Walking by the Abyss on Thin Ice

Chapter 219 – Debate between new and old theories

The next day, Cang Jiuhua left Dongdu, and Su Yun went to see him off. Most of the Qin embassy stayed behind. Su Yun and Cang Jiuhua rode a plate sheep carriage together to the post station. When they passed the second level of Dongdu, they saw crowds of people on the street. There was a high platform ahead, and someone shouted, "I am Jingnan Building, a scholar who has returned from studying in Great Qin! Today, I will use martial arts to make friends and learn from the scholars of Dongdu who practice the old holy arts!"

Su Yun's gaze fell on Jingnan Building, then he looked at Cang Jiuhua. Cang Jiuhua smiled and said, "Yuan Shuo sends many scholars to study abroad every year."

Su Yun nodded lightly and asked, "So Jingnan Building has nothing to do with Brother Cang?"

Cang Jiuhua smiled faintly and did not answer. Su Yun did not ask further and sent him to the Dongdu post station, saying, "Brother Cang, it's a pity that we didn't get to fight."

Cang Jiuhua's eyes flickered, and he stopped and turned around, saying, "Su Xiong, our fight has already begun. I have been laying out my plan since I set foot on Dongdu's land. Before I leave Dongdu, my plan has already been laid out. It's your turn to see how you can respond to my moves."

Su Yun was stunned and pondered the meaning behind his words. Cang Jiuhua boarded the candle dragon carriage and said with a smile, "Master Su, see you again at Jian Ge!"

He sat by the window of the candle dragon carriage and drew a square box on the glass with his finger. Su Yun's heart shook. "He is from the Overseas Heavenly Pavilion!"

"The Overseas Heavenly Pavilion is the overseas branch of the Heavenly Pavilion, but it has grown stronger in recent years and is ready to establish itself as an independent faction and choose its own Heavenly Pavilion Master. This is not a good thing! The Overseas Heavenly Pavilion may be used to deal with Yuan Shuo!"

Su Yun exhaled a long breath and returned the way he came. When he passed the second level of Dongdu, he saw Jingnan Building fighting against several scholars who practiced the old holy arts and defeated them.

It was even more lively here.

"What kind of plan did Cang Jiuhua lay out?"

On the second day after Cang Jiuhua left, Emperor Ping issued an edict to confer honors upon Su Yun, Ye Luo, and Bai Yuelou. Su Yun was appointed as the sacrificial wine master of the Tian Dao Academy and the deputy historian of the Overseas Department, and he was to take up his post in May.

Su Yun knew that Qiu Shuijing was protecting him, so he did not refuse the appointment.

Emperor Ping appointed Ye Luo as the western scholar of the Tian Dao Academy and the commander of the Shuofang military office.

Bai Yuelou was appointed as a scholar of the Tian Dao Academy, rewarded with a thousand gold, and praised for his righteous deeds in pacifying the chaos in Shuobei.

After receiving the reward of a thousand gold, Bai Yuelou immediately repaid Su Yun's debt, finally clearing the debt.

On the third day after Cang Jiuhua left, the arena set up by Jingnan Building for the debate between new and old scholars caused a sensation and reached the ears of Su Yun and others who lived on the fifth level.

There were rumors that Jingnan Building was with the Yuan Shuo embassy and started the debate between new and old scholars on his own after Cang Jiuhua left, with sinister intentions.The debate was originally just a small matter, with the new scholars claiming that the old teachings were useless and should be abolished in favor of the new teachings from overseas. On the other side, the scholars who practiced the old teachings argued that the new teachings were unorthodox and only focused on external strength, while neglecting internal cultivation.

At the beginning of the debate, both sides were calm, but as the argument heated up, it eventually turned violent and resulted in casualties. It was said that six or seven people had already died in the debate between the new and old teachings.

However, Su Yun was busy preparing for the upcoming examination at the Tian Dao Academy, and since the debate was mostly between the stubborn old-school scholars and the Jingnan Tower, he paid it no attention.

