On the Path to the Great Dao Chapter 265: Father Chen Tang

Sun Yisheng had never been this conspicuous in his entire life.

He was a minor ninth-rank official, an insignificant bureaucrat in the Western Capital. When he went out on ordinary days, few people paid him much attention.

But today, he felt the gaze of thousands upon him, making him sowhat dizzy and causing his heart to race.

However, Chen Shi, walking under the ceremonial umbrella as he entered the capital, was in a completely different state of mind.

"My grandfather killed many people here. He was called the Western Capital Butcher," he said to Sun Yisheng.

Sun Yisheng shuddered, all thoughts of being the center of attention vanishing instantly. He hurriedly said, "Young Master, you must never ntion that matter again! Lord Chen Tang also faced considerable hostility because of that incident."

Chen Shi paid it no mind. Just then, a voice ca from the crowd: "That's the Child Prodigy. A man who died eleven years ago."

Chen Shi looked toward the source of the voice, but saw only a sea of bobbing heads. Many people were watching their group of provincial graduates entering the city, making it impossible to tell who had spoken.

Over two hundred and sixty provincial graduates from all over the Western Ox New Continent entering the city simultaneously was a very rare occurrence in the history of the Western Capital.

What they had seen most often were provincial graduates from the great clans entering the city, surrounded by a constellation of nurous servants and retainers.

But this batch of graduates entering the Western Capital all looked weathered and travel-worn, so bearing old injuries. Yet, their spirit and energy were surprisingly good, giving off a sense of being untainted by the mundane world.

"He's co back to life."

Voices in the crowd were discussing, "A man who should have died long ago, resurrected three years ago, coming to the Western Capital to seek his Supre Dao Embryo."

Chen Shi's gaze swept over the crowd. Too many faces. There were also so big-eared Heaven's Listeners squatting on rooftops, arms waving as they rapidly recorded sothing.

He sensed countless gazes falling upon him, seemingly able to feel the emotions of those looking.

There was curiosity, hostility, confusion, admiration...

Chen Shi withdrew his gaze, no longer trying to find the people gossiping.

"Many people in the Western Capital already knew of you before you arrived."

Sun Yisheng said to him, "Your actions will attract a lot of attention."

For the provincial graduates' entry into the city, the Prefect of the Western Capital's Gongtian Prefecture ca in person to welco them, ushering the group to the Gongtian Prefecture office for so pleasantries. Outside the Gongtian Prefecture, many people were already holding up signs, craning their necks, eagerly awaiting the graduates' exit.

After a while, the Prefect saw everyone out of the Gongtian Prefecture, smiling as he said, "Gentlen, for your stay in the Western Capital, people from your hotown associations will co to greet you at the gates. Go to your respective provincial guildhalls; it will ensure your safety as you await the start of the examinations. This official wishes you all success on the golden list!"

He made a show of giving a deep bow. The provincial graduates hurriedly returned the courtesy.

Walking out of the Gongtian Prefecture, sure enough, many people outside were holding signs with the nas of various provinces written on them: Xinxiang, Gongzhou, Xianzhou, and so on. Everyone searched for the na of their own province. After finding it, they ca to bid farewell to Chen Shi.

The Prefect of Gongtian Prefecture watched these graduates in surprise. Each one had to bow to Chen Shi in parting. So even ran up to him, kowtowed twice with a *thump thump*, and then left, regardless of whether Chen Shi accepted it or not.

"Provincial Graduate Chen, are you going to the Xinxiang guildhall?"

Hu Feifei asked Chen Shi. She held Nannan's hand, looking up at him with hopeful eyes, wishing he would stay with them.

Chen Shi shook his head, politely declining, "I still need to go find Chen Tang."

He was about to leave with Sun Yisheng when the Prefect of Gongtian Prefecture's voice ca: "Provincial Graduate Chen, please stay a mont."

Chen Shi stopped. The Prefect of Gongtian Prefecture looked at him with gentle eyes and a mild expression, smiling as he said, "Provincial Graduate Chen, you may not know this. The Western Capital is not like Xinxiang. Xinxiang is remote, far from the emperor's reach. If you cause a bit of trouble there, soone will help smooth it over. But the Western Capital is a place where dragons and tigers lie hidden. A fierce dragon from the provinces, upon reaching the Western Capital, is less than a worm. It must coil up, or disaster will surely befall it."

Sun Yisheng felt a chill in his heart.

