The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror

Just as I was about to leave, I unexpectedly encountered Teacher Dai hurrying back.

"What's wrong?"

"Your Highness, let me advise you, do not meet Grandmaster Xiong Chan." Teacher Dai forced a bitter smile and then explained the reason. It turned out that on the way, Xiong Chan received an imperial decree, summoning him to Prince Yu's Mansion for cultivation.

This seemed like a good thing.

But Teacher Dai immediately sensed something amiss and privately used a high price to ask a little eunuch who delivered the decree and learned about the decree's origin.

"His Majesty compared Grandmaster Xiong Chan to Emperor Chengzu's black-robed Prime Minister, which is hinting at you, my prince. At such a time, you absolutely must not show any intention of getting close to Grandmaster Xiong Chan."

Emperor Chengzu was the only vassal king who successfully rebelled.

When Prince Yu heard the reason, his face turned pale immediately.

He knew what kind of person his father was.

"Alas, Teacher Dai, just say that I'm sick and have Grandmaster Xiong Chan go elsewhere."

"Your Highness, that won't work either, that would be defying the decree."

"Then what should I do?"

"His Majesty's intention is fearsome; he means for Grandmaster Xiong Chan to stay in the prince's mansion, but you must not approach him."

Prince Yu was disheartened, waving his hand, "I'll leave these matters to the teacher."

He was utterly numb from this maneuver by the old Emperor. Returning to Feng Cai's courtyard, stroking her abdomen, he couldn't help but say sorrowfully: "Good child, when you grow up, I will give you the best and never bully you."

Prince Yu truly and deeply lost heart, realizing the old Emperor bore no fatherly affection towards him.

Was it so hard to receive a bit of fatherly love from the old Emperor?

Xu Qing bullied him, and the old Emperor backed Xu Qing; the Grand Secretary showed him no respect and always acted on his behalf. He, the Crown Prince, didn't even have a title.

In which dynasty did a Crown Prince feel so suppressed?

At least, no matter how tough others' situations were, they had a title.

What did he have?

"Your Highness." Feng Cai carefully massaged Prince Yu's head. His heart inevitably softened, and he slowly fell asleep.

Feng Cai secretly sighed, "My child, you truly are unfortunate."

She thought Prince Yu was lacking in manliness, and in the future, he might not be able to protect the two of them.

She then recalled Fortune Teller Song's words that she brought misfortune to her husband, and couldn't help but feel a strange sensation.

…

…

The South Zhili Academy.

Xu Qing, in addition to contemplating Zhang Lata's handwritten Tai Chi Boxing Scripture, spent his leisure time at the South Zhili Academy, guiding members preparing for this year's examination.

With his current Realm of Divine Soul Mastery, writing essays to manage the examination became easier than when he took the initial provincial examination.

Of course, not much time was spent on articles over the past two years, making him somewhat out of practice.

Guiding members was also a way of revisiting old knowledge and learning new things.

With his current Realm, re-reading the articles of the Sages allowed him to grasp the profoundly implicit messages more easily, deepening his understanding of nature and the universe.

Doing scholarly work was also the way of enlightenment.

Xu Qing now possessed the mannerisms of Ancient Sages, impressing everyone.

While discussing the essence of an article, a gentle yet firm, very pleasant male voice came into the academy, each sentence pinpointing the core of the article, explaining the principles thoroughly, resembling a Mystical Sound of the heavens, giving people an enlightened feeling.

Everyone looked toward the hall entrance.

There stood a tall monk, moving like a dragon and tiger, with enigmatic deep eyes and an air of reverence that made people instinctively feel he was an extraordinary individual.

Such charisma was extremely rare among monks of the present day.

"Xu Qing greets Grandmaster Xiong Chan." Xu Qing straightforwardly revealed the monk's identity, and the society members, all notable figures, naturally knew who Xiong Chan was.

They never expected that this freshly distinguished figure, who had recently achieved Martial Saint status and shook the world, would immediately come to visit the academy upon arriving in the Capital.

It was a testament to the academy's respect and recognition.

The members felt honored and proud.

They concluded that Xiong Chan came immediately because such a figure's actions would inevitably ripple through the Capital. If he had arrived earlier, they would have known, and someone would have reported it.

Everyone paid their respects and invited Xiong Chan to the seat of honor.

