Why Not Give It a Try?

Chen Cuo kept his expression composed.

Inwardly, he mulled over the word "Merit."

Of course he knew the term, but in his Previous Life he had only encountered it in novels and films. He had never studied it systematically. He knew the name, not what it truly meant.

Besides, Merit seemed almost abstract to him, while the pill sat solid and real inside its box. How could one serve as the catalyst for the other?

"Merit as a catalyst?"

Chen Cuo's Mother looked hesitant and puzzled. "Must this old woman go to a temple or Daoist Temple and make a donation of Incense...?"

"You misunderstand, madam." Zhou Youzi shook his head with a smile. "Merit cannot be bought. It comes from treating others kindly, following the natural order, and doing good for heaven, earth, and humanity! In other words, walking the Way in accord with heaven. Three generations of masters have refined my school's Foundation Establishment method. Building on the Guangcheng Dao Lineage, they blended in the Buddhist Tradition. Now we cultivate the mind above all, with Spellcraft playing a supporting role. To complete the first step, one must open a 'Mindfield' here, where Merit can take root as a seed."

He pointed to his chest.

"How else could a man with only half a heart still be alive?"

Chen Cuo finally could not help asking, "May I ask, Daoist Master, what is the first step?"

"Cultivation means seeking the Way and finding a path against the tide of the ordinary world. So the first step calls for a resolute will, casting off worldly dust and leaving the commonplace behind. My school opens a field of the heart and uses worldly affairs as a blade to till it. Others seek nothing outside themselves and open the Dantian Sea of Qi. Some sing as they wield their swords; some wander among the common folk; some spend ten years in seclusion; and some refine pills and seek medicines." Zhou Youzi stopped there and smiled. "If you're curious, my lord, you can ask another cultivator when you have the chance."

Chen Cuo found himself captivated. Aren't you a cultivator yourself? But Zhou Youzi clearly did not want to say more, and he could hardly force him.

Chen Cuo's Mother's expression gradually turned grave.

After a moment's thought, she said, "Our family has always done good deeds. Surely we have some Merit—enough for my son to take the pill and use the artifact?" As she spoke, uncertainty crept into her voice. "How would we go about it? It won't harm our family's foundations or the virtue we've accumulated, will it?"

Zhou Youzi shook his head. "You misunderstand, madam. Only cultivators of my school can accumulate Merit and combine it with their cultivation. Ordinary households need not do so. Public Esteem can stand in its place. To take the pill and command the Ink Crane, one needs only to have Public Esteem for a time."

"Public Esteem?" Zhang Ju looked thoughtful.

"Precisely!" Zhou Youzi looked around at them and explained, "Public Esteem is the Entrusted Thoughts people place in someone, gathering around that person. Some cultivation schools can collect Human Thought for their practice. The most accomplished can even lift an ordinary person straight to the second step of seeking the Way as soon as they cross the threshold!"

At that, a distant look came over him, as though something had stirred his memory. His voice grew quieter. "Beyond our Way, there is also the Way of Incense, which exists by gathering people's thoughts. But even if an ordinary person possesses Public Esteem, without the right Spellcraft, they cannot easily hold on to it or use it. In time, it slips away."

Chen Cuo turned those words over in his mind. There was a great deal to unpack, so he committed them to memory for later.

Mother Chen let out a long breath, relieved. "My Eldest Son governs a region. He won't lack Public Esteem. Once the items are delivered, he can use them. We'll still need your guidance, sir, to avoid needless trouble."

"Actually, these two items should not be taken on a long journey," Zhou Youzi said.

"Then he can take the pill when he returns." Chen Cuo's Mother did not seem concerned.

Zhou Youzi shook his head and smiled. "These two items are destined for the late prince's bloodline. The Commandery Prince need not be the one to take them. Anyone in your household who has Public Esteem and carries the late prince's Royal Bloodline can take the pill and use the artifact." As he spoke, his gaze swept over Chen Jiao, who looked bewildered.

"Other than my Eldest Son, who has enough Public Esteem?" Chen Cuo's Mother dismissed the idea without so much as glancing at Chen Cuo or Chen Jiao.

Something clicked for Chen Cuo. He looked at the two boxes, and a thought sprang up.

If they were meant for the prince's bloodline, then Chen Fangqing was naturally eligible.

Could I try?

After his bizarre arrival in this world, he had assumed his future lay at court or in the army. But today had opened his eyes. The Daoist and those two boxes might be his chance!

Even if Divine Ability and Spellcraft exist in this world, they must be rare. Who knows when I'll encounter them again? I can't count on some future opportunity. Besides, the kingdom may fall before long. When a chance comes, I have to try. It's better than nothing...

With that thought, Chen Cuo said, "Mother..." The word still felt strange in his mouth, but he forced it out.

"What is it?" Only then did Chen Cuo's Mother notice him.

"Why not let me try?" Chen Cuo spoke calmly. "If I'm fortunate enough to succeed, I can help our Nankang Lineage and support my elder brother."

If this brought him an opportunity, he would repay it in kind. But first he had to seize the chance; everything else could wait. A chance existed in the present or had already passed. Trusting blindly in the future was how things came to nothing!

"Stop this nonsense!" Chen Cuo's Mother scolded her second son in front of everyone without the slightest regard for his dignity. "These things are precious. Your elder brother is the pillar of this family. To give them to you instead would be a waste. How could we allow that?" She finished with a fierce glare.