The Prefect's words carried a hidden aning; it was clearly a warning to Chen Shi. In Xinxiang, Chen Shi might be a powerful dragon, but in the Western Capital, he was less than a snake. He'd best not stir up trouble!

Along this journey, Sun Yisheng had co to understand Chen Shi's temperant—unyielding, lacking in tact. He couldn't help but worry he might cause trouble.

Chen Shi's expression turned solemn. "This student will keep the Prefect's admonition in mind."

Sun Yisheng was stunned. "He didn't talk back?"

The Prefect of Gongtian Prefecture seed quite satisfied. "You may go. Don't cause trouble. If you cause trouble and fall into my hands, I will show no leniency."

Chen Shi acknowledged.

Sun Yisheng thought to himself, "The Prefect of Gongtian Prefecture also has great courage. He knows several Governors have already died because of Young Master Chen, yet he dares to speak such bold words to Young Master Chen's face. He is truly remarkable."

Chen Shi was about to leave but suddenly rembered sothing. "This student still does not know your honorable na, sir."

The Prefect of Gongtian Prefecture said, "This official is Xia Jiuge."

Chen Shi praised, "A fine na, Lord Xia. Is Lord Xia from the sa clan as Xia Weiyin and Xia Chuli?"

Prefect Xia Jiuge's expression darkened slightly. Xia Weiyin and Xia Chuli were already two dead people.

"We are of the sa clan," he said, his face slightly stern.

Chen Shi praised, "Sir truly has a fine na." With that, he left with Sun Yisheng.

Prefect Xia Jiuge of Gongtian Prefecture watched him leave, feeling as if Chen Shi's dog had given him an extra glance or two.

Under Sun Yisheng's guidance, Chen Shi brought Black Pot and the Wooden Cart to the inner city of the Western Capital.

The Western Capital was divided into inner and outer cities. The inner city mostly housed the official residences of high-ranking Western Capital officials and the imperial palace. The outer city was where visiting officials and commoners resided. There was a clear distinction between inner and outer.

Chen Tang was a third-rank official and owned a residence in the Western Capital with about ten rooms. If his rank were any lower, he wouldn't be considered a high official and would be expelled from the inner city, forced to settle in the outer city.

After following Sun Yisheng into the inner city, Chen Shi imdiately felt it was much quieter. Although many carriages and horses ca and went, they passed each other without crowding.

Even if there was congestion, they would stop and quietly wait for the carriages ahead to pass.

In the outer city, when encountering congestion, it was much noisier, and sotis fights would even break out.

Not long after, they arrived before a residence. Sun Yisheng said, "Young Master Chen, we're here."

Chen Shi's body stiffened slightly. He stopped, looked at this residence, felt sowhat awkward and uneasy, yet pretended not to care.

The residence had a main gate, with a side door opened next to it. In front of the gate, on both sides, were stone book boxes, indicating the master of the house was a civil official.

An empty space in front of the gate served as a parking area for carriages and horses. The Wooden Cart proactively drove over and parked itself there.

Just then, a few raindrops began to fall from the sky. The Wooden Cart opened its Huagai to shelter itself from the rain.

Black Pot ran under the cart to take cover.

Sun Yisheng, leaning on his cane, moved up three stone steps and knocked on the door.

Chen Shi stood beside him, unconsciously rubbing his hands a few tis, rubbing his knuckles until they turned white.

"Don't be nervous."

Sun Yisheng said, "You've been so calm all along the way."

"I'm not nervous," Chen Shi said nervously, his neck a bit stiff.

Just then, the door opened.

The one who opened it was a servant, in his thirties or forties, who recognized Sun Yisheng and quickly invited him in.

"Lord Sun, is this the young master?" the servant, wearing a black cap, inquired.

Sun Yisheng said, "Call him 'Young Master'."

"Young Master," the servant said.

Chen Shi nodded, thinking about whether he should step into the doorway with his left foot first or his right foot first.

Sun Yisheng turned his head, surprised. "Young Master, co in."

Chen Shi acknowledged, wanting to step forward, but unexpectedly moved both feet together, hopping over the threshold.

"I'm too nervous."

Chen Shi felt sowhat annoyed, thinking to himself, "I shouldn't be this nervous. If Chen Tang doesn't acknowledge , I won't acknowledge him either. I'll just see him once and then leave, go stay at the Xinxiang guildhall."

