Chapter 177: Knowledge Is Action, Action Is Knowledge
Translator: Ninetales Editor: Fish_Creek
Qin Mu's mind trembled hugely as he walked into the courtyard, "Imperial Preceptor didn't come over just to talk about interesting stuff? Ling'er, watch the tea."
Hu Ling'er immediately said, "Young master, our house has no tea, you don't drink tea."
Qin Mu laughed and said, "Buy and prepare some tea in the future. Since we have no tea, watch the seats."
"There are only a few broken stools in Scholar's Residence, where do we have seats?" the little fox grumbled.
Qin Mu was slightly awkward.
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor waved his hand and smiled, "No need to trouble yourself, I'll just say a few words with Cult Master and I'll leave."
Qin Mu's gaze landed on his face. This appearance of Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor, the number one man under gods that awed the world, couldn't be said to be extremely handsome. He only looked ordinary but there was an indescribable flavor to his face. It was the type that the more you watched it, it grew more and more pleasing in your eyes.
His eyes stood out the most on his body. They were eyes that were filled with wisdom and seemed to carry a little sparkle in them, watching over everything in the world to make the wisest decision.
To this Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor, Qin Mu had a favorable impression and was filled with admiration to this pioneer who broke away from the old conventions.
For Eternal Peace Empire to be what it is today, Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor has a higher contribution than the emperor.
Taking charge of the reform to reform the army and the government, to break the view of sects, to break the barrier between the three big sects by establishing primary schools, colleges, and Imperial College, to set up an institution for scholars, this Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor has made this generation become exceptionally wonderful.
Even though he admired him, Qin Mu still had criticism and resentment to this Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor.
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor was not only gifted by heavens, he was also ruthless.
He sent a punitive expedition to Great Ruins and even though he beat a retreat in the face of difficulties, it didn't mean he won't do it the next time.
He suppressed all countries with armed force and annexed them. To uproot those that opposed him, he faked that he was severely injured to bait those sects who had already acknowledged their allegiance to rebel, causing the people to be in a terrible situation.
This was not a perfect person.
From the beginning to the end, Qin Mu couldn't see what this man was trying to achieve. His breadth of mind was vast and could clearly show tolerance for the whole world yet he had to extinguish other countries and invade Great Ruins so as to gain more land for Eternal Peace Empire.
He clearly had no lust for power but he didn't hesitate to raise a bloodbath just to eradicate those that opposed him.
To Qin Mu, Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor was like a contradiction. It was very difficult to guess what he was thinking.
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor was also sizing him up and after a moment, he said with a gentle voice, "The sacred cult master or Heavenly Saint Cult is unexpectedly young. I was also shocked when I had received news that the sacred cult master was actually the imperial academician of our Imperial College. You didn't seem surprised when you saw me."
Qin Mu said, "Heavenly Saint Cult provides education for everyone, irrespective of background, therefore it's natural that Imperial Preceptor could place a few men among the higher-ups of Heavenly Saint Cult. I'm not surprised Imperial Preceptor could discover my identity so quickly."
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor nodded his head, "The sacred cult master of Heavenly Saint Cult should have this kind of wisdom. However, how did you not panic when you saw me? Aren't you afraid I'm here to kill you?"
"If Imperial Preceptor wants to kill me, there's no use even if I panic."
Qin Mu said, "If you don't kill me, Heavenly Saint Cult won't rebel. If you kill me, Heavenly Saint Cult will rebel. My life is not as valuable as Heavenly Saint Cult so Imperial Preceptor doesn't have the need to kill me. Therefore there's no need for me to panic."
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor smiled, "Don't be so sure. It's good to be smart but you might guess wrong if you're overconfident. However, you had indeed moved my heart. You said Heavenly Saint Cult won't rebel. Can you tell me the reason?"
Qin Mu said, "We have the same philosophy so there's no need to rebel."
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor said, "I've heard the first thing you had done after you became the cult master is to establish the three hundred and sixty-first hall, to set up School Hall?"
Qin Mu nodded his head, "I'm imitating Imperial Preceptor to reform Heavenly Saint Cult."
"Heavenly Saint Cult was originally an empire draped with the name of a sect. If you imitate me and reform Heavenly Saint Cult, won't it become the empire within the empire in my Eternal Peace?"
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor asked, "If it was during times of peace, you guys would definitely not rebel but if the world is in chaos, why don't you guys take this chance to rise up and overtake as the orthodox?"
"The reason why Heavenly Saint Cult didn't rebel in this period of unrest is not that we don't want to overtake as the orthodox and is because the current Eternal Peace Empire is a large-scaled Heavenly Saint Cult."
Qin Mu smiled, "Why do we have to rebel ourselves?"
"In that case, when will you guys rebel?" Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor became interested and asked.
Qin Mu solemnly said, "When the time comes for Imperial Preceptor to betray the philosophy of Heavenly Saint Cult and no longer to carry out the path of the saint, that's the time Eternal Peace Empire would no longer be Heavenly Saint Cult and my Heavenly Saint Cult will definitely rebel."
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor gave him a glance while exclaiming, "What great guts you have."
Qin Mu said, "This isn't great guts, I have to tell the truth because Imperial Preceptor will know if I lie."
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor slowly walked to the well in the courtyard and said at a speed that was neither too fast nor too slow, "You came from Great Ruins and have no foundation in Heavenly Saint Cult. I originally planned to control you and let you borrow my power to establish yourself in Heavenly Saint Cult. However, I no longer have this idea."
