Liu Tian's True Heart

In the quiet, small room, the silence was so profound that only the sound of breathing could be heard. Liu Tian gently placed the little flower back into his mother's arms and indifferently unfurled the imperial decree.

It was a standard imperial decree, complete with a heading, format, and seal. As previously mentioned, it announced the enfeoffment of Liu Zhengde as the Lord of Pei Commandery, but it contained no information about recruiting Liu Yun as a naval instructor.

"Was it an oral decree?" Liu Tian looked up and asked, "Where is he? The one you knelt to receive it from?"

"It was an oral decree delivered by Eunuch Li Lianying, the most favored chief eunuch in the palace." Liu Zhengde's face clearly showed unconscious reverence. Although he had just spoken about the Crimson Cloud Empire's fortunes not lasting, the arrival of a eunuch representing imperial authority, combined with years of ingrained education, made him unconsciously display reverence for imperial power. "Eunuch Li is currently having tea in the main hall..."

"So, you knelt to receive it then." Liu Tian closed his eyes slightly and shook his head. "Never mind, I can't be bothered. As long as it doesn't involve me—seeing as you, Second Uncle, are clearly preparing to take up your post, it's practically returning home in glory. What about you two, Dad and Mom? Are you planning to accept?"

Liu Yun and Sophie exchanged a glance, and just as they were about to speak, Liu Tian interrupted—"Oh, right, before you make a decision, Dad and Mom, you should consider this: my senior brother just thoroughly offended the Emperor. It's just that he's too strong, so they can't retaliate yet."

"But if one day he grows old and can no longer fight, they might settle the score..."

"Do you want to be an official in this country? Are you prepared for rebellion?"

Since they were all family, Liu Tian spoke very directly and simply, yet he appeared indifferent, showing no fear whatsoever.

After all, judging by the current pace, before Bai Cinan grew too old to fight, Liu Tian would have already become the strongest under heaven through his own Effort.

Gene Modification was limited by technological standards, and practicing martial arts was limited by innate talent, but Effort had no end. Even without enhancements, it would only mean growing a little slower.

Solidifying growth meant that as one continuously grew stronger, others' progress would stagnate, but Liu Tian's progress would only accelerate.

"Don't casually mention rebellion next time," Liu Yun frowned, wanting to say something but ultimately saying nothing, only sighing, "Son, we've naturally considered what you said, but your Senior Brother Cinan is not even thirty yet, in his prime. And His Majesty won't live longer than your Senior Brother Cinan."

"When His Majesty passes away and the Crown Prince ascends the throne, there will be a layer of separation. Moreover, Martial Artists have long lifespans; the Crown Prince likely won't outlive either of you. Even if we push it back—who knows how long this vast Crimson Cloud Empire will last."

"For the sake of the future, your Second Uncle must have a base. Besides, with the major deed your senior brother has done, even if we return to the Tulip Kingdom, our family can no longer live the way we used to."

"Has the Crimson Cloud Empire reached this point?" Liu Tian recalled his previous travels and thought about the living standards of the surrounding populace. "It doesn't look like it."

"It didn't originally. It did after your Senior Brother Cinan did what he did," Liu Zhengde explained from the side. "The Crimson Cloud Empire has been established for a long time and was already riddled with deep-seated problems. It could previously survive by draining its colonies, but ever since losing the New Continent, the people's living standards have been declining. It was only maintained by the imperial family's authority."

"But after what your Senior Brother Cinan did, that fig leaf has been torn away—many families are already restless."

"The Son of Heaven is whoever has the strongest army and the most soldiers. Does it require the people to starve for a change of dynasty? Then let them starve. The Crimson Cloud Empire is already on the brink..."

"Then why are you still staying here? In a place that could change hands at any moment?" Liu Tian looked surprised, then quickly composed himself. "Never mind, it's all the same anyway."

"Son, this is not something to be indifferent about." Sophie smiled gently. "Your father and I called you here precisely to ask for your opinion."

"Your father has been away for so many years, and now that he's older, he wants to return to his roots. I don't have many ties left in the kingdom either. Wherever you are, that's where my home is. As long as the family is together, any place is home."

"My opinion is that whatever you decide is fine. Just know that no matter what, I won't be staying here now." Liu Tian clearly stated his position. "But for you, Dad and Mom, to stay here is not a bad idea. As long as no one does anything foolish and the conflict doesn't spread, you won't be affected."

"Wait, I've thought about it. Dad and Mom, you should just stay here. Returning to your roots, with Second Uncle looking after you, and with my senior brother's authority still holding sway, staying here is much safer than going back."

