Chapter 105: The Confucian Elder
The old man had a long beard, wearing a blue robe and scholar’s turban. He smiled and said, “I saw Yaoguan City bustling with activity and thought I could sell some no matter what, but who would have thought that today’s martial cultivators are all impetuous and restless, only thinking about gathering herbs, cultivation, and fighting, completely lacking interest in life and spiritual elevation. This world values martial prowess over literature, disregards propriety, neglects virtue, and does not promote benevolence and righteousness. With rites collapsing and music decaying, yin and yang in disarray, how can the world not be in chaos?”
Li Weiyi’s eyes lit up, sensing the Confucian thought on the other man similar to that of Earth. He tentatively asked, “Senior, what do you think of the six characters: wisdom, trust, sincerity, benevolence, righteousness, and loyalty?”
The old man sized up Li Weiyi and immediately beamed with joy. “I didn’t expect little brother to have some understanding of Confucianism, completely different from those crude people. Alas, but carrying a zhanmadao saber used on the battlefield really spoils the scenery!”
Li Weiyi was extremely excited. How could this world have Confucianism?
Could it be transmitted from Earth?
It must be so.
Li Weiyi changed his address. “May I ask, Mister, where can one learn Confucianism?”
“You’re interested in Confucianism?”
The old man was like finding a kindred spirit, in a great mood. “Li Zhou, a barbaric land of witchcraft and sorcery, with primitive and crude folk customs—where can one learn Confucianism? If you want to learn Confucianism, you must go to the Ten Prefectures of the Central Plains. Qiu Prefecture, Zuo Qiu Gatehouse prints 《Zuo Zhuan》 every year, all free for everyone to study. It’s just a pity that 《Zuo Zhuan》 is voluminous and content vast; few can patiently read it all through, let alone white-haired scholars who delve deeply into it, who are even rarer.”
Cultivators in different places have different ways of dividing the Twenty-Eight Prefectures of Lingxiao.
Qiu Prefecture is one of the Seven Prefectures of the Southern Territory and also one of the Ten Prefectures of the Central Plains. The former is divided by geography, the latter by the sense of superiority in the hearts of Central Plains cultivators.
“《Zuo Zhuan》? 《Zuo’s Spring and Autumn Annals》?”
Li Weiyi certainly did not think the 《Zuo Zhuan》 the old man mentioned was the historical classic authored by Zuo Qiuming on Earth.
The old man looked puzzled.
Li Weiyi gave an awkward smile and dropped the matter, then came to the calligraphy and painting stall, where one painting caught his eye.
“《Zen Sea Dragon Slaying Painting》.”
The scroll depicted a red-clothed immortal beauty atop the sea of clouds, wielding a sword to slay a giant dragon. The giant dragon was as large as a mountain ridge, with scales green-blue like jade, half in the sky dome, half in the cloud sea, its blood like a waterfall hanging between heaven and earth.
That red-clothed immortal beauty was at the forefront of the painting, occupying a small area, but her facial features were depicted with great precision, cloud hair ornaments lifelike.
Almost identical to the drawing on the tombstone on the bronze ship.
Who else but Zen Sea Observing Mist?
“How much for this painting?” Li Weiyi asked.
Finally making a sale, the old man was naturally delighted. “Not much, not much, eight silver coins.”
“With your painting skill, Mister, it’s not expensive.”
Li Weiyi thought of something and asked, “Do you have a portrait of Xia Jin?”
The old man was startled, nearly covering Li Weiyi’s mouth. “Don’t speak recklessly; that’s taboo. Who dares paint the Demon King and sell it? Tired of living?”
“Then forget it!”
Li Weiyi had only thought of it on impulse, planning to buy it as a gift for Jar Master.
“Or look at the calligraphy; my calligraphy is one of a kind.”
The old man pulled Li Weiyi under the few hanging calligraphy pieces on display, lightly stroking his long beard, finding them more and more exquisite.
“Rumble!”
Two house-sized Dan Ling Giant Beasts pulled a carriage along, martial cultivators on the street exclaiming continuously, all retreating to clear a wide path.
“It’s the sixth generation grandson of the Demon King! They say he’s the number one powerhouse in Spring Gushing Realm at Tian Ya Ridge; even Dao Fire Ape can only rank second.”
“This is a being with Demon King bloodline; how can it not be powerful? Look, it also has four arms.”
