In the world of the Investiture of the Gods, in front of the ancient and solemn archive house in Luoyi,
A mature man with a topknot and beard bowed and said, “I am Kong Zhao from Lu. I have heard that Gongzi Yu of the Luoyi Archives is erudite and well-versed in the rites of Zhou, possessing profound moral understanding. He is a renowned sage, and thus I have come to seek an audience. Please inform him of my presence.”
Each of his movements strictly adhered to the Zhou rites, leaving no room for error. This impressed the two guards, who had rarely encountered such a figure in recent decades, compelling them to treat him with utmost respect.
For many years now, the world had been in chaos, with rites collapsing and music decaying. Nobles and officials often overstepped their bounds, and those who still held themselves to the standards of Zhou rites were exceedingly rare!
Shortly afterward, the soldier who had delivered the message returned, smiling as he invited Kong Zhao inside.
Kong Zhao straightened his posture, his expression becoming solemn as he stepped into the archive house. Following a soldier, he turned into a room filled with oracle bones, bamboo slips, and scrolls. There, a scholar clad in wide robes and sporting a neatly tied black topknot sat behind a desk, smiling in anticipation.
This scholar’s features were striking, subtly exuding nobility. His mature demeanor lacked any trace of frivolity. Yet, Kong Zhao felt a faint, almost imperceptible disappointment. The great sage he had imagined should have possessed even greater charisma and wisdom, a more profound and aged presence.
One must not judge by appearances alone… Kong Zhao silently admonished himself. Upon entering the room, he meticulously performed the Zhou rituals, to which Gongzi Yu responded with perfect propriety.
Seeing this, Kong Zhao felt even more ashamed of his earlier thoughts. After kneeling and sitting respectfully, he began to inquire about the Zhou rites, his attitude now one of reverence.
Gongzi Yu, having prepared for years for this very moment, spoke with effortless ease and confidence. His profound mastery and deep understanding of the Zhou rites left Kong Zhao in awe, silently admiring his friend’s discernment. Truly, Gongzi Yu of the Luoyi Archives was a great sage of the era!
What Kong Zhao could not have known was that Gongzi Yu was inwardly elated and self-satisfied. According to his teacher’s words, the man before him was destined to become a model for all generations, a sage illuminating the eternal darkness. Each of Kong Zhao’s inquiries and praises struck a chord of vanity within him.
To be the teacher of such a model sage—just thinking about it was exhilarating!
At the conclusion of their discussion, Kong Zhao’s expression grew solemn. Rising slowly, he offered a deep bow to Gongzi Yu and spoke with gravity: “The nobility acts without righteousness, overstepping their authority and violating propriety. They wage unjust wars, causing societal decay and the erosion of traditional values. The tragedy of kin turning against kin has become commonplace, with entire villages reduced to graveyards. It is truly heartbreaking.”
“How can we end this chaos and restore rites and music to the world? I humbly beseech you, my lord, to enlighten me!”
Gongzi Yu gently stroked his beard, a symbol of maturity, closed his eyes for a moment of enjoyment, and then slowly replied, “Tomorrow, when the city gates open, wait for me at the ancient pavilion on the roadside.”
With that, he bid Kong Zhao farewell according to the Zhou rites.
Tomorrow, at the ancient pavilion on the roadside when the city gates open? Though puzzled and uncertain, Kong Zhao dared not act rashly and respectfully withdrew.
Why did Gongzi Yu refuse to give a direct answer, delaying their discussion until tomorrow?
Could it be that he truly possessed a method to pacify the chaotic world, much like the Mohist philosophy, which Kong Zhao did not endorse yet could not deny had achieved something?
In the present age, public lectures and private teachings were rare. The former was a hallmark of the Mohists, while the latter was the trend pioneered by Kong Zhao himself. As for martial arts, morality, and strategies, learning them required formal apprenticeship and private instruction.
Could this be a private lesson, like those of the Ghost Valley school?
The next morning, filled with doubts, Kong Zhao stood in the ancient pavilion on the roadside, watching the crimson dawn and brilliant morning glow, patiently waiting.
A cup of tea passed, an incense stick burned down, a quarter of an hour elapsed. Finally, he saw a horse-drawn carriage slowly approaching, driven by Gongzi Yu himself!
