Chapter 131: The Sage's Wrath, a Million Corpses Fallen, the Confucian Way, Dialoguing Past and Present

The fierce light gradually retracted at this moment.

Confucius truly manifested in the world.

Crossing the river of time and space, he descended anew into this world.

This is an inconceivable thing.

The terrifying holy might, at this moment, swept across the entire Divine Continent World, with nowhere able to withstand it.

Confucius's true appearance also appeared before everyone.

He stood eight chi tall.

Wearing a blue holy robe, he slowly walked toward Gu Jin Nian.

At this moment, everyone in heaven and earth involuntarily paid homage; even an invincible emperor, facing Confucius, had to perform a bow.

Only.

Yet the emperor of the Middle Continent Dynasty remained unmoved.

He descended upon the Kong Family's Main Residence.

Everyone's hearts were filled with extreme excitement and tension.

To be able to see this Confucian Sage with one's own eyes is the dream of countless scholars; to them, it is practically a miracle.

A divine-like miracle.

Especially the Kong family members, each one excited beyond words.

In their view, this was the appearance of their ancestor; how could they not be excited? How could they not be thrilled?

"Kowtow to the holy ancestor."

At this moment, the Kong family members all knelt before Confucius, each weeping bitterly, their eyes filled with excitement.

But.

Confucius merely glanced at them, then his gaze involuntarily turned to Gu Jin Nian.

The sage's gaze carried no sense of fear; instead it was gentle, not profound like the universe, nor filled with unparalleled radiance.

He looked just like an ordinary person.

But people knew it was not that Confucius could not; rather, he had not descended in his sage form, otherwise this heaven and earth would have changed because of him.

"Was it you who summoned me?"

Confucius's voice sounded; he looked toward Gu Jin Nian, his eyes gentle.

"The sage is above."

"Yes."

Facing the sage, Gu Jin Nian did not dare to be arrogant, for this one who founded the Confucian Way is a teacher for all ages; naturally he did not dare show the slightest disrespect.

Having received the answer.

Confucius did not speak, but silently looked at Gu Jin Nian.

In an instant, Confucius's eyes seemed to see everything.

And Gu Jin Nian's Wen Mansion also spontaneously appeared at this moment.

"Nine-Tempered War Chariot, the people's will like the sea."

"It's hard to imagine that at your age you could achieve this; if we were contemporaries, I would not be as good as you."

Confucius spoke, giving praise of unparalleled height.

This praise caused awe throughout the world.

"In the same era, am I not as good as you?"

What praise this is; even the sage says that in the same era, he is not as good as Gu Jin Nian.

Such talent leaves people both shocked and envious.

"The sage overpraises."

"Student, I have summoned Confucius today for two matters."

Gu Jin Nian's heart also inevitably felt some excitement, but he knew clearly what his purpose was in summoning Confucius into the world.

"Please speak frankly."

Confucius spoke, using the word 'please'.

"May I ask the sage, do you know this object?"

Gu Jin Nian took a deep breath, then produced the Exquisite Holy Ruler.

When Gu Jin Nian produced the Exquisite Holy Ruler, the Kong family members' faces all changed; they knew Gu Jin Nian intended to file a complaint.

"This is the Exquisite Holy Ruler."

"I, the sage, know it."

Confucius recognized it at a glance, but he was somewhat curious, asking himself over just to ask this? "Sage above, student dares to ask: may I ask whether this Exquisite Holy Ruler belongs to you, Confucius?"

"Including the Nine Sacred Instruments of Confucianism."

Gu Jin Nian spoke, indeed daring to inquire about this matter.

Upon these words.

Confucius immediately shook his head.

"No."

"The Nine Sacred Instruments of Confucianism are nine holy implements condensed when heaven and earth sensed the birth of the Confucian Way."

"Whenever any system is founded, if heaven and earth sense it, they will condense nine corresponding implements."

"Although I am the first sage, this does not mean the Confucian Way belongs to me; on the contrary, I spent my life merely founding the Confucian Way, but its true essence still requires later generations to continually understand and comprehend."

"These holy implements are also left for later generations; back then, I could only choose three of them."

"Why do you ask like this?"

Confucius spoke calmly.

He answered truthfully, and at the same time solved the riddle.

The Nine Sacred Instruments are objects of heaven and earth; as a sage, the first sage, he could only choose three back then, namely the Spring and Autumn Brush, the Ancient Chronicles, and the Heaven-Inquiring Mirror.

Hearing the sage's question, Gu Jin Nian did not dawdle and answered at once.

"Replying to the sage, it is because someone said that the Nine Sacred Instruments of Confucianism are all the sage's possessions; back then the sage only took three, and the remaining six were left for later generations as an opportunity."

