Even Du Pingling was filled with disbelief this time.
Their junior sister, who was like an ethereal beauty, had seemed to hold a deep grudge against Liang Xiao just two days ago...
Jian Qinwan grew increasingly embarrassed and angry, finally drawing her sword and glaring at everyone.
"Junior Sister actually drew her sword against us for a mere scholar..." The disciples wailed, many covering their mouths and weeping.
Ding Wuyi stared at the group of swordsmen and shook his head helplessly.
He could almost hear the sound of countless hearts breaking.
Having been misunderstood no matter what, Jian Qinwan completely lost her temper.
Liang Xiao remained composed, asking loudly, "You are all so indignant, and for what reason? Do you think I have deceived her?"
"It's because you insult us martial artists!" several swordsmen responded without hesitation.
"Martial artists?"
Liang Xiao smiled faintly, then suddenly his expression turned stern, and he asked in a deep voice, "Very well! Then I shall dare to ask: For what purpose do you practice martial arts?"
The sudden barrage of questions caused the previously boisterous scene to fall into a momentary silence.
"Bring forth the one who best represents you to answer me," Liang Xiao commanded with an irresistible tone, his gaze fixed on them.
Sensing Liang Xiao's sharp eyes, the crowd instinctively took a step back, their faces flushing with shame and anger.
"Senior Brother Du, you go!"
Nominated by the others, Du Pingling stepped forward reluctantly and replied, "Naturally, it is to realize our lifelong aspirations and uphold chivalry in the world."
"Exactly!" the crowd behind him chorused, smiling with satisfaction.
"What aspirations? Is it to indulge in unrestrained behavior? To seek a confidant, and then die for them? Is it to kill one person in ten steps, leaving no trace for a thousand miles? Or is it to wander the martial world with a zither and a sword, enjoying my freedom?" Liang Xiao pressed further.
The crowd was taken aback, their blood inexplicably surging.
'To kill one person in ten steps, leaving no trace for a thousand miles!'
Du Pingling nodded, "Indeed, these are the deeds of a chivalrous hero..."
Liang Xiao then asked, "Do you then understand why there is the saying, 'The chivalrous martial artist offends the law, while the scholar disrupts the law with his texts'? In essence, you martial practitioners, who consider yourselves heroes, could actually bring harm to the nation and its people in another form."
"An Guohou, why do you say this?" Du Pingling asked, clearly displeased.
"Throughout history, the turmoil and decay of dynasties have never been solely due to the suppression of the martial arts in favor of scholarly pursuits. Are there no scholars who treat virtuous men with respect, no scholars who are your confidants?"
Liang Xiao asked once more. Seeing their silence, he changed tack, "As heroes, if you lack grand and clear insights, and merely muddle through your days, then the harm you bring to the nation is not much different from that of scholars. You do not deserve to be called 'heroes'."
At this, the previously contemplative crowd's expressions changed drastically.
"We don't deserve to be called heroes? Do you? Then tell us, what is a hero!"
The crowd's indignation rose, and Yue Lian, Jian Qinwan, and Luo Qingxue all looked on with worry.
Ding Wuyi stood beside Liang Xiao, watching the swordsmen warily, fearing that in a moment of impulse, they might hack Liang Xiao into a pulp!
Jian Qinwan gazed at Liang Xiao, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Should I stop him? But if he truly is the Heavenly General, then who else is more qualified to admonish them...
Jian Qinwan's heart was in turmoil.
"Then I shall tell you!" Liang Xiao swept his gaze across them, his impassioned words echoing throughout the entire area.
"For the nation and the people, the greatest of heroes!"
The entire crowd was struck by his words!
'For the nation and the people, the greatest of heroes?'
Liang Xiao's brief eight-character pronouncement struck directly at their souls, deafening them to their own ignorance!
The swordsmen exchanged bewildered glances, unable to retort.
The eyes of the three young women lit up as they looked at Liang Xiao, a different kind of brilliance appearing in their gazes.
Liang Xiao remained solemn.
