Chapter 425: The Legend of the Confucius Sage
“We’ve established an academy to cultivate children’s conduct from an early age. Coincidentally, the students are currently studying the Analects of the Confucius Sage. If you two have nothing else to attend to, would you care to join the lesson?” the Confucian cultivator invited Jiang Li and Bai Hongtu.
“Certainly.”
…
Before the trio even entered the academy, they could hear the students’ clear recitation echoing through the halls.
“The Confucius Sage said: ‘Is it not a pleasure to learn and practice what is learned? Is it not delightful to have friends visiting from afar? Is one not a gentleman if he remains unruffled when others don’t recognize his worth?'”
The students repeated this passage with rapt attention while their teacher swayed rhythmically on the podium, utterly absorbed in the text, a ruler in hand.
The three visitors quietly took seats in the back row without disturbing the lesson.
“Excellent recitation! The words of the Confucius Sage must be repeatedly memorized to grasp their profound meaning. As you grow older and gain more experience, you’ll develop new insights into these teachings. At three hundred years old, having studied the Analects for three centuries, I still discover fresh understandings and remain awestruck by the Confucius Sage’s ocean-deep wisdom.”
“For now, simply grasp the surface meaning. Take this passage – ‘Is one not a gentleman if he remains unruffled when others don’t recognize his worth?’ For example, when others don’t know you, yet you don’t become angry – that’s the mark of a true gentleman.”
“As cultivators, we seek immortality and enlightenment, fame and fortune. While gentlemen also pursue reputation and cultivation, they must first establish ‘virtue’ as their foundation. Fame without virtue breeds infamy; cultivation without virtue creates calamitous practitioners.”
“Let me give an example – the person in the middle among the three who just entered. Yes, you.” Teacher Wang pointed at Jiang Li.
“You must be a new member of the Gentlemen’s Society. What’s your name? Let’s see if anyone recognizes you, and whether you’ll resent being unknown.”
Jiang Li stood up and decided to answer truthfully: “My name is Jiang Li.”
The teacher nodded. “Good. Does anyone here know Jiang… Wait, you’re called Jiang Li?!”
Why not say you’re Bai Hongtu while you’re at it?
“And you beside him, your name?”
“I’m Bai Hongtu.”
Teacher Wang felt his lesson collapsing. If you’re going to claim famous names, why not say you’re Yu Yin!
The Confucian cultivator intervened diplomatically: “Teacher Wang, please excuse them. These two new brothers enjoy joking around.”
Teacher Wang waved it off. “Let’s continue with the Analects.”
“The Confucius Sage said: ‘When you see someone worthy, think of emulating them; when you see someone unworthy, examine yourself.'”
Jiang Li and Bai Hongtu exchanged glances and began self-reflection.
Pleased by their sudden quietness, Teacher Wang continued: “The Confucius Sage also said: ‘To know what you know and know what you don’t know – that is true wisdom.'”
“The Sage teaches us to acknowledge our knowledge gaps rather than pretend understanding.”
“For example, while many versions of ‘The Biography of Human Sovereign Jiang’ circulate, do you know where Human Sovereign Jiang first met Sect Master Bai Hongtu?”
“The Sword Tomb,” Bai Hongtu answered instantly.
“…Another question then. When Human Sovereign Jiang defeated Bai Hongtu to become the sole candidate for Human Sovereign, what were the old Human Sovereign’s first words?”
“‘Thank heavens for you – imagine if Bai Hongtu became Human Sovereign,'” Jiang Li responded without hesitation.
“What does ‘Divine Transformation’ in the Divine Transformation stage signify?”
“Transforming all things into deities within one’s heart.”
“How does one achieve the threefold unity in the Unity Stage?”
“Mind following intention, comprehending the Great Dao, merging form and spirit.”
“During the Celestial Ladder’s existence, what was the probability of a Tribulation Transcendence cultivator becoming an Earthly Immortal?”
“Eighty-six percent.”
