The Deputy Minister of the Honglu watched the battle below with a tense expression. He almost lost control, nearly crushing the armrests of his chair.
For someone at his level, being a third-rank existence—even if not truly third-rank—this was rare. His actual cultivation was that of a fourth-rank Humanism Confucian cultivator, while his official rank was third-rank minister.
Nonetheless, situations that could make him lose composure to such an extent were extremely rare.
And now was one of those times.
"Nineteen..." he counted silently.
Then,
"Twenty...!" He couldn't hold back any longer, releasing an extremely subtle pressure, causing the surrounding tables and chairs to crack slightly.
These tables and chairs were magical artifacts, quite valuable, but they had been shattered by the unconscious release of his power.
Not far away, that Young Master from Wu Deity Mountain had defeated twenty people in succession!
All renowned young talents, it must be noted that anyone qualified to attend this banquet was a genius full of promise from various departments, here to broaden their horizons.
But that Young Master from Wu Deity Mountain...
His vast knowledge and eloquence in discussing principles went without saying.
His unrestrained mannerisms and startling words made people gnash their teeth in frustration, yet also stunned the audience with his well-founded arguments, causing wave after wave of shock among the spectators below.
Just as Li Qi said, when it came to reciting texts, he feared no one.
As a third-rank minister, the Deputy Minister of the Honglu had countless methods in his mind to refute Li Qi, but all he could do was watch as the juniors below were beaten up!
This made him even more enraged.
Moreover, there had been others who managed to refute him before.
However, he immediately attacked the junior he saw and said that the person only knew how to talk idly without understanding the principles he spoke of.
This incident thoroughly threw the Deputy Minister of the Honglu into disarray.
Yet, he also felt immensely astonished.
How could this be possible?
Observing the other's Spiritual Essence age, he appeared to be merely in his twenties or thirties. How did he memorize tens of thousands of ancient books? Every word and sentence came directly from classic texts, used excellently, understood deeply, and crucially, he could perform corresponding techniques.
Even for someone in their twenties or thirties, if they started cultivating from the womb, how could they remember so much and understand it so profoundly?
Did he have thirty hours in a day?!
Did he stop cultivating altogether and spend all his time studying?!
This wasn't something that could be achieved by distorting chronal light; it required genuine time investment because even with distorted chronal light, age would progress normally.
More frighteningly, using his divine abilities, the Deputy Minister of the Honglu observed that this Young Master from Wu Deity Mountain had only been cultivating for a little over three years.
A little over three years, advancing rapidly to eighth rank, simultaneously possessing profound knowledge and solid foundations, even capable of debating many and coming out on top.
How could this be possible!?
Had the quality of personnel at Wu Deity Mountain reached such a level? Was this a naturally gifted child picked up from some remote mountain valley?
Layer upon layer of shocks ultimately led to this third-rank minister losing his composure slightly.
This slight loss of composure did not escape the notice of the Great Shaman opposite him.
That Great Shaman glanced over and deliberately let out a clear chuckle.
This made the Deputy Minister of the Honglu even more furious!
No matter how unruly the juniors acted, it wouldn't make him lose composure, but mockery from a peer of equal rank truly angered him.
However, once genuinely enraged, his expression became calm, even gentle in his gaze.
Anger never clouded his judgment.
If he couldn't control his own thoughts, how could he cultivate to his current level?
Nevertheless, he still needed to find a solution.
Since the opponent was a true genius, perhaps he should find equally promising geniuses to confront him, otherwise, it would be a disgrace to the nation's face.
This concerned the honor of the Tang Kingdom!
He took a deep breath, his divine consciousness stirring.
Even the Great Shaman opposite didn't notice as a secret message was transmitted from here to the Humanism terminal, spreading through the dragon veins, and then relayed all the way to the Imperial Academy.
---
At this moment within the Imperial Academy,
In a study hall,
A man resembling a gentleman suddenly lifted his head from a pile of books.
He looked ordinary but exuded an excellent aura, seemingly harboring a faint sense of righteousness within him. Though his appearance was plain, he gave off an incredibly fresh and comfortable feeling, like a green bamboo.
Green bamboo isn't as dazzling as flowers, but it can refresh one's spirit.
He looked up towards the door because someone was approaching from outside.
However, he wasn't annoyed that his research was interrupted because he knew someone wouldn't disturb him unless it was important.
Someone pushed open the door.
It was the porter.
