Achieving the Dao from the Hundred Schools of Thought

Ying Zheng rarely revealed his youthful spirit; after looking around and not finding the teacher, he said:

"In the past, when Confucius broke through the second realm, he asked questions of the sages and answered them fluently. The sages invited Confucius to leave behind a wisp of his true spirit so that he could receive the incense offerings of his true spirit forever, but Confucius refused."

Zhuang Weiyang's curiosity was piqued.

One realm transcends two realms, for the fire of the mind illuminates one's true nature.

The doctrines of the Hundred Schools of Thought must be examined by sages. If successful, they can establish their own schools of thought, spread their knowledge among humanity, and gather many disciples; if unsuccessful, they will revert to their existing knowledge, and although their skills may far surpass those of others, they will not be allowed to pass on their doctrines.

"Brother Qin, stop keeping me in suspense. Why doesn't the Master accept it?"

Ying Zheng, mimicking the Master, stroked his non-existent beard and said:

"Since we have already consulted with the sages, why should we enshrine their spirits in ancestral temples? The existence of Confucianism can be recorded in books and passed down orally. If Confucianism endures, then I, Confucius, will also endure!"

"To preserve my true spirit requires the expenditure of our clan's fortune to sustain me! I, Confucius, have yet to contribute to humanity, yet I am to be offered incense offerings; I am terrified! And yet, ten thousand bells are accepted without regard to propriety or righteousness; what good are ten thousand bells to me?"

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Weiyang couldn't help but feel admiration.

To be worshipped forever in this world where gods and immortals dwell means to live forever!

Such a nonchalant refusal could probably only be made by the Master.

Seeing that Zhuang Weiyang remained silent, Ying Zheng did not stop and continued:

The sages then asked Confucius: "The incense has already been used to build the seat, awaiting your spirit to remain. If you do not come, wouldn't that be a waste?"

"The Master was silent for a moment, then asked again: 'Can we burn our seats to gain power? The Yellow River God often manipulates the river, causing the people on both banks to suffer. We need to discuss this matter!' Thus, the fortune of the people was exchanged for power, and the Master gained the power of the Three Realms! He summoned the Great Demon of the Three Realms—the King of Yinhuai—and beheaded him with a single sword stroke on the banks of the Yellow River. He then drew his bow and shot an arrow into the river before departing."

"Although the Yellow River God has not yet appeared, the Yellow River has not flooded for ten years! This is the method of the Master's discourse!"

Zhuang Weiyang laughed and said, "What a fine discussion! A true man should be like this!"

……

The day after the martial arts demonstration, Prince Di reluctantly set off for Zhuli.

Outside Suzhou, the sun spreads its wings at dawn, and the morning light is faint.

Zhang Zezhong comforted Xiaodie, a singer who was crying her eyes out.

With a smile on his face, Prince accepted the cartloads of fine wine offered by the tavern owner.

No one saw Zhuang Weiyang off, and seeing that everyone around her had someone they cared about, she was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

At dawn, the thin fog outside the city completely dissipated. Prince Di, holding the military tally given to him by King Fuchai, rode on his horse and raised his arm to give a shout.

"Soldiers! Follow me!"

Zhuang Weiyang simultaneously unleashed his wind magic, and the soldiers felt their bodies lighten, moving with incredible speed as they marched. The three thousand elite troops surged toward Zuili.

Zuili is thousands of miles away from Suzhou. Without the help of military strategists, it would take ordinary soldiers several months to travel there.

Using magic techniques would be much faster.

Prince Di and his party approached Zhuli in just half a month.

"Weiyang, when we arrive at Zuili, please bear with Zhao Xiuwen for now."

Zhuang Weiyang rode his horse and led the army at the very front. Prince Di caught up with him and spoke.

Zhuang Weiyang found it somewhat amusing.

Since leaving Suzhou, Prince Di has been hesitant to speak, and he always appears stammering when he sees me.

Zhuang Weiyang thought he was unwell because he had never traveled far from home, but it turned out it was because of Zhao Xiuwen.

"Second Young Master, what are you saying? The Zhao family of Zuili has been in business for many years, how could I be so ignorant as to put you in a difficult position?"

The prince's face showed even more guilt. He sighed softly and said:

"Alas, before I left, my elder brother came to me and instructed me to arrange for Zhao Xiuwen to kill demons on the upper reaches of the Minjiang River to improve his cultivation! I was naturally unwilling, but the campaign against Qi was imminent, and the Zhao family possessed the art of war chariots, which my father needed. I couldn't put my father in a difficult position!"

