novel against the - Chapter 2088

Chapter 2088: Sen Luo Jiu Zhi**

In the vast hall, Yun Che sat opposite Dian Jiu Zhi.

The appearance of the Sen Luo Divine Son, Dian Jiu Zhi, was just as elegant and handsome as the rumors suggested, devoid of the oppressive aura typical of a first supreme son, and lacking the fierce, fiery dominance of his father, the supreme-ruler

However, looking into his eyes, Yun Che could still catch a glimpse of a hidden sharpness.

A first supreme son who had grown up from being trampled upon, Yun Che could not believe that he was as magnanimous and forgiving as his outward demeanor suggested.

“Brother Jian Yuan, my visit this time is rather presumptuous; I hope you won’t take offense.”

Dian Jiu Zhi, despite being the first supreme son, maintained such a humble and courteous demeanor. If it were any other Dream Weaving Divine Son, they would likely be filled with astonishment and fear.

Yun Che smiled and replied, “What are you saying, Divine Son Jiu Zhi? Your esteemed name has echoed in my ears since my youth, yet I never dared to entertain the thought of befriending you. Now that Divine Son Jiu Zhi has come to visit, I can only feel immense honor; how could I possibly take offense? Furthermore, I have yet to find my place in the identity of Dream Jian Yuan, so you may simply call me Yun Che.”

Dian Jiu Zhi nodded directly, “Good, Brother Yun. The title of ‘Divine Son’ is merely a superficial name given to the world. I am fifty years your senior; if you do not mind, you may call me Dian Ge in private.”

Yun Che smiled and nodded, “Then may I ask, Dian Ge, what brings you here today?”

Dian Jiu Zhi was momentarily taken aback, then burst into laughter, “Hahaha! In the past, when I said such things, others would either take it as mere politeness or be even more anxious, and they would still address me as Divine Son. Brother Yun, you truly are a remarkable person; it seems that my choice to come here to befriend you was indeed the right one.”

Yun Che’s expression remained unchanged, his smile still present, “Three parts for friendship, seven parts for testing. I imagine you still find it hard to let go of the matter regarding the Sword Immortal senior being willing to be my aunt…”

Dian Jiu Zhi’s smile faltered for a moment. He gazed directly into Yun Che’s calm and sincere eyes, then laughed again, lightly sighing, “Today is clearly our first meeting, yet you can see through my thoughts so thoroughly and speak so directly… I only now realize that there are indeed such wonderful people in this world as you.”

“Dian Ge, you flatter me.” Yun Che slightly lowered his gaze, looking at the teacup beside him, unaffected by Dian Jiu Zhi’s seemingly astonished words, “The name of the first supreme son resounds throughout the world. However, even more renowned than this title is your unwavering affection for Zhe Tian Shen Nu, Hua Cai Li, which has remained unchanged for thousands of years. The Sword Immortal senior is her aunt, as well as her swordsmanship mentor and protector. Aside from that, she never shows any favor to anyone else, yet she allows me to call her aunt and publicly declares her protection over me.”

He raised his gaze again to look at Dian Jiu Zhi, “Thus, it is not that my perception is keen, but rather that when it comes to the person you are infatuated with, you cannot help but react this way.”

Dian Jiu Zhi shook his head, not in denial of Yun Che’s words, but seemingly self-deprecating, “Brother Yun, your frankness makes me, who is fifty years your senior, feel quite ashamed. Well then, I will speak frankly; I indeed have a lingering concern regarding the special care the Sword Immortal senior has shown you.”

He had always known that beside Hua Cai Li, there must be a guardian, whether visible or hidden, in the form of Hua Qing Ying. Every time Hua Cai Li left the Pure Land, he would abandon everything to visit her, and naturally, he would have more contact with Hua Qing Ying.

However, even though he was the betrothed of Hua Cai Li, Hua Qing Ying never spared him a glance.

The only exchanges they had were him respectfully greeting her as a junior, and Hua Qing Ying responding with a faint acknowledgment… nothing more.

He had long since grown accustomed to this; after all, even his father, the most powerful supreme lord of the Six Divine Kingdoms, Dian Luo Hou, was never regarded by Hua Qing Ying.

But today, he was treated so specially by Yun Che that he could hardly believe it.

The only reason he could think of for Hua Qing Ying’s indifference, which was almost devoid of desire, was Hua Cai Li.

