Confucian and Taoist scholar

The Yan family residence.

Yan Jue sat in the study, feeling uneasy, as if something bad was about to happen.

Since he went to the Taiping Domain to witness the establishment of the nation and was greatly shocked by the appearance of the saints, he has been in seclusion since his return, reflecting on himself three times a day.

He now believes that Lu Zheng's path is the right one, and that they have long since deviated from the true Confucian way.

Otherwise, why would the Confucian sages have abandoned them without leaving any room for maneuver?
Just then, a great scholar rushed to the Yan family and found Yan Jue.

"Master Yan, something terrible has happened!"

Before the great Confucian scholar could even catch his breath, he briefly recounted the experiences of other Confucian and Taoist families.

Yan Jue was shocked to hear this. He hadn't expected such a thing to happen. No wonder he had been feeling uneasy lately.

The Confucian scholar, panting heavily, said, "Chancellor Yan, you should have someone on guard. He's probably coming soon. I need to inform the others, so I'll take my leave now!"

Having said that, the great scholar bowed and took his leave, arriving swiftly and departing even faster.

The great scholar was in such a hurry not to notify others, but because he was worried that if he walked too slowly, he would run into Lu Zheng and be unable to escape...

He didn't want to be attacked as well just for delivering a message.

Once they were far away from the Yan family, the great scholar finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Yan Jue stood motionless, her expression incredibly complex.

How could things have gotten to this point? A look of bewilderment flashed in Yan Jue's eyes.

But upon closer reflection, Yan Jue realized that the arrival of this day was not entirely unexpected.

When the Confucian sages passed away, the situation was already heading in the worst possible direction, beyond saving.

In recent years, the major families have been busy protecting their own interests and minimizing the losses caused by the passing of sages, without addressing the root cause of the problem.

Even if some of the Confucian scholars in Qi were clear-headed, it would be difficult to change the situation.

Yan Jue couldn't help but smile, a smile that was extremely bitter.

A saintly aura descended upon the world.

Soon, that oppressive aura vanished in a flash, and another holy might descended.

Yan Jue was shaken and looked up at the ray of light in the sky, at the majestic figure that was gradually taking shape.

Beside that figure stood a young man.

The entire Yan family was immediately shaken, and an invisible force of fortune was drawn away.

Within moments, the entire Yan family sensed the unusual activity.

Yan Jue stepped out of the Yan family compound, facing the illusory figure of the saint, his body trembling slightly.

I never imagined that I would see this ancestor again under such circumstances.

Yan Jue slowly bent his knees and knelt down, bowing his head to the ground.

"Your unworthy descendant Yan Jue pays respects to the Holy Ancestor..."

Even when Yan Jue, who was close to the saint, presided over the sacrificial rites at the temple, he rarely performed such a grand ceremony.

He just knelt there, without asking for forgiveness.

Even the Confucian and Mencian families suffered such destruction, so how could Yan Hui, now that he has appeared here, avoid it?

Today, the Yan family has been expelled by Yan Sheng, so Yan Jue is the biggest sinner, and it's all too late.

Yan Sheng remained expressionless, and with a wave of his hand, an even more powerful pressure enveloped the entire Yan family.

Yan Jue's body trembled as she sensed streams of power being drawn out of her body.

He offered no resistance and silently endured it.

At this moment, the Yan family was in complete chaos.

In no time, the entire Yan family severed all ties with the sages and worthies of the Yan clan.

Yan Jue couldn't help but groan, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, making him look much older in an instant.

He slowly looked up at the sky, wanting to take one last look.

Yan Sheng didn't say a word from beginning to end, and Lu Zheng stood aside, equally silent.

Lu Zheng looked at Yan Jue and simply sighed softly.

Then, Lu Zheng and Yan Sheng disappeared into the air.

Some distance away from Yan Jue, someone in the shadows witnessed everything that happened.

These people hiding in the shadows come from various forces, including some who have reached the Saint Realm and others who are very familiar with Yan Jue.

However, no one stepped forward to do anything; even members of the Qi royal family and experts from the court watched the situation from a distance.

The sage Yan personally manifested himself to cleanse the sect; those who went out to stop him were only asking for trouble.

If it were just Lu Zheng facing the Yan family alone, they might be able to lend a hand.

Unfortunately, they couldn't help with the situation they just witnessed.

The people sent by the imperial court simply watched quietly. After all, Emperor Qi's decree was to find Lu Zheng's whereabouts and make contact if the opportunity arose, but it did not say anything about intervening to stop Lu Zheng's actions...

Putting aside the Confucian sages, given Lu Zheng's character and conduct, they would not want to face this young man and become his enemy in such a setting.

