Outside the bamboo grove cottage.
Chen Baiqing smiled as she brewed tea for Chu Xingchen, asking how he had been staying at the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect.
Chu Xingchen casually complained a bit about this and that, then exchanged a few pleasantries with Chen Baiqing, and that was that.
Currently, there were only three people outside the courtyard: Chu Xingchen, Chen Baiqing, and the Yuyang Dao Master.
Li Junzi and the others were all indoors studying the "White Horse is Not a Horse" paradox.
Although this question had been posed by Chu Xingchen, he wasn't the one who had to personally step up to debate it.
Besides, the ultimate purpose of winning this debate was the pursuit of knowledge, not simply the desire to win.
So these three supplemented each other's research, contemplating this tricky "White Horse is Not a Horse" question.
"Master, please try this." Chen Baiqing smiled gently, holding a cup of tea with both hands and offering it to her master.
Ever since learning that her master enjoyed the tea she brewed, Chen Baiqing had always kept a set of tea utensils and tea leaves in her spatial ring, even storing water.
The main idea was that whenever her master wanted to drink, he could have the best.
Chu Xingchen took the teacup and happily took a sip, then slightly narrowed his eyes in enjoyment.
He didn't know what kind of tricks Chen Baiqing used in her tea brewing, but it was exceptionally delicious. During the few months at the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect, he had missed Baiqing's tea-making skills.
Naturally, Chu Xingchen didn't forget to praise it:
"Mmm... still the tea brewed by Xiao Baiqing is the best."
Chen Baiqing's smile grew brighter upon hearing this—so long as her master liked it.
Chu Xingchen pointed with his teacup toward the Yuyang Dao Master beside him:
"Pour a cup for your Yuyang Shishu too, let him taste something good."
Hearing this, Chen Baiqing silently poured another cup and pushed it toward the Yuyang Dao Master.
The Yuyang Dao Master looked at Chen Baiqing, who wore a polite smile. The girl looked quite young, yet her attitude toward others was quite a contrast.
But putting that aside, this little girl was exceptionally cute and beautiful, quite pleasing to the eye.
The Yuyang Dao Master showed a slight gentle smile, then picked up the teacup and took a light sip.
He didn't pay much attention to Chu Xingchen's comment about "good things." First, Chu Xingchen sometimes exaggerated when speaking—anyone who believed him would be unlucky.
Besides, this was just a child, Chu Xingchen's disciple, so naturally, he needed to be coaxed a bit.
Second, how good could tea brewed by a little girl be? Although her movements were graceful, the art of tea was profound, and cultivators wouldn't overly research such things.
After all, the Great Dao was ahead, and only a very few would delve into other things of little use.
But when that clear, rhythmic tea flavor bloomed on his tongue, an indescribable sensation spread directly from his tongue to his spiritual sea.
It wasn't a delicious taste, but rather a feeling that exceptionally cleared the mind, a comfortable sense of sudden enlightenment.
The Yuyang Dao Master's eyes widened instantly, looking at Chen Baiqing in disbelief.
This tea... was indeed something good he had never tasted before.
How could someone brew tea to such a degree?
The Yuyang Dao Master, who had intended to just take two sips out of courtesy, finished the entire cup in just two sips.
After drinking, the Yuyang Dao Master looked at the now-empty teacup.
Reluctantly, he put down the teacup. The Yuyang Dao Master, who had intended to give perfunctory praise, spoke sincerely:
"Profound tea art, fine tea of the mortal world."
Chu Xingchen naturally saw the Yuyang Dao Master's expression wanting another cup—after all, even Qinghe, who didn't like tea, had very straightforwardly asked for a second cup after her first.
Chu Xingchen understood the Yuyang Dao Master's reluctant expression all too well.
Chu Xingchen picked up the teapot and poured another cup for the Yuyang Dao Master.
The Yuyang Dao Master looked up at Chu Xingchen. Although this man sometimes had a sharp tongue, his character was beyond reproach.
He didn't sell out his allies in a fight and was never stingy with good things.
It hadn't been a wasted trip, only... he didn't know when he would be able to taste this again in the future.