"Son, you want us to stay here while you return to the kingdom alone?" Liu Yun became agitated. "If that's the case, we won't stay here either. We'll return to the kingdom with you..."

"What are you going back to the kingdom for? Is whale hunting fun? After so many years, Dad, you must be tired too, right? It's indeed time for you to rest properly." Liu Tian said, "You should also educate your sister well here—didn't you two always say you didn't spend enough time with me back then? Here, you should have plenty of time."

"I'm going back because my studies are there, my master is there, and my friends are there." As he spoke, Liu Tian smiled. "Of course, that's not really important—what's important is that the kingdom currently has an opportunity, while this place temporarily doesn't, and I don't want to wait for a potential opportunity."

"Seizing the present is the most important thing! Waiting will only lead to missed opportunities."

"Son, you want to get involved in that?" Liu Yun, realizing what Liu Tian was referring to, became even more agitated. "Are you crazy? We were trying to avoid that matter at all costs, and now you want to actively jump into it? No, absolutely not, it's too dangerous."

"Circumstances have changed." Liu Tian shrugged, showing no sign of changing his mind. "Back then, you two also thought my practicing martial arts was a waste of time, a wrong choice. If it weren't for me, or if I hadn't practiced martial arts, this time we'd be completely finished."

"I didn't get involved before because I lacked the strength and was easily crushed, and I also didn't have the ambition. Now I want to get involved because I have the strength and the ambition."

"Since Senior Brother Cinan has done such a great deed, why should I let him have all the glory?"

"Besides, I genuinely need another force that can obey my commands to help me do things—even if it's just borrowing others' strength."

"Son, you want to interfere with the succession to the throne?" Sophie also realized it at this moment and echoed her husband's words, "No, it's too dangerous."

"What in this world isn't dangerous? You could even choke to death while eating." Liu Tian smiled, showing no intention of changing his mind. "Moreover, there's something I've been hiding from you. The Heavenly Martial Killing Dao that my master cultivates is actually a demonic art, one that allows for progress by devouring each other."

"That's right, not to mention my master, who has already lost his Dominating Thought and Killing Intent, but—my senior brother and I will inevitably have a battle sooner or later."

"Perhaps it's to become stronger, or for something else. Of course, the most likely reason is that we can't tolerate each other having something that could threaten us nearby, and we need to prove ourselves as the strongest."

"Senior Brother Cinan is already far ahead of me; I must catch up."

"This, you never mentioned this? Tian Dao actually taught you such a dangerous martial art? No, you must stop practicing this martial art." Sophie became completely agitated, even startling the little flower in her arms. But at this moment, she couldn't care less, her voice trembling with tears, "As long as you don't compete for the title of strongest, can't our family just be together peacefully? You're already strong enough now, more than enough, you're already a Fighter!"

"In the future, our family will be together, and you, son, will study hard, get married, have children, isn't that good? Son, please stop practicing martial arts, it's too dangerous..."

"If I don't practice martial arts, we'll all be doomed this time." Liu Tian sighed, exchanged a look with his father, then crouched down, wiped his mother's face, and comforted her, "Mom, don't cry. You're all grown up, and you're having your second child. Your face will look bad if you cry it all up."

"You know I will never change my mind." Liu Tian's words carried an irrefutable firmness. "Do you know? Actually, I've always been very lost."

"This world is so vast, and we are so insignificant."

"Compared to the boundless universe, we are like ants with intelligence, no, perhaps not even as good as ants."

"I couldn't find a goal to strive for, couldn't see hope for the future. Every time I thought about how everyone eventually dies and everything returns to nothing, what was the point of trying so hard? It's better to just get by, day after day."

"After all, in the end, it's all just dust and a wisp of breeze, born with nothing and leaving with nothing."

"But it's different now. I have a goal, I have things I want to do." Liu Tian stood up, spreading his arms as if to embrace something. "I want to become stronger, see more, witness this world with my own eyes, and—live on and on."

"I have the ability, I have the potential, so why shouldn't I fight for it? Why not give it my all for the things I truly want?"

"As for me, I'm not really interested in royal power, or authority, or ruling the world."

"But I want to travel the world, see all the scenery, and do whatever I want without restraint."

"That's right, I want to become stronger for no other reason—because the end of that power represents everything, represents all hope."

"Until I reach my goal, I will not turn back, nor will I stop."

"But don't worry, Mom, I'm very strong. I won't be defeated, I won't lose!"

"Yes, I will never lose!"