I See the Aura of the Great Emperor in All My Disciples

Chapter 1775: Chapter 1775 Ning Chenxin’s Test

Confucian Dao, among all paths of cultivation, is practiced by the fewest individuals in the entire cultivation world.

This faith-driven path of cultivation has always had a small number of adherents.

Although Ning Chenxin was also at Shanshui Hall, his trials differed greatly from those of others.

This is not a battlefield.

Yet, it is a small village impacted by continuous war.

The village boasts a beautiful view, nestled amidst a boundless, continuous grassland.

The village is enclosed by wooden fences, outside of which tall green grass sways like green waves in a jade sea under a gentle breeze.

Cattle and sheep graze amidst the lush greenery.

The village consists of merely fifty to sixty people, living by the cycle of sunrise and sunset. Each labors tirelessly to sustain themselves. Though their skin is tanned and their bodies slick with sweat under the blazing sun, their gaze is pure and occasionally a modest smile graces their lips as they admire the fruits of their labor.

Everything appears so idyllic.

However, this small village happens to be situated at a critical defensive line of the nation’s border.

If the enemy’s iron hoof seeks to break through the defense line, it must pass through here.

This was something Ning Chenxin only came to realize two days after arriving.

During those two days, Ning Chenxin had suddenly appeared in the village, yet was neither shunned nor suspected by the villagers, who instead welcomed him warmly.

In return, Ning Chenxin began teaching the villagers how to read the Holy Books.

While teaching, he also observed his surroundings.

This place... seemed vastly different from the scenes described by his fellow disciples.

More importantly, every sensation felt far too real—unlike the Seven Illusionary Array.

On the third day.

The clear and boundless skies became shrouded in dark clouds.

A fierce wind swept through, causing the green grass to thrash wildly.

The air pressure started to feel stifling and oppressive...

Ning Chenxin was in the mudbrick house, teaching the village children: "True nature is steadfast, one’s luck flows freely, empty of all desires..."

Before he could finish, Ning Chenxin lifted his head and gazed toward the wooden door of the house, his brow faintly furrowed.

The children’s minds were untainted and sensitive, their innocence keenly noticing his expression.

"Teacher, why do you look unhappy? Do you think we’re too foolish?" one child asked in a soft and tender voice.

Ning Chenxin snapped out of his thoughts and smiled gently at the children, shaking his head before saying, "I don’t think you’re foolish at all. However, your teacher may have something to tend to."

It seems the trial had finally arrived...

Just as Ning Chenxin had this thought.

The ill-fitting wooden door of the mudbrick house creaked open, revealing a middle-aged man who stepped inside.

The man’s face was drenched with sweat and his breathing was labored, his face unnaturally flushed.

"Si...Sir, I know you’re no ordinary man. Please, save our village!"

With that plea, he collapsed forcefully onto his knees and began kowtowing repeatedly to Ning Chenxin!

Ning Chenxin quickly approached and helped the simple and honest man, who spent his days herding cattle and chopping wood, to his feet, saying, "There’s no need for this. I’ll do everything I can to help."

The man’s tiger-like eyes brimmed with tears as he looked at Ning Chenxin, choking back his emotion. "Sir... this great kindness, I’ll never forget! In the future..."

"There’s no need," Ning Chenxin interrupted with a smile. "The warm hospitality you’ve shown me these past two days, along with your heartfelt sincerity—the Red City Heart you all possess—is a debt I owe. Rather than calling it kindness, it feels more like me repaying the favor."

The man, startled by Ning Chenxin’s reply, was about to speak again when Ning Chenxin patted his shoulder, saying, "Alright, there’s time to talk later. Lead the way for now."

The man bit his lip and nodded firmly before taking the lead. "Teacher, this way!"

Ning Chenxin cast a soft glance toward the children in the mudbrick house, who now seemed a little flustered and uneasy. He spoke in a gentle tone: "Don’t worry, your teacher will take care of this. When I return, try to tell me the meaning of what I taught you earlier, alright?"

Ning Chenxin’s voice was like a calming breeze, and the children’s panic instantly lessened. They all nodded silently, watching him leave.

...

At the village’s main entrance, the fences had been opened wide.

Outside the fences stood ten towering men, mounted on fierce warhorses clad in armor. The horses’ tails seemed to burn like flames.

The villagers trembled as they looked upon these ten soldiers.

At the forefront of the group stood the village elder, the oldest among them and also the village chief.

The village chief’s back was hunched, as though bearing the weight of a thousand pounds, his frail frame supported only by the cane in his hands.

"Sirs of the army... we are willing to serve the nation. But... could you allow the women and children of the village to enter the city with you for safety?"

His words carried an air of helplessness—a true reflection of how mortals confront the authority of cultivators.

The lead soldier barked coldly, "What’s with all the bargaining? You people have lived comfortably here for years, relying on the shelter of our nation, haven’t you? Now that it’s time to serve the nation, you dare to make demands?"

"Moreover, if this village lacks women and children, wouldn’t enemy scouts find it suspicious? What’s more, if some among you are spies from the enemy nation..."

"At a time like this, infiltrating our ranks could spell disaster for our country!"

Ning Chenxin had already arrived at the scene, and the man who led him there had explained the situation along the way.

In short.

Since this village is a crucial thoroughfare for the enemy nation.

The nation’s army wanted to implant a Self-Destruction Talisman inside every villager, a talisman capable of annihilating an entire army, rivaling the strength of a Monarch God Realm cultivator.

The enemy would pass through the village, unsuspecting of ordinary mortals. At that moment, they would send the villagers to sacrifice themselves, activating the talismans and causing a massive explosion to block the enemy’s advance.

As for why women and children weren’t allowed to leave...

It was likely a thinly veiled excuse, meant only to ensure the numbers of self-destructive bombs were maximized.

"But sir... there couldn’t possibly be any spies from the enemy nation in our village! Cough, cough!!" The village chief grew anxious, coughing up a mouthful of dark, red blood.

The lead soldier’s face showed impatience.

"It doesn’t matter. This is an order! Serving the nation is the honor of you common folk! It will be a glory that uplifts your family name!"

The middle-aged man who had led Ning Chenxin there could no longer hold back and shouted, "We’re not cowards! We’re willing to sacrifice for the nation—even if it means dying!

But the women and children—they’re innocent!"

Beside him, a teary-eyed woman grabbed the man’s hand tightly.

The soldier roared angrily, "Anyone who refuses orders or continues bargaining will be executed on the spot!"

With this declaration, the ten soldiers on horseback loudly unsheathed their long spears with a metallic clink!

The villagers lowered their heads in despair.

Some clenched their fists and gritted their teeth.

Others were overwhelmed with hopelessness.

Mere mortal villagers were utterly powerless in the cultivation world.

"There’s no need for further discussion. We won’t agree to this plan. None of us will walk into death willingly." Ning Chenxin stepped forward, his tone calm but his brow furrowed with restrained fury.

"If you wish to take action, then I shall be the one to face you."