Chapter 7, To live is to wait for death

Jia Baoyu completely disregarded the mockery and disdain of others, feeling content and at ease. After Jiao Da finished spitting out the horse manure and opened his eyes, a glimmer of brilliance shot from his small, beady eyes. After the brilliance flashed and disappeared, he saw the young lad standing in front of him, his lips curling in a sneer, contempt evident in his expression.

The number of people at the entrance of Ningguo Mansion gradually increased. Many recognized the "Worldly Demon King" Jia Baoyu and thought to themselves that this fellow must be bored after a hearty meal, likely out to cause trouble again, truly a beast! These people glared at him with anger.

Jiao Da pounded his chest and stamped his feet, a mysterious smile appearing at the corners of his mouth, as he continuously knocked his head against the wall outside the big door. "You little brat, trying to compete with me, you are still too inexperienced," he cried out, "What is the purpose of living... Hahaha..."

Such an astonishing scene not only left Wang Xifeng and Zhou Rui dumbfounded, but even the person involved, Jiao Da, was rendered speechless. Jia Baoyu, being a person of great value, displayed such behavior that was indeed quite inconceivable

"Shorten my life? What do I have to fear?" Jia Baoyu sneered, "I am not afraid of death, so what is there to fear about shortening my life?" He waved his folding fan again, pressing forward aggressively: "Jiao Da, I ask you, do you hold any official position? What is your title? What do you do in the Jia household?"

"The sky may fall, but there is an emperor to hold it up; the earth may sink, but there is the king of the East Sea to support it; even if one dies and reaches the underworld, there is still the King of Hell sitting there!" Jia Baoyu took out a dagger and presented it to Jiao Da, saying calmly, "Since you, Jiao Da, wish to die, I, though lacking in talent, can fulfill your wish. Helping others is one of my virtues, so you must not refuse!"

"Presumptuous! I am your grandfather. How dare you! Do you not fear for your life by making me bow to you?" Jiao spoke with a fierce tone, filled with immense anger, yet deep down, he too felt a hint of curiosity like someone else.

You live in luxury and wealth, enjoying the finest food and drink, while I am left with nothing but a tattered mat. Jiao Da's eyes were red-rimmed: "Not only will I eventually be fed the leftover scraps fit for dogs, but you also expect me to serve you, an old man? Where is the justice in this? Where is the conscience? I can no longer live; I might as well die!"

"Grandfather Jiao, your unworthy grandson Jia Baoyu pays his respects to you. You have followed the great ancestor in battles across the south and north, dedicating yourself wholeheartedly until death, with unwavering loyalty, a testament that heaven and earth can witness." Unexpectedly, Jia Baoyu stood tall, performed a deep bow, and his face was filled with an unmistakable expression of respect.

Jia Baoyu ordered someone to help Jiao Da wash up, but Zhou Rui, the steward of the East Mansion, along with a group of servants, were all reluctant. Damn! When did the affairs of our East Mansion become your West Mansion's concern? Moreover, who do you think you are, Jia Baoyu? Just a good-for-nothing dandy, after all. What good could possibly come from your presence?

"I have no official position." Jiao Dadao, isn't this a tautology? Jiao Da is just a good-for-nothing who lives off others, what official position could he possibly hold? Is Jia Baoyu out of his mind?

Jiao Da coughed repeatedly, his hair disheveled, resembling a chicken coop. His eyes were deeply sunken, and his entire body was nothing but skin and bones, with not a single good piece of flesh to be found. Jia Baoyu looked at him coldly and, noticing the calluses on his hands, felt a twinge of nostalgia in his heart. In his previous life, he was not much different from this Jiao Da, yet there was not a trace of change on his face.

With a swish, Jia Baoyu opened his folding fan and spoke eloquently: "Elder, as a master to a servant, Jiao Da, upon seeing this young master, how dare you not observe the proper etiquette between master and servant? What is your intention? Where do you place the Jia family?"

Wang Xifeng looked on with concern from a distance, unsure of what scheme Jia Baoyu was concocting. She had no faith in that so-called "redemption"; how could a child save those who were elderly? It seemed like a deception. Suddenly, she recalled his towering stature; he was no longer a child, and his responsibilities were even greater than those of her husband, Jia Lian. Bah! Where was my mind wandering to?

