The Journey of Kong Yiji’s Sainthood

In a world of Confucian cultivation, a Semi-Saint comes in to buy wine... As soon as Kong Yiji entered the tavern, everyone drinking there looked at him and laughed. Some called out, “Kong Yiji, you've attained the Dao by copying books again? Are you about to become a Quasi-Saint?” He didn't answer. Turning to the counter, he said, “Warm me two bowls of wine, and a plate of fasting pills.” Then he laid out nine top-grade spirit stones. They deliberately raised their voices and shouted, “You must have stolen someone else's cultivation again!” Kong Yiji opened his eyes wide. “How can you slander my good name out of nowhere...” “Good name? I saw you copying poems from later generations the other day, and someone beat you black and blue for it.” Kong Yiji's face flushed red, veins bulging on his forehead as he argued, “Copying books! That can't be called stealing... Copying books!... Can you call it stealing when it's a cultivator's business?” Then came a string of incomprehensible words, things like “Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river” and “Never look down on a poor young man,” making everyone burst into laughter. The tavern, inside and out, was filled with a merry atmosphere.