The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 140 - 135: Clear Conscience

Chapter 140: Chapter 135: Clear Conscience

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With the guarantees of the three individuals, the scene suddenly fell silent.

Lin Chenfeng glanced at Chen Yan and the others, pondered for a while, then said to Qing Yu, "Junior Brother Meng De, your Senior Brother can also vouch for Junior Brother Chen Yan. If Junior Brother Chen Yan breaks his word, Senior Brother will surely seek justice for him."

Qing Yu looked towards this fourth person who had suddenly spoken up. Lin Chenfeng’s eyes were sincere, showing no signs of deception. Moreover, his behavior during the battle indicated that he was undoubtedly a good person.

As for Chen Yan and his companions...

They too met Qing Yu’s gaze without evasion, appearing to be the archetypal good men produced by the Mountain River Academy, especially having cultivated the "Vast Righteous Qi" and all.

Wait, why did I assume they are gentlemen just because they’ve cultivated the "Vast Righteous Qi"?

Suddenly, Qing Yu realized he might have been blinded by bias. Does cultivating "Vast Righteous Qi" inherently make one a gentleman?

Then what about Qing Yu? What about Feng Jiu? What about Han Wenxin?

Setting aside these exceptional cases, what about the high-ranking official from the Academy who betrayed them? He couldn’t possibly be another impostor, could he?

Besides, even if someone is called a good person, does it mean they never lie? There’s something called "white lies" for a reason.

Qing Yu found that spending too much time at the Mountain River Academy had somewhat restricted his thinking. The true measure of a gentleman, beyond others’ evaluations, lies in being able to face oneself without guilt.

So, is it difficult to be true to oneself? It’s difficult. There’s a saying, "You can deceive others, but you cannot deceive yourself."

Is it simple? It’s also quite simple. If one really wants to deceive oneself, it’s very easy, so long as you wish it.

Never mind the rest, consider even Qing Yu’s previous life in an era where cultural standards were far more advanced than ancient times. Even in that age, the influence of cults could not be completely eradicated. Every now and then, a cult would emerge, and no matter how hard people tried, they could not be fully wiped out. Humans are quite adept at deceiving themselves.

Moreover, Qing Yu thought of something, or rather, a particular force. The Emperor of Northern Zhou, his desire for the Emperor Martial Art was no less than that of Emperor Daqian. According to Lu Qifeng, the Emperor of Northern Zhou’s extreme favor for Feng Qiwu was not only due to Feng Qiwu’s own excellence but also because he could potentially bring the Emperor Martial Art to him.

So, could Chen Yan and his companions deceive them to obtain the Emperor Martial Art for the Emperor of Northern Zhou? It was possible, in Qing Yu’s view, highly possible.

"Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Kin, Teacher," the subjects of respect venerated by Confucianism, with the ruler even placed before the teacher.

Nevertheless, although he harbored these suspicions, suspicion without evidence was just that—suspicion. If Qing Yu clung to the Emperor Martial Art, he would appear petty and overly concerned with fame and profit. Thus...

"Cough cough..." Qing Yu suddenly coughed several times and said, "Senior Brother Chen Yan speaks rightly. I am severely injured and indeed not fit to safeguard this matter of great importance. Therefore, I wish to entrust it to..."

Qing Yu drew out his words, "...Senior Brother Feng Jiu for safekeeping."

Qing Yu placed the pure white crystal into the hands of the assisting Feng Jiu, "Senior Brother Feng Jiu, I entrust it to you."

Feng Jiu was immediately moved to tears, deeply touched by his junior brother’s trust. He nodded solemnly, "Junior Brother, you can rest assured and leave it to your senior brother. I swear to protect it with my life."

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"Please, Feng Jiu Senior Brother," Qing Yu also gazed deeply at Feng Jiu.

"Hold on." It was Chen Yan again, hurriedly interrupting. Seeing that everyone was looking at him, he felt that he had been too eager and added, "Junior Brother Feng Jiu’s power is still shallow, I fear he’s not sufficient to take care of such important matters."

