The Deepest Affection in Qin's Time

To be honest, of the seven ancient scripts, only Qin script and Qin seal script have similarities to simplified characters. The scripts of the other seven scripts are like "emoticons," making writing them as challenging as drawing them.

He's even thinking of writing an article titled "The Necessity of Standardizing Characters" now.

"Evil is not inherent in the body, nor does it arise alongside good; rather, it is the excess or deficiency of good. This is because reason is obscured by external forces, and its expression is not in accordance with proper measure..."

Cao Yuan had already prepared his speech, and he recited it in detail, shaking his head and gesturing.

Fu Nian wrote furiously, his small sandalwood and wolf hair brush almost leaving afterimages.

Apart from the bewildered Yan Lu, Zi Han, Wu Ming, and Fu Nian who was writing, they gradually learned about the entire essay and were all shocked and full of admiration.

"...Therefore, the nature endowed by Heaven is pure and good, which is the essence of human nature; the nature of the body is a mixture of reason and energy, which can be good or evil. Mencius said that it is good because of reason, while Xunzi said that it is evil because of energy. Both of these views are biased. If we consider the reason and energy, human nature is inherently good, and evil arises from the bias of one's energy and the obscuring of selfish desires. The right path is to learn to preserve the principles of Heaven, eliminate human desires, transform one's energy, and return to the original good nature."

After Cao Yuan finished speaking, he let out a long sigh of relief.

The content itself isn't difficult to understand, but transforming plain language into a semi-classical style is definitely a brain drain.

Fu Nian stopped writing, stunned and speechless, falling into a long silence.

He was no longer just shocked, he was utterly awestruck, and could be said to be completely in awe.

If the first half of the essay was novel and refreshing, then the second half was a wake-up call, capable of establishing a separate branch of Confucianism called "Li" (理).

"How magnificent!"

Fu Nian, who was usually serious and unsmiling, became agitated, increasingly unsteady and flustered, his wide sleeves flailing wildly.

"Mr. Cao Yuan, please come with me to Xiaoshengxianzhuang! Your martial uncle will definitely think highly of you!"

Fu Nian, whose scholarship was worthy of a great Confucian scholar, was almost incoherent; this "Neo-Confucianism" struck a chord with him deeply.

What made Cao Yuan follow him, become a disciple of Xunzi, and further his studies at Xiaoshengxianzhuang, etc.

Zihan was stunned.

Although Yan Lu didn't understand it, he could tell that Boss Cao seemed to be very knowledgeable about Confucianism, so Boss Cao's "Lunyu" must be correct!

Wuming closed his eyes and carefully comprehended the situation, unlike Fu Nian who made such an exaggerated display.

He advocated sincerity, integrity, and the investigation of things to acquire knowledge...

However, he still admired Cao Yuan and changed his opinion of him, eventually accepting him.

As for Cao Yuan's fabricated "Lunyu," it should be regarded as a joke between him and Yan Lu.

Cao Yuan declined Fu Nian's invitation.

“Master Fu Nian, please allow me to consider this matter for a few days.”

If it were before Jingni and Liwu moved into his house, he might have accepted Fu Nian's invitation.

At least you don't have to worry about the miserable high school life of sleeping at midnight and getting up at dawn, with questions and tests every day.

Unfortunately, it was too late, and besides, he still needed to obtain the bronze treasure box to resolve his problem with his spiritual body.

Realizing his lapse in composure, Fu Nian bowed and apologized, saying, "I, Fu Nian, am quite reckless. I hope Mr. Cao Yuan will forgive me."

Cao Yuan generously replied, "It's alright."

It's impossible for me to come to your door.

In order to target Fu Nian, he specifically prepared a fishing spot, using "Neo-Confucianism" as bait.

The fish has been caught.

If all goes well, Fu Nian will visit him frequently to express his gratitude.

He could have easily chosen this place as his base, waited for an opportunity to find the bronze box, and even borrowed it to look at it. Then, with the help of Confucianism, he could have gotten rid of Jingni and Liwu.

He didn't want to join any faction or group just because of some difficulties, and be constrained by them.

He prefers the freedom of drifting, the freedom of floating, drifting until he loses contact, the kind of drifting until he loses contact...

"What a pity, what a real pity."

After Fu Nian finished his sigh, he said to Wuming, "Senior Brother, Uncle-Master says he misses you and wants you to go back to Little Sage Village to keep him company. What do you think?"

Cao Yuan and Zi Han immediately perked up their ears to listen carefully to the gossip.

"My teacher and I are no longer teacher and student, so why should we return..."

Wuming looked at the young Yan Lu with a wistful expression, as if he saw the shadow of his dear friend from back then in Yan Lu.

"Please pass on a message to my teacher, saying that I have never blamed him for what happened back then."

He didn't want to cause trouble for Xiaoshengxianzhuang. He knew that Luowang would come again, whether for the bronze treasure box, Yan Lu, or his Hanguang sword.