Gu Jin Nian spoke, directly voicing what the Kong family had said.

"Absurd."

At that moment, Confucius spoke directly.

"The Nine Sacred Instruments each possess incomparable power; though I am a sage, I also have selfishness. My greatest worry is that later generations will deify me."

"People are human because of the seven emotions and six desires; even saints merely have fewer of those than ordinary people. It does not mean a sage is inherently selfless; a gentleman must still repay grievances uprightly."

"If one were without grievance or selfishness, one would not be a person but a stone; even Buddhist bodhisattvas have wrathful vajras, let alone us scholars?"

Confucius's answer came from the heart.

Although he is a sage, a sage still carries the character 'person' within.

He possesses humanity.

Facing the Nine Sacred Instruments, a sage also wishes to have them all, but there must be some purpose—perhaps to aid in forging the path of Confucianism and Dao, or to suppress demonic forces.

Not out of greed, then, to demand the instruments.

But if someone says they refuse because they are a sage, selfless, even if you slap them they would not be angry, because they are a sage.

Then Confucius would lose his temper and slap you twice on the spot—doesn't that harm? What is the deadliest knife in the world? It's the one that kills by flattery.

When you are destitute, just having settled your wages, someone says, "You are kind, charitable, brother, lend me some silver."

If you refuse, another immediately says, "Still so charitable," calling you a stingy little bun, extremely miserly.

If you lend, you can't even sustain your own life.

Thus the deadliest knife is flattery that kills: it lifts you up, then uses every method to disgust you.

He received Confucius's answer.

Holy Ruler, Kong Wuya, Kong Xin and the others wore rather unpleased expressions.

Gu Jin Nian asked deliberately, wasn't it to slap them in the face? And he received Confucius's answer.

Gu Jin Nian bowed deeply.

"The sage is wise."

"Student Gu Jin Nian, today humbly petitions the sage to uphold justice for the student."

Gu Jin Nian spoke, bowing thus to Confucius, then expressed his thoughts.

After so much buildup, now it's time to unleash the big move.

"Please speak plainly."

Confucius could also tell what Gu Jin Nian was doing, but he knew clearly that Gu Jin Nian was making him reveal himself, so he would certainly help.

"The sage is above."

"The student, last month, obtained the Exquisite Holy Ruler, and thereafter the Kong family—your descendants—told the student that this Exquisite Holy Ruler is your holy relic."

"They asked the student to return it to the Kong family; the student refused, and the Great Scholar of the Kong family, citing safekeeping, argued that the student holding the item would attract petty men, fearing theft. The student is a Da Xia Dynasty Crown Prince, protected by strong allies, and believes no safekeeping is needed."

"Yet this Great Scholar of the Kong family said he feared the student would misuse the Holy Ruler to recklessly diminish his talent, and to prevent misdeeds, demanded the Holy Ruler be handed over and properly kept by the Kong family, allowing the student to retrieve it only after becoming a Great Scholar and passing the Kong family's trial."

"Today a banquet was set, targeting the student, forcing him to surrender the Holy Ruler. When the student refused, he was cursed by scholars worldwide. The Kong family even activated the remaining three Sacred Instruments to pressure the student, while the student's uncle, an emperor of the Da Xia Dynasty, issued an edict to protect the student from the Kong family, yet the 73rd generation clan head, Holy Ruler, deemed that all matters of Confucianism and Dao must undergo the Kong family's decision."

"Because the Kong family is a sage lineage that governs all Confucian and Dao affairs, they hold all decision rights."

"Even an emperor of a dynasty cannot interfere with Confucian or Dao matters."

"The student is here, and respectfully asks the sage for discernment, to restore the student's innocence."

Gu Jin Nian spoke, recounting all matters back and forth clearly, without embellishment; everything was stated truthfully.

There is no other reason.

The person before him is Confucius; if one still dares to lie or embellish before him, it is undoubtedly courting death.

And as those words were spoken.

The Kong family members' faces changed instantly; this was a complaint made right before them.

"Holy Ancestor above, this Gu Jin Nian is utter nonsense."

At this moment, Kong Xin's voice rang out, explaining to Confucius.

Just.

Confucius glanced over, just a glance, and Kong Xin instantly dared not speak.

He felt some fear, also some dread.

He fell slightly silent.

At this moment, Confucius still did not fully believe Gu Jin Nian's words; he reached out and directly took the Exquisite Holy Ruler.

Then a series of scenes unfolded.

They depicted everything Gu Jin Nian encountered after obtaining the Holy Ruler.

All events appeared in Confucius's mind, not only Gu Jin Nian's; at this moment, streams of conviction surged in.

