The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, becoming a disciple of Yue Buqun

Page 353

Yue Buqun laughed.

……

Time passed day by day. Ever since Jiang Ning asked to go down the mountain when he was last on Mount Emei and was refused, he never asked again. He knew that asking again would only lead to the same result.

During this time, he quietly read books on Mount Hua until this day when he prepared to give a lecture to Liu Zhao.

Worry-Free Pavilion.

Liu Zhao sat in the first row of the classroom, while Jiang Ning sat on the stage.

Liu Lie and his mother were also present.

"Today, I will not instruct you on the problems of practice, but teach you some principles."

Jiang Ning said to Liu Zhao.

"Yes, Master."

Liu Zhao looked serious.

Liu's mother carefully held Liu Lie to prevent him from making any noise that might disturb Jiang Ning's class.

Originally, there was nothing for the mother and son to do today, but Jiang Ning said that Liu Lie could also come and listen, so she brought her son along.

"When a petty person is at leisure, he does all sorts of evil deeds, but when he sees a virtuous person, he becomes ashamed and hides his evil deeds..."

There were several books on the desk in front of Jiang Ning. Jiang Ning glanced at them and began to speak.

"This is what is meant by sincerity within manifesting itself without; therefore, a virtuous person must be cautious when alone."

Jiang Ning was referring to a passage from the Great Learning in the Four Books and Five Classics.

After Jiang Ning finished speaking, he looked at Liu Zhao.

"Now I ask you, what does it mean for a gentleman to be cautious even when alone?"

Chapter 473: A Gentleman's Self-Discipline (Bonus Chapter)

When Jiang Ning said these words, Liu Zhao looked somewhat bewildered.

Liu Zhao was deep in thought when Jiang Ning asked him what the meaning of "a gentleman is cautious when alone" was.

After a while.

“Master, the meaning of ‘a gentleman is cautious when he is alone’ is that a gentleman should be careful when he is alone.”

Liu Zhao answered cautiously.

Jiang Ning smiled upon hearing this.

Liu Zhao joined the Huashan Sect when he was seven years old, and it has been almost two years now. Although Jiang Ning is his master, Liu Zhao is basically taught by Yue Buqun.

It seems that Yue Buqun didn't forget to teach him to read while teaching him martial arts.

"Ah."

Jiang Ning nodded slightly, indicating that Liu Zhao was right.

Before Liu Zhao could even feel happy, Jiang Ning spoke again.

"Then let me ask you again, what does it mean to be like a virtuous person who does not deceive even in a dark room?"

Liu Zhao, who was not yet happy, looked bitter upon hearing this. He buried his head in thought for a long time before looking up at Jiang Ning.

"Disciple doesn't know."

Jiang Ning was not disappointed upon hearing this, and said, "The few sentences I said to you at the beginning were remarks from universities. They meant that people of low moral character do all sorts of evil deeds in private, but when they meet gentlemen, they hide their bad deeds and pretend to be gentlemen on the surface. But everyone can see through what they have done, so what's the point of hiding it?"

"Therefore, even a virtuous person should be cautious when alone."

After Jiang Ning finished speaking, he continued, "Like a virtuous person who does not deceive even in a dark room, meaning that a virtuous person should abide by his words and deeds even when alone."

"A virtuous person is cautious even when alone, and does not deceive himself in the dark."

Jiang Ning looked at him and said, "What I want to tell you is that when you are alone, you must be vigilant, not vigilant against others, but vigilant against yourself."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhao looked somewhat bewildered.

"Because when people are alone, their dark side will be revealed, so you must be more vigilant and not do evil just because no one is watching."

Jiang Ning's expression was calm, and the sunlight shone on his face, giving it a halo.

"We must have a moral standard in our hearts. We must constantly remind ourselves what we can and cannot do. Even if no one sees us doing something and there are no consequences, we still cannot do it."

"You can hide what you do from others, but you can't hide it from yourself. I want to tell you that even in places where others can't see or hear you, you must maintain your integrity and be self-disciplined and cautious when you are alone."

Liu Zhao didn't understand what Jiang Ning had said before, but he understood Jiang Ning's explanation clearly, and his expression became serious.

"Yes, Master."

Jiang Ning glanced at Liu Lie, who was listening in from the side, then at Liu Zhao, paused, and then spoke.

"Your names and Liu Lie's names were given by your teacher. There is a meaning behind the name Zhaolie for you. Emperor Zhaolie of Han, Liu Bei, was virtuous throughout his life. When he was dying, he said, 'Do not refrain from doing good because it is small, nor do evil because it is small.' This is also my expectation for you. I hope you two will keep this in mind in the future."

Liu Zhao stood up, his expression serious.

"Your disciple will remember your teachings and never forget them."

Seeing this, Liu's mother hurriedly urged her son to speak like Liu Zhao.

Liu Lie stammered for a while, and finally just mumbled "I understand."

After saying this, Jiang Ning prepared to leave.

That's what he wanted to say in this lesson.

When Jiang Ning walked out of the classroom, he found Yue Buqun standing outside at some point.

"Master."

Jiang Ning bowed.

Yue Buqun smiled, stroked his beard, and nodded.