Fu Nian remained silent and said, "Junior Brother understands."

"Dong dong..."

A knock sounded on the door, and everyone looked over.

……

Chapter 10 His Wife, His Concubine

"Squeak..."

Wuming opened the gate and saw two beautiful women standing there. He asked, "Ladies, is there something you need?"

Li Wu chuckled softly and said with a charming smile, "We're here to find Cao Yuan."

Their actions served two purposes: first, to probe the true strength of the nameless mansion; and second, to let Cao Yuan know that they were watching him and that he shouldn't try anything funny.

Just then, Fu Nian, who had finished packing his cloth and was about to leave, along with Zi Han and Cao Yuan, who were preparing to see him off, arrived at the gate of the mansion.

Jingni and Liwu both became wary.

Yesterday, they were ordered to lure away the Confucian masters in Linzi City, including Fu Nian. They had fought him before and suffered a loss. Fu Nian was at least at the peak of the half-step Grandmaster level.

As a sword saint whose realm and strength have reached the peak of the grandmaster level, Wuming has amazing eyesight. With just one glance, he can tell that both women are skilled in martial arts. In particular, the cold and aloof woman next to him has a hidden glint in her eyes, and her aura is restrained yet sharp, which shows that her swordsmanship level is not low.

Who are you?

Jingni calmed herself down, extended her slender finger, pointed at Cao Yuan behind Wuming, and parted her pink lips slightly, "I am his wife."

Li Wu said with a grin, "I am his concubine."

Cao Yuan almost rolled his eyes.

Good heavens, he only stayed at Wuming's place for a little longer, and Jingni brought Liwu straight to his door.

How can we expect him to help the poor and sponsor the young woman whose father gambles, mother is sick, and younger brother is studying in the future?

Wuming nodded and made way for him.

Zihan said sourly, "Brother Cao is quite lucky with women. Your wife really cares about you. I'm so envious."

You only see your brother driving a Land Rover, but you don't see the hardships he endures... Cao Yuan shrugged and asked Jing Ni and Li Wu, "Is there something wrong at the shop?"

"Something has come up at the store, and we need you to go back."

Jingni spoke in a cool and aloof tone, completely disregarding the occasion.

This made Cao Yuan feel as if he saw the figure of a modern fairy. He quickly calmed himself down. This was Qin Shi, and Jing Ni was just like this. Don't think too much about it.

"Mr. Cao Yuan is also a romantic man, and I think he and my junior brother Han Fei would get along very well."

Even Fu Nian, who is usually taciturn and serious, would crack a joke, clearly showing that he was deeply impressed by the "Neo-Confucianism".

Fu Nian bowed and said, "I should also set off back to Sanghai. I look forward to meeting Mr. Cao Yuan again."

Cao Yuan smiled and said subtly, "I also look forward to meeting Master Fu Nian again. How about we study the classics here with the Sword Saint next time? What do you and Master Fu Nian think?"

The nameless man said gently, "That's a good thing."

“Excellent! That is indeed my wish, but I dare not ask! Gentlemen, farewell.”

Fu Nian laughed loudly, then turned and left.

Zihan, as his junior brother, followed him away.

Jingni and Liwu exchanged a glance, both surprised. They wondered what Cao Yuan had done to make Wuming so willing to welcome them with open arms.

Cao Yuan bid farewell to Wuming and traveled with Jingni and Liwu.

Throughout the journey, the three seemed to have reached a tacit understanding and remained silent.

After the three returned to the backyard of the "Golden Key" locksmith shop.

"choke"

Jing Ni immediately drew her sword and held it to Cao Yuan's neck.

Cao Yuan's delicate neck suddenly felt the cold blade of the sword, raising goosebumps that chilled him from head to toe.

"Madam, let's talk this out, please don't draw your sword..."

Cao Yuan raised his hands, on the verge of tears.

As expected, a woman who could become a top-tier assassin in an environment like the Luo Wang (Net of Heaven) was no ordinary person.

Jing Ni looked calmly into Cao Yuan's eyes.

“I don’t know much about interrogation techniques, but I can tell if you’re lying. Now I’ll ask you questions, and you answer. If there’s even one lie…”

"hiss……"

Cao Yuan, feeling as if some liquid was flowing down his neck, gasped sharply.

His cheap wife is truly terrifying!

She'd really dare to murder her husband over a mere disagreement!

Li Wu stroked the cat and chuckled, "Young master, I advise you to behave yourself. Lady Jing Ni is always ruthless and decisive."

"Lord Jingni, please ask. I would never dare to lie in the slightest."

Cao Yuan immediately became extremely respectful.

Life without cultivation and strength is truly unbearable.

In this world, even Confucius had to cultivate "benevolence and virtue" in order to travel around the world, spouting nonsense without fear of being beaten to death.

He definitely needs to find a way to solve the problem of his inability to cultivate and quickly improve his strength, otherwise no matter how invincible his words are, it will probably be useless.