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Chapter 1002: Unraveling the Past, Forging a New Path
Chapter 1002: Unraveling the Past, Forging a New Path
Director Chen looked at Elder Cheng, and at his current spiritual realm, he could tell that the old man was speaking from the heart, not merely flattering or trying to gain favor due to Cheng Zitong's presence.
It was clear that this old gentleman had lived a life of pride and would not bow down on matters of principle unless it was for something he deemed more important and worthy.
The respect he showed at this moment was likely due, in large part, to what Director Chen had accomplished, rather than solely because he was a martial artist.
Elder Cheng continued, "Director Chen, this is your first visit, and you've brought such generous gifts. I should be the one to entertain you properly. However, after seeing you, I've been touched, and I have some words I'd like to share with you. May I?"
Director Chen replied, "Elder Cheng, you are the host, and today is your birthday celebration. As a junior, I'm willing to listen to your teachings."
"I'm not worthy of such praise. These are just some rambling words. If you don't mind my chatter, Director Chen." Elder Cheng asked, "I heard you're also from Yangzhi City?"
Director Chen nodded.
"Then we're fellow townsfolk."
Elder Cheng called out to the Cheng family members behind him, "Go and bring me the Soaring Cloud Tea."
"Yes, Grandfather," responded one of the Cheng family members responsible for hosting.
Soaring Cloud Tea was not a top-tier tea, but rather an old variety from Yangzhi City. They hadn't prepared it earlier, so they would need to search for it.
Meanwhile, Cheng Zitong turned his attention to Qiao Linhu, who was sitting at the table, engrossed in his tea. Cheng Zitong smiled at him, but Qiao Linhu's face betrayed a hint of discomfort, unconsciously avoiding his gaze.
Cheng Zitong persisted, "Senior Apprentice Brother... Ah..." He waved his hand forward, "Look here, look here, don't look elsewhere."
Qiao Linhu could no longer pretend not to see him. He put down his cup and said in a low voice, "Junior Apprentice Brother, what do you want?"
"What do I want? I don't want anything." Cheng Zitong feigned surprise, "I just wanted to ask why you didn't tell me that day. Why did you leave so suddenly? I wanted to see you off. Senior Apprentice Brother, you're not being fair. Do you think I've been eating too much of your family's rice?"
Qiao Linhu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then put it down before speaking without expression, "I had urgent matters that day and had to leave in a hurry."
"Oh? You left in such a hurry?"
Cheng Zitong nodded in understanding, "I heard you were in a rush because of your disciple. I understand, Junior Apprentice Brother. You wanted to send your disciple to Central City for proper training, right? Especially since your disciple is talented. It's been a while, and he should have reached the Third Limit by now, right?"
He looked around, "Your disciple is here today, isn't he? Where is he?"
Qiao Linhu initially didn't want to answer, but Cheng Zitong's voice was loud enough to draw the attention of the elders at the table. Reluctantly, he said, "He's not here."
"Oh, he's not here," Cheng Zitong realized.
Qiao Linhu couldn't help but raise his head and say, "He's about to reach the Third Limit."
"He's almost at the Third Limit?" Cheng Zitong exclaimed in surprise, giving a thumbs-up, "Good job! That's rare for someone his age in Central City. It's all thanks to your excellent teaching, Senior Apprentice Brother. Where does he plan to go after he succeeds? The Administration Bureau or Martial Resolve Academy? Or the military? Not to boast, but I..."
Qiao Linhu couldn't sit still any longer and abruptly stood up, then quickly walked out without a word.
"Hey, Senior Apprentice Brother, where are you going?"
At the main table, the tea had been replaced, but Elder Cheng pretended not to notice. He invited Director Chen to drink tea and picked up his own teacup, saying, "Director Chen, you may have heard that my grandfather and his generation participated in overthrowing the former imperial palace."
Director Chen said, "I've heard Master mention it."
Elder Cheng continued, "To be honest, it wasn't a matter of choice at the time, and it wasn't driven by some grand ideal.
My grandfather's generation lived during the late years of the old dynasty, a time when the people suffered greatly. Our family's martial arts school couldn't continue, so we returned to our hometown to farm, but even that was a struggle.
I remember my father telling me that the court oppressed us, the landlords oppressed us, the big businesses oppressed us, and even some foreigners oppressed us. Back then, if we didn't resist, we had no way to survive."
He sighed, "My grandfather had seven brothers, and there were twenty-three of us in the Cheng family. Together with three hundred fellow villagers, we joined the expeditionary army. In the end, only thirteen of us survived. Our family was left with only my grandfather and father. But they lived to see their hopes fulfilled."
He placed his hand on the table and said firmly, "No one oppresses us anymore."
He shook his head, "But is that truly the case? It's just that the Cheng family has risen high enough that no one dares to oppress us now. But the problem still exists. All I can do is ensure that the Cheng family doesn't oppress others.
I've struggled my whole life, and no matter how hard I try, the world seems unchanged. It's as if things have changed, yet they haven't.
I'm a martial artist, and the only solution I can think of is to cultivate a descendant who can carry on the mystic way. Perhaps then, they can bring about change. But none of the Cheng family's descendants or disciples have lived up to expectations.
I'm not very capable, so I can only rely on the old rules to guide the younger generation. These old traditions have been proven effective by generations, and even if some suffer, they must endure. Isn't that how everyone has lived? Endure, and eventually, you'll have the strength to fight back and make a difference."
