Within the Vermilion Bird Empire, the highest literary academy is the Confucius Academy, where disciples come in different ranks.
In order, they are Tongsheng, Sheng, and Disciples. Tongsheng and Sheng only need to pass an assessment to qualify, but Disciples are different—they must apprentice under a master and learn knowledge from their master. It's somewhat similar to martial arts inheritance, but also quite different.
Because every mentor in the Confucius Institute has different areas of expertise, only after becoming a disciple can one be considered a student of the Confucius Institute, also called a disciple of the Confucius.
After becoming a disciple of a Master, there were three ranks: Jinshi, Jushi, and Xueshi. Above these three levels was a specialized intensive study institution called the Hanlin Academy. Only after passing the Hanlin exam could one become a Hanlin Academician.
Hanlin scholars held extremely high status, able to stand on equal footing with princes and princesses, while the scholars of the Confucian Academy held even higher status, able to meet the emperor without kowtowing in person.
Hanlin scholars possess profound knowledge and learning, admired and admired by countless scholars, and the plump scholar before Long Chen is none other than this year's newly appointed Hanlin scholar.
At only thirty years old, he had already earned such a prestigious degree, truly enjoying great prestige and being unmatched in his time. He had reached the peak of his life, which made him extremely proud.
Wherever he went, he was surrounded by crowds, no matter how many people there were, always the center of attention. He really liked that feeling—that this is what life is all about.
But today, he felt very uncomfortable. The disciples of the Qin Sect performed here, sitting with everyone else and could no longer find the feeling of standing out from the crowd.
From the beginning until now, he hadn't even had a chance to show himself, and the beautiful woman from the Qin Sect hadn't even glanced at him once, which hurt him deeply.
The female disciples of the Qin Sect were all stunningly beautiful, and more importantly, they carried a noble aura that inspired admiration.
Originally, the female disciple of the Qin Sect was somewhat cold toward everyone, not just targeting him. Although he felt displeased, he could accept it.
But Liao Yuhuang actually held Long Chen's hand in front of so many people. Such an intimate gesture instantly made countless people jealous, especially his proud and proud self, who couldn't stand it anymore.
He had always looked down on cultivators, thinking all cultivators were rough people who only knew how to fist and whose tongues were dumber than their feet. But unexpectedly, a few words from Long Chen nearly left him breathless.
Anger flared up, and his mind became dull. He couldn't find words to fight back, and the more he thought about how to fight back, the more his mind went blank.
In a moment of desperation, he stood up directly, pointed at Long Chen, and shouted, "Who do you think you are? What right do you have to discuss with me, a Hanlin scholar?" The
plump scholar's anger made countless people look at him in confusion. Is it really appropriate for a Hanlin scholar to curse so crudely?
A mocking smile appeared at the corner of Long Chen's mouth, and he shook his head: "I suspect that you got your position as a Hanlin scholar through shady means, don't you?" Why is he so lacking in skill?
When I show off and lecture the Qin Sect fairy about music, you get annoyed; I talk about music, and you talk about martial arts with me.
I'm talking to you about martial arts, you reason with me, I'm reasoning with you, and now you're talking about status? What, you have to talk about qualifications just to talk? After
saying that sentence, the chubby scholar snapped out of his anger. He had spoken out of jealousy and recklessness, saying such a sentence. Regret was useless; once he said it, he couldn't take it back.
Seeing Long Chen's question, he could only grit his teeth and say, "Of course! The Vermilion Bird Emperor is lofty and aloof. Does that mean any petty thief has the right to speak with him?" On
one hand, he wanted to probe Long Chen's background; on the other, since things had come this far, admitting he had said the wrong thing would be like slapping himself in the face.
This place was packed with people, and everyone was watching him. Of course, he refused to admit fault and could only grit his teeth and keep arguing, hoping for a chance to make things right.
"Then what you said is interesting. Didn't you say before that force can't solve problems and needs reasoning?
Now you bring up status and position, which means that if my status is low, I don't even have the right to talk to you, so what's the point of making sense? Long Chen said calmly.
"This ..."
The plump scholar was stunned. He had dug a pit himself and ended up falling right in.
"Therefore, so-called reasoning only works in a relatively binding environment or when power is equal.
You can only act arrogantly under the laws of the Vermilion Bird Empire. If you leave the Vermilion Bird Empire, someone like you, who neither has strength nor acts like a donkey, I guarantee you won't survive a single day. Seeing the chubby scholar left speechless, Long Chen not only sneered.
What kind of so-called Hanlin Academician? There's nothing in his belly, yet he dares to pretend to be a big clove. Could this guy be an imposter?
"Nonsense, twisted theories, heavenly laws, and the way of all things—all living beings under heaven follow them. How can there be any distinction between strong and inferior?" The chubby white scholar shouted angrily.
Long Chen slowly stretched out his large hand and said lazily, "I really can't be bothered to move. I don't want to spank you. Can you use your face to bump my hand?" Thank you for your cooperation! As
soon as Long Chen said this, countless people burst into laughter. On one hand, Long Chen found it amusing; on the other, that plump scholar was indeed slapping himself in the face.
Long Chen had already pinned him down, so he shouldn't have kept pestering this topic. The more he argued, the more loopholes there were. This person was far too foolish.
Obviously, Long Chen was too lazy to argue with him, so he just grabbed a loophole in his words, planning to choke him to death.
Everyone burst into laughter. The plump scholar immediately realized he had slapped his own face again. He couldn't defend himself or refrain, his face trembling with anger, but he didn't know what to do, sweat broke out on his forehead in panic.
Seeing the chubby white man's disheveled state, the cultivators felt both satisfied and satisfied, full of admiration for Long Chen. Long Chen's words were nothing particularly clever, yet they left the other speechless and unable to fight back.
"A frog in a well cannot speak of the sea; how can summer insects speak of ice?" Your hands are stained with blood, and who knows how many lives you've slaughtered—do you have the right to speak reasonably? "Another scholar stepped forward and challenged Long Chen.
That person was clearly trying to help the chubby scholar out of trouble. Who among cultivators could avoid being killed? This person's question was straight to the root and extremely sharp.
"Oh, I can't believe someone is helping the dog eat. Not convinced, huh? Alright then, today I'll have a proper chat with you all. Long
Chen has also gone all out, planning to secretly learn more about the Vermilion Bird Empire. Don't you want to play? I'll keep you company today.
Long Chen jumped straight onto the high stage, took out a grand armchair, and sat down carelessly, nostriling at the scholars below:
"I figured it out, I'm just not suited to keep a low profile. Forget it, I'm not planning to marry anymore. Just do it with your eyes closed—who's afraid of whom?"