Chapter 56
Living under the same roof as Xie Xingzhi, Yao Guang felt stiff under immense pressure, similar to being supervised by Xie Xingzhi while sweeping the streets. Thankfully, this wicked person only planned to capture one person as an example, and that person was naturally Qiao Wan. They had no intention of bothering with the rest of them.
Yao Guang sympathetically glanced at Qiao Wan and shamelessly thought so to himself.
For their happiness, Taoist Friend Lu had to make sacrifices.
Taoist Friend Lu, we will remember your sacrifice today!
Qiao Wan, who loved labor, felt sadness welling up inside her as she faced the sword's glare.
Darn it! QAQ
Under the supervision of the sword, Qiao Wan finished sweeping the streets. When Xie Xingzhi raised his hand, the sword returned to its sheath and he didn't bother with Qiao Wan anymore, directly returning to the Eight Treasures Pavilion.
It seemed that he went to explain something to Xiao Boyu.
After sweeping three streets, Qiao Wan was ultimately carried back by Yao Guang and Yu Sanniang.
Lying on the bed like a dead dog, Qiao Wan faintly felt a bit of pain in her waist.
Yu Sanniang sat by the bed, cracking melon seeds. "Hey Lu Wan, I thought you were practicing your body cultivation?"
Qiao Wan felt indignant. "Then you go and sweep the night market's three streets, and help clean every store's tables!"
When she held the cloth, she clearly saw the gazes of the merchants.
It was as if they were looking at a living Lei Feng.
Yu Sanniang fell silent and, to show her concern, quietly handed Qiao Wan a handful of melon seeds.
The next day, Yu Sanniang told her that most of the people had already left, Feng Dai included. Before leaving, he left her a letter, telling her to take the right path when heading south and definitely not to pass through the southwest border of the demon clan's territory.
Qiao Wan asked, "What about the others?"
Yu Sanniang replied, "They're all in Old Liang's house."
"What did Feng Dai mean?" Yu Sanniang asked in confusion. "Heading south? Lu Wan, aren't you going to Kunshan?"
Qiao Wan jumped up from the bed, stretched her muscles, and said, "No, I'm not going to Kunshan."
As soon as she entered the room where Liang Yiqing lived, she saw a circle of people sitting inside. Qiao Wan approached and eavesdropped, realizing that they were discussing the upcoming spring recruitment in Kunshan. After staying in Youxian Town for long enough, it was time to depart for Kunshan.
The main reason for leaving was that staying here might not result in anything happening. After flipping the Bodhisattva Society upside down, everyone unanimously felt it would be best to leave as soon as possible. Once they entered the territory of Kunshan, no matter how capable Xiao Boyu and the Bodhisattva Society were, they would have to think twice.
When Liang Yiqing saw Qiao Wan approaching, he nodded and gestured for Yao Guang to fetch a chair for her to sit.
"We've discussed it, and we've decided to leave the day after tomorrow, at the latest. Miss Lu, are you willing to travel with us?"
After spending these few days together, Liang Yiqing naturally classified Qiao Wan into the same category as them.
If he had any remaining disrespectful thoughts towards this girl in the beginning, after the incident with the Bodhisattva Society, he had completely put them away.
Someone like Lu Wan was estimated to be able to beat the five of them.
There were tens of thousands of cultivators who came to Kunshan. They didn't know yet how Kunshan planned to examine and eliminate disciples this year. Would it be like the previous years, where they would be thrown into a secret realm and whoever found the token could join the sect? If there was someone as powerful as Lu Wan accompanying them, their chances of joining Kunshan would be higher.
"Me?" Qiao Wan shook her head. "I'm not going."
"I'm not going to Kunshan."
"I'm heading south."
Bai Jingmen asked in surprise, "Heading south? Taoist Friend Lu, why are you heading south at a time like this?"
Liang Yiqing also looked astonished.
Qiao Wan replied discreetly, "There are some personal matters I need to take care of."
The phrase "personal matters" was a bit vague.
But everyone understood.
She had never taken off the terrifying mask on her face. Until now, no one knew what lay beneath that mask.
Lu Wan was full of secrets.
Having said so, they shouldn't push her any further. However, Liang Yiqing couldn't let go of such a powerful ally. "Forgive my forwardness, but may I ask why Taoist Friend Lu is heading south for personal matters? Taoist Friend Lu has already helped me so much these past few days. If there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask."
Qiao Wan politely thanked him but didn't explain the reason.
Liang Yiqing felt regretful, but seeing that Qiao Wan had made up her mind, he didn't push her any further and continued focusing on discussing Kunshan with the others.
They didn't hide their plans from Qiao Wan. After spending a few days together, Liang Yiqing, Bai Jingmen, and the others had already categorized Qiao Wan as one of their own.
Listening to Liang Yiqing and the others, they all wanted to join the hidden faction of Kunshan. Not everyone was as talented as Xie Xingzhi, but Liang Yiqing, Bai Jingmen, Yu Sanniang, and Yao Guang didn't have exceptional talents.
Bai Jingmen sighed, "I'm destined to join the outer sect."
Yu Sanniang said, "I heard that the Hall Master Ma of the hidden faction isn't easy to get along with."
Qiao Wan held a handful of melon seeds that Yu Sanniang had just given her, sitting on a stool on the side, eavesdropping.
