Chapter 314: The Liu family (take a leave)

The head of the Liu Family was a middle-aged man with a long beard, appearing very composed, dressed in simple and unadorned clothing without any flashy elements.

I really suspect whether Liu Canzhi is his biological son; compared to this simple father, Liu Canzhi prefers to dress flamboyantly and always wears flowers in his hair when going out, being very high-profile.

"Uncle, there's no need to be so polite. Brother Liu and I hit it off immediately and merely helped each other. It's hardly worth such praise," Li Qi immediately bowed and said humbly.

The other party addressing him as 'Young Master' meant that his status as a distinguished guest was that of 'Young Master of Shaman God Mountain,' not 'Li Student.'

Therefore, Li Qi's immediate reply, addressing him as Uncle, was to show his attitude, stating that he didn't come in the capacity of a Young Master, but merely as a fellow student visiting Liu Canzhi's Family.

After all, no matter what, this identity was, in some sense, still very 'noble.'

However, this meal was much more somber than Li Qi had imagined.

Liu's mother did not come out to meet guests, nor were there any other siblings or even maids. Even Liu Canzhi sat stiffly at the table.

Liu Junyi, needless to say, was already a quiet person. Although he didn't dislike talking, he generally avoided it if possible.

Led by Liu's father, everyone at the table ate in silence, not speaking a single word, just eating.

But they weren't eating any expensive ingredients; they were all common items that could be bought in the market. Although there was meat and vegetables, it was completely different from the wealth Liu Canzhi displayed.

Liu Canzhi was very rich. His cultivation of the Shamanic Silkworm Artifact consumed the price of a seventh-grade Spiritual Artifact for just one litter.

When he bought his own Shaman Dao Spiritual Artifact, he also spent the price of a sixth-grade jade, which was money given by the world; silver wouldn't even work.

It was clear that the Liu Family was not poor at all; in fact, they could be said to be very wealthy, and Liu Canzhi's pocket money was not withheld. It was just their custom.

This made Li Qi somewhat curious...

What exactly happened to make this Family with 'feudal territory' develop such a preference?

However, although Li Qi was curious, he also knew that eating in silence was the rule here, so he maintained proper etiquette and ate seriously.

Although he usually wasn't particular, Li Qi had learned a lot, so he was very familiar with these etiquettes and could use them whenever needed.

His movements were precise, various rules came naturally to him, his actions were standard, and his demeanor was impeccable, causing both Liu's father and Liu Junyi to look at him sideways.

Propriety is a manifestation of personal cultivation, and adhering to propriety is a core value of Human Dao Cultivators. Therefore, both of them were somewhat surprised by Li Qi's performance.

Who would have thought that a Shaman would understand 'propriety' even better than Liu Canzhi?

However, it wasn't astounding; just a slight surprise.

Because true Human Dao Cultivators know that superficial propriety is vastly different from propriety that guides social development. These everyday proprieties are merely methods of self-cultivation, and there's no need to demand them strictly from others.

Look at Liu Canzhi next to him; his etiquette was perfunctory. Although he didn't speak, his eyes were vacant, clearly indicating his mind had wandered off, completely disregarding propriety. In fact, no one bothered him.

Because this is merely the propriety of the self.

The propriety of the self, based on one's own body and mind, is only used to restrain oneself.

And the propriety to be spread throughout the world is a different matter entirely; it is a set of moral principles that exist within everyone's heart.

By promoting this set of moral principles, the 'Great Harmony' that Human Dao desires can be achieved.

What is Great Harmony?

When the Great Dao is hidden, the world becomes one Family, the virtuous and capable are chosen, trust and harmony are emphasized, and people do not only love their own parents or children.

The old have a place to end their days, the strong have work, the young have growth, and the widowed, orphaned, lonely, and disabled are all cared for.

Therefore, schemes do not arise, and thieves, robbers, and rebels do not appear, so outer doors are not locked; this is called 'Great Harmony.'

So Li Qi's deliberate display only surprised them slightly, but they didn't react excessively.

While eating, Li Qi was also thinking, observing the reactions of Liu's father and son to deduce his own position.

This was also a manifestation of Shaman Dao.

Find the natural and proper position, then set it right, and then the world can become stable, as the saying goes: 'When there is such a matter in the world, then establish this official.'

The original concept of 'Hundred Officials' was actually proposed by Shaman Dao.

The Hundred Officials were born to define positions.