“Dian Ge, have you ever heard of the ‘Mist Emperor’?” Yun Che suddenly asked.

“I have heard of him.” Dian Jiu Zhi’s brows slightly moved, “In the Pure Land, this person dares to call himself ‘Emperor’. Regardless of who is hiding behind this, once exposed, there is only the path of death.”

Yun Che held the teacup, smiling without saying a word.

“Brother Yun mentioned this person, could it be…?”

Not disappointing him, Yun Che took a light sip of the tea and then slowly said, “Since you know of the Mist Emperor, you should also be aware of the Ancestor Lin supreme-ruler who appeared alongside him, as well as… the purple sword mark that appeared above the Mist Sea.”

Dian Jiu Zhi pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized, “That purple mark, could it really be left by the Sword Immortal senior?”

“Exactly.” Yun Che nodded slightly, “On that day, you should have only heard rumors, which would have many inaccuracies. However, I happened to be nearby.”

He recounted, “At that time, the Mist Emperor and the Ancestor Lin supreme-ruler appeared near the place where Zhe Tian Shen Nu was undergoing her trials. The sudden appearance of the Ancestor Lin supreme-ruler severely injured Zhe Tian Shen Nu, nearly bringing her to the brink of death.”

“What!!”

Dian Jiu Zhi suddenly stood up, his expression drastically changing, and the chaotic aura he released shattered both of their teacups.

Yun Che raised a finger, and the fragments and water stains immediately swept past his finger, not touching him at all.

He continued calmly, “Aunt… oh, the Sword Immortal senior must quickly draw the Ancestor Lin supreme-ruler away; it’s difficult to attend to both ends. At that time, feeling pity, I gritted my teeth and rushed into the dangerous situation where my aunt was entangled with the Ancestor Lin supreme-ruler, rescuing Zhe Tian Shen Nu and fortunately escaping.”

Yun Che’s gaze slightly lifted, looking at the still terrified Sen Luo Divine Son, “It is for this reason that the Sword Immortal senior allows me to call her aunt and grants me the promise of protection.”

Upon hearing that Hua Cai Li was gravely injured to the brink of death, his reaction was indeed astonishing.

After a long while, Dian Jiu Zhi murmured, “So it was… like this…”

“Precisely.” Yun Che replied.

Dian Jiu Zhi let out a long breath. Although it was a past event, he seemed to still be greatly shocked.

His breath gradually calmed, and when he looked at Yun Che again, he was met with a pair of eyes that were utterly sincere and honest, as if all the hypocrisy, cunning, filth, and slander… had nowhere to hide in front of those exceptionally clear eyes.

His gaze changed; there was less probing and scrutiny, but far more gratitude.

He suddenly took a step back and then bowed deeply to Yun Che with utmost seriousness.

Yun Che seemed stunned, and only after he completed his bow did he awkwardly rise and say, “Dian Ge, you… this is too much for me.”

Dian Jiu Zhi sincerely said, “Cai Li’s trials this time, I thought would be without worry due to the Sword Immortal senior’s secret accompaniment. I never expected that Cai Li would encounter such a deadly calamity.”

“The power of the Sword Immortal senior and the Ancestor Lin supreme-ruler is unfathomable, each step a death trap. If it weren’t for Brother Yun risking his life to save her, I…”

As he spoke, his voice trembled with lingering fear.

At this moment, he fully understood why Hua Qing Ying treated Yun Che so specially.

To Hua Qing Ying, Hua Cai Li was more important than her own life. The fact that he saved Hua Cai Li’s life was a debt of gratitude that Hua Qing Ying would never exaggerate in repaying.

“Brother Yun saved Cai Li’s life, which is equivalent to saving my Dian Jiu Zhi’s life.” He stepped forward and heavily patted Yun Che’s shoulder, “Brother Yun, this life-saving grace, I will never forget. In the future, I will definitely repay you a hundredfold!”

Yun Che quickly said, “Dian Ge, there’s no need for that. I was also fleeing for my life that day; saving Zhe Tian Shen Nu was merely incidental. Moreover, I have already received immense rewards from my aunt’s protection and the introduction from Zhe Tian Divine Kingdom to return to Dream Weaving.”

