Achieving the Dao from the Hundred Schools of Thought

The most important matters of state are military affairs and sacrifices.

Prince Di, unlike his usual unreliable self, stood on the altar dressed in black robes, his face composed.

Historically, the rituals should have been led by shamans.

But that's not necessary here.

Because... sages really will come!

"play music!"

As soon as the prince finished speaking, the musicians below the altar immediately began to play.

The sounds of bells and drums intertwined to form a desolate melody, and the singing drifted into Zhuang Weiyang's ears, instantly calming his restless mind.

"The Sound of Nine Chapters... It is said that when a master of music plays this piece, scenes of the ancient human race will appear."

Although it is performed by ordinary people, it possesses extraordinary power! One can feel the desolate and chilling atmosphere of ancient times simply by listening to it!

Zhuang Weiyang's face was solemn, and she couldn't help but feel a longing for the ancient sages.

Before long, the music ended, and Prince Di respectfully bowed to the scarecrow, then lit a bundle of mugwort wrapped around a person carrying rice stalks.

"Please, sages and wise men!"

"Buzz—!"

A deafening roar resounded in everyone's hearts, and countless people gathered on the scarecrow!

The straw man stood up, took a step, and transformed into the appearance of an old man!

The old man was dignified, with a kind yet solemn face; he was dressed in the robes of a feudal lord and held a book in his hand.

Two characters were clearly engraved on the letter!

Zhou Guan!

Zhuang Weiyang was shocked, her mind went blank.

How did this little festival at the border of Wu attract this person?!

Zilu, standing some distance away, was nearly speechless with astonishment, muttering to himself:

"The person Master Zilu has longed for his entire life, I, Zilu, have finally met!"

The sage who came was none other than the Duke of Zhou, who spat out his food to welcome guests, and the great sage of Zhou, who won the hearts of the people, and the son of King Wen of Zhou, who established the Zhou rites.

Duke Zhou!

Prince Di on the stage was also stunned.

Prince Di, who had participated in countless sacrificial ceremonies, saw such a sage of such great stature for the first time, and for a moment forgot to continue presiding over the ceremony.

"Junior, it's time to present the gift."

Zhou Gongdan remained calm and gentle, pulling the prince back to his senses.

"Oh... a gift!"

Prince Di then realized what was happening and offered the prepared sacrifices one by one.

The cooked monster meat and steamed rice were served one by one. Zhou Gongdan smiled, smelled them, and then put them aside.

An old, kind face gazed at the prince, waiting for him to offer him fine wine.

The last item is toasting!

The person presiding over the ceremony should offer fine wine to the sages.

Zhuang Weiyang cheered for Prince Di in her heart.

Show me the same intensity you usually use to force-feed me! You're just a mere Yuan Sheng, Prince Di, don't embarrass yourself!

Prince Di feigned composure, scooped out some fine wine from the pot, and poured it into a wine vessel.

However, the hand holding the wine glass trembled uncontrollably!

Luckily it wasn't full, otherwise half of it would have spilled out!

"Was it brewed from last year's 'human-transported rice'? If not, I won't drink it."

Zhou Gongdan seemed oblivious to Prince Di's nervousness and joked with him.

"Yes! Yes, our ancestors!" The prince stammered, his tongue trembling as he offered the wine.

Zhou Gongdan smelled it again before nodding in satisfaction.

"Excellent! It's been many years since I've been out here. I'm overjoyed to see my human nephew today! Let's drink together!"

As he spoke, Zhou Gongdan waved his sleeve, and a cup of fine wine appeared out of thin air in the hands of everyone participating in the sacrifice.

Zhuang Weiyang raised the wine in her hand, and just by smelling it, she felt her heart pound and her blood surge.

"This wine... it's so rich in human energy! And it carries a sense of desolation. Could it be a fine wine from the founding period of the Great Zhou Dynasty?"

Zhou Gongdan ignored his disappointing junior, Prince Di, and turned to look at the public fields, reciting:

"In a bountiful year, there is plenty of millet and rice, and billions of grains are used to make wine."

The ancestors and descendants are reconciled, and hundreds of gifts bring blessings to everyone! "

Zhou Gongdan pointed a finger into the air, and golden light condensed at the fingertip, shooting towards Gongtian.

Not far away, the public fields were bathed in bright sunlight, and the light of human movement materialized, penetrating into the soil.

Under the influence of this fortune, the public fields that had just been sown began to sprout tender shoots little by little!

Having done all this, Zhou Gongdan's figure was no longer solid. Just as he was about to return, he saw the demon meat offering on the table before leaving.

"Wine without meat, wouldn't that be a disappointment?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Gongdan waved his hand again, and the sacrificial meat containing the small bowl transformed into a three-legged bronze cauldron!