At this moment, it was only Xu Qing who accompanied Xiong Chan sitting; everyone else stood.

After all, as a contemporary Martial Saint and a pillar of the state, even if they passed as the top three examination candidates, their status couldn't compare to that of a Martial Saint.

After all, Confucians pursued becoming a Saint.

And for a Martial Saint to have the word "Saint" was a mark of great status.

Xiong Chan smiled and said: "Just now, Gongming mentioned 'Returning to the Good', dare I ask where this conscience comes from?"

Xu Qing smiled and pointed to a member, "You answer Grandmaster Xiong Chan."

The member, surprised to be singled out by Xu Qing, was very nervous and excited, but being chosen meant he was exceptional, so he said: "Conscience arises from one's nature."

He went on to mention that a person's inner world should be in harmony with the natural order, that one's innermost being is indeed the natural order and is also a personal conduct code and the standard of right and wrong, good and evil...

Xiong Chan: "My Buddha is compassionate. The concept of nature indeed aligns with my Zen Sect's philosophy."

He then introduced the idea of merging the true nature of Buddha with the concept of oneness, finding the point of integration between Zen philosophies and the Heart Study proposed by Xu Qing. Everyone found his Zen explanation of the Heart Study intriguing and listened attentively.

Xu Qing did not interrupt. When Xiong Chan was talked to his satisfaction, he then told the members: "The ancients said, 'What comes from the paper always feels shallow, resolute knowledge requires personal action.' I have also told you, practice is the only way to verify truth, but please remember another saying. The prerequisite of practice is to understand our stance and proceed from that stance to practice. This is truly in agreement with the nature Grandmaster mentioned."

Some members seemed confused by this.

Xiong Chan's mention of nature seemed clearly more sophisticated than the concept of a stance, yet the curator said the stance and nature are interrelated.

Xu Qing didn't explain further and allowed the members to leave. When the hall was empty, he then said to Xiong Chan: "Grandmaster, you are really bullying, trying to distort my Heart Study right upon arrival."

Xiong Chan laughed and said: "Don't you think your Heart Study, Xu Jieyuan, has spreading poison enormously? Once disseminated, how many will seek excuses from within to justify their misdeeds, minimizing their sense of guilt?"

Xu Qing: "Grandmaster, we both understand. All knowledge is meant for use. The key lies not in reasoning, but in power. Can today's Confucian teachings and the teachings pioneered by our Teacher be the same? Even the same words are often misinterpreted, not the Teacher's original intent. Ultimately, it's unavoidable to interpret classics the way one interprets them. To resolve the world's suffering requires practical skills. So, in my view, it's not about right or wrong; learning to think is what's crucial. If a member refuted me with real examples, would that not make me happy?"

Hearing this, Xiong Chan fell into contemplation.

He had seen many formidable individuals, but to encounter someone like Xu Qing who had such little regard for the canonical discourse's authority was a first.

What he didn't understand was that Xu Qing believed he hadn't grasped any true monumental theology; it was all practical adaptive use. Thus, he didn't care about right or wrong, only about whether it was useful.

And whether it was useful, naturally, depended on one's personal stance.

Seeing Xiong Chan pondering, Xu Qing was very pleased because engaging in a Dao Heart exchange with a Martial Saint offered experience more valuable than direct combat.

From another perspective, he stood to gain no matter what, and there was no worry of physical harm in a brawl.

Xiong Chan, after pondering for a moment, naturally realized this and said, "Gongming, if you wish to seek my Martial Saint insights and experiences, just ask directly, there's no need for such roundabouts."

Xu Qing smiled: "I seek the thrill of defeating Grandmaster, not the insights and experiences of a Martial Saint."

Would a Martial Saint's experience, directly pointing to the Great Dao, truly surpass the profound insights of the ancient Masters? Likely not.

Since opening the Purple Mansion and contemplating the Primordial Spirit Dao, he focused on two important things.

One was persistence; the other was a firm resolve.

These two aspects were the key to achieving the Primordial Spirit Dao.

A firm resolve is not an illusion; it's something tangible, based in the human world, and originating from oneself. A resolve without a stand is like a stone, indistinguishable.

Xiong Chan responded with relief: "Gongming, with such spirit, you're undoubtedly someone who can truly plan great schemes with me to defeat Black Mountain's old demon."