Chapter 257: The Sole Righteousness

The Dao sanctuary fell deathly silent.

It seemed that Li Shun's clever rebuttal had enraged the young Scholar. His eyes narrowed slightly, a trace of fury flashing deep within them.

Boom!

An invisible and terrifying pressure suddenly erupted from his seemingly slender body. It was as though towering mountains had come crashing down from above, or the fierce astral winds of the Nine Heavens were howling through the air, all of it bearing down upon Li Shun.

From Li Shun's perspective, the young Scholar seated behind the desk seemed to grow infinitely taller in an instant, his body expanding millions upon millions of times. He was like an ancient giant who towered between heaven and earth, looking down from on high at his own insignificant self, as tiny as an ant.

“You're twisting words and forcing an argument! Do you know your mistake?”

The furious shout exploded like thunder, shaking Li Shun's sea of consciousness and sending his qi and blood surging violently.

Yet Li Shun stood unmoved amid the raging wind and torrential storm, his expression unchanged.

“This disciple has committed no error.”

“The error lies with the Scholar.”

The moment those eight words fell, the boundless wind and rain, along with the overwhelming pressure that could topple mountains and overturn seas, abruptly came to a standstill.

The thunderous punishment Li Shun had expected never descended.

Crack...

The towering phenomenon before his eyes quietly shattered like a mirror.

Li Shun suddenly came back to his senses, only to discover that he was still standing within that serene Dao sanctuary.

Behind the desk, the fury on the young Scholar's face had long since vanished. In its place was a faint smile as gentle as a spring breeze.

“Now that is a fine example of ‘A rotten piece of wood cannot be carved.’”

“Your words are firm, your arguments supported by the classics, and your reasoning sound.”

“Unyielding before might.”

The young Scholar applauded in admiration, his grim demeanor from before completely transformed.

“You truly possess the backbone of a Confucian scholar. Very good!”

“Allow me to properly introduce myself. My name is Han Qi. You may call me Teacher Han, or Scholar Han.”

Faced with this sudden friendliness, Li Shun's taut nerves instead felt somewhat uncomfortable.

He restrained his aura and respectfully cupped his hands once more.

“Greetings, Teacher Han.”

Han Qi casually waved his hand, and an ancient wooden chair materialized out of thin air before Li Shun.

Only after Li Shun had taken his seat did Han Qi slowly speak.

“The Confucian teachings of the Imperial Academy place the greatest emphasis on ‘teaching according to one's aptitude.’”

“That little test just now allowed me to ascertain your temperament and backbone. Naturally, the teaching methods I use going forward will be tailored accordingly.”

“However, today is your first official day of study, so I have no intention of teaching you any specific classical doctrines.”

Han Qi leaned slightly forward, looking directly at Li Shun.

“I only wish to ask you one question. As a disciple of Confucianism, how do you view the Sages of our Confucian tradition?”

Faced with this sudden examination, which seemed to have nothing whatsoever to do with cultivation, Li Shun was momentarily stunned.

After pondering briefly, he gave the standard answer that could hardly be faulted.

“The reason a sage is called a sage is because he can accomplish what ordinary people cannot. When we ordinary scholars face a sage, we should naturally look up to him as one gazes upon a lofty mountain, and follow his example as one follows a great and righteous path.”

After listening, Han Qi looked Li Shun up and down.

Then his expression turned stern.

“Insincere. Answer again!”

Seeing a trace of hesitation and apprehension flash through Li Shun's eyes, Han Qi added, “There aren't nearly as many rigid rules and regulations within the Taixue Academy as there are outside. You may cast aside your reservations and speak your mind freely.”

“Even if the sages learn of your words, they will not blame you.”

Li Shun remained silent for a long time before finally answering.

“The sagehood of a single person is not true sagehood.”

“If all living beings under heaven can become sages, only then will it be the true Great Unity of the Sage Dao.”

“If all living beings have no one to lead the way, then I am willing to be the first.”

The words were spoken softly, yet they seemed to carry the weight of a thousand jun, echoing throughout the tranquil Dao sanctuary for a long time.

