Upon the hallowed ground of Mount Heng, in the northern reaches of Bao Ping Continent, a fleeting vision of night swallowed the day, only to be vanquished in an instant, returning the world to light.

Beside the placid waters of Old Oriole Lake, Emperor Yin Ji of the Grand Silk Dynasty, his neck clutched in a vise-like grip, flushed crimson, then darkened to a bruised purple. “National Preceptor Chen, this is all a misunderstanding!” he gasped.

Unlike his martial son, Prince Yin Miao, Emperor Yin Ji was a man of ordinary constitution. Each subtle movement of his Adam’s apple felt like a blade drawn across his throat, a torment he could scarcely endure, his humiliation beyond measure.

Chen Ping’an spoke, his voice devoid of warmth: “Yin Ji, I am asking your name. I will not repeat myself more than thrice. Tread carefully.”

Song Jixin, the Prince of Da Li’s fief, struggled to suppress a smile. An old wound within his heart, festering for years, was unexpectedly being cauterized by this surreal spectacle.

Yin Ji, the indignity of having one’s life choked away must surely sting. Yet, more painful still must be the utter disrespect of having your very name flung in your face as you are asked to identify yourself.

Gong Yan, her face a blooming flower, concealed half her countenance behind a painted fan. “Oh, my,” she murmured, “the young Hidden Official is quite dashing at this moment.”

Though Yin Ji’s current predicament was so dire that… one might deem death a welcome relief.

Yet, Li Ba held a surprisingly high opinion of the emperor, for the words he had spoken to Prince Song Mu were truly venomous.

Should Prince Song Mu now seek to ascend further? Should Emperor Song He entertain such thoughts? The most cunning aspect was this: even if Song Mu harbored no treacherous desires, Song He would still believe he should continue to cede power to the secondary capital, allowing Song Jixin to remain under the watchful eye of his uncle, Song Changjing, fostering their already amicable relationship. But at the very least, each would suspect the other, wondering, “Is he truly content, or does he harbor secret ambitions?”

For the relationship between Da Li’s capital and the secondary capital, Luo Jing, was fraught with subtle tension. The bond between the emperor “Song He” and the Prince “Song Mu,” brothers born of the same womb, was equally delicate.

No matter how great the Prince Song Mu’s power, how impeccable his reputation on Bao Ping Mountain, how vast his prestige among the people of Da Li, he remained but a prince, never an emperor.

Li Ba knew all too well that once Yin Ji returned to the Grand Silk Dynasty, a deep enmity would be forged between the Yin clan and the Da Li Dynasty. They had come seeking alliance, only to leave as enemies.

Shamed and humiliated time and again, Yin Ji struggled to introduce himself, his voice barely audible: “I am Yin Ji, the current Emperor of the Grand Silk Dynasty.”

The Emperor’s eyes were bloodshot, his face shifting from purple to black, each breath a desperate luxury.

Chen Ping’an feigned bewilderment. “A misunderstanding? A misunderstanding at the banquet, a misunderstanding by the lakeside, and now a misunderstanding as you dangle in my grasp? Yin Ji, does your Grand Silk Dynasty run a business of misunderstandings?”

Indeed, he was quite literally in his “grasp.”

Yin Ji could no longer speak, hovering on the brink of oblivion. He was not feigning, for unlike cultivators and martial artists who could recover from setbacks, Yin Ji was but mortal flesh and bone, incapable of deception.

Far away, in the Middle Earth Divine Continent, the mountain peak cultivators who supported the Yin clan felt their very souls tremble. A wave of fear washed over them as they began to make calculations, for the Imperial Observatory was struck dumb with terror as the once-imposing pillar of the nation’s fortune, solid as a mountain, tottered precariously!

Chen Ping’an glanced, with barely concealed impatience, towards the imperial palace.

Song Jixin also felt a pang of irritation. Although they were neighbors in Mud Bottle Lane and had been mere acquaintances since childhood, they knew each other’s deepest secrets. So well, in fact, that a fart in one’s yard could be heard in the other’s.

