Xu Caichen: Master, What Gives You the Right to Say I'm Not a Gentleman?

Miscellaneous Dao Institute Dao-Seeking Academy.

Xu Caichen stood at the courtyard gate, eagerly awaiting the return of his master and fellow disciples.

These days, whenever he occasionally goes down the mountain, he often hears people talking about how powerful his master is.

This filled him with longing, and finally he saw several figures walking through the air.

"Disciple greets Master." Xu Caichen bowed first, before Chu Feng and his group even landed.

No need for formalities.

As Chu Feng spoke, he descended from the sky. He glanced at Xu Caichen; the boy's Literary Qi had increased considerably, but he still lacked Vast Righteous Qi. What exactly was wrong with this kid?

He asked, "Have you gotten used to life while your teacher was away?"

Xu Caichen respectfully replied, "I've gotten used to Master's absence, but there are some things I don't understand that have no one to answer."

Chu Feng smiled and said, "Come and ask me questions tomorrow when the sun is high in the sky."

"Promise."

Xu Caichen responded and then withdrew.

After landing, everyone returned to their respective courtyards.

Chu Feng returned to his room and quietly read. He hadn't had a proper reading session during his trip and was determined to catch up on what he had missed.

Several hours later, the Miscellaneous Dao Institute suddenly became lively.

A dozen or so figures descended from the sky and landed outside the Miscellaneous Dao Institute.

Upon seeing their attire, Xu Caichen immediately bowed and said, "Disciple Xu Caichen greets all elders."

No need for formalities.

Elder Qi of the Dharma Cultivation Institute spoke first.

"I wonder what brings you esteemed elders here?" Xu Caichen asked curiously.

Elder Qi said, "We have come to pay our respects to Chief Chu, and we hope you will convey our message."

"Promise."

Xu Caichen rushed into Chu Feng's villa and reported the matter to Chu Feng.

"What? A group of elders have come knocking on our door?"

Chu Feng subtly concealed the classic novel behind his back, then said, "Let them all come in."

"Promise."

Xu Caichen turned and left after saying this.

Chu Feng watched his departing figure, straightened his clothes, and then went into the courtyard. Soon after, he saw the elders from various academies walking in one after another, each carrying a pile of gifts.

We pay our respects to Chief Chu.

When the elders saw Chu Feng, they all bowed and paid their respects.

No need for such formalities, everyone.

Seeing this, Chu Feng knew perfectly well why these people had come to his door—they were trying to curry favor with him.

Having lived two lives, he naturally wouldn't make things difficult for everyone at this time.

"Caichen, go and fetch some tables and chairs, and then have Little Fatty prepare a sumptuous feast. Today, I'd like to invite all the elders for a drink."

"Promise."

Xu Caichen didn't find it troublesome and quickly brought chairs for the elders.

Chu Feng sat in the main seat and chatted with everyone.

An hour later, the banquet was ready.

Chu Feng personally hosted a banquet for the elders, and none of them refused.

During the banquet, glasses clinked and everything was discussed over wine.

After a few drinks, everyone became more lively.

"What a delicious dish! This must be the legendary Taisui meat," Elder Qi asked, picking up a piece of Taisui meat.

"Elder Qi has a good eye," Chu Feng said with a smile.

"It's too formal for Chief Chu to call me Elder. If you don't mind, how about calling me Brother?" Elder Qi said with a smile.

"Okay, it's settled then."

Chu Feng raised his glass and said, "Cheers!"

"Dry!"

After downing a cup of wine, Elder Qi sighed, "The dishes are excellent, but the wine is rather ordinary. Elder Bai, when will your fine wine be served?"

Elder Bai said with a smile, "You old codger, you've been thinking about my wine all day long. I just put that century-old monkey wine in the gift so that Chief Chu can enjoy it slowly later."

Chu Feng said, "Elder Bai, that's not right of you. Enjoying things alone is never as fun as sharing them with others."

These words immediately garnered the approval of many people.

