Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 983 - 811: The Secret of the Saint (Important Announcement)

Chapter 983: Chapter 811: The Secret of the Saint (Important Announcement)

PS: Important notice, the update time will change in the future, with one combined Chapter being updated around noon.

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When Yan Jiu and a dozen other Suru were burned to ashes, Li Xuan did not leave immediately. Instead, he ordered his men to collect Suru’s ashes and buy coffins for them.

Even though they had given him trouble at the Wen Temple, Li Xuan had used his Tao-protecting Eyes to see that their Hao Qi was pure, not deceitful. They had merely been misled by those who had fabricated lies at the beginning of the Han Dynasty.

It was a matter of differing stands between them.

Li Xuan later had offerings made to Confucius, Xunzi, and other sages with the three types of ritual sacrifices.

Even though he believed that Confucius’s teachings were mostly outdated in his times.

Undoubtedly, Confucius was one of the sources of the Chinese culture.

While Confucius’s promotion of education was primarily aimed at educating scholars and officials, with his disciples all hailing from nobility and none from the truly impoverished common people,

thousands of years later, countless commoners still benefited from it.

Li Xuan still held great respect for this Great Sage.

And since he had stamped and recognized his efforts, there was even less need to tear off the face of decency, and the necessary rites and respects were essential.

Continuing to quarrel and undermine others would not help him spread his teachings and would only make him appear narrow-minded.

However, after Li Xuan offered incense and left, the front of the Wen Temple remained bustling and crowded. The people who were already there were reluctant to disperse, and even more gathered.

The events of this night would surely shake the entire scholar community of the Jin Dynasty, with far-reaching effects.

At that moment, within the eastern wall of the Forbidden City, Yu Hongchang gazed in the direction of the Grand Temple, her eyes flickering with an unusual glow.

By her side, Helian Fulong remarked with emotion, "After today, Prince Fenyang’s prestige in Confucianism will be equal to that of the Great Sage. He may not be a saint by name, but his authority can match that of a saint."

—From now on, Prince Fenyang’s word within Confucianism will be the law.

In the current world, there was no longer any Confucianist who could contend with him.

In the future, once he kicks the bucket, The Court must posthumously confer sainthood upon him.

"But the key is that Prince Fenyang’s teachings will now be greatly promoted."

Previously, many Confucian scholars and students did like Li Xuan’s teachings.

However, not many were truly willing to study them. On the one hand, these writings were not handed down by a Saint; on the other, the imperial examinations still focused mainly on the four books and five classics and matters of policy, currently only involving a small amount of mathematics and legal studies.

Only those who truly loved to delve deep into learning would put effort into books like "Explore and Rectify Things" and "National Policy".

But today’s scene in front of the Wen Temple will surely turn the situation around.

Yu Hongchang then glanced sideways at another person beside her, "Does the King of Chu still wish to nag in my ear?"

This was the new Dazongzheng, Yu Jichun, the King of Chu.

His expression complex, he looked toward the Wen Temple direction, his gaze both respectful and fearful.

He understood the implications of Yu Hongchang’s words — Prince Fenyang was destined for sainthood, and a saint wouldn’t engage in the act of usurping the country.

So there was no need to keep speculating about Prince Fenyang’s ulterior motives, his excessive power, or the need to guard against him in her presence.

Unable to help himself, King Yu Jichun snorted coldly, "Duke Zhou feared slander by the day, and Wang Mang was humble before his usurpation. Had he died at first, who could then discern the true from the false in his life? Wang Mang was also treated as a saint in the past. Before the final judgement, who can say for sure? Her Highness, the Princess, will regret placing so much trust in Prince Fenyang sooner or later."

Yu Hongchang laughed dismissively. Shaking her head, she hugged the child in her arms tighter, "Does the Dazongzheng expect me not to rely on Prince Fenyang now, rather rely on the royal family members instead?"

She wouldn’t usually voice such explicit thoughts, but the scene at the Wen Temple had so stirred her emotions that she spoke her mind.