…
Above the carriage dais was a yellow canopy woven of cloud silk, swaying in the wind, releasing dazzling magic energy clouds.
A four-armed black ape sat on the carriage dais, each arm embracing a stunning human beauty, groping them. These two beauties were gifts from Sui Sect and San Chen Palace.
Sui Sect’s “Yang Yun”, San Chen Palace’s “Huo Zhanbai”, Tian Yi Sect’s “Su Yunqing”, Coffin Sea Pavilion’s “Lu Dingsheng”—these four Nine Springs Supreme Persons represented the Four Great Sects, following attentively beside the Demon King’s sixth generation grandson’s carriage, fawning extremely.
Li Weiyi gazed at the approaching carriage.
What gave Sui Sect the right to befriend the Demon King’s sixth generation grandson? What gave them the pull to have Dao Fire Ape help them?
In his mind surfaced the children imprisoned in Chang Lin Gang’s dungeon, said to be prepared as snacks for certain demonic creatures. A surge of anger gradually welled up.
The calligraphy and painting stall couldn’t be packed up in time and was knocked over by the pulling Dan Ling Giant Beasts; over a dozen calligraphy pieces were crushed into the soil. The old man wailed in grief.
Seeing the old man pitiful and honest, crying so heartbrokenly, Li Weiyi planned to seek compensation from that group of demon race cultivators, but was held back by the old man.
“Young man, don’t be impulsive; that’s the Demon King’s sixth generation grandson—we can’t afford to offend him.” The old man gripped Li Weiyi’s wrist tightly.
Li Weiyi had no choice but to stop. If his momentary anger brought disaster to the old man, that would be backfire.
Yao Yin said coldly, “In this world, demon race cultivators can swagger through human race territory, and many human race forces line the streets to welcome them, offering tribute and flattery like serving a superior. They’ll regret it sooner or later. How similar to the Jiu Li tribe back then?”
The old man said, “Blame only Lingxiao Palace for losing the people’s hearts. Yu Yaozi is muddled, issuing that Small Field Edict, stirring boiling resentment among the people and chaos under heaven. Otherwise, how dare the demon race? The altars of soil and grain have no constant service, ruler and minister no fixed positions. Unfortunately, in today’s world, at present, there’s not one who can make a name for himself. The new lord under heaven is still lurking in the abyss; the long night is hard to dispel.”
Li Weiyi had heard Hidden Lord mention that Luan Tai Angel had already arrived in Li Zhou. This old Confucian dared to curse Lingxiao Palace and Yu Yaozi on the street aloud—what was he, coward or brave?
After paying for the painting, Li Weiyi quickly left with Yao Yin and Yin Twenty-Five.
Just out of the city, Yao Yin lightly patted Ning Bai’s forehead and said, “Look at my memory; I also need to buy some cultivation resources. Why don’t you two head back to the ship first?”
Li Weiyi glanced at Yin Twenty-Five. “You follow her.”
…
Back on the ship.
Li Weiyi placed all twenty-nine jade boxes containing broken spring needles on the ground, suppressing his excited emotions, sat cross-legged, and performed the Jade Void Breathing Technique to adjust his state.
His state of mind gradually became serene and natural, all perceptions gathering in the Shenque Acupoint at his navel.
Only when his state reached optimal did he open a jade box, take out the first broken spring needle, and stab it into the Shenque Acupoint with lightning speed.
“So painful?”
The intense pain nearly made Li Weiyi cry out, but he held it in.
As strands of cold air from the broken spring needle entered his body, the pain did not fade but intensified. Li Weiyi gritted his teeth, mobilizing magic power surging continuously from the nine spring eyes, flowing through the one hundred and eight dao veins.
All perceptions remained focused on the Shenque Acupoint.
In merely a quarter-hour, the broken spring needle formed from medicinal liquid melted away completely.
Li Weiyi immediately used the second one.
When opening the Fifth Spring, he could already withstand three broken spring needles in a row; with his current cultivation and physical body strength, he could naturally endure even more.
Those Eight Springs martial cultivators, when impacting Nine Springs Ancestral Field, did not all refine their dao veins to silver.
So in Li Weiyi’s view, to impact the Tenth Spring, it was not necessary to first refine all dao veins to gold.
“Exhausted again, third one!”
…
“My physical body is indeed terrifyingly strong now, fourth one!”