The servant looked back in surprise, not knowing why he had jumped into the house. Sun Yisheng whispered, "It's a custom from the old ho in Xinxiang. The first ti entering a house, you must step in with both feet together."

The servant had never been to Xinxiang, so he believed it.

Chen Shi nearly walked with his sa-side arm and leg moving together. He hurriedly stopped, composed himself, and only then resud a normal walking posture.

He looked around, distracting himself, and indeed felt much better.

The courtyard wasn't large, a two-section courtyard. The front courtyard had guest rooms and reception areas, plus two kitchens and storage rooms. The rear courtyard was likely where the master's family rested. Although small, it had all the essentials. Both the front and rear courtyards had covered corridors connecting the buildings. The courtyards were landscaped, with a rockery and fish pond in the rear courtyard, and a few pine trees and crape myrtles planted.

There weren't many people in the courtyard. Chen Shi saw two or three maids and servants.

Sun Yisheng, leaning on his cane, led Chen Shi to sit in the main hall of the rear courtyard, saying, "Sit for a while. I'll go inform Lord Chen."

Chen Shi nodded lightly, sitting on a chair. The chair was cold. He shifted his buttocks slightly, looking at the hall's furnishings.

This main hall wasn't for receiving guests but a space for the family's als, worship, and ancestor veneration. There was a square table, several round stools. Behind the table was a long altar table, about seven feet long. In the center of the altar table was a spirit tablet, inscribed with characters like "Spirit Tablet of the Late Respected Father, Lord Chen Yindu, Born in the West Lotus Position."

In front of the spirit tablet was a small incense burner, its ash already full.

Chen Shi shifted his gaze. On the altar table were also offerings. The fruits were freshly placed, still very fresh.

On the other side of the altar table was enshrined a treasured sword, also with an incense burner. Incense was burning inside, the smoke drifting toward that sword.

The sword emitted a very strong extraordinary power. It had likely been consecrated for many years.

Behind the altar table hung a landscape painting. The mountains and waters depicted were probably Qianyang Mountain, drawn in great detail. Chen Shi even saw the great snake Xuan Shan coiled around a mountain peak.

To ease his nervousness, he moved closer, searching for the location of Huangpo Village. Sure enough, he quickly found Huangpo Village. The painting actually depicted the village, with a crooked old willow tree on the nearby loess slope.

Most peculiarly, a hanged ghost was hanging from the tree!

"Chen Tang has also seen Scholar Zhu!" Chen Shi was greatly surprised.

What surprised him most was that there was a person under the tree, a scholar-like figure, looking up as if speaking to the hanged ghost!

"Who is this person?" he wondered, unsettled.

Grandpa?

Or Creation Little Five?

Or perhaps... Chen Tang!

Sun Yisheng waited quietly in the front hall. The servant had already run to the Ministry of Revenue office to find Chen Tang. That servant was also a cultivator, and with a Horse Gallop Talisman, he should have already seen Chen Tang.

He waited another stick of incense's worth of ti. Footsteps ca from outside.

Sun Yisheng turned and saw a middle-aged official walking in, still wearing his red official robe, not yet having ti to remove it, his official hat still on. Sun Yisheng quickly bowed slightly, saying, "Lord Chen, this humble official has fulfilled his mission, bringing the young master back!"

Chen Tang hurried forward, supported him, helped him sit down, first checked his injuries, and only after confirming Sun Yisheng was fine did he relax, saying, "Yisheng, you've worked too hard this ti! If not for you, Chen Shi would likely have perished on the road! Tang has no way to repay you!"

He straightened up and bowed deeply to the ground.

Sun Yisheng hurriedly returned the courtesy, smiling wryly, "Don't thank . Even without , your son would have made it alive to the Western Capital, perhaps even faster. I feel... I didn't contribute much along the way..."

His expression was odd. Throughout this journey, besides getting injured, enjoying Chen Shi's spirit dicines and Black Pot's treatnt, the rest seed to be just eating and drinking every day. And there was a whole group of provincial graduates surrounding him, checking on his injuries daily, begging him not to die.

Chen Tang was puzzled, not understanding why he said that.

Sun Yisheng smiled, "Your son is still waiting in the main hall. We two have plenty of ti to chat later. You should go see him quickly!"

Chen Tang said calmly, "He is not my son. My son is already dead... Yisheng, what kind of person is he?"

