Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan Chapter 1881: 1409: Pending Revision 2

However, this moment's sharpness in thinking failed to boost his spiritual condition.

In truth, this represents the standard case; for a cultivator at Li Zhirui's level, advancement proves far from straightforward!

Were it so effortless, how could countless Heavenly Immortals remain trapped in the Primal Spirit Realm, forever unable to ascend beyond after endless ages?

Thus, despite a flicker of regret, his determination swiftly bounced back.

“Oh?”

Right then, in Li Zhirui's sight, the silhouette of a Great Confucian materialized abruptly.

“Fellows, kindly settle down—might I have a word?”

With those words from the Great Confucian, he wove a strand of Confucian energy into his voice, and the uproar indeed hushed rapidly. He inclined his head and declared, “I, Zuo Qu, stand here for the Confucian academy to offer our deepest regrets to all present!”

“The troubles are real, and our academy's poor oversight has undoubtedly damaged the rights of numerous blameless folks. Yet rest easy, and trust that we'll eagerly address these flaws to safeguard everyone's benefits.”

“On behalf of the Confucian academy, I vow that any affected commoners may seek compensation from us!”

“Grant the Confucian academy one more opportunity!”

Having uttered this, the Great Confucian bent low in salute to the assembly once more.

The onlookers gazed upon the elder with his silver locks flowing, absorbing his seemingly earnest and profound declarations, and found themselves stirred despite themselves.

“Goodness! Elder, stand up at once—we dare not receive such respect.”

“Sigh! No realm lacks its rotten elements and villains; we mustn't direct fury at the misdeeds of a few toward every Confucian follower.”

…

A chorus of forgiving murmurs rose from the throng, as though these same voices hadn't just raged against the Confucian academy mere instants ago.

From his spot in the inn, Li Zhirui watched the whole spectacle with close attention.

To his eyes, it was nothing but a show, and the Great Confucian's portrayal fell short of convincing; traces of scorn and embarrassment shone plainly in his gaze.

Only this band of the purest, most benevolent, and readily fooled ordinary folk might genuinely swallow his assurances.

Still, one had to concede the Confucian academy's tactic worked wonders, swiftly dissolving the crowd's resentment and wrath directed at them.

And provided they followed up with some superficial fixes, they could reclaim public faith without much fuss.

That said, everything hinged on no outside meddling!

Given the Confucian academy's colossal scandal this round, how could courtiers from rival academies overlook such a prime opening?

Besides, the reigning Emperor's tolerance for the Confucian academy had worn thin, handing him an ideal pretext to strike.

As anticipated!

The following morning brought Daqian's majestic court session, typically a mere formality, yet this time swarmed with lesser bureaucrats launching accusations against sundry Confucian officeholders.

Furthermore, their claims rested not on rumors mixed with personal guesses, but on solid proof.

For instance, the Assistant Minister of Rites, during his stint as a prefect, had covertly pocketed ten thousand taels of silver from regional clan offerings to shield a noble offspring guilty of murder.

Or consider how the Minister of Rites, back when he held a provincial post, had slyly siphoned off stored grain, fabrics, and the like.

Even in just a day and night, these accusers unearthed heaps of misdeeds by Confucian bureaucrats, displaying impressive prowess.

But the handful of top Confucian courtiers, like the Minister of Personnel and the Minister of Rites, all bore somber faces.

For they had reached a chilling realization: the Emperor enthroned in ultimate authority was no guileless youth as he seemed, but a concealed True Dragon lurking in the depths!

And presently, he ascended heavenward atop the Confucian academy's frame!

Some of those illicit acts might stem from rival academies' own gatherings, but most probably traced to this Emperor's schemes.

Once they pieced it together, the elite Confucian officials grasped,

…

To shift tales like twin flowers on separate stems.

Deep in the Void Chaos, from some obscure nook, fierce clashes of combat and carnage echoed loudly.

——

Meanwhile.

Li Zhirui lingered in the visitor's chamber, eyeing the fervent masses lining the avenue beneath, a pleased grin spreading across his features.

The core aim of his Daqian excursion for practice had at last come to pass; imperfect as it was, the task stood accomplished all the same.