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Chapter 189: Towards the Land of the Dead! A True Ancient Sage!

Among the Confucian disciples, they had all learned from Xunzi about the threat posed by ancient gods and demons to mankind.

But the only person who had actually witnessed Xunzi being mentally damaged by a single encounter, even though they were thousands of miles apart, was Fu Nian.

Fu Nian knew that it was impossible for them, a group of Confucian disciples, to threaten the mysterious Lord of Mount Tai. Besides Xunzi, no one else knew how to meet the Lord of Mount Tai.

But now that he had arrived at Mount Tai, Fu Nian, as the head of the Confucian school, naturally had his own pride.

He took the initiative to propose a trial proposal in order to ensure that everything would go smoothly in the future.

Hearing this, Xunzi looked solemnly towards the towering Mount Tai. Under the dim sky, the towering Mount Tai, soaring into the clouds, made one feel insignificant just by looking at it from afar.

In the dark, Xunzi could feel that the entire Mount Tai seemed to be filled with a mysterious soul, as if there was an unknown existence constantly observing them.

Without thinking, Xunzi could guess that the only person who could give him this feeling was probably the Lord of Mount Tai.

After a moment of hesitation, Xunzi glanced at Fu Nian and the others and said, "You guys retreat behind me for now!"

Although Fu Nian, Yan Lu and others did not understand why, they still took a few steps back and stood behind Xunzi at his request.

The seemingly aged body protected all the Confucian disciples behind him. Xunzi looked up at Mount Tai and said loudly, "I, Xun Kuang, the Confucian scholar, seek an audience with the Lord of Mount Tai. I hope the Lord will not hesitate to see me!"

The moment Xunzi finished speaking, a figure in black robes, as if composed of wisps of misty shadows and haze, appeared in front of Xunzi and several Confucian disciples in a very short time.

Glancing deeply at the deity before him, the one who had nearly sent him away in his dream, Xunzi turned to his Confucian disciples and introduced them, "Come here and meet the Lord of Mount Tai! This is the Lord of Mount Tai, the ruler of the earth and the creation of yin and yang. Lord of the underworld, ruler of the dead souls!"

Confucianism has always emphasized etiquette. Even if a war was imminent, at this moment, Fu Nian, Yan Lu, and the others still bowed respectfully to the Lord of Mount Tai.

"When two countries are at war, envoys should not be killed!" The Lord of Mount Tai glanced at Xunzi and the other Confucian disciples and said, "Since you have come with courtesy, I will naturally treat you with courtesy. It seems that the other people you have contacted will not be able to arrive here anytime soon. How about we go to the underworld first to discuss it?"

Fu Nian, Yan Lu and others felt a sudden pang of fear in their hearts.

Going to the underworld for a chat? Are you kidding? They are all living people. How can living people go to the land of the dead?

However, the person making the decision at this moment is Xunzi. Even though he is the head of Confucianism, Fu Nian has to be humble in the presence of Xunzi.

Upon hearing this, Xunzi laughed heartily and said, "It is our great honor to have the privilege of traveling to the underworld as a living being! Thank you for your help!"

"Please!" The Lord of Mount Tai glanced at Xunzi and waved his sleeves. A pitch-black portal leading to an unknown realm instantly appeared before Xunzi and the others.

The moment they saw the portal, Fu Nian, Yan Lu, and the others were overwhelmed with an unprecedented sense of fear. This feeling was even more terrifying than a mouse seeing a cat. It was a resistance and opposition that permeated their bodies and minds, emanating from the depths of their souls.

Compared to Fu Nian and the others, Xunzi seemed to have not felt the influence of the underworld on the living at all. After paying his respects to the Lord of Mount Tai, he immediately took the lead and stepped into the gate.

It was called a portal, but at this moment, what the Lord of Mount Tai created was more like a dark shadow. It was neither like the special effects of the Marvel wizard with sparks flying around the border, nor was it similar to the gates built by humans in the material world.

