The Confucian Old Man

The Old Man, with a long beard and wearing a blue robe and turban, laughed and said, "I saw that Yaoguan City was bustling with activity, and I thought I could sell some things. Who would have thought that the martial arts practitioners nowadays are all restless and impatient, only thinking about gathering herbs, cultivating, and fighting, completely lacking any interest in life or spiritual depth. This world values martial arts over literature, disregards etiquette and law, neglects moral cultivation, and does not advocate benevolence and righteousness. With the collapse of propriety and music, and the imbalance of yin and yang, how can the world not be in chaos?"

Li Weiyi's eyes lit up as he sensed the Confucian values emanating from the other person, which were similar to those on Earth. He tentatively asked, "What are your thoughts on the six virtues of wisdom, trustworthiness, sincerity, benevolence, righteousness, and loyalty, senior?"

The Old Man looked Li Weiyi up and down, then beamed with delight. "I didn't realize you had such a good understanding of Confucianism, young man. You're quite different from those uncouth people. But alas, carrying a battlefield-grade Horse-Slaying Saber like that is such an eyesore!"

Li Weiyi was incredibly excited. How could Confucianism exist in this world?

Could it have come from Earth?

That's definitely true.

Li Weiyi changed his form of address. "May I ask, sir, where can I learn Confucianism?"

Are you interested in Confucianism?

The Old Man, as if he had found a kindred spirit, was in high spirits. "Lizhou a wild and barbaric land of witchcraft and sorcery, with primitive and crude customs. How can one learn Confucianism there? If you want to learn Confucianism, you have to go to the Ten Prefectures of the Central Plains. In Qiuzhou, the Zuoqiu Courtyard prints the Zuo Zhuan every year for everyone to study for free. It's just a pity that the Zuo Zhuan is voluminous and complex, and few people have the patience to read it all. As for those who dedicate their lives to studying it, they are even fewer."

Cultivators from different regions have different ways of dividing the Twenty-Eight Prefectures of Lingxiao.

Qiuzhou is one of the Seven Prefectures of the Southern Territory and one of the Ten Prefectures of the Central Plains. The former is based on geographical location, while the latter is based on the sense of superiority felt by cultivators in the central plains.

"The Zuo Zhuan? The Zuo Shi Chun Qiu?"

Li Weiyi certainly did not believe that the "Zuo Zhuan" mentioned by the Old Man was the classic historical book written by Zuoqiu on Earth.

The Old Man's eyes showed a blank expression.

Li Weiyi smiled awkwardly and didn't mention the matter again. He then went to the calligraphy and painting stall, where one painting caught his eye.

"The Zen Sea Dragon Slaying Diagram."

The painting depicts a Red-clothed Immortal Maiden slaying a giant dragon above a sea of clouds. The dragon is as large as a mountain range, with scales as blue as jade. Half of it is in the sky, and the other half is in the sea of clouds. Its blood hangs like a waterfall between heaven and earth.

The Red-clothed Immortal Maiden is at the very foreground of the painting, occupying a small area, but her facial features are depicted with great detail, and her beautiful hair ornaments are lifelike.

It is almost identical to the one depicted on the tombstone of the Bronze Ship.

Who else could it be but Zen Sea Observing Mist?

"How much is this painting?" Li Weiyi asked.

Finally, business was open, and the Old Man was naturally overjoyed. "Not much, not much, just eight Silver Coin."

"Given the old gentleman's painting skills, it's not expensive at all."

Thinking of something, Li Weiyi asked, "Do you have a portrait of Xia Jin?"

The Old Man was startled and almost tried to cover Li Weiyi's mouth. "Don't talk nonsense, this is taboo. Who would dare to paint the Demon King and sell it? Are they out of their mind?"

"Then forget it!"

Li Weiyi only decided on the spur of the moment to buy it as a gift for the Master Urn.

"Why don't you take a look at my calligraphy? My calligraphy is absolutely superb."

The Old Man led Li Weiyi to the area beneath the calligraphy pieces on display, gently stroking his long beard, finding them increasingly beautiful.

"Boom!"

Two Danling Giant Beast, each the size of a house, pulled a palanquin as they walked. The martial arts practitioners on the street gasped in surprise and quickly moved aside, making way for a wide road.

"It's the Sixth Generation Grandson of the Demon King! It's said that it's the strongest being in the Spring Realm of Tianya Ridge, even the Dao Fire Ape can only rank second."

"This being possesses the bloodline of a demon king, how could it not be powerful? Look, it also has four arms."

