I Collect Skill Fragments in the Demon World-Chapter 575 - 300: Events of the Past
When Zhang Chen arrived at Xie Lingyun’s small dwelling, Xie Lingyun was brewing tea, holding a book in his hand, dressed in men’s attire, leisurely resting one hand on his knee, with an incense burner burning in front of him, presenting a poetic and picturesque scene.
"This is truly life." Zhang Chen watched Xie Lingyun in a carefree manner, feeling extreme envy in his heart. This, damn it, is life.
If one could be born into luxury and prosperity, who would want to struggle bitterly?
Xie Lingyun could be said to be born with a silver spoon, inherently wealthy beyond measure. The quality of his current life is the endpoint that Zhang Chen must strive intensely, work hard throughout his life to achieve.
"Why are you here?" Xie Lingyun put down the book, his clear eyes looking at Zhang Chen.
Zhang Chen sat down facing Xie Lingyun and opened his mouth after a slight hesitation: "Today, I have a matter for which I wish to ask your help, elder sister."
"What is the matter, saying it so formally?" Xie Lingyun showed a hint of surprise on his face.
"It’s about my lineage, and I hope you can assist me in investigating it," Zhang Chen said, looking towards Xie Lingyun.
Upon hearing this, Xie Lingyun paused, then picked up the teapot on the table to pour a cup of tea for Zhang Chen: "Even when we first met, I had already investigated your lineage and everything about your past."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen was not surprised. Instead, he felt that if Xie Lingyun had not secretly investigated him, that would have been peculiar.
"So I came correctly today, surely I can leave satisfied?" Zhang Chen looked at Xie Lingyun, his voice filled with anticipation.
Xie Lingyun shook her head upon hearing this: "You’ll be disappointed because your father’s identity is a classified archive, even I was stopped. I only vaguely discovered that this matter is related to the past royal power changes, and your father made a grave error during that upheaval."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen’s pupils constricted, finally realizing the seriousness of the matter. Any slight mistake involving royal power changes leads to total destruction.
So Zhang Chen’s expression was very solemn, his eyes focused on Xie Lingyun: "So my lineage?"
"Zhang Family’s Direct Lineage," Xie Lingyun said.
Zhang Chen’s eyes showed a hint of surprise: "Zhang Family?"
He didn’t remember the details concerning the family. He only remembered living in a very large courtyard when he was young.
"One of the Eight Great Clans of Shangjing, although among the lower three ranks, yet still a foremost existence," Xie Lingyun said.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen fell silent. Such a massive Shangjing Zhang Family couldn’t even protect his father and wife and children, showing how intense the upheaval was back then.
"You better never go to Shangjing in your lifetime, never enter that vortex. With your current talents, quietly lying low as a wealthy landowner is not difficult. Living a life of luxury and prosperity is quite good," Xie Lingyun advised Zhang Chen: "Once you go to the capital city and reveal your identity, I’m afraid the storm that calmed down back then will rise again. The waves will be strong enough to shatter you, leaving you in a place of no return."
"But I want to go to the Academy, to see the mysteries of this world," Zhang Chen said.
Witnessing the mystery is illusory, whereas acquiring skills is real.
"I think survival is more important! Additionally, the academy will open branches throughout the country. If you truly wish to witness the achievements of Jixia Academy, you can head to Jiangnan. I’ve heard that the academy’s branch has already started secret construction in Jiangnan," Xie Lingyun said: "You can first establish an identity in Jiangnan, then borrow the title of Jiangnan scholars. There might be a chance to exchange at the academy."
It is evident that the matter back then was significant, and this is the best option provided by Xie Lingyun after careful consideration!
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen fell silent, his eyes staring at the teapot in front of him, suddenly pointing: "The water is boiling again."
Xie Lingyun picked up the teacup and poured another pot of water for Zhang Chen: "My suggestion is for you to join the Inspection and Supervision Department. I can create a fake identity for you, as long as you keep a low profile and don’t draw attention from the capital city direction, I can ensure you live as a wealthy landowner your whole life, peacefully passing away without any ailments. If you desire to achieve acclaim, the Great Yue Country next door has been stirring recently, I still have some connections in my family. Creating a false identity for you to infiltrate and establish credit is possible. You can become a guard general in the Border Army, but you mustn’t make it too big to avoid being summoned to court and exposing your identity."
Zhang Chen shook his head, refusing Xie Lingyun’s invitation, his goal is immortality, to scavenge skills for immortality, why would he have the mind to serve the court?
He has long seen through the game of royal power struggles. The so-called royal competitions and patriotism are mere lies woven by those in power, after all, the pen is in the hands of those carnivores. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
The essence of war is everyone uniting to protect their property, Zhang Chen is utterly destitute, what property does he need to protect?
Is asking Zhang Chen to risk his life to protect the property of those nobles and landlords not foolish? Any sensible person wouldn’t do such a thing.
Even if the neighboring country invades, so what?
Zhang Chen has no property, what losses could he suffer?
Zhang Chen is merely changing from a citizen of a Great Victory Country to a Great Yue Country citizen, what difference does it make? History lasted five thousand years, hundreds of dynasties. The identity of the populace changes repeatedly, besides the nobles, what impact does it have on the populace at the bottom?