If they really fight, it's hard to say who will come out on top.

In one place, Ao Yuan, a powerful member of the dragon clan, witnessed this scene and couldn't help but marvel.

"This child is indeed astonishingly talented... Some people really do shoot themselves in the foot."

Ao Yuan stroked his chin, thinking to himself that it wasn't just a matter of hitting his foot; he had paralyzed himself and was barely clinging to life.

Ao Yuan was equally astonished by Lu Zheng's extraordinary methods of inviting the saint.

Lu Zheng's method of inviting the emperor was completely different from others.

Lu Zheng did not expend his own strength at all, but instead used the foundation of the sage family to invite the sage of the other family down.

Then it was the Confucian sages who personally stepped in to clean house.

As the vessel carrying the will of the sages, Lu Zheng not only suffered no loss, but also absorbed some of the Confucian and Taoist power and fortune that the sages had taken from the major families.

This can be considered as Lu Zheng receiving the blessings of Confucian sages once again since he established his country in Taiping Domain.

Ao Yuan subtly sensed that Lu Zheng had probably already reached the level of a sage in Confucianism and Taoism.

Of course, Ao Yuan understood that Lu Zheng would not truly embark on the path of Confucianism and Taoism.

But such progress in cultivation is truly terrifying.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to receive the blessings of the saints, nor can everyone bear such blessings.

For example, if Mencius were to pass on his righteous spirit to someone, some unscrupulous people would not only refuse to enjoy such a blessing, but would also avoid it at all costs.

Elsewhere, Tian Jiu's eyes sparkled.

He finally caught a part of the drama; it would be a real shame not to witness something that hadn't happened in thousands of years.

"A sage appeared in the world to cleanse his own family of its lineage... This is a strange tale that has been told for thousands of years. I wonder how future generations will judge it..."

Tian Jiu's expression changed. No matter what, today's events would surely spread widely.

The status of Confucian and Taoist families has completely fallen to the mundane world and fallen into the mire.

Tian Jiu was somewhat relieved that his family had not produced many Confucian or Taoist scholars, and that he had previously followed Lu Zheng's advice to make significant reforms to the family.

Otherwise, he felt he had no way to deal with Lu Zheng.

Tian Jiu's eyes narrowed slightly. He didn't think he'd be surprised by any earth-shattering moves Lu Zheng might make in the future. "This boy is probably unstoppable in the world. Who can truly subdue him..."

Tian Jiu glanced at the other seats, wondering what kind of people were among the audience members.

Tian Jiu had no interest in those powerful figures hidden in the shadows, and instead disappeared to search for Lu Zheng.

Lu Zheng was taken away by Yan Sheng, leaving without a sound or a trace.

Even though Tian Jiu was a martial saint, he couldn't find Lu Zheng's whereabouts.

The other powerful figures who came to watch also quietly slipped away, only sighing at what had happened to the Yan family.

Many Confucian and Taoist families have been destroyed today, and they've become somewhat accustomed to it...

Yan Jue slowly got up, her face full of fatigue and exhaustion.

Hearing the commotion within the Yan family, Yan Jue remained expressionless and somewhat helplessly instructed the clan elders to calm the clan members down. He then left the Yan family, intending to find Lu Zheng.

……

"Gone? All gone? Even the Zhu family sages, whose incense still burns in the world, came out of their statues and smashed their own temple?"

Upon hearing the reports that were relayed back, Emperor Qi felt no longer any emotional turmoil.

Emperor Qi asked, "Didn't anyone try to stop them?"

The powerful figure who came to report the situation wondered who would stop them? The imperial court hadn't sent anyone to stop them.

As for the powerful figures from Confucian and Taoist families or other major clans, who would dare to make a move?

Some powerful families are probably secretly gloating!
Emperor Qi couldn't help but shake his head, thinking to himself how these families had become so vulnerable. He had thought that both sides would fight each other to the death.

Of course, Emperor Qi did not want to see Lu Zheng die in Qi, and only hoped that someone could use this to weaken the other side.

However, it seems that no one has that much courage.

Emperor Qi lamented, "Several great Confucian and Taoist families were destroyed in an instant, yet he has become increasingly powerful because of it. How is this possible?"

"This person, who has been recognized by all the saints, is truly extraordinary. Is he really the chosen one of Heaven and the embodiment of the righteous path in the world?"

The people nearby remained silent, not daring to offer any comment.

Emperor Qi said softly, "Continue to send people to keep a close eye on him and see how far he's going to cause trouble. We can't just take down all the powerful families of Great Qi..."

Emperor Qi thought about it and realized that this might not be such a bad thing.

After a while, someone hurriedly entered the palace.

"Your Majesty! Lu Zheng has arrived at the Jixia Academy!"

