Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

Your resounding words, like a thunderclap, struck the hearts of the students watching your debate.

I felt ashamed and unworthy of myself.

[I study diligently every day, dedicating myself to serving the emperor and the people.]

[Yet they coldly ignore the suffering of the common people, and presumptuously cultivate their own benevolence and righteousness.]

Your words can move the hearts of young students.

However, to the Confucian pedants, it sounded only jarring.

[I believe you ultimately do not understand the ways of the sages.]

[Short-sighted, only looking down, never looking up.]

You don't think your rebuttal will be able to break the old man's stubborn mind.

You have always held scholars in high esteem.

But in this ghostly world...

Even the most pure-hearted students, with the common people in their hearts.

Once one steps into this deeply entrenched hierarchy of officials, established over millennia...

The vast majority will become puppets on this path of promotion, chasing after official rank and fortune.

Because the Confucian path of self-cultivation is also the path to official advancement.

The pursuit lies in how to reach the summit.

[Always looking up to them, yet never showing them mercy?]

Brother Lü once personally entered the fray, investigating the entire realm in an attempt to shake imperial power.

[In essence, it was to break the monopoly of the officials.]

[To enable those who truly serve the people to realize their ambitions.]

Unfortunately, your strength was insufficient, and you failed.

You have a chance to start over, so learn from your experience.

Brother Lü has also realized that last time he became a lone minister because he failed to unite the forces that could have been brought together.

You have once again joined forces to confront this situation that threatens the imperial power.

The outcome is uncertain.

But we're always on the move.

[Faced with the old man's gaze, which seemed to regard the foolish.]

[You sit gracefully and quietly, your hand resting on your sword.]

[Buzz...]

[The filthy mud made even the sword's cry sound viscous.]

You and the old man gaze at each other.

"Sir, do you dare to gamble with my stance?"

"Oh? What kind of betting game?"

The old man was completely unaffected by your previous words.

[They might even ridicule your ignorance, thinking that your unorthodox interpretations of Confucian classics could shake his years of self-cultivation.]

"I establish this statement to present a theory on human nature."

"Until someone can refute and overturn this argument."

"Otherwise...before that."

"Bailu Academy will shoulder the responsibility of ensuring the well-being and prosperity of the people of Huaizhou."

The old man looked up at the stone tablet, pondering for a moment.

[This is indeed a gamble you set up; the stakes for Confucianism are minimal.]

If we back down now, people will laugh at Bailu Academy for being cowardly and ignorant.

"Very well, this old man agrees to the Imperial Envoy's wager."

A slight smile appeared on your lips.

[He rises, his hand on his sword.]

Her long, flowing black robe swayed, her hair danced lightly, blurring your gaze.

[The second sword is drawn, its design dignified and elegant, with intricate and mysterious talismans engraved on the hilt.]

[From its original gleaming gold.]

[It's turned a dark gold color; you're almost fully marinated.]

You strolled to the stone tablet.

Against the backdrop of the towering stone monument, the figure appears tiny.

The sword trembled slightly, its sharpness unfolding.

[The sword's edge falls to the brush.]

The calligraphy is exceptionally skillful, with a powerful and imposing layout, resembling a vast, swirling dragon or snake, and the lines are rugged and lean to the left.

The old man was amazed by the unique quality of your calligraphy.

[It evokes a profound sense of awe and grandeur, a majestic spirit that transcends time and space.]

Then, my mind was drawn to the words you inscribed.

"Human nature is evil; what is good is feigned..."

The opening statement completely overturns the Confucian theory that human nature is inherently good, a theory upheld by sages for millennia.

The old man's eyes widened, their clear light radiating boundless light.

[A magnificent mystery caused celestial phenomena to become chaotic.]

[Outrageous! Absurd and absurd! Defying all reason and morality!]

【This is simply... simply... outrageous!】

The old man was so angry that he puffed out his beard and glared.

