Chapter 122: Amidst Sunlight, Don't Obsess Over the Shadows Within
Chapter 122: Amidst Sunlight, Don't Obsess Over the Shadows Within
"Do you think that because I'm a hero, I deserve such extravagant treatment?" Li Changzhou looked at Li Yuan.
"How much can all of human civilization afford to waste on such extravagance for you?"
"I understand your intentions, and I'm grateful, but this isn't quite appropriate."
"My medical treatment is fully covered, with a one-time subsidy of 400,000, monthly disability assistance, and free healthcare. I'm expected to live up to 70 years old... I'm already very content with what the country has provided for me."
"Just like I told you before, I've never regretted my choice." Li Changzhou's tone softened, less stern than before.
Li Changzhou understood in his heart that Li Yuan's actions were driven by filial piety and concern for him.
"Uncle, you're right,"
"But if, when the siege at Base Three was lifted, you hadn't been cut in line, you could have returned earlier." Li Yuan finally couldn't hold back, "It might not have led to that dire situation, and I almost died."
"Little Yuan, is that really what you think?" Li Changzhou sighed softly.
Through the light screen, he could see right into Li Yuan's heart.
Li Yuan and his uncle locked eyes.
Indeed, this was the thought that had crossed Li Yuan's mind when he learned the truth, and it had even bred some dissatisfaction.
"Little Yuan."
"What you said is correct. It was wrong for someone to use certain privileges to leave early, and they should be held accountable." Li Changzhou didn't refute Li Yuan's words.
Li Changzhou continued, "I just hope that you won't become radical because of this and imagine everything to be so dark."
Li Yuan fell silent.
"Today, if the 1.6 million you spent is your own money, I'm willing to accept the treatment."
"But the reward given by the country is meant for you to strengthen yourself quickly, not just to prolong my life a little. Your intentions are good, but the cost is too high. Perhaps if you use it, no one will blame you." Li Changzhou sighed, "But I don't want to accept it."
"Uncle," Li Yuan looked at Li Changzhou.
"You're right, fairness is relative." Li Changzhou sighed, "Everyone has their own selfishness and desires, and so do I."
"You want me to live longer, and you want the best for our family, and I'm happy about that."
"It proves that your heart is in the right place."
"It proves that the country's decision to focus on nurturing you was correct."
"But when it comes to my situation, I don't want it this way. I'm not on the verge of death, and I'm only in my forties." Li Changzhou looked at Li Yuan.
Li Yuan fell silent.
Li Changzhou didn't say more, only quietly observing Li Yuan, knowing that some things needed to be figured out by Li Yuan himself.
Time passed.
"Uncle," Li Yuan finally spoke again, his voice low, "In the future, when I become a true warrior and start my journey through the Star Realm, I'll use the money I earn to pay for your rehabilitation."
Li Changzhou's physical condition was not severely affected, but his vitality had been significantly damaged.
"Rehabilitation isn't something you need to worry about." Li Changzhou shook his head gently, "Living to seventy is rare in this world. Being able to traverse the Star Realm and live past seventy without major illnesses or disasters is already more than enough for me."
"I also don't want to say too much."
"You've grown up, and you handle many things better than I do, but you still have much to experience." Li Changzhou spoke softly, "This world is not entirely bright)."
He could tell that Li Yuan hadn't fully grasped the extent of the darkness.
"There are many disgusting things you might not even be aware of."
"There are many evil people you may have never encountered."
"You're a martial arts genius, so most people treat you kindly, but the disgusting things are hidden."
"The evils you've seen are just the tip of the iceberg." Li Changzhou explained.
In the past, he didn't want to say too much to his nephew.
Because he wanted Li Yuan to experience and understand these things on his own.
But today, he vaguely realized something.
His nephew was growing up too fast, his strength was increasing rapidly, and he was at a critical stage of shaping his worldview and values.
If he didn't say these things now, he might never get another chance.
"In the future, you'll encounter even more disgusting things."
"Uncle just hopes you'll remember this: Walk in the sunlight and don't obsess over the shadows within the cracks."
"We came into this world not to be tainted by darkness." Li Changzhou said, "If you see darkness, then strive to bring light to it in your own way."
Li Yuan was deeply moved by these words, his heart stirred.
Suddenly, Li Yuan thought of Dong Fangji and the 'Seven Star Alliance Progress Movement' mentioned in history books.
What his uncle said was so similar.
...
Soon after.
Li Yuan ended the communication with his uncle. The conversation wasn't long, but its impact on Li Yuan's spirit was unprecedented.
