Chapter 864: Probing

Boom!

A thunderclap seemed to explode in Gongzi Yu’s heart, and only two words echoed in his mind:

Lidan! Lidan! Lidan!

In an era when philosophers emerged in abundance, in Luoyi of the Zhou territory, meeting someone named Lidan at the historian’s residence—how could Gongzi Yu not think deeply about it!

Could this be the incarnation of the Supreme One?

Was this the very Laozi who authored the Dao De Jing?

The world of Fengshen was nothing like Earth. Taishang Laojun, the Supreme Venerable of the Dao, was a truly formidable being. A few hundred years ago, he was still active in the mortal realm, participating in a great war that nearly destroyed this world. His powers were boundless, his abilities limitless. Crushing Gongzi Yu would be no harder for him than squashing an ant.

Just as Gongzi Yu schemed to impersonate the Supreme One, seize control of the great Dao of this world, and reap its immense rewards, he encountered Lidan directly. It was like Li Gui running into Li Kui, especially when the other party was a mythic figure capable of reshaping heaven and earth. Gongzi Yu’s heart was filled with dread, his fear rising, sweat pouring from his back. His legs involuntarily weakened. If not for his martial prowess, his experiences, and his barely maintained self-control, he might have soiled himself on the spot.

His face turned into a kaleidoscope of expressions, shifting rapidly, too complex to describe. Lirong and Lijiang exchanged glances in alarm and communicated via secret voice transmission:

“Father, what’s wrong with Gongzi Yu?”

“Could he be possessed by an evil spirit? Otherwise, why would he act so strangely?”

Gongzi Yu’s exaggerated reaction and emotions could not escape the notice of Meng Qi, who had recently mastered the Yuanxin Seal. On the surface, Meng Qi remained calm, but inwardly he grew suspicious: “Why is he so frightened upon hearing my name? Lidan, Lidan—could he know who Lidan really is? What he represents?”

“In today’s world of deification, no one should know who ‘Lidan’ is, unless someone can glimpse into the future. But if someone truly could foresee what’s to come, would they act this way? Or perhaps he has obtained some mystical artifact that grants the power of foresight?”

“The reincarnator? In the main world, the Dao De Jing originated from ancient times, surviving countless calamities to reach the present, unrelated to Lidan. If he were a reincarnator, he must come from a world similar to Earth’s Warring States era.”

Meeting a reincarnator was the last thing Meng Qi wanted, but since a possible one had appeared, he couldn’t afford to ignore it. He had to test him.

As Meng Qi observed him closely, Lirong spoke aloud: “Is the young master unwell?”

The voice pierced his ears, and Gongzi Yu shivered violently, as if awakening from a nightmare. He shook his head blankly: “No, nothing’s wrong.”

Instinctively, he glanced at the man named Lidan. The man’s face bore the marks of hardship, but he wasn’t yet old, merely appearing prematurely aged. He didn’t match the legendary image of an elderly figure with white hair and eyebrows, looking instead like an ordinary person.

Could it just be a coincidence? Not the Supreme One’s incarnation?

In such a vast world, surely more than one person bore the name Lidan!

Trying to comfort himself, Gongzi Yu grew doubtful, his emotions gradually calming, leaving only lingering suspicion.

This couldn’t be left to chance. He had to confirm, but how? If he attacked directly and it really was Lidan, he’d be reduced to dust in an instant.

No, he couldn’t test him with hostility. He had to proceed carefully, never provoking the other party. Better safe than sorry!

“But you just now…” As he pondered, Lirong asked anxiously.

Gongzi Yu quickly thought of an excuse and sighed: “Just now, I was thinking about the chaos in the world, the collapse of rituals and morals, and the loss of virtue. I felt powerless and overwhelmed with sorrow, which caused my momentary loss of composure. Please, Master Historian, don’t take offense.”

“Ai, indeed. I often feel the same way,” Lirong empathized, then ordered Meng Qi again to show Gongzi Yu around the archives.

