Song Taosheng’s gaze turned towards the window, as if it pierced through the layers of night, seeing that faraway Cloud Prison.

"That day, I listened in on the Debating Scripture." As he spoke, his gaze couldn’t help but flicker, even revealing a hint of fear.

"I witnessed Zhao Hansheng’s failure firsthand. Whether it was Heart Learning or traditional Confucianism, no matter what move Zhao Hansheng made, Qin De could counter it."

Song Taosheng continued, "I can confirm that for most of the debate, Qin De intentionally held back; there were many instances where he could have pressed the advantage but didn’t pursue fiercely. He used Zhao Hansheng to hone his own scholarship."

"Qin De already has an unfathomable aura!"

At this point, Song Taosheng sighed deeply.

"Zhao Hansheng and Qin De have set a three-year agreement to debate again in three years. But as I see it, that’s just a fool’s dream."

Kong Ran’s heart shuddered, "Senior means..."

Song Taosheng looked at him, his eyes flashing with a tinge of pain, "Three years later, Zhao Hansheng will surely lose!"

Kong Ran: ...

Song Taosheng continued, "Rather than fail again in three years, it’s better to eliminate Qin De now. He is a calamity, one that should have been eliminated thirty years ago!"

"Back then, after the Saint Thief Scripture incident came to light, I strongly advocated for his elimination! What is the use of keeping such heresy? Kill it, burn it, let it vanish entirely from the world!"

"But Duanmu Zhang... alas, the compassion of a woman!"

"Duanmu Zhang pitied Qin De’s talent, wanting to give him a chance to mend his ways. He said the Confucian Sect is founded on benevolence and cannot harbor murderous thoughts indiscriminately."

Song Taosheng smiled bitterly, "I once placed my hopes on Zhong Dao. The Hall Master of the Evil Slaying Hall, impartial and unyielding, enforces the law like a mountain. If he had acted, Qin De would undoubtedly be dead."

"But I didn’t expect... the Myriad Images Sect’s upper echelons would make Qin De a tool for their schemes."

Kong Ran frowned slightly, "A tool?"

Song Taosheng nodded, "Qin De alive is more useful than dead. He is a stain on the Confucian Cultivators, a mountain pressing down on us. With him around, Confucian Cultivators can’t hold their heads high, so our group’s development has been severely limited over the years."

"That’s also why Duanmu Zhang willingly ceded the field, allowing Zhao Hansheng to preside over the situation. He — no, it’s us who all wish to use Heart Learning to refute Qin De, to remove this mountain that suppresses us."

To seek help, Song Taosheng disclosed the secret to Kong Ran.

He continued, "Qin De was sentenced and has been imprisoned ever since. During this time, Qin De fully grew in prison, pondering day and night, continuously improving and renewing the Saint Thief Scripture."

"As a result, he easily debated down a Great Scholar like Zhao Hansheng."

"Zhao Hansheng himself had deep attainment in traditional Confucianism and grasped part of the essentials of Heart Learning. Unexpectedly, he still fell in the hands of Qin De."

"The talent of Qin De makes me shiver just thinking slightly deeper about it."

"And now, Duanmu Zhang and others are still waiting for Zhao Hansheng, waiting for him to return in three years to debate!"

"Three years!"

"In three years, what will Qin De grow into?"

"This is utterly rearing a tiger to court calamity!"

Kong Ran could only remain silent.

After a long while, Song Taosheng continued, "Therefore, I must eliminate him."

"If I can kill him, even if I die in Cloud Prison, I would be willing!"

"But... I also know, relying on myself alone, I can definitely not achieve this. I even feel finding a way to infiltrate Cloud Prison is very difficult. So, I came to find you."

Kong Ran nodded.

He understood the implication behind Song Taosheng’s words — on the surface, the latter came to find Kong Ran, but actually sought the assistance of behind Kong Ran — Kong Ran’s father, Kong Zhaoming.

Kong Zhaoming, with high power and influence, is a confidant of the present Monarch. He himself is also a strong force and a Confucian Cultivator! 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Kong Ran looked up at Song Taosheng, whose lean face was filled with determination.

With just one glance, Kong Ran could truly feel Song Taosheng’s resolve — ready to risk everything, regardless of consequences.

Kong Ran’s voice was dry, "Senior, have you developed a determination to die?"

Song Taosheng smiled faintly, "Without a determination to die, how can I accomplish this grand undertaking?"

Kong Ran sighed deeply, "Life is what I desire; righteousness is also what I desire. If the two cannot be achieved together, I would sacrifice my life for righteousness."

"Senior..." Kong Ran stood up, took a step back, and bowed deeply to Song Taosheng.

This bow came entirely from his heart.

It was a salute to a true hero, a homage to someone willing to face death.

Song Taosheng raised a hand to offer support, "There’s no need for this. I am merely doing what must be done."

Kong Ran stood upright, his eyes slightly red.

He still could not resist counseling again, "Senior, why do you have to go to such lengths? If the sky falls, there are taller ones to hold it up. Mr. Duanmu Zhang and Mr. Zhao Hansheng, they are more eager than you."

Song Taosheng shook his head, "For such matters, Duanmu Zhang and Zhao Hansheng are not suitable. It’s most appropriate for me to do it. As the saying goes, ’Every common man is responsible for the rise and fall of the world!’"

"Though I aspire for a Nascent Soul, I am after all just a mere Golden Core Cultivator. If I die, it will be a loss for the Confucian Cultivator group, but only for a while. It can even be said to be negligible."

"But if Qin De is allowed to grow, that is the real disaster."

"It’s a very worthwhile trade!"

Kong Ran: "But..."

Song Taosheng continued, "Alas, young friend Kong Ran, let me tell you another truth."

"Ever since I listened in on the debate, my cultivation has been greatly disturbed."

"Whenever I try to calm my mind and concentrate, various thoughts keep arising. They question the Confucian classics I’ve studied all my life, distort my understanding of the sages, and shake the beliefs I’ve built over decades."