Above the palanquin was a yellow canopy woven from cloud silk, swaying in the wind and releasing dazzling clouds of magical energy.

A black ape with four arms sat on a palanquin, embracing two stunningly beautiful human women on either side, groping them. These two women were presented to it by the Sui Sect and the Three Chen Palace, respectively.

Yang Yun Sui Sect, Huo Zhanbai of Sanchen Three Chen Palace, Su Yunqing Tianyi Gate, and Lu Dingsheng of the Coffin Sea Pavilion —these four Perfected Person from the Nine Springs represent the Four Great Sects and follow the carriage of the Sixth Generation Grandson of the Demon King, showing the utmost obsequiousness.

Li Weiyi watched as the imperial carriage approached.

What gives the Sui Sect the ability to befriend the Sixth Generation Grandson of the Demon King? What makes them able to persuade the Dao Fire Ape to do their bidding?

In his mind, he thought of the children imprisoned in the Changlin Gang's dungeon, who were supposedly to be sent there as snacks for some demons. A surge of anger gradually rose within him.

The calligraphy and painting stall was not being cleared in time and was knocked down by Danling Giant Beast pulling a cart. More than a dozen calligraphy works were crushed into the mud, and the Old Man wailed in grief.

Seeing how pitiful and honest he was, and how heartbroken he was, Li Weiyi planned to seek compensation from the group of Demon Race cultivators, but the Old Man stopped her.

"Young man, don't be impulsive. That's the Sixth Generation Grandson of the Demon King. We can't afford to offend him." The Old Man gripped Li Weiyi's wrist tightly.

Li Weiyi had no choice but to give up. If his momentary anger brought the Old Man to his death, it would be a case of making things worse than before.

Yao Yin coldly said, "In this world, Demon Race cultivators can swagger through human territory, and many human forces even line the streets to welcome them, offering tribute and flattery as if they were serving a lord. They will regret it sooner or later. How similar is this to the Jiu Li Tribe back then?"

The Old Man said, "If anyone is to blame, it's Lingxiao Palace for losing the hearts of the people. Yu Yaozi is muddle-headed and issued some kind of Xiao Tian Order, causing widespread resentment and chaos. Otherwise, how could the Demon Race dare to do this? The state has no permanent rulers, and the positions of rulers and ministers are not permanent. It's a pity that in this world, it seems that no one can truly make a difference. The new ruler of the world is still lurking in the abyss, and the long night is yet to come."

Li Weiyi had heard Hidden Lord mention that the Luantai Angel had already arrived in Lizhou. This old scholar actually dared to curse Lingxiao Palace and Yu Yaozi in the street—was he cowardly or courageous?

After paying for the painting, Li Weiyi, Yao Yin, and Hidden Twenty-Five quickly left.

Just outside the city, Yao Yin gently patted Ning Bai's forehead and said, "Look at my memory! I also need to buy some cultivation resources. Why don't you all go back to the ship first?"

Li Weiyi glanced at Hidden Twenty-Five: "You go with her."

Back on the ship.

Li Weiyi placed all twenty-nine jade boxes containing the Spring Breaking Needle on the ground, suppressed his excitement, sat cross-legged, and practiced the Jade Void Breathing Technique to adjust his state.

As the mind gradually calms and becomes more peaceful, all senses converge at the Shenque acupoint in the navel.

Only when the patient is in optimal condition can the jade box be opened, the first Spring Breaking Needle be taken out, and the needle be inserted into the Shenque acupoint with lightning speed.

"It hurts that much?"

The intense pain almost made Li Weiyi scream, but she managed to hold it in.

As the chilling energy from the Spring Breaking Needle entered his body, the pain did not subside; instead, it intensified. Li Weiyi gritted his teeth and restrained himself, channeling his magical power to flow continuously from the nine springs, circulating through his one hundred and eight Trace Meridians.

All senses are always focused on the Shenque acupoint.

In just a quarter of an hour, the Spring Breaking Needle, formed from the medicinal liquid, melted completely.

Li Weiyi immediately used the second one.

When he opened the Fifth Spring, he was able to withstand three Spring Breaking Needle in a row. With his current cultivation level and physical strength, he can naturally withstand even more.

Not all the martial artists from the Eight Springs realm refined their Trace Meridians to silver color when they attempted to break through to the Nine Springs Ancestral Field.

Therefore, in Li Weiyi's view, to break through to the tenth spring, it is not necessary to first refine Trace Meridians into gold.

"Out of energy again, the third one!"

"My physical body is indeed terrifyingly strong now, the fourth one!"

When Yao Yin returned to the ship, it was already afternoon.

