Chapter 40: The Way

  "It turns out that the true meaning of martial arts refers to the realm of martial arts!" Ye Chen suddenly realized, and there was such a saying. He thought for a moment and said, "What I, Chen, have come to realize is the Tao."

  "What path?" Everyone was stunned.

  "Yes, the Tao of humanity, the Tao of divinity, and the Tao of nature; the Tao gives birth to all things, and all things are part of the Tao. Each of us cannot leave the Tao, we all follow the trajectory set by the Tao, living and thriving in the world between heaven and earth. It has no shape or form, yet it controls each and every one of us." Ye Chen explained, trying to put it in simple terms, this 'Tao' is an understanding in one's heart, unless written down or spoken about, it can't be described with just a few words, let alone the subtleties within. And what Ye Chen understood was only superficial.

  Everyone looked at each other in dismay, and they all turned their eyes to Ye Cangxuan. They thought Ye Cangxuan understood, but as a result, Ye Cangxuan was also bewildered.

  The true meaning of Mingwu Dadi's martial arts is to conquer, which is somewhat understandable. What kind of way did Ye Chen understand? Martial arts? But how can martial arts evolve into all things? What Ye Chen said was clearly humanism, theism, and fatalism!

  "It seems that people like us will never understand in this life." Ye Cangxuan smiled bitterly, what Ye Chen said was indeed mysterious.

  This world has no writings that expound on the Tao, and fundamentally does not know what the thing called 'Tao' actually means.

  "The way of Emperor Mingwu's military campaign is also a kind of Tao, but the way of sending troops to conquer and fight is the lower of the lower ways." Ye Chen saw that everyone didn't understand, so he patiently explained.

  Including Ye Cangxuan, everyone else was confused, Ye Chen didn't explain and that was for the better, once he explained it would be even worse, they couldn't understand it anymore. The true meaning of Ming Wu's martial arts was also a kind of Tao? And it was an inferior Tao at that?

  Ye Cangxuan and others were a bit dizzy, Ming Wu Da Di was promoted to the 9th rank at the age of 13, and at the age of 21 he was already the number one martial artist in the Western Martial Empire. It is said that at that time, he had grasped the true meaning of martial arts, and his progress in martial arts was rapid, advancing a thousand miles a day. After more than a decade, he has now reached an unimaginable realm, and is a figure like a god in the Western Martial Empire! Chen Er actually said that Ming Wu Da Di's true meaning of martial arts is a lower-level path?

  Was Ye Chen's understanding of the way something more profound than the military strategy?

  They were quite puzzled, but after hearing Ye Chen say so, it seemed as if it was indeed the case.

  Ye Chen explained for half a day, but the crowd still didn't understand. He could only wisely shut up. It's hard to find someone who can discuss and resolve doubts with him.

  "Chen Er's understanding of things, we can't comprehend. However, in pursuit of one's true martial arts path, one must have strong self-confidence and conviction. From now on, us older generation folks will probably no longer be able to guide your martial arts cultivation, it's all up to you." Ye Cangxuan said, he was still reeling from the thoughts of what Ye Chen had just said, his head was almost exploding, and he was still feeling a bit dizzy.

  Not just Ye Cangxuan, but also other people are about the same.

  "Chen Er has grasped the true meaning of martial arts, which is a fortunate thing." Ye Zhan Tian's heart was filled with shame, as a father, he had failed to be authoritative enough, and in terms of martial arts understanding, he wasn't even one-tenth as good as his son. Although he thought this way, his heart was full of pride.

  "Let's talk about tomorrow's Li Yun eighteen fort martial arts conference first." Ye Cangxuan said, now how to deal with the matter of Yunjia Fort is imminent.

  "Chen Er absolutely cannot go to Yunjia Fortress!" Ye Zhanlong and the others said, "Chen Er is the hope of our Yejia Fortress, absolutely cannot take risks."

  "Uncle, Father, I want to go to Yunjia Fort." Ye Chen heard that both his second and third uncles opposed him going to Yunjia Fort, and he suddenly became anxious.

  Ye Cangxuan glanced at Ye Chen and said, "Chen'er wants to go, it's not impossible, Chen'er's strength is already equivalent to mid-8th rank, plus he has grasped the true meaning of martial arts, so there shouldn't be any problem with self-protection."

  "Sixth Uncle, Yunjia Fortress is a lair of dragons and tigers. If Yun Yiyang were to be captured, the consequences would be unthinkable." Ye Zhanlong said urgently.