In comparison, this so-called portal looked more like a hazy ball or a water droplet. More accurately, this so-called portal was a special visual effect created by traversing two worlds, simultaneously spanning the two dimensions.

Although it seems to have nothing to do with the name of portal, the moment anyone sees this shadow, the only word that can come to mind to describe it is portal.

With Xunzi leading the way, Fu Nian, Yan Lu and the others still resisted stepping into the realm of the dead physically and mentally. However, their Confucian beliefs allowed them to offset this instinctive resistance to death.

Immediately afterwards, Xunzi stepped into the underworld.

When the last Confucian disciple passed through the portal, the Lord of Mount Tai disappeared in a flash. The portal connecting the underworld and the human world also quickly disappeared with the Lord of Mount Tai.

A vast expanse of flowers blooms, stretching as far as the eye can see on the endless hills.

Accompanied by a flash of spatial fluctuations, several figures appeared out of thin air.

The leader was none other than the Confucian Xunzi.

Scanning the vibrant scene before him, like a throng of flowers competing for beauty, Xunzi couldn't help but sigh, "I never imagined that the rumored land of the dead would be so vibrant!"

"So-called life and death is nothing more than the unity of yin and yang. It's the cycle of nature! How can there be life without death?"

The only person who could answer Xunzi's question was naturally the Lord of Mount Tai.

When the Lord of Mount Tai appeared, a pavilion was created from nothing in a very short time on the hill where flowers were blooming.

Xunzi and others were standing in the pavilion.

Inside the pavilion, there were several low tables arranged neatly, and the fragrant tea that had been brewed at some point was emitting a lingering aroma.

"Everyone, please take a seat!!"

The Lord of Mount Tai waved his hand and then sat down in the main seat.

Upon seeing this, Xunzi took the guest seat opposite the Lord of Mount Tai, and the other Confucian disciples followed closely behind him.

Wait until everyone is seated.

The Lord of Mount Tai said, "Xunzi is the master of Confucianism. He must know that the cycle of life and death is just like the mutual generation and restraint of yin and yang. This is the law of heaven and earth. Why do you have to target me like this?"

Holding up the cup emitting the fragrant tea aroma with both hands, Xunzi smiled slightly and said, "How dare I call myself your son in front of the king?"

Among the various schools of thought, the title of "Zi" carries a considerable degree of honor. It's fine to call one's leader "Zi" for personal amusement behind closed doors.

But those who have been recognized by all nations and schools of thought are only a handful of true sages so far!!

After saying a polite word, Xunzi did not bother about the way the Lord of Mount Tai addressed him. After all, Xunzi himself was not someone who was so humble as to be almost hypocritical.

Apart from anything else, the fact that he taught such great Legalist scholars as Han Fei and Li Si is enough to show how proud he was of his academic achievements.

Chapter 190: Becoming a plaything in the hands of gods and demons! If good and evil are rewarded, the universe must be partial!

Mencius, recognized as the second sage of Confucianism, believed that human nature is good, but Xunzi believed that human nature is evil.

Xunzi had no idea how many verbal battles he had gone through over whether human nature is inherently good or evil.

It's no exaggeration to say that among all the schools of thought, every renowned figure has been through the test of time. To remain undefeated requires not only wisdom and insight, but also a strong and resolute character.

But no matter which point, Xunzi is undoubtedly the best.

It's simply not something that the Lord of Mount Tai can persuade with just a few words.

Putting down his teacup, Xunzi gazed at the Lord of Mount Tai and said, "Life and death are like the laws of nature, the yin and yang. But how can the laws of nature be partial? Human kings cannot control the separation of life and death. But Your Majesty can!!"

"I see!" The Lord of Mount Tai nodded and said, "This is why you resist my presence. Heaven and earth know all that is in a person's mind. If good and evil go unpunished, then the universe must be biased!"

"Wrong!!" Xunzi's eyes focused and his momentum instantly rose.