Not far behind Emperor Yin Ji stood Cao Lue, ever composed, the sole outsider amidst the group. Cao Lue, who had been seated beside Yin Ji at the table, had come to Bao Ping Continent out of personal curiosity.

He was about to speak when…

The young Hidden Official fixed him with a narrowed gaze, as if to say, “Who are you to speak?”

“A mere tourist from the Grand End Dynasty, are you certain you hold enough weight to mediate this dispute?”

Cao Lue swallowed his words.

Song Jixin hesitated before speaking: “National Preceptor, do not grant him the chance to martyr himself. A sovereign’s martyrdom adds weight to the history books and in the hearts of the people, lessening their crimes. Better that he be a famous emperor who issues decrees of guilt every few days.”

National feuds and personal grudges should be kept separate, if possible. If not, then endure it. Song Jixin believed his years as Prince of the secondary capital had cultivated some measure of patience.

Song Jixin cautioned, “Chen Ping’an, if you choke him any longer, the fellow will truly die.”

Chen Ping’an gave the prince a sideways glance.

Song Jixin retorted angrily, “What are you staring at? I speak from experience. I have more experience than you!”

Chen Ping’an seemed taken aback, then quickly composed himself. He chuckled ruefully, releasing his grip slightly, but still refusing to let go. “You wish to escape once you’re in my grasp?”

Gong Yan and Huang Man found this amusing, while Li Ba’s respect for Prince Song Mu deepened.

Song Jixin, however, breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn’t that he cared for Yin Ji’s life. In truth, he secretly wished Chen Ping’an would crush the old fool’s neck. Chen Ping’an had always held grudges since childhood, so why should Song Jixin be magnanimous? However, if Chen Ping’an or Prince Song Mu desired to orchestrate a grand scheme, to achieve all in one stroke, now, or at least at this moment, was not yet the opportune time.

Cai Yushan, an immortal whose mouth had been pulverized by the young National Preceptor’s hand, offered no resistance, nor harbored any resentment. He merely concealed his hand in his sleeve, performing a secret art passed down through his family. Then, raising his arm to shield his face, he rapidly mended the wound, generating new bone and flesh, restoring his mouth in a miraculous fashion, though it remained scarred and unsightly.

Chen Ping’an shifted his gaze slightly, towards the female attendant of Yin Miao named Cui Ji who went by the alias of Cui Ji.

Sensing the National Preceptor’s gaze, Cui Ji, filled with bitter resentment, quickly hid her hatred and began to think, “National Preceptor Chen, I was wrong.”

Perhaps Cui Ji felt that a mere verbal apology was insufficient, for she reiterated, “I was truly wrong,” and prepared to strike herself.

Chen Ping’an, still clutching Yin Ji’s neck with one hand, made a slapping gesture with his free hand from afar.

As if by accident, and without properly measuring his strength, he struck Cui Ji’s head with such force that it was severed from her body. Her delicate form shattered like a vase, her head bursting open in a gruesome display.

“Then repent well in your next life.”

Earlier, Cui Ji had approached the maiden to “apologize,” but Chen Xi, being a mortal girl, only saw the attendant’s scorn, disdain, and a hint of regret.

But cultivators and those in public service knew Cui Ji was conveying a truth the girl did not know, that this was not the end.

The regret she felt was not from any pity, only from the fact that Cui Ji was well versed with “customs”, that the family of Wei Jia would have had the maiden “removed”.

Gao Shi, the martial arts master standing beside Cui Ji, was splattered with blood.

The martial artist, who was but a step away from the ninth realm and possessed a powerful immortal treasure, dared not move, not even to wipe the blood from his face.

The green-sheathed longsword at Gao Shi’s waist had slain one and a half Jade Purity Realm cultivators.

“Half” because the cultivator had fled using a magical escape technique, left half-dead but not quite deceased.

Chen Ping’an asked, “Cai Yushan, you are so eloquent, why do you not speak of righteous indignation, of indiscriminately slaughtering the innocent?”

“Will County Magistrate Wang Yongjin believe you? See if I do.”

“Cai Yushan, Scholar Cai, it is unlikely, but I must try.”