It's just a pity that it was Human Dao that ultimately popularized the Hundred Officials and even formed 'official positions.'

After this meal, although everyone remained silent, they all gained a deeper understanding of each other.

Sometimes, you don't need to speak to convey many things.

Li Qi felt that... for Liu Canzhi to grow up this way in such an environment, it was truly... quite difficult.

After the meal, everyone cleaned their own utensils, as they had a separate dining system, so everyone handled their own.

Li Qi didn't feel anything about it, but just as he finished washing his with water, Liu Canzhi quickly pulled him away, not even bothering to greet Liu's father.

As he pulled him, he excitedly shouted, "Brother Li, it's boring here. Let's go to my place and discuss important matters!"

Li Qi broke into a sweat upon hearing that.

Discuss important matters... I wonder if you think you're starting a rebellion.

However, Li Qi himself was somewhat interested in the Shamanic Silkworm Artifact, so he didn't refuse. The two then went into the courtyard and began to study how to improve the Shamanic Silkworm Artifact.

This was Liu Canzhi's initial goal, so he had been eager for a long time.

The two young men went to do their own things.

----

Meanwhile, Liu Junyi, after finishing his meal and tidying up, went to Liu's father's door again.

He knocked on the door and paid his respects.

The two exchanged bows, the elder and the Junior each in their proper places, and then sat down.

Uncle and nephew faced each other, their temperaments almost identical. Liu Canzhi, the biological son, seemed out of place between these two.

"Uncle, is there something wrong with Li Student? Why was he so cold this time? In the past, when other students visited, it was never like this. Why this time?" Liu Junyi asked first.

The atmosphere this time was so heavy that even Liu Junyi felt something was off.

After all, there was a guest. Why did it turn out like this?

That was Liu Canzhi's friend. Even if they didn't show much, they should at least have a smile, right?

Uncle wasn't an unreasonable person. Why did he act like this this time, making Liu Canzhi unhappy? It was clear during the meal.

Liu's father, however, sighed, "News came from Dali Temple that he is a key surveillance target, and news also came from Nanshan Academy that his teacher personally killed two people from the Academy."

Liu Junyi also frowned.

He said, "Although the Academy has ties with Uncle, our Legacy is different. We usually don't interact except during festivals. We shouldn't have to for this kind of matter..."

Liu Junyi continued, "As the Sage said, 'If there is enmity between brothers, one does not serve the same country as him. If one is on a mission for the ruler and encounters him, one does not fight.'"

These were words spoken by a Human Dao Sage. Enmity between brothers means not living in the same country as him, completely cutting off ties with him, but there's no need to fight to the death.

And the Liu Family and the Academy, at most, can be considered a brotherly relationship.

Not even that; only colleagues.

For such a relationship, there's no need to fight for the Academy's enmity.

"A Disciple of the Academy died at the hands of a Great Shaman. This conflict's relation to us is merely a brotherly feud, not to the point of risking our lives. Moreover, if there's a fight, the opponent should be Li Qi's teacher. Why target Li Qi?"

"If that's truly the case, if one Li Qi is killed, and then Zhu Fengdan takes another Disciple, what then? Kill them too? The Academy, no matter what, is a Human Dao sacred place; its magnanimity shouldn't be so narrow-minded," Liu Junyi said.

Yes, in Liu Junyi's view, if they were to seek revenge, they should go after Zhu Fengdan. What kind of business is it to target Li Qi? If two adults have a grudge and one goes to the kindergarten entrance to slap the other's child, what can they gain besides losing face?

However, Liu's father replied, "The Academy is not targeting your student because of enmity, but I don't know the reason behind it. The Head of Nanshan Academy personally wrote to me, asking me to 'keep a distance' from your student."

"The Head of Nanshan Academy is my Junior Martial Uncle. The instructions of an elder must not be disobeyed. Although I don't know why, I should still do it," Liu's father said calmly.

"I won't forbid you from interacting with Li Qi, but I find it inconvenient to be too intimate. You children should resolve your own matters. However... there is one thing I need to ask you, Junyi."

Upon hearing this, Liu Junyi quickly stood up and said, "If Uncle has a command, please just give it. Do not speak of asking for favors."

Liu's father nodded, not dwelling on the wording, and said, "Although Canzhi is intelligent, his heart is too honest. He appears flashy and unreliable, but his inner self is still too simple."

