The three great Confucians of the academy were fighting. Was it because their debate had reached its limit, and gentlemanly words had escalated to blows? The Princess Royal was shocked. She had studied at Yunlu Academy for a period.

The four great Confucians of the academy often sat and debated. When happy, they would laugh; when agitated, they might even forget their dignity and curse. But they had never come to blows before.

After all, the great Confucians had noble status and were role models. How could they resort to violence so easily?

Zhao Shou’s brows furrowed slightly as he put down his teacup and asked, “Why are they fighting?”

The old sir shook his head helplessly, “I don’t know. Master Mubai was originally writing calligraphy when suddenly the other two gentlemen appeared, and then they started fighting.”

He paused, then added with a worried expression, “One called the other ‘old codger,’ and the other replied with ‘shameless old thief.’ It seems they’re truly angry.”

At this, even the Academy Master, known for his calm demeanor, was startled, realizing something was amiss.

The Princess Royal said, “Academy Master, let’s go there together.”

Zhao Shou said solemnly, “Within ten feet of me is the Sage’s school.”

The Princess Royal’s vision blurred for a moment, and then she saw the statue of the Sage holding a scroll. Candles burned, and wisps of smoke curled in the hall.

Outside the hall was chaos, with gusts of wild wind rushing in, extinguishing the candles.

Academy Master Zhao Shou had disappeared from across the table. The Princess Royal walked towards the hall entrance, braving the strong winds.

The gale made her clothes billow behind her, pressing her garments against her chest. Even the thick winter clothes couldn’t completely conceal her curvaceous figure.

Looking into the distance, she saw the three great Confucians standing in mid-air.

A vast, majestic qi emanated from the three of them; an upright and unyielding aura collided, stirring up fierce winds in the air.

Zhang Shen snorted, “Li Mubai, you shameless wretch! It was bad enough when you snatched my student, but today you’ve done something so despicable. Have you forgotten all the Sage’s teachings?”

The Princess Royal was slightly moved, not knowing what Li Mubai had done to incur Zhang Shen’s wrath. They had fought over a student before?

Li Mubai loudly retorted, “As a teacher, what’s wrong with helping a disciple polish his writings and poems? You’re just jealous of my talent, you old codger.”

Chen Tai: “Will you shut up? Even I can’t stand it anymore.”

Li Mubai glanced at him, “Zhang has a reason to be angry with me, but what’s it to you, Chen Tai? Stay out of this.”

At this moment, Zhang Shen pulled out a scroll from his robes and said leisurely, “It seems we can’t determine superiority through righteous qi alone.”

He tore off a page and set it alight.

As the paper burned completely, a green cloud appeared out of thin air, buzzing as it flew toward Li Mubai.

It was a swarm of emerald beetles with fierce mandibles, resembling a locust plague, densely packed.

“My travels around the world in recent years weren’t fruitless,” Li Mubai remained calm, also taking out a scroll and tearing off two pages, setting them both on fire.

One page burned away, transforming into a crimson lizard, hovering between reality and illusion.

The red lizard’s cheeks puffed up, suddenly spewing a stream of flames dozens of yards long, incinerating the green cloud to ashes.

At the same time, the other page finished burning, manifesting as a scantily clad young woman, her figure as lithe as a swimming fish, gliding towards Zhang Shen.

As she approached, Zhang’s eyelids grew heavy, overcome by an irresistible drowsiness.

The young woman’s lips curled in a bewitching smile as she neared Zhang Shen.

Just then, Chen Tai also burned a page from his hand, and a bright golden pill materialized, radiating golden light.

“Ouch…”

Li Mubai was suddenly backstabbed, staggering from the golden light’s impact, while Zhang Shen was also scorched by the golden pill. He broke free from his drowsiness, quickly mobilizing his righteous qi to dispel the scantily clad young woman.

The Princess Royal watched this scene in silence.

Sixth-rank Confucian scholars could learn supreme skills from other systems and commit them to writing in books.

Zhang Shen had just demonstrated the techniques of an insect shaman, while the young woman from Li Mubai’s paper seemed to be from the witch system… though she wasn’t sure of the exact rank.