Not only was County Magistrate Wang Yongjin, famed for his literary talent and integrity among Da Li’s officials, trembling from head to toe.

All the officials who had accompanied the magistrate felt as if the sky had fallen.

Cai Yushan was terrified and dared not mention such things, quickly bowing and pleading: “National Preceptor Chen, would it not be better to release His Majesty first? Then we can all enter the house and discuss this matter properly?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Cai Yushan, I will give you one more chance to speak wisely. Remember to think carefully before you speak.”

Cai Yushan braced himself and spoke telepathically: “National Preceptor Chen, we all serve our respective masters. I humbly beg for your understanding…”

Suddenly a loud crack rang out.

Cai Yushan’s mortal body was pulverized on the spot.

Gao Shi was once again showered in blood.

Having not so much as blinked before, Gao Shi’s eyelids now twitched.

As Yin Miao’s personal bodyguard, he was well aware of the prince’s secret ambitions.

And Scholar Cai Yushan was determined to help Prince Yin Miao ascend as the next true dragon emperor.

Yin Ji, in contrast, was cunning like a fox. The thought of raising his sons like fighting insects wasn’t out of the picture.

The victor, whether by honorable means or ruthless tactics, would be the next Emperor of the Grand Silk Dynasty!

Among the Ten Great Dynasties of the vast world, the Shao Yuan Dynasty of the Middle Earth Divine Continent ranked sixth. Their current National Preceptor was a young man named Lin Junbi, a sword cultivator from the Hidden Official lineage of the Summer Retreat Palace.

A renowned chess master who had compiled a book of chess strategies, the Shao Yuan Dynasty’s foremost player, had taught Lin Junbi how to play chess, as well as a talented youth from another kingdom – Yin Miao, the Grand Silk Dynasty’s most favored prince.

The Grand Silk Dynasty currently ranked fourth in the vast world.

But since Lin Junbi succeeded his mentor Chao Pu as National Preceptor, the once-harmonious relations between the Shao Yuan Dynasty and the Grand Silk Dynasty had soured, gradually ceasing all official correspondence.

As for the Great Source Dynasty of the Northern Ju Lu Continent, it ranked last among the Ten Great Dynasties.

Yet even last place was still one of the Ten Great Dynasties. Furthermore, Lu Jun was now the Crown Prince of the Great Source Dynasty, which was why Yin Miao had been so “polite” earlier, unwilling to stir up trouble.

Unless Yin Miao was truly a fool, he would never provoke the dynasty, for it was from the only dynasty in the North Ju Lu Continent to make the list, for it was a land where countless dragons who crossed the river lost their lives and sank without trace.

Chen Ping’an abruptly released his grip.

Yin Ji stumbled, bending at the waist, gasping for air. The sovereign of a nation from the Middle Earth Divine Continent, was forced to humble himself before the National Preceptor of a nation in Bao Ping Continent.

The Emperor of the Grand Silk Dynasty lay gasping like a mud carp freshly pulled from the waters of Old Oriole Lake.

Chen Ping’an asked, “Then would killing Yin Miao be a misunderstanding?”

Yin Ji glanced at something from the corner of his eye, raising his head and rubbing his sore neck. “It would certainly be a misunderstanding.”

Chen Ping’an continued, “If it is not, then doing away with you should be a misunderstanding, yes?”

Yin Ji said helplessly, “National Preceptor Chen, I said it would certainly be a misunderstanding.”

Chen Ping’an raised his chin, indicating the attendant of Yin Miao. “Did Cui Ji repent? If she did not, and you say it is not a misunderstanding, then what is it? Then there’s nothing wrong with me disposing of you.”

Yin Ji grimaced in pain, his hand still clutching his neck, and said with difficulty: “National Preceptor Chen, I have come to forge an alliance with the Da Li Dynasty.”

Song Jixin said with a strange look: “National Preceptor, is there such a secret matter to discuss? If there is an Imperial Study discussion on this matter tonight, I will be the first to oppose it.”

Chen Ping’an said, “You are a useless prince, deemed incapable of arranging an alliance by Yin Ji. Your opposition is worth nothing.”