"Professor Liu, you have an urgent and encrypted message. Judging by the emblem, it's from a purple-robed minister, requesting your immediate attention. The message is left here," said the porter very respectfully, gazing at 'Professor Liu' with admiration.
Because he truly deserved admiration.
Some students at the Imperial Academy, though not yet graduated, already held positions, namely internal positions within the academy.
Within the academy, there were mentors known as Four Gates Scholars, seventh rank upper grade, responsible for overseeing academic discipline, examinations, and selecting outstanding students.
In simpler terms, they served as deans, supervising studies and exams, evaluating the performance of Imperial Academy students.
Each Four Gates Scholar had three assistants, eighth rank upper grade.
There were also four lecturers whose salaries and privileges matched those of regular officials.
This Professor Liu was a student who held the position of lecturer.
The duties of a lecturer included assisting scholars and assistants, focusing on teaching classics.
Given the caliber and knowledge of Imperial Academy students, for a fellow student to teach them, what level must this Professor Liu have reached?
Thus, the porter admired him.
In fact, most students taking classics courses revered this Professor Liu as if he were a senior brother.
Resolute bravery, benevolence, intelligence surpassing others, extensive knowledge, cautious thinking, clear discernment...
Praise for him abounded.
Some even said that every time someone thought of another compliment, they gained a deeper understanding of Professor Liu.
The Rector of the Imperial Academy personally commented on his academic achievements: "Liu Junyi is broadly knowledgeable, proficient in everything from astronomy and calendrical calculations to geographical strongholds, verifying classics and histories, editing numerous books, grasping them all like the palm of his hand. Deeply understanding the rise and fall of past dynasties, familiar with historical precedents. In classics, he comprehends all schools since the Tang dynasty, in history, he integrates multiple perspectives, and editorial work across various archives can rely entirely on him."
Such an outstanding talent, even in a place teeming with geniuses like the Imperial Academy, could rank among the top ten.
The only pity was his average cultivation, due to his focus on various scriptures, he lacked the energy to enhance his cultivation, resulting in him being in his forties, nearing graduation, yet still at eighth rank.
But the Tang Kingdom's official positions were set up for talents like him.
Even if one devoted themselves entirely to reading and research, lacking time and energy to accumulate cultivation, they could directly advance to high ranks through official positions, without worrying about lifespan issues.
Everything was meticulously arranged.
Liu Junyi put down the classics, picked up the terminal, and began reading the message.
"A message from the Honglu Temple..." he murmured.
The Honglu Temple invited him to a diplomatic banquet to debate with others?
Honestly, he didn't enjoy arguing with people, but this was an invitation from a purple-robed minister, hard to refuse.
Moreover, the message mentioned that this Young Master from Wu Deity Mountain was highly knowledgeable, rarely meeting his match, which piqued his curiosity.
Hmm... If that's the case, then he should go take a look.
Liu Junyi packed up, tidied his Confucian robe, and quietly left without alarming anyone.
Clear winds encircled his body,
Gentle breezes arrived, stirring his green robe.
His green robe resembled spring grass, swaying gently in the breeze.
Visible beneath the water, lotus leaves emerged from the mud.
Traveling swiftly along the road, riding in carriages, sailing boats on rivers.
With the long wind blowing, he followed the wind.
Moments later, on an island in a large river, a green-robed scholar arrived gracefully, walking ordinarily along the path.
---
At this moment, Li Qi was criticizing his twenty-fifth opponent.
He shouted loudly, "The sage said, internally governing ancestral temple rituals is sufficient to harmonize with the divine clarity of heaven and earth; externally governing direct speech rituals is enough to establish respect between superiors and subordinates. You speak of ritual propriety yet attempt strange tactics to win, showing that you don't believe in propriety, inconsistent in words and actions, knowing but not practicing, and still dare to discuss propriety? Step down!"
Following Li Qi's rebuke, another person retreated in shame.
The scene fell silent, temporarily no one daring to challenge Li Qi.
Embarrassment was minor, but continuing to fuel Li Qi's momentum was feared.
Human morale has its own force, Li Qi standing victorious against twenty-five opponents, accumulating momentum, becoming increasingly formidable, no one dared to provoke him, fearing further bolstering his momentum.
Better to cool Li Qi's momentum before challenging him again.
Meanwhile, the group from Wu Deity Mountain rejoiced, others' food cooling, they intentionally started cutting meat and eating, chatting and drinking joyfully.
