Chapter 132: To establish the heart for Heaven and Earth

The wailing of myriad people rose up.

Confucius made a move, not only cutting off part of the Fuyu Dynasty's national fortune, but also cutting off the Fuyu commoners' vital energy.

This move was too ruthless.

The people were shocked, each speechless, their eyes full of astonishment.

Under heaven, no one dared to contend with the commoners; in their view, even a sage would not defy the commoners.

But unexpectedly, Confucius actually trimmed the commoners' vital energy.

Only a sage in this world would dare to do such a thing.

"Stripping your vital energy, if you repent, within fifty years I will return your vital energy; if within fifty years you repeat such deeds, all vital energy will be fed back to heaven and earth."

Confucius spoke, which was a harsh lesson for the Fuyu commoners.

This is a warning bell rung for the world, to discern right from wrong, not simply to follow what others say.

If that is the case, being used by others and harmed, then finally saying "I don't even know, just joining the crowd in cursing"—would that resolve it? Confucius's approach will offend the commoners, but if he did not do this, who would dare to seek justice for the people in the future? Those who carry firewood for the multitude must not be left to freeze in the wind and snow.

The next moment, Confucius turned his focus to the Great Jin Dynasty.

He wasted no words, striking again.

The Great Jin Dynasty's national fortune was far stronger than that of the Fuyu Dynasty, yet before Confucius it still amounted to nothing.

The Eye of Heaven burst forth a divine light, like a divine blade, directly cleaving the true dragon of the Great Jin Dynasty's national fortune.

However, the Fuyu Dynasty's four claws were severed, and the true dragon of the Great Jin Dynasty bore a fearsome scar, though not to its foundation; the punishment was the same, but because the Great Jin Dynasty's national fortune was very strong.

Therefore only a certain amount of harm could be inflicted.

Likewise, the commoners, like those of the Fuyu Dynasty, had their vital energy plundered and hung within the Heaven's Mandate star; within fifty years, if they reoffend, their vital energy vanishes; if they do not offend for fifty years, it will also be returned to them.

With the national fortune damaged, the emperor of the Great Jin Dynasty remained silent, unable to speak and unwilling to speak; before the sage, if he dared to speak, his fate would be worse.

As the Great Jin Dynasty was trimmed.

Confucius held the ruler and trimmed the other states as well, though relatively speaking, their losses were not great.

But in the end, Confucius turned his gaze to the Da Xia Dynasty.

He did not hesitate, with a ruler he cut, the Eye of Heaven again condensed a divine blade, severing part of the Da Xia Dynasty's national fortune, though it was far better than that of the Fuyu and Great Jin Dynasties.

At least within the Da Xia Dynasty, most still supported Gu Jin Nian, while only about half opposed him.

Speaking objectively, the Da Xia Dynasty also has bad people; we cannot refrain from cutting its national fortune just because Gu Jin Nian belongs to the Da Xia Dynasty.

What deserves punishment must be punished.

As for the commoners' vital energy, the amount plundered was relatively small, all gathered upon the Heaven's Mandate star.

It remains a fifty-year limit.

Gu Jin Nian beheld all this, his heart utterly free of resentment.

After this experience, who would dare again to humiliate oneself in this way? To speak frankly, Confucius truly lives up to being a sage; I had thought he would merely punish the Kong clan and the scholars, but I never imagined he would punish the entire world's myriad beings.

Yet what Confucius said was not wrong.

These commoners are also at fault; their fault lies in not distinguishing good from evil, taking others' words as truth, and because they are not of that nation, they maliciously attack, clearly knowing they are merely repeating hearsay yet speaking as if they had witnessed it themselves.

As for some commoners of the Da Xia Dynasty, they are even more hateful; they seek redress for the commoners, yet these people end up stabbing oneself in the back—fortunately, such people are few, not many.

Those who support me are still the majority; this lets Gu Jin Nian not feel too chilled-hearted.

"Little friend Jin Nian."

"What I, the Sage, have done today is for the proper Way of Heaven and Earth, not merely to vent your anger; you must understand."

"I hope, little friend Jin Nian, you can let go of this grudge, and must not let others' vicious words ruin your Confucian heart."

Confucius spoke, looking at Gu Jin Nian, saying thus.

Having dealt with these people, Confucius gazed at Gu Jin Nian; his actions were entirely for the Confucian Way, not to vent Gu Jin Nian's anger, but to uphold the flourishing of Confucianism.

