A cool autumn breeze caressed his face, feeling incredibly refreshing, while the warm sunshine made it hard to keep his eyes open. A bamboo scroll rested on his stomach, Qin Mu lay sprawled on the chair, his lips slightly parted, his chest rising and falling gently, seemingly asleep.
"Brother! Hurry! Father wants to see you!" Qin Huaiyu rushed into the garden and shouted.
"Sigh!" Qin Mu was a little annoyed at being interrupted from his rest. He sighed, sat up, and asked, "Why are you in such a hurry?"
"There are important guests. Father wants you to go quickly." Qin Huaiyu was still a little afraid of his older brother. Perhaps it was his nature. Most younger brothers were born with a sense of fear towards their older brothers. Even though Qin Mu treated him very well, Qin Huaiyu's movements became smaller after hearing Qin Mu's words. He took two steps slowly and said.
"An important guest? Who is it?" Qin Mu stood up and asked curiously. After straightening his clothes, Qin Mu walked out of the courtyard.
“I don’t know them. There was an older man with a white beard and a younger one who was always drinking from a gourd,” Qin Huaiyu replied from behind.
Well, it's okay if I don't get any answers. I'll know once I see it. Qin Mu quickened his pace and walked towards the Qin family's main hall.
"Father!" Upon entering the hall, Qin Mu respectfully greeted him with a cupped-hand salute. Even with outsiders present, he remained very mindful of etiquette.
"Mu'er is here! Quickly greet Elder Li and Elder Wang!" Qin Qiong stood up and introduced.
"This humble one, Qin Mu, greets Elder Li and Elder Wang." Qin Mu bowed respectfully.
Old Li was none other than the great Confucian scholar Li Gang, while Old Wang was a little younger than Li Gang, dressed casually, with bright eyes, and holding a gourd in his hand.
"Hehe, no need for formalities! I've heard of you before, and you truly are a handsome man," Li Gang said with a smile.
"Elder Li and Elder Wang are both great Confucian scholars of our time! They came all this way to see you, young man, so be sure to treat them well!" Qin Qiong instructed.
"I am Li Gang, and this is the famous Wang Ji, also known as the Great Scholar Who Drinks a Lot!" Li Gang introduced with a smile.
"Old Li, you flatter me. In front of you, who would dare to claim such a great name?" Wang Ji said with a wry smile and cupped his hands.
Li Gang! Wang Ji! As soon as the two names were mentioned, Qin Mu immediately remembered who these two people were! In another world, the infamous Crown Prince Killer Li Gang, although a great Confucian scholar, taught three crown princes, none of whom met a good end.
As for Wang Ji, Qin Mu knew him entirely because he had a grandson named Wang Bo, and he had studied Wang Bo's poems when he was in school.
This world is definitely different. At least this great scholar is not a weak and helpless bookworm, but a top-level master.
Even among the top masters, Confucian masters hold a higher status than martial artists. This is due to the powerful abilities of Confucianism. When a great Confucian scholar makes a move, he can seal the heavens and the earth. Under the influence of his righteous aura, martial artists can only protect themselves.
This is the weakness of martial artists: they only cultivate themselves, lacking understanding of the fundamental principles of heaven and earth, their spirit and body becoming one. But precisely because of this, they have few effective countermeasures against formations and illusions. Therefore, when Confucianists and Taoists fight martial artists, they engage in hit-and-run tactics, attrition warfare. One side uses its own power, while the other draws upon the power of heaven and earth and external objects; the outcome of such battles is predictable.
Furthermore, Confucianism can provide widespread blessings, which is one reason why they are respected. Of course! Confucian scholars are generally more intellectually gifted than martial artists, which is another reason why they suppress others.
"Greetings to the two esteemed scholars, I apologize for my rudeness earlier!" Qin Mu bowed respectfully once again.
"No need for formalities! I'm just here to have a drink!" Wang Ji waved his hand and said.
