Li Junzi's gaze fell upon the slightly glowing, worn-out brush, and she took a gentle breath before reaching out to grasp it.
The moment it touched her hand, a surge of profound scholarly energy rippled outward, and Li Junzi felt an exceptionally pure energy flow into her body.
In an instant, it was as if she saw an old man with a somewhat pained expression. His clothes, though slightly faded, were neatly arranged—the only signs of disarray being the tattered gourd at his waist and the nearly bald brush in his hand as he bent over bamboo slips, quietly writing something.
The old man suddenly paused and turned his gaze toward Li Junzi.
Their eyes met, as if spanning a thousand years.
A faint smile appeared on the old man’s face, and he gave a slight nod before resuming his writing.
Li Junzi, startled at first, soon smiled as well and nodded in return.
So this was the so-called "Sub-Sage"—just an ordinary-looking old man, really.
Yet this old man had single-handedly rekindled the flame of civilization. Even if she couldn’t forge a new path herself, she could at least extend the road a little further.
After all, hadn’t this old man just given her encouragement?
Chen Wenqian couldn’t see what Li Junzi saw, but he could sense the depth and weight of that pure scholarly energy.
Was this the bearing of the Sub-Sage of old?
Truly… awe-inspiring.
The profoundness of that scholarly energy made Chen Wenqian realize he would never fully comprehend it in his lifetime.
Right or wrong, his own path had reached its end.
If time allowed, if Li Junzi moved quickly enough—
Chen Wenqian still wished to debate her once more, to witness the brilliance of a path he had never explored.
All eyes turned to Li Junzi.
She lifted the brush, and in the next moment, the paper on the table rose into the air.
Li Junzi studied the floating sheet, pondered briefly, and then, based on her current understanding, wrote eight characters:
"Read ten thousand books, walk ten thousand miles."
She could have written something more ornate, more profound.
But Li Junzi chose not to. She would not write something she hadn’t fully lived up to, just for the sake of appearances.
These words were meant for earnest students—practical and sincere advice was what mattered most.
As the eight characters settled onto the page, a soft white glow shimmered briefly before the paper gently descended back onto the table.
Once finished, Li Junzi slowly released the worn-out brush, clasped her hands in a bow to the gathered scholars, and turned to leave.
The brush hovered in the air.
Chen Wenqian, watching Li Junzi’s indifference toward Gentleman Mountain’s treasured brush, clasped his hands in admiration and returned the gesture.
Chu Xingchen leisurely rose to his feet, patted Daoist Yuyang on the shoulder, and strode toward the door.
Daoist Yuyang shook his head slightly before following suit.
Gentleman Mountain, Bamboo Grove Cottage.
Li Junzi cheerfully poured tea for everyone as if she had won today’s debate.
Daoist Yuyang eyed his cup. Though he knew it wouldn’t taste like Chen Baiqing’s brew, he took a hopeful sip.
As expected—bitter disappointment.
Tch. This was basically just tea leaves tossed into water.
Still, today had been somewhat enlightening, even if the insights might prove useless.
Watching these mortals passionately argue principles, free of schemes, engaging in open and honest debate—it had been rather entertaining.
He’d thought he’d be worked like an ox under Chu Xingchen’s orders, but instead, he’d spent a few leisurely days here.
And he’d even gotten to taste Chen Baiqing’s tea.
Admittedly, his mood had improved these past few days.
Lin Luoyu looked at Li Junzi with concern and was the first to speak:
"Where does the teacher plan to go next?"
Li Junzi met her gaze with a smile. "Wherever the road leads. The world is vast—I should see it all."
Lin Luoyu glanced at her master, silently seeking his opinion.
The world was indeed vast, but it was also perilous. Among mortals, Confucian scholars might wield unusual abilities, but in the eyes of cultivators…
Lin Luoyu had seen a bit of the cultivation world through her master and second senior brother.
Proper cultivators were one thing, but if she wandered carelessly and ran into demonic practitioners—better safe than sorry.
She had a protective artifact Chu Xingchen had given her, capable of withstanding attacks up to the Golden Core realm and holding briefly against Nascent Soul-level strikes.
But the artifact was her master’s gift for her own safety. Passing it to someone else, no matter the reason, was… complicated.
Chu Xingchen sipped his tea but sent a mental message: "What I give you is yours. Do as you see fit."
Lin Luoyu’s expression softened with gratitude. She unfastened a jade bracelet from her right wrist, took Li Junzi’s hand, and fastened it around her teacher’s wrist.
Li Junzi, realizing what was happening, opened her mouth to protest—but Lin Luoyu spoke first:
"You’ve always given me things—shoes, clothes—yet I’ve given you so little in return. Surely you won’t stand on ceremony with me?"
Her words were heartfelt, her grip firm.
Li Junzi looked down at the bracelet, then back at Lin Luoyu.
"Very well. Luoyu has grown up, and now even her teacher must listen to her."
Daoist Yuyang watched the scene and suddenly thought of his own sect leader. Maybe he should bring something back for him—his master had always treated him well.
Just as he pondered what to bring, Chu Xingchen’s voice interrupted his thoughts:
"Brother Yuyang, this trip wasn’t wasted, was it?"
Daoist Yuyang tensed instinctively. "No, it wasn’t."
Chu Xingchen sighed. "In these troubled times, even protective artifacts… while useful, aren’t foolproof."
Daoist Yuyang immediately understood—Chu Xingchen was hinting: You’ve gained something from this trip. Shouldn’t you contribute a treasure for her protection?
Of course. There was no leaving without leaving something behind.
Well, Li Junzi wasn’t quite to his taste, but she was a decent sort.
Taidao Sect was one of the Eighteen Immortal Sects, not some backwater faction.
A protective artifact? Tianyan Sect might be stingy, but Taidao Sect could afford it.
Without hesitation, Daoist Yuyang retrieved a small wooden box from his spatial ring and discreetly passed it to Chu Xingchen.
He barely knew Li Junzi—they’d exchanged little more than nods these past few days.
If he was to give something, it was better for Chu Xingchen to handle it.
Chu Xingchen accepted it without pause.
Just as Daoist Yuyang thought the matter settled, another mental message arrived:
"Brother Yuyang, have you heard of a ‘face token’?"
Daoist Yuyang stared at him, baffled.
A… face token?