Confucius needed to know the full background of this matter.

Everyone looked at Confucius—some with dread, some with fear, some panicked, and some hopeful.

About a quarter of an hour later.

Confucius opened his eyes.

But this moment.

Confucius's eyes were filled with anger.

It was a raging anger.

He absorbed the convictions of scholars worldwide, and from this conviction he fully understood the cause and effect of this matter.

Including what these people thought in their hearts, he knew it clearly.

"Nonsense!"

"Nonsense!"

"Truly, this is utter nonsense."

At this moment, Confucius flew into a rage.

No one knew why Confucius suddenly flew into a rage, nor whether his anger was directed at Gu Jin Nian or at the Kong clan.

Crack.

Vast thunder split the heavens, exploded, and made everyone's hearts tremble.

"Kong Xin."

Confucius turned his head, glaring angrily, looking at this descendant of his.

"Sage, sage, ancestor above."

Upon hearing Confucius's angry voice, Kong Xin had already been terrified to the point of trembling all over, his gallbladder about to burst.

"What qualifications do you have to call me your ancestor?"

"I have no descendant like you."

Confucius roared, thunderous rage, and in the next instant he raised his hand, the holy ruler gripped, and he struck Kong Xin's face with it.

"I ask you, when did the Nine Sacred Instruments of Confucianism become mine? Where did you hear this news?"

Confucius posed the question.

He was truly angry.

His anger was unstoppable.

He is a sage; theoretically, no matter how great the matter, he would not be this angry, but now, having absorbed the convictions of scholars across heaven and earth, he has learned the full cause and effect.

More precisely, it is not that learning the cause and effect made him angry, but that he discovered the scholars of this era have completely lost their morality.

Only a few scholars retain the gentlemanly bearing of Confucianism; most scholars consider only how to become officials, how to enjoy blessings, and how to suppress other scholars.

This is where his anger lies.

Moreover, what is even more terrifying is that the source of all this actually comes from his own descendants.

They have even fabricated words he never spoke, in order to enslave scholars worldwide and violate his Confucian principles.

How could this not anger him? This is no small matter; it is to destroy the foundation of the Confucian Dao.

Faced with Confucius's words, Kong Xin trembled violently; the Nine Sacred Instruments of Confucianism indeed have no record of being his possessions—he merely said so because the Kong clan possesses three sacred instruments.

His aim was simply to obtain Gu Jin Nian's sacred instrument.

"Please spare my life, ancestor, please spare my life."

"It was I who imposed this upon myself; please spare my life, ancestor."

At this moment, Kong Xin knelt on the ground, wailing loudly, kowtowing wildly, hoping Confucius would forgive him.

"Imposed upon yourself?"

"Now that it has come to this, will you still not state the reason?"

Confucius spoke, his voice cold.

Upon hearing this, Kong Xin felt as if his heart endured great torment; he wept bitterly, kneeling on the ground and said.

"Returning to ancestor, I was bewitched by greed, coveting Gu Jin Nian's sacred instrument; to seize it, I fabricated lies, seeking a legitimate pretext."

"Please forgive me, ancestor."

Kong Xin spoke the words from his heart; these were not what he wanted to say, but before a sage he dare not utter falsehood.

"You should not ask me to pardon your sin; you ought to apologize to Gu Jin Nian."

Confucius spoke, his voice utterly cold.

And Kong Xin, without any hesitation, directly turned to Gu Jin Nian, kowtowing frantically, begging Gu Jin Nian to spare his life.

Meanwhile, he also felt some joy in his heart, for although Gu Jin Nian hates him, in the presence of a sage he would surely give Confucius face and spare him.

But after Kong Xin kowtowed and apologized.

Confucius's voice sounded again.

"A gentleman speaks plainly; your heart is filthy beyond compare, utterly lacking the bearing of the Confucian Dao."

"Today, I, for the scholars of the world, will cleanse the gate."

In the next moment, Confucius wielded the holy ruler, and rays of light shot toward Kong Xin.

On the spot, Kong Xin's fleshly body burst open, turning into a rain of blood that stained the ground red.

This is the method of a sage.

Decisive to the extreme.

When a sage rages, he truly wishes to lay corpses a million strong.

Gu Jin Nian nearby also did not expect Confucius to be so direct, but at this moment Gu Jin Nian's reverence for Confucius grew even greater.

This is the true sage.

Not favoring his own kin, killing when deserved, punishing when due.

"Kong Wuya."

In the next moment, Confucius's gaze fell upon Kong Wuya.

After seeing Kong Xin's death, the latter panicked completely, but soon he gritted his teeth, looked at Confucius, and said.

