Undying Life

Chapter 1024: Chapter 1024: This One Chickened Out Again

"Confucius said, 'When three people walk together, one of them is bound to be my teacher: I choose to follow the good and correct my own faults!'"

"Confucius said, 'In governing a country of a thousand chariots: Be respectful in handling affairs, trustworthy in speech, frugal in expenditure, and cherish the people, making sure to employ them at the proper time.'"

"Confucius said, 'If a noble man is not serious, he will not be respected, and his learning will not be solid.'"

"Confucius said, 'To govern by virtue is like the North Star, which stays in its place while the other stars revolve around it.'"

...

...

The sound of Confucian teachings echoed throughout the Holy Capital of Xianyang.

Ever since the founding of the Great Qin, there had been a deep-seated enmity between Qin and the Confucian Sect. Every Confucian disciple who appeared in the Great Qin was ruthlessly hunted down, with no mercy shown. This was a well-known rift between Qin and the Confucians.

In the past, every enemy dynasty of the Great Qin received the utmost support from the Confucian Sect. However, the Great Qin was too powerful, sweeping across the Eight Desolations and Six Directions, with the god of war, Bai Qi, leading the armies to conquer all, never tasting defeat. The Confucian-backed dynasties were utterly crushed, their forces shattered.

But today, on the day of the Great Qin's Holy King Ying's 90,000th birthday, the sound of Confucian teachings suddenly echoed throughout the Holy Capital of Xianyang. The voices were numerous and overwhelming. Each "Confucius said" resounded with the Confucian Sect's fighting spirit. The Confucian Sect had chosen today to launch a massive counterattack.

As the sound of Confucian teachings spread through Xianyang, the entire Holy Capital suddenly became dazzlingly bright, bathed in a pure white light.

A vast amount of white light illuminated the entire city of Xianyang. Sekong, who was standing at the back, said nervously, "Maybe we should..."

This time, Zilu didn't object. He knew this coward would only embarrass the Confucian Sect if he were forced to stand at the front lines.

"Alright!" Zilu nodded.

Sekong immediately moved to the very back, taking out a scroll of the Spring and Autumn Annals, pretending to recite it alongside the other Confucian disciples.

Zilu glanced at him disdainfully before ignoring him altogether. Pathetic!

Sekong sat at the back, muttering something under his breath, but his eyes were darting around. It was clear that if anything went wrong, he would be the first to turn and run!

In the square of Chongtian Hall, Ying glanced at the distant Confucian scholars, then turned to look at Tathagata, Bodhi, Lan, and Zhong Shan.

"Everyone, this is a critical moment in the Qin-Confucian conflict. May I know your intentions?" Ying asked in a deep voice.

"We're already here, and we've received our rewards. Naturally, we'll do our utmost to help you," Lan replied with a faint smile.

"Indeed," Tathagata nodded.

"Indeed," Bodhi echoed.

"I'll do my best," Zhong Shan nodded.

Zhong Shan knew that his enmity with the Confucian Sect had long passed the point of no return. Pretending to be neutral now would only invite shame and make him an enemy to both the Great Qin and the Confucians. It was better to declare his stance openly.

Ying nodded. He didn't have any specific expectations for the other guests; the acknowledgment of these four was all he needed.

"In this battle, I have other plans. Unless absolutely necessary, I won't intervene directly. In the meantime, I'm counting on all of you to give your full support!" Ying said solemnly.

Other plans? What could Ying be planning that was even more significant than the Qin-Confucian conflict?

"Understood," Tathagata nodded.

The others also nodded. None of them believed that Ying was afraid. If he said he had other plans, then those plans were undoubtedly of great importance.

Above the white clouds, a gathering of righteous energy coalesced. A figure stepped forward, clearly representing the esteemed Confucian scholars, and was the first to speak.

"This is Zai Yu, also known by his courtesy name Zai Wo, a disciple of Confucius," whispered the Western Poison Emperor to Zhong Shan, providing a brief introduction.

"Zai Wo?" Zhong Shan's expression turned slightly odd.

"What a ridiculous name! It's just asking for a beating!" Hao Meili chimed in with a mischievous grin.

"Hahaha, indeed, it's begging for trouble!" Lan, standing nearby, couldn't help but laugh at Hao Meili's comment.

Lan's laughter instantly lightened the tense atmosphere in the square.

Zai Wo? People glanced at the figure who had stepped forward and couldn't help but smile at the absurdity of it.

In the distance, at the center of the righteous energy, Zai Wo's face remained solemn as he gazed disdainfully at Xianyang.

Looking towards the distant Chongtian Hall, Zai Wo began to speak, "People of Xianyang!"

At his words, the Confucian teachings abruptly ceased.

Glancing around, Zai Wo cast a slightly provocative look towards the entrance of Chongtian Hall.

"The enmity between the Confucian Sect and the Great Qin runs deep and cannot be left unresolved. Today is the day we settle this! Those deeply allied with the Great Qin are enemies of the Confucian Sect. Now, I offer you a chance to reconsider. Anyone who leaves Xianyang now will have their past enmity with the Confucian Sect forgiven and will be considered a friend. But those who remain in Xianyang will be our enemies," Zai Wo declared solemnly.

His voice was powerful, echoing throughout all of Xianyang.

For a moment, the city was in an uproar, with noisy discussions breaking out everywhere.

Was the Confucian Sect about to engage in a life-or-death battle with the Great Qin?

The Great Qin was led by the unmatched Holy King Ying, whose power was unrivaled under heaven. But the Confucian Sect had Confucius himself, one of the nine strongest individuals in the world, a true sage.

Should they continue supporting the Great Qin, or switch allegiance to the Confucian Sect?

In an instant, a life-or-death decision was placed before everyone.

"This Zai Wo!" Tathagata said gravely.

Zai Wo was clearly trying to undermine the morale of Xianyang's military, civilians, and guests!

"Ying, surely you wouldn't deny your people the chance to make their own choice, would you?" Zai Wo called out again from a distance.

Anyone with common sense could see that Zai Wo was attempting to sow discord between Ying and his people.

Ying looked at Zai Wo in the distance and responded with a faint smile, "A petty clown putting on such a spirited performance—is this your way of celebrating my birthday?"

"Hahahaha...!" The guests loyal to the Great Qin in Chongtian Hall immediately burst into laughter.

Within Xianyang, the citizens, too, felt their anxiety lift. The guests who had been wavering and worried also began to feel reassured. Only a few, unwilling to take this gamble, quietly left Xianyang.

Zai Wo's face reddened slightly at Ying's mocking remark, but only for a moment. He quickly regained his composure and sharply replied, "Those who remain in Xianyang will face the disaster of the Qin-Confucian conflict. The Confucian Sect will show no mercy to the people of Xianyang!"

To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8