Chapter 207, Heart Trial

Translator: Tamon

 

On Earth, natural sciences had long since split from philosophy.

 

The essence of philosophy lay with the entire world. As for how much a person could see of the world, it hinged on their grasp of science and theory. Russell once said ‘…as soon as definite knowledge concerning any subject becomes possible, this subject ceases to be called philosophy and becomes a separate science.’

 

Thus the philosophers worked hard in forming a philosophical system that included everything of the known world, destined to be crushed every time there was any breakthrough in science. No philosopher was ever exempt from this, no matter how great.

 

Math, of course, was. It wasn’t called the queen of science for nothing.

 

Math and philosophy walked close together. Sure, philosophers never used it to analyze the world, and mathematicians never entrusted what they knew to philosophy, but math and philosophy operated alone, within the ‘other world’ of wisdom. Math and philosophy were identical in this aspect.

 

Gauss might look down on Hegel, of firm belief that Leibniz’s divergence from math was a waste of good talent, but the latter loved math.

 

When he came up with the barber paradox, the mathematician Russell that triggered the third math crisis was still just a philosopher.

 

One of the greatest mathematicians that had ever lived in all of history, Godel, loved to go on philosophical tangents in his mathematical papers.

 

In short…

 

Never think of a philosophical mathematician as someone who couldn’t play both roles.

 

And sure enough, had the past Wang Qi been any different in regard to this pretentious field?

 

“When the vast wings stir and shapes emerge, how can one recognize them?”

 

[This ‘state your understanding through the context of language’ question is something I nailed in my teenage years. If the heart trial is only after such topics, then there’s nothing to be afraid of.]

 

“Through math alone.”

 

Chen Jingyun said, “Please clarify.”

 

“The way I see it, Dao is outside the heart, needing one to venture beyond one’s isolation and esoteric thinking to find. Because Dao is outside of one’s heart, I can see it like I were to gaze upon a flower or the morning fog through the concealed layer ‘mystery within mysteries’ surrounding them. Using math means breaking this layer of mystery, bridging I and Dao. Math is no Dao in any way, shape, or form, but a mere tool to unravel the illusions on the path of seeking Dao.”

 

Deng Jiaxuan clapped. “Well put.”

 

Wang Qi’s words, especially the breaking of mystery part, had him touched.

 

Wang Qi gave a smug grin—[Dao bro’s corresponding areas stopped at the natural sciences field. He never heard anything about Heidegger and a few others’ philosophy.]

 

The crux was, Wang Qi was certain of it. He formed his own view of math in his past life, and there was no way he was bluffing as he used it now.

 

Wang Qi eyed Cajal, the Radiant Divinity Pavilion Eminence, who said, “Don’t look at me. I’m only pulling on your heartstrings to say nothing but the truth, from the very core. Everyone here knows this.”

 

“In the primeval dawn, whence came mathematics? Across the vast millennia, how did it flourish?”

 

Or… In the distant ancient times, when humanity still dwelled in ignorance, who was it that first laid the foundation of mathematics? And over the eighty thousand years since, through what course did this art rise to such prominence?

 

“Born of mortal need, mathematics rose with the fortunes of humanity, and with their ascent, it too reached its height.”

 

“Please clarify.”

 

Wang Qi went on. “The start of math was mere counting. Humans needed to count their catch after a hunt or a fishing trip, followed by the four basic operations. Humans are born with ten fingers; thus, the count starts over after ten. Later on, in order to depict things, humans abstracted images from all of creation around them, leading to the formation of geometry. This was the birth of arithmetics.

 

“To reiterate, math is a tool to break all illusions, and the clearer the calculations are, the sharper the the tool to seek Dao, giving unrestricted to countless seniors. That is why math flourished with the rise of humanity.”

 

Cajal showed amazement. “Sect Leader Chen, inspecting this child’s Dao Heart is pointless. It’s perfect. We’ve instigated many of our disciples yet none came close to what he said.”

 

Wang Qi’s impression of the Radiant Divinity Pavilion Unfettered shot through the roof.

 

[Sect Leader, buddy, if only you’re like this guy here, that’ll be so nice.]

 

Chen Jingyun nodded. “I have my reasons,” and continued. “Final question, please pay attention.”

 

Wang Qi gulped from how serious he was.

 

“Is that which is called mathematics complete in its form, harmonious within, and knowable in all its truths?”

 

[Eh?] Wang Qi was taken aback.

 

This one was unlike anything like the previous two.

 

[Is math complete? Can any mathematical statement be proven or disproven?]

 

[Is math harmonious? Is it possible to use logical steps ans sequences to never refute any contradictory propositions?

 

[Is math knowledgeable in all truths? Is it possible to determine the truth of every proposition by math?]

 

The three questions struck the heart of mathematics. Each was the pinnacle of the field of logic.

 

[And you’re using it at a college admission-like heart trial? It’s like asking a high schooler about gauge theory.]

 

[Hold up, since the two worlds’ history diverged, Godel’s completeness didn’t pop on Divine Province. Which means the first two questions can’t be solved. As for the third, it was solved by Alan Turing on Earth. However, I haven’t reached that far in my studies, and I don’t if Divine Province’s Contraption Elder Turing solved the decision problem as well. Wait, inspiration for solving the decision problem came from Godel as well…]

 

[Does that mean is it a question based on pure belief?]

 

Wang Qi thought hard before coming up with an answer. “The third question I believe to be false. If a calculator can solve all arithmetic problems, what would be the point of us, arithmeticians?”

 

But what about the first two? [I have an answer to them already. ‘Harmony and completeness cannot coexist in a formal logic system,’ but that’s to frickin’ specific! If he’s throwing another ‘please clarify’ my way I got nothing!]

 

Chen Jingyun saw his conflicted expression. “These three questions are the sharpest. You don’t have to think too hard—then last question. Wang Qi, what’s your relationship with Daoist Proscribe? These three questions aren’t part of the Immortal Institute’s teaching materials. Did he tell you about them?”

 

[Eh?]

 

[EHHH!?]

 

Wang Qi was stumped even as his mouth moved. “A temporary neighbor…”

 

[Oh shit! Was this the climax?]

 

[They doubt my involvement with Daoist Proscribe!]

 

Lucky for him, Chen Jingyun used Daoist Proscribe and not Heisenberg, or the answer would’ve been entirely different. ‘Heisenberg is the one scientist I admire the most.’ [Shit, shit, shit! The minute I blurt that out no amount of explaining would convince anyone.]

 

“Anything else? What did he teach you? Being able to solve the problems in the back of the Arts Archive after just entering the Immortal Institute had anything to do with Daoist Proscribe?”

 

“He only taught me chess.” Wang Qi was deliberate. “It had nothing to do with Daoist Proscribe.”

 

[Thank Dao bro it wasn’t worded ‘why could you solve it.’ But damn, was I impulsive back then…]

 

[My only saving grace is that this guy has no clue about wording…]

 

Chen Jingyun turned to Cajal who nodded. Chen Jingyun continued, “Then we have now confirmed you have nothing to do with Daoist Proscribe.”

 

Wang Qi ease a breath. [Holy crap, Old Hai almost got me thrown under the buss…]

 

Zhen Chanzi didn’t let him rejoice, crying in his mind. “Look out!”