Applied Immortality

“Have you read Celestial Chess Computation?”

Geng Peng was taken aback by Su Junyu’s question.

You had to be a certain kind of intellectual to become a Myriad Arts Sect disciple. Geng Peng picked up on Su Junyu’s reminder, alas…

“No, I only heard Senior Brother Li’s brief mention of it,” Geng Peng said. ” Senior Brother Su, if you’re using it to preach something, you’d better stop.”

Many, many Myriad Arts Sect disciples had experienced ‘geniuses and averages don’t mix’ quite well.

Su Junyu shook his head. “That’s not my intention. You’ve heard of zero-sum chess, I presume?”

“On a chessboard, one’s losses are the other’s gains. Adding the results from both players results in zero, making cooperation impossible.”

Su Junyu praised, “You got the basics. Then you should also know of nonzero-sum chess.”

“A little…”

“That makes explaining easier.” Su Junyu measured his thoughts as he began. “In regard to Myriad Arts Sect disciples, zero-sum chess is the simplest, but also the most boring. Do you know why?”

Geng Peng gave it some thought. “With predefined rules, limited circumstances, as well as one’s loss translated into the other’s gain, it makes the numbers almost the same. It’s nothing but a game based solely on the parties’ computational ability.”

“Which is why zero-sum chess is mostly a game. Most of the games in Divine Province’s history had been either positive-sum or negative-sum. Then do you know what path Senior Brother Li comprehended? Where does his path lay? How was it reflected?”

“How could I?”

“Think about Senior Brother Li’s attitude towards people, his ambition.”

Geng Peng paused in thought. “In terms of math…”

Senior Brother held his head, the hopeless kind. “Never mind, I’ll just spell it out for you. Senior Brother Li’s path is to direct all the world’s games to reach balance and harmony, a positive result.”

Geng Peng was confused. “Which means?”

“Balance, mutual benefit, win-win, or taking a minor loss to deal a decisive blow to the enemy. It also includes a higher ideal—may I suffer a bit so others prosper.” Su Junyu gave him an earnest look. “Had he not weighed his life when Wang Qi’s was threatened, then he wouldn’t have been Myriad Arts Sect’s Li Ziye.”

Geng Peng was horrified. “H-he gave his life just for that?”

Su Junyu spoke certainties. “Did you not mention our Seniors just now? Die while seeking Dao. Furthermore, Senior Li did all that not with the intent of dying in mind.”

“That’s…”

Senior Brother was stern. “Still clueless? Senior Brother Li died for his cause! How is that not a worthy end?”

Geng Peng was conflicted. “I-I…”

Su Junyu touched his shoulder. “So here’s my question. Please look at it from a math perspective and calculate whether your actions against Wang Qi were positive-sum or negative-sum.”

Su Junyu did the math for him. “It doesn’t look good. What did you have to gain for Wang Qi’s misfortune? A clear mind? Sure. But if you’re to have the same game on the Immortal Alliance-scale chessboard, Wang Qi is seen as an unworldly talent. His misfortune affects the Immortal Alliance…”

Geng Peng was sweating buckets, shouting. “Stop, stop!”

Su Junyu gave him a fake smile.

Geng Peng forced one back. “Senior Brother Su, I didn’t read enough books to fall for it. You just don’t want me to fail Wang Qi and dampen his spirits.”

Senior Brother retorted with a question.  “So why so unsteady? Have you realized the contradiction between your assumption and Senior Brother Li’s intentions?”

Geng Peng hung his head. “Yeah.”

Su Junyu regained his high ground. “You, my friend, can’t still your mind, a grave mistake when practicing Myriad Arts Sect’s methods and pursuing the path of math. You’re better off handling things as they come, not overcomplicating them.”

Geng Peng slumped his shoulders. “I know. I’ll use the standard level if he challenges me again.”

“No, no, no.” Su Junyu waved a finger. “This is just one of those treat-it-as-it-comes things.”

“Eh?” Geng Peng was stumped.

Su Junyu smiled. “Use the strongest skill at the early Qi Refining Stage. Everything that has a beginning must be seen through to the end. Just let things run their course. You might hope for his quick demise behind his back, but don’t go making it a reality. Rules are there to steady your Dao Heart and guide you towards Dao. Such transgressions do not benefit resolve.”

Geng Peng argued, “I’ve never gone against Immortal Alliance’s laws.”

“The Immortal Alliance’s laws are the bottom line, while principles stand above,” Su Junyu said. “Resolve is the cultivation of the mind, fully committed. Search it by yourself.”

Geng Peng winced, bowing. “Thank you, Senior Brother Su.”

Su Junyu continued reading his book, chuckling. “I’ve spoken about Senior Brother Li’s path. Would you care to hear about mine?”

“I’m all ears.”

“I train in White Marsh Algorithm and I believe that every element in the world is a math problem. I wish to grasp the answer to Dao.”

Su Junyu raised his head. “We’re not close, but we are of the same sect, so I’ll give you some advice. Everyone’s good.”

Geng Peng sighed and clenched a fist. “It seems today will be the last chance to deal with that kid. I hope he comes…”

“We’ll see who’s dealing with who.”

Geng Peng smiled. “No way. Just two days ago he stopped training with you since he couldn’t beat you. I might not be able to beat you, but not in the Qi Refining Stage.”

Su Junyu eyed him. “Care for a spar?”

Geng Peng shook his head. “No, no, no.”

“You understand our differences despite being in the Foundation Establishment Realm,” Su Junyu said. “His math is beyond his martial skills and it’ll take time to connect them. Seeking high sword art in his state is pointless since he can’t use it. He accepted this fact, so he started with the crude sword arts to build experience. You’ve gone through this process, and so have I, as did all Myriad Arts Sect disciples. The difference is that by taking this step, his next step will be faster. You should understand Wang Qi’s talent.”