Chapter Two - To Endure Once Is Virtuous; To Endure Again and Again Is Foolish

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"Life’s twists and turns are but a gathering of the same kind."

At this moment, a young boy dressed in simple cloth was sweeping the training ground of the Ye family—this was Ye Chen. Sunlight filtered through sparse clouds, casting dappled patterns on his resolute face. Sweat traced the contours of his features, dripping onto the parched earth below, instantly swallowed by the heat waves. In his hand was a bamboo broom, wielded with practiced strength and grace. Each sweep stirred faint dust into the air, yet miraculously kept the surroundings immaculate. A lazy gleam flickered in Ye Chen’s eyes, indifferent to the jeers around him.

He had lived four lifetimes, yet the memories of the third were completely blank.

In that distant past, Ye Chen’s first incarnation was an ancient divine tree standing tall upon the boundless earth. Its branches flourished, shading the sky, its roots deeply embedded within the veins of the land, drawing nourishment from heaven and earth. In spring, it bloomed resplendently, its fragrance spreading far and wide; summer brought lush leaves, offering sanctuary to all living creatures beneath. Yet this peace was shattered when the Iron Hoof of the Fire Spirit Clan trampled the tranquility. Flames roared, painting half the sky red. The creatures that once played under its boughs scattered in terror, and the divine tree—witness to countless epochs—shuddered helplessly in the raging blaze, reduced to ashes. Its tragic, desolate history was etched deep within Ye Chen’s soul.

Though it perished, a faint sapling remained hidden deep within his spiritual sea.

In his second life, Ye Chen existed on a cerulean planet called Blue Star, becoming a refined and gentle teacher. Standing at an ancient wooden podium, chalk in hand, he lightly traced timeless poems on the blackboard. Sunlight poured through bright windows, draping him in a golden glow. His voice was warm and smooth like jade, carrying the weight of years and wisdom as he recounted the stories and emotions behind the verses. Students listened intently, their eyes shining with thirst for knowledge and reverence. The entire classroom was steeped in the aura of culture.

“If this were the world I live in now, perhaps I could attain the Dao through literature,” Ye Chen mused with a smile but never ceased sweeping.

“Hey, isn’t this our Ye eldest young master? What’s the matter? After mother disappeared, you’ve been reduced to doing menial chores?”

At that moment, a man clad in a splendid brocade robe strode arrogantly toward him. This was Ye Xuan, a collateral relative of the Ye family, accompanied by two sycophantic lackeys. Their steps were haughty, words dripping with disdain. Ye Xuan’s eyes brimmed with contempt for Ye Chen, a cold sneer tugging at the corners of his mouth as if looking upon an insignificant insect. His two underlings laughed loudly and shamelessly, their shrill guffaws echoing over the training ground. Though bathed in sunlight, they seemed to have lost all warmth, leaving only shadows and chill behind.

Ye Chen glanced at the trio calmly, his gaze as still as water. The bamboo broom in his hand swung steadily, as if everything around him was irrelevant.

“Hurry and respond to the young master! Speaking to you is your blessing; how dare you ignore us?” said Ye Kai, standing beside Ye Xuan, occasionally checking Ye Xuan’s expression. Seeing Ye Xuan’s face soften, he relaxed and looked at Ye Chen with anticipation.

“If you kneel down and apologize now, maybe Young Master Ye Xuan will spare you this time,” Ye Kai said with a smug expression, imagining Ye Chen groveling before them. Stepping forward, he reached out to grab Ye Chen’s collar, his movements brimming with provocation and insult.

Ye Chen’s eyes suddenly sharpened. He lightly sidestepped, evading Ye Kai’s rude grasp. The bamboo broom traced a graceful arc in the air, striking Ye Kai’s outstretched wrist with just enough force to sting but not injure. Ye Kai’s eyes widened in shock, his arm drooping limply, disbelief etched across his face. At that moment, the sunlight seemed to freeze; dust floated gently in the breeze. Ye Chen’s figure stood tall amid the interplay of light and shadow, his gaze revealing unwavering resolve and pride.

“What do you think you are? You want me to kneel?”

With that, Ye Chen struck Ye Kai’s leg with the broom again. Ye Kai howled and collapsed onto his knees.

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“Hey, Ye Er, come help me out!”

