On this platform, many Scholars raised their heads and looked in the same direction. There, an old ox pulled a wooden ox cart toward them, its wheels creaking and groaning.
The ox cart moved at a snail's pace. The driver was a skinny, shriveled old man in dull gray clothes, his face covered in wrinkles, his hands likewise creased with age.
The Sage Disciple must have been inside the carriage.
The Scholars present craned their necks to watch, their eyes filled with nothing but admiration. Someone commented, "The Sage Young Master is so plain and simple. He drives an old ox and a broken cart, unwilling to buy a new one. He even considers riding a Fushan carriage a luxury."
"Compared to him, we are truly extravagant. Though the Sage Young Master uses old and broken things, his bearing and grace make me ashamed of myself."
"I heard that the Sage himself is even more frugal and eats leftovers. Look at that ox cart..."
Hu Buping scratched his head, somewhat puzzled. "Why does the Sage Disciple ride an ox cart? Why can't he get down and walk? Isn't the ox tired? This cart is too broken. Pulling such a wreck uphill is harder than pulling a new cart, and going downhill will cost the ox its life! Why does no one pity Old Ox?"
For a moment, the platform fell utterly silent. Pair after pair of eyes turned in unison toward Hu Buping.
Hu Buping jumped in fright and hurriedly said, "Why ride an ox cart when there are Fushan carriages? If you tire an ox to death, that would pay for several rides in a Fushan carriage, wouldn't it? Am I wrong?"
Flower Fox, Qingqiu Yue, and Li Xiaofan groaned inwardly. Hu Buping was the sort of blunt