Wendao Academy, Miscellaneous Dao Institute.
Xu Caichen stood anxiously at the entrance of the institute, eagerly awaiting the return of his master and all his senior brothers and sisters.
Over the past few days, whenever he went down the mountain, he often heard people talking about how powerful his master was.
This made him look up to him even more, and finally, he saw several figures approaching through the sky.
"Disciple greets Master." Before Chu Feng and the others even landed, Xu Caichen had already bowed.
"No need for formalities."
Chu Feng spoke as he descended from the sky. He glanced at Xu Caichen. The scholarly aura on this kid had grown considerably, but he still didn't possess any righteous spirit. Just where was the problem with him?
He asked, "While I was away, did you manage alright?"
Xu Caichen replied respectfully, "I was able to manage while Master was away, but there were times when I didn't understand something and no one could explain it."
Chu Feng smiled and said, "Tomorrow after the sun rises high, bring your notes and come ask me your questions."
"Yes, Master."
After replying, Xu Caichen withdrew.
Once everyone landed, they each returned to their own quarters.
Chu Feng went back to his room to quietly read a book. After being out traveling, he hadn't read properly for a while, so he had to catch up on what he'd missed.
A few hours later, the Miscellaneous Dao Institute suddenly became lively.
More than a dozen figures descended from the sky outside the institute.
As soon as Xu Caichen saw their attire, he hurriedly saluted. "Disciple Xu Caichen greets the elders."
"No need for formalities."
Elder Qi from the Magic Arts Institute was the first to speak.
"I wonder what brings all the elders here today?" Xu Caichen asked curiously.
Elder Qi said, "We've come to pay our respects to Chief Chu. Please let him know we're here."
"Yes."
Xu Caichen quickly ran to Chu Feng's courtyard to report this matter.
"What? A group of elders is here?"
Without missing a beat, Chu Feng hid the classical novel in his hand behind his back and said, "Let them all in."
"Yes."
Xu Caichen turned and left.
Watching him go, Chu Feng straightened his clothes and soon came out to the courtyard. Before long, he saw the elders from the various institutes coming in, each holding gifts.
"We pay our respects to Chief Chu."
When they saw Chu Feng, the elders all cupped their hands and bowed in greeting.
"There's no need to be so formal."
Seeing this, Chu Feng immediately knew why they'd come—they were here to curry favor.
Having lived two lives, he certainly wasn't going to make things difficult for them at a time like this.
"Caichen, go fetch some tables and chairs, and ask Xiaopang to prepare a fine banquet. Today, I want to have a drink with the elders."
"Yes."
Xu Caichen didn't find it troublesome and soon brought chairs for all the elders.
Chu Feng took the seat of honor and began chatting with everyone.
After an hour, the banquet was ready.
Chu Feng personally hosted the banquet for the elders, and everyone gladly accepted.
As the drinks flowed, all worries were left behind.
After a few cups, everyone became more relaxed and lively.
"What delicious dishes—this must be the legendary Tai Sui meat, right?" Elder Qi picked up a piece of Tai Sui meat and asked.
"Elder Qi, you have a good eye," Chu Feng replied with a smile.
"Chief Chu, it's too formal to call me Elder. If you don't mind, how about just calling me 'brother'?" Elder Qi said with a cheerful grin.
"Alright, it's settled then."
Chu Feng raised his cup. "Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
After downing a cup of wine, Elder Qi let out a long sigh. "The food is excellent, but the wine is too ordinary. Elder Bai, when are you bringing out your good wine?"
Elder Bai replied with a beaming smile, "You old rascal, always thinking about my wine. Just now, I already put that century-old Monkey Wine in my gift for Chief Chu, so he can enjoy it slowly later."
Chu Feng said, "Elder Bai, that's not right of you. Enjoying alone is never as much fun as enjoying together."
As soon as he said this, several people voiced their agreement.
"Chief Chu is absolutely right!"
