by Spring Trees
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1. 1 jin (Chinese) = 0.5 kg
2. Da Xia= since ‘Xiao’=small and ‘Da’=big, so Nan Ge Er referred ‘Xiao’ Xia’s brother as ‘Da’ Xia
Chapter 48
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“Xian sheng,” A quiet voice informed outside of the carriage, “We have found a child who is suitable. Is Xian sheng interested in seeing the child?”
Mo Shu looked at the person in his arms, whose eyes slightly widened due to the report. He replied indifferently, “No need, just arrange them appropriately.”
“Yes.” After a respectful answer was given out, the halted wheels moved again.
Nan Ge Er blinked a little and glanced at Mo Shu, “That is the fourth time we found a child during the journey, isn’t it?”
Mo Shu nodded, “As compared to a war-less era, it is quite a lot indeed.”
“Three from Bei Jun’s borders.” Nan Ge Er whispered, “Even if there aren’t any wars at the moment, Bei Jun probably is still in the worst state out of all.”
“Maybe a war will start not long after.” Mo Shu mused.
“But, it has nothing to do with you or me.” Nan Ge Er smiled, “It belongs to the world outside.” He appeared to be telling it to Mo Shu, while also seemingly emphasizing it to himself.
During the time spent in contact with those Guang Tian citizens living outside, Nan Ge Er noticed that to them, the vast world outside was merely an enormous training center. They were drilled, gained experiences and achieved outstanding abilities there. However, they would still return to their starting point in the end. Each of them did what they were capable of and built up their home, beautifying that place, which had already greatly exceeded the outside world to begin with, more and more.
An absurd thought even came up in Nan Ge Er’s mind. He felt that in the eyes of Guang Tian’s citizens, the world outside was just a thing that was subservient to Guang Tian.
The most intrinsic essence and the core of this world was in Guang Tian.
So long as Guang Tian wasn’t in turmoil, even if the four countries slipped into a war, the root of the world would still be unharmed.
This made him curious even more—what exactly was the existence of Guang Tian to this world?
But at present, there was a more pressing issue.
“Mo Shu.”
Mo Shu looked at Nan Ge Er; his composed eyes revealed a tender expression that was never once displayed in front of others.
“Are many people in Guang Tian orphans from outside too?”
Mo Shu nodded, “Yes. My mother is originally an orphan from the outside.” He had no intentions of hiding anything from Nan Ge Er, so he stated that openly. “She was found and brought back to Guang Tian. In the end, she met my father and married him.”
Sure enough, Mo Shu didn’t know anything at all…
“How did your mother leave the world?” After a brief pondering, Nan Ge Er asked again.
“My mother died from an illness when I was an infant.” Mo Shu stated collectedly—as though an adult who had accepted his mother’s death long ago.
Hearing that, Nan Ge Er shot a glance at Mo Shu involuntarily—his expression was exceedingly peaceful and calm.
The calm and peacefulness was almost kind of cruel.
He would never know what sort of helpless and despairing reality was hidden behind the past he thought he had.
However, at the moment, Nan Ge Er sincerely felt, it was fortunate that Mo Shu didn’t know the things happening on his parents in the past.
It wasn’t anyone’s fault.
Neither was it anyone’s mistake.
If delving into it really is a must, then, the blame can only be pushed irresponsibly onto fate.
But the consequence of knowing the truth is a hard pill to swallow for a typical person—even Mo Shu might be affected too.
I think that Mo Shu is fine as he is now. He has strong faith in the things he firmly believes, guards over the treasure in his heart, is relied on and trusted by so many people, and protects Guang Tian. He is as though a towering mountain in their heart, never even wavering once.
He always has his gaze directed to the front. He is always so competent and clever; always so formidable.
The shadow in his heart, the cruel truth, and the decaying flesh he hid behind him; I hope I can become one of the members that bury those away.
A protector while also being protected; countlessly linked bonds, an inseparable responsibility.
