Strong Enemy

The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial watched the battle below.

He almost lost control and nearly crushed the armrest of the chair.

This is extremely rare for someone of his rank three, even though he is not a true rank three.

His true cultivation level was that of a fourth- Human Path Confucian cultivator, while his official rank was that of a third-rank duke.

Even so, it is extremely rare for him to lose his composure or even nearly lose control of his power.

And that's exactly what's happening right now.

"Nineteen..." he counted silently.

Then.

"Twenty...!" He finally couldn't hold back and revealed an extremely subtle aura of power, causing the tables and chairs around him to crack.

These tables and chairs were all Law Treasure, incredibly valuable, but they have all been shattered by the pressure he unintentionally released.

Not far away, the young master of Wushen Mountain had defeated twenty people in succession!

They were all renowned young talents. You should know that those who were qualified to attend this banquet were all geniuses on whom each department placed high hopes, and they were here to broaden their horizons.

But that young master of Wushen Mountain...

He was knowledgeable and eloquent, and adept at discussing philosophical principles, so I won't elaborate further.

His outspokenness and startling pronouncements, which made people grit their teeth in anger, were also based on irrefutable evidence, causing wave after wave of fear to rise from below.

Just as Li Qi said, he was never afraid of anyone when it came to memorizing texts.

As a third-rank official, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial had countless ways to refute Li Qi, but all he could do was watch his juniors get beaten up!

This made him even more annoyed.

Moreover, it's not that there haven't been people who could refute him.

However, he immediately beat up the junior he saw, saying that the other party only talked the talk and did not understand the reasoning he was talking about.

It was this incident that caused the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial to completely lose his composure.

But he was also incredibly surprised.

How is that possible?

He observed that the other person's spiritual age was no more than twenty or thirty years old. How could he have memorized tens of thousands of ancient books? Every word and phrase came from the classics, and he used them very well, understood them very deeply, and most importantly, he could also use the corresponding Technique Method.

How could someone in their twenties or thirties possibly memorize so much information, even if they started cultivating from the womb? And how could they understand it so profoundly?

Does he have thirty Chen in a day?!

Has he stopped cultivating? Does he spend all his time memorizing and studying?!

This is not something that can be achieved by distorting cosmic light; it is something that actually only took this much time, because even if cosmic light were distorted, age would still progress normally.

Even more frighteningly, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial used his Divine Ability to observe the cultivation path of this young master from Wushen Mountain and discovered that he had only been cultivating for a little over three years.

In just over three years, he rose to the eighth rank, possessing extensive knowledge and a solid foundation, even capable of engaging in a debate with a group of experts and gaining the upper hand.

How is that possible?!

Has the quality of the people at Wushen Mountain really dropped to this level?! Is this some kind of naturally gifted prodigy found in some remote mountain valley?

The successive onslaughts eventually caused this third-rank official to lose his composure slightly.

This slight lapse in composure did not escape the notice of the great shaman opposite him.

The great shaman glanced at it and deliberately let out a very clear low laugh.

This infuriated the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial even more!

No matter what a junior does, he wouldn't lose his composure, but the mockery of a high-ranking shaman of the same rank truly enraged him.

However, after he became truly angry, his expression calmed down, and even his eyes softened.

Anger never clouded his judgment.

If you can't even control your own thoughts, how could you possibly have cultivated yourself to this level?

However, we still need to find a way to deal with it.

Since the other party is a true genius, then we probably need to find some other promising geniuses to stop him, otherwise it would be a real loss of face.

This is a matter of pride for the Tang Dynasty!

He took a deep breath and his mind stirred.

Even the great shaman on the other side did not notice that a secret message was transmitted from here to the Human Path terminal, spread to the Dragon Vein, and then all the way to the Imperial Academy.

At this very moment, in the Imperial Academy.

Inside an academy.

A man who looked like a gentleman suddenly looked up from the pile of books.

He was of average appearance, but had an exceptional temperament. There seemed to be a righteous aura emanating from him. Although his appearance was ordinary, he gave people an extremely refreshing and comfortable feeling, like a green bamboo.

Green bamboo may not be as beautiful and dazzling as flowers, but it can bring a refreshing feeling to one's face.

He looked up at the door because someone had arrived.

However, he wasn't angry that his research was interrupted, because he knew that someone must have something to say to bother him.

But then someone pushed the door open and entered.

It's the gatekeeper.

"Liu Zhijiang, we have news for you. It's urgent and encrypted. Judging from the tag, it was sent by a high-ranking official in purple robes. Please handle it quickly. We'll leave the items here for now." The gatekeeper said with utmost respect, then looked at the 'Liu Zhijiang' with reverence.

Because the other party is indeed worthy of respect.

Some students at the Imperial Academy, even before graduating, already held official positions within the academy.

