BXBX NOVEL Chapter 50 - 50: The Scholarly Atmosphere of Sancai Academy
“In this world, things are… Quite fantastical and bizarre.”
Aboard the flying treasure carriage, Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu sat facing each other.
“It is indeed so,” Cheng Lingzhu nodded vigorously in agreement.
It had been five days since they left the Sky Demon Sect. The incident of “I treated you like a brother, but you wanted to sleep with me as a woman” had given Cheng Lingzhu quite a shock.
In her memory, when she traveled with Lu Xuan years ago, they had never come across such outrageous incidents!
Waking up to a world that had drastically changed was something else.
“I hope that Daoist Yi can successfully reach the Western Desert and become a holy monk,” Lu Xuan said as he poured a cup of tea for Cheng Lingzhu.
“I remember that you didn’t like drinking this in the past,” she remarked, taking a sip from the cup.
“Maybe… it’s because I’ve gotten older,” Lu Xuan mused, taking a sip of his tea. In truth, it was more about finding a hobby to pass the solitary time. As they conversed, Lu Xuan glanced downwards and smiled:
“We’ve arrived at Sancai City.”
Sancai City, the headquarters of the Sancai Academy, was a vibrant place. The inner city housed the main body of the academy, while the outer city bustled with taverns, markets, and other lively places, exuding a lively, worldly atmosphere.
These industries depended on the students of Sancai Academy for their livelihood. Moreover, most of the businesses in the outer city were managed by the academy’s Commercial Saints Institute, ensuring that the profits flowed back into the academy.
Sancai Academy, following the ancient Confucian orthodoxy, did not prohibit the development of other schools of thought. The belief was that progress comes from the collision and exchange of ideas. Remaining insular and self-satisfied was not the way forward.
Therefore, Sancai Academy widely welcomed scholars from various disciplines. Apart from the Literary Saints Institute, there were numerous other departments like the Agricultural Saints Institute, the Legal Saints Institute, the Commercial Saints Institute, among others.
Due to its vast array of institutes, Sancai Academy’s headquarters was one of the largest among the immortal sects.
Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu did not stop in the outer city. Lu Xuan had already contacted Zhang Xun the day before. The young people, disheartened by the incident at Sky Demon Sect, hurriedly returned to the academy. Knowing that everyone was safe, Sancai Academy breathed a sigh of relief.
Their treasure carriage slowly stopped in front of the inner city gates. Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu alighted, greeted by a waiting monk. However, it wasn’t Zhang Xun and Liang Xia who came, but a young Confucian scholar.
With a smile, the young man greeted them: “Chen Xu of Sancai Academy, at your service.”
“Good to meet you, Daoist Chen,” they both greeted in return.
Chen Xu, a disciple of the current academy’s chancellor He Yuanfeng, was in line to be the future chancellor. As a Mahayana Stage cultivator, He Yuanfeng was quite old, and his disciple, over two thousand years old, had reached the Mahayana stage three hundred years ago, showing remarkable talent.
It was rumored that He Yuanfeng intended to pass on the chancellorship to his disciple during the academy’s upcoming anniversary celebration.
“Given the impending anniversary, Brother Zhang Xun is busier than me and cannot spare the time. For the next few days, I’ll show you around Sancai Academy,” Chen Xu explained, smiling.
His master had entrusted him with this task. These esteemed guests, one a saintess from the strongest sect in the Archean Eon Realm and the other a disciple from the closely affiliated Dao Evolution Sect, must be treated with the utmost respect. Chen Xu took this reception task very seriously.
“Please, follow me,” he said.
“Lead the way,” they responded
As soon as they entered the inner city, a statue of a Confucian Saint came into view.
This statue was towering and masterfully sculpted.
The Confucian Saint’s face radiated gentleness. He was clad in a flowing robe, his physique accentuating the fabric.
Upon beholding this stone effigy, one couldn’t help but think of it as ‘mighty and awe-inspiring.’
The inner city’s ambiance starkly contrasted with the outer city’s.
If the outer city resonated with the mundaneness of the mortal realm, the inner city was steeped in a profoundly scholarly aura.
For instance, shortly after their arrival, they witnessed two factions engaging in a heated debate beneath the Confucian Saint’s statue.
Chen Xu glanced over and turned with an amused smile.
“This embodies Sancai Academy’s tradition. Judging by their robes, they belong to the Literary Saints Institute.”
“Confucians excel in dialectics and rational discourse. Disputes here are settled through reasoned debate beneath the Confucian Saint’s watchful gaze, with past teachers often invoked as arbiters.”
Lu Xuan gave a subtle nod of understanding.
He then noticed one individual brandishing a large banner.
Emblazoned on it was a single word – [Desire]!
Lu Xuan’s eyes widened as another person unfurled a contrasting banner.
[Ascetic]!
Something seemed amiss.
The banner labeled ‘perverted’ flew overhead. Its bearer stepped forward, proclaiming virtuously,
“To admire youthful beauty, to empathize with the vulnerable, to harbor compassion – this is benevolence!”
“To cherish a grown beauty, recognizing her worth – this is righteousness!”
“To admire the allure of maturity without disdain as age creeps in – this is steadfastness!”
“To find beauty in non-human forms, like fox spirits or serpent demons, without rejection – this is wisdom!”
“Hence, these are the five virtues: benevolence, righteousness, honesty, steadfastness, and wisdom!”
Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu were left speechless.
“This… This…
Chen Xu, eager to showcase his institute’s scholarly prowess, looked both perplexed and embarrassed.
“The intellectual fervor here is indeed unbridled.’
Lu Xuan solemnly nodded in acknowledgment.
“Cough, cough… This is the result of our students’ rigorous pursuits… Let’s visit the former Saint’s statue later. It’s crowded now.’
Chen Xu hastily guided them away.
“The Agriculture Institute is nearby, and they’re amidst mid-term assessments. Fellow Daoists, let us observe.”
Chen Xu extended an invitation.
“Of course,” Lu Xuan agreed.
Chen Xu felt a surge of confidence. The students at the Agricultural Saints Institute were known for their steadiness, and as such, he was expecting a smooth visit.
At the academy’s entrance stood the Agricultural Saint’s benevolent statue.
Chen Xu began, “Our Agricultural Saint is known for his magnanimity and his tendency of avoiding conflicts. The disciples of our academy embody these traits… ”
“Clang- ”
His words were cut short as a steel pitchfork whizzed past, crashing into a courtyard wall.
Chen Xu trembled in shock, turning to see a disciple wielding the pitchfork, pursuing another.
A chaotic skirmish unfolded, with disciples grappling and wrestling over weapons.
The pitchfork-wielding disciple, overwhelmed with distress, shouted,
“Don’t you dare stop me! I’ll settle this with him! His dog pilfered all my melons!”
“Brother, be calm. Let’s have him compensate fairly. We can always replant…”
Another tried to pacify the situation.
“Compensate? Those were for my final project!”