Yu Hongchang had indeed been annoyed by the royal family members recently. They detested Li Xuan’s Ancestral Worship Law and feared his might for having eliminated Prince Ning and Prince Xiang. Not daring to provoke him directly, they persistently wept, begged, whispered complaints, and sent impeaching memorials against Li Xuan one after another to her.

But she always knew that before Yu Youlong came of age, the only people he could rely on to secure his throne were herself and his father.

King Yu Jichun’s face turned pale and flushed by turns.

Looking at Yu Youlong, whose face increasingly resembled Li Xuan’s, he felt as uncomfortable as if he’d swallowed a fly.

Eventually, he swept his sleeves and walked down the city wall with an iron-blue face.

For a moment, King Yu Jichun even thought of recklessly revealing the true lineage of Yu Youlong to rally the world’s royal clans against him.

But when he thought of the two hundred thousand men of the Shenji Camp under Li Xuan’s command, the five million long swords distributed in the Weisuo Institute across the land, and the unstoppable victories of Prince Fenyang, his corpulent body trembled slightly. In the end, he lacked the courage to take a fatal stand and break the net.

That evening, someone used an official of the Ministry of Personnel to probe the true intentions of the court officials, but the result was far from ideal.

That official of the Ministry of Personnel probably won’t live for another few days.

After descending from the wall, King Yu Jichun sighed deeply.

He thought to himself that as long as Jingtai Emperor didn’t go too far, and at least he was of the Yu family bloodline — otherwise, he would risk his life to fight against him!

At this time on the city wall, Yu Hongchang instructed a scribe from the Sili Bureau.

"Tomorrow, have the Ministry of Rites draft a ritual ceremony to bring Duke of Zhou’s divine position back to the Wen Temple. Stick to the Han and Tang Dynasties’ regulations where the Duke of Zhou is titled ’Primary Saint,’ seated to the west of Wen Temple, while Confucius is ’First Teacher,’ seated to the east of Wen Temple."

However, the Sili Bureau scribe felt hesitant, "But enshrining Duke of Zhou in the east chamber of the Wenhua Palace was decreed by Emperor Taizong."

Yu Hongchang couldn’t help but frown, looking at the man.

Thinking to herself that this fellow is usually quite clever, why has he become so foolish now? It appears that he is not fit to replace the Sili Bureau’s chief butler, Qian Long.

But then, the Sili Bureau scribe came to his senses, "This servant understands!"

He realized that Yu Hongchang wanted to use Duke Zhou Gongdan to check the Great Sage.

Yu Hongchang smiled faintly, "I find it strange that the three emperors and five sovereigns, the cultural progenitors of our Chinese people, are not enshrined in Wen Temple? And as for the scholarly achievements of Prince Fenyang that earn the praise of all sages and pre-Qin scholars, should his learning be regarded as equivalent to that of the Sage and be included in the civil service exam? You may convey these words of mine outside the palace."

Duke Zhou Gongdan was originally a ’Primary Saint’ of Confucianism; his divine position belonging to Wen Temple follows naturally.

But to also enshrine the three emperors and five sovereigns within the Wen Temple, Yu Hongchang had to be mindful of the Confucianists’ opinions.

It would be best if enough voices arose from below, then Yu Hongchang could take advantage of the situation and go with the flow.

The Sili Bureau scribe then immediately bowed, "This servant will see to it!"

He thought to himself that tomorrow he would start mobilizing his relationships in the Ministry of Rites and the Hanlin Academy to publicize these two matters.

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At this time, Li Xuan was in Prince Fenyang’s mansion, looking at Lv Qiluo with doubts swirling in his mind.

"Qiluo, what is your relationship with Lady Nvwa? Did the Saint Emperors Suiren and Fuxi show up today because of you?"

In this world, there also exists the legend of Nvwa forming humans from clay and mending the sky with stones, revered as a righteous deity who blesses the nation.

Li Xuan knew that Nvwa certainly did not create humans, as the human race has its own origin.

Yet from the legends, it seems this figure must have performed deeds of world salvation and attained the status of a female emperor in ancient times.