Song Jixin laughed, “I am certainly good for nothing, but I have more than enough ability to ruin things.”

Chen Ping’an said, “I am discussing serious matters with Yin Ji. Quit interrupting. The death of Yin Miao is a misunderstanding. Living to return to the Grand Silk Dynasty is the real issue. Alliance or no is a minor matter.”

Yin Ji was so angered that his blood boiled and he was dizzy, but he still did not dare to say anything like ‘Do you, Chen Ping’an, really dare to kill people?’ He instead said, “The great affairs of a nation lie in worship and war.”

Song Jixin sneered, “The Grand Silk Dynasty is bold indeed, daring to secretly collude with the White Jade Capital of the Azure Netherworld under the guise of forging an alliance, harming the fortune of the Da Li Dynasty. Are you not afraid of delaying the war in the Barren Lands?”

Song Jixin continued, “By comparison, wishing to make the Da Li Dynasty’s new National Preceptor ascend and descend from grace on the same day, making a fool of him, is indeed a minor matter.”

Yin Ji staggered, reaching up to cover his head and glared at Song Jixin with wide eyes. “Prince Mu of Luo, you slander me!”

Song Jixin sneered, “Continue acting. Aren’t you just stalling for time, wanting that dismembered female ghost to come save you?”

Compared to you and Yin Miao, your acting is no good, not even among the most amateurish of actors. Not even the ones not yet born are that bad!

Chen Ping’an turned his head to look at Gao Shi.

Gao Shi swallowed. Chen Ping’an, I’m just swallowing, I didn’t move!

Chen Ping’an asked, “Do you know why I didn’t kill you first?”

Gao Shi shook his head. Is it because I’m lucky?

Chen Ping’an frowned in silence.

With a murderous aura Gao Shi immediately said, “Wei Jia of Yi Chi Lane deserves a beating. Colluding with outsiders to bully our own, it would be light punishment to beat him up and throw him into Old Oriole Lake.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Then do you know what you did wrong?”

Gao Shi immediately replied, “Such matters should not be handled by an outsider like me!”

Gao Shi felt that his brain had never worked so fast in his life.

Lacking martial arts mastery, lacking righteousness, lacking loyalty… try being in my position.

I Gao Shi can even argue with the national preceptors of any dynasty, but what am I supposed to do against the Hidden Official of Sword Qi Great Wall?!

Chen Ping’an narrowed his eyes and asked, “What are you going to say next?”

Gao Shi immediately said, “I will leave the Grand Silk Dynasty immediately and join the Da Li Dynasty. I can enlist in the army in a certain state near the Da Du border, charge into battle, perform meritorious service, and atone for my sins, without question!”

I dare not go to the Barren Lands. If the National Preceptor throws me over there, I will agree today, but I will definitely take the opportunity to run away and sneak back to the vast world.

Chen Ping’an said, “Is your past clean? If you want to enter Da Li’s border army, by custom, your background needs to be verified. Don’t make me go to the Ministry of Justice or the Northern Prison to bail you out.”

Gao Shi’s voice was thunderous. “It is definitely not clean, but I am not a villain. I am a well-known martial arts fanatic. I like to ask about martial arts and deal with immortals. My files can be easily checked.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Stand over there.”

Gao Shi strode away, and truly stood against the wall.

Only at this moment did Gao Shi dare to wipe the blood on his face at random.

Gao Shi felt many emotions after the ordeal.

Inside the pavilion, a maiden who looked like a handsome young man had already jumped onto a long chair and stretched out her hand to hold the pillars and overlook the scene.

Xu Mi’s eyes were full of joy, what a pleasure!

It was like drinking a large bowl of iced plum wine in the scorching summer heat.

She knew all about the grievances between her family, the Xu family of Qingfeng City, Luopo Mountain, and the Dragon Springs Sword Sect. She used to think that Luopo Mountain’s style of doing things was too domineering and the methods were too sinister, directly stealing the entire Fox Kingdom under the Xu family’s noses.

At this time, Xu Mi thought that if she were the head of the Xu family in Qingfeng City, she would have accepted being bullied so badly by such a figure. We at least fought him head-on. Who else would dare?