This is probably the relationship Guang Tian has with Mo Shu.
Nan Ge Er’s sudden silence made Mo Shu lift Nan Ge Er’s chin up to take a look at him, “What’s wrong?”
Nan Ge Er came back to his senses, before smiling and shaking his head, “Nothing,” He extended his neck, trying to view the scenery outside, “The weather has turned warmer.” Of course, since his waist was held firmly by Mo Shu, he could only stretch his waist halfheartedly before giving up.
“Mn.” Mo Shu uttered, “We will reach Guang Tian in five more days.”
Nan Ge Er nodded his head, “This trip seems to be rather long.”
Mo Shu only chuckled. He picked up a strand of hair beside Nan Ge Er’s cheeks, toying it with his hand.
Actually, it wasn’t that long. He only felt the trip was lengthy because he had a huge change in mentality.
Not everyone could have the luck of letting the past go or meet a person who was able to renew their feeling of trust, when they were in absolute despair.
Nan Ge Er knew he had tried his best, and lived a difficult life.
Good and bad, joy and anguish, poverty and glory; I’ve tried them all.
That is also precisely why I can let my past go.
In a human’s lifetime, de-si-re, loneliness, and grief are all a misery; even bliss will turn into misery in the end.
So much hardships.
But now, I only wish I can live my life peacefully; that is enough.
“When we get back, let’s buy a few more plum trees to grow.” Nan Ge Er spoke suddenly.
Mo Shu, who was smelling the fragrance of Nan Ge Er’s hair with his head lowered, lifted his head and answered inattentively, “Hm? Alright.”
“I wonder if the preserved food we stored at home have began turning moldy.”
“Someone will help dry them in the sun.” Mo Shu gave an absent-minded reply, his fingers gently touching Nan Ge Er’s delicate nape.
“Will the animals at home get hungry?”
“Someone will take care of them.”
“There must be a pile of work waiting in the government office.”
“Zhu Xi is destined to be a worrywart.” Mo Shu stated irresponsibly
See? Everything really is taken care of and arranged well.
“What exactly is Guang Tian?”
Mo Shu only curbed his nonchalant attitude when Nan Ge Er spout out those words. He moved his face towards Nan Ge Er’s cheeks and rubbed them a little, “Xiao Nan, you want to know about it?”
Nan Ge Er shot a side glance at Mo Shu, “If you aren’t willing to talk, or feel inconvenienced about it, I can refuse to know about it.”
“That isn’t the case at all.” Mo Shu whispered, “I feel that you really want to know it.”
He didn’t notice he was revealing a rare infatuated look. He just kept winding around Nan Ge Er naturally.
“Alright,” Mo Shu’s ignorance didn’t mean that Nan Ge Er was dense about it as well, hence Nan Ge Er smiled, “I want to know, so please tell me.”
Actually, he didn’t really find it all that important, which was why he asked it together with those insignificant questions.
Since, in any case, no matter what kind of place Guang Tian was, he still had nowhere else to go after all. Or should he say, there would never be a place that could give him a sense of belonging like Guang Tian.
“Do you know of the ‘Tapir’?” Mo Shu smiled.
Tapir?
Nan Ge Er had a shock initially.
/> In this world, tapir obviously wasn’t a gentle creature that ate nightmares in the legends or the endangered animal that existed in real life.
Instead, it was a type of frightening man-eating beast, similar to a calamity-like curse.
For example, if someone did a heinous act, when others cursed about the person, they would say that the person would be eaten by a tapir sooner or later, and would die a graveless death— such and such.
In other words, it was akin to a heavenly punishment.
Nan Ge Er was a little bewildered by Mo Shu’s sudden question.
“Once a person becomes Guang Tian’s leader, no matter the reason behind the surname the person had previously, it must be changed to ‘Mo’1” Mo Shu continued as such.
“Oh…” Nan Ge Er blinked his eyes blankly.
Don’t tell me it meant what I thought it meant?!