…
When Yao Yin returned to the ship, it was already afternoon.
“Greetings, Young Lady.”
The two maids immediately came forward, bowing respectfully.
Yao Yin had a brocade bundle at her waist, in an excellent mood, asking eagerly, “Where is Sima Tan?”
“Young Master Sima has been in the cabin and hasn’t gone out.”
Yao Yin ignored them, walking briskly with skirts rippling to the cabin where Li Weiyi resided. Her jade finger knocked lightly several times, waiting a long while before the door creaked open.
“What is this… what’s wrong with you?”
Yao Yin was frightened by his current state.
Li Weiyi’s face was covered in sweat, hair and pants soaked, outer robe just put on, legs weak and trembling nonstop, face bloodless.
He said feebly, “Nothing… what is it?”
In one day, he used twelve broken spring needles; neither Coffin Master nor Spirit Tablet Master could dissuade him.
Jar Master said he created a bizarre special record, unprecedented and unlikely to be matched.
“You’re sure you’re fine?”
Yao Yin looked worried, handing him the brocade bundle. “I bought up all the Radiant Flame Pills from Tianyi Merchant Guild and Coffin Sea Merchant Association, seven in total. I’ve already had them both go to Jiu Li City to gather more. Also contacted Jiu Li Divine Palace; they should send a batch too.”
Li Weiyi opened the bundle, looking at the pill bottles inside. His originally exhausted expression immediately gained much sharpness. “Are you stupid? Buying from Tianyi Merchant Guild and Coffin Sea Merchant Association—how much money did they make off you? Once I become a Hidden Person, I’ll use Hidden Sect resources directly, or have Hidden Lord fetch from the divine hall!”
Yao Yin said softly, “But I see you need them right now!”
Li Weiyi met her bright and stunning green eyes, his heart a mix of emotions, tone softening. “Where did so much money come from?”
“Pawned a few shops.”
Yao Yin’s face cleared like after rain, smiling sweetly, not taking it to heart at all.
Li Weiyi said, “Your mother left you a large industry, afraid that after her death, you’d have no foothold in Medicine Li Tribe, afraid you’d be bullied. Don’t do such foolish, wasteful things again.”
“But I’ve already signed agreements with the two merchant associations, exchanging shops for their subsequent Radiant Flame Pills.” Yao Yin pursed her red lips, her smile pure and beautiful. “You saved me, so consider it repaying the favor. Don’t act like holding a hot potato.”
“You’re young; I’m afraid Medicine Li Tribe people will trouble me, saying I deceived a little girl.”
Li Weiyi noted her kind intention, joked so, then asked, “Where’s Yin Twenty-Five?”
“He went to challenge Dao Fire Ape!” Yao Yin said.
Li Weiyi’s expression tightened instantly. “Where’d he get an otherworld coffin?”
One needed an otherworld coffin for challenge qualification.
“He’s a Nine Springs Supreme Person; you’re underestimating him too much. Getting one otherworld coffin is easy.”
Yao Yin wasn’t very worried. Having seen Yin Twenty-Five challenge Yin Nine, his strength was very strong. Even if not a match for Dao Fire Ape, surrendering to preserve life would be no problem.
Li Weiyi knew Yin Twenty-Five had ninety-one dao veins, nearly all silver—strength not comparable to ordinary Nine Springs Supreme Persons.
The two large flags on the arena were indeed very humiliating; any Jiu Li Nine Springs Supreme Person seeing them would be provoked to bloody valor.
“Boom!”
A battle clash sounded like thunder on the shore not far from the Medicine Flag Great Ship, shaking the ground violently.
Then arrogant laughter echoed over the dock: “Haha, Jiu Li actually has a Nine Springs Supreme Person. Your strength isn’t weak—where are you fleeing? We’ll fight ten more rounds. Hold on, and I’ll spare your life.”
Yin Twenty-Five had blood flowing from mouth and nose, gripping his saber in rapid retreat, a bowl-sized blood claw seal on his back.
His clothes mostly soaked in blood, leaving bloody footprints with each step.
He never imagined that after surrendering and leaving the arena, Dao Fire Ape disregarded rules entirely, pursuing and killing him all the way.
Clearly, Tian Ya Ridge’s demonic creatures were extremely arrogant, doing as they pleased in Li Zhou, killing at will—rules were whatever they said.