In the eyes of the many Confucian disciples behind him, Xunzi at this moment seemed to have returned to the Jixia Academy, debating with various schools of thought.

"If good and evil are rewarded, the universe must be partial!!"

Xunzi gave a completely different judgment from what the Lord of Mount Tai said.

In Taishan Fujun's view, he acknowledged the need for cause and effect in heaven and earth. However, Xunzi held the exact opposite view. Good and evil are only human, and cannot be judged by the gods of heaven and earth.

So-called good and evil are merely moral concepts imposed by humans. If there were retribution for this, wouldn't heaven and earth also have their own selfish agenda?

This was something Xunzi could not accept no matter what. Even if he accepted that human nature was evil, he could never accept that the good and evil in people's hearts were manipulated by the gods of heaven and earth.

"In this way, the good will not be rewarded and the evil will not be punished. Human nature is evil, how can there be a day of great harmony between heaven and earth?" The Lord of Mount Tai looked at Xunzi with interest.

Xunzi could not accept the existence of karma in the universe, which meant that there would be no reward or punishment for good or evil. Given that human nature is inherently evil, it was natural for everyone to be evil. Wouldn't the Confucian pursuit of a harmonious society then become a fleeting dream?

Now Xunzi fell silent. He really didn't expect that the Lord of Mount Tai would play a trick of using his own spear to attack his own shield.

To deny the Great Harmony Society is to deny the very foundation of Confucianism. One must understand that all Confucian norms, whether it be benevolence or propriety, are aimed at pursuing the Great Harmony Society.

To deny this is to deny the very foundation of Confucianism, a far more serious issue than simply denying the existence of benevolence and propriety. This is because it fundamentally denies the very pursuit of Confucianism. The so-called principles and norms of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness are the prerequisites for achieving a harmonious society. A harmonious society is the goal and pursuit of Confucianism.

Without the Great Harmony Society, the goal of Confucianism would be lost. One can imagine the severity of this.

But in the face of the reality that human nature is inherently evil, if good deeds are not rewarded and evil deeds are not punished, wouldn't that automatically encourage everyone to do evil? Unless Xunzi denies his own view that human nature is inherently evil, which he cannot accept.

Of course, Xunzi still had a chance to refute it, which was to break away from Confucian benevolence and propriety and use Legalist law to constrain human nature.

However, even though he produced Han Fei, the epitome of Legalism, and Li Si, the leading figure of Legalism, Xunzi was ultimately the master of Confucianism. If he suddenly jumped to Legalism, not only would his Confucian disciples be unacceptable, but even Xunzi himself would be unacceptable!

Seeing that Xunzi was suddenly silenced by the Lord of Mount Tai.

The many Confucian disciples behind him were also in confusion at this time.

Because now the Lord of Mount Tai is not using force to suppress others, but is truly engaging in debate and negotiation. This is also what Confucianism is best at.

Unfortunately, Xunzi, the master of Confucianism, was left speechless by the Lord of Mount Tai.

After a long silence, Xunzi gave a wry smile and said, "I never thought Your Majesty would know so much about Confucianism!"

"Xunzi, are you going to admit defeat?" The Lord of Mount Tai looked at Xunzi with interest.

"I am incompetent!" Xunzi seemed to have aged suddenly, and his tone revealed a strong sense of powerlessness.

"Although I know that your words are harmful to our human race, I can't find any reason to refute them."

"Uncle Master!!"

Seeing that Xunzi looked like he wanted to admit defeat, Fu Nian and others were shocked.

The Lord of Mount Tai chuckled and said, "Xunzi, if I'm not mistaken, the reason you resist the gods of heaven and earth so strongly is simply because humans are weak and the gods and demons are strong. If matters of life and death are controlled by the gods of heaven and earth, humanity will surely become their playthings in the future."