Qin Mu walked to his side and heard Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor continuing, "People like you are dangerous. Those who have their own ideas are usually very dangerous and give people a headache since it's very difficult to convince them. Convincing a person is the most strenuous thing and it would be better off by simply killing them. To convince a cult, that's even more strenuous and it would be better off to eradicate them. No matter if it's Dao Sect or Great Thunderclap Monastery, they have their own philosophies and it's very hard to convince them. It's the same for Heavenly Saint Cult."
He kept silent for a moment and said, "Luckily the philosophy of Heavenly Saint Cult and the philosophy of Eternal Peace Empire don't conflict."
Qin Mu was curious, "Imperial Preceptor won't touch Heavenly Saint Cult for now, what about Dao Sect and Great Thunderclap Monastery?"
"That would depend on what they do."
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor said seriously, "Let's see if they could achieve 'knowledge is action and action is knowledge'. If they could carry out their ideas and achieve 'knowledge is action and action is knowledge', I will do everything in my power to get rid of them. If they can't do it, it isn't hard for them to live on."
Qin Mu's heart trembled slightly and asked, "What's Imperial Preceptor's philosophy then?"
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor shook his head, "I have no need to tell you. Don't look at what I say, look at what I do. My philosophy is in my actions, this is 'knowledge is action and action is knowledge'. Young sacred cult master, you still have a long road to go."
Qin Mu still couldn't see through this person.
Qin Mu, at the current stage, still could not debate over the philosophy with people like Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor. Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor's eyesight was too high and his knowledge was too vast and too shrewd. His understanding of the paths, skills and divine arts had reached such a level that people could only look up to him. Qin Mu was not yet at this level.
He couldn't think through Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor's thought and didn't know if he would be a friend or foe.
However, as for now, Qin Mu had to plan for Heavenly Devil Cult's future as the sacred cult master.
"As for the internal strife in Eternal Peace Empire, our Heavenly Saint Cult would fully support Imperial Preceptor."
Qin Mu carefully thought of a way to express his words, "However, I need a promise from Imperial Preceptor. After quelling the rebellion, would Imperial Preceptor eradicate our cult and burn the bridges?"
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor turned to look at him and replied, "I won't."
Qin Mu gave an expression of inquiry.
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor said leisurely, "I need encouragement. Leaving Heavenly Devil Cult means I'm leaving a sword hanging over my head, spurring me and warning me that I can't make any mistake."
He gave a smile, "If I'm too strong, even I made a mistake, what people could do to me? I need a power which can kill me when I lose my Dao heart. Heavenly Saint Cult is very good. If I go against your philosophy, I'll be waiting for you to kill me."
Qin Mu was slightly frightened.
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor took a step and left.
Qin Mu let out a murky breath and felt his hairs almost exploding out.
There was only one thought in his mind, "Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor isn't a human!"
Non-human.
As long as it's a human, it would have seven emotional states and six desires, it would have thoughts of selfishness. Yet Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor didn't have seven emotional states, six desires and totally no thoughts of selfishness. Without these things, he was a human no more.
Or perhaps, he could be called a saint.
Could Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor be a saint?
He composed himself and drove away the thoughts that plagued him. At this moment, the dragon qilin spoke with a low and muffled voice, "This person is very terrifying. He stood here and I could see him, however I couldn't feel him."
Qin Mu was slightly stunned. He did not use Green Heaven's Eyes to take a look at Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor and lost a chance.
He had once used Heaven's Eyes to look at Village Chief and he saw a magnificent and imposing god that had an intact body. If he looked at Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor, what would he see?
Outside Scholar's Residence, Qin Feiyue was bowing and waiting outside as Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor walked over and said, "Let's return."
Qin Feiyue didn't dare to say much and while they were walking, Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor suddenly said, "Grand Chancellor has good judgment."
Qin Feiyue smiled, "Gu Linuan might be not bad but after being sealed in ice for two hundred years and not moving forward, I'm afraid he might be behind times."
"I meant the other grand chancellor."
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor turned his head back and said, "The successor he has chosen is very good and showing great promise. However, he's very like me and it made me slightly uncomfortable seeing this person as I kept thinking of killing him."
Qin Feiyue didn't understand what he was saying.
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor walked further and further away while muttering, "I hate looking in the mirror. The me in the mirror is never as perfect as the me in my ideals."
In Scholar's Residence, Qin Mu could finally be at ease. His Unity Technique was yet perfected and he had to calm his heart down to comprehend it attentively, perfecting it as much as he could.
Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor gave him a very big impact. A person who fights for his ideals always gives a charm that makes people admire from the bottom of their heart.
As for Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor saying that leaving Heavenly Devil Cult meant leaving a sword hanging above his head, to achieve this step, it was very difficult. Even with the combined power of the entire Heavenly Devil Cult, they couldn't achieve this step.
"Since Imperial Preceptor is so heroic, we have to fulfill his wish."
Qin Mu executed his technique and slowly walked in the courtyard. He comprehended the Unity Technique he had created from the foundation of Overlord Body Three Elixir Technique in detail and sorted them out. He also took out Great Educational Heavenly Devil Scriptures from time to time to make some referencing.
After quite some time, Qin Mu let out a murky breath and his speed suddenly increased. He sprinted frantically throughout the whole mountain and executed the Unity Technique which he had comprehended out. His body flitted back and forth the mountain like flickering light and passing shadows.