A brief silence fell upon the schoolroom, followed by another acolyte chiming in, "How are we poor? We still get food and lodging! It's just, I don't think our ancestor left the cushions out to prevent people from worshipping him casually. But even so, this practice is hard for us grandsons to understand."
"We also can't understand why people shouldn't be worshipped..." several other acolytes chimed in agreement.
Liang Xiao and the others studied the old Taoist, secretly marveling.
His white Taoist robe was covered in patches, and his whisk had only a few strands left, which he held upright against his chest.
Unkempt, slightly disheveled, yet he couldn't hide a certain immortal air!
This person was none other than the master of the Flowing Cloud Temple, Liu Yunzi, a follower of the long-declining "Tai Chi Tao."
Liu Yunzi, who had been squinting and yawning, responded absentmindedly, "This is a rule passed down through generations of our Tai Chi Tao. The Great Way is simple. Simply put, erm, simply put, it is... someone here explain it to these children in simple terms."
As he spoke, Liu Yunzi began to yawn again.
Just then, a clear voice rang out from within the schoolroom.
"Because, if your intentions are wicked, burning incense will do you no good. If you conduct yourself with integrity, why should it matter if you don't worship me!"
The words stunned everyone!
Everyone turned in unison to look at Liang Xiao, lost in thought.
Liu Yunzi, who had been yawning, suddenly looked up, his old eyes brightening. He followed the sound, staring at Liang Xiao, and instantly became spirited.
"Well said! Concise and to the point, it perfectly captures the essence of our Tai Chi Tao! If you have a guilty conscience, worshipping gods is useless. Stand tall and fear no shadow, so why worship the gods!"
Applause erupted from the assembled crowd.
"My eyes have been opened! Thank you, brother, for your guidance!" The acolytes all rose and bowed to Liang Xiao.
Yu Qingchuan, with a proud expression, cupped his hands towards Liu Yunzi and said, "Junior Yu Qingchuan, I visited Elder Liu Yunzi with my master before! Today, I have specifically brought this..."
Liu Yunzi glanced at Yu Qingchuan and nodded slightly, "Yu whatchuan?"
Yu Qingchuan: "Yu Qingchuan."
Liu Yunzi's white eyebrows furrowed slightly, "Yu Qing what?"
Yu Qingchuan: "Yu Qingchuan..."
Liu Yunzi: "Ah? What Qingchuan?"
The crowd: ...
Yu Qingchuan was dumbfounded and quickly apologized, "My apologies, Qingchuan was presumptuous!"
"Oh, it's nothing, it's just that I'm old and can't remember things, can't remember! My head hurts..."
Liu Yunzi waved his hand, then beckoned Liang Xiao over, patting his own mat. "Young sir, come and sit here."
Liang Xiao walked over with a smile, cupped his fists, and said, "Junior Liang Xiao, I pay my respects to the elder."
"Liang Xiao? Could it be the Marquis of Anguo!" All the Taoists were astonished. Xiao He simply sat down on the ground, his eyes wide open.
"He is indeed the Marquis of Anguo!" Yu Qingchuan nodded.
Liu Yunzi laughed heartily, and after settling Liang Xiao down, he patted his shoulder.
"Liang Xiao, ah, this old man does have some impression of him."
"After all, he served the country and the people, so it's only natural that his name is known everywhere!" Jian Qinwan said proudly.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Liu Yunzi shook his head, "No, no, that's not the impression... A month ago, that child Jian Nanfeng mentioned it to me..."
"My father mentioned me to you??" Jian Qinwan's beautiful eyes lit up, filled with joy.
Her flower-snatching thief was so important to her father that he specifically told an esteemed recluse like Liu Yunzi?
Liu Yunzi nodded slightly and muttered to himself, "Yes, I still remember his proud tone: 'My junior has a prospective son-in-law named Liang Xiao who has utterly captivated my precious daughter. Oh my, and he even wrote in his letter that she will only marry him from now on. Oh my, this Liang Xiao is truly remarkable. Oh my, what a good son-in-law...'"
