Everlasting Immortal Firmament

Book 8: Chapter 115: One above the Sovereign but One Serving the Sovereign

The land of the living:

Jiangchen walked with Long Aotian back to Deity Seizing Hall in the west.

Long Aotian was still in shock from Essence Genesis’s overbearing demeanor and ferocity, finding this unreal. He could not help but wonder if Essence Genesis could rival Jiangchen.

“Alright, you inform the others about the situation. I will take my leave for now,” Jiangchen said calmly.

“Veritable Lord? Are you going to the Myriad Age Daoist Sect?” Long Aotian asked in confusion.

“No, I’m going to visit an old friend,” Jiangchen replied, shaking his head.

“Yes!” Long Aotian nodded, still puzzled.

Veritable Lord’s old friend? Why have I never heard of such a person before?

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With Ji Dihong’s fall, chaos had erupted within the Huang Heavenly Dynasty. Various factions extended their influence into the Huang Heavenly Dynasty’s territory, including the Han Heavenly Dynasty.

Bing Ji was tasked with collecting scattered territories from the Huang Heavenly Dynasty and the Nine Li Imperial Dynasty. Shangguan Hen led a group of experts to provide protection and await orders.

Xuanyuan City had once been the political center of the Huang Heavenly Dynasty, akin to the heart of a person. Countless connections and relationships extended from here to all the cities of the Huang Nation. Securing it was the focus of Bing Ji and her team.

Bing Ji had once been the princess of the Huang Nation. Now that she was here to win support, her previous status made persuading the heads of the major families in Xuanyuan City easier.

Within a short time, Bing Ji had already cleaned up the factions in Xuanyuan City. The factional landscape of the entire city was undergoing a significant transformation. However, the one constant was Cangjie’s residence.

Although Cangjie had joined the Han Heavenly Dynasty, Gu Hai had granted him significant autonomy. Cangjie paid little attention to the affairs of the Han Heavenly Dynasty and returned to his residence in Xuanyuan City.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was at his disposal, helping him gather rare materials and plan construction projects within Xuanyuan City. Nobody knew what Cangjie was up to, but he seemed to be enjoying himself.

Just now, Essence Genesis had displayed absolute dominance at Essence Genesis Hall’s plaza, forcing everyone in the world to bow down. His aura was so powerful that it felt like a fierce gale blowing in the face even from millions of kilometers away.

Cangjie sat on a high platform in his residence, a teapot on a stone table in front of him. He sat alone, pouring tea for himself, and looked through the brim of his hood at the distant Essence Genesis Hall’s plaza.

He watched quietly, observing Essence Genesis’s overwhelming presence and how Essence Genesis exerted control over the world. He continued watching until it was over and then let out a faint sigh.

Buzz!

At that moment, the space behind Cangjie trembled, and a figure suddenly appeared behind him.

Despite the palpable wind behind him, Cangjie did not turn around. Instead, he said, “The tea is still warm. Please have a seat.”

“Oh? Aren’t you afraid I might harm you?” the person behind him asked calmly.

“Haha! I’ve long become a useless person. With your abilities, do you—Jiangchen—need to attack me from behind?” Cangjie replied with a faint smile.

The person behind Cangjie was Jiangchen, who had hurried here.

Jiangchen smiled faintly, walked over to Cangjie, and casually sat down. He picked up a teacup from the side, poured himself some tea, and started drinking.

“Aren’t you the One above the Sovereign but One Serving the Sovereign, Cangjie? Are you really willing to serve the Han Heavenly Dynasty?” Jiangchen asked inquisitively.

[TL Note: One above the Sovereign but One Serving the Sovereign is a reference to Cangjie’s ability and name. It refers to how he stands above all in the field of learning and literacy while being deeply respected by the people. As for his name, his family name of Cang (?) was given by the Yellow Emperor, and the character consists of the character for “person (one)” on top, and the simplified character for “sovereign” below. The way I interpreted it highlights his superior intellect and abilities, even surpassing the sovereign, and his using his gifts in service of the sovereign and the people.]

