Achieving the Dao from the Hundred Schools of Thought

Confucius looked surprised, his eyes full of inquiry as he looked at Zhuang Weiyang.

"You are in the state of Wu, yet you are aware of the affairs of the state of Lu, which is located in the heartland of the human race?"

"Master, I have my own sources of information!"

Zhuang Weiyang answered calmly.

Confucius shook his head slightly, not delving too deeply into the matter, but sighed:

"Alas! With the loss of proper etiquette, Lu will become just like Qi!"

"Master, what do you mean by that? Is King Ding of Lu in danger? He possesses the destiny of a third-rank king; how could the Three Huan families possibly overthrow him?"

This question lingered in Zhuang Weiyang's mind.

Back in Gusu, Zhuang Weiyang had experienced the terror of a third-tier royal destiny.

Zhuang Weiyang still doesn't want to face that oppressive feeling that made cultivators unable to move again.

"Third-tier royal destiny is indeed very strong, but Wei Yang... do you know the true nature of royal destiny?"

Zhuang Weiyang looked puzzled and bowed.

"Please enlighten me, Master."

Confucius didn't keep us in suspense; instead, he explained in detail:

"Wang Yun, in essence, is a combination of fortune and luck. Where does fortune and luck come from?"

After a moment's thought, Zhuang Weiyang, encouraged by Confucius's gaze, tentatively asked:

"From the human race? That doesn't make sense! I've seen the human race's fortune; how could it possess such power?"

"If one person is missing, what about ten thousand? What about tens of millions of people?"

The essence of the royal fortune is that the human race entrusts a portion of their destiny to the feudal lords, who then use this fortune to govern their countries and eliminate disloyal subjects!

This is the true, formidable nature of the human race's vassal kings!

Zhuang Weiyang nodded slowly, seemingly lost in thought.

Confucius remained silent for a while, waiting for Zhuang Weiyang to finish digesting the information, before continuing:

"If the nation is strong, the king can advance in rank; if the nation is weak, the king's fate will also be sealed..."

Wei Yang, have you ever considered what would happen to the fate of a powerful nation if its ruler neglected state affairs?

Neglecting state affairs is tantamount to cutting off one's own arm, isn't it? What king would be so foolish?

wrong!

Zhuang Weiyang suddenly remembered Xi Shi, whom she had seen during the day.

In this extraordinary world, the ways to enjoy life are endless, and even a beautiful woman can bewitch people.

Zhuang Weiyang pondered for a moment and then voiced her guess.

"If the king neglects state affairs, power will fall into the hands of others, and the dynasty's fortunes will decline..."

Because the king did not respond to the people's expectations; the country was not governed by the king, but by the scholar-officials.

Confucius nodded slowly with approval, confirming Zhuang Weiyang's conjecture.

"That's right! King Lu Ding is exactly like that now!"

The King of Qi presented female musicians to the king, and the King of Lu Ding indulged in pleasure, which led to the tyranny of the Three Huan families!

I submitted memorials to the King of Lu, offering my advice, but was repeatedly rejected! Now…

"The king has forgotten me, even as we partake of the sacrificial meat!"

As Confucius spoke, his gaze gradually drifted away, as if he were lost in memories.

"I founded Confucianism and Taoism, and my strength is already unmatched in the three realms. Even if the three clans were combined, what would I have to fear?"

But if I were to slaughter all three Huan families, that would be disobeying the king's command, breaking the rules of etiquette, and going against my own conscience!

Sigh... What good would killing him do? Would the ruler then personally attend to state affairs? He'd just become another Duke Jing!

That's enough, that's enough...

Confucius muttered to himself, his tone filled with murderous intent, which sent a chill down Zhuang Weiyang's spine.

"Master, what's next...?"

The Master smiled slightly, all the despair in his eyes vanished, and he had completely eradicated the despondency in his heart.

"Next, I will travel the world, spread my teachings to various countries, and set foot in the four borders!"

Having reached the third stage of enlightenment, I can only write books and express my thoughts. However, language and words cannot fully convey what is in my heart.

Only by advancing to the fourth realm, entrusting the true spirit to the human race, can the Confucian way be buried in the bloodline of the human race.