A great sage from the archives of Luoyi, a nobleman addressed as Gongzi, personally driving a carriage and acting as a humble coachman?
That was improper!
As the carriage approached, Gongzi Yu jumped down with a smile and said, “A teacher is like a father. Driving for my teacher—where is the impropriety in that?”
He seemed to have discerned Kong Zhao’s thoughts.
Driving for his teacher? Kong Zhao was puzzled once more, his gaze shifting to the closed carriage door. Was Gongzi Yu’s teacher inside?
He had never heard that Gongzi Yu, the great sage, had a teacher…
And a teacher deserving of such wholehearted devotion must possess knowledge and wisdom far surpassing that of Gongzi Yu!
Gongzi Yu smiled and said, “The question you posed yesterday was profound. With my limited knowledge and shallow insight, I dare not attempt an answer. However, my teacher’s erudition is unparalleled, his wisdom profound, and his understanding of moral principles and grasp of current affairs are more than sufficient to guide you. That is why I asked you to wait here.”
Enough to enlighten me… Gongzi Yu, whom I deeply admire, modestly acknowledges his own shortcomings. Such high praise suggests that his teacher must be truly exceptional, perhaps even capable of dispelling my deepest doubts! Thrilled, Kong Zhao expressed his gratitude to Gongzi Yu and, following his guidance, approached the carriage, watching as he opened the door.
Slowly the door opened, revealing the interior. The decor was simple yet ancient and natural. A man of advanced age sat inside, his temples gray, his eyes filled with the weariness of life, bearing a mix of indifference, fatigue, and weariness, yet his gaze was deep and seemed to contain the light of wisdom. Moreover, his entire presence felt strangely empty, as if something peculiar separated him from the world. Had one not seen him with their own eyes, they would never have sensed anyone inside the carriage—a figure perfectly matching Kong Zhao’s image of a great sage.
Before Kong Zhao could speak, the man pointed to the side, signaling him to board the carriage. Somewhat puzzled yet compliant, Kong Zhao climbed aboard and knelt beside him, asking, “Master, how will you instruct me?”
The man with gray temples gazed forward, his eyes profound, “Sitting within the confines of your home, merely imagining rites and music in your heart and claiming to end chaos is like a rootless duckweed, drifting aimlessly, scattered by the slightest breeze. You must travel with me through the warring states, witness the turmoil of the world, and see the suffering of the nobles and commoners alike. Only then can you understand the root of the problem, and only then can you dare to speak of restoring peace and clarity to the world.”
Kong Zhao had long harbored similar vague thoughts, and these words struck a chord. He no longer doubted the man before him, deeply admiring him, and solemnly said, “Master’s words are indeed insightful.”
At this moment, Gongzi Yu closed the carriage door and resumed driving. The interior was dimly lit, with only the sound of wheels rolling outside.
Only then did Kong Zhao realize his earlier informality. Straightening his expression, he prostrated himself on the wooden floor, solemnly saying, “I am Kong Zhao from Lu. May I ask for Master’s esteemed name?”
The man, his gaze deep and weary, looked at him slowly and said, “Li Dan.”
Li Dan!
One day, the great roc shall rise with the wind, soaring thousands of miles into the sky!
…
Murong Yunle paced back and forth in high spirits, admiring the summer scenery of the mountains, occasionally reciting famous poetic lines, while instinctively keeping watch for any approaching beasts or enemies.
Suddenly, she heard a sound from behind. Pouting, she turned around and saw Master Zhen Ding slowly rising, brushing off his tattered gray robes.
“Master, where are you planning to go? Shall I guide you?” Murong Yunle bravely asked.
A faint smile touched Master Meng Qi’s face as he said, “To Licheng.”
Murong Yunle noticed that Master Zhen Ding seemed less gaunt than before, the lifeless look in his eyes having somewhat faded. Yet, the deep fatigue, weariness, and hidden sorrow remained strikingly vivid.
She suddenly became more composed and nodded, saying, “Junior understands. I shall guide the Master.”
This was a city on the northern border of the Zhou dynasty.
“Uh, Master, what brings you there?” Unable to resist her natural curiosity, she finally asked.
Meng Qi looked into the distance and smiled wearily, “Karma and destiny.”
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