Jian Qinwan: ...
One wrong word and it's public execution!
Jian Qinwan could even imagine her father, holding a wine pot, bragging to Liu Yunzi.
Liang Xiao smiled, looking at the flustered Jian Qinwan, and sighed, "Alas, I really can't do anything about my father-in-law."
These familiar words, utterly shameless, made Jian Qinwan both embarrassed and angry. She didn't dare to respond, only feeling fortunate that she had developed the habit of wearing a veil to cover her blushing face.
Yue Lian and Zhuo Xun covered their mouths and chuckled.
This Liu Yunzi's "selective amnesia" was truly formidable!
"He also said that my precious daughter never approached any men before, but when it comes to Liang Xiao, oh my, she'll eventually become a lovestruck fool..."
Before Liu Yunzi could finish, Jian Qinwan wanted to find a hole to crawl into!
The person who was secretly delighted regained a "solemn" expression and pretended to be serious, "Elder, please give my wife some face and don't announce it publicly."
"Oh, okay," Liu Yunzi agreed without hesitation.
Jian Qinwan felt a little better and looked at Liang Xiao gratefully, her heart filled with sweetness.
This flower-snatching thief was so considerate of her...
Unexpectedly, the person's tone shifted again, becoming that of a triumphant scoundrel. He pouted, "When we're alone, you can tell me properly. I'm eager to know."
Eager to know?
Yue Lian burst into laughter.
"Based on those two sentences you just said, there's no problem," Liu Yunzi agreed readily.
Jian Qinwan looked at Liang Xiao resentfully, wishing she could fly over and pinch his thigh!
This person was truly infuriating!
Li Jin Yu looked at Liu Yunzi and Liang Xiao, smiling helplessly.
The words and actions of this old and young pair were so similar, always surprising.
Others were merely thick-skinned; this old and young pair had shed all pretense of modesty.
"Hmm? You just mentioned 'wife,' and she mentioned 'father'? Is that little doll Qin Wan here too?" Liu Yunzi suddenly remembered something.
"I haven't been here for ten years, and you still recognize me, old sir?" Jian Qinwan was very surprised.
Liu Yunzi nodded, "Of course I recognize you. I still have the little windmill you gave me. Ten years have passed, and you've become the Qin Xian of this era. Truly a match made in heaven."
"Yes!" Jian Qinwan nodded, her heart touched, and her eyes gradually blurred, two crystal tears sliding down her cheeks.
This old gentleman was still so kind...
Liu Yunzi continued, "Now I believe what your father said. Oh my, this little doll's gaze has been on her beloved gentleman from beginning to end, full of affection. She is indeed utterly captivated by her own gentleman."
Jian Qinwan, who was being touched, immediately stopped crying and hid behind Yue Lian, not daring to meet the flower-snatching thief's gaze again.
Why did I get emotional just now? I regret it so much!
She realized that these elders and senior disciples could always turn the conversation to her and Liang Xiao!
"I'll have this young couple stay here. The rest of you can go outside and move around."
After everyone left, Jian Qinwan, with a resentful gaze, silently sat down beside Liang Xiao and finally got her wish, pinching his thigh.
"Why have you suddenly come to visit me?" Liu Yunzi asked.
"I apologize for disturbing your peaceful cultivation, Elder. It is truly regrettable," Liang Xiao said with an apologetic expression.
"These are trivial matters. Cultivators find tranquility within their hearts."
Liu Yunzi waved his hand and then said, "Regardless of why you have come, I have a few questions for you first."
Liang Xiao nodded solemnly, "Please speak freely, Elder!"
Liu Yunzi closed his eyes and nodded slightly, as if listening to something.
Liang Xiao was secretly surprised: Was he trying to use his amazing hearing to listen for people outside?
After a while, Liu Yunzi opened his eyes and asked in a low voice, "What exactly is going on between you and General Tian?"