Chapter 329: Chapter 52 Treat People with Sincerity
In the living room, people from the Confucian and Mohist factions sat on opposite sides.
On the left were Yan Hanqing, a Mo Sect disciple who had interacted with Jiang Li before, and Mu Lingyi.
On the right sat the most famous contemporary figure from the Imperial College, "Creation Divine Blade" Zhong Shenxiu, and Ming Yang, who had traveled to Yong Province with the Heir of King Lu.
The four people from the two factions, although they had not started fighting or arguing, sat amidst a chilly atmosphere that clearly depicted the tension between them.
Zhong Shenxiu sat upright in his chair, his long blade across his knees, his eyes slightly closed, as if meditating in anticipation of the host’s arrival.
Ming Yang, on the other hand, locked gazes with Yan Hanqing and Mu Lingyi opposite him, as sharp as needles clashing with wheat awns, like interweaving sword lights and blade shadows.
Whether their consecutive visits to Jiang Li were coincidental was put aside; the fact that they had shown up raised suspicions of hidden intentions in their actions, prompting vigilance from the other side.
Confrontations often revealed animosity and were a means to probe by observing reactions.
However, Ming Yang, alone, was no match for the two opposing individuals, and with Zhong Shenxiu sitting immobile, Ming Yang’s gaze seemed ineffectively pressured.
He blinked rapidly to relieve eye strain and then switched tactics to probe, "Dressing in such a disheveled manner detracts from one’s appearance and shows a lack of manners and disrespect for the host, a disgrace to scholars."
Although it was a probing remark, the attack was almost full-blown.
People of the Mo Sect wore hemp garments and straw sandals, their long hair tied with cloth or thin wooden sticks – a style typical of the lowest class. For the Confucians, this was a classic example of unkempt appearance.
Moreover, this residence was located in the Upper City District, so opulent that the word itself was insufficient to describe it, starkly contrasting with the attire of the Mo Sect’s people. Ming Yang’s comment was not only a mockery but also intended to give the host a hint.
However, Yan Hanqing was not to be messed with.
When thinking of eloquence, many might consider monks and Confucian scholars, but in fact, the Mohists’ debaters and the now-extinct famous families were truly superior in rhetoric.
They were specifically trained in this area.
"Penalties do not apply to scholars, and rituals do not apply to commoners. Are these not the words of your Confucian sages? Would you dare oppose them?" Yan Hanqing replied with a cold sneer, "I, too, am a commoner."
I am a commoner; thus, I am not bound by rites.
With a simple statement, he effectively killed the criticism regarding rituals and also ignited Ming Yang’s anger.
"Those are the teachings of the Sage! How dare you misconstrue them?" Ming Yang slammed his hand down and abruptly stood up.
"My interpretation is the correct one. How can you speak of misconstruing?" Yan Hanqing remained composed, "You are but pseudo-scholars; what right do you have to discuss the so-called rites? We of the Mo Sect do not care for rites, whereas you truly have no right."
Penalties do not apply to scholars, and rituals do not apply to commoners.
Originally, this meant that officials should be regulated by rituals rather than by mere penalties. Naturally, if they committed a capital offense, they must still be executed but in a dignified manner, considering their previous status.
For commoners, burdened by poverty, insisting on elaborate rituals only adds to their hardship.
That was the initial meaning.
But over time, "Penalties do not apply to scholars, and rituals do not apply to commoners" has transformed into scholars being exempt from punishment, and commoners being unworthy of courtesy – a complete deviation, nonsensical enough to anger even the dead if they were to hear it.
Similar to the Buddhists’ "Cease to do evil, then you can become a Buddha immediately," it too has been distorted and accepted as factual during its transmission.
Yan Hanqing used Confucian words to attack Confucianism, pushing his verbal assault to its limit, almost accusing Ming Yang, the Confucian scholar, of being a hypocrite.
Yet, Ming Yang found it difficult to respond.
Because it was indeed the truth.
He could lie through his teeth, but his Dao Fruit might not agree.
Having heeded Zhong Shenxiu’s advice, Ming Yang now knew the importance of synchrony between knowledge and action, aware that if he shamelessly lied, his Dao Fruit might reject him.
While it wouldn’t result in retribution, the level of his Dao Fruit Ability would certainly decrease.
In just a few words, the victor had emerged; Yan Hanqing defended the intellectual merit of Mohist debate and did so using the opponent’s strengths against him, leaving Ming Yang unable to advance or retreat.
But before Yan Hanqing could display the smile of a victor, Zhong Shenxiu suddenly opened his eyes and calmly observed the pair.
His gaze was like two invisible blades, whirling over them, ready to dissect them at any moment, invoking an intense unease.
As the saying goes, a scholar is at a loss when faced with a soldier. Similarly, a Mohist debater has no recourse against a Confucian swordsman.
Though Yan Hanqing was not merely a debator and his abilities were exceptional, compared to Zhong Shenxiu, embodying the demeanor of ancient scholars and ranked foremost in the contemporary Imperial College, he still seemed somewhat inadequate.
The most critical point was that he really would take action.
Zhong Shenxiu studied "The Analects", but he valued "The Analects of Confucius".
Capturing both men in his gaze, Zhong Shenxiu slightly raised his voice and said, "After watching for so long, the master of the house should show himself now."