As he spoke, he clenched his fist and struck the table, making a loud bang. "Then you'll have the confidence to fight and proclaim new rules."
He looked at Director Chen and said, "I've witnessed the changes in Central City these past two years, Director Chen. You're the one who gets things done. You've eliminated the city's poison, connected the skyline, and accomplished what I couldn't. I admire you for that."
"Director Chen, I owe my success today to the guidance and help that Elder Cheng gave me back then," Chen Chuan said sincerely.
Elder Cheng nodded and glanced at Cheng Zitong, who was sitting at another table. "Zitong, come here," he called out.
Cheng Zitong was taken aback. He hadn't expected Elder Cheng to call him, but he stood up and walked over to the table.
"You know, your talent has always been inferior to your older brother's, and my expectations for you were not high," Elder Cheng said. "Even when you started teaching, your father was worried that you might teach the wrong people. Yes, you may have some teaching skills, but if your own abilities are not exceptional, you won't be able to exert influence. If the students you teach don't get along with you, what can you do? It's useless to teach if you can't keep them."
"Father, you're still stuck in the old ways," Cheng Zitong replied. "The new era has new rules. It's not just our Cheng family in this world. If we can't keep the students we teach, others will take them in. Besides, Father, why only think of the worst? Can't you consider the positive side too?"
Elder Cheng nodded. "On this matter, Zitong, your father made a mistake."
Cheng Zitong was caught off guard by his father's words and couldn't believe what he was hearing. He looked at his father in surprise.
Elder Cheng looked at him and said slowly, "Your father's thinking is outdated. The students you teach are far better than those taught by the Cheng family. I am not as good as you, and neither are your senior and junior brothers."
Cheng Zitong was stunned for a moment, his emotions stirred. His eyes glistened with unshed tears. He didn't know how many years he had waited to hear those words. "Father..." he said.
Elder Cheng gently patted the table and said, "Today is your father's birthday banquet. Hold back a little."
Cheng Zitong quickly looked up and took a deep breath. After a while, he regained his composure. He cleared his throat and said, "Father, could you repeat those words from earlier? I want to hear them again..."
"Record it with your Boundary Token and listen to it later," Elder Cheng suggested.
Cheng Zitong smiled and said, "Father, you reminded me. I've just arrived in Central City, and I almost forgot how to use it."
Elder Cheng said, "Then stay a few more days and chat with your father."
Cheng Zitong smiled and said, "Father, I took a year's leave to visit my hometown and reminisce about the past. I also want to visit the elders and my fellow disciples. I need to go around and see them."
As he was about to stand up, Elder Cheng looked at him and asked, "Where are you going?"
Cheng Zitong pointed to another table and said, "Father, I'm going to sit over there."
Elder Cheng gestured, "Just sit here."
"But, the rules..." Cheng Zitong was taken aback.
"Some rules will no longer be rules after today," Elder Cheng said.
Cheng Zitong smiled and said, "That's great, Father. Wait a moment, I'll go and call Xiao Ke inside. I can't leave him outside alone, can I? Father, Director Chen, please continue your conversation." With that, he turned and walked out.
Elder Cheng shook his head and turned to Director Chen, "Please excuse my son's behavior."
"Not at all," Director Chen said. "It's a joy for a junior like me to see the harmony between you and Elder Cheng. If I have offended you in any way, I hope you won't hold it against me."
"Director Chen, your words are too kind," Elder Cheng said. "In fact, I should thank you. Without you, my son might not have returned today."
"Without Elder Cheng, there wouldn't be me either," Director Chen replied.
Elder Cheng nodded in agreement.
At another table, Cheng Shang and his eldest son, Cheng Zisheng, were sitting together. Cheng Zisheng looked around and said, "Father, Uncle Three has said more tonight than he usually does in ten days. He seems to be in a good mood."
Cheng Shang sighed, "That's a good thing. Your Uncle Three may seem stern on the surface, but he's actually very happy inside."
Cheng Zisheng said, "I never imagined that Director Chen and my third brother would have such a good relationship. Director Chen didn't even send a formal request to become his student; he's just a student of his."
Cheng Shang thought for a moment and said, "Cheng Zitong may seem unreliable, but when he meets someone he respects, he'll give his all. Director Chen also seems to value old relationships. It's a perfect match between teacher and student."
He had another thought that he didn't voice: if it had been someone else, with a different personality, the situation today might have been very different.
After Director Chen arrived, almost all the guests had arrived. The snacks and appetizers were cleared, and the grand banquet officially began.
The younger generation then offered birthday wishes, paid respects to the birthday star, presented gifts, and shared in the joy of longevity. Once the entire process was over, fireworks were set off outside, a Field Domain screen was displayed in the hall, and traditional performances were presented in the main hall. To accommodate Director Chen, who might not be accustomed to these customs, the main hall doors were opened, connecting the indoor and outdoor spaces.
By the time the banquet was mostly over, it was already past nine in the evening. Director Chen didn't stay long after that. He bid farewell to Elder Cheng and chatted with Cheng Zitong for a while before leaving the hall.
Outside the mansion, rows of guards were still standing, including Xu Chan, who was talking to a captain. When he saw Director Chen, he approached and saluted, "Director."
Director Chen returned the salute and said, "Xu, you've worked hard." He then gestured to the front, "I was just about to look for you. Let's take my car and find a place to talk."
"Yes, Director," Xu Chan replied.
...
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(End of Chapter)
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