Naturally he also hoped Gu Jin Nian could quell his anger, settle his mind, and proceed steadfastly along the Confucian path, bearing burdens forward.

"The Sage is above."

"The student has understood."

Gu Jin Nian performed a great salute, bowing respectfully to Confucius.

Hearing Gu Jin Nian's voice like that, Confucius nodded, then immediately spoke.

"Little friend Jin Nian, the first matter, I, the Sage, have already settled; the second matter, what is it?"

Confucius inquired.

Gu Jin Nian had said there were two matters; now the first is settled, and now it is the second matter.

"Replying to the Sage."

"The second matter is the student's request for instruction."

"The student has not yet entered the realm of Establishing Speech."

"Because I do not know what is the sage's intent, nor do I understand what is the intent of Heaven and Earth."

"Therefore, I wish to ask the Sage for guidance."

This is the second matter; Gu Jin Nian wishes to ask Confucius what is meant by "knowing the sage and Establishing Speech".

Upon hearing this, Confucius smiled slightly.

Then he slowly opened his mouth.

"Do you know what the true full name of the third realm of Confucianism is?"

Confucius spoke, looking toward Gu Jin Nian, saying thus.

"The true full name?" Gu Jin Nian was somewhat curious, even a bit puzzled.

"Knowing the heart and Establishing Speech."

Confucius spoke, giving the answer.

There is no such thing as the sage's establishing speech; only establishing speech from the heart. Knowing one's own heart's intention allows one to establish one's own words.

No matter how much the sage possesses, it is ultimately not yours; the sage merely opens a path for the world, but you must walk that path yourself.

Do you understand?

Confucius spoke, revealing the true meaning of the sage's establishing speech.

It is not the sage's establishing speech.

Rather, it is establishing speech from the heart.

Knowing one's own inner heart, understanding one's own thoughts.

At this moment, Gu Jin Nian seemed to suddenly comprehend; all his previous thoughts were now fully understood.

"Young Friend Jin Nian."

"I will finally bestow upon you an opportunity."

Confucius opened his mouth, he extended his hand and tapped the Saint's Punishment upon the firmament.

Soon, the Saint's Punishment turned into clusters of auspicious clouds, bathed in boundless golden holy light, falling upon Gu Jin Nian.

Bathed in golden light.

Gu Jin Nian also instantly entered a state of enlightenment.

This is following one's true heart.

Everyone envied him, the sage guiding his path; how many people throughout ancient and modern times have received such favor? The Kong family members envied him to death, especially Kong Yu, tears welling up, even as the Holy Grandson of the Kong Family, he had never received such grace from the sage.

He envied him.

Boundless envy.

But just then, the originally brilliant holy light scene suddenly changed.

Only saw.

Black resentment seeped out from within Gu Jin Nian's body, these resentments thick as smoke, directly dyeing the golden light black.

Originally the golden light was pure and holy, an auspicious omen, but now it resembled demonic possession, making people feel extraordinarily strange.

"Sage, what is this?"

Su Wenjing spoke, he looked toward Confucius, his eyes full of curiosity.

He did not understand what had happened, why such a thing had arisen within Gu Jin Nian's body.

"This is the suffering of all beings."

Confucius immediately sensed what was within Gu Jin Nian's body, his eyes also showing a hint of surprise.

"The suffering of all beings?"

Su Wenjing furrowed his brows, still not understanding.

Not only him, but all under heaven did not understand what this meant.

"So that's how it is."

Confucius did not answer Su Wenjing's question, but instead gazed at Gu Jin Nian as strands of resentment flowed into his body, he was contemplating what had happened.

After a moment, he suddenly understood.

He spoke, as if he had learned something extraordinary.

Then he involuntarily began to speak slowly.

"Young Friend Jin Nian, in seeking redress for the people and pacifying the resentment of all beings, the Da Xia Dynasty's Jiangning Prefecture flood has too many vengeful spirits, all of which have entered your body."

"Jiangling Prefecture moreover has some terrifying vengeful spirits, those who died an unjust death, a sight too horrible to behold."

"Even if Young Friend Jin Nian seeks redress for them, these vengeful spirits remain unwilling; this obsession would originally turn into heavenly and earthly evil qi, breeding demons, affecting the nation's fortune and moreover the local people."

"However, Young Friend Jin Nian, by unknown means, forcibly took these vengeful spirits into his body."

"In other words, Young Friend Jin Nian alone bears the resentment of myriad people, thus giving rise to the suffering of all beings; he has endured endless torment, and now the suffering of all beings erupts, he must personally experience the people's pain."