At that time, all human beings will be born knowing etiquette. Then, when they study my scriptures and embark on the path of Confucian cultivation, they will achieve twice the result with half the effort!

At that time…

As he spoke, Confucius showed a look of longing.

"At that time, the established rites can be restored!"

The three realms are called the philosophers, the four realms are called the sages!

The philosophers established their own schools of thought, and the sages dedicated the essence of their learning to the human race!

Cangjie invented characters, and Suiren made fire; both sages completed this step.

Only by planting the seeds of the Four Realms and spreading the Dao among humankind can one refine the Golden Nature and attain the Five Realms!

The Five Realms are the Golden Immortals in Heaven and the Buddhas of the West!

"Congratulations, Master! You have broken through the illusions in your heart! The path to the Four Realms has been opened!"

Zhuang Weiyang offered her congratulations in a loud voice, which made the Master laugh heartily.

"Hahaha, how can our conversation be so unrestrained?"

If others heard this, they would think I left on my own, and wasn't driven away by the Three Huan families!

After their conversation, the Master's dejected expression vanished, and Zhuang Weiyang was relieved, then raised her concerns.

"Master, I have a question... Do you know about the Sea of ​​Blood?"

"A sea of ​​blood?" The Master pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head.

"I only know about it from ancient texts and don't understand it much, so why ask?"

"Master, this is what happened..."

Zhuang Weiyang recounted what she had seen at Tianmu Mountain, and the Master's expression gradually became grave.

"Demons and alien races are all untrustworthy! Ziyang, you must be careful!"

"Zilu will stay by your side for now. If anything unusual happens in the Blood Sea, let Zilu call for me... I can still protect both of you when facing the Three Realms!"

"Thank you, Master!"

Zhuang Weiyang thanked him repeatedly, feeling much relieved.

During the chaotic Spring and Autumn Period, immortals and gods were nowhere to be seen, so the combat power of the Three Realms was definitely a great support.

……

After Confucius finished giving his instructions, he left the dream, and Zhuang Weiyang practiced magic all night again.

When I went out again, it was already broad daylight.

"Let's go check on the Yue people! As a second-level political cultivator, Fan Li might be able to sense their presence!"

Zhuang Weiyang was worried, fearing that this renowned strategist would cause trouble.

"Sigh, Fan Li looks like a lotus root. If he were to slash across with his sword, he would probably see a thousand hidden thoughts!"

"With my current cultivation level at the first realm, I'm simply not confident enough to face this peak second realm cultivator!"

Zhuang Weiyang sighed as she walked along the Minjiang River towards the East China Sea.

Skillfully donning a mountain-sealant spell, they arrived at the newly established village of the Yue people, where a man in white, accompanied by a beautiful woman, was also observing the Yue people.

"Just what I feared most has happened!"

Helpless, Zhuang Weiyang withdrew her magic and appeared beside Fan Li.

"General Zhuang's magic is truly powerful! Even Fan Li couldn't..."

"Come on!"

Zhuang Weiyang waved her hand dismissively and said:

"When I get thirty feet away from you, you should protect Xi Shi on the inside!"

You even praised my skill in concealing my presence? It's more like your keen senses, Doctor Fan!

Fan Li smiled slightly and did not refute. Xi Shi, who was standing to the side, gave a graceful bow and stepped back to give the two enough space to talk.

Zhuang Weiyang didn't ask further why Fan Li and Xi Shi were traveling together, and Fan Li tacitly avoided bringing it up as well. Instead, he looked at the Yue people and sighed:

"These Vietnamese people are so lucky to have met the kind-hearted General Zhuang!"

How did you know it was me?

Fan Li smiled slightly and pointed to Zongchuan in the distance.

Zong Chuan held the Yi Dao Seal and summoned wind blades to help the Yue people cut down trees and cultivate wasteland.

"General Zhuang, this person's magical aura is the same as the magic you just used..."

"Lord Zhuang isn't a military cultivator, is he?"

Zhuang Weiyang nodded, and said in a very straightforward manner:

"Yes, I am a Confucian scholar, my teacher is Confucius!"

After speaking, Zhuang Weiyang clasped her hands in a fist salute and bowed to Fan Li in his astonished gaze.

"Let me introduce myself again. My name is Zhuang Weiyang, courtesy name Ziyang!"