In fact, if you think about it boldly.

The fifth saint has not yet been born, so Su Ping has every chance to steal it with his mind and thoughts.

Although the surnames of the first four saints are listed there, no one stipulates that the fifth saint can only be named Wang.

Who knows if you don’t try?

But for some reason, Su Ping had no such plan and asked instead: "Master, what about the current imperial court and Haoqi Palace...?"

"It seems you have realized it."

Wen Daoyuan stroked his beard and smiled, "Since the birth of the third saint, the imperial court and Haoqi Palace have become inseparable. No matter how the dynasty changes, successive emperors have always been wary of Haoqi Palace. This is a tacit understanding."

"Since the fourth generation of saints has emerged, I guess the dynasty will always have the upper hand."

Su Ping said thoughtfully.

"No, the fourth saint comes from... Haoqi Palace."

Wen Daoyuan shook his head and said slowly.

"How can it be?!"

Su Ping exclaimed, "Confucianism comes from Haoqi Palace?"

You must know that the "divine right of kings" establishes the supremacy of imperial power, while "preserving natural principles and destroying human desires" greatly consolidates the rule of those in power.

No matter how you look at it, they were all cultivated by the imperial court themselves.

Based on Haoqi Palace's attitude of contempt for imperial power, how can we deduce Neo-Confucianism?

Shi Lezhi?

"It seems that you have a good understanding of today's Neo-Confucianism."

Wen Daoyuan glanced at Su Ping meaningfully and said: "Zhu Sheng ascended to the Nine Realms and was granted the title of Lesser Sage because of his comprehensive collection of Neo-Confucianism. Neo-Confucianism at that time was not what you see now. I will just read you a lost record.

Then I understand.”

"In heaven and earth, only 'reason' and 'power' are the most respected."

"Although, Li Youzun is a respected person."

"If principles are preached in temples, the emperor will not be able to use power to snatch them away. Once they are snatched away, principles will always be extended to the world for eternity."

"The one who maintains his power is the power of the emperor, and the one who is rational is the power of the saint."

"If an emperor does not have the principles of a saint, his power will sometimes be compromised."

Wen Daoyuan spoke every word in a low and slow tone.

Su Ping's heart was filled with turmoil.

Although these sentences are short and euphemistic, they have only one central idea.

The saint is greater than the emperor!

If the emperor cannot uphold the principles of a saint, then the imperial power should not be supreme.

hiss……

Su Ping took a breath of cold air.

"Because of the constraints of the holy books, Zhu Sheng cannot leave the Haoqi Palace."

Wen Daoyuan sighed, "Even if the Neo-Confucianism came out and the world made a big noise, how could it defeat the important weapons of the state? The emperor at that time simply summoned a group of famous Confucian scholars to explain the Neo-Confucianism in another way, and was easily defeated.

The conspiracy of Haoqi Palace even turned Neo-Confucianism into the best tool to maintain rule."

Su Ping was silent.

Of course he understood this truth, but he was thinking of something else.

Neo-Confucianism only wanted to elevate the status of saints, but it ended up like this. What about the philosophy of mind?

Compared with the plot of Haoqi Palace, this theory of awakening the people's minds has shaken the imperial rule even more.

Simply relying on one's human heart to be the law of heaven is not something that an emperor can accept.

Everyone is governed by nature, how can you, the emperor, still be considered a bastard?

Not only that, Xinxue also opposed Neo-Confucianism’s study of things to achieve knowledge.

Today's Neo-Confucianism is the treasure of the rulers, and this kind of opposition is no different from directly opposing the rulers.

Tsk tsk, the fifth saint who has not yet been born is probably going to suffer.

The science of the supernatural world is not so easy to subvert...

Su Ping thought of this.

"Guess why Lao Yin and I stay in the Imperial College all year round, and even if we go out, we will never leave Yangjing?"

Wen Daoyuan asked with a smile.

Su Ping thought for a while: "To suppress Haoqi Palace?"

"Pfft~"

Yin Dongqiu sprayed a mouthful of wine all over the floor, and immediately started coughing. He was obviously frightened by Su Ping's words of tiger and wolf.

"We can't talk about suppression, we can only call it attention..."

Wen Daoyuan was also a little embarrassed, and couldn't laugh or cry: "Since the Zhu Sheng incident, the Haoqi Palace has been completely closed. I stay here with Lao Yin, and we are responsible for keeping an eye on the movements of the Haoqi Palace in the Imperial College."

"Oh, I get it, surveillance."

Su Ping nodded.

"...Actually, you can speak more tactfully."

Wen Daoyuan was a little depressed, "Haoqi Palace is hidden in an unknown place. The entrance and exit may be anywhere in the Imperial College. Maybe it is between you and me at this time..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Su Ping suddenly felt uncomfortable and looked around warily.

"Don't listen to him. If the entrance and exit are close, there's no way I wouldn't know about it."

Yin Dongqiu rolled his eyes at Wen Daoyuan.

"Well……"

Su Ping breathed a sigh of relief, and then asked curiously: "Speaking of which, I still don't know the identity of Duke Dongqiu. Do you dare to ask...?"

"Are you confused about the title Wuhou?"

Wen Daoyuan smiled.

"There are fewer and fewer people taking the path of martial arts. It's normal that you don't know."

Yin Dongqiu took a sip of wine carelessly, and then said: "First level martial artist, second level martial artist, third level warrior, you should have heard of this."

Su Ping nodded.

"The fourth, fifth, and sixth realms are collectively called Wuzong because the risk of blood transfusion and marrow cleansing is extremely high, and the process is very short, so there is no need to subdivide it."

Yin Dongqiu explained, "Because the subsequent realms are too rare and powerful enough, an unwritten rule was formed a long time ago. In the seventh realm of martial arts, even if you have not made any achievements, your status is the same as that of a marquis.

Over the course of thousands of years, the title Wuhou gradually came into being."

"……I see."

Only then did Su Ping realize the weight of the sound of "Wuhou", and when he looked at Yin Dongqiu, his eyes were full of heartfelt admiration.

"hey-hey."

Yin Dongqiu was filled with pride by Su Ping's gaze, and added: "Don't look at the dangers of blood transfusion and marrow washing. Once these two hurdles are passed, the future is bright."

With that said, Yin Dongqiu pointed to his face: "Look at me, do I look only seventeen or eighteen years old?"

"Uh... almost... right?"

Su Ping's expression was stiff and he nodded reluctantly.

Yin Dongqiu looked to be at least thirty.

Why do you have the nerve to say that you are seventeen or eighteen?

"Tell you."

Yin Dongqiu suddenly leaned forward, lowered his voice, and said mysteriously: "I am turning ninety this year! I am several years older than Lao Wen!"

"???"

Su Ping almost peeed on the spot with a look of disbelief.

ninety?

Whether judging from his facial features, hair color, or skin, Yin Dongqiu was not more than forty years old.

There are actually ninety?

So, martial arts can rejuvenate one’s youth?

No wonder, people call him Dongqiu Gong instead of Dongqiu Hou. It turns out that the "gong" refers to age.
To be continued...