Volume One: Youthful Encounter in Humble Times Chapter 165: Before Leaving (Part Two)

Regarding whether Li Yu was dead or alive, everyone stood in a different position, and naturally, their perspectives on the issue varied. Whether out of public interest or personal sentiment, from Zhang Helun’s perspective, he only hoped that these people would leave Tianmen Town as soon as possible, bringing this matter to a complete close and granting both Tianmen Town and its people a chance to breathe.

The news of Li Yu's death was undoubtedly the most opportune moment for this.

Zhou Ce had been staying with Zhou Yu and the others these past few days. When he heard the news of Li Yu’s death, he felt a momentary daze. When the messenger recounted the whole sequence of events and he heard that Shen Tang had also perished along the way, a hollow space opened up in his heart.

If Li Yu's death felt like a blunt blow to him, then the news of Shen Tang's death was as if someone had directly carved a piece out of his heart.

It was only at this moment that he vaguely realized the weight Shen Tang actually held in his heart, and that a different kind of affection had taken root within him.

Yet, he understood too late, and felt it too late.

When the turmoil first broke out in Tianmen Town, he had wanted to bring Shen Tang by his side. But the upheaval had descended so swiftly, and he was whisked away to the City Lord’s Mansion by Zhou Yu and the others so abruptly that he had no way of even sending word to Shen Tang.

Later on, it was not as though he had never considered ordering Zhou Yu and the others to fetch Shen Tang. But by then, what authority did he possess to command others?

He had also sought out Zhang Helun, but Zhang Helun only told him that Shen Tang’s whereabouts were arranged by the Daoist Priest Lin, and under the Daoist Priest's protection, she would be far better off than staying by his side. Moreover, Zhang Helun had cast a meaningful glance at Zhou Ce, warning him, "Do you really think she would be completely safe by your side? You yourself are the greatest danger. If she follows you, she will suffer the calamity of the fish in a dried-up pond."

Awakened by Zhang Helun’s warning, he came to his senses. He might be somewhat safe for the moment, but what about the future? If he stubbornly insisted on taking Shen Tang away, she would become a target for others. While they might not be able to strike at Zhou Ce, it would be effortless for them to use an orphan girl like Shen Tang to manipulate him. Weren't his own parents victims of those very same conspiracies, which had ultimately resulted in his exile to Tianmen Town?

Due to these numerous considerations, he abandoned the thought of bringing Shen Tang to his side, believing she would live a good life under the protection of Daoist Priest Lin.

Never had he expected that things would turn out contrary to his wishes, and the next time he heard of Shen Tang, it was the news of her death.

In a daze, he walked up to Zhang Helun’s door, wanting to ask for a clear explanation. Yet, he did not know in what capacity or with what state of mind he should ask. Facing Uncle Zhang, whom he had always revered and admired, he had no idea what attitude to adopt regarding this matter.

Just as he was hesitating at the threshold, Zhang Helun’s voice rang out from within the room: "If you have anything to ask, come straight in. What results do you expect to get by lingering and agonizing at the door?"

Hearing this, he pushed open the door and entered. He saw Zhang Helun standing by the window, his gaze piercing through the clouds, looking into the unknown distance. After a moment of hesitation, Zhou Ce asked, "Uncle Zhang, are they really... dead?"

He hoped to hear a different outcome from Zhang Helun, but what awaited him was the exact answer he least wanted to hear: "That is correct. They died right in front of the people of the Li clan."

As for the death of Li Yu and the others, Zhang Helun was not without his suspicions. Not only did his view align with that of Cao Xihe, but based on his understanding of Li Yu, he also felt that Li Yu was not someone who would throw his life away lightly. However, given the current circumstances, Li Yu being dead was far more useful than being alive. Therefore, what Zhou Ce did not know was that right after Zhang Helun gave that reply, there was another sentence he left unsaid: *Of course, he might very well be alive in the eyes of others.*

Upon hearing Zhang Helun's confirmation, the last shred of hope in Zhou Ce's heart was extinguished. With a bitter expression and a pale face, as if he were about to collapse onto the floor, he muttered to himself, "Perhaps, I should have brought her to my side from the very beginning."

Zhang Helun had not expected to hear such words from Zhou Ce. Turning around with a mixture of exasperation and disappointment, he rebuked harshly, "Even if you had brought her over, what is her status, and what is your status? What kind of position did you intend to give her? Could you guarantee that she would live out the rest of her days in peace just by being by your side? Are you going to remain so naive?"

Zhang Helun’s words mercilessly exposed the secret buried deep within Zhou Ce’s heart. For a fleeting second, he felt a pang of shame, yet he felt that this was beyond his control. Bracing himself, he argued stubbornly, "I know I can't offer her anything right now, but if she had been by my side back then, at least she wouldn't be dead now."

Zhang Helun sneered, "So, are you here to blame me for stopping you back then?"

Shaking his head, Zhou Ce replied, "No, I know Uncle Zhang has always looked out for me. I only hate myself for lacking the strength to protect the people I want to protect."

"Hmph, it is good that you understand your own weakness. Let me give you another warning: just because they are taking you back does not mean you can rest easy. Were it not out of sheer desperation, no one would ever remember you. Your very existence is a reminder of that person's past mistakes; looking at you reminds him of how foolish he once was. The road ahead of you will not necessarily be smooth. Think carefully about the path you will walk from now on."

