In the room, at the dining table.
Li Junzi hadn’t prepared an extravagant meal, just a few simple home-cooked dishes.
"Wow, so you’re a Confucian scholar—no wonder you radiate such upright energy," Cui Hao remarked, lifting his teacup and standing up.
"Since there’s no wine here, I’ll use tea as a substitute and propose a toast to you."
Hearing this, Li Junzi managed a faint smile and reached for her own teacup, preparing to rise as well.
But Cui Hao raised a hand to stop her. "You’re my senior sister’s teacher, both in age and status. Please, remain seated."
Li Junzi acquiesced, sitting back down and raising her cup in acknowledgment before taking a small sip.
"I’ve read quite a few of the Confucian classics myself. I once aspired to walk the Confucian path, but alas, though I studied diligently and sought out respectable teachers, I never managed to enter the 'Wielded Brush' realm," Cui Hao sighed. "I suppose I just wasn’t cut out for it."
Li Junzi offered some consolation. "The Confucian path is indeed far from simple. It demands considerable effort and dedication."
"True, true. Had you been my teacher back then, I might have gone much further," Cui Hao mused, his expression tinged with regret.
Li Junzi observed Cui Hao’s easy familiarity and unfiltered chatter, then glanced at Lin Luoyu beside her.
Faced with Li Junzi’s gaze, Lin Luoyu could only shrug slightly in resignation.
Cui Hao’s sudden silence spoke volumes, and Lin Luoyu naturally interpreted it.
Li Junzi, however, remarked that since he was her junior, it wouldn’t do to stifle his words entirely—that would be too domineering.
Lin Luoyu didn’t argue, and so Cui Hao was "unsealed."
The difference between a talking Cui Hao and a silent Cui Hao was like night and day.
While being talkative wasn’t inherently bad, this kid took it to another level.
From raising chickens and ducks to planting vegetables and watering them, he seemed to know a little about everything.
Now, he had even shifted to discussing Confucian texts.
Moreover, his flattery skills were impressive—he always found some novel angle to offer praise.
Li Junzi had never encountered someone like him before and found herself somewhat overwhelmed.
Lin Luoyu could only shoot Cui Hao another look—Junior Brother, that’s enough.
Cui Hao swiftly steered the conversation back on track. "So, after dinner, we’ll deal with the evil spirits outside Lin Family Ditch, right?"
Lin Luoyu gave a slight nod. "Yes. Or you could stay here if you prefer."
"Alright, then. I won’t hold you back, Senior Sister. If anything goes wrong, remember to use the talismans Master gave us. As for your teacher, I’ll make sure to use my own talismans to ensure a swift retreat—no worries on that front," Cui Hao agreed smoothly.
Back when Lin Luoyu hadn’t yet reached the Foundation Establishment stage, Cui Hao had been brimming with confidence, eager to spar with her—provided she suppressed her cultivation to match his level.
Later, it was Lin Luoyu suppressing herself to a level below his, then two minor realms below.
After being struck down yet again by Lin Luoyu’s wooden sword, Cui Hao was indignant and demanded a rematch—this time without weapons.
Lin Luoyu readily agreed, after which Cui Hao never challenged her to another duel.
Now that his senior sister had reached Foundation Establishment while he remained a mere Qi Refining "small fry," what hope did he have against something she couldn’t handle?
Holding the rear was the mark of a true protagonist.
Charging recklessly into battle? That was the way of a mindless brute.
Li Junzi stared at Cui Hao in mute astonishment. His words never failed to deliver unexpected surprises.
Truly… an eccentric.
Lin Luoyu, having grown accustomed to her fifth junior brother’s antics, had already adjusted her expectations.
She had also assessed his combat capabilities—him staying behind was for the best, lest she have to split her attention protecting him.
Seeing Lin Luoyu’s tacit approval, Li Junzi realized—
Wait, does that mean I’ll be left alone with this chatterbox?
I’d rather join Lin Luoyu in purging the evil spirits.
After the meal, Lin Luoyu set out to investigate the situation.
To Li Junzi’s surprise, Cui Hao wasn’t as talkative as he had been during dinner. He merely asked if he could browse the books on the shelf.
Once granted permission, he picked one at random and began flipping through it at an astonishing speed, as if scanning ten lines at a glance.
At least he wasn’t saying much.
Had Lin Luoyu read like that, Li Junzi would’ve surely questioned her. But with Cui Hao, she was just relieved he’d quieted down.
Li Junzi glanced at him—when silent, he almost resembled a studious scholar.
Since he seemed content to read in peace, Li Junzi didn’t disturb him. She rose and walked to her desk, picking up a brush and a book to begin writing.
Cui Hao finished the book quickly—he’d read similar works as a child. Though he couldn’t recite them word-for-word like his eldest senior sister, the opening lines jogged his memory enough to recall the gist.
Confucian texts were rather dull, filled with lofty principles.
Still, he respected the great Confucian scholars—at least their words and hearts aligned.
Returning the book to the shelf, Cui Hao noticed Li Junzi deep in thought at her desk.
Curious, he asked, "Are you composing a treatise, Teacher? Preparing for the 'Sage-Adjacent' realm?"
Li Junzi turned her gaze to him. Those outside the Confucian path rarely knew of its advancement stages.
But recalling that Cui Hao had once studied under a Confucian teacher, his knowledge made sense.
She shook her head lightly. "I’ve yet to even reach the 'Great Confucian' stage, let alone prepare for Sage-Adjacent. This is just casual writing."
Cui Hao frowned. "Judging by your restrained spiritual aura, I assumed you’d already attained Great Confucian status."
Li Junzi denied it again. As a Confucian scholar who couldn’t even stir a breeze with her brush, she was far from the Wielded Brush realm.
Cui Hao studied her carefully, then understood.
If a minor evil spirit was causing trouble, a Confucian scholar should’ve been able to handle it. Yet it had been left unchecked—likely because her teacher had hit a wall in her cultivation, perhaps even losing her Wielded Brush abilities.
But judging by his senior sister’s demeanor, she seemed unaware.
Their relationship must be more complicated than it appeared.
Changing the subject, Cui Hao asked, "Could you tell me about Senior Sister’s past?"
Li Junzi looked puzzled. "Why do you ask?"
"To gather some embarrassing stories, of course. For self-defense when she tries to hit me later."
"...That child has always been well-behaved. No embarrassing stories to share."
Unfazed, Cui Hao shifted gears again.
"If you won’t share that, may I take a look at what you’re writing? I’ve always admired Confucianism, though I never entered its gates. Now, I can only admire it from afar."
Li Junzi saw no reason to refuse. Writing was meant to be read, after all—it wasn’t as if she was penning anything scandalous.
She handed him the half-finished manuscript. "A crude work. Don’t judge too harshly."
Cui Hao accepted it respectfully with both hands. Unlike before, he didn’t skim rapidly but read with deliberate care.
After a while, he finished and returned the book, his tone now carrying a hint of reverence.
"Teacher, I believe you may already be a Great Confucian."
Li Junzi took the book and replied modestly, "You flatter me. These are but humble thoughts."
Cui Hao's tone carried a hint of curiosity as he inquired,
"Yet, sir, your writing is adorned with pearls of wisdom, and your insights are profoundly astute. Strangely, however, the text lacks even a trace of literary aura. Might I ask if you've encountered some difficulty?"
Li Junzi turned his gaze toward Cui Hao and remarked, "You've never entered the Realm of the Quill, have you? And yet, you can perceive literary aura?"
Cui Hao chuckled lightly and said,
"Though untalented, I indeed never entered the Realm of the Quill. In my youth, I stepped directly into the Realm of Engraved Texts."