Overdraw the future and become a peerless martial god

Chapter 36 All living beings overcome their own tribulations

Chu Ning's pupils shrank slightly, and he turned his head to look at her suddenly, and said in a low voice: "Do you think they deserve to die?"

Xie Mingli glanced sideways and met his gaze, her eyes calm, "All living beings are overcoming their own tribulations."

Chu Ning narrowed his eyes and sneered, "Only someone who has never experienced hardship can say such things."

She said softly, "They've ended up like this probably because they're lazy, don't strive for progress, or even behave improperly."

"You were born into the high and mighty Wuhou Mansion, so of course you think the world is like this." His voice was very light, but with a hint of coldness.

Xie Mingli glanced sideways and was about to speak, but she saw Chu Ning slowly raise his hand and open the car curtain, exposing the tragic scene on the street to her eyes.

The beggar huddled in the corner, his mother lying dead in a pool of blood, while the patrolling soldier was wiping the blood off his long sword indifferently.

Chu Ning slowly turned his head, looked directly at Xie Mingli, and sneered, "Are they destined to be like this?"

Xie Mingli's expression remained calm. "This is the way the world is. Everyone must be responsible for their own choices. If they were diligent enough, they wouldn't have ended up like this."

"Hardworking?" Chu Ning sneered. "Do you know how, amidst this prosperity, so many people have been forced into desperate situations? Usury, taxes, corvée labor, military service—they've been deprived of the chance to turn their lives around since birth."

Xie Mingli frowned slightly. "Even so, this is necessary to maintain national stability. Without these, who will build the city walls and reclaim the wasteland?"

"So we're just going to let them suffer for generations?" Chu Ning's voice was low, with a hint of coldness in his eyes. "Their suffering should be taken for granted and ignored?"

"I said, all living beings have to overcome their own tribulations, and I am no exception."

Xie Mingli smiled slightly, her voice soft but revealing undeniable strength: "You are too idealistic. Compared with the whole world, my personal suffering is just a drop in the ocean."

Chu Ning's eyes turned slightly cold as he said calmly, "A drop in the ocean? But what if this suffering fell upon you?"

Xie Mingli's smile remained unchanged. Her fingertips gently brushed the cold marrow pendant on her waist. The icy blue luster was reflected in her calm eyes. "If it falls on me, it will be a test of fate."

She paused, her tone softening, "Mr. Chu, if you really want to change something, why not stand higher and see a wider world."

"You want me to join Wu Hou Mansion?" Chu Ning sneered, his eyes as sharp as a knife.

"Wuhou Mansion isn't just anyone's sanctuary." Xie Mingli tilted her head slightly and said softly, "We want capable people. And you fit the bill perfectly."

He naturally knew Xie Mingli's intention. Wuhou Mansion would never try to win over an unknown person for no reason. What they wanted was a useful talent, and the fact that Xie Mingli was so proactive showed that he had attracted their attention.

Chu Ning slowly raised his eyes and looked directly at her: "Unfortunately, I don't like being bound."

"Bound?" Xie Mingli smiled softly, his gaze as calm as an ancient well. "A truly strong person will never be bound, but will learn to control the storm."

Chu Ning sneered, stood up, and looked down at her: "Then let's wait for the Qingyun Arena to see the result."

"You don't have to refuse so hastily." Xie Mingli tilted his head slightly and stared at Chu Ning. "When you step onto the Qingyun Arena, you will understand how far you can go on your own without any protection."

The carriage finally stopped in front of Wuhou Villa.

Chu Ning lifted the car curtain and his eyes narrowed slightly.

The vermilion-lacquered gate stood tall, and in front of it, two rows of guards in black armor stood still like sculptures, their spears gleaming coldly, and the bi'an patterns on their armor were lifelike, as if they were ready to leap out and bite people at any time.

Looking further inside, there are nine layers of bluestone steps winding up, each of which is inlaid with a whole piece of South China Sea Shenxing Stone.

Chu Ning slowly clenched his fists.

This was not his first time seeing a wealthy mansion, but this mansion was more intimidating than any other he had ever seen.

The breath of power silently permeates every inch of bricks and tiles here.

Chu Ning's eyes fell on the plaque on the door, with three large characters - "Wu Hou Mansion".

Just as Chu Ning was looking around, a middle-aged man in a brocade robe walked over slowly, his eyes fell on Xie Mingli, he bowed slightly and said respectfully:

"Miss, you are finally back." This person was none other than the chief steward of Wuhou Mansion, Qin Henian.

Xie Mingli nodded gently: "We encountered a few gangs of thieves on the way, which delayed us for a while."

"How dare you! Which thief dares to mess with the Wuhou Mansion?"

Qin Henian diligently took care of Xie Mingli's every move. Suddenly, his eyes moved slightly and swept towards Chu Ning. A scrutiny flashed in his eyes, and he said indifferently:
"Who is this?"

Qin Henian's voice was calm, but his gaze was like an invisible blade, slowly cutting across Chu Ning's body.

Xie Mingli's expression remained unchanged as he said calmly, "Mr. Chu, you are my... honored guest."

This time, Qin Henian did not respond immediately.

After a moment of silence, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly: "Distinguished guest?"

His eyes were deep as he slowly swept over the simple rusty knife hanging on Chu Ning's waist and the longbow on his back, and fell on his dusty boots. A hint of imperceptible contempt flashed in his eyes.

"Miss, you are of noble status, so you'd better be cautious around others." Qin Henian smiled slightly, still speaking in a respectful tone, but with an unquestionable warning.

"If this 'distinguished guest' has an unknown origin, it would be a disgrace to the Wuhou Mansion."

Upon hearing this, several servants standing nearby immediately showed disdain and began to discuss in low voices.

"This kid? Is he worthy?"

"A mere tenth-rank warrior wants to curry favor with the Marquis of Wu Mansion?"

"Looking at his poor appearance, maybe he wants to use the young lady's influence to gain a foothold in the capital..."

Chu Ning looked at everything in front of him, his eyes slightly lowered, and his palms slowly tightened.

This was not the first time he had witnessed the arrogance of the powerful, but this time, he would not tolerate it.

The next moment, the rusty knife flew out of the air.

"Snapped!"

Everyone was shocked. When they came to their senses, they saw that the servant who had just ridiculed Chu Ning had already knelt on the bluestone floor, his forehead hitting the cracks between the carved tiles, his teeth clenched, and his face was pale.

Qin Henian's eyes changed slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "What do you mean, Master Chu?"

"Nothing special." Chu Ning said calmly, slowly sheathing his bamboo sword, his voice devoid of any emotion. "I just saw that you were curious about my identity, so I gave you a brief reminder."

He smiled slightly, with a hint of coldness between his brows: "You will all know my identity sooner or later."

Xie Mingli watched quietly from the side, with the corners of his lips slightly raised and a meaningful smile flashing across his eyes.

This man... was more interesting than she had imagined.

Xie Mingli frowned slightly and raised his hand gently.

The people who were originally whispering fell silent instantly and dared not say anything more.

Her tone was calm, but unquestionable: "Mr. Chu has saved me many times. He is my honored guest. You don't need to say anything more."

Everyone was shocked, and there was a bit more fear in their eyes when they looked at Chu Ning.

Qin Henian was also startled, then nodded slightly and said respectfully: "Since the young lady said so, then please invite Master Chu into the mansion to rest."

Xie Mingli smiled lightly and turned his gaze to Chu Ning: "Sir, please."

(End of this chapter)