Yan Ke and Zhong Minglou were relatively restrained, merely starting to eat.
Bo Yue, fearless, even went to toast the Great Shaman, laughing loudly, acting as if they hadn't been beaten.
But with Li Qi leading the charge, they weren't targeted.
However, just as Li Qi thought these people would stop, someone responded to him.
"The essence of propriety governs heaven and earth, regulates human relationships, and serves governance, coexisting with heaven and earth. Hence, in the twenty-sixth year of Zhao, 'Zuo Zhuan' praised Yanzi: 'Propriety has long been able to govern a country, coexisting with heaven and earth.' Tracing its origins, Emperor Sui first emerged holding the mechanism of creation, operating the method of celestial rotation, pointing to heaven to implement governance and education."
"Propriety originates from the principles of heaven and earth, why can't unusual tactics be considered propriety?"
Li Qi looked towards the voice, seeing a scholarly green-robed cultivator arriving calmly.
That green-robed scholar continued Li Qi's previous topic upon arrival.
Li Qi's heart tightened.
Even the group from Wu Deity Mountain paused their meals, looking at the newly arrived scholar, the Great Shaman narrowing his eyes slightly.
On the other side,
Many Tang Kingdom citizens perked up, the Deputy Minister of the Honglu's expression relaxing.
Some scholars whispered, "It's Professor Liu."
"Professor Liu, why is he here?"
"Who is Professor Liu? But he seems capable of handling this."
Others unfamiliar with him asked nearby companions about Professor Liu.
Ignoring the whispers around him, Liu Junyi proceeded forward, questioning Li Qi:
"Propriety, born from the changes of heaven and earth, the birthplace of governance and education, since the beginning of humanity, Emperor Sui onwards, spanning six eras ninety-one generations, to Fuxi establishing the ten-word teachings, whether Fuxi or Emperor Sui, both are Human Sovereigns, thus propriety originates from humanity, from Humanism."
"As a shaman, how dare you discuss propriety of humanity? What does propriety have to do with shamans? Do you mistakenly believe propriety is mere conventional constraints, even using it as a basis to argue, do you truly understand propriety?"
Liu Junyi slowly approached Li Qi's position, questioning him.
The scene fell silent, everyone watching.
Li Qi frowned, realizing the question hit the mark.
If interpreted from this angle, Li Qi's earlier argument was purely fallacious, lacking persuasiveness.
Simultaneously, 'rules' unfolded around them.
Li Qi sensed an unnamed force forming 'propriety', restraining his limbs, making movement difficult.
However,
It was gentle, non-aggressive, merely constraining.
Like water.
Immersed in it, one barely feels it, almost nonexistent.
But trying to move faster, the soft water becomes significant resistance; arrows breaking the sound barrier in air struggle to move in water.
Li Qi felt enveloped by water, following its flow allowed free movement, opposing it meant great difficulty.
Feeling this constraint, Li Qi became serious.
Recognizing it as the other's interpretation of propriety and corresponding technique.
Thus, Li Qi looked at him, pondering seriously before responding, "What say you about the origin of propriety? The sages said: humans are born with desires, desiring but unable to obtain leads to seeking. Seeking without measure leads to conflict; conflict brings chaos, chaos leads to poverty. Ancient kings despised chaos, thus established propriety to regulate it, satisfying human desires, fulfilling needs. Ensuring desires do not exhaust resources, resources do not submit to desires, maintaining mutual growth, this is where propriety originates."
Li Qi explained his view on the origin of propriety.
Humans are born with desires, seeking satisfaction, leading to demands. Without limits, conflicts arise, causing chaos and poverty. Ancient wise kings hated chaos, establishing propriety to balance resources and desires, ensuring sustainable development, this is the origin of propriety.
"Propriety is human-regulated, created by ancient wise kings, what connection does it have with natural principles? Do you think natural principles created propriety?" Li Qi retorted.
The scholar promptly replied, "Why not? From the outset, things naturally exhibit propriety, hence lambs kneel to nurse, geese form orderly flocks, ants display military formations, none taught, spontaneously arising. With the division of the three realms, propriety naturally exists."
Propriety itself is innate, seen in lambs kneeling to nurse, geese self-organizing, ants forming armies, all natural proprieties.
As the two debated, their respective techniques unfolded.
The small fry were gone, now the heavyweights had arrived.