My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 686 - 449: I Go, You Stay (Two in One)

The brief statement fell, and the cave fell into a serene stillness.

So quiet it seemed one could hear the sound of ancient dust settling on a bell. After speaking, Chen Yi did not lift his gaze to Min Ning, but instead allowed it to drop to the ground.

His journey to Shantong City had been increasingly muddy, his thoughts increasingly unclear. He recalled his late-night conversation with Yin Weiyin, who had spoken of Guo Jie from the Han dynasty—a man who rose from theft and murder to become a renowned hero commanding respect in his region. Yin Weiyin had long pointed out the hypocrisy of chivalry to him, though at the time she intended to persuade Chen Yi to pursue the Dao, a suggestion he resisted.

But now, upon reflection, her words seemed to carry some truth.

Looking across ancient and modern ages, the essence of chivalry seems to boil down to the two words: "honor" and "shame."

In Jianghu, some men who commit minor sins die because they bring disgrace; others, who deserve countless deaths, live because they bring honor. The former is embodied by the Lonely Smoke Sword—a wolf-kid who cannot speak but is purer than anyone—yet such purity earns endless pursuit and assassination. The latter is embodied by Huang Jing, who appears to uphold righteousness but acts with insidious hypocrisy...

Chen Yi spoke: "The Jianghu is filled with countless stories. Some are admirable—for instance, killing women and children leading to retribution, or traveling thousands of miles to help in duels and challenges; such tales sound respectable.

But others are revolting, yet they continue to be celebrated—such as strangers instantly becoming sworn brothers, leading to wives being made part of the oath; or a servant, unaware, offending a guest and being killed casually by his chivalrous master."

The stories he referred to, Min Ning had heard many of them as well.

She did not rush to refute him, nor did his words stir her indignation. She simply gazed at him quietly, patiently listening, waiting for him to finish speaking first.

She had always been willing to wait.

Chen Yi fiddled with the binding straps on the hilt of his blade, shook his head with a chuckle, and said:

"I used to be unable to understand, and I thought maybe I could muddle through, fooling myself and others.

But now I understand. At the core of it, all rules, ethics, righteousness... they all condense into the two words 'honor' and 'shame.' Killing women and children leads to retribution because killing the vulnerable is shameful. Traveling far to help in duels is honorable because avenging others is glorious. Making a wife part of a brotherhood pact happens because wives are seen as property, not as people; therefore, offering a wife is like offering wealth. Disregarding the lives of servants stems from their poverty and low status—since they are not gentlemen, their lives are trivial, sacrificed in exchange for reputational honor, amplifying others' glory on top of their own.

Chivalry... is essentially about human dignity. If it gives people dignity and prestige, then it counts as chivalry. As for fairness, justice, life, and death—those have nothing to do with chivalry."

After Chen Yi finished speaking, he let out two long breaths, finally lifting his gaze to meet Min Ning's.

Min Ning returned his gaze steadily, knowing she hadn't misread him. She then spoke:

"You truly have changed."

"Changed?" Chen Yi paused, then replied, "Perhaps. I'm naturally prone to influence, and before I realize it, many stray thoughts fill my mind."

"Like a vortex," Min Ning continued. "When I just looked at you, it felt like I was staring into a deep, dark vortex."

Chen Yi fell silent. He stood across from Min Ning, the branch in his hand, though his heart had already readied against her with sword drawn.

If the two were not bonded lovers, then abandoning the branch would mean drawing blades—a horizontal and vertical clash to decide superiority and life or death.

His fingertip unintentionally grazed the sword scabbard.

If it were a real sword, who would live, and who would die?

"Then Min Yuechi, what do you think?" Chen Yi asked.

Min Ning paused, as if deeply reflecting.

What answer would she give? Chen Yi didn't know, but he knew that no matter how she explained, he would always find grounds to challenge her.

After a while, she looked up and smiled, saying:

"I've never thought about it. Blame me for not reading enough books."

Chen Yi froze for a moment. Clearly, he hadn't expected her to respond so directly.

Min Ning rarely hesitated; her heart was steadfast and unmovable. Therefore, despite traversing Jianghu's vastness and endless landscapes, she would never abandon him.

"You speak too deeply,"

Min Ning said softly,

"Perhaps we should simply use swords… to find clarity."

As she spoke, Min Ning had already discarded the branch and placed her hand on the hilt of her sword.

She stood facing south, and an air of ominous intent immediately began to spread. The cave, long decorated with ancient sword scars, seemed destined to gain new marks today. Chen Yi's expression deepened as he saw the resolve in her eyes, his own hand instinctively resting on his sword hilt.

It was time to decide superiority.

A true clash? Chen Yi's gaze darkened, and though he fully understood the difference in their minds, and though he recognized this as no more than a sparring duel—not a fight to the death—there was no avoiding the tension or potential enmity. But since she had resolved her heart, why couldn't he resolve his?

Their earlier exchange with branches had shown Chen Yi that Min Ning had already surpassed much of what she once was. If they were of equal ranks, purely regarding swordsmanship alone, he might hold a slight advantage. However, Chen Yi was already a Fourth Rank, while Min Ning hovered between Fifth and Sixth. The disparity in their standings had already been revealed in prior questions.

Chen Yi's sword was drawn three inches.

Min Ning suddenly released her grip, patted Chen Yi's shoulder, and said, "Just teasing you—did you really take it seriously?"

"......"

Chen Yi fell into a moment's silence, then laughed helplessly and said, "Don't joke around like that."

Min Ning retorted indignantly, "Chen Zunming, are you the only one allowed to tease me?"

"Not necessarily, but I was already thinking about what comes after the duel."

"Oh? Let's hear it."

"I was thinking, with no one around here, perhaps we could enjoy a passionate moment." Chen Yi reached out and pinched her cute nose.

Min Ning slapped his hand away and snorted, "Ridiculous!"

Chen Yi blinked.

Listening to her words—how could this be called "ridiculous"? She wasn't some naïve child, after all… it wasn't the same…

Min Ning caught his thoughts in one glance, her face turning red in an instant. But she didn't exhibit any shyness; rather, she coldly smirked and said: