Chapter 796 53: Celestial Strategy

Handan.

The familiar small noodle shop, business still teeters between boom and bust.

After all, the location of this noodle shop isn't exactly great, and most of the business comes from regulars.

It barely manages to break even.

Surely it can't be compared to those popular shops in busy areas.

And to be honest, even if it were in a bustling area, a woman with a young boy wouldn't be able to handle the crowd.

So at this time in the afternoon, not quite evening, there really aren't many customers in the shop.

This is also why Ying Zheng left such a deep impression on the young boy.

After all, for someone who once stood at the pinnacle of the country to appear in Handan, long stripped of all its glory and in one of its less bustling sections, is truly eye-catching, too dazzling.

However.

Ying Zheng has disappeared.

Just like how he appeared suddenly, he vanished just as abruptly.

Without leaving any words.

He didn't even touch the last bowl of noodles.

This left the young boy very disappointed, especially when he didn't see that familiar figure at the same time the next day.

The disappointment on his face was almost entirely undisguised.

But just then, soft footsteps suddenly approached.

Footsteps that were very familiar.

The young boy froze for a moment, then quickly lifted his head.

But when he saw the face of the newcomer, he hesitated again, and couldn't help but show disappointment once more.

Because the newcomer was not Ying Zheng.

It was a young couple, looking much younger than Ying Zheng.

However.

The young boy peeked at the man leading them.

For some reason, he felt that this brother's demeanor was in some ways quite similar to that uncle's.

"Hello."

While the young boy was lost in thought.

The young man walked up to him and greeted him.

The young boy snapped back to reality and timidly asked, "Are you here to have noodles?"

"Yes."

The young man nodded, then glanced at the heavily edited sign, and said, "Two bowls of beef noodle soup, please."

"Okay."

The young boy responded immediately, then couldn't help but peek outside once more, only to confirm again that the familiar figure hadn't appeared. He ran to the kitchen, feeling a little dejected.

And the young man watched the young boy leave, didn't rush to sit down, but suddenly said, "When Emperor Shi chose this place as a stop, perhaps it wasn't just because it was his 'former residence' in Zhao Kingdom.

It might also be related to that young boy; he may be a 'miracle' created after this ancient city's long silence..."

"I don't understand."

The young girl, hearing this, raised her delicate fist with a bit of frustration and lightly punched his shoulder.

This couple was, of course, Chen Lusi and Lin Ying.

After a short rest for the night.

The next day.

Chen Lusi unexpectedly took the initiative to bring Lin Ying to Handan.

It's really rare.

It was Lin Ying's first time being taken out by Chen Lusi like this; it felt quite novel to her.

However, it also meant she didn't know Chen Lusi's purpose.

She didn't really care to know either.

As long as he was by her side, everything was fine...

"To put it simply."

Chen Lusi turned his head slightly at her words, organized his thoughts, looked at Lin Ying, and explained, "Although Yellow Springs now has only one mainstream, the land beneath our feet, connected to the source of death, is not just one piece.

We sincerely acknowledge that no matter where we are born, we belong to the same unique national entity, a gradual process through which certain things originally present in the land are preserved.

For instance, on this ancient land of Handan, Zhao Kingdom used to exist, the strongest of the Six Eastern Kingdoms during the late Warring States Period, a state that competed with the Qin Dynasty for decades.

The traces of their existence will not completely disappear, nor will the elements they left on this land, even if Emperor Shi achieved what he did, the memory, emotion, culture, and customs left on this land won't simply vanish; they may just exist in another form.

And after a long dormancy, today the memory, emotion, culture, and customs of this land have once again come into play.

That young boy is the creation of their influence… he is the land's beloved."

Lin Ying tilted her head, hesitated, and said, "So he is... a demon?"

"A human."

Chen Lusi chuckled, "How could he be a demon... There is a saying that the land nourishes the people; I used to think it was just a saying, but after taking over the Goryeo Branch, I realized it's not that simple."

With that.

He looked down at his feet: "The land indeed protects people, and that young boy... he is the land's most beloved existence. I don't know the exact reason, but at this moment, he is the symbol and embodiment of this land."

"..."

Hearing this, Lin Ying's elegant, beautiful face showed a contemplative expression, and she continued, "So, Emperor Shi stayed here to observe that young boy and see if this land, once most resentful of the Qin Stream, still harbors malice?"

"I don't know either."

Chen Lusi shook her head, took her hand, and led her forward: "After all, the person involved has completely dispersed, and speculation will remain just that—speculation—and besides, it's meaningless now."

Hearing these words, Lin Ying finally asked on her own initiative, "Then why are you here this time?"

"Mainly... to take you out for a walk."

Chen Lusi turned her head, thought for a while, and said seriously: "At the last moment when Emperor Shi dispersed, I saw many images. They seemed to be his deepest memories. And setting aside those distant, illusion-like scenes, the closest and clearest image was about this place.

The noodles here... seem to be very delicious."

"..."

Lin Ying was stunned for a moment, then seeing Chen Lusi seriously talking about how the noodles here were delicious, she suddenly burst into laughter, leaning forward onto him, laughing uncontrollably.

"???"

Chen Lusi looked at the laughing Lin Ying in confusion.

"Just for this? You, the great Celestial Strategy of the Celestial Strategy Mansion, who just obtained the Godslayer title, just came here to eat noodles?"

Lin Ying lay in Chen Lusi's arms, gently patting his shoulder: "And you said it so seriously... you idiot, the tone doesn't match the serious character explanation you just gave."

"..."

Chen Lusi remained silent, watching Lin Ying relax and laugh in his arms, a gentle expression appearing on his face.

But soon.

The two were interrupted.

Because the little boy came back with the noodles, stopped abruptly when he noticed them still standing there, looking puzzled.

Lin Ying finally came back to her senses, supporting herself upright by holding onto Chen Lusi's shoulder, a bit shy as she sat aside.

Chen Lusi followed and sat down.

The little boy placed the noodles on the table: "Beef noodle soup..."

Chen Lusi withdrew his gaze from Lin Yao, and looked again at the little boy, a golden light flashing in his eyes, then suddenly asked, "Do you still remember the uncle you saw yesterday? The one with long hair, who was very tall."

"..."

The little boy paused before leaving, then abruptly stopped when he heard Chen Lusi's words, turning around, his eyes suddenly brightened: "Brother, do you know... that uncle?"

"Yes."

Chen Lusi nodded, then said, "He's gone on a long trip recently and might not come back for a while."

"..."

The light in the little boy's eyes visibly dimmed.

"However, he asked me to bring you a message."

Chen Lusi observed the little boy's expression, then slowly raised his hand, fingers splayed open, revealing a delicate seal on his palm: "He also asked me to bring you a gift, he said... there will be a day you'll meet again."

"..."

The little boy glanced at the exquisite seal in Chen Lusi's hand, then looked at Chen Lusi, whose aura was similar yet fundamentally different from that uncle, hesitated for a moment: "Is this for me?"

"Yes."

Chen Lusi nodded, extending the seal towards him.

The little boy finally reached out and took it.

As soon as he took the seal, he felt a chill, something seemed to enter his body.

But soon.

That strange feeling disappeared.

As if everything just now was an illusion.

"Thank you... but will that uncle really come back?"

The little boy held the small and exquisite seal, then looked up at Chen Lusi, his face full of hope.

"...Yes."

Chen Lusi hesitated for less than half a second, then nodded.

"Thank you, thank you, brother."

The little boy immediately smiled, then turned and ran off, full of joy.

And as he turned, a stream of Emperor's Qi started from the seal in his hand, circled around him, and finally drilled into the ground, vanishing without a trace.

As if it were some kind of authorization.

The memories, emotions, culture, and customs of the ancient land of Handan, everything left behind... all were liberated.

"... Was it really given to him by Emperor Shi?"

Lin Ying noticed this scene, looked at Chen Lusi's profile, and suddenly asked.

"Yes."

Chen Lusi turned his head back, first responded, then added: "It should be, although he left no words, staying here already means a lot, this land already is no different from the others in our country, it shouldn't be restricted anymore.

The birth of this little boy... can both be called a miracle and the will of resistance of this land.

And the Zhao Kingdom is long gone, it's time to let everything pass."

"..."

Hearing this, Lin Ying said nothing, just rested her chin in her hand, suddenly speaking gently: "Chen Lusi."

"Hmm?"

Chen Lusi met Lin Ying's gaze.

"Have you noticed, you're becoming more and more like Celestial Strategy now."

Lin Ying looked at Chen Lusi, a captivating smile blooming on her face: "Able to make any decision... the Celestial Strategy of the Celestial Strategy Mansion."

Chen Lusi: "..."