  Ye Cangxuan smiled and shook his head, saying: "You say going to Yunjia Fortress is like venturing into a dragon's lair, but I don't think so. Yunjia Fortress has long wanted to make a move on Yejia Fortress, why have they been holding back? It's because they're preparing for the Cloud Eighteen Fortresses' Martial Arts Competition. The competition itself is secondary; Xuan Yi Zun wants to recruit a few disciples in Donglin County. Even with his esteemed status, he won't come personally, but will send one of his disciples instead. During the competition, Yunjia Fortress wouldn't dare make any moves. So, it's safe during that time. I have a plan: we'll quietly return before the competition ends. The distance between Yejia Fortress and Yunjia Fortress isn't far; by the time Yun Yi Yang finds out, it will be too late. Therefore, this time, the number of people going to Yunjia Fortress must be few!"

  Everyone fell into contemplation after Ye Cangxuan said this.

  "Sixth Uncle must have had an idea." They looked at Ye Cangxuan, waiting for him to make a decision.

  "Let Chen'er go with me, you stay and guard Yejia Fortress, beware of a sneak attack from Yunjia Fortress."

  "Only two people going?" The crowd was stunned.

  "I'll take Chen Er to make some arrangements, Xuan Yi Zun doesn't care who comes, each family will bring their most outstanding younger generation, Chen Er will contact them and maybe there will be a great opportunity! Chen Er must go, the fewer people the safer, others going would be a burden, when we want to come back, you can send someone to pick us up along the way." Ye Cangxuan said.

  Ye Zhantian and the others thought for a moment, Liu Shu was already at the mid-9th stage of power, comparable to Yun Yiyang's, while Chen Er was equivalent to the mid-8th stage of power. Even if he encountered Yun Yi Xuan, he couldn't win but running away wouldn't be a problem either. Plus, Ye Chen had Lei Zi there as well.

  "Alright, let's listen to Sixth Uncle then!"

  Ye Chen heard his uncle say he could go to Yunjia Fortress and was quite excited.

  "After you go to Yunjia Fortress, be careful and cautious, remember not to show your edge too much!" Ye Zhantian said seriously to Ye Chen.

  "Yes, I understand." Ye Chen hastily replied with a serious expression.

  "Alright, you can go back now." Ye Zhan Tian waved his hand and said.

  Ye Chen walked quickly and lightly out of the family hall.

  Seeing Ye Chen's back, everyone showed a smile on their faces.

  As he saw Ye Chen walking away, Ye Zhan Tian hastily turned to ask Ye Cang Xuan: "Sixth Uncle, what did Chen'er say just now? I've been thinking about it but can't figure it out at all."

  "I don't understand either, what are you asking me to do?" Ye Cangxuan said with a bitter smile, "You'd better go and flip through the family's ancient books again, maybe there will be records of ancient texts."

  "I've flipped through so many clan classics, and there's never been any discussion about the Way. I don't know where Chen Er gained his understanding from." Ye Zhan Tian said with a bitter face.

  "Martial arts genius is something ordinary people can't understand, even walking and eating can be enlightening."

  "Just now when Chen Er was saying something, I couldn't follow a single sentence. If in the future, Chen Er brings it up again, I can only stand by and stare blankly. As a father, isn't this very embarrassing?" Ye Zhan Tian said dejectedly.

  "This is your business, we can't help it." Ye Cangxuan smiled and said, Chen Er's talent was outstanding, his growth was shocking, and Ye Zhan Tian wanted to maintain a fatherly image in front of Chen Er, but he would probably be very worried later.

  Jian Ye's extremely frustrated expression made everyone burst out laughing.

  The day after tomorrow, I will go to Yunjia Fortress to participate in the martial arts conference. I must make some preparations. After Ye Chen left the family hall, he went to the blacksmith's shop to find Ye Mofarng Big Uncle and brought all the newly forged Thunderbolt that had been made recently, plus one remaining before, a total of five. During this period, Mofarng Big Uncle should still be quite careful.

  The process of making Thunderbolt is too cumbersome, the output is small, and improper use can lead to danger. If it leaks out, it will bring trouble to the family and is not suitable for others to use. Even when Ye Chen uses it himself, he must be extra careful.

  Back in his residence, Ye Chen filled all five Thunderclap Bombs with gunpowder and put them into the Qiankun Bag. At critical moments, these Thunderclap Bombs should still be useful.

  There's still one more chapter at 12 tonight, tomorrow is Monday again and we have to rush the rankings! Brothers, please support me!!!