“Actually, the real truth isn’t that.” When Mo Shu noticed Nan Ge Er’s blank expression, he started chuckling, before stroking his head, “Actually, those with the surname ‘Mo’ are the masters of every country in the world.”
Huh?!
This time, Nan Ge Er really was in shock. His butt sprang up from Mo Shu’s embrace at once. He looked at Mo Shu with bright shining eyes, waiting for the next part.
Glancing at Nan Ge Er’s expression, Mo Shu couldn’t control himself from laughing all of a sudden, his laughter gradually getting louder. In the end, he hugged Nan Ge Er tight, guffawing carefreely.
Nan Ge Er was pressed onto Mo Shu’s chest, his head filled with black lines—Why do you look at me and laugh?
And, where’s the next part?
Do you think you can drop the matter by laughing?
“Xiao Nan looks…so gossipy.” Mo Shu commented discontinuously while chortling.
Is this even gossip?!
This is a downright colossal secret, ok?!
You treat gossipy matters so seriously while, instead, make such a major matter out to be a gossip!
Is your brain completely fried?!
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1 Adopting the surname ‘Mo’: Since tapir is spelled 貘(Mo) in Chinese, Nan Ge Er immediately understood the importance of adopting the name of a fearsome creature as a surname.
Chapter 49
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“Actually, this is how the story goes.” When Mo Shu finally stopped guffawing and started explaining, quite a long time had already passed.
He hugged Nan Ge Er, twirling Nan Ge Er’s lock of untied hair around his fingertips while explaining, “In the beginning, this entire continent was actually founded by various tribes. Then, the stronger tribes gradually annexed the smaller ones, forming into a situation where a few divisions of major powers warred against one another ceaselessly. On a certain day, the chief of a vassal tribe made a decision. He started to expand his influence secretly while fostering loyal subjects. Under three generations of effort, the chief of this tribe succeeded in seizing power. He undertook an expedition throughout the continent, completely subduing every single tribe and had them submit themselves under his iron fist.” Mo Shu’s explanation was collected, as though he was reciting a history book from memory.
In truth, this piece of history was obviously something Nan Ge Er, the former Prince Li, knew of.
Everyone in the continent deferentially addressed the ruler who unified the entire continent as ‘the founding emperor’.
From a certain angle, this really was a universally appreciated title. However, the original surname of the founding emperor was never indicated in any historical records.
“So, the surname of the ruler was ‘Mo’?” Nan Ge Er lifted his head up, looking at Mo Shu. He wasn’t all that dense; after hearing Mo Shu’s explanation, how could he possibly not surmise the next part of the story.
Mo Shu nodded his head, “Correct.”
Nan Ge Er knitted his brows, pondering, “What does this have to do with Guang Tian?” Both the founding emperor and Guang Tian’s leader had the surname ‘Mo’; it could only show a sort of connection between both of them at most, but it couldn’t explain Guang Tian’s origin.
The dynasty of the founding emperor lasted around five hundred years before being washed away by the subsequent history. Ever since the fall of the founding emperor’s dynasty, never was there any king who could piece back every nation in the continent again.
“The man addressed as ‘the founding emperor’ by the outsiders only had one true descendant.” Mo Shu chuckled.
“Huh?!” Nan Ge Er widened his eyes.
The history clearly recorded that the founding emperor had thirteen princes and seven princesses.
“His sole bloodline, bringing along the finest wares, the most advanced technology and precious bamboo slips, chose a place in the continent. He spent the majority of his time and energy to conceal this place.” Mo Shu laughed lightly, before reaching out to caress Nan Ge Er’s cheek, “It is Guang Tian.”
Nan Ge Er still maintained his foolishly blank look as he stared at Mo Shu—He was already so shocked that he forgot how silly his posture was.
“Before he passed away, he entrusted Guang Tian to a general under him. Then, before the general departed, he picked a suitable leader from candidates that had gone through a range of trials. Just like that, years and years later, slowly…” Mo Shu smiled, “Guang Tian turned into its current state.”
