Chapter 1002: Yuan Shu's Obsession

Chen Xi was momentarily taken aback by Pang Shanmin's words. He hadn’t expected someone to make a decision that could affect their family for hundreds of years so quickly. But soon after, he understood Pang Shanmin's intentions.

Seeing Chen Xi's half-smiling expression, Pang Shanmin showed no special reaction. He had done what needed to be done, and the rest was no longer his concern.

At this moment, Shi Guangyuan had also convinced Yuan Shu. The previously meditative Yuan Shu slowly opened his eyes and stood up. Unlike the minor characters such as Pang Shanmin, even those who didn’t know Yuan Shu before would likely recognize him now.

"Chen Zichuan, I have a few questions for you. If your answers satisfy me, I will agree," Yuan Shu said in a voice that was not particularly loud.

"Ask away, though I’d rather not explain," Chen Xi said with a smile. Zhen Mi, standing quietly beside him, no longer needed to do anything. Chen Xi's performance today was just as he had promised—witnessed by the world.

"The first question: what are the responsibilities and duties we should shoulder?" Yuan Shu raised a finger, pointing at Chen Xi and Zhen Mi, then turned to address the aristocratic families behind him in an orderly manner.

"Us?" Chen Xi glanced at Yuan Shu, surprised that Yuan Shu could ask such a question. "Since you said 'us,' let's use me as an example. I'm currently doing only two things: protecting the people on behalf of Heaven and passing down the flame of civilization. These are our responsibilities and duties."

Chen Xi didn’t elaborate further. Protecting the people on behalf of Heaven didn’t just mean ensuring they had food, clothing, and a better life, or sparing them from suffering. No, protecting the people on behalf of Heaven encompassed much more than that. It was about acting on behalf of Heaven, not just the emperor, which conveyed a lot.

Passing down the flame of civilization included education, morals, philosophy, food, culture—every aspect of life. It was all-encompassing.

"Within our abilities, we protect them, guide them, and bring order out of chaos. We ensure everything continues in an orderly fashion, enduring for eternity," Chen Xi said slowly. "How is that? Are you satisfied with this answer? This is what our ancestors did. I'm merely taking up their torch, passing down the flame."

Zhen Mi’s eyes sparkled as she listened to these words. The Zhen family had sent her here merely to observe and follow the flow. No one would make things difficult for her, so she hadn’t paid much attention until now.

"Hahaha! Finally, someone who shares my thinking! I’ve long despised those families who have betrayed their oaths. We, the aristocratic families, have always passed down civilization and guided the people. When did we ever need to exploit the common folk? To ignore the people is not out of arrogance. Keeping a respectful distance is the greatest form of respect for our efforts!" Yuan Shu laughed wildly.

After a long bout of laughter, Yuan Shu’s eyes filled with undisguised killing intent as he coldly scanned the representatives of the Kong family of Nanyang, the Xu family of Yuzhou, and other families. "Those families who have abandoned our oath should be eradicated as soon as possible!"

"Come, Chen Zichuan, join me in wiping out these scum who have betrayed the glory of the aristocratic families. Let’s restore the purity of our families, making them once again the bastion that protects Zhongyuan, just as they were a thousand years ago!" Yuan Shu’s expression became frenzied, his eyes fixed fanatically on Chen Xi.

The faces of the heads of the aristocratic families that Yuan Shu's cold gaze passed over turned pale. Back in Yuzhou, Yuan Shu had already purged them once. Now, Yuan Shu still believed they had betrayed the honor of the aristocratic families. He truly was mad!

Chen Xi pressed his index finger to his temple, trying to sort out his thoughts. How had Yuan Shu suddenly become like a different person? They had been bickering earlier, and now his entire demeanor had changed.

"Are you saying your goal is the same as mine?" Chen Xi asked with a peculiar expression.

"My goal is to restore the glory of the aristocratic families, to make them once again the strongest shield that protects Zhongyuan, just like a thousand years ago. We will safeguard the people of the realm, ensuring that everything our ancestors accomplished is passed down steadily to the next generation!" Yuan Shu was incredibly resolute at this moment. Ever since he had truly witnessed the lives of the common people, he had fully awakened.

You could say that Yuan Shu was immature, or that he was a dreamer. He didn’t even know how to achieve his lofty aspirations, but he wanted to do it. And the terrifying thing was, once Yuan Shu made up his mind, he would never turn back, and there would always be people willing to follow him—right or wrong!

Yuan Shu wouldn’t consider whether the utopian world described in his family’s ancient texts was real or if his ancestors had exaggerated their deeds. He only knew that when his ancestors handed him this land, the records described a utopia where people lived in peace and prosperity.

So, before Yuan Shu himself fell, he would pass this land, cradled in his hands, to his descendants in the same state of peace and prosperity. This wasn’t merely a responsibility—it was the very value of the aristocratic families. If even that was lost, then what was the foundation of their pride?

Thus, before entrusting everything to Sun Ce, Yuan Shu would, even at the cost of his life, do his utmost to achieve this. That was Yuan Shu’s pride.

Even if Yuan Shu were the only one in the Yuan family to embrace such obsessive pride, as long as he was alive, how could the Yuan family possibly fall? His promises could never be allowed to be tarnished!

"Gonglu, I didn’t expect you to have such thoughts," Chen Xi said after a long silence. Slowly sitting down, he added, "I believe your words, but I don’t approve of your methods. They’re too ruthless. If there's no need for it, try not to eradicate the aristocratic families."

"They have stained the honor of the aristocratic families, disgraced their own names. They are not worthy of walking alongside me!" Yuan Shu sneered.

Chen Xi rubbed the bridge of his nose. When Yuan Shu went mad, he truly seemed unreasonable, but this near-obsessive personality, if guided well, could make him a valuable ally.

"Alright, let’s set other matters aside for now. So, you agree with my proposal?" Chen Xi shifted the topic away from purging the aristocratic families and restoring ancient glory.

After all, without the aristocratic families, certain matters would be difficult to manage. Popular discontent, when spread evenly, was easier to handle. But if concentrated in one faction, it could become a significant problem.

"I agree with your proposal. As long as the path you lead us on can restore the glory of the aristocratic families, I will support it. But if you prove to be as mediocre as the others, I will make sure you remember, even if I have to die trying!" Yuan Shu’s cold, unfeeling gaze bore into Chen Xi.

This was perhaps Yuan Shu’s most contradictory trait: he possessed the determination of his ancestors to protect Zhongyuan, yet he cared nothing for the sacrifices of his own people.

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