“How many steps comprise immortal ascension?”
“Surviving the Ascension Tribulation, converting spiritual energy to immortal power, and transforming into an immortal physique.”
“How does an Earthly Immortal become a Celestial Immortal?… Never mind, I don’t know that one either.”
“Now do you understand? This is precisely what the Confucius Sage meant by acknowledging what you know and don’t know – that’s true wisdom.” Teacher Wang spoke through gritted teeth, having finally conveyed his intended lesson, albeit through unconventional means.
The Confucian cultivator hastily escorted these two “graduates” out of the academy.
After the lesson, Jiang Li found himself reflecting deeply and suddenly asked, “By the way, do you know the relationship between the Confucius Sage and the Dao Ancestor?”
Having previously paid little attention to relationships among the celestial realm’s supreme beings, Jiang Li thought it prudent to understand now that he opposed them – mainly to avoid fighting someone without knowing who they were.
The Confucian cultivator smiled wryly. “How would a mere Confucian scholar like me know such things?”
Jiang Li’s question wasn’t directed at the Core Formation stage Confucian cultivator, but Bai Hongtu.
After some thought, Bai Hongtu replied, “Our sect founder definitely had no connection with the Confucius Sage – their eras were too distant. As for whether they met after our founder ascended… probably not.”
“If you mean the Confucius Sage and the celestial realm’s Dao Ancestor, there are many legends. But as you know with legends, it’s impossible to tell whether they’re ninety percent true with ten percent false or the opposite.”
“Do tell.”
“Legend says the celestial realm’s three founding patriarchs – the Dao Ancestor, Confucius Sage, and Buddha – emerged at the realm’s dawn. Even those who later reached their level couldn’t match their seniority and cultivation. These three are considered the most ancient existences, with lifespans surpassing heaven and earth itself.”
“Another version claims the Dao Ancestor predated the Confucius Sage. When the Dao Ancestor achieved enlightenment and governed the Dao scriptures as the celestial realm’s foremost being, the not-yet-enlightened Confucius Sage supposedly sought wisdom from him.”
“No one knows what the Confucius Sage asked or how the Dao Ancestor replied. We only know that after their meeting, the Confucius Sage began traveling through the celestial realm spreading Confucian teachings. He manifested countless incarnations to instruct all realms – many civilizations gained sentience, understanding of honor and shame, and cultivation methods through his lectures.”
“The Confucius Sage’s deeds blessed countless realms with immeasurable merit. Empowered by this accumulated merit and his innate talent, he achieved enlightenment, becoming the Confucius Sage who stands equal to the Dao Ancestor.”
“However, Dong Zhongren considers this legend a Daoist attempt to belittle Confucianism and refuses to acknowledge it.”
“While I dislike Dong Zhongren, objectively speaking, his skepticism has merit. The celestial realm has existed for eons – Earthly Immortals, Celestial Immortals, even Golden Immortals have perished over time. Only the Dao Ancestor and Confucius Sage themselves truly know their relationship. Perhaps the Buddha knows, but he speaks in riddles that might as well be silence.”
“With these two remaining silent and the Buddha speaking cryptically, later generations invented countless legends – nearly as many versions as ‘The Biography of Human Sovereign Jiang.’ Some even claim the Dao Ancestor and Confucius Sage were master and disciple who parted ways due to philosophical differences.”
Jiang Li instantly grasped the sheer volume of legends about these two figures.
“Brother Bai’s knowledge is truly encyclopedic,” marveled the Confucian cultivator, who had listened as if to celestial scriptures, feeling greatly enlightened.
Suddenly, someone rushed in shouting: “The Book Mountain Society is challenging our Gentlemen’s Society again! They’ve taken one of our members hostage!”
The Confucian cultivator erupted in anger: “Outrageous! Brothers Tang and Bai, let’s go confront the Book Mountain Society!”
Jiang Li paused, glancing around to see who “Brother Tang” was, then remembered his current alias was Tang Li.