The Imperial Academy had tutors, whose official title was Doctor of the Four Gates, Principal Seventh Rank. They were in charge of the ceremony of paying tuition, supervising classes, conducting examinations, and selecting outstanding scholars.

Simply put, he was the head of academic affairs, responsible for supervising studies and exams, and evaluating the students' grades at the Imperial Academy.

The four doctoral students have three teaching assistants, Subordinate Eighth Rank or higher.

There were also four officials who were appointed to lecture directly, and their salaries and privileges were the same as those of other officials.

This Liu Zhijiang is a student who takes on the role of lecturer.

Their duties included assisting the doctor and teaching assistant, specializing in teaching classics. In other words, although they were students, they were actually teaching other students.

What kind of quality and knowledge did the students of the Imperial Academy possess? As fellow students, how could I, Liu Zhijiang, possibly teach them?

That's why the doorman looked at him with such respect.

In fact, most of the students who took the Confucian classics class held Liu Zhijiang, who could be considered their "senior brother," in high esteem.

Resolute and courageous, charitable, exceptionally intelligent, knowledgeable, thoughtful and discerning...

There are countless positive words to describe him.

Some even say that every time someone comes up with a better word, they can understand Liu Zhijiang a little better.

The Grand Master of the Imperial Academy personally commented on his academic achievements. "Liu Junyi is learned and knowledgeable in all fields, from astronomy and calendrical science to strategic locations in mountains and rivers. He is well-versed in collating classics and histories, and in compiling various books. He has a deep understanding of the gains and losses of governance and chaos throughout history and is familiar with historical anecdotes. In the classics, he is well-versed in the teachings of various schools since the Tang Dynasty, and in history, he has mastered the interpretations of many schools. He can be fully entrusted with the compilation and collation work of various academies."

Such outstanding talent would rank among the top ten even in a place like the Imperial Academy, where geniuses gather.

The only pity is that his cultivation level is average. Because he focuses on the various scriptures, he doesn't have much energy to improve his cultivation level, which is why he is now in his forties and about to graduate, but he is still only at the eighth rank.

But the official positions in the Tang Kingdom were specifically created for such talented individuals.

Even if you devote yourself entirely to studying and research, and have no time or energy to cultivate your character, you can still be promoted directly to a high rank through officialdom without worrying about your lifespan.

Everything was arranged perfectly.

Liu Junyi put down the book, picked up the terminal, and began to read the information on it.

"News from the Honglu Temple..." he murmured.

The Honglu Temple invited him to a banquet for foreigners, where he would debate with them.

To be honest, he didn't really like arguing with people, but this was, after all, an invitation from a high-ranking official in purple robes, and he couldn't refuse.

Moreover, the news said that this young master from Wushen Mountain was learned and knowledgeable, and had few rivals. He was also very curious that such a person existed.

Hmm... In that case, let's go take a look.

Liu Junyi packed his things, straightened his scholar's robe, and quietly went out.

No one was alerted.

But then a Qingfeng seemed to swirl around him.

A Qingfeng arrives, causing a blue robe to flutter.

The green robe resembles spring grass, the grass grows tall and slender in the breeze.

See the algae in the water, and the blue lotus emerges from the dust.

Carriages travel on well-maintained roads, while light boats float on long rivers.

As the wind blew, he too was carried away by it.

A short while later, a Confucian scholar in a blue robe appeared gracefully on the island in the middle of the river, walking casually along the road.

At this moment, Li Qi was criticizing his twenty-fifth opponent.

He shouted, "The sage said that internally, the rites of governing the ancestral temple are sufficient to match the spirits of Heaven and Earth; externally, the rites of speaking frankly are sufficient to establish respect between superiors and inferiors. You speak of rites, yet you presume to use unorthodox methods to win. It is clear that you do not believe in rites, your words and actions are inconsistent, you know but do not act, yet you still dare to talk about rites? Get out!"

As Li Qi shouted, another person retreated in shame.

The scene fell silent; no one had stood up to challenge Li Qi for the time being.

Li Qi spoke and fought at the same time, sweeping away twenty-five people in succession, and the others dared not get up easily.

Losing face is a small matter, but the real fear is that it will further embolden Li Qi.

A person's spirit has its own kind of charisma. Li Qi Qilian stood against twenty-five people, accumulating victories and possessing a powerful and imposing aura. He was showing the potential to become more and more courageous in battle, and no one dared to challenge him lightly, for fear of making his momentum grow even stronger.

It would be better to let Li Qi cool down first, let his momentum subside, and then challenge him.

Meanwhile, the people from Wushen Mountain were having a good time. While the food in front of others had gone cold, they deliberately started cutting meat, eating, chatting and drinking.

Yan Ke and Zhong Minglou were relatively restrained, only starting to eat.

Bo Yue, who was not afraid of death, even went to toast the great shaman, laughing loudly as if he had never been beaten.

But with Li Qi holding the line, they weren't actually hit.