"Using the Vast Righteous Qi to digest these vengeful spirits' obsessions, if successful it will be a great merit; if failed, Young Friend Jin Nian will become a cripple."

Confucius spoke.

He revealed the hidden truth therein.

Upon these words, at this moment everyone was stunned.

All the major dynasties, all the people under heaven, each one was dumbfounded.

They never imagined that Gu Jin Nian would bear such great suffering, one person silently enduring all of this.

"So that's why; no wonder after the Jiangning Prefecture flood there were no vengeful spirits left—logically, with so many casualties, many vengeful spirits should have arisen, and Jiangning Prefecture should have seen various strange phenomena, yet nothing occurred."

"It turns out that Jin Nian bore this suffering for the world."

Yan Gong spoke, voicing his inner doubt.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, as a model of the Confucian Way, such breadth of mind makes this old man feel ashamed."

"Thinking back and forth, a person with such magnanimity, yet today you lot humiliate him; you should feel even more ashamed."

Scholar Meng also spoke up, even rebuking some of the scholars present.

"If one didn't know, it would be fine; but once knowing, how could he not be angry? Gu Jin Nian endures the suffering of all beings yet remains silent, while these people have done nothing for the populace, yet dare to criticize him."

"Are these people even human? Do they even deserve to be called scholars? 'Scholars? Pah, not even as good as dogs.'"

General Wang also could not help but curse.

Faced with the scolding of several people, all the scholars in the Kong Family's Main Residence lowered their heads in shame, especially those who had criticized Gu Jin Nian, each bowing their heads, unable to bear the shame.

As for the common folk, upon hearing Confucius's words, they could not help but tear up.

Da Xia Imperial Palace.

Emperor Yongsheng stared blankly at all this, his eye sockets reddened; he never imagined that his own nephew, for the Da Xia Dynasty, had given so much.

At this moment, he felt guilt toward Gu Jin Nian.

From now on, within the borders of Da Xia, whoever dares to cause trouble for Jin Nian again, I will definitely skin him alive.

The Yongsheng Emperor took a deep breath.

He was truly moved; Gu Jin Nian, acting for the country and the people, made such a great sacrifice, winning the respect of this emperor, and also winning his admiration.

He felt fortunate, fortunate that the Li family had produced such an outstanding descendant.

The borders of Da Xia.

Grandfather Gu also kept watching all of this.

Until now.

Grandfather Gu let out a long breath.

"Child, you have suffered."

Grandfather Gu was iron-willed and steadfast; he did not shed tears, but his nose felt sore, and the soldiers beside him, each one, their eyes filled with admiration.

Dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes; in their view, Gu Jin Nian was not an ordinary scholar, but an iron-willed scholar, a true man.

However.

This terrifying light fell down.

At this moment.

Gu Jin Nian's consciousness also sank completely.

He must endure the suffering of all beings in order to seek the truth.

If he can quell such suffering, he will also gain boundless benefits.

The vast heavens, the great night.

Afflicted by the suffering of all beings, the whole world became dim beyond compare at this moment.

The suffering of all beings, resentment like a sea, gathered above the firmament.

Wails.

Sounds of despair.

Anguished cries.

Roars of anger.

Voices of unwillingness rose and fell, these sounds intertwined, causing inexplicable fear.

Upon hearing weeping, people instinctively reject it.

If there is a heap of weeping, it makes people inexplicably want to cry.

However, these are not merely weeping; they are the weeping of extreme despair, the sound of inner cries.

It is despair.

Profound despair.

As long as one is a normal person, upon hearing this sound again, their mood becomes extremely agonizing, to the point they dare not listen.

Such terrifying sounds, gathered together, cause panic to arise in people's hearts.

Confucius made a move, suppressing this sound; if it continued to spread, many would be left with an indelible shadow.

As Confucius acted, the common people felt much better, yet at this moment they also fully understood how much Gu Jin Nian bore.

At this time, many showed ashamed expressions, especially some commoners, who felt deep resentment, resenting themselves for not knowing right from wrong, having wronged Gu Jin Nian and oppressed him.

But in fact.

These sufferings were all suppressed by the ancient tree; in fact, Gu Jin Nian himself was not clear about it.

If not for the ancient tree's suppression, such terrifying power of all beings would be enough to make his spirit collapse.

But now.

Gu Jin Nian must now undergo this ordeal.

