Martial Cultivator

The scholar thought for a moment and said with some difficulty, “To be honest, my understanding of Master Dong’s writings is also only superficial. It is really hard for me to judge whether this scholar’s works are good or bad.”

Chen Chao asked curiously, “When you were at Master Dong Shrine that day, sir, it didn’t seem like you held this attitude?”

Even the old man laughed and tried to persuade him, saying, “Exactly. No matter how great the predecessors were, there were always good points and bad points. How could they be beyond discussion? In my view, today we should just speak freely. Say whatever you think. After all, among those present, there aren’t any of Master Dong’s disciples or descendants. Even if we say something wrong, no one will go spreading it around, right?”

The scholar still shook his head and said, “What I said that day was somewhat reckless. Thinking about it now, it really wasn’t appropriate. If we truly start talking about Master Dong’s writings, I really can’t bring myself to speak.”

The old man said unhappily, “That makes things boring.”

He seemed intent on fanning the flames, determined to stir this topic up no matter what.

Chen Chao suddenly smiled and said, “If that’s the case, then forget it. I’ll think it over myself. I won’t trouble you, sir.”

The scholar nodded and didn’t say anything more. Judging from his expression, he seemed to be deep in thought as well, while the old man was clearly a bit disappointed, as if he had already prepared many words to say.

With the topic dropped, the three of them suddenly didn’t know what to talk about, and the atmosphere became somewhat stifling.

The old man poked at the charcoal fire and said regretfully, “Just staring at each other isn’t interesting either. We should talk about something.” Clearly, this old shopkeeper hadn’t given up, likely wanting to bring the topic back again and watch a good show.

The scholar glanced at the old man, didn’t expose the old fellow’s little scheme, and instead smiled and said, “Indeed, just sitting around is quite boring. Then let me start by talking about something interesting?”

Chen Chao nodded and put on an attentive listening expression.

The scholar thought for a moment and asked with a smile, “Do you know the Primordial Saint?”

Chen Chao nodded his head.

That ancestor of scholars, the scholar with the highest status in the Confucian lineage, the scholar revered by later generations throughout the world as the Primordial Sage, held a status that was, in fact, equivalent to that Dao Ancestor.

If one also added the Lord Buddha of Buddhism, then these were the three people in this world that cultivators simply could not avoid.

“When the Primordial Saint was young, before he had systematically integrated the learning in his heart, his temperament was actually rather lively, and he often debated with others, but almost always the Primordial Saint himself emerged victorious.”

The scholar said with a smile, “To outsiders, it sounds as though once they hear of the Primordial Saint, he had already long since possessed learning that reached the heavens.”

Chen Chao interjected, “It is said that the Primordial Saint indeed had learning that reached the heavens, and was skilled at using virtue to subdue others.”

“Right, the problem lies precisely in those words, ‘using virtue to subdue others.’”

The scholar asked with a smile, “Does Your Excellency know what ‘using virtue to subdue others’ means?”

Chen Chao was somewhat at a loss. Do these words have some other explanation?

“The Primordial Saint wore a sword at his waist, named Virtue.”

The scholar smiled and said, “How about that?”

Chen Chao smiled bitterly and asked, “From which book did sir read this?”