Sun Yisheng hesitated for a mont, then told the truth. "An honest child. Steady, mature, generous, proper, kind, righteous. I can't find any faults. It's just that..."

He looked troubled, feeling sowhat hesitant.

He felt Chen Shi had deliberately behaved this way in front of him.

"Just what?" Chen Tang pressed.

Sun Yisheng pushed him out, smiling, "Go on, go on! Don't keep him waiting!"

Chen Tang walked out of the front hall. Sun Yisheng watched him head toward the rear courtyard. As Chen Tang walked, his steps beca awkward, moving with his sa-side arm and leg.

Sun Yisheng coughed. Chen Tang also realized he was sowhat nervous, composed himself, and then returned to normal.

"Ask the Mistress to co," he stopped a maid and said.

The maid hurried off.

Chen Tang arrived before the main hall, stood for a mont, and then walked in.

Chen Shi turned and saw a rather tall middle-aged man in official robes standing at the entrance of the main hall. He stood straight and imposing, dignified in appearance, sowhat resembling Grandpa. If Grandpa were decades younger, he might look like this.

His gaze was complex as he looked at Chen Shi, falling silent for a mont.

Chen Shi had imagined the scene of eting Chen Tang many tis in his mind, played out many possibilities, even scenes of exchanging harsh words and killing Chen Tang. But upon truly seeing Chen Tang, his heart suddenly beca calm. All the scenes he had previously envisioned vanished without a trace.

He was a child raised by Grandpa, yearning for a mont of father-son warmth.

No matter what Chen Tang had said or done before, as long as he acknowledged him as his son, Chen Shi was willing to stay, willing to call Chen Tang father.

Chen Tang walked to a chair by the wall and sat down, saying, "Sit."

Chen Shi sat down, rubbing his hands again, his knuckles turning white from the rubbing.

"The Western Capital is too far. You've suffered a lot. I'm glad you arrived safely."

Chen Tang looked at his hands, speaking as if to himself, "When your grandfather left, I couldn't return. From the Western Capital to Qianyang Mountain is too far; I couldn't make it back in ti. After he left, I thought a lot. He was certainly stubborn, but I wasn't much better. I was also at fault..."

Chen Shi felt a block of ice in his heart lting. He stopped rubbing his hands, just pinching his fingers without speaking.

Chen Tang was silent for a mont, then said, "You can stay here. Stay as long as you like. However... I still won't acknowledge you as my son."

Chen Shi clenched his fist tightly. His heart rapidly froze over again.

Chen Tang said, "I won't acknowledge you. My Little Ten died. I placed him in the coffin with my own hands. His body was so small, just a few dozen pounds. My Little Ten died eleven years ago... I don't know who you are, but I will treat you as my son..."

"I don't fucking want it!"

Chen Shi stood up, slamd the table heavily. The table between them shattered with a crash. "It's uncomfortable staying here! I'm going back to stay at the Xinxiang guildhall!"

Chen Tang also felt a surge of inexplicable rage boiling up. He wanted to slam the table, but the table was already shattered by Chen Shi. He stood up abruptly, shouting, "You dare call yourself 'your father' in front of ? Is this how Chen Yindu taught you? Lawless!"

Chen Shi angrily retorted, "How dare you call him Chen Yindu? You should call him Father!"

"Bastard!"

Chen Tang trembled with anger, wanting to raise his hand to strike him but restraining himself.

The two glared at each other furiously, their bodies almost touching, each clenching their fists.

Chen Shi snorted, walked past him, and was about to leave the Chen residence.

He had just stepped out of the main hall's doorway when a maid pushed a wooden wheelchair along the covered corridor. Sitting in the wheelchair was a woman, neatly dressed, her hands resting on her knees.

Chen Shi trembled, freezing in place.

In the family portrait stored in the treasure chest of the old Chen family in Huangpo Village, there was this woman.

Back then, a young Chen Shi sat on Grandpa's knee. The woman and Chen Tang stood behind Grandpa.

Back then, a smile graced her face.

But now, the woman in the wheelchair looked dazed and foolish, her eyes vacant.

Her soul seed lost, lost for a long ti.

Only her body remained alive.

Chen Tang walked out of the main hall, quickly went to her side, squatted by the wheelchair, took the woman's hands in his, a rare smile appearing on his face.

"Ah Yu, our son has returned."

His voice held no sternness, only tenderness. "Look, is our son back? Ah Yu, look. It's Little Ten. The exact sa Little Ten from back then."