Three

The warrior kills, embodying the essence of darkness; the ruler governs, adhering to the principles of light. To take killing as virtue, is it not a fallacy?

Ji Ye never mentioned the events of those two years, spending all her time with the ever-present Tiger Roar spear, which only deepened Ji Qianzheng's profound unease

As soon as he stepped outside, he found himself facing a pair of eyes as black as ink

The Fierce Tiger Howling Tooth Spear is a symbol of the Ji family, with an unknown origin. Ji Qianzheng naturally wishes to pass it on to his young son, Changye. However, in reality, Ji Qianzheng himself does not dare to touch that spear. He only remembers that his father occasionally practiced with it, but forbade him from touching it. The history of that spear seems to be something his father was also reluctant to mention, and the occasional whispers he heard referred to it as the "Soul Devouring Spear" or the "Ominous Spear".

In the noble families of the Yinchao dynasty, Ji Qianzheng was known for his low profile, yet his talents were quite remarkable. He was a scholar on horseback and a general on foot, and his skill in throwing gold coins to injure was also exceptional. Originally, Ji Qianzheng was confident in his scholarly abilities, believing he could secure an official position in the Xia Tang dynasty and restore the prestige of the Ji family. Unfortunately, the atmosphere of the Xia Tang court was different from others, favoring the appointment of young talents. After failing to recommend himself, Ji Qianzheng had no choice but to place his hopes on his son.

In the cold and gloomy weather, with no wind, Ji Qianzheng had witnessed the gun roaring like a ferocious tiger in the quiet room

Ji Ye astonishingly found his way to the home in Nanhuaicheng, yet the concubine could not return with him. No one knows how Ji Ye traveled alone from the imperial capital to the distant Xia Tang, but judging by the pair of straw sandals on his feet, which had no soles left, it seems he walked the entire thousand miles on foot.

"Joke," the father said, stroking his head, "You are a pillar of society, destined to become a minister or a general in the future. Would you really wield weapons with your own hands? Your brother merely asked him to practice martial arts with you for the sake of strengthening your body. However, it is true that military strategy is important; being completely ignorant of martial arts is also not acceptable. In martial arts, do not think about competing with your brother. Even those who kill chickens and butcher dogs in the market use good knives; do you really want to compare yourself to them?"

As Ji Ye slowly raised her head, Ji Qian felt a chill deep within his heart. When he saw those eyes again, he felt as if he were looking at an injured wild beast

The Ji family is a prominent clan of the Yin Dynasty, with ancestral ties to the Yin Emperor. Ji Qian was implicated in the succession conflict during the ascension of Emperor Xi and was expelled from the imperial capital, Tianqi, eventually settling in Lower Tang.

The warm sunlight streamed in through the intricately carved window, casting a gentle glow throughout the study, while the soothing sound of flowing water outside was particularly pleasant to the ears. Upon arriving here, one cannot help but find a sense of tranquility.

What a heartfelt paternal love! The father laughed, "Indeed, indeed, Chang Ye has not disappointed my expectations. Just this passage alone could be the basis for an entire article. Among those noble offspring, how can there be a steed like our Ji family? If the sovereign were to recruit talents again, your insights alone would be sufficient!"

The eldest son fell silent for a moment, "I have no interest in studying, I went to practice shooting, and happened to pass by."

From then on, he was no longer willing to invest any effort in his eldest son, even intentionally or unintentionally avoiding him, hoping that this person would disappear from his sight

Did Ji Ye really exchange something with that strange gun using Blood Soul?

He has two sons. The eldest son, Ji Ye, is born of a concubine, while the younger son, Chang Ye, is the child of the legitimate wife. Although he prefers the legitimate son, Chang Ye, at first, Ji Qianzheng did not dislike Ji Ye. He can no longer remember when he started to dislike Ji Ye; perhaps it was because Ji Ye's personality was too strong, or perhaps it was due to his taciturn nature, which did not endear him to others. However, there is another special reason: Ji Qianzheng dislikes the way Ji Ye's eyes look.

Thank you, Father!" Chang Ye bowed respectfully and then, with a glance, added, "However, my swordsmanship will never match that of my elder brother...

This seems to be nothing more than an absurd legend, yet the shadow of this gun in Ji Qian's heart is so real and terrifying. It was only that when his father spoke of this matter that night, his face turned pale, filled with regret for his words, and he anxiously gazed out the window, as if fearing something.

"That gaze is detestable!" Ji Qian was quietly saying to his wife in private.

Subtly, Ji Qian felt that something must have happened to Ji Ye over the past two years. Since then, this son has truly changed completely; something deep within him has thoroughly suppressed the nature of the child, rendering him inscrutable and profound.

