Chapter 722: Medicine and Literature

Even Chen Changsheng occasionally had moments when he wasn't busy.

There were only so many profound truths in the world; writing them down, he naturally hit a wall eventually.

He had been full of enthusiasm at first, but the further he wrote, the more he realized there was a fundamental flaw.

No matter how many great truths he wrote down, he couldn't escape a single underlying problem: there was no guarantee anyone would actually recognize them as correct.

Truths were still written by people, and everyone understood them differently. In an era where books were scarce, only a scant few would ever lay eyes on these writings—and by then, their minds might have long been altered.

Amidst this chaotic world and the filth of human nature, words on a page were just that—words.

He had worked diligently for three or four days, but in the end, external realities compelled him to scrap it all and start over.

Mister Zhou had abandoned medicine for literature to change how people thought, but that path was incredibly fraught. Even with the experiences of predecessors to guide him, walking that same road remained an arduous task.

"What are you thinking about?"

Chen Changsheng snapped back to reality. He looked at Du Aniang and replied, "I'm just trying to figure a few things out."

Du Aniang glanced down at his work. "Like what?"

"Actually, it's about what I'm writing," Chen Changsheng said.

"Oh..."

Du Aniang crossed her arms. "To be brutally honest, this book of yours probably won't be of much use."

Chen Changsheng nodded. "I know. I was just thinking the same thing."

"You could always change your approach."

"Oh?"

"Why not try something a bit more pragmatic?"

"Like what?" Chen Changsheng asked.

"Put together a Medical Treatise or something," Du Aniang suggested. "Wouldn't that be a lot more useful than this?"

Chen Changsheng froze at those words.

He had indeed completely overlooked the issue. Changing how people thought was important, yes, but what the Mortal World currently lacked most... was the hope of just staying alive.

If people couldn't even survive, how could they possibly embrace these ideals?

Chen Changsheng felt like a complete fool. He had been trying to understand the Mortal World from a lofty, detached perspective, completely forgetting the filth hidden in the shadows.

Mister Zhou had abandoned medicine for literature because medicine indeed couldn't save the world. Yet, without medicine to keep people alive, who would care about those writings?

"This Chen understands."

Chen Changsheng let out a long sigh and thanked her.

Du Aniang hesitated. "You aren't actually going to start studying medical books, are you? I was just saying that off the top of my head."

Chen Changsheng chuckled. "I won't be writing medical books. But your words helped me realize exactly what the problem is."

Du Aniang breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good."

She looked at him, pausing for a moment before adding, "But speaking of which, I still don't really get it. What's the point of you doing all this?"

"I always figured the world was just like this."

Chen Changsheng explained, "Only those who have witnessed a peaceful era can truly understand how terribly sick the Mortal World has become. When someone is sick, they need medicine. The cure for this world must come from its people, because only people can ultimately change things. A single person's strength is undeniably frail, but humanity's greatest trait is their ability to stand together. When a group of such people gathers, it's like blending various herbs to form a Medicinal Prescription capable of curing the disease."

Du Aniang listened to his speech in stunned silence. When she recovered, she murmured, "Senior, you sound like a great scholar."

Chen Changsheng laughed. "That's just called knowing how to boast."

"Boast?"

"Yeah. Talking big."

Du Aniang burst out laughing.

And here she had thought he meant something profound.

Seeing her slapping the table in amusement, Chen Changsheng added, "Whether it's true or not, if you don't know how to boast, no one will believe what you're saying anyway."

"Isn't that just lying?"

"It is lying," Chen Changsheng agreed. "Because there is no absolute truth or falsehood in this world, especially when it comes to people. Sometimes, it takes a mix of coaxing and deception to make someone believe in something."

Du Aniang's smile gradually faded.

It was strange.

She suddenly felt that the senior's words made a lot of sense.

It did seem to be the case. People in this world relied on their feelings to believe in things. If it felt true, then it was true.

Indeed, there was no absolute truth or falsehood.

Just like a moment ago—she had inexplicably felt that Chen Changsheng was a great scholar. Based purely on that feeling, she had already bought into his words. No matter how heretical or unconventional his ideas might be, her heart would still involuntarily sway toward believing him.

Chen Changsheng gathered his half-finished philosophical writings and tucked them back into his sleeve.

He probably wouldn't touch them again anytime soon.

He pulled out a fresh booklet and began writing something that seemed a bit less orthodox, yet exceedingly useful.

The contents of the book were very simple.

It was a guide to teach people how to survive in this chaotic world.

He kept writing until the Wine Tavern was preparing to close for the night.

Only then did Chen Changsheng pack up to leave.

He ordered one extra jug of wine before he went.

"This Chen will leave first thing tomorrow morning."

Du Aniang paused. "You're leaving already? What about your writing?"

"I'll only know how to write it after I've seen more," he replied.

Du Aniang nodded in understanding. "Which way are you heading?"

"I'll follow the Tongtian River down to Qingshan City for a look, then head south to visit a few familiar old places, and finally, I'll travel north to Shangjing."

"Aren't you just going in a massive circle?"

"Pretty much."

"Will your circle bring you back here?"

Du Aniang asked.

Chen Changsheng thought about it for a moment. "Maybe. Maybe not. I couldn't say for sure."

Du Aniang nodded. "If you ever pass through here again, remember to come by for a drink. I've got plenty of wine here—more than enough to go around."

"I will."

Chen Changsheng promised.

Though he had no idea when they would ever see each other again.

He returned to Long Zhongzheng's house.

Long Zhongzheng noticed that Chen Changsheng had brought back an extra jug of wine.

He casually asked about it.

"After we finish this wine, I'll be leaving," Chen Changsheng said. "Today is for saying goodbye. Thank you for taking me in these past few days."

A sour feeling welled up in Long Zhongzheng's heart at those words.

He couldn't bear to part with his new friend.

In this massive expanse of Ximing City, he was always alone. He rarely had anyone to talk to, and just when he had finally made a friend, the man was leaving in such a hurry.

"Go on, go on. You have business to attend to."

Long Zhongzheng said, "I can tell you have things you must do."

Men like him were always like that—even when they couldn't bear to see someone go, they would never admit it out loud.

Chen Changsheng smiled. "I will come back eventually."

Long Zhongzheng sighed heavily. "Who knows if my worthless life will last long enough to see you again. For all I know, I might get conscripted one day and die by a blade the next."

Chen Changsheng shook his head. "If you ever run into real trouble, go find Shopkeeper Du at the Wine Tavern. Tell her This Chen sent you."

Long Zhongzheng looked at him. "How could I impose on her like that? I already owe you so many favors as it is."

"What favors?"

"The wine!"

Chen Changsheng blinked in surprise before bursting into laughter.

Long Zhongzheng was the type of man who took everything far too seriously.

In that respect, he was a bit like Old Man Yan.