"Holy Ancestor."

"Wuya is not wrong; Wuya only wants the Kong clan to flourish, to make the Kong clan strong, for the Kong clan to proliferate to the extreme, for your holy name to spread across the world—all of this is our merit."

"Holy Ancestor, I am not wrong; it's just that the method is somewhat wrong. If revitalizing the Kong clan is also wrong, then I would die unsatisfied."

Kong Wuya, worthy of being a Pre-Half-Saint, at this moment he actually still dares to argue here, sharp-tongued.

Upon hearing this voice, Confucius' eyes showed disappointment, deep disappointment.

"The way of a gentleman cannot be seized by opportunism; you constantly say it's for this sage, but in the end it's merely for your wealth and honor."

"Scholars, benevolent to all under heaven; as a gentleman, helping others is helping oneself; therefore, do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire."

"The holy artifact is a gift from heaven and earth to Gu Jin Nian; you, in order to seize the holy artifact, united scholars worldwide to criticize Gu Jin Nian."

"In your mouth, it becomes merely a small mistake in method."

"You worry that Gu Jin Nian will disrupt the law with the holy ruler."

"Do you find this statement laughable?"

"The holy artifact is a reward from heaven and earth; heaven and earth acknowledge Gu Jin Nian—on what basis do you not acknowledge it? Are you saying your will surpasses heaven and earth?"

Confucius spoke up, rebuking this descendant of his.

Faced with Confucius' rebuke, Kong Wuya, although afraid, still gritted his teeth and said.

"Holy Ancestor, but Gu Jin Nian indeed used the holy ruler to reduce talent—how is this to be explained? Great Scholar Sun Zhengnan merely spoke poorly two sentences, and he had his talent reduced by him; this is not wanton wrongdoing—what is it then?"

It seemed he knew he would surely die, and Kong Wuya's speech became increasingly brazen.

He refused to accept it, deeply unwilling.

"Alas."

Upon these words, Confucius sighed deeply.

Afterward, Confucius closed his eyes and slowly opened his mouth to speak.

"Where is Kong Zheng?"

He called out loudly.

"Descendant of later generations, I pay my respects to the Holy Ancestor."

A figure swiftly appeared; he was extremely excited, trembling with fear, and upon hearing the Holy Ancestor's call, he became overly excited.

To the extent that when he knelt on the ground, he trembled incessantly.

But in the next moment, Confucius wielded the holy ruler and struck at Kong Zheng.

The terrifying holy dao power surged forth, directly entering Kong Zheng's body.

Everyone was astonished.

They did not know what had happened, nor did they understand why Confucius acted thus.

Even Kong Zheng himself did not know why.

But after the light faded, Kong Zheng knelt unharmed on the ground.

"The holy ruler is sentient."

"It does not cut down gentlemen."

"Do you truly think Gu Jin Nian can act wantonly?"

"If one is an upright person with great righteousness in heart, even if this sage takes action, he cannot reduce others' talent."

"The Ancient Chronicles are the same: if a tyrant reigns, harming the people, even if this sage personally writes articles for him, praising merits and faults, it cannot change the facts."

"Kong Wuya, what else do you have to say?"

Confucius spoke up, demonstrating the holy ruler's ability.

At this moment, the world gasped.

Indeed, no one expected the holy ruler to be sentient and not cut down gentlemen.

The main reason the world criticizes Gu Jin Nian is because of the exquisite holy ruler; they fear that Gu Jin Nian, wielding the holy ruler, will act wantonly.

Now Confucius, through actual action, tells the world that as long as one harbors great righteousness, one will not be punished by the holy ruler.

"This"

Kong Wuya fell silent; he did not know what to say.

"Today, I will reduce your talent, suppress you atop Thunder Cliff, subject you to the suffering of lightning strikes, to show the world."

Faced with Kong Wuya's speechlessness, Confucius slowly spoke.

He lightly tapped.

In an instant, Kong Wuya vanished from the spot and arrived at the edge of the North Sea, on a mountain cliff.

This mountain cliff, at intervals, experiences lightning strikes.

Iron chains bind Kong Wuya; at intervals, lightning falls, and the terrifying thunderous power strikes his body.

Because of holy power's support, Kong Wuya will not die quickly; he will endure prolonged suffering until his life's end.

This punishment is extremely terrifying, countless times more fearsome than killing him outright.

Following Kong Wuya's conclusion,

Confucius' gaze then turned to the Holy Ruler.

He knelt on the ground, trembling with fear, not daring to utter a sound at this moment.

"This sage asks you."

"When did the Way of Scholars become the Kong clan's?"

Confucius spoke lightly, his gaze calm, looking at the Holy Ruler.

