Chapter 128: What is the Way (Third update, seeking monthly votes)

In the eyes of Ren Yidao, Li Qiushui was like a proud female leopard.

Of noble birth and astonishing talent, although she lost her mother at a young age, she had generally never suffered any major setbacks.

Therefore, she was arrogant, she looked down on others, and she could disdain her own peers.

She had the capital for it.

Regarding cultivation, this kind of personality is actually acceptable, and even popular.

Cultivating momentum.

From a young age, Li Qiushui had cultivated a kind of indomitable King's Way momentum.

But there is a drawback to cultivating momentum this way.

With the first drum, the spirit is aroused; with the second, it wanes; with the third, it is exhausted.

Once the King's Way momentum suffers a setback, it will inevitably be a devastating blow, like the sky collapsing and the earth sinking.

If one can endure it, one can advance further and walk out with even stronger momentum.

If one cannot endure it, then the sword breaks and the person dies.

Honestly, you Li Family members are still too extreme...

"Why do you always make things a matter of life or death at the drop of a hat? What is wrong with you?"

How can it be like this?

"The child doesn't act like a child; if there's an issue, why not go ask your father face-to-face instead of having to rebel..."

"The father doesn't act like a father; if the child rebels against you, you just let them take your head? What kind of sickness is that..."

"You are the same, even when cultivating momentum, you have to go to such extremes."

He had always maintained an "it has nothing to do with me" attitude toward such situations, letting them fend for themselves.

But this time, he still wanted to intervene once.

Ren Yidao held Li Qiushui's delicate body, conveying his emotions to her, and whispered:

"When you raise your sword, you look beautiful."

So, you do not need to put down your sword.

And do not put down your sword.

"What..."

Beautiful?

Pretty?

What is he saying?

Li Qiushui's eyes widened, and for a moment, she did not react to what Ren Yidao had said...

Wait!!!

Could it be, is he talking about me!?

You lecher, to think you would look at me like this...

She wanted to open her mouth to scold the young man for his disrespect, but the words reached her lips and were swallowed back down.

He didn't really say anything; if she were too agitated, wouldn't it look like she was trying to hide something?

Furthermore, there was no subordinate relationship between the two, and he was someone she had invited to help...

And, what exactly did he mean by those words?

"When you use your sword, you look beautiful."

Was he saying my swordsmanship is beautiful?

Or was he saying...

!!!

Li Qiushui turned her head, wanting to ask Ren Yidao to make it clear.

Is it that I am disturbing your cultivation?

Or are you disturbing my heart and mind?

Regarding the matter between you and me, what exactly are you thinking!!?

"Ren Yidao, what exactly are you... thinking?"

But when she turned her head, she discovered that the surroundings had completely changed, becoming a blank void.

In a daze, she was already sitting in the midst of a pale nothingness.

All alone.

This is...

"The third trial!"

Not giving her time to be confused, Su Peiqing's voice echoed overhead:

"A Prime Minister must aid the world; one must possess a benevolent heart that cares for the world. It cannot be held by anyone without profound virtue."

"Therefore, the third trial, the trial of virtue."

"This trial is Questioning the Heart."

……

……

Ren Yidao was likewise surprised by the change in events and sighed regretfully.

"So close."

"If I am not mistaken, the progress of the strategy for this Miss Li was already almost there."

Entering the third trial earlier than he had thought, there were still some words left unsaid.

And in this independent third trial, Li Qiushui should calm down; perhaps afterwards, she will lack the courage to ask the words she just spoke.

"But this is also fine..."

"I will give you some time to think it over properly."

As for him, he does not need time to think.

He never has.

I am merely an innocent little fox that everyone loves; why would I need to think about such matters of romance?

"However, is there some behind-the-scenes manipulation in this third trial?"

Is my dear Brother Long looking after me?

Do you know that your virtuous younger brother is a person of outstanding character and great kindness?

If you do things this way, I will feel embarrassed.

"But since you have set the stage so well for me, I will reluctantly accept this first place in the trial of Merit."

Yet, just as Ren Yidao prepared to unleash his Qi of Merit to make an appearance that would stun everyone, he raised an eyebrow.

In this pure white space, a person walked toward him.

It was himself.

"My tail? No, the tail is still on my backside..."

Then what is this?

The dummy, identical to Ren Yidao, spoke blankly:

【This trial is Questioning the Heart; words that violate the heart will harm the speaker, remember this.】

It stared at Ren Yidao and slowly asked:

【What is a Prime Minister?】

Oh?

So we are playing the "you ask, I answer" game, are we?

After thinking for a moment, Ren Yidao said casually:

"A Prime Minister is one who assists the Son of Heaven above to govern yin and yang and follow the four seasons, nurtures the suitability of all things below, pacifies the four barbarian tribes and the Marquis from the outside, and draws the common people close from within, ensuring that ministers and grand masters each fulfill their duties."

This counts as the standard answer for the position of Prime Minister, which remains much the same regardless of the era.

A very steady answer.

But upon hearing this answer, the dummy shook its head and tore off one of its own arms.

【Words violating the heart, lose one arm.】

Hmm?

Ren Yidao was puzzled, then suddenly felt a sharp pain in his own left arm.

Although his left hand was intact, he felt a sense of powerlessness as if he had lost the arm, as if it had truly been torn off.

Then, the dummy continued to ask:

【What is a ruler? What are the people?】

Narrowing his eyes, Ren Yidao said slowly:

"The ruler is the boat; the people are the water."

"Water can carry the boat, but it can also overturn it."

"Therefore, the people are precious, and the ruler is light."

【Words violating the heart, lose one foot.】

The dummy's right foot evaporated, and Ren Yidao felt the same pain, his brows knitting together.

"..."

For the third time, the dummy gazed into his eyes and asked again:

【What are you?】

What am I?

The furrow in his brow smoothed out, and Ren Yidao laughed.

He laughed heartily.

"You're playing this game with me, are you?"

He did not speak, but walked up to the dummy and kicked it over.

Stepping on the dummy's head, he looked down with a smile.

"This is who I am."

He said:

"Are you satisfied?"

The dummy's expression remained unchanged, and it continued to ask:

【What is...】

Thud!

Ren Yidao stomped the dummy's head until it exploded and let out a humph.

"Ask, ask, ask—all you know is how to ask."

"Now, let me ask you."

Facing the slowly recovering dummy, Ren Yidao spoke earnestly:

"What is the self?"

【The self...】

"Do you know about the machine uprising?"

"Do you know about the Turing test?"

"Do you know what 'da-da-da-da-dum' is?"

"Have you ever had human body temperature? Have you ever had a heartbeat? Have you ever smelled the fragrance of flowers? Can you distinguish the color of the Heaven? Have you ever shed tears? Is there anyone in this world who loves you, willing to die for you?"

……

In the end, he knelt on one knee and cradled the mannequin's head with a look of affection.

The mannequin's face was no longer his own at this moment, but had turned into a mass of constantly shifting chaos.

Looking at this mass of chaos, Ren Yidao spoke softly:

"Do you want to truly live?"

It said:

【Want...】

Can I get one thousand Monthly Tickets this month? I really want to try a lucky draw) although I am truly unlucky.

(I slept for seven hours yesterday, praise me)