Should I Apologize Too

Zheng Zhaoling sat down once more, her expression icy, her gaze slightly wary, and questioned:

"May I ask what else Fellow Daoist Chu has to say? Could it be that you intend to claim there are demons in the Yunmeng Marsh of the Northern Juzhou, and that we of the Yunmeng Pavilion are unaware?"

Chu Xingchen gave a light laugh. "Fellow Daoist Zheng, as a core disciple of the contemporary Yunmeng Pavilion, are you aware of the situation within Yunmeng Marsh?"

"Naturally, I am aware," Zheng Zhaoling replied, casting a glance his way. "Within the core area of Yunmeng Marsh, there are Yunmeng Pavilion cultivators providing support, responsible for maintaining affairs within the marsh."

Chu Xingchen nodded in understanding. "Then, are you aware that demonic creatures run rampant within the Yunmeng Marsh?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Zhaoling did not answer, instead gazing calmly at Chu Xingchen.

Even if she couldn't see through Chu Xingchen's true nature, she understood this person's methods were formidable, and in the future, he would likely be like Bai Xuanling at this moment. However, some issues simply could not be conceded.

That demonic creatures ran rampant in Yunmeng Marsh, she naturally knew.

To say the Yunmeng Pavilion originated from Yunmeng Marsh was not entirely accurate. The predecessor of Yunmeng Pavilion was a once-prosperous immortal sect of the Northern Juzhou.

Back in the days before the spiritual veins were severed, Yunmeng Marsh was a major tributary in the flow of the Central Continent's spiritual veins.

The Yunmeng region stretched for three thousand li, a marsh within marshes without end.

It was a top-tier blessed land of caves and heavens, a continuous expanse of auspicious land spanning a thousand li of mountains.

Demonic creatures had been rampant in Yunmeng Marsh since early times, which had nothing to do with Yunmeng Pavilion; it was determined by the geography and spiritual veins.

After the spiritual veins were severed in the Northern Juzhou, the three-thousand-li expanse of blessed land naturally dissipated and vanished.

The current Yunmeng Marsh is now the core of the core, with no connection to the original Yunmeng Pavilion.

Their present association is, in fact, the result of a transaction from those bygone years.

The human race successfully weathered the tribulation and prospered in the contemporary era. But the world is only so vast, and fortune only so abundant.

With humanity ascendant, the demon race was inevitably destined to decline.

Great demons entrenched themselves in Yunmeng Marsh. Though aloof, they could still clearly see reality, as famous demon mountains elsewhere were being razed and leveled by humanity.

Yet, the beginning of it all must be traced back to when the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect monopolized a spiritual vein.

Where there is one, there will be a second; where a second person acts, countless others will follow.

Naturally, Yunmeng Pavilion also had to contend.

The great demons of Yunmeng Marsh then proactively contacted Yunmeng Pavilion, willing to contend for spiritual veins on their behalf, asking only that in the future, a wisp of spiritual power and an inch of land be left for the Yunmeng demon tribe to rest.

They promised not to provoke conflict, not to kill or harm humans, and even agreed to be supervised by Yunmeng Pavilion.

They asked only for a place where a trace of the demon tribe could survive.

Regardless of whether this was a move the great demons of Yunmeng Marsh made out of helplessness after seeing the path ahead clearly,

in the eyes of Yunmeng Pavilion at that time, it was essentially assistance delivered right to their doorstep for free.

After all, if they truly entered and occupied the Central Continent, seizing one of its spiritual veins, Yunmeng Marsh would naturally no longer be considered a blessed land. Moreover, with humanity flourishing, it wasn't as if the demon tribe failed to recognize reality and intended to fight for the final spoils.

The development of events held no surprises; the demon tribe of Yunmeng Marsh indeed provided tremendous assistance to Yunmeng Pavilion.

Yunmeng Pavilion also honored its promise, withstanding immense pressure to directly administer Yunmeng Marsh and fulfill the commitment made to the great demons who had aided them in the past.

It might be possible for others to be unaware of the reasons, but the Eighteen Immortal Sects certainly all understood clearly.

Naturally, there were demons in Yunmeng Marsh, perhaps even great demons hiding within.

Although people nowadays turn pale at the mention of demons, Yunmeng Marsh still remembers the past assistance and the covenant.

But if someone intended to use this matter to make an issue, Yunmeng Pavilion naturally would not back down either.

Zheng Zhaoling's tone was firm and forceful:

"Fellow Daoist Chu, are you asking a question you already know the answer to? Haven't you looked into the affairs of Yunmeng Marsh?"