"Holy Holy, Holy Ancestor above."

The Holy Ruler's voice trembled, and he dared not look directly.

"Who told you that the Kong family represents the Confucian Dao?"

Confucius had a blank expression.

He questioned the Holy Ruler.

The latter dared not speak, but his body kept trembling, and boundless fear grew in his heart.

He was afraid.

Fear that came from the depths of his heart.

"This sage truly regrets it."

"This sage established the Confucian Dao, hoping that people all under heaven would study, follow the righteous path, perform virtuous deeds, and make heaven and earth flourish."

"But I never expected that the greatest enemy would be this sage's descendants."

"You bunch of beasts, invoking this sage's name to spew your own selfish actions, every word you utter is the word of a sage."

"Do you deserve to die?"

Confucius shouted in anger.

Although they are his descendants, separated by over seventy generations, he felt nothing for them; more importantly, these descendants relied on his name.

"Acting recklessly and destroying the Confucian Dao—this is his greatest enemy."

"Please, Holy Ancestor, forgive me!" At this moment, the Holy Ruler could no longer hold back.

He knelt on the ground, desperately begging Confucius.

He knew he was wrong.

He panicked completely.

His previous arrogance and insolence vanished into smoke at this moment.

"Forgiveness?"

"You are destroying the Confucian Dao, you are committing grave injustices—how can I forgive your sins?"

Confucius posed the question, his voice icy to the extreme.

Smack.

The saint's ruler struck down.

In an instant, the Holy Ruler emitted a piercing, agonized scream.

Pain that reached deep into his soul.

This is the true Saint's Punishment.

Smack.

Smack.

Smack.

The saint's ruler kept striking; the Holy Ruler was covered in blood, rolling on the ground, his face twisted in pain, his heart and lungs torn apart.

"Holy Ancestor, spare my life, spare my life!"

"I beg the Holy Ancestor to spare my life!"

At this moment, the Holy Ruler kept rolling on the ground, weeping.

He regretted it, truly regretted it.

He never expected that Gu Jin Nian would actually summon a sage.

This is simply unimaginable.

If they had known that Gu Jin Nian possessed such a trick, the Kong family would never have dared to act this way.

However, Confucius did not stop.

His gaze cold and piercing, he watched this scene.

Until the saint's ruler beat the Holy Ruler to death.

From beginning to end, Confucius felt not the slightest pity.

Because if the Holy Ruler did not die, he could not awe the world, nor could he intimidate the Kong family from within.

Others may not know, but Confucius clearly sees that among the beliefs of scholars under heaven, many heretical and wicked ideas abound.

Selfishness and self-interest.

Can this be considered Confucian Dao?

Is this still Confucian Dao?

Today, he upheld righteousness by sacrificing his kin, merely to sound a warning bell for scholars under heaven.

With the Holy Ruler's death,

Confucius did not let it rest; he stepped forward.

Boom boom boom.

The Three Sacred Instruments instantly appeared in his hand.

Ancient Chronicles, Spring and Autumn Brush, Heaven-Inquiring Mirror.

He held the Spring and Autumn Brush, gave a light wave, and then the sacred instruments rang out, immediately vanishing into heaven and earth.

"Today, I release the Spring and Autumn Brush to return to heaven and earth; whoever under heaven possesses a gentleman's heart may wield the Spring and Autumn Brush."

Confucius spoke.

His single sentence caused the world to boil over.

Spring and Autumn Brush.

This is indeed a sacred instrument.

But unexpectedly, Confucius was so direct, releasing the Spring and Autumn Brush, which is equivalent to gifting it to someone else.

Such grandeur, no one throughout the ages has ever been able to achieve.

Truly worthy of a sage.

But everyone knows that the Kong family truly suffered a loss this time.

They originally intended to seize Gu Jin Nian's holy artifact, but unexpectedly they lost both a lady and troops.

"Holy Ancestor, it cannot be!"

"We beg the Holy Ancestor to forgive our sins; without the holy artifact, the Kong family will be doomed."

"We beg the Holy Ancestor, please keep the holy artifact."

At this moment, the Kong family began to wail, each one kneeling on the ground, pleading with Confucius to retain the holy artifact.

Only Confucius ignored them and took out a second holy artifact.

Ancient Chronicles.

"Jin Nian, little friend."

"This time, the fault lies with the Kong family; seventy‑three generations apart, I, the Holy One, have the will but lack the power."

"But I, the Holy One, can see that you can establish supreme learning and forge a new path for Confucianism and Daoism."

"This Ancient Chronicles shall serve as compensation, gifted to you, little friend; I hope you will set aside past grievances and forgive the Kong family's fault."