As a newly appointed Doctoral Sacrificial Official of the Tian Dao Academy, Su Yun had to personally assess the scholars during the examination. However, he was a latecomer who had infiltrated the academy with a Tian Dao Token and had weaker foundations than the academy's scholars. Thus, he had been staying indoors these days, studying hard with Ying Ying to make up for his shortcomings.

The debate between the new and old teachings was originally a small matter, and such debates occurred every year in the Eastern Capital. However, by the seventh day, the debate had become uncontrollable.

On the seventh day since Cang Jiuhua's departure, the conflict between the new and old teachings had escalated.

The Eastern Capital's second level had been cleared by the Eastern Capital's Zhi Jinwu to make way for the debate.

During these few days, scholars from various schools and academies in the Eastern Capital had participated in the debate. Even the Taoists from the Qing Xu Temple and the monks from the Lei Yin Pavilion had joined in!

The participation of the Qing Xu Temple and the Lei Yin Pavilion had elevated the debate to new heights, as they were the highest sanctuaries of the two major teachings of Daoism and Buddhism, which were second only to Confucianism in the Eastern Capital.

The participation of the disciples of the two major teachings naturally attracted a lot of attention.

"Several Taoists from the Qing Xu Temple and monks from the Lei Yin Pavilion have died."

Li Muge returned from the Eastern Capital's second level, looking lost and said to Su Yun, "Jingnan Tower has the support of foreign envoys. It's not just the people of Yuanshuo who will suffer, but also foreign scholars, not just those from Daqin, but also from other countries! Those Taoists and monks had extraordinary abilities, but they died after a few moves on stage."

Su Yun's heart trembled slightly, "Although Cang Jiuhua has left, his influence remains. After he left, various traps were set in motion. This first wave of action is aimed at destroying the old teachings of the Holy Scriptures, making the people of Yuanshuo doubt and even despise the old teachings. He wants to eradicate Yuanshuo culturally! Cang Jiuhua's move is impressive!"

"The new teachings are indeed too powerful. I'm afraid I would lose if I went up there."

Li Muge was despondent and couldn't help saying, "Su Xiong, will you go? If you go, you can definitely suppress those new teaching experts!"

Su Yun paced back and forth and stopped, "I was taught by Master Fox, and I have been studying the old teachings of the Holy Scriptures since I was young. I know the benefits of the old teachings, which have given me a solid foundation. But sticking to the old and not learning the new is being closed-minded. The old teachings of the Holy Scriptures have many shortcomings, and if I win..."He was even worried about winning.

If he went to participate in the debate between the new and old schools and swept away the scholars of the new schools like Jingnan Tower, it would definitely be a great encouragement for the old school.

But the resurgence of the old school made the scholars of Yuanshuo blindly confident, which was not a good thing!

Cang Jiuhua's move prevented him from making a move!

At this time, a Taoist came in from outside, bringing an invitation and said respectfully, "Is it Master Su? Dao Saint invites Master Su to visit Qingxu Temple."

"Please tell Dao Saint that I won't go." Su Yun threw the invitation aside.

The Taoist was surprised.

Suddenly, another monk came in from outside, took out an invitation, and said, "Master Su, Holy Buddha invites Master Su to have a small chat in Lei Yin Ge."

Su Yun accepted the invitation and also threw it aside: "Please tell Holy Buddha that I am in seclusion."

Cang Jiuhua left the capital on the eighth day.

The Grand Examination of Tian Dao Academy was approaching, and the schools and academies of Yuanshuo also sent outstanding scholars to Beijing to prepare for the examination of Tian Dao Academy. How could these talented scholars sit idly by when they saw the debate between the new and old schools in the capital?

The debate between the new and old schools has reached the level of attention throughout the capital of Dongdu and even the entire Yuanshuo!

