54. The world (3)

Lalatina, with intuition, sensed the Manor Lord's oddity.

His questions, so thoughtless, like a novice to cultivation.

How could this be? Perhaps too long secluded.

With such power, why ask such simple things?

Wait, if his words hold, what era was his? Could the great Dao truly span nine ranks…? Shaking head, No, straying again. These truths are beyond me. Perhaps the Great Confucians can help.

Noah, silently digesting new knowledge. These cultivation truths were sound.

"Lalatina, my era's cultivation differed. I wish to learn more about today's methods."

Lalatina replied.

"Lord, I'm only a Confucian, my knowledge shallow. But the manor has two Great Confucians and a Martial General; you could ask them."

Indeed, Lalatina's sharp. Those two thrown in the river might hold grudges. Time to make peace.

"Alright, let's clean up and ask those three."

After tidying, Noah noticed her flustered look. High status, a genius admired by thousands, likely never cleaned. We'll do it together, she'll get used to it.

Following the token's guidance, they found Great Confucian Wu Dingxi sweeping leaves in the courtyard.

This Great Confucian, upright in appearance, honest face, likable at a glance. Surely not one to hold grudges long.

In the manor's grand courtyard, Wu Dingxi pondered the Manor Lord's words from earlier. A Great Confucian, yet he grasped some, not all…

Glancing at the swept courtyard, leaves covered it again. This courtyard, endless leaves.

Old Su opposite, dazed, lost in thought…

First time since becoming a Great Confucian, felt such defeat… Sighing…

"Old Su, still pondering the Manor Lord's words?"

Just then, Noah and Lalatina arrived. Seeing them dazed amidst scattered leaves… What's this? Weren't they to sweep? Still dazed? Holding grudges, shirking work? No, must show authority…

"You two, falling in the river still hasn't cleared your minds?"

Seeing Noah approach, they hurried forward, bowing.

"Manor Lord."

"Our dull minds fail to grasp your full meaning. Please enlighten us…"

Their tone, mild, not too angry.

"Possible. I have questions for you too."

Seeing their wary glances, Noah reassured.

"Nothing major, just about the Confucian Path."

"I've been in seclusion long, unaware of its current state, so I'm here to ask."

"If you're uneasy, I'll wait until you're done."

Su Qing, face grimacing, struggled to speak.

"Manor Lord… We sweep the courtyard, but leaves never end. We don't know why…"

This again? Noah took the broom from Su Qing. Swept a few strokes, no wind, no dust, easy. Looked at them.

"Manor Lord, we clean here, it dirties there…"

Moving to another spot, leaves fell from trees. Noah, seeing this, whacked the branches with the broom, then swept. Repeated a few times, no more leaves fell. Soon, the courtyard was clear. Handing back the tattered broom.

"See? Do this next time."

"Now, to the stone table to talk."

Under the Dao Enlightenment Tree, Noah sat, one hand on the table. Lalatina's jade hands gently massaged his shoulders. Noah said.

"Any more doubts? I'll clarify."

Wu Dingxi and Su Qing, seeing the clean courtyard but wilted, barren trees, swallowed hard. Meeting the Manor Lord's deep gaze, they bowed.

"Manor Lord, wise. But ruining trees for a clean courtyard, is it worth it?"

Still this? Are these Great Confucians?

"Trees shedding leaves is natural. Deeply, they lack nutrients, hence shedding. I'm easing their burden. Fertilize, water later, they'll regrow. Never tended bonsai?"

They stared blankly, then enlightened.

"Manor Lord, wise, we understand."

These guys…?

"Alright, my question: what's the Confucian Path's state now?"

"Details—talents, requirements, progress, methods, powers… Omit nothing."

…