Nodding calmly, Xunzi said, "That's right! Since Your Majesty has already known about this, I can only ask for Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

Nodding noncommittally, the Lord of Mount Tai said, "Your Excellency Xunzi, you put people first, and I admire you. However, I wonder if I can promise to allow the strongest among the human race to enter my netherworld and help me control life and death. Xunzi, how many of those philosophers would be as loyal as you, until death?"

Xunzi's expression suddenly changed.

Xunzi certainly knew what entering the underworld symbolized.

The underworld itself is the land of the dead. If someone can wield power in the underworld, wouldn’t that be a disguised opportunity to gain immortality?

Even Xunzi, upon hearing this condition, felt an impulse to join, not to mention the other philosophers.

Xunzi said with a grim expression, "Your Majesty is really trying to divide and win over others. If Your Majesty is truly willing to give the other schools of thought the opportunity to control the power of the Netherworld, I'm afraid... I'm afraid that among the schools of thought, there will be very few who can resist Your Majesty!!"

The moment he finished speaking, Xunzi even became a little gloomy.

Seeing this, the Lord of Mount Tai said in a tone that was not without temptation, "Xunzi can be impartial, but can others? Since you know that the trend of heaven and earth is irresistible, why do you insist on your own opinion, Your Excellency Xunzi?"

Shaking his head, Xunzi said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. But..."

Before Xunzi could finish his refusal, the Lord of Mount Tai waved his hand and said, "Xunzi, do you know who has joined my army?"

Xunzi's heart skipped a beat.

What did he mean? Could it be that during this time, while he had been painstakingly communicating with other schools of thought, spreading the news of the return of the ancient gods and demons, the Lord of Mount Tai had also been busy, instead using tactics of division and appeasement to recruit many outstanding people?

When he thought of this possibility, Xunzi suddenly felt completely hopeless.

Xunzi didn't have to wait long.

Not long after the Lord of Mount Tai finished speaking, he opened a space portal beside him.

As the spatial fluctuations emerged, a figure that was extremely familiar to Xunzi and the Confucian disciples appeared before them.

Chapter 191: I wish to establish eternal laws for the three realms of heaven, earth and the three realms!

"Junior Brother Han Fei?"

Fu Nian was so excited that he stood up from behind the low table.

In any case, Fu Nian never thought that the Lord of Mount Tai would actually pull Han Fei over as well.

You know, even though Han Fei was Xunzi's disciple, and even his junior fellow apprentice, Han Fei didn't know any martial arts at all.

At this moment, the Lord of Mount Tai pulled Han Fei over. In Fu Nian's opinion, the only purpose was to attack Xunzi's mind.

Before Han Fei could speak, Fu Nian angrily looked at the Lord of Mount Tai and said, "Your Majesty, a dignified god of heaven and earth, actually resorts to such despicable means. With..."

"Ahem..." Han Fei coughed twice, interrupting Fu Nian's words, and looked at Xunzi and the Lord of Mount Tai with a wry smile.

"Han Fei meets the teacher!!"

After paying his respects to Xunzi, Han Fei immediately paid his respects to the Lord of Mount Tai under the incredulous gazes of Xunzi, Fu Nian and other Confucian disciples.

"Han Fei greets you, sir!"

The moment the words fell, Xunzi and other Confucian disciples were stunned.

son?

You have to know that in the pre-Qin era, the title "gongzi" was only given to the princes of various kingdoms. Although rituals and music have collapsed, now even the sons of powerful and noble princes dare to be called "gongzi".

But the meaning of this name itself is really hard for Xunzi and Confucian disciples to believe.

Because this seemed to be telling them that the Lord of Mount Tai in front of them was not the ancient god or demon who had returned as they imagined, but a prince of the Qin State.

Yes! !

Not to mention Xunzi himself, who was able to be led by Xunzi to personally participate in the battle against the gods and demons, Fu Nian and Yan Lu, any one of them, are all outstanding figures in Confucianism. Such ignorant people, apart from rote learning, would never be valued by Xunzi. It is even more impossible for them to make a name for themselves in today's Confucianism.