The next moment, Confucius sacrificed the Heaven-Inquiring Mirror, shining upon the resentment.

Soon, an image appeared.

Appearing before the eyes of all beings.

In the image,

The firmament was dark.

As if it were Eternal Night.

Just like outside, it gave people an immense sense of oppression.

And in that image, a figure lay on the ground—that was Gu Jin Nian's silhouette.

Confucius, with sage's power, let the world see what Gu Jin Nian was undergoing.

"His will has sunk, suppressed by resentful spirits; at this moment, he acts purely on instinct."

"If he can survive this calamity, he will surely bear the destiny of a sage."

Confucius spoke, revealing what Gu Jin Nian was experiencing.

People were astonished, shocked by Confucius's words—"If he can survive this calamity, he will surely bear the destiny of a sage"? Yet they gathered their senses, each turning their gaze toward the image.

Darkness.

Darkness.

Darkness.

Boundless darkness.

The Great Night hung above the firmament, devoid of stars, without a glimmer of light.

Such darkness.

Makes people feel heavy-hearted.

It also made people feel an unparalleled pressure.

Gu Jin Nian opened his eyes.

In his eyes.

It seemed like a vast red expanse.

He felt an indescribable exhaustion.

The howling wind blew past his ears.

The boundless heavens and earth.

It seemed as if only he remained.

Gu Jin Nian's consciousness sank; he did not know what had happened, and he had also forgotten many things.

Everything before was right before his eyes, yet it seemed to have completely vanished.

Like a walking corpse.

He walked step by step forward.

He had no purpose.

He did not know how long he had walked.

He only knew he was extremely tired.

An indescribable sense of oppression welled up inside him.

But just then.

A burst of infant crying sounded.

This caused Gu Jin Nian to gradually regain his senses.

He looked over and, amidst the weeds, saw an infant abandoned in the grass.

Gu Jin Nian instinctively walked over and picked up the infant.

The infant's cries grew louder.

He wanted to comfort it, but could not utter a word.

He kept gently patting the infant's back, hoping to calm it.

He knew the infant was crying from hunger.

Gu Jin Nian did not know who could be so cruel as to abandon their own child here.

Holding the infant,

Gu Jin Nian stepped forward step by step.

He wanted to find food for the child.

But all around the wilderness, he could find no food at all.

He could only press on, seeking food.

One step.

Ten steps.

A hundred steps.

Gu Jin Nian, moving forward, the infant in his arms cried incessantly, yet he felt no annoyance.

Finally.

He saw signs of human habitation.

There was a campfire.

Gu Jin Nian's face lit up with joy; he hurried over and found four or five ragged people, their complexions sallow, gathered around a black cauldron, a faint meat aroma drifting about.

This made Gu Jin Nian's index finger twitch involuntarily.

But when Gu Jin Nian drew near and looked,

In the next moment, he stood frozen in place.

Because inside the cauldron were human remains.

The few people turned toward Gu Jin Nian; upon hearing the crying, their eyes showed a hint of delight.

"Throw the infant in your arms into the pot, and you'll get a share of the meat soup."

A coarse voice rang out, looking at Gu Jin Nian, his eyes full of numbness, letting Gu Jin Nian throw the infant into the cauldron to be cooked together.

"In this year of great disaster, don't hesitate—eat your fill first, or else you won't have the life to reach Jiangning Prefecture."

A second voice sounded, calm and unfeeling, its words full of ruthlessness.

"What are you still nagging about? Hurry up and throw the child in—aren't you hungry?"

A third voice sounded, posing a question.

Hearing their words, Gu Jin Nian instinctively stepped back.

Are you hungry?

He is hungry.

But even if he were starving, he would not do this.

Leave.

Gu Jin Nian turned and left, continuing forward.

Thus.

Again, he did not know how much time had passed.

The infant in his arms cried ever more faintly, which instead made Gu Jin Nian grow anxious.

He quickened his pace.

But after crossing a mountain ridge.

One scene after another left him utterly shocked.

They exchanged children to eat.

Plants did not grow.

People were like walking corpses, with no sparkle in their eyes; at a glance, in each pair of eyes there was no humanity, only numbness and despair.

Corpses lay everywhere.

It was too horrible to behold.

Gu Jin Nian protected the infant in his arms, moving swiftly; he dared not linger here even a moment.

He crossed mountain after mountain.

He crossed river after river.

There were still many fleeing the famine.

But the corpses grew fewer and fewer.

Hunger struck.

Gu Jin Nian felt a hunger unlike any before.