Confucius spoke.

Releasing the Spring and Autumn Brush was his punishment for the Kong family, while handing the Ancient Chronicles to Gu Jin Nian was compensation; as a sage, even a heart of stone would not allow his own clan to be destroyed.

So, he used the Ancient Chronicles as an exchange to obtain Gu Jin Nian's forgiveness.

The words left his mouth.

Gu Jin Nian was somewhat startled by the favor.

"The sage's words are weighty."

"The student only needs a clean slate; the sage's deeds fill the student with admiration. This grievance has already dissipated; the sage need not act thus."

Gu Jin Nian spoke.

He summoned Confucius for two reasons.

The first is to restore his own innocence.

Now Confucius, by putting righteousness above kin, has already done his utmost for himself; moreover, Confucius only needs to prove his own innocence.

Then, by punishing the Kong family, Gu Jin Nian feels grateful.

Moreover, Confucius acts this way.

This is a true sage, who does not shelter his own kin.

"Righteousness over kin" sounds easy, yet how many have achieved it across the ages? More importantly, making a sage apologize is an impossible feat.

It's like an emperor committing a mistake; everyone knows, but how many dare to make the emperor admit it? And how many emperors would admit it themselves?

"No."

"All things have cause and effect; the Kong family is unworthy of possessing the Ancient Chronicles. Take it; it will be of greater benefit to your future."

Confucius spoke, insisting on giving the holy artifact to Gu Jin Nian.

Hearing this, Gu Jin Nian stopped being pretentious.

This is a holy artifact.

No one does not want it.

"Thank you, sage."

Gu Jin Nian bowed deeply, then took the Ancient Chronicles.

At this moment, the Kong family members were all bleeding; essentially every Kong family member was shedding blood.

They were filled with remorse.

Especially those who had advocated attacking Gu Jin Nian felt even worse; not only did they not obtain Gu Jin Nian's holy artifact, they caused such a huge incident...

... and they also compensated by losing two holy artifacts.

Facing the final holy artifact.

Confucius fell silent.

The Kong family kept kowtowing on the ground, pleading with the sage for a sliver of hope.

"Never mind."

Confucius left the Heaven-Inquiring Mirror with the Kong family, sighed deeply, and then continued speaking.

"From now on, the holy mirror is sentient; the descendants of the Kong family cannot control the holy artifact—it must awaken on its own."

Confucius kept the Heaven-Inquiring Mirror, but imposed restrictions.

Leaving it preserves the foundation; however, in the future the Kong family will be unable to control the holy artifact unless the artifact itself deems it feasible—otherwise, no one can make it work.

This is the last sliver of hope left for the Kong family.

After the holy artifact is divided.

Confucius cast a glance at the heavens.

And then spoke slowly.

"Today, the Kong family's conduct has shattered rites and music."

"I, the Holy One, will cut half of the Kong family's fortune to serve as a warning."

"The descendants of the Kong family must devote themselves to study, recover the gentleman's way; if they still dare act recklessly, next time I will see to the extinction of the Kong family, and I, the Holy One, will have a clear conscience."

Confucius spoke.

He was still dissatisfied even after dealing with only three people.

He must kill a chicken to warn the monkey, he must sacrifice his own kin for righteousness, warn scholars across the world, and also restore this bright cosmos.

If after the sage they are all profit‑seeking individuals, how will the people of the world regard them?

If even after the sage it is like this, who will still study earnestly? Who will still follow the way of the gentleman? Therefore, this lethal strike against the Kong Family is not merely to quell Gu Jin Nian's anger.

It is not only to restore Gu Jin Nian's innocence.

It is also to set the great way of heaven and earth straight.

To correct the way of the gentleman.

Swish.

The holy ruler fell, and the Kong Family's fortune was instantly cut in half.

Within the Kong Family, one Great Scholar after another fell in realm, and each Kong descendant's talent drained completely.

The Confucian realm they took pride in plunged wildly at this moment.

One of their greatest sources of confidence turned entirely into empty talk.

Confucius is ruthless.

So ruthless that all people fall silent.

After today, everyone knows that the heavens and earth will undergo an earth‑shaking change.

Confucian scholars infiltrate all major forces across the world; be they merchants or imperial power, everyone fears Confucianism.

But now it is different; Confucius's action is enough to suppress the foundation of Confucianism.

However, some see clearly that Confucius is purging the corrupt wind, correcting the way of the gentleman.

The benefit outweighs the harm.

Yet the hardest hit are the Kong family members; they truly suffer, and this time it is not merely a loss of a wife and troops.

This time their vital energy is severely damaged.

One could say that Confucius's strike this time completely reduced their millennia of effort back to nothing.