Everyone looked surprised upon hearing this.

The Jixia Academy was not far from the capital of Qi, and even if the Emperor of Qi used the nation's most important resources, he could arrive in an instant.

Emperor Qi's eyes flickered as he pondered whether Lu Zheng's final destination was the Jixia Academy or the capital.
"Your Majesty, please send someone to stop him. If he destroys the Jixia Academy, the very foundation of the Great Qi will be jeopardized..."

In truth, the major Confucian and Taoist families are now merely nominal existences, which can be considered as destroying part of the foundation of the State of Qi.

But what's done is done, and there's no way to stop it.

Now that Lu Zheng has come to the emperor's side and gone to the Jixia Academy, if we still sit idly by, how will the other states in the world view Qi?
Emperor Qi's lips moved slightly as he asked, "He made his move?"

The visitor said uncertainly, "No, right? When he arrived, there were no other sages with him..."

Emperor Qi held the imperial seal in his hand, and a thought swept over him in an instant.

Emperor Qi immediately sensed the location of the Jixia Academy but did not notice anything unusual.

……

At this moment, in the Temple of the Sages of Jixia Academy, Lu Zheng sat on the ground, with his back to the sages and worthies and his face to the main gate.

Outside the temple, a group of powerful figures gathered, including high-ranking officials from the Jixia Academy, envoys from the imperial court, and other important figures from various backgrounds.

Everyone stood at the temple gate watching, and no one stepped into the temple grounds.

Even though Lu Zheng was the only one in front of them, no one dared to make a move.

After all, inviting a saint is as easy as drinking water for Lu Zheng. Just because there is no saint's will with him now doesn't mean there won't be later.

Moreover, this place is also the Jixia Academy, a temple dedicated to the Confucian sages.

Although the Confucian and Taoist spirit of this place has been greatly diminished in recent years, there are still things that can be used.

Some powerful figures were still on guard, worried that Lu Zheng might suddenly launch an attack.

They came to watch the show, not to get involved.

Some of the academy's teachers looked at Lu Zheng with shock and anger in their eyes, fearing that Lu Zheng would ask the sage to destroy the Jixia Academy as well.

"Lu Zheng, what exactly do you want to do? Do you want to completely destroy Confucianism and Taoism...?"

Some high-ranking members of the academy questioned the matter with a lack of confidence.

Noticing the unfriendly gazes of some people, Lu Zheng's eyes turned cold.

It seems that some people still haven't realized some of the problems and mistakes.

She still harbored resentment towards him and didn't think she had done anything wrong.

Lu Zheng said calmly, "Outside, you can call me by my name directly, and I won't argue with you. But here, before all the sages and worthies, I follow the ways of the ancient sages and worthies, and can be considered their student. What should you call me?"

Everyone reacted differently upon hearing this.

The high-ranking academy official who was speaking felt a chill run down his spine as he suddenly felt a terrifying pressure enveloping him.

"thump……"

The man knelt heavily on the ground, his Confucian and Taoist aura emanating from him.

People nearby quickly moved away to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

The academy's higher-ups, terrified by the suppression, struggled to retort: ​​"As students of the sages, to turn your back on them is utterly disrespectful! You have no regard for the sages; you are merely using them for your own benefit..."

Knowing he was no match for Lu Zheng, he tried to gain the upper hand verbally.

Lu Zheng remained calm; such words had no effect on him whatsoever.

He calmly replied, "I am here before all the saints, representing them. Even the saints don't mind..."

Lu Zheng then looked at the group of people outside and said leisurely, "It seems that you all stand on the opposite side of the Sages. What is the meaning of this?"

Everyone:...

Some people outside the temple had strange expressions. They were just there to watch the show, not to take sides, so they couldn't just say whatever they wanted!

What does it mean to stand in opposition to the saints? They wouldn't dare wear such a label.

Tian Jiu couldn't help but turn her body slightly to the side, which was a way of making her stance clear.

Some of the stronger individuals reacted quickly and shifted their positions.

Lu Zheng paid no attention to the actions of the people outside and slowly said, "How long has it been since the Confucian sages passed away?"

"I think some people remember it very clearly, but how many people have made any changes because of it over the years?"

"When I first came to Jixia Academy, I was very disappointed. Now that I'm here again, I'm even more disappointed..."

"A family of sages, the Jixia Academy, a legacy passed down through the ages. I don't know what you've inherited? You've utterly disgraced the sages and worthies of the past!"

"Don't you yourselves know who truly destroyed Confucianism and Taoism?"

Lu Zheng looked up at the sky and sighed softly, "All matters of the world are reduced to selfish schemes and self-serving calculations." (End of Chapter)