"Naturally, I have looked into it," Chu Xingchen nodded gently. "Having demons is not strange, but them running rampant is somewhat strange."

"If Fellow Daoist Chu puts it that way..." Zheng Zhaoling's tone paused slightly before continuing slowly, "Has Fellow Daoist Chu already been to Yunmeng Marsh to see for yourself, or sent someone to investigate?"

Chu Xingchen smiled but did not answer the question, instead looking calmly at Zheng Zhaoling.

Seeing Chu Xingchen's leisurely and fearless demeanor, it was also quite evident that he felt no burden about entering Yunmeng Marsh without notifying Yunmeng Pavilion.

As for the "rampant" behavior Chu Xingchen mentioned...

Zheng Zhaoling had a rough idea of what it referred to. After a moment's thought, she spoke:

"The Path of Incense and Faith is a method to supplement spiritual power. It has been practiced in Yunmeng Marsh for a thousand years and is also under our jurisdiction."

Only then did Chu Xingchen nod with a look of understanding:

"So, the debt you owe can be repaid by the people of Yunmeng Marsh? Do the people of Yunmeng Marsh owe Yunmeng Pavilion?"

Zheng Zhaoling replied calmly, "Within Yunmeng Marsh, the winds and rains are favorable, and great demons protect the myriad commoners. This is already far better than the constant warfare, endless disasters, and the desperation of exchanging children to eat outside the marsh."

"Temples may stand tall in the mortal world, but how many can truly offer protection? Although they are demons within Yunmeng Marsh, they still act according to the rules."

"Isn't that much better than those who only consume incense offerings but never act?"

"Yunmeng Marsh has always allowed mortals to leave, yet most who depart eventually return."

"Admittedly, everything has its pros and cons. However, to see only the drawbacks and not the benefits, to criticize only the faults, is that not somewhat divorced from the hardships of the mortal world?"

"Fellow Daoist Chu, has your path of immortality been so smooth that you remember only the great calamity of heavenly demons, forgetting to look upon the suffering of the human world?"

Chu Xingchen did not answer this question, instead asking:

"So it seems you have witnessed much of the suffering of the human world?"

Zheng Zhaoling looked directly at Chu Xingchen:

"I am originally from the Northern Juzhou. The hunger and cold of my childhood, I dare not forget to this day."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xingchen sighed softly, then stood up and bowed with clasped hands towards Zheng Zhaoling:

"My earlier words were too harsh, and perhaps somewhat inappropriate. I hope you can forgive me."

Zheng Zhaoling took two deep breaths and finally reached out to help Chu Xingchen straighten up:

"It is good that Fellow Daoist Chu can understand."

"Indeed, among the world's proud talents, Fellow Daoist Zheng is one," Chu Xingchen's expression suddenly became extremely sincere. "Indeed, hearing some news directly from Fellow Daoist Zheng allows me to better understand the difficulties involved."

"However, what I have heard about the situation within Yunmeng Marsh seems more severe than what you described."

"Actually, I also understand that the internal affairs of Yunmeng Marsh should not be my concern. But just as you said, one dares not forget the hunger and cold of childhood."

"Putting oneself in another's shoes, all under heaven are one family."

"I originally thought Yunmeng Pavilion was deliberately turning a blind eye, but now hearing this, it seems that is not the case. There may be some misunderstanding."

Zheng Zhaoling did not reply upon hearing this, looking at Chu Xingchen with a slightly silent expression.

Fine words were useless.

Seeing Zheng Zhaoling's guarded look, Chu Xingchen sighed lightly:

"I imagine Fellow Daoist Zheng does not easily trust me, thinking I have ulterior motives."

"How about this: Fellow Daoist Zheng, please go personally to Yunmeng Marsh in the Northern Juzhou and investigate the situation there on my behalf for three months."

"If something is amiss, I ask Fellow Daoist Zheng to set things right. If my words were mistaken,"

"three months later, the three of us will return here to apologize to you."

Zheng Zhaoling narrowed her eyes:

"You trust me?"

Chu Xingchen nodded with a serious expression:

"Only the words 'hunger and cold' are impossible not to believe. I am willing to trust you."

"And I only hope Fellow Daoist Zheng will not betray those words, 'hunger and cold'."

Zheng Zhaoling said nothing, only giving a slight nod before turning and leaving.

The courtyard was left with only the three of them once more.

Xu Jin's voice drifted over, faint and eerie:

"Do I have to apologize too?"

Chu Xingchen nodded easily and said:

"Yeah, that's just how brothers are."