely sharp, as if intending to pierce completely through the layered defenses guarding Hua Changxi's heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under his stare, Hua Changxi's eyes flickered; within mere seconds, the composure she had been forcing began to crumble, and a surge of embarrassment mixed with the panic of being seen through flooded her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subconsciously, she straightened her spine, attempting to maintain her habitual ease and detachment, yet her gaze shifted away somewhat messily and hastily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To conceal this loss of composure, she spoke stiffly, a trace of imperceptible rigidity in her voice: \"Do not act as if you understand me so well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing looked at her and stated very calmly: \"You once said there is one thing that can, to a certain extent, reflect a person's state of mind—that is a person's behavior.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On this point, this old man agrees wholeheartedly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Words spoken by a person can deceive others and even deceive oneself; however, the behavior a person reveals can show many 'true things'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It will nakedly expose all hidden desires, cowardice, and evasion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi did not respond; she crossed her arms over her chest, leaned her body slightly backward, and slanted against the edge of the cold stone table in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This posture appeared casual yet carried a defensive stance that kept people at a thousand li distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lifted her chin slightly, glancing sideways at Gu Xing, as if saying: Let us see what earth-shattering great principles you can utter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing continued speaking on his own: \"If given another chance to choose, would you take over the No. 13 Qihuang Hall? Would you wield control over the Danyuan Secret Realm? Would you still be willing to serve as the Peak Master of Danyuan Peak?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi's tone was stiff, carrying a trace of anger at being offended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing said: \"After you became the Master of No. 13 Qihuang Hall, and after obtaining the Danyuan Secret Realm to become the Peak Master of Danyuan Peak, you rarely participated in specific management; yet, the general direction of operations for No. 13 Qihuang Hall, Danyuan Peak, and the Danyuan Secret Realm has proceeded entirely according to your will.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi's eyes flickered imperceptibly; she still did not respond, only tightening her fingers around her crossed arms slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing looked at her fixedly: \"From the small to the large, can this old man infer thus—that even if today's meeting were reconvened, you would still without hesitation propose that the Secret Realm Master should wield control over the Sacred Land?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi perfunctorily hummed an \"Mm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing's tone remained calm yet carried a trace of unquestionable certainty: \"Do you see it now? The reason you attended the meeting was precisely to make the Sacred Land operate according to your will, was it not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi opened her mouth; she wished to argue, to say she did it for the good of the Sacred Land, to say this was the optimal solution, but under Gu Xing's all-seeing gaze, any argument appeared pale and powerless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing did not stop, continuing his deep analysis: \"This old man can further infer that during the meeting, you only considered proposing that 'the Secret Realm Master manages affairs,' yet regarding the countless complex, tedious, and headache-inducing specific management rules that would inevitably arise once this proposal was implemented, you did not think about them at all, correct?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi's expression changed slightly; this time she could not even be bothered to give a perfunctory \"Mm,\" using silence alone to indicate admission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, she had not thought about handling those complex and tedious details; aside from the huge mess in Nanxiang County waiting for her to deal with, she herself also needed time and energy to improve her strength and pill refining skills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching her silence, Gu Xing slowly summarized: \"You see, your behavioral pattern has always upheld one attitude—grasping only the general direction while ignoring specific details.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi spoke with a trace of unconvinced defiance: \"I admit, I am indeed like this. But does this mean I lack responsibility?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Gu Xing slowly shook his head: \"Most helmsmen only manage the direction.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your lack of responsibility lies in wanting the Sacred Land to operate according to your will while refusing to pay any price.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Otherwise, you would not be so angry, feeling that the Divine Wood stole something from you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi sneered and countered: \"Should I not be angry? Should absorbing my things not require seeking my consent beforehand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing's tone remained gentle: \"On this point, you indeed have cause for anger; however, no one has experienced such a matter before this; this should be a price that all 'First Ones' must pay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But after today, not only the Pill Saint Hall, but the other four Sacred Lands as well, should know about the Sacred Land laws, and your name, Hua Changxi, will spread through every Sacred Land.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi snorted with disregard: \"Who cares about that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing looked at her: \"You may not feel it now, but in the future, you will certainly understand the importance of 'reputation' and 'the people's hearts'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused for a moment: \"The Xia family and the Imperial Court; they so actively promoted the convening of the First Pill Refining Conference, expending enormous manpower and material resources; what do you think they were actually seeking?