"Weiyang, you are both a military strategist and my nephew. Leading troops to slay demons and enhance your cultivation is the task I should have assigned you... but I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you!"

The Minjiang River flows eastward into the sea and westward into Taihu Lake. The East Sea is guarded by the Wu army and restrained by the Dragon Palace, so demonic disturbances are rare.

Taihu Lake is different!

Lake Tai is ownerless and stretches for thousands of miles, where countless demons and evil spirits dwell! Therefore, it is common for demons and evil spirits to infiltrate the river and invade the Wu Kingdom.

Guarding the Minjiang River and leading elite troops to kill demons sounds dangerous, but it's actually a lucrative position.

Those who can cross the Minjiang River are mostly minor demons, and the Taihu Lake garrison is brave and skilled in battle. With the Second Realm General Zhong Muli guarding the area, it is simply the best place for military strategists to farm monsters!

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Weiyang felt no envy towards Zhao Xiuwen.

His military strategy is a sham! Even if he went there and led troops, his cultivation level wouldn't improve.

One man's meat is another man's poison!

Zhuang Weiyang laughed freely: "Second Young Master, I don't want to go to the Minjiang River yet! I'd rather cultivate diligently here at Zuili!"

Upon hearing this, Prince Di was even more moved. He stepped forward, patted Zhuang Weiyang on the shoulder, and solemnly said:

"Don't worry, Wei Yang, I won't let your cultivation stagnate! Once we reach Zhuli, I'll send you an elite force. You can stay in Zhuli and slay demons!"

"There are many demons within a thousand miles, enough to sustain your cultivation."

Zhuang Weiyang was taken aback, then slowly nodded.

Has this second young master misunderstood something again?

With his worries gone, Prince Di smiled again and returned to the carriage to discuss governance with Zhang Zezhong.

Before parting, he invited Zhuang Weiyang to come along, but Zhuang Weiyang waved her hand and declined.

These two, are they drinking again?

For the past two weeks, Zhuang Weiyang has repeatedly refused their invitations. During the day, she uses the "Wind" and "Momentum" techniques to cover the army and accelerate its advance.

He would then practice magic in his dreams at night.

After half a month, his progress in various magical arts training was gratifying, and his strength increased greatly!

【技能：风（2224/10000）、火（2024/10000）、山（2008/10000）、御（2864/10000）、势（1063/10000）、主政（1/10000）、心（易）、不可提升】

The three arts of the military strategist have all broken through the second stage, and the spells are now used with greater ease.

There's still a distance to go before breaking through to the fourth level.

Only after breaking through to the fourth stage will the true power of the Art of War be revealed!

In the game, breaking through to the fourth job advancement allows you to change the terrain, bringing about a qualitative change whether you are fighting monsters or leading troops into battle.

With the use of mountain magic, the earth shakes and mountains tremble, easily creating favorable terrain; with fire and wind magic, one can easily ignite raging fires that burn cities and create towering hurricanes.

For personal enhancements, it will be a qualitative leap! Mountain magic can be applied to armor, making its defensive power comparable to first-tier treasure armor; fire and wind magic can enhance various weapons and fist techniques, making their power comparable to first-tier swords.

As for the grenade "Skyfall"... Zhuang Weiyang has never used it in real life, so she is even more looking forward to it.

Everything is moving in a positive direction, the only downside is the blue bar.

Since breaking through to the next realm, his only significant improvement in cultivation was when he brought back soldiers from a martial arts demonstration.

"Once we arrive in Zuili, I'll lie low and figure out how to improve my cultivation! Once I've mastered the Dao of Change, what's Zhao Xiuwen? Just a nobody by the roadside!"

"Judging by the time, we'll arrive in Zuili in about half a day."

"Hopefully there will be fewer monsters and demons in Zuili..."

Half a day later, Zhuang Weiyang led his army over a small hill, and a city appeared before them.

The city wall in front of us is far less magnificent and tidy than the city wall of Suzhou.

Although the city wall was several tens of feet high, its colors were mottled and varied—the top stones were grayish-white, clearly indicating that it had only been built recently, while the lower few feet were of different colors.

There was the reddish-brown of fresh blood, the charred black of an explosion, and the grayish-white of repairs.

Zhuang Weiyang stared at the city wall, as if the air itself was filled with the smell of blood.

"The City of a Hundred Battles"