Yet they still dare not say anything, because the sage himself intervened; what could they say?

It is their ancestors who act, not outsiders.

After the Kong Family's fortune is cut,

everyone assumes Confucius will stop here.

But the next moment,

Confucius turns once more, looking at everyone around.

"The Way of Heaven shines brilliantly, the Confucian is benevolent."

"We scholars should be like Gu Jin Nian, with breezes in both sleeves, reading the books of saints and sages, comprehending the way of heaven and earth, and gathering lofty righteous qi."

"For the people, we seek blessings for all living beings, and strive for the bright cosmos of heaven and earth."

"I am Confucius' Title, today, with the exquisite holy ruler, I reshape the wind of Confucianism."

Confucius spoke.

He is not only targeting the Kong Family; he also targets scholars across the world.

When these words were spoken, countless scholars' faces changed.

One sees Confucius gripping the exquisite holy ruler tightly, drawing a line across the heavens.

In an instant, countless holy rulers materialized, turning into endless light that surged toward the entire Shenzhou Continent.

"Those without a righteous heart, have one dou of talent cut."

Confucius voiced.

Immediately, the holy ruler fell, cutting one dou of talent from the bodies of countless scholars.

The Da Xia Dynasty, the Fuyu Dynasty, the Great Jin Dynasty, even the Zhongzhou Dynasty, across the whole Shenzhou Continent, any scholar with talent suffered this terrifying blow.

Confucius's strike is thus terrifying.

However, some scholars' talent was not cut, but seventy to eighty percent of scholars had their talent reduced, regardless of whether they are Great Scholars.

"Those without benevolence and righteousness, have one dou of talent cut."

Confucius spoke again.

The second beam of holy light swept across.

All scholars across the world had their talent cut once more.

They were panicked and bewildered, their eyes filled with terror and fear, but mostly with anguish.

The talent that was hard‑won was brutally weakened by the sage, and no one could bear it.

"Those without a gentleman's heart, have one dou of talent cut."

The sage spoke again.

Cutting the talent of scholars worldwide.

The exquisite holy ruler in Confucius's hand became an invincible killing instrument, filling these scholars with dread.

"Those without compassion, have one dou of talent cut."

"Those without a kind heart, have one dou of talent cut."

"Those without upright qi, have one dou of talent cut."

Confucius kept speaking.

Each utterance, in many people's eyes, was a verdict.

"Ah!"

A Great Scholar screamed in the Kong Family's main residence; he was brutally cut down to a useless person, with no talent left in his body.

Another Great Scholar wailed, falling back to the nurturing‑qi realm, with only a trace of talent remaining in his body.

This is a thousand‑times‑ten‑thousand times harsher than Gu Jin Nian.

Even Gu Jin Nian didn't expect Confucius to erupt like this; it's unbelievably terrifying.

But for him, it's a good thing—it greatly suppresses those scholars.

It also prevents such incidents from happening again.

He feels exhilarated, his heart immensely joyful; after the shock comes a thorough exhilaration. Such a person should be cut down—if not, Confucianism ceases to be Confucianism, Dao ceases to be Dao, and does the world still have upright qi? It must be so.

In the end.

Confucius cut away nine dou of talent from all under heaven, then he stopped.

But Gu Jin Nian suffered no injury, because his conscience is clear; he possesses benevolence and the virtue of a gentleman.

The world is shocked, staring at it all.

If one says that previously the Kong family was heavily damaged, then now it is not merely a simple heavy blow to the Kong family.

Rather, the entire Confucianism and Daoism have suffered a terrifying strike.

After withdrawing.

Confucius quietly feels all of this.

Then he speaks again.

"Heaven's Mandate reveals itself to the world; a golden age arrives. From today onward, all scholars under heaven may pursue the meaning of the New Sacred Dao."

"May future generations see the Hundred Schools contend, Confucianism and Daoism flourish, and there be no words of a saint in the world; only saints of later ages can usher in the brilliance of Confucianism and Daoism."

"I place the Sacred Seal beneath the Great Dao; from today onward, whoever can establish the supreme New Learning will receive the seal's blessing, augmenting this saint's Heavenly Destiny Luck."

After speaking, Confucius raised his hand; three strands of Heavenly Destiny Luck appeared from different places, and he extracted the scholars' Heavenly Destiny Luck, adding it to the Sacred Seal.

In other words, it is not only his own luck, but also the three strands of Heavenly Destiny Luck.

This is Confucius's method: cut where needed, yet also grant benefits, condensing his saintly merit into a seal that hangs in the firmament, among the stars of Heaven's Mandate.

