My Wife Is A Sword Immortal-Chapter 484 - 329 Gentlemanly Friendship, the Elder’s Gift Decided

Chapter 484: Chapter 329 Gentlemanly Friendship, the Elder’s Gift Decided

Zhao Rong pulled Qing Jun behind him, facing Tao Yuanran.

The familiar elder in the pavilion wearing a Nanhua headscarf had just spoken those words to Qing Jun, but they were clearly also intended for him to hear.

Just now, Qing Jun and the others had their backs to Zhao Rong, listening intently.

They hadn’t noticed him for quite some time.

Meanwhile, Tao Yuanran was facing in Zhao Rong’s direction.

Even though Zhao Rong was standing some distance away,

As he gradually heard Tao Yuanran uttering deliberately harsh words like ’ritual is the chief source of disorder’,

Zhao Rong was certain in his heart that Tao Yuanran had seen him.

Nonetheless, Zhao Rong remained silent and listened for a while longer.

Because he wanted to know at which stage the Daoist schools in this part of the world had developed to.

The current mainstream thoughts of the Daoist school at Jixia Academy, the center of the Hundred Schools of Thought.

About this, because Wangque Continent was far away, news was not promptly received.

However, Zhao Rong quickly grasped the situation, especially when Tao Yuanran expressed opinions like ’saints and great thieves’.

As for the criticisms of Confucian Scholars that the old man in the pavilion had said earlier, if they were meant for him to hear, then there seemed to be another layer of intention...

In the open space outside the pavilion, Zhao Rong suddenly performed a bow, smiling, "This humble one is Zhao Ziyu."

Tao Yuanran also smiled, stood up, and performed a solemn ancient Jixia Academy greeting to the young Confucian Scholar before him, just as he had six months ago.

"This old one is Tao Yuanran."

But the next second, with a smile that was not quite a smile, Zhao Rong said, "Tao Daoist just claimed ’ritual’ to be the source of chaos, so why now perform such an ancient and unadorned courtesy with such precision? Is this not also a form of bondage?"

Tao Yuanran’s expression remained placid.

"Does young Daoist Zhao truly not know? This courtesy, at Jixia Academy, is an ancient formality for meeting respected Daoists, to be observed or not at discretion."

"I follow ritual as I please, unconstrained by others, in harmony with nature. But you Confucians enforce it upon all, regardless of time and place, following strict conventions. This imposition upon the people of the world is something I naturally disagree with."

Zhao Rong nodded, "Tao Daoist still possesses that graceful eloquence, with sharp and incisive words."

Tao Yuanran: "Young Daoist is the same, still so sharp and aggressive."

Zhao Rong waved his hand and then said:

"I dare not accept such praise. However, some of the words you just shared with my wife were somewhat inappropriate."

"In the debate over ’action versus inaction’, I took the side of inaction, so the words regarding ’inaction leading to boundless action’ that you just reiterated, I indeed had said them."

He paused for a moment, slightly closing his eyes:

"But as for the later claims about the relationship between saints and great thieves, not a word of that came from me; those were your views, Tao Daoist. Yes, it’s better to clarify that to avoid any misunderstandings."

Zhao Rong glanced at the Residence Students around the open area, emphasizing his point.

He was now a Confucian Scholar of Linlu Academy, and when it came to the matter of ’debating the Dao’, regardless of his specific views, he at least had to show a clear stance and not sit on the fence.

Zhao Rong did not know whether Tao Yuanran was doing this intentionally or not, but he was currently at odds with a certain spinster in her middle age.

He needed to be cautious in his words and actions to prevent rumors; as the saying goes, a repeated lie becomes truth.

Tao Yuanran remained as tranquil as ever, nodding his head in agreement.

"Tao Daoist, it’s been a while since we parted ways at Zhongnan, I didn’t expect to meet you again so soon."

Tao Yuanran nodded: "Is young Daoist Zhao currently studying at Linlu Academy? Who is your teacher?"

Zhao Rong answered offhand: "I am still at Mochi Academy, haven’t yet joined any teacher’s door within the Academy."

Tao Yuanran smiled, stroking his beard and remaining silent.

Zhao Rong didn’t think much of it, bowed his hands, "You are still in the midst of teaching, I’ve rudely interrupted, I shall take my leave."

He turned to Qing Jun and Qian’er with a reminder, "You two sit down first, any questions can be discussed privately later. I’ll wait for you outside."

Zhao Rong patted his sleeve, offering the Residence Students a carefree smile before turning to leave.

Seeing this, Tao Yuanran raised his eyebrows and raised his hand to stop him.

"Young Daoist, please stay a moment; there is no rush with today’s lecture at Tranquility Mansion, it can be rescheduled for another day. You... you just mentioned ’simplicity is hard to return to’? Do you have any insightful views on this?"

Zhao Rong gestured with his hand, "Where do I possess any deep insights, it was just an offhand remark; please don’t take it to heart. A teacher’s duty is to impart knowledge, teach, and resolve doubts. You should continue, the Residence Students are waiting."

Tao Yuanran did not look toward the Residence Students on the open space.

The flowing bead in the elder’s hand stopped, and he shook his head:

"For today’s lecture, I have already spoken what needed to be said; for the rest, they can reflect and ponder on their own."

"Speaking of which, young Daoist Zhao seems to have a different opinion on ’saints and great thieves’; may I be enlightened? Why don’t we have another bout of intellectual discourse? Last time, I was distracted by my ancestor’s matters and could not fully engage in our discussion."

Residence Students: "..."

Liu Kongyi lightly bit her silver teeth, watching Zhao Rong being repeatedly detained by Master Tao, her thoughts uncertain.

At a certain moment, she seemed to catch a dangerous glance from a certain young girl.

She turned her head toward Zhao Qian, smiling radiantly.

Zhao Qian narrowed her eyes, suddenly glancing at the young lady beside her, only to see Lingfei not looking at Liu Kongyi but instead gazing tenderly at Rong’er’s retreating back.

The young girl’s expression suddenly became reserved, her eyes calmly shifting away, no longer observing Liu Kongyi.

The latter returned the nod with a light laugh, also appearing indifferent and shifting her gaze away.

The instant confrontation between the two women went unnoticed by all.

At this moment, Zhao Rong felt that every second of hesitation between joining his wife or engaging in scholarly discussion served as further proof of intellectual deficiency.

Without a second thought, he said:

"Saints and great thieves are matters for wise men and Great Cultivators like yourself to ponder. I am but shallow in learning and do not dare to offer comments."

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