All Beings Cross Their Own Tribulations

Chu Ning's pupils contracted, and he abruptly turned his head to look at her, his voice low, "You think they deserve to die?"

Xie Mingli glanced sideways, meeting his gaze, her eyes calm and unruffled, "All beings must overcome their own tribulations."

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

She said softly, "The reason they've fallen into such a state is mostly due to their own laziness, lack of ambition, and even misconduct."

"You were born into the esteemed Marquis Wu's Estate, so of course you see the world this way." His voice was extremely soft, yet carried a hint of coldness.

Xie Mingli tilted her head slightly, about to speak, when she saw Chu Ning slowly raise his hand and pull back the carriage curtain, exposing the tragic scene on the street to her view.

A beggar was curled up in a corner, the mother in the pool of blood had already lost her breath, and the patrolling soldiers were indifferently wiping the blood from their long sabers.

Chu Ning slowly turned his head, his gaze fixed on Xie Mingli, and he coldly laughed, "Are they destined to be this way from birth?"

Xie Mingli's expression remained serene, "This is how the world is, and everyone must take responsibility for their choices. If they were diligent enough, they wouldn't have ended up like this."

"Diligent?" Chu Ning scoffed, "Do you know how many people are driven to desperation beneath this prosperity? Usury, taxes, corvée labor, military service – they are born with no chance to turn their lives around."

Xie Mingli's brow furrowed slightly, "Even so, these are necessary measures to maintain national stability. Without them, who would build the city walls and reclaim wasteland?"

"So they should suffer for generations?" Chu Ning's voice was low, a coldness in his eyes, "Should their suffering be taken for granted and ignored?"

"I said, all beings must overcome their own tribulations, and I am no exception."

Xie Mingli smiled slightly, her voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable strength, "You are too idealistic. Individual suffering is but a drop in the ocean compared to the entire world."

Chu Ning's gaze turned slightly cold, and he said faintly, "A drop in the ocean? But what if that suffering fell upon you?"

Xie Mingli's smile remained unchanged, her fingertips lightly brushing the Cold Marrow Pendant at her waist, its icy blue luster reflecting in her pupils, as calm as still water, "If it fell upon me, then it would be a test of fate."

She paused, her tone softening, "Young Master Chu, if you truly wish to change something, why not stand taller and see a broader world."

"You want me to join the Marquis Wu's Estate?" Chu Ning scoffed, his gaze sharp as a knife.

"The Marquis Wu's Estate is not a sanctuary for just anyone," Xie Mingli tilted her head slightly and said softly, "We want capable people. And you fit the bill perfectly."

He naturally understood Xie Mingli's intentions. The Marquis Wu's Estate would never try to recruit an unknown nobody for no reason; they sought useful talent, and Xie Mingli's proactive approach indicated that he had already caught their attention.

Chu Ning slowly raised his eyes, looking directly at her, "Unfortunately, I don't like being restrained."

"Restrained?" Xie Mingli chuckled lightly, her gaze like a deep ancient well, still and waveless, "True powerhouses are never restrained; they learn to harness the storm."

Chu Ning let out a cold laugh, stood up, and looked down at her, "Then let's settle it on the Azure Cloud Arena."

"You don't need to rush to refuse," Xie Mingli tilted her head slightly, gazing at Chu Ning, "When you step onto the Azure Cloud Arena, you'll understand how far you can go relying solely on yourself, without any protection."

The carriage finally stopped in front of the Marquis Wu's secondary residence.

Chu Ning lifted the carriage curtain, his gaze slightly focused.

The vermilion lacquered main gate towered high, flanked by two rows of dark armored guards standing still as sculptures, their long spears glinting coldly, the Bi'an Beast Patterns on their armor lifelike, as if ready to leap out and devour at any moment.

Looking further inside, nine tiers of bluestone steps wound upwards, each step inlaid with a whole piece of South Sea Sunken Star Stone.

Chu Ning slowly clenched his fist.

This was not his first time witnessing the grandeur of a noble estate, but this estate exuded a greater sense of pressure than any place he had seen before.

The aura of power permeated every inch of brick and tile here, silently and without fanfare.

Chu Ning's gaze fell upon the plaque above the gate, bearing three large characters – "Marquis Wu's Estate."

Just as Chu Ning was observing, a middle-aged man in brocade robes walked slowly towards them, his gaze falling on Xie Mingli. He cupped his hands slightly and said respectfully, "Miss, you have finally returned."

This person was none other than the head steward of the Marquis Wu's Estate, Qin Henian.

Xie Mingli nodded slightly, "I encountered a few ruffians on the road, which caused some delay."

"How dare they! Which ruffians dare to provoke the Marquis Wu's Estate?"

Qin Henian attentively observed Xie Mingli's every move. Suddenly, his eyes flickered, sweeping towards Chu Ning. A hint of scrutiny flashed in his eyes, and his tone was indifferent, "And who is this?"

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

Xie Mingli's expression remained unchanged, and she said calmly, "Young Master Chu, he is my... esteemed guest."

This time, Qin Henian did not immediately respond.

After a moment of silence, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly, "Esteemed guest?"

His gaze was deep as he slowly swept over the plain, rusty saber hanging at Chu Ning's waist and the long bow on his back, finally resting on his dust-covered boots. A subtle hint of disdain flickered in his eyes.

"Miss, your status is noble, and it's best to be cautious with those around you," Qin Henian said with a slight smile, his tone still respectful but carrying an undeniable warning.

"If this 'esteemed guest' is of dubious origin, it might be unbecoming of the Marquis Wu's Estate's dignity."

The nearby servants heard this and immediately showed disdain, whispering amongst themselves—

"This kid? He's worthy?"

"A mere Tenth-rank Martial Artist, and he wants to curry favor with the Marquis Wu's Estate?"

"Look at his shabby appearance; perhaps he wants to use the young lady's influence to establish himself in the prefectural city..."

Chu Ning looked at everything before him, his gaze lowered slightly, his palm slowly tightening.

This wasn't the first time he'd witnessed the arrogance of the powerful, but this time, he wouldn't tolerate it.

The next moment, his rusty saber shot through the air.

"Crack!"

Everyone was startled. By the time they recovered, they saw the servant who had just mocked Chu Ning kneeling on the bluestone ground, his forehead pressed into the carved brick seams, his teeth clenched, and his face pale.

Qin Henian's gaze shifted slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "What is the meaning of this, Young Master Chu?"

"Nothing else," Chu Ning said calmly, slowly sheathing his bamboo knife. His voice carried no emotion. "It's just that I saw you were curious about my identity, so I offered a small reminder."

He smiled faintly, a hint of coldness in his brows. "You will all know my identity sooner or later."

Xie Mingli watched from the side, the corner of her lips curving slightly, a meaningful smile flashing in her eyes.

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

Xie Mingli frowned slightly and gently raised her hand.

The crowd, who had been whispering, immediately fell silent, not daring to say another word.

Her tone was calm but left no room for doubt. "Young Master Chu has saved me many times; he is my honored guest. You don't need to say more."

Everyone was startled, and their gazes towards Chu Ning held a newfound wariness.

Qin Henian was also taken aback, then nodded slightly and said respectfully, "Since Miss says so, then please, Young Master Chu, enter the estate to rest."

Xie Mingli smiled gently and turned her gaze to Chu Ning. "Please, Young Master."