Chapter 173: Chapter 152: Doubts in the Heart

Ever since he honed the Chu people’s Bawangji, Du Chengfeng had always harbored a question in his heart.

According to his rudimentary understanding of Evil Qi, the fastest path to becoming stronger in this world was undoubtedly through killing—allowing weapons to accumulate Evil Qi through killing, and then gaining extraordinary power by wielding these weapons. Yet, based on everything he had recently observed, this wasn’t the only way.

Be it the grave robber’s obsession with becoming immortal at the Mountain God Temple in Taiyin Mountain, or Liu Bolun’s dedication to brewing private liquor, and most evidently, Ruan Shantao’s transformation into a strongman through reading—these individuals followed entirely different paths.

Just as recorded on that giant Chu spear, a powerful and resolute will can even change reality.

So, the question lies here.

If a powerful and resolute will can already change reality, then why do people still need weapons? Why not just think of a way to develop some kind of omnipotent mystical arts, and then blast away with magic?

But clearly, people in this world hadn’t followed this path. Is it really because they just disliked it?

Du Chengfeng always felt that there must be other reasons he wasn’t aware of.

Moreover, the notion of becoming stronger by killing itself has some issues—previously, he was just ordinarily sturdy, having never really trained in martial arts, so he hadn’t realized this point. But now...

If he killed someone barehanded without a weapon, how would this Evil Qi be accounted for? Would it merge into a weapon, or accumulate in his body?

He didn’t know. Du Chengfeng was not clear about this problem.

Despite mastering some skills and gaining some understanding of this world, the more he knew, the more he felt he actually knew less.

Yet, to continue becoming stronger and to truly acquire skillful expertise for survival, he must understand these matters.

Of course, while theoretically, he could kill a few people any time for experimentation, it didn’t feel right to conduct experiments with human lives—after all, he was fundamentally a peace-loving person, not some mad scientist. No matter how much he wanted to explore the source of strength, live experiments were somewhat against his moral beliefs.

"So it depends on fate, what if there’s someone who needs to be killed?"

While Du Chengfeng wished to understand the connection between Evil Qi, will, and weapons, he was generally open-minded about the process.

After all, the world might lack various things, even integrity, but people seeking death were never lacking.

And right now, there was just such a person.

"So you’re going to assassinate the emperor again?"

Hearing Du Chengfeng say so while packing his gear, Liu Bolun frowned.

"Can’t you stay quiet for a few days?"

"It’s not for myself."

As he spoke, Du Chengfeng drew that Bladeless Sword.

If Ruan’s regret was not being courageous at a crucial moment, resorting instead to lesser means to practice his benevolence, then the sword’s regret was why Ruan didn’t have that courage—why didn’t he, like in his younger days, take up a sword to show the emperor the meaning of benevolence?

And now, being the one who inherited this Bladeless Sword, Du Chengfeng naturally had to fulfill its desire.

He didn’t fully understand benevolence, but that didn’t prevent him from giving the emperor a strike. As for the issue of benevolence, let the sword make that clear on its own.

"The old man... sigh."

Upon hearing that Du Chengfeng was merely looking to fulfill Ruan Shantao’s last wishes, Liu Bolun eventually sighed, choosing not to stop him further.

"I thought you coveted that divine weapon mentioned by the palace attendant..."

"Coveted? It’s merely my reward for rectifying chaos; it’s what I deserve."

Du Chengfeng maintained a stern expression.

"But since you mentioned it, is there something to it?"

"That thing won’t land in your hands."

Liu Bolun pondered for a moment before explaining to Du Chengfeng.

The so-called National Defense Divine Soldiers were fifteen divine weapons used by the founding emperor of the Great Chen. These weapons were said to be left by the brave generals who followed the founder. Even after these strong men perished in battle, their weapons continued to protect the nation. No matter how turbulent the times, as long as someone could wield these weapons, Great Chen would remain unyielding.

Of course, evidence also showed that this safeguard wasn’t always reliable. For instance, in dealing with a manipulative Prime Minister, even an emperor could be persuaded to abdicate in his favor—no matter how powerful, divine weapons couldn’t stop that.

Generally speaking, in situations requiring force, these fifteen divine weapons were as significant as the Heirloom Seal of the Realm to the Great Chen royal family.

"So do you think such items could be awarded to an outsider?"

At this point, Liu Bolun sighed.

"Grand General Wang Tong, loyal to the empire his entire life, used only his personal saber. Even someone like him wasn’t bestowed the divine weapons, so how could you possibly receive them?"

"So it could be a trap?"

Du Chengfeng speculated.

"The emperor thinks killing the Prime Minister was bad and plans to lure me in to kill me?"

"...That’s a possibility."

Gritting his teeth, Liu Bolun nodded.

As a citizen of Chen, he wasn’t keen on discussing the matter further, but realizing the emperor could even abdicate to a treacherous minister, there seemed no reason not to speak out.

"In any case, the journey is treacherous; if you can avoid it, I’d suggest not..."

"Great! That’s exactly what I want!"

Du Chengfeng laughed.

He had been worried about not having the opportunity to test his theories—and now someone might be lining up to offer him a chance?

Of course, precisely because the journey was perilous, he planned to go alone.

"In any case, if the villagers have any issues, rely on you to offer solutions. When things require action, go to Xiao Cui; if he’s unwilling to help, tell him it’s part of his training."

With that, Du Chengfeng packed his heap of equipment onto the horse’s back and hung the wrapped giant spear onto it.

He indeed had no need to covet the National Defense Divine Soldiers; strictly speaking, his giant spear should be of the same grade.

He just wanted to see if there was any chance to bring out those divine soldiers for honing.

After all, the memories on the giant spear were too worn down, preventing him from truly grasping the secrets of these divine weapons.

And often, these secrets hidden in history signify the power itself.