Dian Jiu Zhi shook his head, speaking with utmost sincerity, “Brother Yun, you cannot understand how important Cai Li is to me. You saved not only Cai Li’s life… but also my entire life.”

Yun Che: “Um…”

“This great kindness, I momentarily do not know how to repay.” He thought for a moment and said seriously, “If in the future, there is anything you need from me, Dian Jiu Zhi, please do not hesitate to ask.”

Yun Che seemed to hesitate for a moment, then smiled freely, “Dian Ge, you truly are a person of deep feelings and righteousness. Well then, since you are so sincere, I will not stand on ceremony. If I encounter any difficult matters in the future, I will certainly trouble you.”

“Hahaha!” Dian Jiu Zhi laughed heartily, “How refreshing! My name is Jiu Zhi, and one of its meanings is ‘knowing gratitude’. If I cannot repay such a great kindness, I fear I will be unable to eat or sleep in peace.”

The two resumed their seats, and the atmosphere was no longer distant.

“May I ask, Dian Ge, what does ‘Jiu Zhi’ mean?” Yun Che casually inquired.

Dian Jiu Zhi smiled, “This was the name my father bestowed upon me when I was appointed as the Sen Luo Divine Son. The ‘Jiu Zhi’ in my name means ‘to know oneself, to know others, to know all beings, to know gratitude, to know shame, to know good and evil, to know when to advance and when to retreat, to know one’s fate’.”

Yun Che smiled slightly but did not comment, only saying, “I see.”

Dian Jiu Zhi’s eyes showed curiosity, “The meaning of ‘Jiu Zhi’ has always been praised by others as a profound name given by my father, to be upheld throughout one’s life. However, you are the first to respond in such a manner.”

Yun Che thought for a moment and said, “Dian Ge, you are a gentle yet straightforward person, so I will speak my mind.”

Dian Jiu Zhi smiled, “I am all ears.”

Yun Che lightly tapped his fingers on the tea table but countered with a question, “Dian Ge, do you think you truly understand yourself?”

In response, Dian Jiu Zhi pondered slightly but did not answer immediately.

Yun Che looked ahead, speaking in the most ordinary tone, “How many people exhaust their lives and give everything, only to obtain what they desire, yet feel no joy or satisfaction, instead feeling a sense of loss? When they look back, they see their life’s path riddled with wounds, yet there is no one left to walk that path with them… They gain what they thought they wanted, but what they lost and missed becomes an eternal emptiness of the soul.”

“So, does a person truly know what they want? Are they certain they understand what they truly desire in this life? Are they sure that their efforts are correct and without regret?”

Without waiting for him to answer, Yun Che continued, “Knowing oneself is already so difficult; knowing others is even harder… It can even be said that perhaps no one in this world can truly understand another person completely.”

“Similar questions… Dian Ge, are you certain that what you have painstakingly given to someone is what she truly wants? Are you sure her thoughts align with what you believe them to be?”

Dian Jiu Zhi seemed slightly moved.

Not looking at Dian Jiu Zhi’s reaction, Yun Che directly summarized, “To know oneself and to know others, to know gratitude and shame, to know when to advance and when to retreat… Knowing oneself is merely self-deception, knowing others is merely self-righteousness, knowing gratitude is easily manipulated by gratitude, knowing shame is easily trapped, knowing when to advance is easy to regret not retreating, and knowing when to retreat is easy to regret not fighting for.”

“As for knowing all beings, knowing good and evil, knowing fate…”

“To know oneself is already difficult; how can one speak of knowing all beings?”

“What is good? What is evil? To a practitioner entering the Mist Sea, the abyss beast is a threat to life that must be exterminated as evil. But to the abyss beast, the practitioner is the evil one intruding into their territory. In this way, how can one speak of knowing good and evil?”

“To know one’s fate?” Yun Che shook his head and laughed, “What is fate? Should a man know that ‘fate cannot be defied’, or should he say ‘my fate is determined by me, not by heaven’? If fate can be known, then why fight for anything in this life? If fate cannot be known, then isn’t knowing fate merely a fallacy?”

In just a few words, the name bestowed upon him by the Divine Lord of Absolute Luo had become worthless in Yun Che’s mouth: “Thus, while your name may sound profound, in my view… it is merely empty.”