In the future, whoever can establish the supreme New Learning will obtain his saintly Heavenly Destiny Luck, plus the three strands of Heavenly Destiny Luck.

As long as they gain his approval.

Confucius is encouraging scholars worldwide to found new schools, to have the Hundred Schools contend, not to cling to old conventions.

He seeks to break the millennia‑old Confucian and Daoist shackles of the Kong family, hoping everyone will discard old thinking and forge new ideas.

Truly, he lives up to being called a saint.

Such magnanimity can only inspire respect.

At this point.

Everyone should think it ought to end.

But, at this moment.

Confucius's voice sounds again.

"Today's matter stems from an unjust grievance; the Kong family bears primary responsibility, scholars bear secondary responsibility, yet the people's resentment also arises from misunderstanding."

Confucius speaks.

When these words were spoken, the crowd grew curious, not understanding what Confucius meant.

The crowd understood that today's incident mainly involved Gu Jin Nian being wronged, primarily because of the Kong family and some selfish scholars, but seeing Confucius's stance, it seemed he did not intend to let it be settled that way.

Boom.

At this moment, a gigantic eye appeared in the firmament.

Terrifying beyond measure.

The world feared, their hearts filled with dread.

"Fuyu Dynasty."

Confucius spoke, mentioning the Fuyu Dynasty.

In an instant, the common folk of the Fuyu Dynasty were startled, and the two emperors bowed respectfully toward the saint.

"You who hear the wind as rain, within Gu Jin Nian's Wen Mansion, the people's will flows into the sea; clearly he is avenging the people, yet the Fuyu commoners ignore it, merely because of a couple of harsh words, they lash out indiscriminately."

"You lack conscience; though provoked by others, hateful jealousy is a primordial sin. Today, with the eye of the Dao, aided by the Ancient Chronicles, we judge the crimes of the Fuyu Dynasty."

Confucius speaks.

His words shocked countless people beyond measure.

Confucius first punished several members of the Kong family.

Then he cut the Kong family's luck.

Finally, he also cut the talent of scholars across the world.

It was thought this matter would end here.

But it was unexpected that now he would also cut a nation's luck. What is this for?

Yet no one dared to speak.

Because he is a saint.

Moreover, he is the first saint, having crossed the river of time and space; who dares to clash with the saint?

No one dares to clash with the saint.

"The saint is above."

"We acknowledge our mistake, but the people's resentment ultimately stems from a momentary folly of the common folk; we hope the saint will forgive us."

The Divine Net Emperor spoke, bowing toward the saint, pleading for Confucius to pardon the Fuyu Dynasty.

He was fearful inside and deeply distressed.

If the saint were to strip away the nation's fortune, it would be an unprovoked disaster.

"Hm."

"A moment of confusion?"

"Human hearts are selfish; you all dare to say that the recent insults were not accompanied by jealousy and resentment?"

"It's nothing but that Gu Jin Nian is a foreigner; you all clearly know there are many holes in this matter, yet because of hatred and jealousy you speak ill."

"The ugliness of human nature is not the righteous path."

"Confucius does not tolerate it."

"He questions the common folk of the Fuyu Dynasty, his gaze filled with coldness."

"If we say that these scholars recklessly attack, overturning right and wrong, then these common folk are also among the chief culprits."

"They disregard the truth of the matter, only knowing how to attack others, causing Gu Jin Nian to bear a massive slur."

"This is indeed wrong."

"Moreover, Gu Jin Nian has avenged the common folk before."

"Shouldering the burden."

"Yet receives no support."

"Suffered targeted attacks."

"All because he is not from their own country."

"This is a human flaw."

"When faced with injustice and grievance, they wail endlessly; when encountering a true bearer of burdens, they still attack others' faults."

"That is the real chief culprit."

"If the common folk could at least set aside prejudice and be a bit rational, even if someone spouts nonsense, it would not cause a huge impact."

"Will this Saint's Punishment arise again?"

"At this moment, the common folk of the Fuyu Dynasty each wore a sullen expression, and their hearts were still somewhat apprehensive."

"Immediately thereafter, the Ancient Chronicles appeared in Confucius's hand."

"Four large characters fell."

"Nationwide Hatred"

"The four characters fell."

"At that moment, above the heavens, the Eye of the Dao gathered a beam of divine light, forming a peerless divine sword, slashing toward the Fuyu Dynasty."

"At this instant, the Fuyu Dynasty's national destiny's True Dragon manifested, was cut off its four claws with a single slash, instantly emitting an extremely mournful wail."

"And the entire populace of the Fuyu Dynasty, at this moment, suffered a weakening of their fortune."

"In an instant, the Fuyu Dynasty's ten thousand people wailed in sorrow."

"(End of chapter)"