The infant in his arms breathed extremely faintly, and could no longer cry.

The Great Night bestowed despair upon people.

Under the tree.

Gu Jin Nian reached out his hand; he was weak to the extreme, yet at this moment he picked up a smoothed stone and slowly held it before the infant.

Outside, countless people watched this; even Confucius couldn't help but feel a little tense.

If Gu Jin Nian, due to hunger, were to do something he shouldn't, the resentful spirits of all beings would directly devour him.

This is a trial, a trial of human nature, and also an ordeal of suffering.

But just at this moment.

Gu Jin Nian cut his own palm.

Immediately.

Drop after drop of fresh blood fell, landing in the infant's mouth.

Each drop of blood seemed full of vitality; the infant in swaddling clothes instinctively swallowed.

Gradually, the infant regained vitality, but remained weak.

Yet Gu Jin Nian's actions left countless people astonished.

He used his own blood to exchange for new life.

Such conduct inspires boundless admiration.

After several hours.

Gu Jin Nian set out again; the outside observers watched, feeling no passage of time, while within this illusion.

But Gu Jin Nian truly suffered.

His hands were covered in bloodstains, his body weakened to the extreme.

He heard that after traveling three hundred li, he could see hope.

He endured ascetic hardship.

Crossing mountains and ridges, holding fast to his belief, he pressed on.

Until the end.

When he had almost finished this three-hundred-li journey.

A great river appeared before him, as if fate's injustice; just as you glimpse hope, it plunges you into despair.

This great river was torrential beyond compare; due to the outbreak of floods, many who tried to cross it perished in the water.

Yet even so, those attempting to cross the river kept coming one after another, for there was no road behind them.

To stay here meant only a dead end.

Gu Jin Nian watched as one after another of the people were swallowed by the river.

Their eyes were full of despair.

Seeing this, Gu Jin Nian also felt fear arise.

He wanted to retreat.

But the infant in his arms gave him the strength to overcome fear.

He crossed the great river.

He tried every means to cross the great river.

The icy river surged against him.

Gu Jin Nian exerted all his strength to protect the infant.

Using every ability, he forced his way across.

Time and again he came close to death.

Again and again, relying on inconceivable willpower, he crossed over.

When everyone thought it impossible, Gu Jin Nian, relying on unparalleled willpower, crossed this great river.

Countless people grew tense; at the moment Gu Jin Nian reached shore, they exhaled completely.

But when Gu Jin Nian came ashore, his legs were already covered in bloodstains; he had suffered extremely severe injuries.

Gu Jin Nian's visage was twisted.

Pain.

Unparalleled pain.

But he had only rested for a few hours, then he continued onward.

The infant in his arms.

It was his hope.

Ahead.

That was the way to survive.

He kept charging, ignoring the pain on his body.

He ran, disregarding everything, until the end.

He arrived beneath a city.

But here, it had long become ruins.

There was no food at all.

There was also no relief.

Those common people who had escaped death one by one, merely to stay alive, also went completely mad at this moment.

Gazing at all this.

An indescribable despair surged.

His whole body collapsed onto the ground.

The infant in his arms, its breath so weak it was almost dead.

But only a moment later, Gu Jin Nian rose again, he walked forward.

He did not know where the path to life lay.

But he only wanted to let the child in his arms survive.

Step by step, he moved forward.

Again, a barren land stretching ten thousand li.

Again, boundless desolation.

A faint figure, beneath the great night, walked slowly.

One step.

Ten steps.

A hundred steps.

Unknown how much time had passed.

The infant in his arms had already completely ceased breathing.

Gu Jin Nian froze.

He stood frozen in place.

Two lines of clear tears fell.

Yet they could not bring back this life.

But he still went forward.

He moved forward without purpose, he did not know where his road lay.

He also did not know why he felt sorrow.

Scenes of this ordeal flashed through his mind.

The suffering of the common people, he fully experienced.

He shed tears, yet could not make a sound.

Gazing at the heavens, gray and silent.

As if everything, everything, would end here.

Finally.

On the edge of a mountain cliff.

Ahead.

There was no road left at all.

At this moment.

Gu Jin Nian stopped.

He sat on the edge of the cliff.

He placed the infant in his arms.

At this time, this moment.

Gu Jin Nian fell into contemplation.

He had too much, too much to contemplate.

At this moment, too much, too much negative emotion entwined within him.

Alas, wailing cries.

Crying voices like thunder.