That glare stirred an instinctive fear in this body, but Chen Cuo had other thoughts.

For one thing, was Chen Fangqing not Chen Cuo's Mother's son? Was he not a descendant of the late Prince of Nankang? The Daoist had specifically mentioned the prince's Royal Bloodline, and that included more than his elder brother, Chen Fangtai.

What was more, he could sense something in this body's instincts. Chen Fangqing's repeated retreats had hardened into an obsession, one even death had failed to ease.

With that in mind, Chen Cuo had no intention of backing down.

He could not let himself be worn down like the old Chen Fangqing, his spirit smoothed away until he accepted the role assigned to him. And if gods, Buddhas, immortals, and demons existed in this world, how could he let an obsession fester? It might well become a calamity!

That thought dispelled his fear.

Besides, the conditions were clear. Could he not even ask for a chance?

Before Chen Cuo could speak again, Zhou Youzi spoke first. "Why not?"

Chen Cuo's Mother looked astonished. "What do you mean, sir? Weren't these meant for my Eldest Son?"

Zhou Youzi said, "These two items are destined for the late prince's Royal Bloodline. Any of his descendants may try. Let the worthy have them. If my lord or the third young lady succeeds, it means they can bear the hopes placed in them. They will have won the items through their own ability, and that will be their opportunity. Besides, the Commandery Prince has already gone south and inherited the late prince's legacy. He cannot claim every advantage. That might even do him harm. Have you not heard that what rises to its peak must decline?" Seeing Chen Cuo's Mother's conflicted expression, he added, "If neither of the two has an affinity with these items, they will remain here, and the Commandery Prince can still use them."

Chen Cuo's eyes burned with interest, but he held back his excitement and watched how things unfolded.

Chen Cuo's Mother frowned and pointed at her second son. "Then I must ask you to see just how much Public Esteem he has."

Without another word, Zhou Youzi looked Chen Cuo over.

Chen Cuo struggled to stay calm. The original Chen Fangqing was a member of the royal clan and held a title. Surely he has at least some Public Esteem?

But after looking him over, Zhou Youzi shook his head. "I'm afraid not. My lord has only borrowed esteem, gathered through his Dynasty title. That alone is not enough."

Chen Cuo felt a pang of disappointment, then told himself there was no need to lose heart over one failed attempt. The Daoist was still here; he could seek another opportunity.

Zhou Youzi turned to the Chen Household's Third Sister.

Chen Jiao hurriedly waved her hands. "If even my second brother can't do it, I certainly can't."

Zhou Youzi nodded. "The third young lady has even less Public Esteem."

Chen Cuo's Mother said, "There's no need to try. Sir, please tell us what my Eldest Son must do when he returns."

"Without people placing their hopes in you, it is indeed impossible," Zhou Youzi said. "But Public Esteem is not fixed. With the right conduct, it can gather quickly. There have been cases where someone with none gained it within days, or where a little grew into a great deal."

Chen Jiao asked curiously, "Are there different kinds of Public Esteem?"

"Of course." Zhou Youzi smiled slightly and slowed his speech, explaining patiently. "There is borrowed esteem and earned esteem, and each can be modest or great. Borrowed esteem drifts like water. It comes quickly and goes quickly, flowing from something else. The reputation of an Aristocratic Clan, a commandery, or even the royal family is all borrowed esteem."

"I understand." Chen Jiao's eyes lit up. "Those reputations come from one's ancestors, not from anything one has done oneself."

"You could put it that way." Zhou Youzi stroked his beard and nodded, clearly pleased.

Chen Cuo sank into thought. A faint glimmer of understanding rose in his mind, a Spirit Light.

Chen Cuo's Mother murmured, "My Eldest Son did inherit his title, and His Majesty entrusted him with an important post. But now he governs a region, leads its people, and wields authority. He has ability of his own."

Chen Jiao nodded, then asked Zhou Youzi, "Daoist Master, what is earned esteem? Is it a reputation you make for yourself?"

"That is one way to understand it." Zhou Youzi nodded again. "Follow the people's wishes, and you gain their esteem. If your name is known throughout a region, that is modest esteem. If people flock to you at the mere mention of your name, that is greater esteem. If ten thousand make way when you appear, and the world takes your words and deeds as its example, that is great esteem!"

A thought turned in Chen Cuo's mind. "And beyond great esteem?"

"Then the hearts of the people are with you." Zhou Youzi gave him a long look. "All under heaven turns to you!"

Chen Cuo pointed to the wooden box. "May I ask, Daoist Master, how much esteem does one need to take this pill?"

"Modest esteem is enough!" Zhou Youzi said.

"Modest esteem?" Inspiration suddenly struck Chen Jiao. She exclaimed, "I get it! Take Lu You, that great literary talent. He wrote Green Studio, and right now his literary reputation is spreading. Everyone praises him. But once that passes, if people forget him or someone else outshines him, his Public Esteem will be gone. Is that right?"

Zhou Youzi's eyes lit up. He looked at Chen Jiao with a new gleam in his gaze and could not stop smiling. Nodding repeatedly, he said, "Exactly! Young lady, you truly are as clever as they say!"

Something clicked in Chen Cuo's mind. His thoughts cleared in an instant, and he seized that Spirit Light!

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