Just when Li Qi thought the group would stop, someone suddenly spoke to him.

"The rites govern the world and regulate human relations. When used to govern, they flourish together with the world. Therefore, in the 26th year of Duke Zhao, the Zuo Zhuan quoted Yanzi as saying, 'The rites have long been used to govern the country, and they are as enduring as the heavens and the earth.' Based on their origin, Emperor Sui first introduced the method of grasping the lever and the lever, and pointed to the heavens to implement governance and education."

"Ritual is based on the principles of heaven and earth, so why can't unconventional tactics be considered ritual?"

Li Qi looked towards the source of the sound, where a gentle-looking cultivator in a blue robe rushed over from outside.

The Confucian scholar in the blue robe arrived and continued Li Qi's previous topic, saying the following.

Li Qi felt a chill run down his spine.

Even the people from Wushen Mountain put down their food and looked at the newly arrived scholar. The Great Witch Mi also narrowed his eyes slightly.

On the other side.

Many Tang Kingdom perked up, and the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial Ceremonies relaxed.

Some Confucian scholars whispered among themselves, "It's Lord Liu."

"It's actually Liu Jun! What's he doing here?"

"Who is Liu Jun? But he seems capable of handling this?"

However, some people didn't recognize him and quickly asked the people next to them who Liu Jun was.

However, ignoring the whispers around him, Liu Junyi continued forward and asked Li Qi:

"Ritual is the source of changes in heaven and earth, and the origin of politics and education. It began with the first emperor of the human race, and after the Emperor Sui, it went through six cycles and ninety-one generations until Fuxi first created the ten-word teaching. Thus, it was completed. Regardless of whether it was Fuxi Emperor Sui, they were all emperors of the human race. It can be seen that ritual originated from the emperor of the human race and the Human Path."

"If you are Shaman, how dare you discuss etiquette with Human Path? What does etiquette have to do with shamanism? You mistakenly believe that etiquette is merely a set of restrictive customs, and even use this as a basis to argue against others. Do you really understand etiquette?"

Liu Junyi walked slowly forward to Li Qi's position and asked Li Qi this question.

The scene fell silent, and everyone turned to look in this direction.

Li Qi frowned; the other party had hit the nail on the head.

If we understand 'rites' from this perspective, then Li Qi's argument is pure fallacy and has no persuasive power.

At the same time, one could see 'rules' unfolding all around.

Li Qi sensed that an unnamed force had formed a 'ritual system' that bound his limbs, making it difficult for him to move.

But...

It's very gentle, not aggressive, just a simple restraint.

Just like water.

If you're just soaking in it, you hardly feel anything; it's as if it doesn't exist.

However, if you want to accelerate, the soft water will create enormous resistance. An arrow that can easily break the speed of sound in the air can hardly move an inch in the water.

Li Qi felt himself enveloped by water. As long as he followed the direction fixed by the water, he could move freely, but if he wanted to go against the current, it would be extremely difficult.

Sensing this restraint, Li Qi immediately became serious.

He knew that this was the other party's understanding of etiquette and the corresponding Technique Method.

So Li Qi looked at the other person, his heart serious, and after careful consideration, he said, "Where does the gentleman speak of propriety originate? The sages said: Humans are born with desires, and if these desires are not fulfilled, they cannot help but seek. If these seeking has no measure or limit, then they cannot help but contend; contending leads to chaos, and chaos leads to poverty. The ancient kings abhorred this chaos, so they established propriety and righteousness to regulate these desires, to nourish people's desires, and to satisfy their needs. This ensures that desires will not be exhausted by material things, and that material things will not be overwhelmed by desires. The two maintain a balance and grow together, and this is the origin of propriety."

What Li Qi said was what he believed to be the origin of rites.

Humans are born with desires. To satisfy these desires, we make demands on the outside world. If these demands are excessive and without standards, conflicts will arise.

Conflict leads to chaos, and chaos leads to poverty. Ancient Sacred King abhorred chaos, so they established rituals and regulations to restrain material resources and desires, thus maintaining long-term harmonious development. This is the origin of ritual.

"Rites are regulated by people and were created by ancient Sacred King. What does that have to do with the principles of nature? Does the gentleman think that the principles of nature created the system of rites?" Li Qi asked rhetorically.

At this moment, the Confucian scholar immediately replied, "Why not? In those days, when things were simple and unrefined, all things naturally possessed manners. Hence, lambs kneel to suckle, wild geese fly in formation, and ants display military bearing. How could these be taught? It is because the Three Powers heaven, earth, and man) were already distinct, and manners naturally arose."

Etiquette is innate, hence the lamb kneeling to suckle, geese lining up themselves, and ants forming ranks—these are all innate forms of etiquette.

As the two debated, their respective Technique Method were also unleashed.

The weaklings are gone, but the tough guys have arrived.