Cracking the melon seeds, Qiao Wan spat out the shells. "Ma Huaizhen may be fierce, but he's protective of his own. If we can join the hidden faction, we may not have worse resources than the disciples in the inner sect."
Bai Jingmen asked, "Taoist Friend Lu, do you really mean it?"
Qiao Wan thought for a moment. "There are many teams in the hidden faction. There's a person named Yuan Liu who is quite good. You might consider joining his team."
Liang Yiqing and the others exchanged glances.
"Lu Wan" had more secrets than they imagined.
But since "Lu Wan" was willing to share, they would definitely take it into consideration.
After about an incense stick's worth of time, everyone dispersed.
When Bai Jingmen was about to leave, Qiao Wan hesitated for a moment and called out to him.
Bai Jingmen stopped and smiled. "Taoist Friend Lu?"
The masked girl paused.
Bai Jingmen blinked, feeling a chill down his spine.
Had he... seen a moment of shyness behind that terrifying mask?
The ghost mask was scary-looking, with sharp teeth and claws, and it hesitated for a few seconds.
"Bai..."
"Bai... Mr. Bai, I have something I'd like to discuss with you."
The ghost mask asked shyly, "Can we speak privately?"
Bai Jingmen looked confused as he followed Qiao Wan out of the house.
Qiao Wan was looking for Bai Jingmen to talk about what happened that night.
She had been thinking about it all night, remembering how Bai Jingmen recited poetry and dispelled the evil spirits.
Finally, she made up her mind.
She wanted to learn.
She wanted to learn that!
Qiao Wan's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Bai Jingmen was a bit stunned when he heard Qiao Wan's words, not quite understanding.
"Taoist Friend Lu wants to learn Confucian cultivation?"
Qiao Wan nodded honestly, "Yes, ever since I saw your elegant and poetic performance that night, I've had this idea in my mind."
The elegant and poetic performance...
She thought back to the scene where she kneeled on the ground and sacrificed herself heroically.
Bai Jingmen's face turned red.
"Cough... cough..."
"The Confucian cultivation can be learned at any academy, and if Taoist Friend Lu wants to learn, I can certainly teach, but my talent is mediocre, and my cultivation is shallow, so I'm afraid it might be difficult..."
Qiao Wan quickly expressed her gratitude, "If you're willing to teach me, I'll already be very content. How could I be picky?"
Bai Jingmen stopped talking, his simple blue robe and worn-out shoes.
Bai Jingmen looked at Qiao Wan and asked, "Do you really want to learn, Taoist Friend Lu?"
Qiao Wan respectfully bowed and said, "Please teach me, sir."
The demonic energy inside her had been a concern for Qiao Wan from the beginning.
Although for these past few days, the demonic energy seemed to have settled in her dantian and hadn't troubled her anymore.
But whenever she thought about how she had almost gone berserk and wanted to kill Mu Xiaoxiao, Qiao Wan couldn't help but frown.
The girl kept her head low and spoke sincerely.
"Bai Jingmen, I have a question for you."
"Please go ahead."
"Why were you willing to save Liang taoist friend and Jiang taoist friend, and why did you risk your life to release those prisoners yesterday?"
At first, he had some doubts about the girl in front of him.
After all, wearing a mask and not wanting to show her true face, yet willingly taking risks to bring medicine to Liang Yiqing and save Jiang Kai, helping them and these strangers who had just met, it all seemed a bit strange.
Bai Jingmen couldn't understand, "Lu Wan, if she really had some ulterior motives, why would she come looking for them?
They were just wandering cultivators, penniless and not worth anyone's attention.
But Jiang Kai and Liang Yiqing were indeed saved by her, and those prisoners were indeed released by her.
After asking his question, Bai Jingmen anxiously waited for Qiao Wan's answer.
To his surprise, the girl's answer was simple.
Qiao Wan said, "Because I couldn't stand it anymore."
Whether it was facing Xie Xingzhi or Bai Jingmen, those were her true feelings.
Because she couldn't stand it, she decided to take action. If she had the ability to do something, why wouldn't she do it?
Qiao Wan said, "By helping others with all my heart, I ensure that I am never lacking in anything. This is my belief." It is also her value.
Bai Jingmen opened his eyes slightly and was speechless in astonishment.
After a moment of silence, the middle-aged scholar spoke sincerely, "Taoist Friend Lu, perhaps you are indeed more suited to study Confucianism."
It was decided that Qiao Wan would learn Confucian practices.
During the days leading up to their departure to Kunshan, Qiao Wan diligently studied with Bai Jingmen.
Bai Jingmen was truly a good teacher, patient and kind.
Sitting on a small stool, Bai Jingmen stroked his short beard and said, "Confucianism emphasizes cultivating inner virtue and character. Later, I will teach you, Taoist Friend Lu, how to cultivate your inner virtue."
Qiao Wan listened attentively while sitting on a small stool.
Confucianism does not focus on immortality or the afterlife.
Confucianism values worldly affairs. From the southern thirteen states to the snowy mountains of the north, from the seven mountains and ten peaks in the east to the vast mountains and seas in the west, conflicts arise among the immortal sects, mortal kingdoms, and empires, causing bloodshed. Therefore, Confucian scholars emerged. They do not seek immortality but cultivate a noble spirit. They strive to bring peace to the world and protect the people. Like the ancient sage Confucius, they often travel between various countries.
Therefore, Confucian scholars often have short lives. Although part of it is due to their stubbornness, their sacrifices are for the better of the world.
