Book Two: Winds Rise in Anxi Prefecture Chapter 152: Such Is the Way of the World

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The accumulated decay had become almost impossible to reverse.

These days, Confucian scholars looked down on this person one moment and that person the next.

There were three thousand paths to the Great Dao. How could any be ranked above another?

And what of martial artists?

Those at the very pinnacle were in no way inferior to great Confucian scholars.

Some martial artists had even founded entire schools of their own, with disciples spread throughout the realm.

“Have Lu Shoucheng come to see me,” Master Xu ordered.

“Understood!”

Dean Bai hurried outside and quickly arrived before the crowd. He first glared at the Confucian scholars surrounding Lu Jiuzhang.

“Although Lu Jiuzhang is from Changshui County, he also came from Anxi Prefecture.”

“There are three thousand paths to the Great Dao. Are some truly higher than others?”

“You will each copy the Collected Commentaries of the Ancient Worthies and Sages one hundred times!”

Under Dean Bai’s reprimand, the scholars lowered their heads and swiftly dispersed.

“Student Lu, Master Xu is inside the Literary Star Tower,” Dean Bai said to Lu Jiuzhang.

“Thank you, Dean Bai, for coming to my aid.”

Lu Jiuzhang cupped his hands.

“You are too polite. Even if I had not appeared, you could have resolved the matter yourself. Master Xu and I were watching from the tower above. Master Xu has praised you several times. Do not disappoint his expectations. From now on, you must cultivate diligently and catch up with him as soon as possible.”

Dean Bai waved his hand, indicating that Lu Jiuzhang could go up.

Just as Dean Bai was about to enter the Literary Star Tower as well, a student came running over in a panic.

“Dean, Governor Xu requests an audience!”

“Governor Xu? Quickly, invite him in!”

Dean Bai hurriedly gave the order.

As the ruler of the entire Anxi Prefecture, Governor Xu held an exalted position.

Dean Bai dared not neglect him.

…

At the entrance to Anxi Academy, Dean Bai took three strides in two and arrived before a dignified middle-aged man.

The man wore a black robe edged with gold thread and a black crown upon his head. There was an air of considerable authority about him.

“Governor, your arrival has brought light to our humble academy,” Dean Bai said flatteringly.

“Dean Bai, you are too kind!”

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Governor Xu said, “I heard that Master Xu is at Anxi Academy, so I came especially to pay my respects.”

“Master Xu is in the Literary Star Tower discussing an important matter with someone. I can accompany you on a tour of Anxi Academy while we wait a little longer.”

Dean Bai bowed respectfully.

“Then let us take a look around the academy first.”

The governor walked at the very front. Dean Bai kept half a step to the side and followed behind him.

The Literary Star Tower, top floor.

Watching the scene below, Master Xu took the initiative to ask, “What do you think of Dean Bai as a person?”

“He is very different from the image I had imagined,” Lu Jiuzhang answered frankly. “A scholar should possess lofty ideals and an unrestrained spirit. I believed that, as the head of an academy, Dean Bai ought to be upright and incorruptible, unwilling to bow before the powerful.”

That was how a scholar ought to be.

“Not so,” Master Xu said, shaking his head. “I believe he acted correctly. A scholar should indeed be upright and incorruptible, unyielding, and unwilling to bow before the powerful. But he is not merely a scholar. He is the dean of Anxi Academy.”

“All of Anxi Academy’s expenses are supported by Anxi Prefecture. Even if he does not consider himself, he must consider the Confucian scholars of the academy.”

“If he offended the governor, Anxi Academy would find itself in a difficult position.”

“Even so, he should remain neither humble nor arrogant. There was no need for him to humble himself so completely.”

“Shoucheng, you are being too idealistic,” Master Xu said. “The world is as it is. How could one remain neither humble nor arrogant in every circumstance?”

“Master, precisely because the world is as it is, we should strive to change it rather than change ourselves!” Lu Jiuzhang replied. “The lotus rises from the mud yet remains unstained. Gentlemen admire the lotus, but they fail to learn its true essence.”

“When I was in Changshui County, I said that we who study should establish the heart of Heaven and Earth, secure the destiny of the living, continue the lost teachings of the sages of old, and bring peace to all generations.”