Oh, today’s Grand Silk Dynasty’s Yin family are also fellows in the same boat, and the result is that one dies after another.

Seeing that martial arts master who was looking down on us and the sword-wielding strong man who were standing at the corner of the wall, just like a student who made a mistake in school… Xu Mi covered her mouth and chuckled.

Hong Chongben reminded her: “Don’t just sigh and gloat. This is one of the foundations of meritorious knowledge, combining both the royal path and the way of force.”

Xu Mi asked in confusion: “Sir, it is so domineering, where is the royal path?”

Hong Chongben said: “In you, in me, in us, in Da Li Dynasty’s invisible and intangible, yet more real than anything else, the hearts of the people.”

The old man clenched his fist lightly, but could not help but pat his chest heavily a few times, “It’s all here with us.”

If the Guoshifu’s Rong Yu hadn’t taken the lead just now, the old man would have, at most, not hesitated to move out the status of the Yuan family of Shangzhu Kingdom, to intercept the little girl from Wei Jia and Dabashi, and bring her back to the mountain to protect her. If the little girl stays in the capital, as long as she does not stay in the Yuan family’s mansion in Yichi Lane, it will be unstable, but the Yuan family may not dare to take her in. The old man could also understand that this matter was too involved. With Yuan Chong’s character, he would probably be willing to take her in, but what about the family? A family ancestral hall meeting? He would not make things difficult for Yuan Chong.

Even if he had saved her just now, it was still not enough.

But within the territory of the Da Li Dynasty, in more than a hundred states plus twenty-odd vassal states, yesterday and tomorrow, at this very moment, how many “her”s are there? Is it a difficult background, but one does not dare to cry out?

You, Chen Ping’an, as the new National Preceptor of the Da Li Dynasty, what should you do? What will you do?!

The old man said to himself: “When I was young, I was actually such a hot-tempered person, but compared with National Preceptor Chen, I had less ability, and what I said was not as effective?”

Xu Mi turned her head and smiled: “Sir, you always said that a person shouldn’t have catchphrases, it makes them seem unknowledgeable, yet you keep saying ‘effective’, isn’t that a dialect from Lizhu Cave Heaven?”

Hong Chongben laughed: “Just apply it flexibly. Nowadays, don’t people say that you shouldn’t believe what scholars say?”

Xu Mi said softly: “Why shouldn’t I believe it?”

Hong Chongben sighed, “It’s always wrong.”

Just like today’s turmoil, as the National Preceptor, he can’t be anxious. If you want to make a big deal out of a small issue, you must use the small to see the big, and use the small to see the many. The little girl must be saved, and the national situation and people’s hearts must also be saved!

But for the officials Han Yi and Wang Yongjin, who are in their prime, as well as those young people of Da Li in the courtyard and houses, you can’t be slow.

Xu Mi said, “Sir, can I calculate it again?”

Hong Chongben laughed: “What’s there to calculate? Can you calculate the next general trend? Just watch the fun.”

Xu Mi shook her head, this fun is finally not suffocating and useless, it’s really good to watch!

Li Ba had been standing between Prince Song Mu and the “remains” of the female ghost.

Just now, Li Ba wanted to remind this young National Preceptor in his heart, but he was shocked to find that he could not do it at all. It was as if there was a gap between heaven and earth, a difference between mountains and rivers.

Li Ba said in his heart: “Prince Luo, be careful of this female ghost, her origin is extremely powerful. Even a centipede that is dead does not fall, not to mention that it is her.”

Song Jixin replied: “Taoist Cui Zhang has already reminded me once before.”

Li Ba said: “I may have to remind you again later.”

Song Jixin said: “Stop it, can I move away or run away?”

Gong Yan covered her mouth and chuckled. Of course, she did not dare to make any sound at this time. She just sincerely felt that Prince Luo’s words were indeed pleasant to hear, and could relieve fatigue and greasiness.