Gongzi Yu followed nervously behind Meng Qi, walking along the stone path of the L family mansion. A gentle breeze blew, and the fragrance of flowers on both sides was intoxicating. Suddenly, an idea struck him.

Servants often changed their names after entering a household. Perhaps “Lidan” wasn’t the man’s real name!

If that were the case, the likelihood of him being the Supreme One’s incarnation would be low. After all, if he were the Supreme One spreading Dao, there would be no need to change names or serve as someone’s servant…

With a flash of inspiration, Gongzi Yu quickened his pace and walked beside Meng Qi, laughing heartily: “Brother Li, please take care of me.”

“As the historian commanded, I dare not slack off,” Meng Qi glanced at him.

Gongzi Yu smiled: “Judging from your appearance, mannerisms, and accent, you don’t seem to be from Luoyi originally?”

“I was once a refugee, fortunate to be taken in by the historian,” Meng Qi answered “honestly.”

Delighted, Gongzi Yu pressed on: “Was the name ‘Lidan’ also changed after entering the mansion?”

“Yes,” Meng Qi replied meaningfully. This guy definitely knew about Lidan!

Haha! Just as I suspected! I’ve always been clever! Gongzi Yu couldn’t hide his grin, his steps becoming lighter as he casually asked: “May I ask, what was Brother Lidan’s name before entering the mansion?”

“He was surnamed Lao, and his given name was Dan,” Meng Qi replied calmly.

“Lao Dan? What a great name… Lao Dan? Lao Dan!” Gongzi Yu’s legs nearly buckled, and he almost fell to the ground, nearly biting his own tongue.

After all that thinking, it turned out to be the Supreme One’s incarnation again!

He steadied himself, his heart in turmoil, filled with shock and doubt. He felt he had been frightened too much today, but still couldn’t believe a mere servant could be the Supreme One. He remained silent as they left the L mansion, walking with Meng Qi toward the archives two alleys away. The distance was short; no need for a carriage.

“Brother Li, as the historian’s personal attendant, you must have read countless books and have vast knowledge,” Gongzi Yu flattered and probed.

Meng Qi replied in a wooden tone: “I’ve read a few.”

“Just a few? He seems even less like the Supreme One now?!” Gongzi Yu’s thoughts shifted, and he began talking about ancient texts like the Three Tombs and Five Classics.

After coming to this world, he had at least lived as the prince of Zhongshan for some time and had read many books. Meng Qi, however, was genuinely unfamiliar with these texts, so he naturally sounded like a half-illiterate. After their conversation, Gongzi Yu felt increasingly confident that this Lidan was likely not Laozi. His mood gradually relaxed.

At that moment, his ears twitched as he heard hoofbeats approaching from afar.

A thought struck him. Gongzi Yu quickened his pace, stepping ahead of Meng Qi. This was a corner where pursuers might easily overlook them. If the rider had weak skills and poor horsemanship, they might crash into the two of them.

This was the perfect chance to test Lidan’s abilities!

Clippity-clop, the hooves drew closer. Lidan seemed not to have heard them yet. Gongzi Yu grew even more relaxed, feeling his suspicions were correct.

“Don’t take the wrong path, young master,” suddenly, he heard Lidan warn, quickening his steps and moving ahead of Gongzi Yu. It seemed like nothing, but it left Gongzi Yu unable to react at all.

Bang!

A tremendous force struck his back, and Gongzi Yu flew forward. He heard the horse’s neigh, saw the stone-paved ground rushing toward him, and with a thud, he fell face-first, bruised and bloodied.

“Master, master, are you alright?” came Lijiang’s voice, filled with guilt and fear.

Gongzi Yu shook his head, wiped his nosebleed, and forced a smile: “I’m fine. Why did you follow me?”

Lidan had dodged, but he hadn’t. This… His suspicions deepened, and his earlier judgment wavered.

