CHAPTER 1459: CHAPTER 1407: ALREADY DIFFERENT

Shortly after Chen Xi entered Yingchuan Yangzhai, Governor Chen Liang personally came out to welcome him. Compared to when they first met years ago, both Chen Liang and Chen Xi had undergone tremendous changes.

"Governor Chen, long time no see." Chen Xi greeted Chen Liang. Both the foundations of the Yingchuan Chen Family and the Yingchuan Xun Family were actually in Yingyin Xuu County, which later became Xuudu during Cao Cao’s time, one of the reasons Cao Cao established his capital in Xuu County.

Although the ancestral home was in Yingyin Xuu County, the main family was actually in Yangzhai, and the Xuu County was merely where the ancestral home was located. Truth be told, Chen Xi could count on one hand the times he had visited the ancestral home in Yingyin. Although he could go anytime now, he had lost interest.

"Welcome, Marquis Chen." Chen Liang said politely, recognizing that the young man in front of him now held half of the world’s vitality number, and was no longer the boy who was underestimated when he passed through Yangzhai in the past. Since Liu Xuande rose to power and subdued the Central Plains, Chen Xi became foremost among them.

"I haven’t been back for a long time." Chen Xi looked at the city gates of Yangzhai, which were no different from when he left, yet inexplicably seemed somewhat smaller.

"So this is Zichuan’s old home." Zhen Mi said, peeking out from the carriage window. Chen Yun and Chen Ying were also full of curiosity, while Chen Lan displayed a rare touch of pride, recalling Chen Xi’s promise when he was expelled from the Chen family.

"Yes, this is where my husband lived for more than ten years." Chen Lan said nostalgically, gently rocking the Chen Qian in her arms as she spoke.

Soon, the carriage reached the city gates, where members of the Fan Family, Chen Family, and Xun Family were waiting. It was then that Fan Jian, Chen Lan, and Zhen Mi alighted from the carriage.

"It’s been many years." Chen Xi looked at the blurry figures in front of him, slightly bowed, and paid his respects first. In front of him were the clan elders of the Chen family, leftovers from the generation of Chen Shi. "I’m troubled by the clan elder coming to meet me; Xi feels uneasy."

"Good, good, good!" Leaning on a cane, the slightly trembling elderly spoke few words, but the expression of delight made Chen Xi’s heart tremble slightly. For these elders nearing the grave, their greatest desire remained their descendants.

Naturally, Chen Xi reached out, silently supporting the elder, as his originally blurred memories gradually became clear.

"This is good enough. Having someone like you come out of the Chen family is sufficient. Originally, we all thought Changwen would bring glory to the world, but..." The clan elder of the Chen family casually set the cane against the wall and sat himself at the stone carving corner of the gate.

"He was not lacking, just that this era differs from the previous one." Chen Xi said with a smile.

"Yes, the era is different, but in any era, the most important thing is still here." The clan elder of the Chen family pointed slightly breathlessly to his own head, "You surpass us all, see further than anyone, so the Chen family is yours."

"Actually, I don’t need this. Everything I need, I will acquire myself. The world will move with my wisdom, for nothing but the direction I pursue." A hint of pride appeared on Chen Xi’s face.

"Yes, for you, the world is moved by you, just as in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States era, a nation’s strength was sometimes determined by one or two individuals." The cloudy eyes of the clan elder of the Chen family reflected a hint of understanding.

"You are more frightening than the heroes recorded in the Chen Family Records; you truly have the qualifications to make the universe revolve around you." The clan elder had a nostalgically respectful expression, "But if you are the center of the universe, what about him?"

"I differ from them, and he is different from the predecessors. I am merely a guide of this era, walking a path never tread before, where at the front only lies the radiance of the end and no path beneath, just like stepping into unknown plains as we once did." Chen Xi gazed at the sky dome, his serene smile exuding a confidence that looked down upon the world.

"It was you who taught us back then." Chen Xi casually brushed off his silk robe and then sat cross-legged, "When the aristocratic families looked back at the past paths, those were the moments you even imagined with a sense of awe. How could we, still young, not revere?"

"Yes, the ancestors’ paths, defeating the Barbarians, stabilizing the people’s hearts, establishing the nation, as a shield for Huaxia." The clan elder spoke tremblingly of the past, his clouded eyes even reflecting a shining light of reverence.

"I will go further than them; I am younger than them; I stand upon their foundations, and I will surpass them." Chen Xi softly breathed out, narrating all of this slowly, yet it thundered into the elder’s ears like an explosion.

"I hope you can achieve this. Unfortunately, I will not see it happen. The Chen family has once risen and fallen many times; I hope you can accomplish what you aim for." Slowly closing his eyes, the clan elder said, "It’s a pity that I won’t see our millennia-old family retrace the paths of our ancestors."

Chen Xi stayed silent. This clan elder, brother to Chen Shi, was ninety-seven years old. Although he had led the Chen and Xun families onto the path of their ancestors, it was already determined that this elder would not be able to witness it. He had come personally just to see Chen Xi.

For an elder who has seen through multiple generations, few can hide their intentions from his eyes. He came to see if Chen Xi was truly capable of being entrusted with the family.

It’s not merely about having enough talent or capability. At Chen Xi’s level, any turmoil can indeed bring the threat of destroying the family. Millennia-old families have a clear view of survival.

Therefore, if Chen Xi cannot be entrusted, the Chen family would rather have a branch flow elsewhere than entrust everything to him. This is the path of survival.

"If you succeed in taking that step one day, remember to visit the ancestral hall and burn incense to notify me. I believe our ancestors would feel honored." A smile appeared on the wrinkled face of Chen Jian, "For the Chen family to have a descendant like you is not easy."

"Mm, I will." Chen Xi nodded, understanding that whether the Chen family had one branch less or more had little effect on him, but essentially it was the responsibility an aristocratic family member must bear, a testament to the ancestors’ earnest expectations for their descendants.

"I’ve taken up so much of your time talking with this old fellow; so many people are still waiting for you. You may go, don’t mind me any longer." Chen Jian smiled, waving at Chen Xi calmly. His words alone were already sufficient.

[Family Head, what I’ve entrusted to you is not just a trivial power of the Chen family; I’m representing those millennia-old aristocratic families of uninterrupted succession to pose this inquiry to you. This power may not be enough to oppose you, but at least as of now, the Han Dynasty is still in the hands of the aristocratic families.] Chen Jian closed his eyes and looked towards the sun in the sky dome, that tremendous Great Sun that truly makes the myriad stars and lone moon retreat in its radiance.