As for that young Hidden Official, she did not dare to get close to him. This kind of man was too dangerous. At this time, it seemed that his moral heart had created a vast and boundless world full of murderous intent. Anyone who dared to touch it would shatter into pieces. This was just a woman’s unique intuition.

Li Ba, who had served as a national preceptor, knew too well the power of collective words, he knew it too well.

Because you were scolded a few times at a closed-door banquet and saw the grievances of a young girl, you immediately became angry and took action. Is it better to slap them a few times, or break the servant girl Cui Ji’s hand? Or would it be more satisfying to invite them to eat prison food in the Ministry of Justice?

What about killing Prince Yin Miao of a country, the personal servant girl, and the scholar Cai Yushan one after another? Who do you think you are? Who does the Da Li Dynasty think it is?

Is this the Da Li Dynasty’s temple? Is this the person behind the Da Li iron cavalry of the vast world? Can the head of the Emperor of the Grand End Dynasty be taken off if he is not happy?

Therefore, it is necessary to lure Emperor Yin Ji out first, with Hong Ji, the head of the capital’s patrol battalion, taking the lead, and Prince Song Mu following behind. After all, they managed to do it.

But as long as Emperor Yin Ji shows up, it is “equal”, it is not a small matter! It truly involves the national status of the two major dynasties!

It is difficult to understand the subtleties of this without having worked in the officialdom.

Wang Yongjin, who came from the marketplace and rose through the officialdom step by step by reading, was thinking about how to save himself.

Wei Jia had already collapsed to the ground, he could completely imagine the scene at the family ancestral hall in Yichi Lane.

Song Jixin had been waiting for a clear statement.

The prince was waiting for the final result of the discussions in the small court meeting.

Emperor Song He’s various measures, even during the period when Cui Qian had left and Chen Ping’an had not yet succeeded as the vacant National Preceptor, seemed to have the attitude of “I am not a mediocre emperor, if you succeed in rebelling, you should be the one to sit on the dragon throne.”

You are brought to the Da Li capital from Lizhu Cave Heaven by Uncle Song Changjing himself. I will not only let you be the prince of the secondary capital, but also let you continuously accumulate military exploits and prestige among the mountains, in the army, and among the people!

Chen Ping’an is your neighbor, and I still invite him to be the National Preceptor of our Da Li Dynasty!

Song Jixin, or accurately speaking, was renamed “Song Mu” by the Song family clan of Da Li.

Emperor “Song He,” since you are like this, how can I have the face to overturn the case? You continue to be your emperor, be your elder brother.

But today’s matter is a very critical turning point, Song Jixin was indeed “moved” by Yin Ji’s words.

If the Da Li Emperor Song He’s response in the Imperial Study Court meeting is also deemed “nothing more than that” by Song Jixin, what will happen in the future is hard to say!

Yin Ji had regained some of his imperial majesty and said, “National Preceptor Chen, if you stop here, everything can still be discussed.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Otherwise?”

Yin Ji said, “Otherwise, the two countries will become enemies, and there will be no other possibility.”

Chen Ping’an seemed to be silent.

Perhaps only Emperor Yin Ji, who was face to face with him, could see the great ridicule in his eyes, as well as the impatience that was extremely restrained but still difficult to completely conceal.

Song Jixin glanced at Chen Ping’an.

He had already broken Prince Yin Miao’s neck, knocked off the head of the servant girl Cui Ji, and destroyed the body of the scholar Cai Yushan, killing three people from the Grand Silk Dynasty.

Song Jixin had a strange thought, he seemed to have said it correctly when he was a child, he was destined to suffer.

For example, since he has chosen this path of ascension, he will carry all the joys, sorrows, and separations of all the people of Da Li and the living beings of the country.

Song Jixin had an impulse and almost blurted out: Chen Ping’an, if I change places, you can continue to be the National Preceptor and do whatever you want. What Xiu Hu could do, you can do, and what Xiu Hu couldn’t do, you can also do!

Prince Song Mu finally suppressed his impulse and swallowed these rebellious words one by one.

Outside the outer city wall, Song Yunjian’s heart was not just out of control, even his body was involuntarily floating up.

