#269 - Why fight?
The next day.
After waking up, Wei Changtian didn't rush to get dressed and get out of bed, but sat on the bed in a daze for a while.
Last night, he practiced the Moon Picking Sword technique in the dream realm for the entire night. Although he hadn't reached the stage of mastery, he could still catch a glimpse of its secrets.
Simply put, this sword technique did indeed have some tricks to it.
Wei Changtian couldn't quite put his finger on the specific differences, but he could vaguely feel the "momentum" contained within the sword technique.
It was just that this "momentum" felt a little strange.
The more Wei Changtian practiced, the more he had a certain feeling.
It was as if there was a supreme sword master invisibly manipulating his every move and stance.
If a child who had never practiced martial arts was held by a master and made to fight an enemy, even if they won, could it be said that the child's martial arts were superb?
The Moon Picking Sword technique was pretty much the same idea.
The little maid, who had been quietly curled up in the blanket, rubbed her eyes and groggily snuggled into Wei Changtian's arms, her head resting on his chest as she mumbled.
"Young Master, you're awake."
"Yeah."
Wei Changtian reached out and pinched Yuan'er's warm cheek, smiling as he said, "You can sleep a little longer."
"I don't want to sleep anymore."
Although Wei Changtian was very considerate, Yuan'er didn't forget her duty as a maid. After struggling to open her eyes, she first put on her own clothes, and then sleepily ran outside to fetch water to serve Wei Changtian with washing and dressing.
Wei Changtian was a little unaccustomed to this kind of "being waited on hand and foot" treatment when he first transmigrated, but now he had long since become "comfortable" with it, and would never say anything like "I can do it myself."
If he really said that, Yuan'er might even think that she hadn't done something well enough.
From "everyone is equal" to "order of rank."
It had been almost a year since the transmigration. It was still unknown whether Wei Changtian's values had changed, but his behavior was becoming more and more in line with this world.
"Young Master, lift your hand~"
"Young Master, is the water temperature suitable?"
"Young Master, wipe your face~"
"Young Master, breakfast is ready~"
"Young Master, would you like another bowl of porridge?"
"."
After eating breakfast as usual, Zhang San had already prepared the carriage and was waiting outside the door. Wei Changtian took the opportunity before leaving to check on Ah Chun's cultivation situation.
This little girl had already broken through to the eighth rank a few days ago. If she continued to develop at this rate, it was probably only a matter of time before she surpassed Wei Changtian, her master.
"Heh~ Have you encountered anything you don't understand during your cultivation these past few days?"
Wei Changtian yawned, shaking his head as he said, "If you have any questions, ask them quickly. If not, then continue cultivating."
"Master."
Ah Chun blinked her big eyes and asked softly, "Why haven't I seen Mistress these past few days?"
"Huh? What's a little kid asking about this for?!"
Wei Changtian glared, but still retorted good-naturedly, "Which Mistress are you talking about?"
"It's Second Mistress."
Ah Chun wasn't as afraid of Wei Changtian's feigned anger as she used to be. She raised her head and asked, "Master, did Second Mistress go out?"
Wei Qiaoling had spoiled her when she came to Shu Prefecture last time. Ah Chun now always referred to Yang Liushi as Eldest Mistress, Liang Qin as Second Mistress, and Xu Qingwan as Third Mistress.
The order wasn't based on age, but on seniority.
"Your Second Mistress has gone to war. It will be at least a few months before she can come back."
Wei Changtian patiently explained, "If I'm not here during this time, you can ask your Uncle Zhang San if you don't understand anything."
"Oh, I understand."
Ah Chun nodded first, and then asked curiously, "Master, what is war?"
"War is when a group of people fight."
Wei Changtian casually replied, wanting to brush it off like that.
But who knew that Ah Chun would have the spirit of digging to the bottom of things, and continued to ask, "Master, then why do they want to fight?"
Wei Changtian curled his lips, "Who wants to fight? They're all forced to."
Ah Chun looked puzzled, "Then who forced them?"
"."
What was originally a simple question suddenly stunned Wei Changtian, and he couldn't answer for a long time.
Was it the generals leading the troops?
Was it the emperors of Da Feng and Da Ning?
Or was it the hatred and contradictions between countries and people themselves?
The question was suddenly elevated to a metaphysical level. Wei Changtian was speechless for a long time, and finally just patted Ah Chun's head, never giving an answer.
"Clop clop clop~"
The carriage traveled slowly and steadily on the bluestone road. The shops on both sides of the road were bustling with activity. The entire Shu Prefecture seemed to be completely unaffected by the war that had already begun in Yuan Prefecture, and was still a scene of prosperity.
"Zhang San."
Wei Changtian's voice suddenly passed through the carriage curtain and entered Zhang San's ears as he was driving the carriage.
"You can't say that every one of the many things you did before was because you had some deep-seated hatred with others, right?"
"."
Zhang San was stunned, and then replied softly, "Young Master, that's natural."
Wei Changtian paused, and then asked, "Then when you did those things that weren't necessary, what were you thinking?"
"Uh..."
It was obvious that Zhang San had never thought about this question.
But he still quickly replied, "Young Master, many things I was forced to do, I had no choice but to do them."
"Forced to do them? Who forced you?"
"This... Young Master, I don't know."
Zhang San answered honestly, and then waved the whip, hitting the horse's rump with a "smack".
Accompanied by a high-pitched neigh, the carriage immediately sped up a bit.
The galloping steed pulling the carriage had its hooves flying and its long mane fluttering. Fine beads of sweat oozed from the strong body of the horse.
Such a fine horse was a warhorse, a specialty of Liang Prefecture, and was rare. It should have been the best mount for galloping on the battlefield, but now it could only be used to pull a carriage in this crowded alley.
Speaking of which, was it also being forced to do this?
Shu Prefecture Government Office.
"Six prefectures of reinforcements have now arrived in Yuan Prefecture, and Lord Liang will also arrive in a few days."
"The main general of the national war is still Wu Ding, the Yuan Prefecture commander. His family has been generals for generations and is deeply trusted by the royal family."
"There are spies from Ji Prefecture who have sent a message saying that the Xu family is now unable to continue and may retreat sooner or later."
"."
An hour later, Chu Xianping had recounted the latest situation of the war in Yuan and Ji Prefectures.
And Wei Changtian thought of that question again in his heart.
He told Chu Xianping what had happened this morning in detail. After listening, the latter pondered for a moment, and then asked seriously:
"Young Master, let me take the war in Yuan Prefecture as an example."
"If you were a citizen of Da Feng, would you think Da Feng was wrong?"
Wei Changtian shook his head: "Of course not."
Chu Xianping asked again: "Then does Young Master think that the citizens of Da Ning would think Da Ning was wrong?"
Wei Changtian was stunned, and then replied: "Of course not either."
"So, since neither country is wrong..."
Chu Xianping said calmly, "Then the only difference is which country Young Master is from."
"."
Chu Xianping didn't say it too bluntly, but Wei Changtian finally understood in that moment.
The origin of all conflicts in this world - conflicts of hatred, conflicts of interest, conflicts of power - is nothing more than the word "stance".
Just like the Liu family and the Wei family, just like himself and Xiao Feng, Wu Tianqing, and Yun Lian.