As his words fell, a faint fragrance drifted into the living room, a wheelchair emerged from the inner room, carrying a young man dressed in plain clothes slowly into view. A blue butterfly elegantly fluttered and landed on his right shoulder, as if possessing spiritual sense, it turned its gaze toward Yan Hanqing and Mu Lingyi.
An invisible Qi Mechanism quietly arrived, like a spring rain that silently resolved Zhong Shenxiu’s gaze.
Yan Hanqing felt the oppressive Sword Light and aura lift from his body and upon seeing the Dream Butterfly that Mo Sect had given to Jiang Li, his heart loosened, thinking, ’Brother Jiang still remembers our camaraderie.’
Inhaling the faint fragrance, gratitude gradually thickened in Yan Hanqing’s heart.
In contrast, Zhong Shenxiu maintained a calm gaze, his perfectly featured face undisturbed by any ripples.
’Zhong Shenxiu’s Mental State has become increasingly terrifying...’ Jiang Li thought as he saw this.
He was in the inner room, but the Sword Intent of the Heart Demon Secret Sword had already quietly dispersed. When he appeared, the Sword Intent instantly triggered, allowing Jiang Li to indirectly incite the emotions of others.
However, this Sword Intent faltered in front of Zhong Shenxiu’s Mental State.
This was partly because Jiang Li’s Heart Demon Secret Sword was still in its infancy and also because Zhong Shenxiu’s Mental State was resolute, even surpassing Huaiyi, a fifth-rank. He was flawless, making it difficult for Jiang Li to find any loopholes.
To forcibly intervene was not impossible, but doing so would undoubtedly alert Zhong Shenxiu.
’Gentleman, Cultivation of the Scholarly Sect, Zhong Shenxiu’s alignment with these two Dao Fruits is too perfect, allowing him to fully embody his Dao Fruit Ability. It’s just unknown whether his Cultivation of the Scholarly Sect has been perfected.’
’Yun Jiuye has been promoted, and his peers, including those of comparable status, probably aren’t far from promotion either. Perhaps they have even achieved Perfection and are now in their Promotion Ceremony.’
As Jiang Li’s thoughts swirled, a proper smile appeared on his face, and he said, "The death of the Fourth Prince has caused quite a stir, and recently both the Southern Heavenly Department and the Yin Law Department have been scrutinizing me. Although I am innocent, I am concerned about becoming involved, so I have been observing all visitors. It so happens the people from the Southern Heavenly Department just left."
"I guessed that you might have come concerning the matter of the Fourth Prince, so I listened from the inner room for a while, to better prepare for your arrival."
He spoke very openly, placing his caution and vigilance clearly on the table. Although the two parties were slightly displeased with Jiang Li observing them from the side, after hearing his frank speech, any dissatisfaction they felt dissolved.
Jiang Li perceived this as clearly as fire.
Inciting thoughts was not only about relying on extraordinary measures like Sword Intent but also on using words and attitudes to engage with people and then enhancing these impressions with the Heart Demon Secret Sword. Overall, it wasn’t as immediately effective as directly using the Secret Sword, but it was subtle and unobtrusive.
"Brother Jiang is quite frank indeed," Zhong Shenxiu commented.
"I, Jiang, always treat people with sincerity and do not lie," Jiang Li said with a smile.
This was, of course, false—a joke. The people present were no ordinary individuals, and those behind them had investigated Jiang Li’s past and knew him. With Jiang Li’s history, saying he treated people with sincerity was something not even ghosts would believe.
But expressed in such a joking tone, it made everyone feel as though they believed him genuinely because, at that moment, Jiang Li was indeed being very frank, arguably treating people with sincerity.
This lightened the previously tense atmosphere somewhat.
However, in truth, if Jiang Li did not want to be discovered, even Zhong Shenxiu being there would not have mattered. He would only be discovered if he wanted to be.
Zhong Shenxiu was unaware of Jiang Li’s intricacies and deceptions. Although his mind was sharp, when it came to schemes, he was still three points weaker than Jiang Li. This one adhered to the way of the gentleman, preferring the straightforward approach of "The Analects of Confucius".
Seeing Jiang Li being frank, Zhong Shenxiu did not beat around the bush either and said straightforwardly, "Since Brother Jiang is frank, I too will not hide or disguise my intentions. This visit is indeed to inquire about the events of that day. However, I am not here for the death of the Fourth Prince, but rather to learn about the origins and effects of the Dao Tree within the Cave Heaven Blessed Land."
"I feel the same," Yan Hanqing then said.
Compared to the death of the Fourth Prince, the Cave Heaven Blessed Land was even more significant.
The undercurrent in the Divine Capital became even more mysterious after the appearance of the Cave Heaven Blessed Land.
And considering the realms of the Grand Sacrificial Officer of the Imperial College and the Mo Sect Master, even if they did not act that day, they still sensed the vibrant Life Force contained within the Cave Heaven Blessed Land.
Could this Life Force be used to concoct the Immortality Elixir?
This was a thought directed toward the Immortal Queen of Kunxu Immortal Palace.
Or even more rebelliously, could this Life Force prolong the life of the Emperor...
The life and death of the current Emperor were tied to the peace of the entire realm going forward. Each time the Emperor passed and before the new emperor ascended, it was a time of upheaval.
Many third-grade individuals would seek to advance, and even fourth-rank individuals might attempt to fish in troubled waters to ascend to third grade.
’Sure enough... that’s why they’ve come.’
Jiang Li silently thought: ’It’s just unknown what stands these two hold now?’