Chapter 1412: Reciprocate
Chapter 1412: Reciprocate
If this followed Confucian ritual, there would be a ceremonial official standing by, loudly calling out each step of the procedure. They would read a long list of so-called sect rules, asking Qi Xuansu whether he accepted them, to which Qi Xuansu would dutifully reply that he did. Then more questions would follow, all answered one by one. Finally, Qi Xuansu would have to kneel and kowtow, and Sage Donghua would personally help Qi Xuansu up. Only then would the ceremony be complete.It would look quite solemn, somewhat like Westerners swearing an oath with a hand on the Holy Scripture.
But after the Daoist Order was reestablished, all of that was abolished.
De-Confucianization was not just empty talk. Sect rules were no longer prioritized. Instead, all Daoists, with or without a master, were expected to observe Daoist moral precepts and laws.
In the end, the ceremony was simplified to this extent.
Qi Xuansu merely bowed. Even the final gesture of being helped up by Sage Donghua was omitted.
The reason so many guests were invited was to act as witnesses.
By having everyone witness it, the matter became public knowledge. This would reduce confusion and avoid misunderstandings.
If anyone tried to question this apprenticeship, half the Daoist leadership had been present to witness it.
After the ceremony, the guests all voiced their congratulations in a uniform and synchronized manner, as if rehearsed in advance.
Then, according to rank and status, the guests stepped forward one by one to personally congratulate Sage Donghua and Qi Xuansu.
The master and disciple returned each courtesy in turn.