Heh, his experience was still shallow after all, and his eagerness was a bit too rash. Qing Yu was finally certain that there was a problem with Chen Yan. Not just Chen Yan, but the other two scholars who supported him were likely inextricably linked with him.

Feng Jiu said indifferently, "Whether my power is deep or shallow is not for Senior Brother to worry about. Earlier, we hesitated to ask Senior Brother Lin and Senior Brother Zeng to use ’Green Blood Illuminating the Red Heart.’ As a junior brother, I feel deeply ashamed. If the enemy attacks again, I will be the first to use ’Green Blood Illuminating the Red Heart,’ burning my life to stop them."

Chen Yan disregarded Feng Jiu’s words and asked Qing Yu, "Junior Brother Meng De, do you not trust your senior brother?"

"Junior Brother Chen cough cough," Lin Chenfeng spoke up upon hearing this, as such words were quite impolite. But before he could finish, he agitated his wounds and started coughing.

Facing Chen Yan’s probing gaze, Qing Yu calmly nodded and then shook his head, saying, "It’s not that I don’t trust Senior Brother, but everyone has those they are closer to. Compared to Senior Brother Chen Yan, whom I’ve never met before, I trust my dear friend Feng Jiu Senior Brother more. Moreover, as a member of the Northern Zhou Imperial Family and the Core Scholar of the Academy, he is the most trustworthy to never let the Emperor Martial Art fall into Daqian hands."

"Hmph, considering Feng Jiu’s previous despicable behavior, it’s hard for nature to change. Who knows if he truly has the determination? Besides, this Literary Arena conflict is different from before, involving both Northern Zhou and Daqian courts, not just the victory of the Academy and Philosophy. Junior Brother Meng De, if Senior Brother remembers correctly, you’re from Daqian, aren’t you?"

Chen Yan had completely torn off the facade, directly lashing out at Qing Yu and Feng Jiu. Although what he said was not wrong, indeed, neither Qing Yu nor Feng Jiu were good people.

"Senior Brother Chen Yan, it seems our enemy is not the Daqian people lurking in the shadows, but you," Feng Jiu said coolly.

"Senior Brother, do you truly intend to take action?" Lin Chenfeng also looked at Chen Yan incredulously.

He was not a fool and could see who was deliberately provoking; Chen Yan clearly had ulterior motives in wanting to seize the Emperor Martial Art.

"If that is truly the case, Senior Brother will not sit idly by."

As Lin Chenfeng spoke, the other four also silently looked at Chen Yan and his supporters. Clearly, they stood with Lin Chenfeng.

"You can’t stop me." Chen Yan shook his head as he released his aura.

His appearance still showed fatigue from the battle, but his True Qi was still abundant. The other two who supported Chen Yan were the same. When the three joined their auras, they actually overpowered the six, including Lin Chenfeng and Feng Jiu.

"You still have reserves of energy," Zeng Yue said incredulously as he looked at the trio.

Earlier, during the collision of the ’Dragon Formation’ and the ’Slaughter Spirit Formation,’ all members of the Academy had gone all out, barely defeating five robust soldiers in their un-restored state. This was why Lin Chenfeng and Zeng Yue, in their powerless desperation, resorted to ’Green Blood Illuminating the Red Heart.’

But now, the display by Chen Yan and his two companions clearly showed they had held back during the previous fight, and not just a little; otherwise, they could not have overpowered the six so firmly.

"I have a clear conscience," Chen Yan replied indifferently to Zeng Yue’s condemning gaze.

"What a clear conscience," Zeng Yue realized, and naturally, Lin Chenfeng could see it too. Facing Chen Yan and his conspirators, he stood up straight, shrugging off support, "Then, it’s time for me to have a clear conscience as well."

’Green Blood Illuminating the Red Heart.’

Lin Chenfeng’s life-or-death move began again, and this time, there was no turning back, even if he wanted to. His severely injured body, upon using ’Green Blood Illuminating the Red Heart’ again, was destined to reach its end.