Volume One: Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter 66: The Warrior Feng Fu

“Is Wang Chuan that lofty peak? Impossible to reach!” Duan Changfeng exclaimed in shock.

This time, Tian Xingzi seemed to have pondered for a long while before figuring out how to speak to him. “Just now you asked me whether Wang Chuan has reached the divine realm. Changfeng, do you understand how in the markets and streets, ignorant common folk jest about the emperor, saying he must use a golden shoulder pole and eat several plates of steamed buns at each meal? What do you think of that?”

“Ignorance isn’t absolute. Even a frog at the bottom of a well believes the world is only so big. Most ordinary people are limited by their perspective and so they guess, having never seen or reached that level themselves.” Duan Changfeng replied, not quite willing to call them wrong. “I climb the martial path to see a broader world, not to be trapped at the well’s bottom... Am I truly so ignorant?” Suddenly, his face contorted with shock as he looked at Tian Xingzi. “Senior, do you mean I am just like those common folk, thinking Wang Chuan can be measured by the divine realm? How could that be? Then, what stage has Wang Chuan reached? Walking the grand path—how far has he gone…”

Tian Xingzi nodded.

Seeing the other admit it, Duan Changfeng was even more shaken, struck deeply in his heart.

Wang Chuan’s realm was already beyond his imagination, no longer measurable by ordinary standards of divinity or sainthood.

So this was the truth?

Why had he pulled so far ahead of them…

Enough to make countless people despair.

“The grand path is like a peak; you all wish to reach the summit as fast as possible, striving to climb…” Tian Xingzi pointed to a nearby mountain. “But from what I’ve seen, Wang Chuan has already reached the heavens above, always gazing at even higher places.”

Duan Changfeng looked up again. The dome of the sky seemed so distant, impossible to touch.

Yet they had always been staring at the mountain top.

No matter how they tried to chase, the distance between them and Wang Chuan only grew.

“A figure like that—if I do not see him for myself, I will regret it all my life!” Duan Changfeng rose, packing his things.

He took only a long sword hanging on the wall, untouched and unsheathed for years.

Today, he would leave the mountain.

He closed his book and walked deeper into the woods, arriving before a quiet chamber.

“Master, I am going down the mountain!” He knelt, speaking sincerely. “To pursue the grand path, to meet those dazzling figures, to walk my own way. Master, take care!”

He waited a while. From within came a voice, aged and deep. “Go on. The ideals of the past no longer fit. If you wish to become divine, you must walk a different path. Go, don’t return. I have nothing more to teach you.”

“Master!” Duan Changfeng wept, kowtowing three times.

“The myriad realms, countless races, no one becomes divine. It is the best of times and the worst of times. I will watch over you.” The teacher added, “Return the day you become divine.”

“To think such a figure as Wang Chuan emerged in the world, almost tempting me to go see for myself…”

…

The martial path is long; the body is the vessel, the soul is the rudder. Many wish to reach the stage where even calamity cannot destroy them.

But how could it be so easy?

Wang Chuan contemplated further, gaining a deeper understanding of his own cultivation method.

The Grand Soul-Seizing Hand, terrifying beyond measure.

“Your Highness, we’re almost at Hua City.”

At that moment, Yang Hao rode back to report.

They had traveled unimpeded, heading straight for the border.

Soon, they would meet the Jin army, and perhaps something would happen.

The garrison of Hua City had already received orders to let the Crown Prince of Jin and his party pass.

“Alright, you wait here. I’ll go meet them.” Wang Chuan looked back at Xu Wei. “Wei’er, come with me. I’m not at ease without you by my side.”

“Mm.” Xu Wei responded, though slightly worried she might hinder him.

Wang Chuan gently draped a cloak over her and helped her off the carriage.

Suddenly, she felt herself lifted into the air, carried forward.

The winds shifted, the world grew solemn.

It was the first time they had seen this legendary Crown Prince, and he was like a mountain pressing down.

Behind him followed a beautiful figure, graceful as a lotus rising from water, her curious gaze shining in her eyes.

“I am Wang Chuan. Who is in charge here?” Wang Chuan spoke plainly.

Before the army, he was unfazed.

Moreover, there was an undercurrent of authority: awe-inspiring without anger.

Several officers had already seen Wang Chuan approaching, coming as if a celestial being. They hurried out to pay their respects.

“I am Li Cheng,”

“I am Zhao Yunxi,”

“I am Wang Dawei,”

“I am Tang Yaoming,”

“Greetings, Your Highness…” The final phrase was spoken in unison.

“Let’s not waste time. Since I am here, only my orders count. No other voices are permitted.” Wang Chuan made his decision after only a brief pause, glancing at them. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop. Whatever you intend, don’t do it. From now on, do as I say—no unnecessary actions.”

“Your Highness, we were ordered to escort you back to Yang City,” one officer said.

“Who escorts whom is yet to be decided. Ridiculous!” Wang Chuan sneered. “Either you go back yourselves, or I take you. Have you still not decided after so long? With your meager abilities, do you really expect to return safely?”