This was merely a natural disaster, yet it drove people to utter despair.

Throughout ancient and modern times, how many such natural disasters and human calamities have there been?

How much suffering have the common people endured again?

What can I myself do?

What is Confucian?

What is the Dao?

What exactly is the conduct of a gentleman? Gu Jin Nian let go of everything, and he was pondering this question.

Gazing at the heavens, he pondered deeply.

Endless resentment surged into Gu Jin Nian's body at this moment.

Time flowed by bit by bit.

The outside world.

Everyone was watching Gu Jin Nian, their eyes tense, afraid he wouldn't be able to get out.

Afraid of Gu Jin Nian, they would utterly degenerate.

But just at this moment.

On the cliff.

A fierce wind rose.

And within the Kong Family's Main Residence, a strong wind also blew in.

Dust and sand rolled, the heavens and earth grew dim.

This strong wind swept across the entire world.

Like a cataclysm that would destroy the world.

Between heaven and earth.

People were terrified beyond measure.

No one knew what had happened.

"Is this about to establish an eternal saying for all ages?"

Just at this moment.

Confucius instantly showed a look of astonishment; as a sage, he immediately knew what Gu Jin Nian was about to do.

To establish an eternal, immortal saying.

As Confucius's words rang out.

Countless people were shocked.

They stood frozen in place, their eyes full of disbelief.

An eternal, immortal saying?

They had heard of the shocking sage's words, but they never expected there would be such a statement.

"Eternal and immortal? Nothing like this has ever happened in ancient or modern times!" Boom! Just as Confucius's voice fell.

A fierce wind suddenly struck.

It swept across everything in heaven and earth.

This terrifying wind blew up all the dust and sand, making it hard for everyone to open their eyes.

Under the magnificent heavenly might.

In everyone's eyes, aside from shock, there was no other expression.

They were stunned, yet filled with anticipation.

At this moment, even the sage could not help but show an expectant look.

They awaited what kind of statement Gu Jin Nian would make.

In the illusion.

Gu Jin Nian slowly opened his eyes; in this illusion, heaven and earth were also changing, terrifying beyond measure.

The next moment.

Gu Jin Nian stood up.

Faced with this terrifying sight, his eyes held not a trace of fear, nor any panic.

He gazed at this terrifying scene.

The answer had already arisen in his heart.

"I am Gu Jin Nian."

"Today, I establish the words from my heart, may the Confucian Way endure forever."

Gu Jin Nian spoke.

He fully understood.

He also fully understood what he must do.

After saying this, Gu Jin Nian took a deep breath.

His gaze was unprecedentedly resolute.

His gaze was also unprecedentedly calm.

"To set the heart for heaven and earth."

"To seek the great Dao of heaven and earth, a gentleman ought to have endless life, practicing benevolence and righteousness."

The voice sounded.

Just one sentence left countless people utterly shocked.

"To set the heart for heaven and earth? What great ambition this is! From ancient times to the present, who has ever had such ambition?"

Boom

At this moment, between heaven and earth, a terrifying beam of light descended directly, dispelling darkness and bringing new life.

"To establish life for the people."

"We scholars should seek for the people an unextinguishable fire of endless life; when the kindling is exhausted, we scholars shall be the sole flame, illuminating heaven and earth, dying without regret."

Gu Jin Nian spoke again.

To establish life for the people.

Even he gave an explanation, taking himself as fire to illuminate the masses.

"To carry on the lost learning of the former sages."

"To usher in everlasting peace for ten thousand generations."

These are the final two lines.

These are the Four Sayings of Hengchu.

An eternal establishing speech through the ages.

"To set the heart of Heaven and Earth! To establish life for the people! To continue the lost learning of the past sages! To open eternal peace for myriad generations!"

This moment.

Heaven and Earth trembled utterly; boundless light pierced the darkness and shone upon the land.

Above the Heavenly Dome, myriad stars trembled at this moment; the cosmic starry sky also felt an unparalleled will, sensing all this.

Beams of light descended, transforming into divine traces, falling toward Gu Jin Nian.

Terrifying light swept across the entire Divine Province Continent.

Everywhere that had an academy resounded with booming.

It burst forth with brilliant light, thereby illuminating Gu Jin Nian's voice.

The myriad beings under heaven.

Countless scholars were also utterly shaken at this moment.

These four lines gave them an overwhelming shock.

Even a Great Scholar, a Half Saint, or even Confucius himself, after hearing this eternal establishing speech, were deeply shaken.