Father took down a copy of the "Five Classics Annotations" from the bookshelf and said with a smile, "Practicing martial arts and cultivating literature are both indispensable. Calm your mind; today you will be tested on the 'Five Classics Annotations'"

This has always been a knot in Ji Qianzheng's heart that he finds difficult to unravel

The Ji family is a distinguished family of both literature and martial arts, and their study is exceptionally refined. Writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones are arranged in order, and a beautifully crafted snow pear wood writing desk leans against the window, slightly lower than a standard desk, specially customized by the father according to Chang Ye's height. The walls are lined with bookshelves, filled with ancient books bound in sheepskin covers, encompassing a wide range of subjects and representing a considerable wealth.

The young of the Roc are heard, long pursued, and not allowed to return to the nest. The strong spread their fledgling wings and soar into the sky, while the weak fall to the ground and die, thus inheriting the bloodline. The Roc drives away its own offspring; could this not be seen as cruel? Yet if it were not so, how could it possess the ability to cry out to the heavens? The father's heart is earnest. The emperor establishes his authority through the might of arms, desiring peace and harmony throughout the realm, following the same principle

Whether it is the people of the Eastern Continent or the barbarians of the Northern Continent, their eyes are not purely black; only the ancient Kua Fu from the snow-capped mountains of Shangzhou possesses purely black eyes. However, Ji Ye's eyes are even blacker than Kua Fu's. This pure blackness makes Ji Ye's eyes appear exceptionally deep. When others look at him, Ji Ye does not lower his head like an ordinary child; instead, he meets their gaze with a cold stare. The result is often that even adults are intimidated by Ji Ye's gaze. When others look at him, Ji Ye does not lower his head like an ordinary child; instead, he meets their gaze with a cold stare. The result is often that even adults are intimidated by Ji Ye's gaze.

Nan Huai City is the capital of the Lower Tang Kingdom, which is a major vassal state of Wan Prefecture. The Tang Kingdom was originally the foremost among the three great powers of the southern heavens. Unfortunately, in the sixth year of Emperor You's reign, the palace was torn apart, and Wang Shu seized half of the territory near Zhongzhou to establish the Upper Tang Kingdom, which immediately weakened the military strength of the Lower Tang. However, the prosperous cities remain, and the national treasury is still abundant. The influence of the Wan Prefecture Chamber of Commerce supports the Lower Tang court, thus, amidst the chaotic situation, the Lower Tang enjoys a rare period of stability and prosperity, advocating for culture over military might, and employing the old imperial system to select scholars, with the "Commentaries on the Five Classics" being one of the important classics for selecting the worthy.

Yes

The "Classic of Governance" states: "Those who act too early shall be executed without mercy, and those who do not act in time shall also be executed without mercy." What does this mean?

Two years after that incident, on a winter day, when he opened the gate to the garden, he was astonished to see the ragged boy standing there in the cold wind. With his head bowed, he stood quietly, not looking at anything, allowing the biting wind to tug at his wild hair. His bony hands tightly gripped the long tiger tooth gun, which was much taller than him, as if it were his life.

Once, my father jokingly said after drinking: "Want to use that gun? Exchange it for your blood and soul, and you will be completely clean; no one across the vast land of the Nine Provinces will be your opponent!"

The study was quiet, and the words flowed from Chang Ye's pen like a dragon or a snake. The father looked at his young son with satisfaction, his heart filled with joy, and he was full of anticipation for the future. After half an hour had passed, he quietly opened the door to go out, not wanting to disturb his son's creative thoughts.

The eldest son stood silently at the door, holding the fierce Tiger Howl spear, which was a foot taller than himself. Upon seeing his father emerge, he hesitated for a moment, then stubbornly raised his head to meet his father's gaze. As their eyes briefly crossed, it was the father who averted his gaze.

When looking at Ji Ye, Ji Qianzheng found it difficult to feel that he had raised this child. This gradually intensifying aversion reached its peak after the family moved to Nanhua. The turmoil in Tianqi City, later referred to as the "Disaster of Grief and Joy over Succession," resulted in countless nobles meeting their untimely deaths under the royal chaos, and Ji Qianzheng barely escaped with his life. However, the concubine who took Ji Ye became separated from him halfway, and initially, Ji Qianzheng felt some sadness. Yet, with a gentle wife and a well-behaved Chang Ye, he gradually forgot about it.

The father is the head of the Ji family, named Qianzheng

"Yes, Father." Chang Ye was exceptionally well-behaved; after a deep bow, he sat down opposite his father

Come, let us compose a piece based on what was just said. After it is transcribed well, I will seek connections from the heads of several prominent families for you. Whether the Ji family can be revitalized depends on this fine steed of yours

Chang Ye was momentarily taken aback, then smiled and said, "The child understands!"

What are you doing here?" The father frowned, "Your younger brother is studying.

The Emperor rules the world with compassion, thus resorting to killing is not out of a love for bloodshed, but rather an unavoidable necessity. Chang Yelang declared in a loud voice, "Using killing to intimidate the world is a virtue of the Emperor."

He left without looking back, holding the gun; his father stared at his silhouette and let out a heavy sigh