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi fell into thoughtful silence and did not respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing did not continue this topic, pulling the conversation back and locking his gaze on her again: \"Are you certain that the source of your anger is merely that the Divine Wood did not seek your opinion?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi glanced sideways at Gu Xing: \"What else could it be?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing asked: \"Do you not feel that you have suffered a loss?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi fell silent, shifting her gaze away to avoid meeting Gu Xing's eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, she indeed felt that she had suffered a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing sighed: \"Hua Changxi, do you still remember why you initially entered the Medical Bureau?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi froze; this question came so unexpectedly that she felt momentarily dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The floodgates of memory opened: To escape the oppressive life in the inner quarters and secure a livelihood that could support herself; to apply her learned skills, practice medicine to save the world, and treat the sick; to seek an opportunity for cultivation and explore the truths of this world...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing's voice sounded at the right moment, carrying a heaviness that pierced through the years: \"For a person living in this world, it is necessary to actively bear certain things; unfortunately, most people drift with the tide, and only a few find their mission.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He deliberately emphasized the two characters \"mission.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mission?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This word struck Hua Changxi's mind like a sudden thunderclap, exploding unexpectedly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her whole body stiffened, her pupils contracted slightly, and an indescribable sense of shock and resistance instantly swept through her entire being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This word was too heavy, too grand, making her instinctively feel panic and rejection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing looked straight at Hua Changxi: \"Yet, someone is evading their mission.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi suddenly lifted her head, looking directly at Gu Xing with a trace of anger and impatience at being seen through: \"What exactly are you trying to say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing met her gaze: \"Since ancient times, authority and responsibility have been equal; however, to bear responsibility, one must also possess strength.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hua Changxi, you possess strength sufficient to shake the pattern of the Sacred Land, yet you have never thought to actively bear anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi strongly resisted this imposed responsibility, sneering: \"There are so many people in the Sacred Land; can you not stop focusing all your attention on me? If I were gone, would the Pill Saint Hall not still turn?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing looked at her: \"When you initially took the Qihuang Token, this old man reminded you not to be greedy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Some things, once you have taken them, require you to bear the corresponding responsibility.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Hua Changxi remained unconvinced, Gu Xing continued: \"Some benefits are placed clearly in the open, while some benefits remain unknown to others.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On this point, you should have deep personal experience.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Heavenly Dao has always been fair; for all you gain, you must bear an equal burden.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The strong must shoulder the responsibilities of the strong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hua Changxi, you must be clear on one point: you are no ordinary disciple. Your every word and deed can now influence the fates of others.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you continue to hold yourself to the standards of a commoner, that would be acting against the natural order.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi's brows knotted together; she offered no rebuttal, yet her expression plainly showed her dissent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing sighed: \"At times, this old man has the illusion that you are merely a passerby in the Pill Saint Hall, that you have never truly sunk your roots deep into this soil to breathe with it, share its fate, and feel its rise and fall, its glory and shame.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is not only the Pill Saint Hall; toward your own clan and your kin, you seem much the same.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hua Changxi, what you lack is something called 'human warmth'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are always calmly analyzing, rationally judging, and then doing what you deem right. As for those affected by your decisions—their joys and sorrows, their hopes and disappointments—you seem... hardly concerned.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words from Gu Xing stirred a tremendous wave within Hua Changxi, leaving her momentarily stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing continued: \"Humans live within one community after another, first the family, and after leaving home, a place to stand for survival and development.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whether it is the Hua clan or the Pill Saint Hall, you maintain a stance of detachment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you ever seriously considered why this is so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you fear being bound? Or do you simply neither believe in nor care about any bonds between yourself and others?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1698,"2026-06-12T02:51:24.126Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","d9e8c6ea6750c55afa8870393fdf5dc42f01af00370cf12d0ea3010330073da6","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-428","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-426",558,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-cover.jpg"]