Achieving the Dao from the Hundred Schools of Thought

As they clinked glasses and exchanged toasts, the atmosphere at the table gradually warmed up.

"Come on, have a drink!"

"Don't act like a little girl, down it in one gulp!"

Just as they were enjoying themselves, an uninvited guest arrived.

Zhao Xiuwen, holding a bowl of wine in his hand and with a warm smile on his face, approached Wang Zidi.

"Second Young Master, I heard your voice from next door, so I came over to offer you a toast."

"When we arrive in Zuili, I hope you will take good care of me, Second Young Master."

Zhuang Weiyang was slightly surprised, but upon reflection, it made perfect sense.

Although Zhao Xiuwen's name contains the character "Wen" (文), he actually practices military strategy.

To cultivate the art of military strategy, one must lead troops into battle.

In the present state of Wu, there are two battlefields where military strategists can hone their skills.

First, Wu King Fuchai was eager to march north and attack Qi, riding the wave of his great victory to test the strength of the long-established hegemon, Qi.

Secondly, on the border between Wu and Yue, there are occasionally disobedient people. Military practitioners who lead troops to suppress them can also help with their cultivation.

Smart people know that the border between Wu and Yue should be chosen.

Why?

Safety!

If one chooses the first path, it's hard to say whether one will attain the second realm of "seeing one's true nature" or die on the battlefield.

The Zhao Xiuwen family was a prominent clan in the state of Wu, and there were also members of the Zhao family in the area of ​​Zuili.

The fact that Zhao Xiuwen came over, once again trying to curry favor with the Second Young Master, suggests that his trip to Zuili is practically a done deal.

While pondering, Zhuang Weiyang calmly picked up her wine bowl, intending to take a sip.

You always need to find something to do to avoid being resented by petty people again.

"Oh dear, Weiyang, why are you drinking alone? Come on! Have a drink with me!"

Prince Dili ignored Zhao Xiuwen, picked up his wine bowl, and was about to clink glasses with Zhuang Weiyang.

Zhuang Weiyang was in a bind. As the wine bowls clinked together, she glanced at Zhao Xiuwen.

Zhao Xiuwen held his wine glass, his smile unchanged, but his cheeks were bulging and his teeth were almost grinding to powder.

Zhang Zezhong offered a way out at the opportune moment.

He gently took Zhuang Weiyang's wine bowl and said:

"Second Young Master, Wei Yang's wine is only half a bowl."

"Look... this young master Zhao is here to offer you a toast."

Wang Zidi glanced at Zhang Zezhong with annoyance, then turned his head and put on a fake smile.

"Hey, Zhao Nannan, I just saw you!"

"You, your nickname sounds like a girl's, and you speak in a soft, high-pitched voice."

"Even after practicing military strategy, there hasn't been much improvement."

Zhao Xiuwen seemed oblivious to Wang Zidi's sarcastic remarks.

"We still need to look up to the Second Young Master for guidance and support."

Prince Di casually picked up his wine bowl, touched it to his lips, and took a sip.

Zhao Xiuwen drank it all in one gulp, bowed respectfully, and left.

Once outside, Zhao Xiuwen's smile vanished, replaced by a gloomy expression that seemed to drip water.

Zhao Xiuwen went straight home and summoned his clansman, Zhao Shoujing, a student at the academy.

"You take the Zhao family token and go to the Sage Palace to guard it all night!"

"If Zhuang Weiyang advances, you will also go in and advance together! Steal his sage aura!"

"I want to see if the Second Young Master will still favor Zhuang Weiyang after he advances in rank and comprehends a useless technique!"

……

The next day, Zhuang Weiyang arrived at the entrance of the Sage Palace early in the morning.

Fortunately, I had already been promoted, and the hangover feeling vanished completely after being exposed to the fire in my heart.

"Luckily, this Heart Fire technique works well; otherwise, I would have to wait another day for my promotion."

The Sage Palace is located at the deepest part of the academy and is guarded by Wu Kingdom practitioners year-round.

Students at the academy need to meet two conditions to be promoted.

Excellent academic performance at the academy and...

Recommendation.

That's right, but good results alone aren't enough; you need a powerful figure to vouch for you.

This system may sound dark at first, but it is actually necessary.

Students without a background or connections to important figures cannot cultivate even if they are promoted.