"Amidst sunlight, don't obsess over the shadows within the cracks." Li Yuan muttered to himself.
Li Yuan suddenly realized that his past self had never truly understood his uncle.
"Since the college entrance examination..."
"No!"
"After being specially recruited by the Martial Hall, subconsciously, I always felt that my abilities were better than my uncle's, and that my decisions would be better than his." Li Yuan shook his head lightly, "But, aside from my talent and the special guidance of the Heart Shrine..."
"Is my heart truly stronger than my uncle's?" Li Yuan shook his head lightly.
Perhaps he had the determination and perseverance to cultivate diligently, and the madness to pursue greater strength.
In terms of diligence in cultivation, Li Yuan never felt inferior to anyone.
However, true strength of heart was never solely about determination and perseverance.
It was more about a belief.
A terrifying belief that was unbreakable, unyielding in the face of countless difficulties, unchanging in its resolve.
Unconsciously, Li Yuan recalled the night his uncle departed for the Star Realm.
That seemingly casual sentence.
"This war, someone has to go, why can't it be me?"
It seemed like a joke.
It seemed unintentional.
But in a sudden realization, Li Yuan finally understood the terrifying belief hidden within his uncle's words.
"What I lack is this very belief." Li Yuan muttered to himself.
"For my family, for my uncle and aunt, for my younger brother and sister, I can give it my all, even if it means risking my life." Li Yuan silently vowed.
"But can I, like my uncle, remain calm after experiencing so much and seeing so much?" Li Yuan asked himself.
There was no answer.
No one's heart could be completely transformed by a single moment of introspection or a simple conversation.
Especially for a youth like Li Yuan, whose thoughts were ever-changing.
"I, at this moment, have not yet reached my uncle's level, nor can I fully comprehend his thoughts."
"Even some of my uncle's ideas, though I don't fully agree with them, are not wrong in their general direction." Li Yuan tightened his grip on the long spear once more.
"Just as my uncle said."
"The nation, or rather, the countless ordinary people of human civilization, work together to invest vast resources in martial geniuses like me. The expectations we carry are not just those of our families."
"It's not just our own desire to become stronger."
"It's also about safeguarding all of humanity, the legacy of Elder Dongfang Ji, Starfire... the passing of the torch, an unending flame."
"A single spark can light a prairie fire."
"Perhaps, my uncle's thoughts and some of Elder Dongfang Ji's ideas share a common ground." Li Yuan swung his spear once more.
Uncle Li Changzhou had always been the most towering figure in Li Yuan's heart since childhood, seemingly capable of anything.
Li Yuan had never met Dongfang Ji, but since his youth, he had been Li Yuan's idol.
At this moment.
These two individuals, vastly different in strength, identity, and status, seemed to merge in Li Yuan's eyes.
"Spear!"
Li Yuan unconsciously danced with his spear, and suddenly, Xu Bo's image appeared in his mind.
His teacher's severed arm was a result of the Star Realm War.
He also thought of Teacher Fan Jin, who had just passed away yesterday, and the countless heroic stories Teacher Fan had passionately shared in class, and the departed spirits of the fallen... All these figures seemed to come alive in an instant.
They vividly appeared in Li Yuan's mind.
"My spear."
"My martial arts."
"One day, when I wield this spear in my hand, I will sweep away all darkness and restore peace to all of human civilization." Unknowingly, such a thought emerged in Li Yuan's heart.
As time passed, this thought grew stronger and stronger, unstoppable.
The past Li Yuan had often had similar thoughts.
However, they were more like a young person's desire to become a hero, to be a great warrior.
It was more about the desire to become, without fully understanding the 'why'.
Now, Li Yuan vaguely understood the 'why'.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Li Yuan danced with his spear, his power erupting, a majestic sight.
It seemed similar to his previous spear techniques.
But unknowingly, an essential change had begun.
At this moment, Li Yuan's heart and spear were in perfect harmony.
One quarter of an hour. Half an hour.
One hour.
Two hours, Li Yuan cultivated with unparalleled madness, completely immersed, driven to the brink of insanity.
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration crossed Li Yuan's mind, and the spear in his hand burst forth with power.
A dazzling spear light streaked across, blooming layer upon layer, reaching a dazzling climax, like a massive meteor falling from the sky, an unstoppable force far surpassing any previous spear attack of Li Yuan's.
Starlight Gun Technique - Meteor Shower!
"Your spear technique has advanced from the Fourth Stage at 53% to the Fourth Stage at 61%."
"Your fist technique has advanced from the Fourth Stage at 55% to the Fourth Stage at 62%."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