As for Chen Tai’s technique, if she wasn’t mistaken, it was a Daoist golden pill.

As the three great Confucians fought fiercely in mid-air, the students below watched with great interest. Although they were somewhat at a loss and worried about their mentors suddenly fighting, the chance to see great Confucians in combat was extremely rare and too precious to miss.

Seeing that he couldn’t overcome Li Mubai, Zhang Shen had a sudden inspiration: “Li Mubai, your pants are falling.”

Li Mubai felt a chill below his waist and was astounded to find his trousers had slipped to his ankles.

“Damn it!” Li Mubai’s composure shattered, and he roared, “Everyone’s pants are falling!”

Below, countless people bent down in panic to pull up their trousers.

A milky white jade pendant at the Princess Royal’s waist began to glow in response.

A majestic voice rang out, clearly reaching everyone’s ears: “Fighting among fellow disciples is forbidden here.”

“Floating in the air is prohibited. Get down here now!”

As the voice faded, the surging righteous qi of the three great Confucians automatically dissipated. Newton regained his dignity and pulled them down from mid-air.

Wearing hemp clothes with his graying hair disheveled, Zhao Shou walked up to the three with a stern face, his gaze sharp as he scrutinized them: “What’s going on?”

Zhang Shen and Li Mubai exchanged silent glances, instantly reaching an understanding. The former coldly snorted, “Nothing much, just a difference of opinion in our studies that neither could convince the other of.”

The latter added, “So we tried a different approach.”

Convincing others through reason – this aligned with Confucian principles.

“Academy Master, I’m reporting them. They’re all lying to you,” Chen Tai suddenly backstabbed the two, completing a double kill.

Zhang Shen and Li Mubai turned their heads simultaneously, glaring at him angrily.

Chen Tai looked towards the low wall: “Academy Master, you know the poem ‘Seeing Off Yang Qian to Qingzhou at Mianyang Pavilion’, don’t you?”

Zhao Shou followed his gaze to the low wall, focusing for a moment before seeing the small writing. He immediately understood.

He knew about Zhang Jinyan and Li Chunjing’s recent envy of the Purple Yang Hermit.

The poem on the low wall was indeed excellent. Even if it didn’t immediately become famous when circulated, it had a great chance of being passed down through generations. Their dispute over fame was understandable… Wait, what were they trying to hide from me earlier? The Academy Master’s face twitched.

He was about to speak when he caught sight of the Princess Royal approaching gracefully in her long dress, her demeanor cold and noble.

He swallowed his words.

The Princess Royal’s clear eyes swept over them as she smiled reservedly, “What poem caused such a conflict between the two great Confucians?”

Zhang Shen and Li Mubai hurriedly bowed, “It’s just a poem encouraging learning.”

The Princess Royal’s gaze immediately turned to the low wall, her beautiful eyes lighting up: “A fine poem.”

After a pause, her lips parted slightly: “Who composed this poem?”

Zhang Shen reluctantly answered, “It’s my student… Well, ‘Seeing Off Yang Qian to Qingzhou at Mianyang Pavilion’ was also his work.”

“That constable from Changle County?” A strange light flashed in the Princess Royal’s eyes.

“His name is Xu Qi An,” Li Mubai answered, adding, “He’s also my disciple.”

The Princess Royal felt the name was somewhat familiar, as if she had heard someone mention it before, but hadn’t paid much attention and couldn’t recall where.

Such great talent, working as a mere constable in Changle County is far too humble. Even if he only excels at poetry, it would be enough for me to keep him in my mansion as an advisor… the Princess Royal pondered.

The academy students stood at a distance, admiring the Princess Royal’s exquisite face. She was as beautiful as a snow lotus, otherworldly, with an air of nobility that made one forget worldly concerns.

“Where is he now?” The Princess Royal’s clear gaze swept over the crowd, looking intently.

“He went sightseeing,” Chen Tai said.

The students who overheard their conversation were suddenly struck with great shock. They finally knew who had composed this poem encouraging learning.