“I’ll obey Your Highness! Whatever you instruct, we’ll do.” The slightly plump officer quickly declared.

Wang Chuan thought for a moment—this must be Wang Dawei.

“Your Highness is the heir, so commanding us is only natural. These tens of thousands of soldiers will follow you,” the elder general agreed.

The others had no room for dissent.

Wang Chuan instructed them to send someone to notify Yang Hao and his party that they could come over.

In the camp, he wasn’t in a hurry to proceed, waiting instead for Tian Xingzi’s news.

He set out a chessboard.

The officers began to cast skeptical glances his way.

Yang Hao couldn’t idle, studying the maps of the area, wishing for a spark of military genius.

“Brother Chuan, is it difficult?” Xu Wei came behind Wang Chuan, her slender hand gently pressing his head, kneading it.

Wang Chuan leaned back against her as she massaged, her jade hands warm and delicate, the pressure soft as spring water, making him feel comfortable.

Xu Wei worriedly caressed his handsome face. “Father is busy with state affairs, sometimes he gets irritable. Do you feel this way too, Brother Chuan?”

“Wei’er, your father is a wise ruler. He may neglect family, but the people of Yu Kingdom benefit from his care. The burden is heavy, hardship inevitable; he shoulders the fate and fortunes of a nation. He often says that if he could lay down the burden and be a villain, life would be easier. But most can’t do that.” Wang Chuan pointed outside. “For me, this is just the beginning! It’s nothing; this pressure is insignificant.”

“Mm, Brother Chuan is the best.” Xu Wei smiled sweetly.

If Wang Chuan said it was nothing, then it was nothing.

On the chessboard, black and white pieces multiplied. Though Xu Wei didn’t fully understand, she could sense Wang Chuan’s air of assured victory.

Unmoved before the collapse of Mount Tai, he kept everything firmly in hand.

A cool breeze stirred sand, the woods rippled.

The yellow glow at the horizon drew near, enveloping the border in a peaceful, tranquil beauty.

Birds returned to their nests, bathed in the rosy light, chirping joyfully. They circled above the forest, and soon, as the setting sun pulled them, they cawed and settled in the endless woods.

When Duan Changfeng arrived, he immediately spotted his target from the posture and expressions of the group.

Wang Chuan seemed to gaze absent-mindedly at the golden-red clouds, lost in thought, his lips curled in a faint, mysterious, and sincere smile.

There was no excessive aura about him; he appeared perfectly ordinary.

Yet those around him clearly centered their attention on him, their eyes frequently landing on him.

Nearby, the officers also cast their glances toward the camp’s heart.

Even so, Wang Chuan commanded everyone’s attention, impossible to ignore.

As his gaze fell on the round red sun, a hint of melancholy flickered in his eyes.

“Greetings, Your Highness…”

Duan Changfeng’s sleeve fluttered, his body leaving afterimages as he swept toward the center of the camp, his agile speed making it clear he was no ordinary young man.

The Jin soldiers instinctively moved to intercept, a stir of alarm.

Yet they couldn’t even catch his shadow.

Yang Hao waved them off; as the Crown Prince’s aide, his word could not be ignored, and he kept watch over the scene.

The newcomer was a martial expert of remarkable skill.

Yang Hao felt ashamed and defeated before him, but some were born geniuses, destined to be admired.

There was no need to worry about Wang Chuan’s safety—there was likely no one in the world who could harm him now.

Before dusk fully settled, Wang Chuan finally seemed to regain his senses and looked at Duan Changfeng, as if noticing him for the first time. “Among the Jin people was Feng Fu, skilled at fighting tigers, who became a virtuous man; in the fields, crowds chased a tiger, which took refuge against a steep cliff, none dared approach; upon seeing Feng Fu, they hurried to greet him, Feng Fu rolled up his sleeves and stepped from his carriage, the crowd rejoiced, but the scholars laughed at him.”

What was this about?

Of those present, only Zhong Bo had read little, usually spending more time training than reading, though the prince was fond of it.

Yet now, why was it so awkward?

Yang Hao and the others naturally knew this was from “Mencius: Exhausting the Mind II.”

There was a man named Feng Fu in Jin who was skilled at fighting tigers, later becoming a virtuous man and ceasing to fight tigers. One day, he saw people chasing a tiger in the wild. The tiger retreated against a dangerous cliff, and no one dared approach. Seeing Feng Fu arrive, everyone ran to greet him. Feng Fu rolled up his sleeves and got down from his carriage, and the crowd was pleased, but the scholars laughed at him.

They understood Wang Chuan’s meaning, telling this story to Duan Changfeng. Ten years ago, he had entered a famous sect, along with the Fourth Prince; so many had invited him to leave the mountain, but he paid no heed.

Yet now, with a single word from Wang Chuan, he rushed over.

What did the scholars ridicule Feng Fu for?

They laughed at him for returning to his old trade, forsaking his pursuit of virtue to hunt tigers again.

How was Duan Changfeng any different?