To cultivate the art of war, one needs to lead troops; to cultivate the art of administration, one needs an official position in the state of Wu.

Without a powerful figure making arrangements, who will make room for you?

Fortunately, Zhuang Weiyang excelled academically from the moment she entered the academy, which allowed her to befriend Prince Di.

After two years, the utilitarian motives between the two faded away, leaving only friendship.

It's normal for brothers to help each other out when a friend is in trouble.

Moreover, Zhuang Weiyang knew without guessing that the Second Young Master had already arranged everything for her, no matter which path she cultivated.

Relationships are that simple.

Outside the Sage Palace, a government official was having a meal.

The food was simple: a bowl of fine rice, a grilled fish, and a small dish of plum sauce.

The gatekeeper carefully picked up a little plum sauce with chopsticks and placed it on the fish.

Zhuang Weiyang coughed lightly at the right moment, and the junior official looked up impatiently.

"Who is it! Can't you see I'm eating?"

Upon seeing that it was Zhuang Weiyang, she immediately smiled.

"Oh, Wei Yang's here! Finally decided to get promoted?"

Xiao Guan was Zhuang Weiyang's classmate in the first year of school.

When I was in school, I followed behind Zhuang Weiyang, calling him "Brother Zhuang" over and over again.

They kept asking me questions.

Six months ago, he successfully completed his cultivation and comprehended the political and magical arts of "Guardian of the Treasury," so his title was changed.

Zhuang Weiyang didn't see anything wrong with it.

Most people in the world are like this.

We're all just passing through.

Zhuang Weiyang bowed with her hands clasped in greeting, and her movements were so precise that even the official in charge of etiquette could not find fault with them.

"Student Zhuang Weiyang has come to celebrate the fire."

"Please, Keeper of the Archives, open the Palace of Sages."

After saying that, Zhuang Weiyang handed over the identity token that Prince Di had given her.

The junior official accepted the identity token with envy.

"Weiyang, you're so lucky! The Second Young Master is taking such good care of you!"

Zhuang Weiyang smiled but did not say anything.

The junior official handed the plaque back and was about to open the palace gate.

"Wait, I want to go into the Sage's Palace too!"

The person arrived before the voice.

Zhuang Weiyang turned to look at the newcomer and thought to herself: Sure enough, it's Zhao Xiuwen's men again!

As Zhuang Weiyang had expected, the person handed the minor official a plaque.

The sign clearly displayed the character "Zhao"!

The junior official took the plaque, his face showing reluctance.

"When this joyful fire is burning, it is best for one person to enter at a time."

"Otherwise, it might affect the transmission of magical techniques."

The influence of the sages of the past is finite.

If the aura of a sage has chosen one person, then it cannot simultaneously choose another person to inherit its legacy.

Zhuang Weiyang pondered for a moment and said:

"Then let Brother Zhao go first!"

The newcomer glanced at Zhuang Weiyang and sneered:

"I want to go in with you!"

The minor official dared not offend the Zhao family and spoke up to dissuade them:

"Young Master Zhao, the fact that you two are both burning with joy may affect the path you are building."

"In more serious cases, it may even lead to failure, rendering all hope of cultivation hopeless!"

Zhao Shoujing scoffed, completely disregarding the minor official's advice.

"I want to take advantage of the fact that this academy is the best."

Upon hearing this answer, Zhuang Weiyang knew she couldn't avoid it any longer and said:

"Very well, then I'll go into the Sage Palace with this 'Brother Zhao'!"

The minor official saw that neither of the two would back down, and both had powerful connections, so he couldn't afford to offend either of them.

"Fine, whatever you want!"

"Guard the treasure! Open!"

The minor official used his magic, and the gates of the Sage Palace opened in response.

Zhuang Weiyang was not afraid at all and stepped into the Sage Palace.

My buddy, we've already vented our anger, what are we afraid of now?

Zhao Shoujing was stunned for a moment, then followed Zhuang Weiyang inside.

As soon as the two entered, the minor official in charge of storing the treasures immediately used magic to close the palace gates.

Despite being closed, the Sage Palace remained completely bright and gloomy.

The palace was illuminated without fire.

Zhuang Weiyang took in the scene before her, a look of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"This is the Palace of Sages, where one can receive the aura of sages."