The voice speaking was dull, as if muffled thunder, Li Guanyi was stunned and slightly surprised. Fang Ziqiao, the warm and smiling eldest disciple, said, "Speaking of which, I haven’t yet had a chance to talk to you, Guan Yi."
"When we heard you had come to the Academy but went to seek Wen He, we were worried you might be at a disadvantage..."
Fang Ziqiao, Du Keming, Wei Xuancheng, and the disciples under Mr. Wang Tong all stared at the young boy sitting there and the prostrate genius of the Academy, Wen He, falling silent as their thoughts briefly solidified.
Who was really at a disadvantage?!
After a long time, these disciples of Confucianism, nominally from the same sect as Li Guanyi, thought, no, true to the Qilin indeed!
Yes, worthy of being the Qilin of turbulent times, even Wen He has fallen!
The many disciples reluctantly rationalized the behavior of their ’Fourth Senior Brother’, while Fang Ziqiao’s smile remained unchanged, only gently saying, "On the way, I met His Majesty Su Wang, and next to Him the Qilin King had heard of your arrival and decided to visit the Fire Qilin."
As he spoke, outside, a Qilin slowly approached, its Scale Armor already showing pale traces like those of the Ancient Red Dragon. One Qilin Horn was broken, the fracture as clean as if it had been cut by a sword, and with the Divine Beast’s power, it could no longer regenerate.
Its eyes were golden, but not the aggressive, attacking crimson gold of the Fire Qilin when it is angered, but rather a kind, mellow gold, tempered by the years, devoid of any restlessness.
Reminiscent of the Ancient Red Dragon, although not quite as powerful, it still emitted a majestic aura.
Just like the Ancient Red Dragon, it spoke human language.
"You must be Li Guanyi."
Li Guanyi stood up and bowed, saying, "I am the disciple of the Taoist ancestor Wen Yuan, disciple of the Confucian master Mr. Wang Tong, a student of the Academy, Li Guanyi, meeting the senior for the first time."
The Old Qilin’s expression eased a lot, saying, "A good child who knows propriety. Come..." He slightly opened his mouth, and a stream of light flowed out, transforming into a scroll of bamboo slips bearing the robust Confucian Vast Righteous Qi, landing in front of Li Guanyi.
It was a scroll detailing a method of cultivating ’Power’, a unique Absolute Skill of Confucianism.
The Old Qilin said, "The prince a prince, the minister a minister, the father a father, the son a son."
"The younger should behave as the younger, and the elder must display the demeanor of an elder."
"This is what aligns with the Tao, and conforms to the rituals."
"You have treated me with courtesy, and I should respond accordingly, good child."
The Old Qilin spoke with a broad and gentle voice, not letting the facts that he had fought Murong Longtu, even had his Qilin Horn cut off, or that because Murong Longtu then was only in the Grandmaster Realm and a chilling Sword Intent had caused the horn’s incapability to regenerate, implicate Li Guanyi.
He had followed various generations of Su Wangs, and had met the very first Master who founded Confucianism.
His Mental State was far superior to that of most Confucian disciples.
Over Li Guanyi’s shoulder, the Qilin poked its head out, watching Li Guanyi receiving the gift.
The Qilin was overjoyed!
Such a wonderful elder!
The front paw of the Fire Qilin rested on Li Guanyi’s shoulder, looking up at the immense Qilin before it, that solemn, majestic manner, with a sense of vast time passing, mixed into a very reliable temperament among Divine Beasts.
"You, are the Fire Qilin."
The aged Qilin gazed at the Fire Qilin.
It did not instantly become angry or show any emotion but before others, it protected the dignity of the Fire Qilin, not criticizing or humiliating him in a manner that would wield an elder’s authoritative pressure.
The basic requirement for a Confucian disciple –
Love but know its faults, despise but recognize its merits.
The Old Qilin loved and cared for this younger Fire Qilin, but also knew his shortcomings.
Yet in these chaotic times, how many Confucian disciples could still adhere to this most basic Chapter of the rites? Could this genteel manner of a gentleman still be passed down to future generations?
The Old Qilin nodded and then looked towards Li Guanyi, saying:
"Guan Yi, how long have you been here?"
Li Guanyi replied, "I have been staying in Central State for about two months, and after the autumn hunt, I’ll stay a bit longer before I’ll probably leave."
Two months, sixty days.
The voice of the Old Qilin gently said, "Good, I am the oldest Qilin in this world now, there’s a second Qilin in the world, which is good; I hope to have a proper discussion with this Fire Qilin."
"I hope to seek your and his consent."
The Fire Qilin immediately conveyed to Li Guanyi’s heart, "I wish to!"
The Old Qilin watched this young one.
Itsfront paws almost shattered the ground beneath.
Having been with humans for nearly five hundred years, it hasn’t learned to speak yet?
The attitude of the Old Qilin became even gentler, but in Li Guanyi’s eyes, it seemed as if something terrible was twisting behind the Old Qilin.
The Scale Armor of the Old Qilin, whitened with age, took on a reddish hue.
The Little Qilin stretched out a paw, overjoyed.
Li Guanyi smiled and said, "Since it also wishes, then, please take care of him, senior." He picked up the Fire Qilin, and as the Old Qilin bowed its head, Li Guanyi placed the young Qilin on its back.
The Old Qilin thanked him, carrying the Little Qilin away slowly.
The Little Qilin was ecstatic, even actively wagging its tail.
The movements of the Old Qilin froze.
As if it had encountered a tremendous impact.
Its paws pressed into the hard ground, infused with the Literary Energy of the Academy.
The expression of the aged Qilin became gentler and the Scale Armor, washed over by the years and now turned red, seemed about to burst: "Good, very good, absolutely wonderful."
Fang Ziqiao watched the Old Qilin leave, saying, "He’s so like him."
"Nothing." Fang Ziqiao smiled slightly, saying, "Since Guan Yi has come to the Academy, you should go and visit the teacher, that’s also why I came here today."