Chapter 20: The Way of the Superior Man

  The second update is online!

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  The middle-aged man seemed to have not heard Yang Chen's question, still did not respond, but kept looking up at the sky, wondering what he was thinking about, as if he had already become infatuated with the twinkling stars in the sky.

  Yang Chen looked at the middle-aged man who still didn't respond to him, his eyebrows furrowed tightly as he constantly guessed what this middle-aged man meant.

  Time passed minute by minute, and this stop was just a moment's time. The middle-aged man kept looking up at the sky, ignoring Yang Chen behind him. Yang Chen also stood there silently, not saying a word.

  At this time, Yang Chen's forehead had already begun to sweat, from the afternoon busy until now standing here for a while, Yang Chen was somewhat overwhelmed.

  But now a middle-aged man is standing here, he really doesn't know what to do, walking is not an option, resting is not an option, can only accompany the middle-aged man standing here.

  The sky outside has gradually begun to brighten up, and in the eastern edge, a faint white color has appeared, now it is clear that this night has passed.

  As a ray of sunlight shone in from outside the window, the middle-aged man finally moved.

  The middle-aged man slowly turned around and looked at Yang Chen.

  Yang Chen's face revealed a vigilant expression, and he asked, "Senior, who are you exactly?"

  A middle-aged man smiled slightly and asked: "Who are you again?"

  Yang Chen furrowed his brow and replied: "I am an outer disciple of the Tian Dao Sect!"

  The middle-aged man smiled and shook his head, continuing to ask: "Who are you?"

  Yang Chen was taken aback and said in confusion: "I am an outer disciple of the Tiandao Sect, my name is Yang Chen, and I'm here to perform a cleaning task."

  The middle-aged man remained calm and composed, with a smile still on his face, saying: "Who are you?"

  Yang Chen was thoroughly perplexed; he had clearly informed the middle-aged man of his identity, so why did the middle-aged man ask this question.

  Yang Chen fell into deep thought, a contemplative look on his face, and remained silent for a long time.

  The middle-aged man was not in a hurry either, he just stood in front of Yang Chen and waited for his answer.

  "I am what I am!"

  After a moment, Yang Chen raised his head and said seriously to the middle-aged man, this was the answer he had thought about for a long time and felt most correct.

  The middle-aged man nodded slightly with a faint smile, "Not bad! You are the new disciple who just joined the Tian Dao Gate this year?"

  Yang Chen bowed respectfully and did not answer the middle-aged man's words, but instead asked: "Senior, you haven't told me whether you are a person of the Tian Dao Men or not?"

  Although Yang Chen had initially told the middle-aged man about his affairs, the middle-aged man in front of him was very mysterious. Not knowing his true identity, he still felt a sense of vigilance in his heart.

  The middle-aged man didn't expect the child in front of him to ask himself, and immediately burst out laughing, nodding his head, saying: "You say I am a person of Tiandao Gate is also correct, saying I am not a person of Tiandao Gate is also correct!"

  Yang Chen furrowed his brow, revealing a face full of confusion, clearly he did not understand the words of the middle-aged man in purple robes in front of him.

  A middle-aged man smiled and explained, "I am not originally a member of the Tiandao Gate. I joined later and became an elder who offers sacrifices. However, I remain myself and do not submit to the Tiandao Gate."

  Yang Chen nodded clearly and respectfully said: "Disciple Yang Chen greets the elder, please don't blame the disciple for his recklessness just now!"

  A middle-aged man with a kind smile said, "In the Tian Dao Gate, we who serve as elders wear these purple robes. You are just an apprentice who has just entered the gate, and it is reasonable that you do not know, so why blame one another?"

  Yang Chen smiled apologetically and said, "Thank you, Elder!"

  A middle-aged man smiled slightly and asked, "You've been standing with me all night, what do you think?"

  Yang Chen listened to the middle-aged man's words, remained silent for a moment, and shook his head somewhat awkwardly, saying: "The disciple is ignorant and has not gained any enlightenment!"

  The middle-aged man listened to Yang Chen's answer, not only did he not lose hope, but instead smiled and nodded his head in satisfaction, saying: "Not bad, you are relatively honest. In the Tian Dao Gate, many disciples have accompanied me through a night before, every time they were asked this same question, they would rack their brains to answer me. You are the first one to say that you haven't gained any insight into anything!"

  Yang Chen smiled awkwardly and said apologetically: "Elder Miao has praised me."

  A middle-aged man smiled and shook his head, saying: "At first when you saw me, although you were a bit intimidated, but still kept calm, which shows that you are not easily surprised! Moreover, this night you have been standing behind me, except for asking me two questions at the beginning, you didn't ask me another question, and you stood here all night without any movement, from this it can be seen that your patience is extremely strong! Also, my first question to you just now, you were able to answer so quickly, although not entirely correct, but for someone who has not yet cultivated spiritual energy, it's already quite good!"

  Yang Chen listened to the middle-aged man's praise, smiled slightly, and bowed again respectfully.

  A middle-aged man turned around, gazing out at the sky with a sentimental expression, and said: "I have spent my whole life cultivating the way of the gentleman. I've met countless talented disciples, but not one has possessed all four qualities of honesty, kindness, calmness, and patience. Unexpectedly, today I stumbled upon you, who, although only showing three of these traits, I believe to be a kind person. Unfortunately, your innate talent is too poor; otherwise, I would definitely take you on as my apprentice and impart the gentleman's way that I've come to understand through a lifetime of contemplation."

  Yang Chen listened to the middle-aged man's words, feeling a slight sense of loss in his heart, and then clenched his fist again, secretly thinking that it was another case of lack of talent.

  The middle-aged man turned around and looked at Yang Chen with a faint smile, saying: "You don't have to be disappointed either. As long as you're willing to work hard, although your future achievements may not be high, you can still have a place in the Tian Dao Gate! Maybe one day I'll teach you the Junzi Dao that I've been cultivating!"

  "Thank you for your guidance, elder! I will definitely work hard!"

  Yang Chen knew that the middle-aged man was just comforting him, but he wasn't the kind of person who would easily give up when faced with setbacks. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to become an outer disciple of the Tian Dao Sect with his super strong willpower.

  "However, since we meet today, this is fate. I will share with you some of my insights on the way of the gentleman, hoping it can be helpful to you!" The middle-aged man smiled slightly and said: "A gentleman does not fawn on those in power, nor does he curry favor with those who are influential; he does not flatter those who are wealthy, nor does he shun those who are ugly; he is not afraid of the strong, nor does he bully the weak; he befriends those who do good, and abandons those who do evil; he respects his elders, and protects the young..."