Lijiang dismounted: “You’ve traveled through many states, seen much of the world. I admire and respect you greatly. I wanted to hear about your experiences.”

A young girl always dreamed of the outside world and longed to leave home.

Lijiang had a fair face and a voice that was youthful yet slightly enchanting. Hearing her words, Gongzi Yu’s blood surged, momentarily forgetting his “important matter,” and he smiled: “The world is vast and colorful, too much to describe in a short time.”

“Speaking of which, the fall of my country was both a misfortune and a blessing. If not for that, I might have remained a frog at the bottom of a well, never seeing the beauty beyond its rim, never experiencing the freedom of wandering.”

“A frog at the bottom of a well… What a fitting metaphor, master,” Lijiang said with admiration and a hint of empathy.

Gongzi Yu stood up, straightening his back proudly, and said: “That’s the beauty of freedom. Let me share a small poem with you, Miss Jiang: Life is precious, love more so, but for freedom’s sake, both may go.”

As the words left his mouth, he heard a dry heave. Confused, he turned his head and saw “Lidan” trying, but failing, to suppress the urge to vomit.

“Brother Li?” Gongzi Yu snapped back to attention, focusing on the man.

Almost made me throw up… This style is too shocking… Meng Qi inwardly grumbled, now suspecting Gongzi Yu’s identity. He casually said: “Just a bit of a cold.”

An Earth compatriot?

If he were from Earth, then this wasn’t a test by Six Dao or other great beings. It would be too coincidental, meaning he’d already been discovered, no need for further probing.

Is he here to take the bullet for me, or is it just a coincidence?

Lijiang frowned, unsure how to respond to the poem. If she spoke honestly, she’d offend Gongzi Yu and waste his good intentions.

As the girl hesitated, she finally said: “Master, in this chaotic world, let us speak only of governance and states, not of poetry or songs.”

Gongzi Yu clapped his hands and laughed: “Excellent! A true heroine who rivals men.”

After the excitement, he already regretted his choice of poem. He quickly changed the subject.

Meng Qi led the way, Lijiang holding the reins of her chestnut horse, and Gongzi Yu walking beside them. They were about to exit the alley and enter the street leading directly to the archives.

“Fortune-telling! Fortune-telling!” Suddenly, a Taoist priest approached from a nearby street, carrying a wooden box.

Lijiang, curious and excited, asked: “How does it work?”

The Taoist smiled: “You randomly draw two characters from the box, form a word, and I will interpret its meaning to predict fortune or misfortune, reveal the future, and divine romantic fate.”

Gongzi Yu’s mind stirred again. He had a technique for divination. This was the perfect chance to “test” Lidan!

Before Lijiang could speak, he laughed: “Sounds interesting. Miss Jiang, Brother Li, shall we give it a try?”

Lijiang would surely agree, forcing Lidan to accept.

“Alright!” As expected, Lijiang readily agreed, and Gongzi Yu saw Lidan give the tiniest nod.

He laughed heartily: “I also have a method of divination through drawn characters. Why don’t I try first, and then compare my reading with the Taoist’s?”

“Fine, fine,” the Taoist didn’t object.

Gongzi Yu took the wooden box and walked up to Meng Qi: “Brother Li, you go first.”

Meng Qi’s gaze remained calm as he looked at Gongzi Yu, reached into the box, and drew out a character, handing it to him.

Gongzi Yu took it. It was the character for “earth.” His fingers subtly moved as he began calculating its meaning.

Meng Qi drew another character but didn’t hand it to Gongzi Yu, instead revealing it in his palm.

“Qiu… The word formed is…”

Gongzi Yu’s voice abruptly cut off. His fingers froze mid-movement. He looked up at Meng Qi and saw a pair of deep, unfathomable eyes.

The word was “Earthball”—Earth + Ball = Earthball? Earthball meant Earth!

Does he know my deepest secret?

He must be the Supreme One’s incarnation!

Panic surged through him. His legs gave way, and with a thud, Gongzi Yu dropped to his knees.