Duanmu Zhang was sent from Huazhang Country to Flying Cloud Country with the intention of spreading Confucianism and cultivating more Confucian Cultivators here.
After some investigation, he did not take any official position in Flying Cloud Country but directly stationed himself in the Myriad Images Sect.
One reason for this was that the Sect Master of the Myriad Images Sect personally invited him with great enthusiasm.
There’s another layer of national-level power struggle involved here, which we’ll set aside for now. Duanmu Zhang thought, since the Sect Master of Myriad Images Sect showed such a strong willingness to cooperate, starting his work from Myriad Images Sect was undoubtedly the best choice.
Little did he know that soon after he joined the Myriad Images Sect, the previous Sect Master passed away due to illness.
Without active cooperation from the top, Duanmu Zhang had to develop independently.
He had the ability, and quickly established a foothold.
But with the expansion of his influence, the upper echelons of Myriad Images Sect began to pay attention. Qin De’s affair, ever since it happened, has been the best tool for the top to suppress the expansion of the Confucian Cultivators group, consistently effective.
Duanmu Zhang was restrained by this for too many years, and after several attempts, the hope of persuading Qin De with his own strength was extremely slim.
This time, with the arrival of Zhao Hansheng, or more precisely, the exhibition of Heart Learning, Duanmu Zhang saw new hope in this matter.
The Confucian Cultivator group in Myriad Images Sect is not just a bunch of like-minded people staying warm together. From the very start, it has been a mature political group.
This means it inevitably has its own political demands.
Growth and expansion are the main demands of the Confucian Cultivator group, which is also the task Duanmu Zhang carried from Huazhang Country.
From a personal perspective, who wouldn’t want to be with more people similar to themselves? Even if they only share similar ideologies.
But Qin De’s presence is a significant obstacle to the continued development of the Confucian Cultivator group.
This isn’t merely because he’s a Demon Cultivator, rather it’s about ideology.
The existence of the Saint Thief Scripture has provided the upper echelons of Myriad Images Sect with the best tool to deal with the Confucian Cultivators.
If Confucian Cultivators want to develop, they must spread their cultivation ideology. Once the ideology receives support from the top and recognition from multiple layers, natural growth will be much better.
Ideology comes first.
But now, the Confucian Cultivator group cannot even proceed with the ideology first.
The top of Myriad Images Sect’s doubts about the Saint Thief Scripture have spread to the entire traditional ideology of Confucian Cultivators. Despite exhausting all efforts and strategies, Duanmu Zhang and others are not able to resolve these doubts.
Because this requires them to completely refute and thoroughly criticize the Saint Thief Scripture in theory!
Duanmu Zhang and others have tried countless times, but relying solely on traditional Confucianism, this is hardly achievable.
"But perhaps Heart Learning can?"
This is precisely the hope deep within Duanmu Zhang’s heart.
If Zhao Hansheng could perfectly resolve the issue of the Saint Thief Scripture through Heart Learning, correct Qin De’s path, and reopen the path for the development of Confucian Cultivators – such a significant achievement, then what would be the problem with letting him become the Mountain Master?
On the other hand, Duanmu Zhang also knows that this action contains massive risks.
Duanmu Zhang is uncertain.
It is precisely because of this that he gathered everyone to hear their opinions and strive for a unified result.
Throughout the third Xingyun Trial, Chu Xuangu and Song Taosheng have always been consistent, but in this matter, they have had a divergence.
Chu Xuangu expressed clear opposition, but Song Taosheng was more eager to use Heart Learning to solve the big problem of Qin De.
Two camps with clear attitudes, each sticking to their views, argued endlessly.
Until the end, the Confucian Cultivator group couldn’t come to a conclusion.
Qingyou Villa.
A Flying Message, after multiple reviews, was delivered to Wen Ruanyu’s hands.
Though being one of the pillars of the Confucian Cultivators, Wen Ruanyu, even while trapped, is not completely cut off from information. In fact, the treatment he receives here is quite high, with various cultivation resources being almost extravagant.
Because Wen Ruanyu didn’t commit any sins; on the contrary, he is a minister of merit.
The reason he lost his freedom is merely because the high-ranking members of Myriad Images Sect need to fight for benefits. If someone above Wen Ruanyu spoke up, he wouldn’t have ended up in his current predicament.
This was a letter from Chu Xuangu, detailing recent events, with a focus on Duanmu Zhang’s intentions to deal with the matter concerning Qin De.
Wen Ruanyu frowned deeply.
Among all the Confucian Cultivator groups in Myriad Images Sect, Wen Ruanyu’s political acumen is undoubtedly one of the best, even arguably number one.
He has reached the position of Deputy City Lord in White Paper Immortal City in the capacity of a Golden Core True Transmission from Myriad Images Sect. From this, it’s evident Wen Ruanyu has made significant contributions not only to the construction of White Paper Immortal City.
"Old Mr. Duanmu is still a bit too naïve."
Wen Ruanyu seemed to pace, recalling the series of actions taken by Zhao Hansheng and Gu Qing upon arriving in the Myriad Images Sect.
Though without concrete evidence, Wen Ruanyu still senses a hint of unusual ambition.
"This pair of master and disciple probably have grand plans!"
Duanmu Zhang’s willingness to relinquish the Mountain Master position, in Wen Ruanyu’s view, is an utterly grave mistake.
Even if Duanmu Zhang wants to leverage Zhao Hansheng to handle the matter of Qin De, there’s no need to do it this way.
Wen Ruanyu is an integral member of the Confucian Cultivator group, a membership hard to abandon.
Though he has been stationed outside for years, his political identity has always remained as a member of the Confucian Cultivator group.
That night, Wen Ruanyu tossed and turned, unable to sleep.