"Chief Chu is right!"

Soon, Qin Qin brought up the century-old monkey wine and poured a cup for each of the elders present.

Smelling the aroma of the wine, Chu Feng murmured, "Don't you think my Miscellaneous Dao Institute is lacking a disciple who can brew wine?"

Elder Qi echoed, "Indeed, we're missing one. Only this kind of spirit wine is worthy of this feast. However, Brother Chu, it seems a bit wasteful of you to recruit a winemaking disciple just for a cup of fine wine."

Elder Bai smiled and said, "Why recruit from outside? We have many disciples in our Dao-Seeking Academy. Surely we can find a few who are interested in brewing?"

Chu Feng nodded slightly. "That makes sense. I'll find a suitable candidate among the outer disciples in a few days."

Elder Bai continued, "If Chief Chu doesn't mind, I can also inquire among the overseas deacons and miscellaneous disciples of the External Affairs Institute; perhaps I'll find something unexpected."

"Alright, then I'll wait for Elder Bai's good news."

Chu Feng raised his wine glass again as he spoke.

The banquet lasted until midnight.

The next day at noon, when Chu Feng got up, Xu Caichen was already waiting for him in the villa to give him instructions.

"Caichen, tell me what parts you don't understand."

Xu Caichen respectfully picked up a scroll of paper and handed it over. "Master, these are all questions this disciple doesn't understand. Please enlighten me."

Chu Feng took the scroll, opened it, and examined it carefully. After reading it, a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

"Pen, ink, paper, and inkstone."

Xu Caichen quickly placed the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the table, slowly grinding the ink, and then respectfully handed the brush to Chu Feng.

Chu Feng took the pen from him and wrote a large tally mark on the paper.

Xu Caichen just glanced at the correct character and felt his head buzzing, and he didn't dare to look at it a second time.

"Master, what's wrong with me?"

Chu Feng said calmly, "It's nothing, it's just that your literary style is not enough, so you will have this reaction when you see this straight character."

Xu Caichen was not a dull person; he instantly understood that his master was saying he was trying to do too much at once and couldn't handle it properly.

He asked respectfully, "Master, what books should this disciple primarily study?"

Chu Feng rubbed his chin and said, "I have a Analects of Swinging, which is my commentary on the Analects of Saint Kong. After three days, you will study the Analects of Swinging and practice some basic martial arts to strengthen your body in your spare time."

Why?

Xu Caichen looked puzzled.

Chu Feng laughed and said, "That's because you read too many different books and are too rigid in your ways. You don't meet the requirements of a gentleman at all, which is why you haven't been able to comprehend the Righteous Qi of Heaven and Earth."

Upon hearing this, Xu Caichen respectfully retorted, "Master, I disagree with this statement. I ask myself, how can I not be considered a gentleman, given my dignified conduct, consistent words and deeds, benevolence, virtue, loyalty, and integrity?"

Chu Feng wasn't angry at all; instead, he chuckled, "Then let me ask you, of the Six Arts of a Gentleman—rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics—how many have you mastered?"

Xu Caichen was taken aback. "Master, shouldn't a scholar only learn etiquette, music, and calligraphy? How can you learn archery and charioteering like a brute?"

"You're really just a bookworm, no wonder you're still only a scholar after all these years."

Chu Feng paused for a moment. "The Six Arts of a Gentleman were not taught by me, but by Saint Kong. Do you not even heed the words of Saint?"

Xu Caichen fell silent. He began to doubt the meaning of life. Had he been wrong all along?

"Think it over carefully. Once you've figured it out, come back to me for Analects of Swinging."

As Chu Feng stood up to leave, Xu Caichen said with a firm look in his eyes, "Master, this disciple is willing to become a gentleman. Please grant me your Analects of Swinging."

"Excellent, this child is teachable."

Chu Feng smiled and patted Xu Caichen on the shoulder, "Remember to get up and exercise tomorrow."

Xu Caichen: "..."