Qin Shi closed his eyes, spiritual resonance, perceiving the past scenes sealed by history.
His mind rippled like waves, catching the sound of He Lanchan’s conversation with his teacher.
"I’ll just teach you a bit, boy, don’t get too carried away."
The man in black walking ahead was of medium stature, his voice languid, as if he didn’t care much about anything.
He Lanchan, widely recognized as a genius, ranked in the top ten in Dongxia, was completely disregarded.
"My mother said, being a teacher means to transmit knowledge, impart skills, and solve doubts. Uncle, you solve my doubts and guide my path forward, so you are my teacher."
The white-haired young man was stubborn, closely following the man in black.
"Cut it out, do you think any random person can be my student? Look at yourself, what makes you special other than that eye-catching white hair?"
The man in black said disdainfully.
"I look quite cute, teacher. Before, when I collected garbage, the recycling station owner always gave me a bit more and kept me for meals."
The white-haired young man chuckled shyly.
"Get lost! I hate cute little brats the most!"
The man in black maintained his pace forward, while the white-haired young man followed closely.
They visited many places: desolate sandy deserts, erupting volcanoes, and vast water worlds seemingly filled by oceans.
"Teacher, I can’t always call you teacher, you have to tell me your name sometime."
One day, the now much older white-haired young man said.
"I never agreed to be your teacher, you clingy boy, worse than the women I’ve slept with."
The man in black still spoke straightforwardly, he was silent for a long time, finally saying:
He Lanchan’s teacher, surname Qin?
Qin Shi’s mind filled with confusion.
The surname Qin in Dongxia was like the endless grains of sand in the Star Sea, countless.
The most prominent and well-known, naturally, was Marshal Qin’s Qin.
As for the so-called Qin Family of Yan City, pioneers of Central City’s Qin Family.
Compared to supporting the Dongxia Republic for millennia and illuminating thirty-four administrative regions, Marshal Qin was inconsequential, like the difference between the bright moon and fireflies, True Dragon and sparrows.
The feeling of spiritual resonance gradually faded, intermittently, the scene dispelled.
The last meeting, He Lanchan was already a young man, most likely before he won the Star Cup championship.
He knelt at the door, eyes firmly looking at the seemingly ageless man in black.
"Teacher, I just want to seek justice for you."
"Justice my ass! From the oldest Empire to the new era established by the Nine Marshals, there’s never been such a thing!"
The man in black cursed angrily:
"You’re no longer that white-haired brat scavenging for trash, go and make a name for yourself, get a wife, have some fat kids, and live your life, don’t worry about this wandering ghost."
He Lanchan’s spine straightened, hands supported on his knees:
"They say you are a traitor to the nation, an ambitious man tearing apart the Galaxy..."
For the first time, the man in black revealed his true face for Qin Shi to see.
It was an ordinary, unremarkable face, only the eyebrows were thick, eyes showing indifference.
His lips curved into a peculiar smile as he said to He Lanchan:
"What if it’s true. It’s well known, my brother is Marshal of Dongxia, his vision piercing the Galaxy, so correct in every way. If even he sees his brother as a sinner to Dongxia, then where would you find the justice you seek?"
He Lanchan remained silent.
The man in black continued:
"The Dongxia Republic has endured for nine millennia, even Martial Gods need long periods of slumber to maintain their last breath and ensure this country shines under their glory, yet I’ve wandered in the Star Sea for seven millennia!"
He Lanchan suddenly raised his head, his tone still firm, unwavering:
"Teacher is certainly not that kind of person!"
The man in black sighed:
"Why say such foolish things. As I travel through every corner of the Galaxy, I increasingly understand one truth. Whether hero or champion, those high and mighty divine pillars cannot act freely. Why do gods need representatives? Do they require the faith of small beings? Once you occupy a path in the universe, reaching the pinnacle, your impact grows even larger.
Your actions are no longer driven by preference or pursuit but by your position, even my great brother cannot help but conform."
The man in black’s tone turned weary, continuing:
"Actually, it’s quite dull, there are too many stories in the Star Sea, no matter how magnificent or tumultuous, viewed over ten thousand years, they’re not new. So, kid, finish that ancient path, then become a Martial God, comfortably enjoying a thousand years of good life.
Your nature doesn’t really suit me, including your rival, Qi Wuxiang, you both always want to live as some sort of legend, but I naturally despise anything related to ’greatness’, ’glory’, or ’justice’.
So, I don’t need anyone to vindicate me, nor to reverse my case. Being a historical ambitious figure or a longstanding villain in films isn’t that bad."
Kneeling at the door, He Lanchan hesitated for a moment before finally throwing out that sharp and unreserved question: