Master, You're Here

Gentleman Academy, Debate Hall.

As the largest building in the entire Gentleman Academy, the Debate Hall holds a position of utmost importance, second only to the Sub-Sage Hall, within the precious grounds of the Gentleman Academy.

It is also one of the earliest buildings of the Gentleman Academy.

Though the wooden structure of the Debate Hall seems somewhat aged today, it has actually undergone numerous renovations.

While the exterior may appear old-fashioned, the interior is a different story—resplendent and magnificent.

Countless renowned Confucian scholars, whose names have been etched into history, have left their calligraphy here, all written in neat and proper regular script.

Most of these are phrases encouraging learning and promoting virtuous behavior.

However, these are not the honors of the Gentleman Academy, but rather the honors of those great scholars.

They are also the honors that many students of Gentleman Mountain aspire to achieve.

In earlier years, the Debate Hall served as a venue for exchanging and clashing different ideologies, especially during the period following the death of the Sub-Sage.

Debaters flocked here in droves.

Their goal was simple—to refute the teachings of the Sub-Sage and gain fame across the world.

Why specifically target the time after the Sub-Sage's death? The reason is simple—how could one possibly win a debate against a living Sub-Sage?

With the Sub-Sage gone, his theories still fresh, his disciples might not have perfectly inherited his mantle.

If someone were to win a debate, their name might not surpass the Sub-Sage's, but it could certainly gain a significant standing.

Yet, Gentleman Mountain's debates were never lost.

Once the Sub-Sage's teachings spread far and wide and were viewed as universal values, no one came to Gentleman Mountain for debates anymore.

After all, the entire world had become allies—excluding the remote wildlands.

Some wildlands were still practicing live sacrifices and adhering to the purest form of heretical beliefs, so backward that it was embarrassing to even consider spreading Confucian ideals there.

As more people came, no one came for debates anymore.

Such a grand Debate Hall couldn't be left to waste, so in name, it remained the Debate Hall, but in practice, it became a classroom.

However, to maintain the prestige of the Debate Hall, each opening of the hall signified a lecture by a top Confucian scholar.

The original Debate Hall had no tables, only benches joined together, and countless students abandoned the so-called gentlemanly demeanor to sit closely together.

They yearned for the purest knowledge from the great scholars.

Until a newly risen great scholar challenged Gentleman Mountain, prompting the removal of all benches in the Debate Hall, restoring it to its original state.

The entire Gentleman Academy took this very seriously—after all, it was like a defector from within their own ranks.

Though he hadn't denied all of the Sub-Sage's viewpoints, in a world where all Confucian scholars adhered to the Sub-Sage's teachings,

this was already the most extreme form of rebellion.

Chen Wenqian, accompanied by numerous great scholars, took their seats. Among them, besides the teaching great scholars of the Gentleman Academy, were also specially invited top scholars renowned in their regions.

In academic disputes, no matter how serious, it was never considered excessive.

In the past, the Hundred Schools of Thought had come one after another, and the Gentleman Academy had never lost. Now that the world had unified, how could they have any reason to lose?

Moreover, they firmly believed that the Sub-Sage's teachings were the true source of eternal truth.

Compared to Chen Wenqian's extremely illustrious lineup, Li Junzi's was utterly modest.

Led by one great scholar, under whom were two Confucian scholars at the level of understanding, along with Chen Baiqing, who wasn't even a Confucian scholar.

Outside the Debate Hall, the grounds were already crowded with the students of Gentleman Mountain, forming an almost impenetrable circle.

At the center of the venue, a jade-green brush floated in midair, upheld by an endless and majestic aura.

This was the treasured artifact of the Sub-Sage—The Worn Brush.

Before the Sub-Sage achieved his title, he had once been in dire straits, owning nothing but his clothes and this meticulously preserved, shabby brush.

Yet, no matter how carefully it was maintained, it could not change the fact that it was merely a broken brush handle.

This brush had witnessed the tumultuous life of the Sub-Sage in its entirety.

The Sub-Sage had even used this worn brush to compose works that would be passed down through the ages.

Over time, the brush evolved from its humble beginnings into its current, elegant form.

The name "Worn Brush," however, was considered by many Confucian cultivators to be unworthy. Calling it simply "Brush" would have been far better than "Worn Brush."

But since the name was bestowed by the Sub-Sage himself, the brush's master, no matter how unrefined the name might seem, it had to be accepted without complaint.

"Righteousness and propriety are the foundation of humanity; integrity and shame guide one to reason."

"The Sub-Sage said: The goodness of human nature is like water flowing downward. Humans are born with four virtues: compassion, sense of shame, humility, and discernment."

"Take goodness as the foundation, without self-interest. Take propriety and righteousness as the root, to understand shame. Take humility as the basis, to know one's limits. Take discernment as the principle, to understand what should and should not be done."

Chen Wenqian spoke with a calm demeanor, his words clear and precise.

The debate was drawing to a close, and everything had gone smoothly.

Except for the arguments presented by Cui Hao, which had been unexpectedly cunning and left the participants momentarily flustered. Beyond that, there were no other disruptions.

Cui Hao showed great talent; his unconventional debating techniques were striking. However, it was evident that he had not fully grasped their essence, nor had he completely understood their underlying principles.

There was a sense of mechanical imitation in his approach, though it was undeniably impressive.

Chen Wenqian turned his gaze toward Cui Hao. If he had no new arguments to present, then this round of debate was likely to conclude.

Cui Hao furrowed his brows, quickly sifting through memories of conversations with his mentor, hoping to extract something useful.

Just then, Li Junzi rose gracefully, bowed, and said, "Thank you for the instruction."

With those words, Li Junzi's statement marked the end of the third round of debate.

Chen Wenqian and the great scholars behind him also stood up, returning Li Junzi's bow.

But in the next moment, the aura surrounding Li Junzi suddenly shifted and fluctuated.

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, this newly ascended great scholar fell back to the realm of a Confucian student.

Everyone present, all the Confucian students, noticed this sudden change.

Lin Luoyu looked toward her teacher with a guilty expression, while Cui Hao wore a face full of frustration.

Chen Wenqian watched as Li Junzi finished her bow and seemed ready to leave. He quickly spoke up, "Why not conclude the remaining two rounds of debate here?"

Li Junzi halted her steps, turned back, and replied, "A gentleman's pursuit of knowledge should not be hindered by fear."

Chen Wenqian was momentarily speechless at her words.

If the remaining rounds continued, Li Junzi was highly likely to suffer further declines in her cultivation, potentially falling all the way to the realm of mere book learners.

To become a great scholar required decades of dedicated study.

And yet, within less than a year, all that painstaking effort might be rendered meaningless.

Was it truly worth it? Was it truly something one could bear?

Chen Wenqian watched as Li Junzi and the others departed, their figures fading into the distance. He wanted to question her, but he also wanted to question himself.

Behind Chen Wenqian, the group of esteemed scholars remained silent.

Yet, they all felt a deep sense of admiration for Li Junzi.

On the path leading to the bamboo forest cottage.

Even though Li Junzi intentionally tried to set a mood, he ultimately was not Cui Hao.

The crushing defeat and the fact that Li Junzi had fallen in cultivation weighed too heavily, leaving the group still somewhat dispirited.

Chen Baiqing's expression was calm, but his mind had already begun calculating the possibilities for maneuvering within the realm of academic debate.

The defeat had been far too decisive; relying on a victory through debate seemed impossible.

Each person harbored their own thoughts as they made their way toward the bamboo forest cottage.

Li Junzi let out a soft sigh and reached out to push open the door.

However, in the next moment, the first person to dart into the room was Chen Baiqing.

From outside, the group could hear Chen Baiqing's joyful voice:

"Master, you're here!"