After finishing his evaluation, he did not forget to speak humbly, “These are merely my personal thoughts upon hearing it; I suppose my experiences are shallow, and I cannot comprehend the profound meaning of the Divine Lord of Absolute Luo. Dian Ge, please treat this as mere nonsense.”

Dian Jiu Zhi, however, seemed to be lost in thought. When he came back to his senses, he suddenly asked, “Brother Yun, you insist on using ‘Yun Che’ as your name; does this name carry any expectations?”

Yun Che replied, “It does, and it does not.”

Dian Jiu Zhi: “?”

Yun Che’s expression turned nostalgic, “My name was given by my master. The two characters ‘Yun Che’ mean that he hopes I am as carefree as the clouds and as clear as water. No matter how far I go in this world, how high my achievements, or what kind of fame I leave behind, my only wish is to live a peaceful and carefree life, free from disasters and misfortunes.”

This undoubtedly formed a stark contrast with Dian Jiu Zhi’s name, which was filled with expectations, admonitions, and warnings.

Yun Che continued, “Therefore, for me, whether it is towards others or myself, whether it is gratitude or shame… all can be followed by the heart. If one becomes too attached or fixated, it only binds the heart and soul.”

Suddenly, Yun Che’s soul sea echoed with the voice of Li Suo: “Your insights are surprisingly moving; is this what you have realized in your half-life?”

Yun Che secretly tugged at the corner of his mouth and said, “Just a bunch of nonsense meant to disturb his soul; how could you take it to heart? Quickly forget it.”

Li Suo: “…”

Dian Jiu Zhi fell silent for a long while, then suddenly sighed lightly, “Since becoming a supreme son, no matter what I encounter, I always remember and abide by the admonitions of ‘Jiu Zhi’, never daring to overstep. Today, upon hearing Brother Yun’s words… I find myself feeling somewhat lost.”

“Hahaha!” Yun Che suddenly laughed heartily, “I’ve said it’s just a bunch of nonsense; it should only make Dian Ge laugh, how could it cause you to be troubled?”

Dian Jiu Zhi did not follow his lead but said seriously, “In this life, to befriend someone like Brother Yun is truly a great fortune. It is a great regret that I did not meet you earlier.”

He stood up, “Brother Yun, I still have some important matters to attend to, so I won’t stay long. Although today was just a brief conversation, it felt like a long-awaited meeting, and I have gained much from it; it was truly delightful.”

Yun Che replied, “I feel the same.”

Dian Jiu Zhi sincerely invited, “After today, Brother Yun’s name will surely resonate throughout the Abyss. If you have the time, you must come to my Sen Luo Divine Kingdom as a guest; I will accompany you the entire time.”

“Haha, definitely.”

“Then, farewell!”

Dian Jiu Zhi gave a heavy nod to Yun Che, about to turn away when he suddenly asked, “Brother Yun, I have one thing I suddenly wish to hear your opinion on.”

“Please speak, Dian Ge.”

“Brother Yun… do you have someone in your heart?”

Yun Che answered without hesitation, “Of course.”

“Then,” Dian Jiu Zhi’s gaze shifted slightly, “if it were you, how would you seek to gain more affection and joy from her?”

Yun Che smiled and replied, “When the phoenix perches high, the butterflies will naturally come. True feelings cannot be sought; they must be attracted. What can truly be sought is never genuine affection, but rather compromise and pity.”

Dian Jiu Zhi’s body slightly swayed.

He smiled, “Thank you for your teachings, Brother Yun. Farewell.”

“See you off, Divine Son.”

Yun Che watched Dian Jiu Zhi leave the Divine Son Hall, his expression quite subtle.

He murmured, “Back in the day, when I first arrived in the Eastern Divine Region, Qian Ying was the first Divine Maiden at that time, filled with schemes and plots, her methods were endless and vicious, far more terrifying than any devil I could comprehend back then, especially that Fan Hun Qiu Si Yin; every time I think of it, I wish I could punish her ten or eight times!”

“And this first supreme son of the Six Divine Kingdoms is filled with such thoughts.”

Li Suo: “Isn’t this just to your liking?”

Yun Che supported his chin, pondering for a long time, muttering to himself, “His profound energy aura gives me an overwhelming sense of pressure… this first supreme son is indeed not just a title.”

“With such cultivation, such status, and with his mind filled with thoughts of Cai Li… if used well, he could be an extremely useful tool.”

Li Suo: “…”