Very soon, Qin Qin brought up the century-old Monkey Wine and poured a cup for each elder present.
Smelling the aroma of the wine, Chu Feng muttered, "Don't you all think my Miscellaneous Dao Institute is missing a disciple who knows how to brew?"
Elder Qi responded in agreement, "It really is missing one. Only this kind of spiritual wine matches these fine dishes. But, Old Chu, just to have a good wine, is it really worth specially recruiting a disciple who brews?"
Elder Bai smiled and said, "Why bother recruiting outsiders? Don't we have plenty of disciples in Wendao Academy? Surely we can find a few interested in brewing."
Chu Feng nodded slightly. "That makes sense. In a few days, I'll look for a suitable candidate among the outer disciples."
Elder Bai added, "If Chief Chu doesn't mind, I can also ask among the External Affairs Institute's stationed managers and odd-job disciples. Maybe we'll get some unexpected results."
"Alright, then I'll wait for your good news, Elder Bai."
As he spoke, Chu Feng once again raised his wine cup.
The banquet lasted until midnight before it finally ended.
The next day at noon, when Chu Feng got up, Xu Caichen was already waiting in the courtyard for guidance.
"Caichen, tell me what you don't understand."
Xu Caichen respectfully picked up a scroll and handed it over. "Master, these are all the things I don't understand. Please enlighten me."
Chu Feng took the scroll, opened it, and read it carefully. After reading, a thoughtful look appeared on his face.
"Brush, ink, paper, and inkstone."
Xu Caichen quickly placed the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the table, carefully ground the ink, and then respectfully handed the brush to Chu Feng.
Chu Feng took the brush and wrote a large 正 (zhèng) character on the paper.
Xu Caichen only glanced at the character before his head buzzed, and he didn't dare look again.
"Master, what's happening to me?"
Chu Feng said calmly, "It's nothing. It's just that your scholarly aura isn't sufficient, so when you saw the character 'zhèng,' you had that reaction."
Xu Caichen wasn't slow-witted. He immediately understood that Master was telling him he was biting off more than he could chew.
He respectfully asked, "Master, then what kind of books should I focus on studying?"
Chu Feng stroked his chin and said, "I have a treatise, the 'Commentary on the Analects,' which is my interpretation of the Sage Kong's Analects. Three days from now, you'll focus on the Commentary, and in your spare time, do some basic exercises to strengthen your body."
"Why?"
Xu Caichen looked confused.
Chu Feng smiled and said, "It's because you read too widely and act too rigidly. You're not reaching the standard of a true gentleman, so you still can't comprehend the righteous spirit of heaven and earth."
Hearing this, Xu Caichen respectfully retorted, "Master, I don't agree. I consider myself proper in conduct, consistent in words and actions, benevolent and principled, loyal and upright—why don't I count as a gentleman?"
Chu Feng wasn't angry at all, but instead laughed. "Then let me ask you—the gentleman's six arts: rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics. How many have you mastered?"
Xu Caichen was momentarily stunned. "Master, aren't scholars supposed to only study rites, music, and calligraphy? How can they learn archery and charioteering like rough men?"
"You really are someone who just reads by the book. No wonder you're still only a xiucai (scholar) after all these years."
Chu Feng paused for a moment. "The six arts of a gentleman weren't my invention, but the words of the Sage Kong himself. Are you going to ignore the words of the Sage?"
Xu Caichen fell silent. He began to doubt himself—had his path always been wrong?
"Think it over carefully. Once you figure it out, come to me for the Commentary."
With that, Chu Feng stood up to leave, but Xu Caichen's gaze grew resolute as he said, "Master, I'm willing to become a true gentleman. Please grant me the Commentary."
"Good. A teachable child."
Chu Feng smiled and patted Xu Caichen on the shoulder. "Remember to do your exercises when you get up tomorrow."
Xu Caichen: "..."
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