"Greetings, young lady."

The two maids immediately went to greet them and bowed respectfully.

Yao Yin, with a brocade bundle slung across her waist, was in high spirits and eagerly asked, "Where is Sima Tan?"

"Young Master Sima has remained inside the cabin and has not gone out."

Yao Yin ignored them and strode happily, her skirt billowing, to the cabin where Li Weiyi lived. She gently tapped the door with her jade-like fingers several times, and after waiting for a long time, the door finally creaked open.

"What... what happened to you?"

Yao Yin was startled by his current state.

Li Weiyi's face was covered in sweat, his hair and trousers were soaked, and he had just put on his outer robe. His legs were weak and trembling, and his face was completely bloodless.

He said weakly, "Nothing... What's wrong?"

In one day, twelve Spring Breaking Needle were used, and no amount of persuasion from the Coffin Master and the Spirit Tablet Master could change their minds.

The Master Urn claimed that he had set a strange and unique record, one that was unprecedented and unlikely to be repeated.

Are you sure you're okay?

Yao Yin's eyes were filled with worry as she handed him the brocade bundle, saying, "I bought the Light Flame Pill from both the Tianyi Chamber of Commerce and the Coffin Sea Chamber of Commerce, a total of seven. I've already asked them to go to Jiu Li City to procure more. I've also contacted the Jiu Li Divine Hall; they should send a batch over as well."

Li Weiyi opened the bundle, looked at the pill bottle inside, and his previously exhausted expression immediately sharpened. "Are you stupid? Buying from the Tianyi Chamber of Commerce and the Coffin Sea Chamber of Commerce, how much money would they have made off you? Once I become Hidden Person, I can just use the resources of the Hidden Gate, or ask the Hidden Lord to retrieve them from the Divine Temple!"

Yao Yin said softly, "But I think you need it right now!"

Li Weiyi met her bright and beautiful blue eyes, her heart filled with mixed emotions, and her tone softened. "Where did you get so much money?"

Several shops were mortgaged.

Yao Yin's face cleared up after the rain, and she smiled broadly, seemingly not taking it to heart at all.

Li Weiyi said, "Your mother left you a large fortune because she was afraid that after her death, you would have no place to stand in the Yao Li Tribe and would be bullied. Don't do anything foolish again, or you'll be a spendthrift."

"But I've already signed some agreements with the two major chambers of commerce, exchanging shops for the Light Flame Pill they'll send later." Yao Yin pursed her red lips, her smile pure and beautiful, "You saved me, so consider this repaying a favor. Don't treat it like a hot potato."

"You're young, and I'm afraid the Yao Li Tribe will cause me trouble, saying I'm deceiving Little Girl."

Li Weiyi remembered her sentiment, and with a lighthearted remark, asked, "What about Hidden Twenty-Five?"

"He went to challenge the Dao Fire Ape!" Yao Yin said.

Li Weiyi's expression tightened instantly. "Where did he get that Otherworldly Coffin?"

Only those with Otherworldly Coffin are qualified to take on this challenge.

"He's Perfected Person the netherworld, you underestimate him too much. He can easily obtain an Otherworldly Coffin."

Yao Yin wasn't too worried. She had seen Hidden Twenty-Five challenge Hidden Nine, and his strength was extremely formidable. Even if he wasn't a match for the Dao Fire Ape, he would definitely be able to surrender and save his life.

Li Weiyi knew that Hidden Twenty-Five possessed ninety-one Trace Meridians, and was nearly entirely silver-level, a level of strength that ordinary Nine Springs Perfected Person could not match.

The two large banners on the arena were indeed very humiliating; any Jiu Li Tribe Perfected Person saw them would be provoked to fight back.

"Boom!"

A thunderous sound of battle erupted on the shore not far from the large medicine flag ship, causing the ground to tremble violently.

Then, an arrogant laugh echoed across the dock, "Haha, the Jiu Li Tribe actually has a Nine Springs Perfected Person! Your strength is not weak. Where do you think you're going to escape to? Let's fight ten more rounds. If you can hold on, I'll spare your life."

Blood was flowing from Hidden Twenty-Five's mouth and nose. He drew his knife and fled rapidly into the distance, leaving a bloody claw mark the size of a bowl on his back.

Most of his clothes were soaked in blood, and there were bloody footprints with every step.

He never expected that even after he had conceded defeat and left the arena, the Dao Fire Ape would disregard the rules and relentlessly pursue him.

Clearly, the demons of Tianya Ridge are extremely arrogant and do as they please in Lizhou, killing whomever they want, and they call the rules themselves.