"I can tell, your feelings are complex right now."
Gu Lushen saw right through him, speaking lightly, "We both have climbed to the peak of Changye, I understand your feelings; many years ago, I felt the same. I had thought that there was nothing in this world that could make me betray my own conscience and bottom line. But later on, that ’something’ still appeared."
Zhu Wang narrowed his eyes, gazing at Gu Lushen.
"Today, you saw it too – the old fellow’s domain is called ’Infinite Scale’."
Gu Lushen said with deep meaning, "Everything in this world can be weighed, including conscience and bottom lines... So, it’s not strange for one to sell out anything, as long as the weight on the other side is sufficient. And those who have seized ultimate power, if they desire to go one step further, the price they must pay is naturally extremely heavy. In comparison, conscience and bottom line become insignificant. If there is blame, it can only be placed on the other side of the scale, for the temptation placed there is too great."
Zhu Wang spoke calmly, "Perhaps you’ve overestimated your own bottom line."
Gu Lushen raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Since we are now in the same boat... it might be better to speak frankly."
Zhu Wang said somberly, "I am different from you; at least I reached the summit of Changye on my own, while you... most likely did so by selling out your conscience. Since you’ve been doing such things for many years, how could you possibly understand me?"
If he had not encountered Gu Lushen in this small courtyard.
Then these words would never have come from Zhu Wang’s mouth; as a Grand Judge, as a crafty leader of the Changye Court, he needed to mediate among various powers, he had to hide his true thoughts, and the new faction of the Gu family... before their union, would never have been a force he wished to offend.
But now, it was different.
Zhu Wang breathed out the pent-up frustration in his chest, looking at Gu Lushen, he said coldly, "Therefore, you... can’t possibly understand my feelings at this moment."
Gu Lushen was not angry.
"Everyone... has their first time," Gu Lushen said gently, "Me too, and you as well, it’s just that I came to realize it a little earlier than you."
"Look at what I now hold..."
Gu Lushen extended a hand, clenched it into a fist, and said with a soft chuckle, "I almost have everything I want, and you?"
Zhu Wang fell into a heartfelt silence.
He had nothing to say.
"It seems you also hold everything..."
Gu Lushen stressed the word ’seems’.
His voice carried a gentle sadness, and more so pity, "Don’t deny it, we are actually the same... the same wretched creatures, in truth we hold nothing at all, nor have we really reached any peak. We have simply climbed very high, and once we fall, we will break into pieces."
No... Changye has no real peak... There are several great mountains here, Zhu Wang had only climbed one of them, and Gu Lushen another. However, looking up, the highest peak was hidden in the brilliance of Qingzhong, pressing down so that everyone struggles to breathe.
That’s the true peak.
Hidden in the clouds, hidden in the respectful gazes of the world.
"Changye has been peaceful for too long."
Gu Lushen said softly, "Mortal men can never shake the Divine Throne... To bring a new era to the Snow Forbidden City, one must rely on the power of the gods. Now the god has arrived, Changye is about to change, are you sure you don’t want to seize this opportunity to ascend the true summit?"
Zhu Wang looked somewhat bewildered.
"Before you, there has always been such a choice - not to enter this courtyard."
Gu Lushen said with a soft laugh, "But... by doing so, you would lose everything. If you’re truly different from me, why not prove it?"
He pushed his wheelchair, slowly entering the courtyard.
Before leaving, he did not forget to close the wooden gate.
Zhu Wang just stood in front of the wooden gate.
He watched the gate close; it seemed like the closing of a gate of fate.
In that instant, his expression carried pain, struggle, and conflict.
After a long time... it all disappeared.
Only numbness remained on his face.
Zhu Wang reached out his hand.
He pushed open the wooden gate and walked into the courtyard.