The stone steps of the high terrace stretched upward, dense bamboo groves still lining either side, yet strangely, there were no fallen leaves on the steps.
Su Mo slowly climbed the stone steps, as though he stood in a place imbued with profoundly mysterious Dao intent.
Occasional breezes drifted past, stirring Su Mo's white hair.
At last, beside the steps, Su Mo saw a white-haired old man sitting cross-legged on a rock.
The white-haired old man's face was covered in wrinkles, and beneath his kindly smile, he had the bearing of an immortal sage.
Seeing Su Mo approach, the white-haired old man smiled and beckoned him closer.
"This junior, Su Mo, greets you, Senior." Su Mo walked up to the old man with great respect.
"Sit." The white-haired old man smiled and pointed to the ground before him. Su Mo nodded and sat down right there.
The white-haired old man smiled and nodded, his discerning eyes seeming capable of seeing through heavenly secrets.
"A Confucian disciple?" the old man asked with a smile.
"This junior entered the Dao through Confucianism, so I count as a Confucian disciple. Yet there seems to be no Confucian school in this world..." Su Mo nodded as he answered.
The old man smiled and slowly nodded, then asked Su Mo, "What do you think distinguishes Confucianism from the Dao?"
Su Mo thought for a moment before slowly answering, "Confucianism is founded on 'benevolence' and 'propriety.' It requires entering the world and seeks to draw upon all things to act."
"The Dao is founded on 'self' and 'nature.' It requires withdrawing from the world and seeks to follow all things, flowing of its own accord."
Simply put, Confucianism took benevolence and propriety as its foundation and emphasized joining the mortal world. When facing difficulties or problems,