After scolding Zhou Ce and sending him away, Zhang Helun watched the youth's retreating figure and sighed inwardly, "This child's temperament is so weak; it truly leaves me worried. If that other child were still around to assist him by his side, I could rest much easier."

Days passed by as he waited for everyone to adjust their internal energies, intending to escort them all out of Tianmen Town so they would no longer be an eyesore before him.

Before long, sensing that everyone had completed their recovery and were ready to depart, Zhang Helun sent out invitations to summon them all. Looking at them with a genial smile, he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, now that matters here are concluded, I suppose it is time for you all to return!"

While phrased as an inquiry, these words undoubtedly conveyed his firm stance: they no longer had any reason to linger in Tianmen Town, and it was time for them to leave.

Instead of speaking immediately, the crowd cast their unanimous gazes toward the representatives of the major factions. Cao Xihe of the Imperial Zenith Palace was the first to speak: "Indeed, the Palace Master of the Imperial Zenith Palace is awaiting my report on the situation here. Our people will depart the day after tomorrow. We are deeply grateful to City Lord Zhang for his hospitality this time."

Xie Tong of the Great Sword Green Mountain also stood up and said, "Quite right. We have indeed troubled the City Lord for quite some time now, and it is time for us to take our leave."

The representatives of the Great Cheng Dynasty had been making preparations for departure all along; they had barely even participated in the opening of the Heavenly Gate. As for leaving, they naturally embraced the attitude of departing as quickly as possible. After all, the waters of Tianmen Town ran far too deep—so deep that they knew full well it was best for people of their strength to stay as far away as possible.

The National Master had not dispatched any overt representatives; the only one who came was Sun Li. This particular detail had puzzled many, as they could not understand why the National Master had chosen to forsake such a massive bounty as Tianmen Town, showing not the slightest bit of interest even in the opening of the Heavenly Gate.

In fact, Sun Li had departed in haste as soon as the Heavenly Gate was destroyed and Tianmen Town became a realm of the Dao. The task entrusted to him by the National Master was merely to chronicle the events of the Heavenly Gate, and now that it was over, he had no reason to stay any further. Therefore, when he returned and reported everything to the National Master, the latter smiled and shook his head, saying, "You left too early and missed a magnificent show." However, it was only much later that Sun Li learned what kind of grand show it had truly been. It was also then that he was struck with utter astonishment: that ordinary little child had actually accomplished what most people could never achieve—truly worthy of being the sole disciple of the Daoist Priest Lin!

Of course, how the National Master came to know of this was beyond his capacity to guess.

The remaining group belonged to the Li clan. Among the arrivals from the Li clan, Li Xiyan possessed the highest cultivation base. Though his formal status was slightly below that of the three elders, his martial prowess surpassed theirs, prompting the three elders to cede the subsequent authority of speech to him.

Li Xiyan stated, "It is no longer fitting for our Li clan to impose upon you further. We shall depart the day after tomorrow along with everyone else." Having said this, he offered a half-bow to the assembly and continued, "My apologies to you all. I am well aware that our Li clan has committed numerous offenses during our stay in Tianmen Town. On behalf of them, I, Li Xiyan, wish to offer our sincere apologies."

The crowd had never expected to hear an apology from Li Xiyan, which completely shattered their perception of the arrogant and aloof Li clan. In their understanding and worldview, the Li clan would never show weakness or lower their posture. Considering themselves descendants of immortals and inherently noble, how could they ever entertain the notion of interacting with others on equal footing?

Furthermore, according to rumors they had secretly gathered, the Li Xiyan before them was even the grandson of the current patriarch of the Li clan. For someone of such status and background to lower his head made the gesture all the more extraordinary.

This single action slightly reversed the hostile mindset that some present held toward the Li clan. They had been brainwashed for too long by the notion that the Li clan belonged to a superior class, causing them to lose their standard for judging right from wrong.

However, must right and wrong truly be weighed against status and position?

Observing the young man before him, Zhang Helun thought to himself, "This boy knows how to yield as well as stretch. Knowing that their clan has deeply offended everyone this time, he is able to set aside his pride and actively show goodwill. He is indeed someone capable of accomplishing great things."

What Zhang Helun did not know was that Li Xiyan did not act this way as a maneuver to win back popular support; rather, he genuinely believed that they were in the wrong. Thus, within the bounds of what he could accept, he was willing to offer an apology and admit his fault. Yet his motives were interpreted by others in an entirely different light.

If Li Yu were to witness this, perhaps he would understand Li Xiyan's actions and sigh with the words, "He is a man possessing the true demeanor of a gentleman."

The three elders of the Li clan had certainly not anticipated that Li Xiyan would make such a move. In particular, Li Zhonghong, who regarded the face and dignity of the Li clan above all else, viewed Li Xiyan's actions as dragging the clan's honor through the dirt, something utterly unacceptable to him.

Just as he was about to voice his objection, Li Yan stepped smoothly in front of him, speaking in a low voice, "Elder, I understand your feelings, but the one in charge right now is the Young Master. Even if you are truly unwilling, please consider the reputation of both the Young Master and the Li clan. If outsiders were to see our clan engaging in internal strife, that would be far more humiliating than the Young Master showing weakness. Don't you agree?"