After Qin Mu finished bowing, he stood obediently behind Qin Qiong, waiting for Li Gang to explain his purpose for coming. After all, he couldn't have been summoned just to take a look.
Li Gang looked at Qin Mu, who was neither humble nor arrogant, and remained composed and polite, and nodded slightly. In his opinion, even if Qin Mu did not know the two of them, it was still remarkable that he could remain calm and composed in front of two great scholars.
"I wasn't lying when I said I'd heard of you before. Your poetry is excellent; His Majesty said you're a master of both poetry and prose, and that's no exaggeration. Do you know what I admire most about you?" Li Gang asked gently.
"I don't know, please enlighten me, Elder Li," Qin Mu asked curiously.
"I admire most the way you taught the two princesses! A gentleman acts with righteousness, while a petty person acts with evil. Righteousness is when one's inner nature is in harmony with morality, one acts in accordance with reason, and one is not bound by material things. When one's heart is filled with righteousness, external evils cannot invade."
Your actions, as demonstrated by the Six Doors, prove that your words and deeds are consistent. Those despicable people should be arrested! Li Gang said with admiration in his eyes.
"You're right, old man. In broad daylight, how can such scoundrels be allowed to run rampant!" Qin Mu replied with a smile.
"Good! Remember to stay true to yourself in the future!" Li Gang said with satisfaction.
"Young man, remember my teachings!"
"Is this the cultivation method of the Ghost Valley lineage?" Li Gang asked.
"Yes and no," Qin Mu replied after a moment's thought.
Li Gang's question was vague, but Qin Mu understood his meaning. Li Gang was asking about his use of righteous principles to raise the princess and his sister. Li Gang likely only knew that he had received the inheritance of Wei Liaozi and belonged to the Guigu lineage. As for his complete mastery of the Guigu inheritance, only he and Qin Qiong currently knew.
"I see! You are now cultivating both Confucianism and Taoism, and your lineage is from the Ghost Valley School?" Li Gang thought for a moment, then nodded and asked.
"Spiritual energy cultivation is indeed from the Ghost Valley lineage, while Confucian cultivation is mostly something I've figured out on my own. Master Zhiyuan guided me into the basics, and the three Heavenly Gifts helped me get back on track. Lord Yu Shinan also guided my future cultivation direction," Qin Mu answered honestly, not at all surprised that Li Gang could see through his dual cultivation of Confucianism and Taoism. The Ghost Valley lineage originated from Taoism. Calling it Taoism is entirely accurate.
"Would you be willing to become my disciple?" Li Gang asked, stroking his beard.
"Ah!" Qin Mu looked at Li Gang in surprise, never expecting him to make such a request. Generally speaking, a great Confucian scholar is rarely the one who takes on disciples, as others usually come to him seeking apprenticeship.
"What? You're unwilling? Or do you have some concerns?" Li Gang asked.
"No! No! I'm willing! I was just too surprised; I thought I misheard!" Qin Mu hurriedly shook his head and said. To have a great Confucian scholar as my teacher—wasn't that always been his goal? Now that it's been delivered to his doorstep, how could he possibly give it up?
"Haha! Good! Good!" Li Gang laughed heartily with satisfaction.
"This lad greets his teacher!" Taking advantage of the situation, Qin Mu immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle.
"Kid, the apprenticeship ceremony isn't that simple!" Wang Ji said with a smile.
"Thank you for the reminder, Elder Wang. I was too excited!" Qin Mu turned around and bowed.
"It's alright, it's alright! Let's formally become disciples the day after tomorrow! I'll introduce you to some senior masters." Li Gang waved his hand and said.
"Yes, sir!"
………………
The following are free!
A friend said yesterday that Lao Wu wasn't updating much during the free trial period, which is completely unfair! To prove that, I must write at least 6,000 words today!
I'm recommending a friend's new book—a thrilling read! Set in the Tang Dynasty a thousand years ago, the story begins with him kidnapping a princess.
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