The aroma of blood and flesh wafted faintly from the cauldron, invigorating those around it and causing their blood and energy to surge!

"ancestor……"

Prince Di stared blankly at all of this; the scarecrow that Zhou Gongdan had attached to had fallen onto the altar.

The sages have passed away!

"Second Young Master! Snap out of it!"

Seeing that Prince Di remained motionless for a long time, Zhang Zezhong below immediately used magic to send a continuous stream of sound to remind him.

Prince Di then snapped out of his daze and continued to preside over the sacrificial ceremony, looking rather dazed.

……

After the sacrificial ceremony ended, Zhuang Weiyang held the sacrificial meat protectively in her hands, watching Zilu warily.

"Brother Zilu, a gentleman does not take what others cherish! Besides, you already have a share! How could you, as an elder brother, forcibly seize it?"

Zhuang Weiyang has always believed that food tastes better when people are fighting over it!

A sacrificial meat brimming with vitality is not as useful to him as a demon core.

However, if Senior Brother Zilu wants it, then Senior Brother Zilu will have to put in a lot of effort.

Why didn't Senior Brother Zilu warn Zhong Yue when she came over?!

How am I supposed to see anyone these next few days?

Zilu held a wine cup in one hand and rummaged through Zhuang Weiyang's hands for the sacrificial meat with the other.

"Ziyang! That's not it! This item is meant to be presented to the Master."

Throughout his life, Confucius most admired the sage Yuan Sheng! Moreover, Confucius said: "When there is work to be done, the disciples should do the work; when there is food and drink, the elders should be served."

As disciples, we should, of course, offer this sacrificial meat to fulfill our Master's reverence!

Beside her, Zhong Yue gently sipped the wine in her hand, her beautiful eyes slightly curved, like the crescent moon in the sky.

Unfortunately, Zhuang Weiyang didn't see it.

Just as the two were joking around, a convoy slowly approached Zhuili.

Outside the city gate, the convoy stopped. Crown Prince Shi Ying did not get out of the carriage, but Fan Li did.

Fan Li bowed respectfully to the soldiers guarding the city and said:

"Please inform the Second Prince that the Crown Prince of Yue has gone to Ying, accompanied by the beautiful Xi Shi, to pay homage to the King of Gusu!"

The soldiers guarding the city turned sharp with anger the moment they heard that the people were from Yue.

"Halt, you travelers!"

Upon hearing this, the soldier beside him sneered and said:

"Why are you being so cautious? Their king is a slave to my king in Gusu... This is no longer the time for war."

Upon hearing this, the soldiers guarding the city relaxed and turned to leave, leaving behind only the words:

"Just you wait!"

Inside the carriage, the Crown Prince of Yue, Shi Ying, heard these words clearly. His hands clenched unconsciously, and the veins on his hands bulged.

He ordered the coachman to summon Fan Li and angrily shouted:

"Doctor Fan, I am the crown prince of a country, and my status is of utmost importance!"

Why is it that even a mere watchdog doesn't respect me?!

"Doctor Fan, the Crown Prince has been humiliated. As the Prime Minister of Yue, what are your thoughts?"

Faced with Shi Ying's anger, Fan Li respectfully bowed.

"Your Highness, Wu is strong and Yue is weak. My Yue Kingdom has already been defeated, and the King of Yue is still suffering humiliation in Gusu. What about Your Highness?"

Your Highness, the purpose of this trip is twofold: first, to present Xi Shi to the King of Wu; and second, because Your Highness has fallen ill from missing him, you have come to visit him.

"I urge Your Highness to prioritize matters of state!"

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince was furious, but he suppressed his anger and put on a cold laugh:

"Hahaha! Yes, this trip is to present the beautiful concubine."

By the way, Doctor Fan, you must prioritize the affairs of our Yue Kingdom! Haha.

After saying that, Shi Ying angrily climbed into the carriage.

Fan Li's expression remained unchanged, but he was even more determined about his plan.

"National affairs come first..."

Inside the city, Zhuang Weiyang was completely unaware of Fan Li's arrival and continued to laugh and joke with Zilu.

"Brother Zilu, I completely agree with what you said. Please reveal your true nature and summon the Master!"

Upon hearing this, Zilu nodded in agreement, no longer caring about the sacrificial meat, and immediately unleashed his true nature.

"Very well, it's been a long time since I've seen you, Master. I wonder how you've been doing lately?"

Nature—a chivalrous hero of the streets and alleys, a brave and righteous protector!

Within his true nature, the phantom of Confucius, who was preaching at the head of the hall, slowly opened his eyes.