Jiao Da's words were deeply moving and unequivocal, directing the blame towards Jia Baoyu. In an instant, the onlookers began to discuss fervently, all expressing sympathy for Jiao Da

Jiao Da suddenly stood up, his face filled with grief and indignation, pointing at Zhou Rui, Wang Xifeng, Jia Baoyu, and others. Wang Xifeng and the others hurriedly retreated, but Jia Baoyu remained motionless. Jiao Da, with tears streaming down his face, exclaimed: "But you, these ungrateful people who forget your roots, who deviate from the teachings! I have fought tirelessly for you to conquer the world, I have endured the hardships while you enjoyed the sweetness, I have bitterly lamented year after year over the deposit line, sewing garments for others. What have I gained?" I have fought tirelessly for you to conquer the world, I have endured the hardships while you enjoyed the sweetness, I have bitterly lamented year after year over the deposit line, sewing garments for others. What have I gained?"

What do you mean?" Jiao Da dug at his ear, squinted his eyes, and a faint deep red light flickered on his wrist, like a fleeting moment.

Jiao Da was sweating profusely, cursing under his breath. Rebellion could lead to the extermination of nine generations. This kid appeared harmless, yet he casually threw around heavy accusations. He pretended to be fierce but was actually timid: "You speak nonsense, you little brat who hasn't even grown out of your milk. What qualifications do you have to instruct me? I have saved the great ancestor before; you are merely basking in the glory of your forefathers, wielding power and authority. Your great ancestor promised to treat me well, but what about now? How have you treated me? I am already seventy or eighty years old, the age when one should enjoy family happiness, yet!"

"What a sharp-tongued and clever person!" Jia Baoyu said with a folding fan in hand, coldly smiling, "Jiao Da, let me answer you: Why do people live? In a person's life, what one seeks is nothing but fame, wealth, a multitude of wives and concubines, abundant resources, and a house full of descendants. Even the sages have said that one should cultivate oneself, manage the family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world. What pains one the most are the past missteps, encountering unworthy people, looking back with white hair, and wasting time. All of these are grand words, empty talk, falsehoods, and clichés. To put it plainly, people are born to suffer and endure hardships; to live is merely to wait for death!" What pains one the most are the past missteps, encountering unworthy people, looking back with white hair, and wasting time. All of these are grand words, empty talk, falsehoods, and clichés. To put it plainly, people are born to suffer and endure hardships; to live is merely to wait for death!

"Bold! You audacious commoner!" Jia Baoyu raised an eyebrow and pointed at Jiao Da's nose, saying: "You hold no official position, nor do you have any work to do, merely lingering in the Jia residence, waiting to die like a lowly servant. As for me, my family has served in official capacities for three generations, holding a first-rank position in the court; this Jia residence is also a part of my heritage! When you see the master, why do you not pay your respects? Did your father not teach you to be polite? Did your mother not teach you the Three Cardinal Guides and the Five Constant Virtues, the Three Obediences and the Four Virtues? By openly provoking your master, you are showing contempt for the law and etiquette; to show contempt for the law and etiquette is to show contempt for all people; to show contempt for all people is to show contempt for the current emperor, which is no different from rebellion! When you see the master, why do you not pay your respects? Did your father not teach you to be polite? Did your mother not teach you the Three Cardinal Guides and the Five Constant Virtues, the Three Obediences and the Four Virtues? By openly provoking your master, you are showing contempt for the law and etiquette; to show contempt for the law and etiquette is to show contempt for all people; to show contempt for all people is to show contempt for the current emperor, which is no different from rebellion! Jiao Da, what do you think your punishment should be?"

Indeed, having been a soldier and taken lives, Jiao Da bears a striking resemblance to my former self, Jia Baoyu thought to himself unabashedly. At that moment, Jiao Da roared, "What? You also want to order and mock this old man? You brat, at your age, you should be calling me 'grandfather'! How disrespectful! I have saved the old master before!"

The people around shook their heads in disapproval; to have the notorious Jiao Da bow in greeting, Jia Baoyu truly is a fool! Even Wang Xifeng could not bear to watch.

Inner strength? Jia Baoyu trembled all over, could it be that this world allows for martial arts practice? In his previous life, he had read many of Jin Yong's martial arts novels and yearned for the free-spirited world of chivalry and vengeance, becoming increasingly interested in Jiao Da.

Zhou Rui became anxious, as Jiao Da was acting erratically, and it might lead to a fatal incident. Jia Baoyu waved his hand and said, "Do not be anxious, do not be anxious"