Jiang Ning has been cultivating his mind and body on Mount Hua for some time now, occasionally giving lessons to Liu Zhao, who sometimes comes to listen in. He came again today.

Have you had lunch?

Yue Buqun asked with a smile.

Jiang Ning shook his head. "Not yet."

Yue Buqun said, "Then you should take Zhao'er and Lie'er and their son to eat."

Jiang Ning nodded and left with the others.

Watching Jiang Ning's departing figure, Yue Buqun's eyes revealed a thoughtful expression.

It's already April 17th, and there are only three days left until Jiang Ning's birthday.

Thinking of this, Yue Buqun turned and left, but when he saw Lu Dayou on the road, he called out to him.

"Master."

Lu Dayou quickly bowed.

Yue Buqun instructed, "Chong'er is still facing the wall on the Cliff of Contemplation. Go up and call him down. I have something to discuss with him."

Back when he was still at Mount Emei, Yue Buqun punished Linghu Chong by making him spend three months facing the wall at the Cliff of Contemplation when he returned to Mount Hua. Linghu Chong was also willing to do so. After returning, he didn't need Yue Buqun to urge him. He packed a few clothes and went up the Cliff of Contemplation as if he knew the way well. He is still facing the wall now.

Lu Dayi was taken aback and quickly replied.

"Yes, Master."

After Yue Buqun left, Lu Dayou didn't dare to delay and went straight to the Jade Maiden Peak Cliff of Contemplation. When he met Linghu Chong, Linghu Chong was drinking.

"Tsk, tsk."

Linghu Chong sat on a rock, holding a wine cup in one hand and a wine jar in the other, taking sips every now and then.

"Although I said I would quit drinking before, having a couple of drinks shouldn't be a problem. Anyway, I'm on the Cliff of Contemplation, and my master won't come up here."

Linghu Chong chuckled.

"Luckily, I was smart and left a few jars of wine on the Cliff of Contemplation."

Just as Linghu Chong was taking a small sip of wine, Lu Dayou's voice rang out from down the mountain.

"Big Brother!"

Upon hearing this, Linghu Chong's hand trembled, and he immediately put away the wine cups and jars. He moved swiftly, and by the time Lu Dayou arrived at the summit, he had almost finished packing up.

"Sixth Junior Brother, what are you doing at the Cliff of Repentance?"

Linghu Chong acted as if nothing had happened.

Lu Dayou, without any suspicion, said, "Senior Brother, Master sent me to find you. He said he has something to tell you and wants you to go down and find him now."

Linghu Chong was taken aback.

"Master is looking for me?"

He was meditating peacefully on the Cliff of Contemplation, and hadn't done anything wrong, so why was Yue Buqun looking for him?

Lu Dayou nodded repeatedly: "That's right..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lu Dayou suddenly realized something was wrong, sniffed the air a few times, and looked hesitant.

"Why does it smell like alcohol?"

Upon hearing Lu Dayou's words, Linghu Chong didn't have time to think and quickly interrupted, "I understand. Let's go down the mountain now, so as not to keep Master waiting."

Lu Dayou pressed on, "Senior Brother, can you smell it...?"

"no!"

Linghu Chong made a decisive move, pulling Lu Dayou down the mountain, Lu Dayou's voice still echoing in the air.

"Hey, hey, senior brother, slow down."

After descending Jade Maiden Peak, Linghu Chong did not rush to Suoyoubuwei Pavilion. Instead, he quickly changed his clothes and vigorously dissipated the smell of alcohol from his body. After sniffing himself and finding no smell, he then went to Suoyoubuwei Pavilion.

Along the way, Linghu Chong pondered why Yue Buqun wanted to find him. When he arrived at You Suo Bu Wei Xuan, he found Yue Buqun reading a book in the main hall, clearly waiting for him.

"Master, I am late, please forgive me."

Linghu Chong entered the house and bowed.

Upon hearing this, Yue Buqun put down the book in his hand, looked at Linghu Chong and was about to speak when he suddenly realized something was wrong. He sniffed the air, his expression changed, but then disappeared.

A smile appeared on Yue Buqun's face.

"Chong'er, sit down."

Linghu Chong, unsure of Yue Buqun's meaning, sat down nervously.

"Chong'er, how long have you been on Mount Hua?"

Chapter 474: Heart-to-Heart Talk Between Master and Disciple (Bonus Chapter 2)

As soon as Linghu Chong sat down, he heard Yue Buqun ask him this question.

Linghu Chong was even more puzzled, wondering what Yue Buqun really meant, and spoke up without hesitation.

“Master, I came to Mount Hua with you when I was a teenager, and it has been more than ten years since then.”

"More than ten years..."

Yue Buqun looked at Linghu Chong with a dazed expression, as if he were seeing that boy from more than ten years ago again.

"It's been so long."

Yue Buqun whispered.

Upon hearing his words, Linghu Chong was also lost in memories, a sad expression appearing on his face.

He lost both his parents when he was young. It was Yue Buqun who took him to Mount Hua and accepted him as a disciple. Otherwise, he probably wouldn't know where he would be begging.

"Chong'er".