This establishing speech.

This is the foremost establishing speech of all ages!

To establish the ever-renewing heart of Heaven and Earth, to point out a common great way for the people, to inherit the uns transmitted learning of the sages of old, and to open the foundation of eternal peace for future generations—this is a grand ambition.

It is also an immortal, world-shocking discourse.

Between Heaven and Earth.

That repressed emotion was completely swept away.

In its place came Gu Jin Nian's grand words.

Buzz—buzz—buzz! All the ancient sages sensed it completely at this moment.

Three apparitions appeared, standing at the south, west, and north of the Heavenly Dome.

These are the second-generation sage, the third-generation sage, and the fourth-generation sage.

Confucius has appeared.

He stands in the east.

The Four Sages have manifested in the world.

This too is an immortal scene, a sight never before seen in all ages.

It has appeared today.

Gu Jin Nian, to set the heart of Heaven and Earth, to establish life for the people, to continue the lost learning of the past sages, and to open eternal peace for myriad generations, has stirred the Confucian Way and all the ancient worthy predecessors.

One after another, immortal figures appeared—the scholars of all ages.

These immortal figures were reflected upon the Heavenly Dome.

Each one is a sage-worthy of all ages, having left their name in history.

They have left a heavy mark in the historical records.

Today.

They sensed Gu Jin Nian's such eternal establishing speech and fully awakened.

"To set the heart of Heaven and Earth."

"To establish life for the people."

"To continue the lost learning of the past sages."

"To open eternal peace for myriad generations."

A grand voice rang out; these ancient worthy predecessors all spoke in unison, using their most fervent, most excited voices to respond to Gu Jin Nian.

To answer Gu Jin Nian.

This is inconceivable, immeasurable.

Between Heaven and Earth, countless people stared blankly at this scene.

No matter if you are an emperor.

No matter if you are a noble.

No matter if you are peerlessly handsome and talented.

At this moment, you are utterly shaken.

At this time, Gu Jin Nian is like a sage.

Hundreds of millions of rays of light surged into his body.

In the illusion.

That boundless resentment also found release at this moment.

Transforming into strands of holy light, it completely dissipated.

The infant's wail.

It rang at this moment.

It brought forth new life.

Now.

Gu Jin Nian thoroughly understood his own Confucian Dao, and also thoroughly understood the meaning of the four verses of the Horizontal Canal.

He opened his eyes.

The illusion completely dissipated.

He gazed at the heavens.

He watched these endless phantom images of sages.

The terrifying, unparalleled Heaven-and-Earth Power infused his body.

Wen Mansion underwent a massive transformation.

The war chariot also turned into a jade carriage, reaching the ultimate number of nine.

Before the jade carriage, nine dragon‑horses pulled the vehicle for Gu Jin Nian, an omen of sages.

Behind the jade carriage, myriad troops also fully manifested at this moment.

Before, the myriad troops had not manifested.

Now, the myriad troops fully manifested.

Boom—boom—boom.

Thunderbolts fell, hammering Wen Mansion.

Wen Mansion, already extraordinary, at this moment also received an unparalleled forging.

A Wen Palace rose slowly.

After Gu Jin Nian's Establishing Speech, Wen Mansion transformed and had become a Wen Palace.

This is unbelievable.

In his mind.

The ancient tree devoured all the energy.

The Heaven-and-Earth Power, like an ocean, was completely devoured by the ancient tree at this moment, leaving not a single strand.

But after the devouring was complete, the ancient tree fully radiated an incomparable brilliance.

【All-Life Tree】

The ancient tree's information also fully merged into Gu Jin Nian's mind at this moment.

It is a divine artifact of Heaven and Earth.

It can absorb all Heaven-and-Earth energy, thereby obtaining an immortal treasure.

After the All-Life Tree devoured this terrifying Heaven-and-Earth Power, it bore three fruits.

Yes.

Three fruits.

Unlike before, the ancient tree bears different fruits according to different energies.

But now, it only produced three fruits.

Although fewer in number, these three fruits contain immortal treasures, each extraordinarily remarkable.

A complete transformation.

But Gu Jin Nian was not focusing on this for the time being.

Instead, he carefully contemplated his Establishing Speech.

Between Heaven and Earth.

He was like a saint.

His radiance pierced everything, sweeping the eight directions; all dynasties sensed it, and no one could fail to feel this terrifying, magnificent aura.

Da Xia, Fu Luo, Da Jin, especially the Zhongzhou dynasty.