“Why not?” Cangjie looked at Jiangchen.

“Cangjie, not to mention Gu Hai, I don’t understand why you willingly served others like Jiang Lianshan and Ji Dihong when they didn’t qualify for you to serve them. You’re the originator of cultural cultivation, the creator of the written word. All the words and literature in the world owe their existence to you.” Jiangchen gazed at Cangjie, his curiosity piqued.

“The originator of cultural cultivation? That’s an exaggeration. I merely organized and summed it up, not worthy of being the originator. Furthermore, the Six Paths Immortal controls the three thousand Great Dao now, and cultural cultivation has been sealed,” Cangjie objected indifferently.

“He cannot seal it. Culture has already become part of the Dao and cannot possibly be sealed. As long as all life uses your characters, cultural cultivation will never decline,” Jiangchen said indifferently.

“But I am now already a crippled person.” Cangjie shook his head.

“A crippled person? Hah! What makes one crippled? Fuxi created lifespan cultivation. However, it is easy for you to comprehend it. Although you are not one of Fuxi’s eight lines of inheritance, you still can use lifespan cultivation by imitating it,” Jiang Chen said.

Cangjie sighed, “Yet, I will never match a true lifespan cultivator.”

“Haha! Didn’t the Unborn Man engage you in a lifespan cultivation battle? Yet, you did not lose, did you? Furthermore, lifespan cultivation is merely supplementary to you; you don’t truly value it!” Jiangchen laughed.

With a slight shake of his head, Cangjie asserted, “You’re mistaken. Lifespan cultivation is vast and profound. Fuxi was a once-in-an-era genius. What I know of lifespan cultivation is merely the tip of the iceberg.”

Jiangchen pressed, “The tip of the iceberg? Even if it’s just that, cultural cultivation, under your purview, encompasses everything. Lifespan cultivation is also within your grasp. Your abilities surpass those of any lifespan cultivator. In this vast world teeming with billions of beings, who possesses your capabilities? With the stroke of a brush, you can locate anyone. You are the originator of cultural cultivation, the sage who created words. Your words encompass all life. Names are also words. As long as something has a name, it is within your grasp. Can lifespan cultivation compare to that?”

“Those are merely insignificant abilities! Each field has its specialty. My path and Fuxi’s differ,” Cangjie retorted indifferently.

Curiosity burned in Jiangchen’s eyes. “As the originator of cultural cultivation with extensive means, why did you willingly serve others like Gu Hai, Ji Dihong, Jiang Lianshan, and countless more?”

Cangjie chuckled, “Originator of cultural cultivation? Haha! You’re mistaken. I merely created words. In the realms of music, Go, calligraphy, or painting, I am not unmatched. In the world of Go, for example, I couldn’t surpass Old Mister Guan Qi. Even victory is uncertain in a game against Gu Hai.”

Jiangchen emphasized, “Yet, you represent the source!”

Cangjie shot him a casual glance and asked, “So, what brings you here today?”

Jiangchen’s tone remained serious. “I already told you. I want to understand why.”

Cangjie smiled. “I’ve told you before. I’m a crippled man now. Seeking the protection of a sovereign seems like a reasonable choice.”

“That’s not right, not right at all. A crippled man? Indeed, your cultivation was crippled in that unfortunate incident. However, so what if you lost your cultivation? You are still the originator of cultural cultivation. You are unique and unmatched. There are five types of cultivation in the world: lifespan, blessings, divine, cultural, and spiritual. Even I cannot create a type of cultivation, but you managed to. Why are you willing to serve as a subject?” Jiangchen frowned.

“But in reality, I’m willing,” Cangjie said with a smile while shaking his head.

Jiangchen probed further, his brows knitting, “Did you intentionally lose to Gu Hai last time?”

Cangjie shook his head. “No, Gu Hai genuinely surpassed me. As I’ve said, I merely created words, initiating cultural cultivation, and nothing more.”