After yet another brief musing, Mo Shu continued, “The rumors about tapir are also started by the founding emperor.” He appeared to have thought of something all of a sudden as he began chuckling, “And the things about sacred beasts, and so on…”
Alright, I get it. All of that is arranged by the founding emperor, right?
Hearing such a huge jolting secret, Nan Ge Er’s jaw fell. He didn’t even know what he should say.
“Regarding those princes and princesses in the history of the outside world, they are all just orphans who are unaware of the truth.” Mo Shu added, “The real treasure and his only bloodline had already been hidden away long ago. The power struggles from those royal descendants and the wars they incited are all futile.”
So, this is the true reason why Guang Tian is much more superior than the outside world?
Generations upon generations of hard work, along with years and years of construction, gradually perfected the governmental system and built this utopia up.
“Then, why did the founding emperor do that?” After opening his jaw wide for a long while, Nan Ge Er asked such a foolish question.
“Because he wants to gift the entire world to his descendants, loyal subjects, and skillful craftsmen he’s most proud of.” Mo Shu let out a little chuckle, “People of Guang Tian can easily get fame and riches in the outside world if they want to.”
They didn’t need to fight, nor need to long for power, as they already had the best. Those glorious identities were merely things abandoned by the older generations, readily available and easily obtained.
No, rather than calling Guang Tian a utopia, it was better to call it the finest core of the world.
Noticing Nan Ge Er staring straight at him blankly, Mo Shu smiled while rubbing his neck, “Don’t you find it uncomfortable?”
Nan Ge Er blinked before sitting down in a daze, “So that’s how it goes.”
“It is indeed.” Mo Shu smiled, “But, we don’t feel like snatching anything from the outsiders.” After thinking for a bit, he added, “Since I have honey beans in my hands, why would I snatch others’ stir-fried corn?”
How idiotic can you be to place this matter on a par with these two common snacks?!
A few black lines fall on Nan Ge Er’s face before he even came back to his senses from the shock.
“Anyway, Guang Tian is just like that.” Mo Shu hugged Nan Ge Er as he smiled, “Unless the wars of the outside world spread across the whole continent and cause too many casualties and death, Guang Tian won’t bother getting involved.”
“Why?” Nan Ge Er’s question was complet
ely instinctive. He already had no idea how he should react.
“If too many outsiders died, a lot of items in Guang Tian won’t be able to keep up with it, and will be difficult to gather.” Mo Shu answered, “The base of Guang Tian is the outside world.”
Why do you kill others willy-nilly then?
Nan Ge Er really wished to ask this.
However, once it got near his lips, it was immediately swallowed down.
As Mo Shu said that it was a ‘base’, but it was only a base, nothing more.
The large numbers were exactly why it was called a base. The worth it had individually was minuscule; it only had value when all were grouped together.
This is probably what Mo Shu means.
So cruel, yet natural.
Just like the grains and livestock humans consume, it is a heartless value.
I eat rice and meat because I need to. However, if I’m not hungry, I might feed the leftovers to my livestock, or perhaps just throw them away. Nonetheless, if there is a large-scale pest infestation or plague, it is a must to eliminate those away.
This is probably the mentality Guang Tian had towards the outside world.
After a long silence, Nan Ge Er asked again, “Then, why choose me?” I don’t actually have any outstanding abilities, right? Why am I chosen? Why did you let me stay?
Mo Shu raised his brows as he held Nan Ge Er in his arms. With his head stooped down, he whispered to his ear, “Why?” A trace of amusement could be detected from his tone.
“Oi!” Black lines fall on Nan Ge Er’s head. Why do you throw the question back at me?
“That’s because I don’t know either.” Mo Shu laughed, his warm breath touching Nan Ge Er’s ear, “This… there’s probably no reason to it.” After a light chuckle, he sucked onto Nan Ge Er’s earlobe, continuing a little unclearly, “Maybe, it was done unconsciously, or perhaps, naturally.”