Chapter 271: Chapter 210: Chaos in Zhongzhou! Li Qingchen Missing!
Cangyan Continent, Central Province.
As the heart of the continent, the geographical position of Central Province is uniquely advantageous.
It is encircled by the other four regions, never directly facing the threat of the Demon Race’s stationed troops.
This place is the sacred land in the hearts of intellectuals across the world, and where bandits, thieves, or evil cultivators are few and far between.
By logic, Central Province should be the most stable and harmonious region.
Yet, little do people know that the intellectual rivalry, though bloodless, is even more ruthless.
Central Province, Sacred Academy Literary Hall.
"Is there any news about the teacher?"
Having returned to Central Province for quite some time, Shu Han, looking somewhat weary, asked with a somber expression.
"The lecturers within the academy have all gone looking, but..."
A scholar glanced at Shu Han, seeming as though he had more to say but stopped short.
"Forget it, you may go."
Shu Han wearily waved his hand.
Once the scholar had departed, he stood up and gazed out of the window, muttering to himself in a trance, "Teacher, where have you gone?"
"Your disciple... is about to collapse..."
The disappearance of Li Qingchen initiated the split within the already discordant Confucian Path.
The Confucian Path consists of two factions: one led by the Confucian Immortal’s Sacred Academy, self-reliant and strong;
The other is those grand scholars who depend on the imperial court for their positions, enhancing their cultivation through the fortunes of the Ten Kingdoms.
Originally, when the imperial faction first emerged, the scholars of the literary world all cheered.
Because they discovered that with national fortune, their Confucian cultivation could advance more smoothly and breakthroughs became easier.
At that time, a large number of scholars entered the imperial courts of the Ten Kingdoms.
With official positions, they cultivated the Confucian Path.
Initially, this was a good thing, as it aided cultivation and propagated the teachings across the world.
However, the royal court, such a place of fame and fortune, is not an easy one to dwell in.
Officials protecting one another, exchange of favors, bending the law for personal gain...
Authority found tangible expression within the court.
A single word could decide life or death, summon wealth with a single phrase.
Those who practice Confucianism value ’virtue’ most.
Yet, even the most steadfast in character sitting in the high hall, when faced with temptations of beauties, resources, wealth, authority... can they still maintain their integrity?
Since then, a new term emerged within the Confucian Path, moral corruption!
A great number of Confucian scholars entered the court, and while their cultivation grew profound, their ’virtue’ gradually deteriorated.
The corrupt Confucian Path was despised by all, and some even committed the grand act of book burning and burying scholars alive!
At that time, the Confucian Path had countless mighty individuals, seemingly flourishing infinitely.
But in truth, the spirit of the Confucian Path was gradually fading.
Until Li Qingchen, the scholar, appeared!
With ruthless methods, he purged Central Province, suppressing thousands of grand scholars!
There was once an iron decree, that those who take official positions in the court, shall be killed!
The unreasonable scholar single-handedly prevented the crumbling of a great establishment, preserving the last shred of dignity for the Confucian Path.
He also rebuilt the Sacred Academy, guiding students worldwide, shaping a sacred land of the Confucian Path.
Only now has the Confucian Path returned to its proper course.
Yet.
Having tasted the sweetness of power, experienced the rapid cultivation upon receiving national fortune, how could those grand scholars be content?
They have been lurking for a long time, only to wait for an opportunity.
Now, with the prosperous times at hand, they could no longer wait and plan to overthrow the Confucian Immortal’s faction during the academic gathering in six months!
Recent rumors of Li Qingchen’s disappearance have emboldened them even further.
They have gone from cautious probing to openly bold, with many already re-entering official positions.
Moreover, the faction within the imperial court has even begun secretly recruiting students from the Sacred Academy in recent times.
They plan to completely undermine the status of the Sacred Academy as a sacred land of the Confucian Path.
"Oh, how to break this deadlock?"
Shu Han furrowed his brows tightly, the immense pressure in recent times making him barely able to breathe.
"Senior Brother Shu Han!"
Just at this moment, a hurried female voice rang out from outside the hall.
A man and a woman crossed the doorway, coming side by side.
These two were familiar faces, Ling Si and Er Niu, who had just returned from Sword God Mountain.
"You finally arrived."
Seeing the arrivals, Shu Han let out a breath, a forced smile appearing on his face.
The grand academic gathering is approaching, drawing a mass of scholars to Central Province City.
Yet the imperial faction is causing trouble at this very moment, enticing those scholars to join the court.
Their methods are simple: showcasing a few outstanding disciples, impressing everyone with their literary prowess, then seizing the chance to expound on the benefits of being an official...
How can those who have just entered the Confucian Path withstand such temptation?
If not curbed, the Sacred Academy might be nominal before the academic gathering even commences.
Unable to help it, the Sacred Academy could only counter each move, sending out outstanding disciples to block or suppress those from the imperial faction.
Recruiting Ling Si was a last-resort measure, as there is a significant shortage of manpower, especially prodigious talents in literature.
"Tsk tsk, bookworm, how is it that I haven’t seen you for a while, and you’re almost an old man?"
Seeing Shu Han with bloodshot eyes and looking haggard, Er Niu’s eyes showed surprise, yet his words showed no mercy.
No need to ask further, just from Shu Han’s state, one could tell how dire the situation at the Sacred Academy is.
"Get lost, I’m not in the mood to bicker with you."
Shu Han glared at Er Niu with irritation, then turned to look at Ling Si, saying solemnly:
"You saw the situation in Central Province when you returned, right?"
Hearing this, Ling Si’s face immediately filled with anger, "I saw it!"
"Those disciples of the grand scholars are so brazen, actually persuading other scholars in the streets to join the court!"
"If it weren’t for the reputation of the Sacred Academy and the Confucian Immortal, many would have agreed on the spot."
"Even so, I see quite a few are tempted."
Recently, Er Niu has learned about some internal conflicts within the Confucian Path.
Hearing this, he sneered, saying, "If you ask me, they should do as the Confucian Immortal did, and ruthlessly purge another batch."