Jiangchen remained skeptical.

“Back when you created cultural cultivation, you gained the title of One above the Sovereign but One Serving the Sovereign. I don’t believe that is because of your name. Others say your title stems from the Cang character,” Jiangchen said seriously.

Cangjie countered playfully, “Oh? You don’t think so?”

Jiangchen shook his head firmly. “You’re the originator of cultural cultivation, the creator of countless characters. There’s no need to pride yourself on a single character.”

Cangjie did not deny it, but with a penetrating gaze, he asked, “Is this of great importance to you?”

Jiangchen replied firmly, “Very important. You know my enemy is Sa. The world has many rising powers, especially Essence Genesis, who will undoubtedly shake the world this time. But I understand Sa’s true threat, and he’s returning soon. The Vermilion Bird Primes must have contacted Sa.”

“Just like eight hundred thousand years ago?” Cangjie said, his voice sinking.

Jiangchen affirmed, “Yes, just like back then when Fuxi severed Sa’s return path. This time, Sa found the Vermilion Bird Primes. Through the Vermilion Bird Primes, he’ll be back soon, won’t he?”

Cangjie asked indifferently, “If you don’t want him to return so soon, why not follow Fuxi’s example and cut off the source, the Vermilion Bird Primes?”

Jiangchen explained, “Do you think I haven’t considered that? However, you know Sa’s capabilities. He exposed the Vermilion Bird Primes to the world. Do you really think Sa’s path will be blocked if the Vermilion Bird Primes die? No, he has likely made preparations in advance. He’s just using the Vermilion Bird Primes to distract us. Otherwise, the Vermilion Bird Primes wouldn’t be able to roam the world freely. The same tactic won’t work on Sa twice.”

“So, by not interfering with the Vermilion Bird Primes, you’re trying to trace Sa’s other pawns by following the trail?” Cangjie deduced prosaically.

“It can be considered so. Unfortunately, that is very challenging. Sa is immensely capable. Hah!” Jiangchen let out a cold snort.

Cangjie took a sip of tea, remaining silent.

“Cangjie, we’ve known each other for so many years. Can’t you share some insight with me?” Jiangchen asked again.

“Share insight? I know nothing. How can I share what I don’t possess?” Cangjie retorted with a bitter smile.

Jiangchen said gravely, “I won’t force you to reveal anything, but at the very least, could you tell me the meaning behind One above the Sovereign but One Serving the Sovereign? Don’t brush me off with the Cang character explanation.”

Cangjie peered at Jiangchen from behind his hood, holding his silence for a while.

Eventually, Cangjie explained, “The path of cultural cultivation isn’t about taking the lead; it’s about assisting. I alone cannot advance cultural cultivation further. I must assist someone else who will break through my cultural cultivation’s peak. One Serving the Sovereign: this signifies that I will assist a sovereign. One above the Sovereign: with my assistance, the sovereign will then advance above the one—me. I cannot reach the peak, but I can create a peak!”

“You want to create a peak? And you’re willing to serve as a subject? But you are the creator of cultural cultivation!” Jiangchen frowned.

“You forgot. So what about cultural cultivation? So what about the five cultivation methods in the world? Aren’t they all tools? The five cultivation methods can never be the focus. All life is the focus; people will always be the focus. There’s a saying in the world that holds true: cultivate a mastery in culture and warfare and serve the sovereign. Actually, this is the same principle. Cultural cultivation can educate all life, but all life requires a leader,” Cangjie said calmly.

“A leader?” Jiangchen frowned.

“As for the leader, Heaven was the leader; Sa was the leader; Six Paths is the leader. The leader of all life affects all life. Cultural cultivation is a tool of the leader. The same goes for lifespan cultivation, blessings cultivation, divine cultivation, and spiritual cultivation. However, how does one use these tools to bless all life even more?” Cangjie explained.

Jiangchen remained silent for a while.