Lv Qiluo responded indifferently, "Maybe there is a relationship? Or maybe not."

Li Xuan couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth, then fell into contemplation, "I remember others calling you Suiren Qiluo. Nvwa and Fuxi are the children of Saint Emperor Suiren."

At that moment, his expression flickered as he remembered someone, but when he tried to speak, he found that the voice he uttered vanished into nothingness.

Li Xuan immediately knew that it was Lv Qiluo casting a spell, preventing him from voicing this name.

He smiled slightly, knowing that he must have guessed the truth.

Thus, he stopped pondering over it and curiously asked, "Have the true spirits of Saint Emperor Suiren and Fuxi merged into the First Emperor’s Seal? Can they separate from it?"

Lv Qiluo shook her head slightly, with a sober expression, "That’s impossible. Materializing an avatar like today is already their limit. The three emperors and five sovereigns are all in similar states. If not for this, they couldn’t resist the power of the Sage."

"The Sage?"

Li Xuan’s eyes revealed a hint of mystery, "The one you’re referring to is not the Sage of Confucianism, right? Are you talking about the so-called Hunyuan Wuzhi Sages, Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortals in Taoism? These Sages are at the Divine Heavenly level? Where are they now? Will they intervene in the mortal realm?"

"Most of the present Emperors belong to the realms of Holy Heaven and Divine Heaven. Sages in Taoism are at the peak of Divine Heaven, half a step into Transcendence," Lv Qiluo continued.

"They can intervene in the mortal realm, but as long as the First Emperor’s Seal stands, their interference is limited. Even if the First Emperor’s Seal becomes ineffective, it won’t prevent the Heavenly level and Emperor powers. So, for now, you need not concern yourself with them, Li Xuan. You will understand all these in due time. Don’t ask more for now."

Li Xuan furrowed his brows slightly and continued to inquire, "I’ve always wondered about something. Does the First Emperor’s Seal only cover Middle Earth?"

He had observed the First Emperor’s Seal in the Outer Void and noticed that it extended only to Middle Earth and its surroundings.

When Li Xuan went to Nanyang to recruit the soul of the Three Eunuchs, he discovered that outside the Malacca Strait of Nanyang, he had left the coverage of the First Emperor’s Seal.

"Centered around the ancient Summer Capital Yangzhi."

Lv Qiluo gestured to draw a circle, "Within thirty thousand li around it, all fall under the First Emperor’s Seal. Back then, other regions were either wild and barren lands uninteresting to Emperors and Sages or protected by mighty deities, causing them trepidation. Places like Shendu have always been Brahman God Family’s territory."

Li Xuan raised his eyebrows slightly, Lv Qiluo’s words were generally in line with his speculations.

It was at this moment that a fox fire illusion suddenly appeared before Li Xuan’s eyes.

"I’ve just returned to the mortal realm today and already witnessed such a grand event. Congratulations, Your Majesty, for achieving the status of a Sage."

With that light chuckling sound, the image of Lord Tushan with nine tails appeared before Li Xuan, "You should have told me earlier, otherwise, I could have tried to invoke the true spirit of Dayu to manifest in the world."

She had once nurtured Nu Gua, who was Xia Yu’s consort.

That era marked the peak of the Tushan, the Demon Fox’s prosperity.

Unfortunately, those good times did not last long. As Xia Yu’s spirit merged with the Yuanfeng, the Tushan clan lost its reliance.

Li Xuan, however, was more concerned with the task he entrusted to Lord Tushan, his gaze becoming more intense, "Have you found out the situation in the Outer Void?"

"Your subordinate has accomplished the task without failure!" Lord Tushan smiled and handed over a jade slip to Li Xuan, "Please look, Your Majesty. All information about the Outer Void that your subordinate has gathered is here."

Li Xuan accepted it and connected with the jade slip through his Divine Consciousness. He soon revealed a smile.

Lord Tushan’s capability in this aspect was indeed remarkable. All the information he wanted to know was listed in detail inside the jade slip.