Fortunately, Xiao Mo used sword energy to forcefully “nail” him to the city wall, otherwise Song Yunjian would have been forcibly dragged towards Old Oriole Lake.

Vast World, the Literary Temple of the Central Land.

A temporary meeting of the highest level possible.

Not only the Literary Saint who presided over the affairs of the Vast World’s Literary Temple, but also the three Literary Temple Hierarchs and the Chancellors and Scribes of various academies were present.

Even the Sage in charge of the Barren Lands War showed up in the Central Land’s Literary Temple using a secret method.

Even the Ritual Saint, who was staring at the cyan Dao trajectory in the outer world, “showed up” here.

From beginning to end, the Old Scholar did not quarrel or make a fuss, and said nothing.

But everyone knew that the Old Scholar, who would lie and roll around, even though he scolded this and that in anger, was actually easy to talk to, but the Old Scholar who did not say a word was the Literary Saint!

Of course, they gathered together without saying too much about who said what, and did not even mention specific people’s names.

This group of scholars with the highest fame in the Vast World were now looking at something other than Old Oriole Lake in the Da Li Dynasty’s capital.

It was a desk.

On it were piled some geographical archives and secret records of the various continents that had been transferred, and two stacks of handwritten manuscripts that had been prepared long ago, but were still often smeared and modified.

The manuscripts were divided into two copies. One copy was at the invitation of Gao Xuandu, the Deputy Mountain Chief of the Laiyuan Academy in Fuyu Continent, to explain the gains and losses, and the details of the Sword Qi Great Wall’s offensive and defensive battles.

The other copy was for someone who was about to go to the Chunshan Academy of the Da Li Dynasty, where he would personally lecture the Confucian scholars studying there in his capacity as the Da Li’s new National Preceptor.

He was going to talk about the learning of his Literary Saint lineage and the similarities and differences with the Sage’s lineage.

The content of the manuscript’s opening was written, but it was enclosed in parentheses, and it was obvious that he was still hesitating whether this opening was appropriate, so it had not been finalized for the time being.

As the closed-door disciple of the Literary Saint lineage, the opening was not about his own literary lineage, not about his teacher the Literary Saint, but about the Sage, and it was not even a derogatory speech.

He wanted to ask a question to the Confucian scholars who were studying at the Chunshan Academy.

“If we set aside the Qi Refiners who can cultivate, how do you think the proudest scholars view wealth and fame, and what should be the state of mind of a pure Confucian scholar?”

“A scholar should use his knowledge to roam the world. If the emperor is昏庸, I will be the emperor’s teacher; if the emperor is wise, I will be the emperor’s friend!”

“My teacher’s learning is of course extremely high, but only in the matter of ‘setting ambitions when young’ is it inferior to the Sage.”

“I would say the same thing if my teacher were here. Anyway, he’s not here.”

After that was the text of the manuscript.

During this period, there were many annotations and comments outside the content, when to pause, how to ask the students, and what to ask if they asked, and how to answer them.

The last sentence of the manuscript was not enclosed in parentheses, and it was obvious that there was no hesitation.

“‘The gentleman said: Learning cannot be stopped. I am good at cultivating my noble spirit, and the world cannot shake me, whether I live or die.’ I would like to share these words of the sages with you all.”

At this moment, in the Central Land’s Literary Temple, there were those who looked at the Old Scholar and those who looked at the Sage.

They all knew that, the owner of the manuscript wanted to try, or at least attempt, to use his identity as the closed-door disciple of the Literary Saint lineage to mend the rift between the “two families” that had never been eased since the end of the dispute three or four years ago. That was a huge division within the Central Land’s Literary Temple, and even within the entire Confucian tradition.

Chen Ping’an was willing to be the one to take the first step.

Mao Xiaodong, the Chancellor of the Book of Rites Academy, was silent.

Even if he gave his younger brother the title of a gentleman, Chen Ping’an would not want it.

This was not just his idea, in fact, even Li old gentleman saw it very clearly, and even Cui Jian, the founding emperor of the Dayong Dynasty and the protector of Hundred Flowers Blessed Land, knew it very well.

