Chapter 41

On that day, Hao Qi and Zhang Heng set up camp at the old site of their home. After eating something, the two of them began to plan their next move.

"Starting tomorrow, we will begin our search. We need to be clear about what we are going to do next," Hao Qi said, holding a map of Bai Cao Kingdom and placing it on the ground for Zhang Heng to see.

Zhang Heng nodded and looked at the map, replying, "I would like to hear more about it."

"First, we need to confirm your father's hunting routine, his general activity area, and any possible locations nearby," Hao Qi said seriously.

Zhang Heng nodded but then shook his head, saying, "Hao Qi, I think you might be misunderstanding something. As far as I know, the area around this village, and even the village itself, has probably been searched thoroughly since my father was sentenced. They wouldn't have left even the mountains and caves unsearched. If we can think of it, do you think others couldn't? They must have searched everywhere and found nothing, which is why I might still be alive. Do you understand what I mean?"

Hao Qi, of course, understood this logic. If Zhang Heng's father was indeed wrongfully accused, then in the eyes of the masterminds, keeping Zhang Heng alive could mean finding the answer to cultivating heavenly treasures in the future. After all, Zhang Heng had long been under their surveillance. In fact, over the past two days, Hao Qi had noticed at least six groups of people paying attention to them, though they seemed to be wary of Hao Qi and quickly left, only to be replaced by another group of similar passersby. Hao Qi did not take any action, acting as if he hadn't noticed their presence.

"I understand what you're saying, but have you considered that if the place was so easy to find, they would have found it long ago, perhaps even before your father. The reason they haven't found it yet might be because the place is very hidden, or it might be something only your father could discover. This is where you come in," Hao Qi said.

Zhang Heng pondered this, looking at the map but recalling the differences between his father and others. The only thing he could think of was that his father was a hunter, but there were countless itinerant doctors and herbal hunters in Bai Cao Kingdom. His father didn't seem different from them...

"Unless..." Zhang Heng mumbled after a moment of deep thought.

Hao Qi, with his inner strength, could hear Zhang Heng's murmurs and even his heartbeat. He quickly asked, "Unless what?"

"Unless it's a place that can only be discovered after many visits." Zhang Heng hesitated for a moment before continuing, "This is probably the biggest difference between my father and those who searched. Whether it was the doctors or herbal hunters who searched for rare herbs before my father, or those who specifically looked for treasure sites after him, the biggest difference is that they only searched once or a few times. My father, however, lived here for decades. He knew every plant and tree, every detail of this place. If there is any single difference, I think it's this."

"I see..." Hao Qi looked up and thought for a moment before decisively saying, "Alright, starting tomorrow, we will search this area thoroughly, following your father's footsteps countless times. I believe we will eventually find the evidence that remains!"

Hearing this, Zhang Heng stared at Hao Qi for a long time before lowering his head and saying, "Is this meaningful? Do you know how much time this will take? Isn't your dream to travel the world? Is it worth spending so much time on me?"

"Yes, it is worth it," Hao Qi replied calmly. He thought for a moment and continued, "Yes, my goal is to travel the world, to see its wonders, to explore unknown lands, to see what others have not seen, to seek what others have not sought, and to achieve what others have not achieved. This is indeed my goal, but I want to achieve it without compromising my principles. Perhaps you misunderstand something. Do you think I pity you? Pity your situation? Pity your father's wrongful conviction? Maybe a little, but the more important reason is that I feel a sense of injustice in my heart..."

At this, Hao Qi stood up and walked a few steps before looking at Zhang Heng and asking, "What do you think it means to travel the world and see everything?"

Zhang Heng was taken aback and instinctively replied, "To seek novelty? Or excitement?"

"A little, but not entirely, and not quite right," Hao Qi smiled and continued, "I think a more accurate description would be to pursue freedom. True freedom is not about being driven by desires to commit evil, but about pursuing the dreams in one's heart, the goodness, the brilliance, without being bound by the world. Let me give you an analogy: in a country where the law is controlled by the nobility, who have power over everyone else's lives, property, and freedom, if I went there, I would kill the people who made this law and all those who uphold it, including the nobility and those who willingly serve as slaves. No matter the reason, no matter the hardship, no matter the words, even if I am condemned by many, I would have no regrets. Perhaps this does not conform to the law of that place, but a hero is one who defies the law with martial prowess. What do I have to fear? This is what I want to pursue."

Zhang Heng was stunned for a while before suddenly asking, "What about the country and its people after you leave? What will happen to them?"

"Ha ha ha, I am not a saint," Hao Qi laughed, took two bottles of wine from his pocket, and threw one to Zhang Heng. He opened his own bottle and took a big sip before saying, "Heaven helps those who help themselves. The ancients said, 'Heaven moves, and the gentleman follows with self-strengthening without ceasing.' I will break the chains, and if the people of that place feel uncomfortable without the chains, without the dog collars, or if they feel that without the chains and collars, there is no order, and they blame me for leaving, I can only point to their bones and say one thing."

"What is it?" Zhang Heng asked involuntarily.

"Look, this is the lowly slave."

Zhang Heng was silent for even longer, deep in thought, before asking, "But those people are ordinary citizens. According to your logic, the nobility controls everything, including the right to practice martial arts. Unless you kill all the nobility, as long as they exist, they are the sky, the law, and the order for the common people. In simple terms, it's an individual against the government. You leaving might be satisfying, but have you thought about how the ordinary people you leave behind will be treated cruelly? Revolutions are always accompanied by blood and bone cleansing."

Hao Qi chuckled and took another sip of wine, saying, "What if I didn't appear? I've had this discussion many times on forums with many people, and not just once."

"Forum? What is that?" Zhang Heng asked curiously.

"Never mind the details. In short, I've had many discussions, and I haven't convinced anyone, and they haven't convinced me. They say that heroes are just irresponsible middle-schoolers who leave after doing good deeds, without caring about the cruel treatment of those left behind. I feel a bit sad, as if good people are supposed to be deceived, to be the scapegoats, to be the ones who take the blame. I just want to ask, if those heroes were gone, would the people who are treated cruelly be treated well by those in power? It's truly strange that people don't blame those who treat others cruelly, those in power, or those who make laws that oppress and exploit, and who treat ordinary people cruelly after a revolution. Instead, they blame the heroes who stand up for strangers. What kind of logic is this!?"

"Heaven helps those who help themselves! If people are oppressed and treated cruelly at first, they can say they are powerless or don't know how to resist. But when someone stands up, leads the way, and becomes a beacon, and then the leader leaves and the beacon disappears, should those who are oppressed and treated cruelly blame the heroes? Should they not blame and resent those who oppress and treat them cruelly? Should they think that the oppression and cruel suppression by those in power is justified? If that's the case, I can only use the same words to criticize them again."

"Look! This is the lowly slave!"

Zhang Heng was silent for even longer. After a long time, he exhaled and said, "I understand. I understand what you mean. Heaven helps those who help themselves. If someone is willing to be enslaved, or just expects help from others, expects a miracle, expects a savior, expects others to work hard and fight while they sit back and enjoy the results, then such a person can only be called a slave... If I hadn't agreed to come out and search for evidence with you at the medical university, what would you have done?"

Hao Qi put down the wine bottle and looked at Zhang Heng seriously, saying, "I would have left, finished touring Bai Cao Kingdom, and then looked for an inner strength martial arts team mission from the government to earn money, leave, and continue my journey. I would have considered our meeting a joke, a disappointing joke, and nothing more."

---

End of page.