A terrifying dragon roar sounded.

It startled the four corners.

The dragon roar was filled with anger, seeking to oppose the Heaven-and-Earth Power.

But unfortunately,

The immensely grand Heaven-and-Earth Power firmly suppressed the Zhongzhou dragon soul.

At this moment.

Between Heaven and Earth, no one could clash with Gu Jin Nian.

His Establishing Speech.

Received Heaven-and-Earth's approval.

His ambition.

Who in ancient and modern times has ever possessed it?

Boom—

At this moment, the entire Chu Fu trembled, especially the Confucian Temple, which completely collapsed at this instant.

But no one paid attention to it any longer.

Everyone just stared blankly at Gu Jin Nian.

"No ancestors seen before."

"No successors seen after."

A voice sounded, looking at Gu Jin Nian, voicing its most sincere thoughts.

No ancient person is seen ahead.

No one comes after.

This is the highest praise given to Gu Jin Nian.

Establishing the heart for Heaven and Earth.

Establishing destiny for the living people.

Continuing the lost teachings of the past sages.

Opening peace for ten thousand generations.

With these four lines, Gu Jin Nian could be deified.

Even after ten thousand ages, no one will forget Gu Jin Nian.

This is the uniqueness of the Confucian Dao.

But the next moment—

Gu Jin Nian's body slowly rises into the air.

Ten thousand feet of light shines beneath his feet.

A terrifying, immense power of Heaven and Earth, like a galaxy, pours down, washing Gu Jin Nian's body.

Gu Jin Nian's mortal body, at this moment, reaches its pinnacle and completes the supreme transformation.

This is the forging of Heaven and Earth.

Bestowing the supreme grace.

At the same time.

Wind and thunder gather, forming a jade crown that crowns Gu Jin Nian.

The earth rumbles, gathering divine boots that appear at Gu Jin Nian's feet.

Pieces of divine jade fly out from the mountains, forming a jade belt.

An impeccably white Confucian robe is also born from Heaven and Earth.

It is placed upon Gu Jin Nian.

"All things shape the saintly bone."

"Wind and thunder become the crown."

"Heaven makes the garment"

"Earth becomes the boots."

"Mountains and rivers condense into jade."

"This is the coronation of Heaven and Earth."

"It is for me, the saintly son of the Confucian Dao."

Confucius's voice sounds at this moment.

He declares what a scene this is.

All things shape the saintly bone.

Wind and thunder become the crown.

Heaven makes the garment.

Earth becomes the boots.

Mountains and rivers condense into jade.

This is the highest honor Heaven and Earth bestow upon a Confucian, unparalleled.

Because Gu Jin Nian voiced the supreme Confucian Dao principle, aligning with Heaven and Earth's will, he received incomparable recognition from them.

Looking at Gu Jin Nian, Confucius smiles.

He feels boundlessly satisfied with all of Gu Jin Nian's achievements.

Confucian Dao.

There are successors.

"I am Confucius' Title."

"Respecting the saints of later generations."

Confucius speaks.

He bows once toward Gu Jin Nian.

What he reveres is not Gu Jin Nian, but this magnificent will.

These world‑shaking, unparalleled four lines.

Establishing the heart for Heaven and Earth.

Establishing destiny for the living people.

Continuing the lost teachings of the past sages.

Opening peace for ten thousand generations.

If Gu Jin Nian could achieve this, not only a bow—he would even be willing to abandon this saintly seat.

As Confucius speaks.

In an instant.

All saints and sages from past and present at this moment bow deeply toward Gu Jin Nian.

At this moment.

Gu Jin Nian becomes one with the light and dust.

He understands the Confucian Dao that belongs to him.

His whole life.

He is also willing to strive and fight for those four sentences just spoken.

Perhaps he cannot do it.

He also wants to let the whole world know his feelings.

He himself cannot do it.

Someone will eventually do it. —Brothers, I've updated first, so nobody waits anxiously.

Wrote until seven in the morning.

I took a look; starting from the 26th, it's 20,000 characters a day—everyone will know just by opening the table of contents.

Here, I beg for monthly votes!!!! Let's push for the monthly vote ranking in July!!!!

Beg for rewards!!!! Even a hundred starting point coins will do!!!!!

If you can vote for monthly votes, do so; if you can reward, do so; if you can give recommendation votes, don't be stingy!!!!

Really begging!!!! This new book's first time rushing the rankings, please dear lords, give lots of support!!!!!

There's still another update tonight!