He also wondered where Chu Xingchen had found such an outstanding disciple—good at tea art and pleasant to look at.
Chen Baiqing paid no mind to the Yuyang Dao Master, continuing to ask in a gentle tone:
"Master, have all matters at the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect been resolved?"
"Not yet, but it will be soon."
"Then is it alright for you to be here now?"
"Of course it's fine. After all, nothing is more important than you disciples. I'll deal with it when it becomes truly urgent."
Chu Xingchen answered with a smile.
Chen Baiqing's question had the feeling of a child curiously asking a parent.
The Yuyang Dao Master remained silent, but after drinking the tea, he naturally picked up the teapot beside him and silently poured himself another cup.
Chu Xingchen naturally noticed the Yuyang Dao Master's actions, but didn't mind it.
Whether this guy wanted to drink tea depended entirely on his own willingness.
And as long as he wanted to drink, Xiao Baiqing would brew it for him enthusiastically.
Sigh, just feel sorry for the guy.
Chu Xingchen leaned leisurely in a bamboo-woven chair, listening to the slight sounds stirred by the gentle breeze.
Seeing this, Chen Baiqing didn't say anything more, just silently sat in a chair, listening to the faint sound of the wind with her master.
Perhaps the greatest joy in life isn't what one does, but having someone by one's side.
At least Chen Baiqing felt that way now. Even if her master didn't speak, having him there made things interesting.
The Yuyang Dao Master remained silent, very satisfied as he cup after cup of tea.
Night, under the pavilion.
Tonight's moon was bright and clear, casting the nearby small pond as if covered in frost, gently rippling with the water's movement.
Inside the hall, led by Chen Wenqian, the various great scholars were still writing furiously while continuously discussing and summarizing this debate.
After all, that young man named Cui Hao's sophistry was somewhat sinister.
Cui Hao's arguments this time seemed a bit childish, as if not deeply thought through, so what about next time?
The Junzi Academy debate had never lost, not relying solely on the Second Sage.
Rather, for every debate, Junzi Academy faced it with the most serious attitude.
Moreover, those present here were all great scholars of the mortal realm, and through mutual exchange, they could gain more understanding and improvement.
After all, everyone has strengths and weaknesses.
Although Chen Wenqian felt regretful about Li Junzi's choice, respecting the choice was respecting Li Junzi as a gentleman.
He put down his brush, his gaze sweeping over the stack after stack of papers filled with key notes.
The various famous scholars present had all prepared extensive research in their respective areas of expertise.
Even after debating with Cui Hao, they had done much research on strange sophistry.
The main goal was to be absolutely prepared.
No sophistry could withstand the righteous and proper principles.
Sophistry is merely a minor path!
Several days later.
Inside the debate hall.
Chen Wenqian led the other great scholars to slowly take their seats, looking at Li Junzi who had suddenly skipped the preparation phase and started the debate directly.
The people had just arrived.
Chen Wenqian hadn't even had a chance to greet Li Junzi or exchange a few simple words.
Nor had he asked about the two unfamiliar men who had suddenly appeared.
He only saw Cui Hao stand up directly and ask bluntly:
"I have a simple question to ask President Chen."
Chen Wenqian looked at the imposing Cui Hao, feeling a sense of alert in his heart, but he also answered with full confidence:
"Ask away."
"I dare to ask, is a white horse a horse?"
Chen Wenqian thought for a moment, not sure if this had anything to do with horses and this debate, treating it as Cui Hao playing mind games, and finally said calmly:
"Naturally, it is a horse."
Hearing this, Cui Hao smiled with satisfaction:
"But I believe a white horse is not a horse!"
[
Unlock 30 chapters instantly (for the price of the old 20-chapter tier), plus regular updates and extra benefits every month.
If you're enjoying the story, please consider supporting me on Patreon:
patreon.com/Alex_Cruise
I'll be honest—I'm in deep financial trouble right now, and your support genuinely makes the difference in whether I can keep writing consistently.
By joining, you'll get:
30 advanced chapters immediately
Ongoing monthly chapters
Bonus content and extra releases
If this story has kept you hooked even once, now's the time to support it. Every bit helps keep it alive.
Thank you.
]