“If Confucian scholars do not strive to change this world, then they have lived their lives in vain!”

Master Xu sighed deeply. “Your words are certainly correct, but changing the world is far too difficult.”

“One person’s strength may be insufficient. But what of the strength of a hundred people, a thousand people, or ten thousand people?” Lu Jiuzhang said. “Even if we cannot change the world, we should not change ourselves. We need only preserve our original hearts.”

“If everyone tries to change themselves and adapt to this prevailing atmosphere, where would the effort to change the world even begin?”

Master Xu was utterly astonished. He could scarcely believe that such words had come from the mouth of an eighth-rank Confucian scholar.

“I have learned much from you,” Master Xu said. “Your words have made me ashamed, Shoucheng.”

“Preserve your original heart, and in the future you will certainly reach the realm of a great Confucian scholar and take your first steps toward becoming a Half-Sage.”

At present, Lu Jiuzhang was still no more than a fish in a pond. Yet Master Xu believed that, once he encountered wind and clouds, he would transform into a dragon.

“In a few days, I will leave Anxi Prefecture and return to Jingzhao Prefecture to report on my duties,” Master Xu said. “Shoucheng, would you like to travel there with me?”

“Jingzhao Prefecture is filled with exceptional talents. Famous figures and refined scholars gather there. There are many challenges, but there are also countless opportunities. Several of your senior fellow disciples are in Jingzhao Prefecture as well, and they have already established themselves. They can help you advance your cultivation more quickly.”

Going to Jingzhao Prefecture would indeed offer him tremendous support.

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With Master Xu at his side, he could ask whenever there was anything he did not understand about Confucian cultivation.

But was going to Jingzhao Prefecture now truly the right path for him?

Lu Jiuzhang shook his head. “Thank you, Master. Apart from being your student, I am also an envoy of the Demon Slaying Office, and I bear a heavy responsibility.”

“If I leave now, what will become of the people of Changshui County?”

“Please rest assured, Master. In this lifetime, I will certainly go to Jingzhao Prefecture.”

Lu Jiuzhang cupped his hands.

Only in Jingzhao Prefecture could he experience the gathering of the realm’s many forces and contend with the heroes of the age.

And only in Jingzhao Prefecture could he investigate the Imperial Capital Blood Corpse Case from that year.

“Very well. Do as you wish. Remaining in Anxi Prefecture is also a good thing. You are still young and need to temper your Dao-heart,” Master Xu said with a nod. He did not press the matter, merely adding, “If you encounter any trouble, write me a letter and send it to Jingzhao Prefecture.”

“Thank you, Master!”

Lu Jiuzhang expressed his gratitude once more. “There is one more matter I would ask of you. If you come across any rare original manuscripts by great Confucian scholars in Jingzhao Prefecture, could you have someone send them to me? I am very fond of such books.”

“Rare originals by great Confucian scholars are treasures of the Confucian path, and many Confucian scholars enjoy collecting them. Since you wish to have them, Shoucheng, your teacher will certainly search for some on your behalf.”

Master Xu nodded.

After all, this was his student’s first request. Refusing would hardly be appropriate.

…

After chatting for a little while longer, Lu Jiuzhang took his leave.

The moment he stepped out of the Literary Star Tower, he encountered Dean Bai and a dignified middle-aged man waiting below.

Lu Jiuzhang recognized the middle-aged man. He had seen him once before at the Yingtian Restaurant.

Only after Lu Jiuzhang had gone some distance away did Dean Bai speak.

“This is Master Xu’s newest student. Master Xu has bestowed upon him the style name Shoucheng.”

“A student of Master Xu is naturally a dragon among men. If the opportunity arises, I would very much like to meet him,” Governor Xu said with a nod.

“Governor, please wait a moment. I will go up and inform Master Xu of your arrival.”

Dean Bai prepared to report to him in the Literary Star Tower.

“There is no need. Bring Governor Xu up.”

Suddenly, Master Xu’s voice rang in the ears of both Dean Bai and Governor Xu.

Was this the power of a great Confucian scholar? To transmit his voice across the air?

Dean Bai gained yet another understanding of the might of a great Confucian scholar.