Though the Zhou royal family had been squeezed and encroached upon by various feudal states until it was barely recognizable, today’s chaotic world and constant upheavals had ironically made Luoyi a paradise untouched by turmoil—an oasis of stability albeit stagnant and old-fashioned, orderly yet restrictive.
After slipping into Luoyi with a small group of refugees, Meng Qi quietly parted ways and began inquiring about the location of the Royal Archives.
Dressed in plain, colorless clothes, his face covered in dust and appearing ordinary, he looked like a typical refugee—middle-aged but already showing signs of aging. When asking for directions, he claimed that an official at the Royal Archives was a distant relative, using this pretext to avoid suspicion.
Following the directions given, Meng Qi slowly made his way toward the Zhou royal palace. The Royal Archives were nearby, housing not only books but also various artifacts, more than just a simple “library.”
This physical form was the sole secret Meng Qi had managed to conceal from the Six Gates’ Master—his greatest trump card. Hence, he acted with utmost prudence and maintained a low profile. Instead of rashly expanding his senses to sweep through Luoyang in search of the Archives, he chose to proceed slowly. Any reckless move might provoke local powerhouses, potentially drawing the attention of the Six Gates. Given the Master’s terrifying strength and boundless supernatural abilities, his secret would be laid bare in an instant.
Low profile was essential for future escape!
By midday, Meng Qi finally found the Royal Archives. The building was ancient and solemnly decorated, with two guards stationed at the entrance.
He approached, feigning ignorance, and asked, “Esteemed soldiers, might there be a man named Li Dan here?”
He did not immediately sneak in, choosing instead to inquire first. Li Dan was likely a manifestation of the Supreme Elder Lord—Taishang Laojun, one of the oldest beings among the Three Pure Ones. Meng Qi was uncertain whether this being would be aligned with the Six Gates or with his own mysterious patron, neutral, or even sympathetic.
Based on the copy of the Dao De Jing he had obtained from the Journey to the West world, Meng Qi leaned toward the latter. However, he couldn’t rely solely on intuition. What if this was a ploy by the Master of the Six Gates, who had planted the text for him to find as part of a long-term scheme?
Thus, Meng Qi decided to proceed cautiously, probing for clues before making any assumptions.
Seeing a refugee speak so eloquently, the guards hesitated to act rudely. One of them finally replied, “There’s no one named Li Dan here. Perhaps you’ve mistaken the location?”
No Li Dan? Meng Qi quickly asked, “Could he be using another name? Perhaps Li Er or Lao Dan?”
Before the Investiture of the Gods altered the course of events, “Lao” and “Li” were homophones, while “Dan” and “Er” shared the same meaning. But now, their connotations had diverged. Meng Qi, only familiar with the original name from his own world, had no choice but to inquire further.
“There’s no such person,” another guard replied impatiently.
Meng Qi pretended not to notice and continued, “Then is there anyone here who is well-versed in ancient and modern knowledge, and who understands the essence of morality?”
Perhaps in this altered world, the name had changed, yet the incarnation of the Dao De Tianzun would still expound virtue!
“Are you here to visit family or to cause trouble?” the impatient guard finally snapped.
The first guard shook his head, sensing that this man, though appearing as a refugee, spoke with refinement and might have some background. It was better to answer quickly and send him on his way.
“The Royal Archivist Li Rong is well-versed in ancient and modern knowledge and understands propriety. He is a renowned sage known throughout the land,” the guard recited what many officials had said before. “Other than the Archivist, no one else here can be described that way.”
Understanding propriety rather than morality? This sounded more like Confucius than Li Dan… Meng Qi pondered and became certain that Li Rong was not the incarnation of the Supreme Elder Lord. There was no incarnation of the Dao De Tianzun in the entire Royal Archives!
Had everything changed after the War of the Gods, and had Li Dan not yet appeared?
Or had the Supreme Elder Lord vanished shortly after the War of the Gods and would never appear as Li Dan again?
Recalling Duke Huan of Qi’s words—“There are methods and techniques, but no Dao”—Meng Qi’s heart sank. He leaned toward the latter possibility.
The Supreme Elder Lord had vanished, and thus no one would spread the Dao De Jing during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. Hence, “There are methods and techniques, but no Dao!”
Without further questions, Meng Qi turned and left the entrance of the Royal Archives. Nearby was a quiet alley, rarely visited, occasionally filled with birdsong and insect chirps.
Without finding Li Dan, what should he do next? Meng Qi’s mind raced as he planned his next move.
He focused deeply, sitting cross-legged at the edge of the alley without regard for appearances, ignoring the curious glances of passersby.
What are you looking at? Haven’t you seen a beggar before?
Though grumbling inwardly, Meng Qi soon sorted out his thoughts. This body’s main purpose was concealment—avoiding trouble and exposure. Growth and trials were better left to his main body. This body was meant only for crucial moments, to deceive the Six Gates.
To avoid trouble and exposure, he needed to hide in plain sight!
The imperial court was teeming with powerful figures, conflicts, and confrontations, easily drawing the attention of the Six Gates. Grand concealment was unsuitable for him, while minor concealment was too conspicuous.
Clang!
Three copper coins landed before Meng Qi, lying flat without bouncing or rolling.
Meng Qi suddenly came back to his senses and raised his head. A middle-aged man in loose robes with billowing sleeves rode past on horseback, escorted by four guards. Behind him followed a red horse, mounted by a beautiful young girl whose face radiated youth and whose naturally alluring eyes sparkled with vivacity and charm.
The man had a pale complexion and a beard, with a scholarly air rare in these chaotic times. Seeing Meng Qi looking at him, he slightly nodded and said, “The world is in chaos, and refugees are increasing. Hardship is inevitable. Take these three coins to buy some food.”