"During the Helan Mountain battle of yesteryear, why did you disciples of Tianshan, knowing it was a losing battle, still charge onto the battlefield with such courage? I am not asking you to throw your lives away, but if you cannot comprehend this point, you are disgracing their spirits in heaven. You are merely like scholars, clinging to your self-righteousness."
"Why were there so many upright historians in ancient times who would rather die with integrity or endure humiliation for the sake of leaving behind a historical record? Why could scholars, without the strength to even tie up a chicken, become enraged for the nation and dare to shed blood with enemy kings?"
"Whether martial or civil, if it is for the nation and the people, all can be called the greatest of heroes!"
Hundreds of swordsmen were simultaneously rendered speechless, and some lowered their heads in shame, their previous arrogance gone.
Their senior brothers fought for the nation and the people, while they were here arguing with scholars, making fools of themselves!
Jian Qinwan finally breathed a sigh of relief, stealing a glance at Liang Xiao, her emotions becoming even more complicated.
"A remarkable person and remarkable words!"
At this moment, a sharp, aged voice of praise came from afar.
Everyone turned to look, and gasped in shock: "Mistress!"
Their Mistress had actually come down the mountain!
Mu Xueqin reprimanded sternly, "Do you know why I usually do not bother with you? I detest the atmosphere of favoring scholars over martial artists, yet you are essentially no different from the scholars you despise! In the end, it takes Liang Xiao to enlighten you!"
The disciples were filled with shame and dared not speak.
Ding Wuyi finally snapped back to reality and, along with Luo Qingxue and Yue Lian, began applauding Liang Xiao.
Mu Xueqin scanned the disciples and said coldly, "Is there anyone who still believes that I chose my son to be Liang Xiao's bodyguard on a whim?"
Everyone shook their heads, deeply ashamed.
Mu Xueqin then turned and patted Liang Xiao's shoulder, sighing, "Liang Xiao, I received your calligraphy, and it moved me. Let me offer you a humble verse in return."
Immediately, Mu Xueqin called for her disciples to fetch brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
Liang Xiao personally ground the ink for Mu Xueqin.
Mu Xueqin, with a sweep of her brush, left behind a line of verse.
Liang Xiao glanced at it and repeatedly nodded, "Your praise is too generous, senior!"
Luo Qingxue and Yue Lian were overjoyed, Jian Qinwan remained silent, while Ding Wuyi clapped his hands and laughed heartily.
Once the ink dried, Mu Xueqin asked Du Pingling to display it.
The characters, square and upright, appeared on the paper.
【Looking back at the world, your presence is like a mountain, unmatched by any!】
The swordsmen's breaths hitched, and they involuntarily read it aloud, then stared blankly at Liang Xiao and Mu Xueqin.
Their Mistress, who so hated royalty and nobility, had actually written such heartfelt praise for Liang Xiao!
'Unmatched by any!'
He was clearly just a scholar...
They could not comprehend it, yet they were profoundly shaken.
"If you cannot grasp 'For the nation and the people, the greatest of heroes,' then even three thousand of you combined are not as worthy as one of his fingers. From now on, the disciples of Tianshan are forbidden from echoing idle gossip and criticizing Liang Xiao!"
Mu Xueqin admonished the crowd with stern words, then presented the calligraphy to Liang Xiao on the spot before turning back to her bamboo dwelling.
The swordsmen, recovering from their shock, clasped their fists towards Liang Xiao, "An Guohou, our junior sister is entrusted to you..."
"You!"
Jian Qinwan, both embarrassed and angry, was about to react, but her senior brothers had already scattered like birds.
Ding Wuyi simply gave Liang Xiao a thumbs-up and silently escorted him into the main courtyard.
Jian Qinwan watched Liang Xiao's retreating figure, her heart filled with even more complex emotions.
"My mother has always acted with unique insight, unbound by convention, but for her to praise this fellow so highly, could this fellow truly be the Heavenly General..."
Could someone so sharp-tongued be the Heavenly General?