The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 104 - 101 Battle for Position in the Literary Arena

Chapter 104: Chapter 101 Battle for Position in the Literary Arena

"Indeed, such a gentleman!" Ouyang Yan sighed as he watched Feng Qiwu’s receding figure.

He and Han Wenxin had only just arrived not long ago, and Feng Qiwu had finished asking his questions—as if it were so coincidental when it had seemed their conversation was in full swing. Moreover, it was already dusk; wanting them to consult with Dean Zhuge after their talk was too late, a bit against etiquette. The rules of the Confucian sect dictate that the interactions between teacher and student are not as casual as those in other sects.

’If Wenxin had chosen Feng Qiwu, I wouldn’t be this angry...’ Ouyang Yan glanced at the silent Han Wenxin beside him and thought to himself.

No... Ouyang Yan silently shook his head. Nobody is acceptable. Mountain River Academy would never involve itself in the struggle for the throne; that is an iron law.

Moreover, rumors were spreading that Feng Qiwu would be the prime candidate for the next Dean. Setting aside his character and talent, the fact that he was Dean Zhuge’s last disciple was worth deep consideration—knowing that Dean Zhuge himself had once been the last disciple of the previous Dean.

"Come in," a gentle voice seemed to sound in their ears.

Ouyang Yan and Han Wenxin stepped forward and greeted, "Dean."

"This..."

Ouyang Yan recounted to Zhuge Longsu everything that had happened just recently, including receiving the message from Han Wenxin that afternoon and going to his rescue. Afterwards, on the road, they overheard the attacker using True Qi to proclaim Han Wenxin had thrown in his lot with the Sixth Prince.

Han Wenxin also knew that this matter could not withstand scrutiny by Mountain River Academy, so he directly admitted to Ouyang Yan the truth of his allegiance to the Sixth Prince.

After listening carefully to Ouyang Yan’s narration, Zhuge Longsu said to Han Wenxin, "Wenxin, what do you have to say?"

"The student feels that among the princes, only the Eighth Prince will eventually succeed and take charge of Mountain River Academy. Aside from the Eighth Prince, only the Sixth Prince has the makings of a wise ruler, and he could be the future ruler of Great Zhou!" Han Wenxin, having admitted his stance, did not backtrack, refusing to refute Ouyang Yan’s words, instead stating his own views clearly.

"Stop right there, the rumor that Feng Qiwu will be the next Dean is just hearsay; it cannot be taken seriously. Moreover, the current Emperor is in his prime; not establishing a Crown Prince maintains father-son harmony. How could you... How could you..." Ouyang Yan suddenly interrupted loudly.

It seemed Han Wenxin’s words deeply upset him, making him shiver with anger.

"Ouyang," Zhuge Longsu stopped Ouyang Yan, "After all these years, you still haven’t changed your quick temper!"

Then, turning to Han Wenxin, he said, "Whether Qiwu can succeed as Dean depends on his actions, scholarship, and morality, not his status. The next Dean won’t be decided just by me, and being a Dean’s last disciple could be an advantage for Qiwu, but it could also be a hindrance."

"The Academy will not interfere with the choices of its students. You believe the Sixth Prince will one day be a wise ruler and wish to serve him—that is your choice, and the Academy will not interfere."

"But the Academy will not involve itself in the princes’ struggle, so you will leave the mountain tomorrow."

"Dean, this..." Ouyang Yan exclaimed.

Zhuge Longsu waved his hand, saying, "In a few months, you would also graduate. With this incident, let’s make an exception and let you graduate early. That way, there will be no conflict with the Academy’s rules."

Graduating from Mountain River Academy, then becoming involved in the struggle for the throne would not involve the Academy anymore. After all, the Northern Zhou Court was full of officials who were alumni of Mountain River Academy; it was impossible for them all to unite and move in the same direction. Once out of the Academy, that relationship would effectively be dissolved.

"Thank you, Dean!" Han Wenxin bowed deeply in gratitude.

With that gesture, Zhuge Longsu had broken the rules for Han Wenxin, leaving him room for the future. Otherwise, being an expelled student from Mountain River Academy, he would have found it difficult to make his way in Northern Zhou.

"Go on," Zhuge Longsu said.

Han Wenxin bowed and retreated a good distance before turning to leave.

"Dean, are we just letting him go like this?" Ouyang Yan said, watching Han Wenxin walk away.

"What, do you want to keep him here for punishment? House arrest or expel him and destroy his martial arts? Our Mountain River Academy is not one of those Jianghu Sects, nor a Demon Sect to control the comings and goings of others," Zhuge Longsu said.

"No... that’s not what I mean..." Ouyang Yan stammered.

"Enough, enough, I won’t tease you. Ouyang, you’re still so rigid," Zhuge Longsu waived his hand.

"Teacher, that wasn’t funny at all," Ouyang Yan straightened out his tongue in response.

Zhuge Longsu’s students were found everywhere, and Ouyang Yan was one of them, staying as a lecturer at Mountain River Academy after graduation, usually addressing Zhuge Longsu as Dean only due to official matters. There were many like him at Mountain River Academy.

"What I mean is, the triennial competition for the Literary Arena is approaching. Han Wenxin is outstanding in his scholarship, and his ’Vast Righteous Qi’ is also notable. Losing such a strong player, I fear..."

"What are you afraid of? The Orthodox Confucianism would not fear those flatterers and opportunistic scholars. Forty years ago, their forefather, Zhu Xiping, was defeated by my teacher. Over these thirty years, every time the philosophers come with full confidence only to leave in complete defeat. There’s no need to worry," Dean Zhuge declared confidently.

Forty years ago, the founder of Daqian philosophy, Zhu Xiping, achieved great success and even ascended to the Divine Communication Realm with his ’Heavenly Principle Inner Saint Method,’ thinking he was unrivaled within the Confucian and Daoist schools. He then opportunistically came to the Northern Zhou Mountain River Academy to challenge the then-current and yet-to-retire Meng Shanhe.

However, whether it was the academic debate or the showdown between ’Heavenly Principle Inner Saint Method’ and ’Vast Righteous Qi,’ Zhu Xiping was utterly defeated.

Having retreated in defeat back to Daqian, Zhu Xiping became despondent and ultimately died from internal injuries caused by repressed anger.

The death of the founder was a heavy blow to the then-rising popularity of philosophy. Other schools in Jixia Academy who disapproved of philosophy also kicked them while they were down. It took ten years for philosophy to recover its vitality.

Afterward, philosophy returned to Mountain River Academy and set a triennial competition for the Literary Arena with Zhuge Longsu, who had just assumed the role of Dean, to compete in various scholarly competitions and vie for the title of leader in letters.

At that time, Zhuge Longsu, newly in office and lacking authority, happily accepted the competition proposed by the philosophers. His decision proved to be very successful. For thirty years, by continuously defeating the covetous philosophy, Zhuge Longsu’s status in the Confucian sect rose ever higher, nearing his teacher—the Confucian Master Meng Shanhe.

The competition for the Literary Arena might have been about vying for positions, but in reality, it was Daqian philosophy being contested. Mountain River Academy always sat unmoved like Mount Tai, serene and unshakable.