"But your Li Student is too cunning. Help me keep an eye on him, don't let Canzhi be tricked by others. Your Li Student, being simultaneously targeted by the Academy and Dali Temple, and also being a member of the Shaman God Mountain envoy group, is not so simple. I'm afraid Canzhi will suffer losses by his side," Liu's father shook his head, sighing slightly.

"Uncle worries too much. Although Li Student has many thoughts, he has no ill intentions. What you're worried about won't happen," Liu Junyi found this reason amusing and began to persuade his Uncle.

How could someone like his Uncle have such groundless worries?

However, one sentence from Liu's father made Liu Junyi's smile disappear.

Liu's father merely said, "People with cunning minds change quickly. I'm not worried about him now, but he is in the vortex of conflicts between various forces, and he also cultivates so many Dao paths simultaneously... and even has Demonic Qi."

"He's like this today, but he might be completely different tomorrow," Liu's father said with a sigh.

Young people change the fastest.

They haven't been tempered by time, and new ideas can emerge at any moment.

This represents their vitality, but also their changeability.

Li Qi, this person, might be fine now...

However, the Demonic Qi on him, and the numerous incidents he's involved in, made Liu's father unable to rest assured. Coupled with the letter from the Academy, he ultimately made this decision.

Liu Junyi's smile faded, his expression serious. He bowed and said, "Uncle is right, I will pay attention."

"Just pay attention. Don't do anything extra. It's just a precaution, not truly wanting to target him," Liu's father instructed.

One must always be wary of others.

Li Qi... is too dangerous.

----

However, what Li Qi absolutely did not expect was that Liu's father's situation was not an isolated case.

Li Qi's deeds, along with the investigations by Dali Temple and numerous letters from Nanshan Academy, quickly spread throughout the upper echelons of Chang'an.

These matters were not widely publicized in the news, but gradually spread among those connected to the Academy.

And in the news, there was another narrative.

Li Qi made the news, but it was as a rare instance of 'Imperial Academy’s Chancellor imparting the Dao' in Imperial Academy.

However, in reality, not many people paid attention to this news.

It only caused a small ripple, but was quickly covered by a vast amount of other news.

There are two situations where people basically know nothing.

One is when there is no information at all.

The other is when there is too much information.

Floating in an ocean of infinite information, one or two news stories quickly get buried.

You say Li Qi's matter is rare? A once-in-a-millennium event? But you have to consider the scope of Human Dao's jurisdiction.

Every event that appears in the news is a 'once-in-a-millennium event.'

Once-in-a-millennium events are happening every moment. On the newspapers and terminals of Tang Nation, events below the 'once-in-a-millennium' scope are simply ignored.

Let alone once-in-a-millennium, even once-in-ten-thousand-years is not that rare. For example, regarding the war in the East Sea, at least one fourth-grade Cultivator falls every year.

A fourth-grade Cultivator, even in Boundless Outer Domain, is an extremely rare existence, and even in the world, they are considered powerful.

But under the conflict of two major forces, one falls every day.

They've even fought to the point where several third-grade Cultivators have fallen.

The fall of a third-grade Cultivator, that is truly a once-in-ten-thousand-years event.

It can be seen that as long as one's vision is broad enough, nothing is truly rare.

Therefore, Li Qi's news generally caused no stir and was covered by various other matters.

Time passed bit by bit.

Li Qi stayed at the Liu Family for one night, and neither of them slept, spending the entire night researching the Shamanic Silkworm Artifact.

Until the sun rose the next day...

Imperial Academy was opening.

Liu Canzhi contentedly ended his conversation with Li Qi: "Alright, Brother Li, let's stop here for now. We've recorded all the ideas from last night. Once I sort them out, we can start cultivating the second batch."

"As for your Sacred Flame, it's incredible! This thing is made for the Shamanic Silkworm Artifact! With its help, the Shamanic Silkworm Artifact's iteration speed will greatly increase."

"Alright, let's not talk about these things. The sun has risen. Today is the opening day of Imperial Academy. Let's go to school. I haven't been to school yet," Li Qi smiled, looking calm.

But that was just how he looked.

He had already realized.

The Shamanic Silkworm Artifact, he feared, could truly earn a fortune.

However, that would require a period of hard work.

While researching, his studies couldn't be neglected either.

(Recently, with funerals, moving, and a bunch of miscellaneous things, the author is already numb, and the quality has also declined. Taking a day off to recover my spirits... I've truly reached my limit.)