Faced with such startling and unconventional words, Han Qi's expression remained surprisingly calm.

He simply gazed deeply at Li Shun, studying him repeatedly. In the end, however, he offered neither praise nor criticism.

Instead, he changed the subject and returned to the matter of Li Shun's studies at the Taixue Academy.

“I know you come from the Spring and Autumn Brush lineage. But within my Taixue Academy's classroom, you are not restricted to cultivating a single lineage.”

“Which one would you like to focus on?”

As his voice fell, several luminous spheres of varying colors suddenly appeared in the empty space before Han Qi, each circulating with profound and mysterious fluctuations of aura.

From these spheres, Li Shun sensed Confucian principle qi that shared the same origin yet was completely different in nature.

One sphere, emanating the heavy aura of historical records, was extremely familiar to him.

It was precisely the [Spring and Autumn Brush].

Seeing Li Shun's gaze linger on the Spring and Autumn Brush, Han Qi reminded him,

“Every lineage of Confucianism shares the same origin. Even if you cultivate other branches alongside your own, their principle qi will never come into conflict.”

“If you have already thoroughly comprehended the theories of your own lineage, you might as well spare some attention for the classical teachings of the other branches.”

“The stones of other mountains can be used to polish jade. Perhaps they may help you open up an entirely new world and gain something unexpected.”

“You also need not worry about being blamed by the elders of your sect outside. After all, the countless branches of Confucianism can all be traced back to the same Confucian Sage.”

Li Shun nodded slightly and looked over the other luminous spheres one after another.

[Responsibility for All Under Heaven], [Controlling Heavenly Mandate], [Restore Ancient Rites], [Investigate Things and Attain Their Principles]...

Although Li Shun was not particularly familiar with these lineages, neither were they complete strangers to him.

However, when his gaze inadvertently swept toward a luminous sphere in the farthest corner, he could not help but pause.

The other Confucian spheres, regardless of their particular schools, all more or less radiated a righteous and harmonious aura.

But the black sphere in the corner was different.

It was as black as ink.

Not only did it possess none of that righteous aura, it instead contained an extreme killing intent and ferocity so intense that it sent chills down the spine.

Noticing Li Shun's reaction, the corners of Han Qi's lips curved into a meaningful smile.

“Good eye.”

“This is an extremely secretive branch of our Confucian tradition, the [Sole Righteousness].”

“‘Sole Righteousness?”

Li Shun's brows furrowed slightly.

“Why have I never heard of such a lineage in Great Qian?”

Han Qi's expression became somewhat inscrutable.

“This lineage runs rather contrary to orthodox Confucian principles. Thus, it has remained obscure in the world.”

“This lineage originated from the Confucian Sage's tale of vengeance in ancient times.”

Han Qi's voice suddenly rose.

“If one seeks vengeance for nine generations, can it still be considered righteous?”

“Even if a hundred generations pass, so be it!”

“[Sole Righteousness] advocates the Great Vengeance. It holds that there is absolute orthodoxy and absolute righteousness. From this fundamental principle, one derives, deduces, and determines the legitimacy of everything one does!”

Han Qi's brief introduction was enough to arouse Li Shun's interest.

However, seeing that Li Shun still seemed somewhat wary of this extreme school of thought, Han Qi did not urge him to make a decision. He merely waved his broad sleeve, gathering all the luminous spheres back together.

“There is no need to decide in haste. You can first look through the introductory classics of the various schools. Weigh their advantages and disadvantages before making your choice.”

“That will be all for today. Go back and rest well. Come again tomorrow.”

With that, Han Qi very decisively issued his dismissal.

Li Shun bowed farewell and returned to his own courtyard.

Activating his jade token, he located the relevant introductory classics of the various schools.

With a slight movement of his divine sense, he submitted his request.

In only a brief moment, streaks of flowing light came flying over from the center of the Taixue Academy.

They were precisely the introductory classics of the various Confucian schools that Li Shun had selected.

“How convenient.”

Li Shun could not help but sigh in admiration.