Moreover, the scholars here also include the scholars of Tai Xue Yuan in the Western Capital!

Tai Xue Yuan in the Western Capital is known as the second academy in the world. Before the establishment of Tian Dao Academy, Tai Xue Yuan ranked first and was high above all. The scholars of Tai Xue Yuan are all outstanding talents!

For many years after the establishment of Tian Dao Academy, Tai Xue Yuan still maintained the reputation of being the first academy in the world, until it was later taken away by Tian Dao Academy.

This time, many scholars from Tai Xue Yuan came from the Western Capital to the Eastern Capital, not to take the examination of Tian Dao Academy, but to make friends with Tian Dao Academy through martial arts.

Every time there is a Grand Examination of Tian Dao Academy, it has become a habit for Tai Xue Yuan to come and stir up trouble. The people of Dongdu are used to it.

However, this time, the scholars from Tai Xue Yuan who came to stir up trouble were also attracted by the debate between the new and old schools, and the dispute between the new and old schools was suddenly pushed to a climax!

The scholars of Tai Xue Yuan are all talented people, among whom there are various hidden old saints schools. Although they are not prominent schools, they are also not insignificant, such as the schools of Shennong, Yin Yang, Military, Formation, Medicine, and so on.

"More than forty scholars have died in this debate."

Bai Yuelou brought the news and said to Su Yun, "The scholars of Tai Xue Yuan also participated in this debate, and they lost more than they won. And..."

He hesitated for a moment and said, "Prince Yuan Wujue represented the new school in the challenge against Tian Dao Academy."

Su Yun raised his eyebrows.

Bai Yuelou said, "This time, Prince Yuan Wujue represented the new school in challenging Tian Dao Academy."

Su Yun understood in his heart, "Cang Jiuhua's second move directly targets the throne. Challenging Tian Dao Academy seems to be a dispute between the new and old schools, but in fact, it is a challenge to Di Ping. Di Ping cannot respond..."

At this moment, Dao Saint's laughter came from outside, "Master Su is really hard to invite."

Su Yun's heart jumped, and suddenly a Buddhist chant came, "Since Master Su is unwilling to go to Lei Yin Ge, then this old monk will have to visit in person."Su Yun laughed heartily, stood up and greeted them, saying: "Dao Saint and Holy Buddha have come together, it's an honor for me. Junior Brother, bring two stools for them to sit on and have a place to rest."

Bai Yuelou was stunned: "Stools for Dao Saint and Holy Buddha to sit on?"

But there was indeed no place to sit here, so Bai Yuelou had to bring three stools to the courtyard. Su Yun arranged the stools and asked Dao Saint and Holy Buddha to take a seat. He also sat down and said: "Junior Brother, please make some tea for Holy Buddha and Dao Saint."

Bai Yuelou searched and found three porcelain bowls to make tea.

After a while, Dao Saint and Holy Buddha held their tea bowls, but couldn't find a place to put them down.

Su Yun took a sip of tea and apologized: "I came to the capital to pay my respects, but I have no place to stay in the Eastern Capital, so I have to live in Xianliang Courtyard. There is no place to entertain you two here..."

Dao Saint and Holy Buddha had to hold their tea bowls and drink tea. Holy Buddha drank all the tea and even the tea leaves, then put down the bowl and said: "Lord Su should know our purpose of coming. There is a demon living inside you, and Old Buddha can help you resolve it, but Lord Su also needs to help Old Saint overcome the current difficulties of our sect's unique skills."

Su Yun laughed: "A demon living inside me? Holy Buddha, don't joke... huh?"

Holy Buddha pointed his finger, and suddenly a huge crack appeared in the spiritual realm of Su Yun. A long forked tongue with saliva all over it came out of the crack and licked the statue of Holy Buddha in front of Su Yun from bottom to top!

Su Yun was horrified.

Dao Saint smiled kindly and reminded him: "There are 96 of them living inside you, Lord."