Ye Er was a burly man, muscles knotted under his skin and a face covered with scars. Seeing Ye Kai suffer, he roared like a raging beast and charged at Ye Chen. His fists clenched, wind whistling as he unleashed the full strength of his third level in the Physical Cultivation Realm. Ye Chen’s eyes narrowed, but he did not retreat. The bamboo broom twisted nimbly in his hands like a swimming dragon, sweeping horizontally and stabbing vertically, clashing against Ye Er’s blows with resounding “bangs.” Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting long shadows on the battlefield. Each of Ye Er’s punches was fierce, yet Ye Chen countered with softness overcoming hardness. Every broomstroke perfectly neutralized his attacks. Their intense and thrilling duel drew the attention of everyone nearby.

Ye Er suddenly paused. “You’re also third level in Physical Cultivation?”

Upon hearing this, Ye Xuan’s face darkened like stormy water, his eyes flashing with disbelief and fury. “Impossible! How could a worthless scoundrel like you reach third level?” His fists clenched so tightly that veins bulged, the very air around him trembling. Behind him, Ye Kai and Ye Er bore ferocious expressions. Like three wild storms, they lunged at Ye Chen with overwhelming force.

Ye Chen moved with the lightness of the wind, stepping lightly to weave effortlessly between their attacks. Each step seemed to tread upon nothingness, leaving faint afterimages behind. His hands rose slowly, fingertips drawing smooth arcs in the air, reminiscent of the yin-yang fish in the Taiji diagram, flowing endlessly. As his figure spun, an invisible power seemed to arise in the air, dissolving the trio’s attacks as if they were nothing.

Suddenly, Ye Chen’s form shifted like a crane spreading its wings. He delivered a powerful punch named the “Crane Standing Among Chickens,” the wind howling with indomitable pride, striking straight at Ye Xuan’s face. Though seemingly simple, the punch carried the weight of mountains and rivers, as if it could shake heaven and earth.

Ye Xuan panicked, sidestepping hastily and crossing his arms in front of his chest. “Iron Wall Defense!”

Ye Xuan tried to block with his “Iron Wall Defense,” but...

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Ye Chen’s fist pierced through Ye Xuan’s defense like the dawn’s first light, grazing his cheek and leaving a faint red mark. Each of Ye Chen’s punches was swift and majestic, forcing Ye Xuan and his companions to retreat step by step. Dust billowed on the training ground as Ye Chen’s figure flickered through the punching wind, like a war god descending.

At that moment, a clan elder appeared among the four, halting the fight. Yet as he intercepted Ye Chen’s attacks, his brows furrowed slightly...

“Enough of this racket!” The elder was Ye Qiushi, the Ye family’s Disciplinary Elder.

Seeing him, the four hurriedly bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Elder Shi.”

“Elder Shi, Ye Chen is so ruthless! If you had come a moment later, we would have been dead!” Ye Xuan suddenly clung to Elder Shi’s leg.

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Elder Shi’s gaze turned to Ye Chen. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

Ye Chen quickly cupped his hands in respect. “Respectfully, Elder, I was just sweeping. They provoked me with words, then attacked. I could not bear it any longer. As the saying goes, a gentleman endures once, but to endure repeatedly is foolish. In such a rough environment, I had to fight. If there’s a complaint, it should be about their bullying against me.”

Upon hearing this, Elder Shi turned to Ye Xuan and the others. “Do any of you still have anything to say?”

“Elder, we were wrong.” Seeing Elder Shi’s attitude towards Ye Chen, they quickly admitted fault and stepped back.

After they left, Elder Shi said to Ye Chen, “Let’s go back and talk.”

“Alright.” Ye Chen then carried the bamboo broom to a corner of the training ground.

Ye Chen’s room was simple yet warm. The dim yellow light spilled into every corner. Inside, beside an old wooden table, stood a delicate wooden carving and a somewhat coarse wooden hairpin. The carving depicted a gentle woman whose features bore some resemblance to Ye Chen’s, as if it were his mother’s youthful likeness, exuding endless tenderness and love. Though unassuming, the hairpin was polished smooth and rounded, as if holding a cherished memory.

Ye Chen gently stroked the carving, a flash of longing and determination in his eyes, as if silently conversing with his mother. At that moment, the small room was enveloped in a soft warmth.

Elder Shi shook his head, sighed, and said, “Child, your mother has been missing for over a year. If you want to find her, you must become stronger.”

Ye Chen smiled bitterly. “I wish I could, but resources are limited.”

Elder Shi said, “I have an opportunity now—going to the Cangming Academy in the Qin Capital. I’ve secured a trial spot for you. If you decide to go, come find me. You have two days.”

With that, he turned and left.

Ye Chen fell silent...