Actually, I’m not a beggar… Meng Qi’s lips twitched. He had only been grumbling inwardly, never expecting to be mistaken for a beggar!
Still stunned, he heard the man continue, “Help in emergencies, not in hardship. Once you’ve eaten this meal, find work quickly.”
“You have hands and feet, no physical defects, and you’re not old. In your prime, how can you keep begging for food?”
Meng Qi, preferring to avoid entanglement, simply feigned shame, picked up the coins, and hurriedly left with his face hidden.
“He still knows propriety and shame,” the man murmured behind him. Who could have known Meng Qi’s hearing was so sharp!
The girl’s voice, like a yellow oriole, laughed joyfully, “Father, you said he’s young and in his prime? I think he’s almost fifty!”
“He’s homeless and battered by wind and frost, hungry and weary. No wonder he looks old before his time,” the man sighed.
At this moment, Meng Qi vaguely guessed who the man was—the Royal Archivist Li Rong!
Who else could it be, leaving the Archives and behaving like a great sage?
But this had nothing to do with him. The right path was to find a humble, unremarkable job as soon as possible!
Two months later, Meng Qi carried a bag of goods, appearing to struggle but actually moving easily, and entered the storage room, earning just enough food to survive.
“Ah, at least I live alone. Otherwise, I’d have starved long ago. The people of Luoyi are too stingy and cruel!” Zhou Jian, a fellow laborer, complained beside him.
Meng Qi replied dully, “At least there’s food.”
His main consciousness was currently with his main body, once again setting sail to travel the islands, enjoying nature, and tempering his will. This body could only handle simple conversations and mindless labor.
After two months of working together, Zhou Jian started calling him “the dumb guy.”
“Stupid guy, ah, you wouldn’t get it anyway,” Zhou Jian muttered as if to himself, pulling Meng Qi to sit by the wall. “We’re still young and strong now, able to tough it out. But in ten or twenty years, how much strength will we have left? If we don’t save up some money, we won’t even survive, much less get married and raise kids. And if we get sick along the way—that’d be even worse!”
By coincidence, Meng Qi’s consciousness had just returned to this body. He listened, slightly moved, and replied blankly, “What you said makes sense.”
Zhou Jian smiled proudly, “Hehe, I heard it from someone else. These days, a learned gentleman has come nearby. He treats us kindly, unlike other scholars who look down on us. He often teaches us principles. What I just said was from him.”
“What other principles?” Meng Qi asked, playing the fool.
“He said a man named Mozi has appeared in the East, the greatest sage in history. He cares for the common people, promotes new policies in Qi, advocates mutual love and mutual benefit, doesn’t discriminate against those of low status, helps them find work, and allows everyone to enter martial arts schools to learn various skills. Even if they don’t become masters, they’ll have a trade to support themselves…”
Zhou Jian’s eyes shone with longing, as if Qi had become his spiritual refuge, his dreamlike paradise.
“What does ‘mutual love and mutual benefit’ mean?” Meng Qi asked casually, feeling a sense of pride and joy that his actions had brought a glimmer of hope to the common people of Luoyi, touching him deeply.
“Mutual love and mutual benefit?” Zhou Jian scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly. “It means everyone loves each other.”
You’re kidding me, Meng Qi thought, but he understood that someone like Zhou Jian, a poor laborer, wouldn’t grasp the deeper meaning. Knowing the general idea was enough.
Zhou Jian suddenly looked gloomy, “Unfortunately, Qi is too far from Luoyi…”
In these times, without martial arts skills, long-distance travel was extremely dangerous.
Before Meng Qi could speak, a red horse entered the street, followed by four guards.
Astride the red horse was a strikingly beautiful young girl, her eyes brimming with vivacity and an innate allure. As she glanced around, the laborers averted their gaze, not daring to meet her eyes directly.
Suddenly, she spotted Meng Qi. She paused, as if recalling something, then exclaimed in surprise and smiled brightly, “Do you remember me?”
“I do.” Meng Qi stood up and bowed in thanks, still looking dazed.
The girl was very pleased and waved her horsewhip, “Good. Father said you have hands and feet, shouldn’t beg, and you listened. You chose to work rather than beg.”
“Wang Shu, remember him. Let him into the mansion.”
She made the decision without even asking.
“Into the mansion?” Meng Qi asked dazedly.
“To become a servant in the mansion, so you won’t have to worry about food and clothing,” the girl explained casually, then rode forward to continue selecting others.
Meng Qi didn’t argue. Whether as a laborer or a servant, it made little difference. Why draw attention?
After a while, the girl selected four more laborers and led them back to the mansion. The plaque above the gate indeed read “Li Mansion.”
“Father, guess what happened to me today?” the girl proudly rushed toward the Royal Archivist Li Rong.
Li Rong glanced briefly, already knowing the answer, and pointed at Meng Qi, “Him?”
“Yes! He still has shame and didn’t beg again. He works to support himself,” the girl praised.
Li Rong nodded slightly and looked at Meng Qi, “Heaven’s movement is ever vigorous. A gentleman should constantly strive for self-improvement. Though you may not understand this saying, you’ve done well. Heaven helps those who help themselves. From now on, you’ll be a servant in my household and no longer need to worry about hunger and cold.”
“Unfortunately, you’re already old. It’s too late to cultivate martial arts.”
You couldn’t beat me with ten of you combined… Meng Qi thought with disdain.
Li Rong paused and continued, “Since you’ve entered my household, you’ll take the surname Li from now on. Your face shows signs of hardship and premature aging, so your given name shall be Dan.”
“Li Dan, what a fitting name!” the girl Li Jian clapped happily.
Li Dan? Meng Qi’s pupils constricted, his heart shaken!
I’ve been named Li Dan?
And I still carry the Dao De Jing handwritten by the Supreme Elder Lord!
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