Eternal Saber

Chapter 590 - 11: Human Nature Is Hungry

Demon Venerable looked at Chen Tang, who was full of sincerity but spouting nonsense, and didn’t expose him.

"Do you think human nature is inherently evil or inherently good?"

Demon Venerable suddenly threw out a perplexing question, going off on a wild tangent.

If he were in a normal state, Chen Tang could converse with him a bit on the topic.

After all, in his past life, this was considered a classic topic, with greats like Mencius and Xunzi having discussed it in the schools of pre-Qin thought.

But now, Chen Tang hadn’t had a drop of water for half a month; he was so hungry his vision was blurry, his chest was stuck to his back, and he was disoriented. Upon hearing something like ’evil,’ he instinctively said, "Inherently hungry, definitely inherently hungry, I’m really too hungry..."

Demon Venerable was somewhat surprised and nodded discreetly.

This young lad, despite his age, seemed to recognize this aspect.

Before the thought could settle, Chen Tang was heard muttering again, "I’m so hungry I could eat a whole cow. Senior, are you going to take me to eat?"

Demon Venerable’s face sank, and he snorted coldly.

Chen Tang shivered, becoming a bit more clear-headed, and involuntarily swallowed.

He suddenly had auditory hallucinations, as if Demon Venerable was concerned about him and asking if he was hungry.

Demon Venerable spoke slowly, "I’ve heard a bit about your situation; Beiqian couldn’t accommodate you, and after arriving in Nanxia, you killed quite a few from the Profound Celestial Sect and Dongyi Race, yet many people from Jianghu in Nanxia misunderstood you and the Court didn’t accept you."

"Just because you’re from Beiqian, they bear animosity against you. Some of these people are ignorant, some are very clearheaded, yet they deliberately twist the truth, eager to kill you."

"I see you’re quite talented. Why not join my Demon Sect? In the future, whether you return to Beiqian or go to Nanxia, you can act freely and kill to your heart’s content!"

Chen Tang was dazed; he didn’t pay much attention to the front, but the latter part suddenly lit up his eyes, and he asked, "Heart’s content? Going where to eat my fill?"

This hunger was driving him crazy.

Moreover, if it dragged on further, his body couldn’t stand it; he feared he would be completely ruined.

Demon Venerable’s mouth twitched slightly, took a deep breath, controlled his temper, and said in a deep voice, "Someone, bring some food in."

"Eat shit?"

Chen Tang’s expression changed, showing difficulty.

He was indeed starving, his mind was sluggish, even prone to auditory hallucinations, but eating shit was too disrespectful.

This bottom line must still be maintained!

While Chen Tang was in a battle with himself, the secret room door opened, emitting waves of aroma.

It was the scent of food.

Several graceful maids carried exquisite trays, with various foods placed on them, large slices of beef, steaming hand-grabbed mutton, mountain-shaped stacks of snacks, fresh and neat fruits and vegetables...

The maids came one after another to the stone table in the secret room, placing the trays one by one.

No one was at the stone table earlier, but in the blink of an eye, a young man covered in filth and blood, with a rotten chest emitting a foul stench, was sitting there.

This man was pale and weak-looking, but his eyes glowed green, making him slightly intimidating.

The maid leader stood at the stone table, taking the tray from the maid behind and cautiously placing it on the stone table.

As she turned to take the second tray, she saw the tray she just placed already empty.

The maid leader paused, still uncomprehending.

The platter of hand-grabbed mutton disappeared in the blink of an eye?

But the Demon Venerable hadn’t eaten yet.

Chen Tang’s mouth was stuffed full; even though she wanted to reprimand him, upon seeing his shocking chest wound, her heart softened.

She glanced tentatively at Demon Venerable, and seeing no anger from him, pretended not to notice, placing the tray on the stone table before turning to fetch the third tray.

When she returned, the second tray on the table was also empty.

The maid leader stared at Chen Tang.

If not for seeing Chen Tang’s mouth stuffed to the brim, almost puffed up like a hamster, she might suspect that this young man had hidden the beef somewhere.

The maid leader was somewhat helpless but still placed the tray in her hand down.

Later, Chen Tang did eat somewhat slower.

The feeling of a full stomach was incredibly soothing.

After eating and drinking to his fill, Chen Tang gradually recovered some of his senses, his mind becoming more agile.

He vaguely realized Demon Venerable might not want to kill him after all.

Though unsure of the precise reason.

After the maids finished arranging the food and wine, they removed most of the empty trays before leaving, closing the secret room door again.

Chen Tang checked his physical condition.

Uncle Wang’s palm strike was really harsh.

The Flood Dragon Armor was smashed, his chest had large sections of broken bones, and all his meridians were severed; even with the Vajra Relic’s assistance, he may not be able to fully recover.

Moreover, for some reason, the Vajra Relic had become incredibly quiet, showing no signs of awakening.

As Chen Tang ate, he lost the initial excitement and was dazed.

"What are you thinking?"

Demon Venerable noticed Chen Tang’s emotional change and proactively asked.

"Nothing much."

Chen Tang said, "Just worried about Ah Li, oh, the girl by my side."

He paused, faintly smiled, and said, "The last meal was at that inn, listening to the innkeeper and those customers chat. The innkeeper was nice, but unfortunately..."

Demon Venerable’s tone was icy as he asked, "Are you blaming me for not intervening to save people?"

"I wouldn’t dare."

Chen Tang shook his head slightly.

"You’re injured to such a degree, nearly a cripple, and still have the mind to worry about others?"

Demon Venerable said, "I’ll give you a piece of advice, there are many evil people in the world, not worth saving. Saving people involves cause and effect and easily entangles you in trouble."

"The more people you save, the greater the cause and effect, the harsher the backlash!"

"Though Emperor Wu was undefeated in the realm, his ideas were naïve, dreaming of unifying the Divine Land for universal harmony, saving all. But how is that possible? His downfall was doomed!"

Upon hearing Demon Venerable mention Emperor Wu with a mocking tone, Chen Tang became cautious again, fearing revealing clues.

Chen Tang said, "Not necessarily; if not for the Dao Sect’s interference and their tricks, Emperor Wu might not have lost."

"Hmph!"

Demon Venerable sneered coldly, "Even if one day the Divine Land is united, what can Emperor Wu change? Who can he save? Universal harmony is nothing but an illusion. Regardless of rise or fall, people will never escape the fate of being enslaved, enduring all kinds of hardships."

Chen Tang said, "If you encounter a wise ruler..."

"Haha!"

Demon Venerable laughed loudly, saying, "Expecting a wise ruler or honest official is even more naïve! Human nature is inherently evil; people will change with different environments and status, without rules and limits of power, various dark thoughts and evil intentions will arise."

Chen Tang frowned and said, "No proper conduct and disorder lead to the degradation of human nature and the race for wrongdoing."

Even if Emperor Wu strives diligently, with peace across the seas, can he guarantee his successors will be the same?"

Demon Venerable said, "Your senior brother just ascended the throne and implemented benevolent governance; what about his son? Even if he doesn’t die, can you guarantee that in twenty or thirty years, in his old age, he’ll remain this way?"

Chen Tang couldn’t guarantee.

Forget about others; he couldn’t even guarantee not staying up late in his past life.