Li Daonian drank half a pot of wine in one long draught, then slowly lowered it. His fierce eyes locked onto Lin Su's. "I have also heard of your romantic and elegant methods, Brother. Thus, I have a word to offer you!"
"Brother Li, please speak freely," Lin Su said.
"Every person has their own path. As a scholar, you may hold high office in a pavilion, or compose mediocre elegant verses in teahouses. But on the Cultivation Way, do not meddle where you do not belong, much less break the rules."
Lin Su smiled faintly. "Beneath the Heavenly Dao lie ten thousand paths; whoever possesses a Spiritual Root may walk them all. The Heavenly Dao never decreed that one who walks the literary path cannot enter the Cultivation Way. Yet Brother Li speaks of rules. Could it be that these rules were set by you?"
Li Daonian slowly leaned forward. "I cannot be bothered to trade words with you. You need only understand one thing."
His voice was slow and gentle, yet as he leaned forward, it was as though a towering mountain had slowly pressed down, its immense pressure so crushing that even the wind could not pass through.
Yet Lin Su raised his gaze, still mild as a spring breeze. "Which thing?"
"Among the rivers and lakes, those who understand the times are heroes. Fools who do not understand the times will ultimately die with body and Dao extinguished!"
Lin Su smiled. "Those who understand the times are heroes! That is indeed true. Why only among the rivers and lakes? It is the same in the grand halls of power! But... this fool you speak of, who does not understand the times—what is his surname? Lin, or Li?"
Li Daonian abruptly straightened!
As his body rose, he