Therefore, Li old gentleman was smoking a dry pipe on the steps, seemingly saying “polite words” to the Old Scholar.

Because the saying “Deputy Hierarch of the Literary Temple” was actually a suggestion with profound meaning. As long as your closed-door disciple’s position in the Central Land’s Literary Temple is high enough, then he is not just a scholar of your Literary Saint lineage. Instead, he can be more free, like a peak rising on a vast plateau. In the end, he is still on the land of that learning tradition, but he no longer needs you, the Old Scholar, to shelter him from the wind and rain, because he himself is a great mountain!

Cui Jian, who came to Da Li’s capital with the Flower Master Qi Fang, also had some seemingly joking words.

“If I were in charge of the Literary Temple, I would have Chen Hidden Official enter both the Literary Temple and the Martial Temple at the same time.”

After that, when he arrived at the Fire Temple, Cui Jian said the same thing to Feng Yi.

In addition to this journey being motivated by a selfish desire to protect Hundred Flowers Blessed Land, was it not also a kind of roundabout suggestion, a selfish desire to kindly remind Chen Ping’an?

As long as you, Chen Ping’an, enter the Martial Temple, even if you maintain an appropriate distance from the Literary Temple and your teacher, then you can be generous and maintain the tradition of the Literary Saint lineage, while also no longer being too constrained. Whoever wants to talk to you properly, you can reason with them. Whoever doesn’t want to reason with you properly and likes to oppress you with so-called righteousness, then you, Chen Ping’an, can change your identity and use the identity of the Martial Temple’s auxiliary saint to talk to the other party about the reason that fits your identity!

The Dayong Dynasty of the Central Land founded by Cui Jian, although it has not yet entered the ranks of the Ten Great Dynasties, is also a strong first-class power that should not be underestimated, and can be called a candidate.

The Old Scholar said indifferently, “Whatever you say, I will do.”

Among my few students, the one who wanted to study the most since he was a child was Cui Qian, who was locked in the attic? Was it Qi Jingchun, who longed for the world of Jianghu since he was a child? Was it Zuo You? Was it Liu Shiliu?

Well, now he is determined to be a dynasty’s national preceptor who is bent on war, and it is very likely that he will go all the way down the path that only Cui Qian walked.

This is your Literary Temple’s vision, the Literary Temple’s original intention, right? Is it or isn’t it?!

The Old Scholar chuckled and laughed to himself. Xiao Qi, maybe you shouldn’t have taken a disciple on behalf of your teacher… is it or isn’t it?

Yin Ji suddenly seemed to have changed as he smiled, “Does he disregard the trend of the world?”

Chen Ping’an reached out to wipe his mouth.

The trend of the world?

The Sword Qi Great Wall, the Literary Temple’s discussion, even “heaven”, what does it matter to you, Yin Ji?

Since the two sides clearly could not talk about any major trends, they had to talk to you about some “small things.”

Chen Ping’an once again raised Yin Ji’s neck high, not intending to wait any longer.

About you, Yin Ji, you are just the least worthy thing to care about in the world.

In a room, Song Lian quietly asked, “Brother, aren’t you going out to take a look?”

Song Geng sat back cross-legged on the couch, “Since I didn’t have the courage to show up just now, what’s the point of going out now? It will only make me look even lower in the eyes of my second uncle and National Preceptor Chen. What will I use to be of use to them?”

Song Lian looked sad.

Second uncle, even if you are angry, saying “It was right not to establish an heir” in front of Song Geng, was a bit too much.

Song Geng reopened a tangerine and smiled, “You can go and take a look. Go, remember to close the door.”

Song Lian asked softly, “Brother, are you okay?”

Song Geng pointed to the mess all over the room and smiled, “I don’t even know if I should leave a few things for me to smash. Now it’s good, what else can I smash?”

Song Lian said guiltily, “It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t pulled you out to relax, there wouldn’t have been such a thing.”

Song Geng shook his head, “A seemingly caught-off-guard accidental occurrence must have been created by countless inevitable events in advance.”

Slowly chewing on the tangerine, Song Geng’s state of mind at the moment was certainly not as calm as his face.