[If it weren't for your status as the Celestial Patrol Envoy, you would be itching to roll up your sleeves.]

[To be frank: This brat is rampant. If he remains stubborn and refuses to change his ways, continuing to distort the words of sages, even I, an old man, have some knowledge of martial arts!]

[This can be followed by your discussion of the theory of inherent evil in human nature.]

The old man's initial rage gradually subsided, replaced by a chilling dread.

"Human nature."

"Born with a desire for profit, and following this desire, they live in contention and give way to others."

"Born with aversions and evils, and following this, cruelty and wickedness arise while loyalty and trustworthiness perish."

"Born with the desires of the ears and eyes, and a fondness for sound and color, if this is followed, then licentiousness arises and propriety, righteousness, and reason perish."

[The calligraphy is characterized by its unique composition and powerful strokes.]

[It fully reveals the human nature of seeking advantage and avoiding harm, lust and greed, and hidden ambition.]

Ultimately, you reached a conclusion.

"Human nature is clearly evil; any goodness is feigned."

The old man was struck dumb.

His hunched body swayed like a withered branch in the wind.

[His expression was blank, and he was muttering to himself.]

"Human nature is evil... its goodness is feigned... human nature is evil... its goodness is feigned... human nature is evil... its goodness is feigned..."

Gradually, the old man began to act as if he were going mad.

[Hair disheveled, Zhang dances and waves his hands.]

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

In his frenzied state, he pointed to the sky.

[Roaring angrily: "The words of sages are the ultimate truths of heaven and earth, and cannot be refuted!"]

The old man's loss of composure alarmed the other esteemed figures of Bailu Academy.

[Upon witnessing the inscription on the stone tablet, they also suffered a devastating blow.]

[Even worse, some might point to your defiant fate, indicated by billowing black smoke.]

"A monster! This is a scourge upon humanity! An ominous sign that defies the words of sages!"

You raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.

[Looking towards the person who reprimanded him.]

[Someone with such keen insight, seeing through your ominous nature, is someone you should naturally remember silently.]

[Compared to the old man from the very beginning of his discourse on the Dao.]

[You laid the groundwork layer by layer, first setting up a false scenario to make him arrogant, then directly refuting his claims to make him restrain himself.]

Finally, the true intentions were revealed.

[Bring out the theory that human nature is inherently evil.]

Therefore, the old man was entirely within your calculations and bore the most direct impact.

[Confucian scholars who have only recently emerged.]

[Recite the classics to suppress any wavering thoughts.]

Then, a radiant light swept over the old man, empowering him and pulling him back from the brink of collapse.

You sheathed your sword and stood there, offering no resistance.

[I chuckled inwardly at these so-called people of high status.]

[I'm not in a very good mood either.]

[No one can compare to you, who has weathered storms and raging waves, remaining steadfast in your resolve.]

What do you mean by "imperial power is unshakeable"?

Your will is truly unshakeable.

[A self-satisfied chuckle to yourself, knowing the plan is complete.]

Yu Ci's clear, glassy eyes gazed at the inscription on the stone tablet, then began to flicker again.

[Xu Kun, the black cat, tilts his head at a ninety-degree angle, staring at your back.]

You seem a little unfamiliar to me now.

[We promised the extraterrestrial demon, the red-haired old monster, would be a happy family.]

Why have you become such a cultured person now?

【Meow!】

Other members of the Confucian school stepped forward, agreed to your bet, and promised to ensure the well-being and food security of the people of Huaizhou.

[Then it's like it's urging you to leave quickly.]

You will not linger any longer, for you have already defied fate and stood on the monument.

[Since no one can definitively refute the theory of inherent evil, Bailu Academy must keep its promise.]

You are preparing to continue south.

Suddenly, shouts came from behind.

"Sir, please stop!"

You turn around and look.

A young man dressed in a scholar's robe bows respectfully.

"Student Han Si greets your teacher."