Chapter 20: With This Sword, I Sever Twenty-Five Years of Your Life

First and foremost, immortality itself is a supreme divine ability, on par with the celestial realm and even possibly surpassing it. After all, among all great divine powers, immortality ranks first.

Next in line is the Beidou’s Death-Infused Sword Qi. Although this technique is merely a minor divine ability manipulating material energy, it is bestowed by the Seven Stars of the Big Dipper. No matter how powerful Xunzi may be, he cannot surpass the Beidou Seven Stars.

As for the Dao De Jing being unaffected, that goes without saying. If Xunzi could outmatch Laozi, then the Five Elders of Daoism wouldn’t have struggled so much.

Now, Xunzi attempts to use the celestial-human boundary as a shield to resist Lu Ge’s divine power. To Lu Ge, this celestial-human boundary is as flimsy as paper.

Raising his hand, curling his fingers, and flicking, a dazzling sword qi condensed from starlight bursts forth from his fingertips, flickering at a speed invisible to the naked eye.

Before Xunzi can even comprehend it, he feels a sharp pain in his chest. Looking down, he sees the celestial-human boundary rendered meaningless, with a bloody hole already torn open in his chest.

“You came here today to block my path, hoping to suppress me, the Daoist Patriarch, in one fell swoop,” Lu Ge said softly. “All to showcase Confucian prestige.”

“This is, after all, a contest of the Great Way.”

“You struck without intent to kill, only to suppress. I am always fair, so I return the favor in kind.”

“This time, I will not kill you.”

“That sword qi just now has consumed twenty-five years of your lifespan as punishment.”

“Let our karmic debt be settled.”

“Next time you think of attacking me, remember well the consequences.”

With that, Lu Ge’s long sleeves fluttered as he drifted away gracefully.

The Five Elders of Daoism followed closely behind, each radiant with spirit, showing no signs of the suffocation they’d just endured.

“Patriarch, you are mighty.”

“You once said you couldn’t defeat Xunzi, but now you’ve utterly crushed him,” Yin Wenzi exclaimed excitedly.

Lu Ge blinked. “You made it sound so terrifying before.”

“That once the celestial-human boundary is deployed, our divine powers are suppressed, and we can only be butchered helplessly.”

“You scared me.”

“Who would have thought it would be like this?”

Though he spoke lightly, Lu Ge had never underestimated Xunzi. It was only because he had encountered Lu Ge that the celestial-human boundary was thwarted. Against others, it would surely dominate.

At this moment, Lu Ge had a new perspective on the Beidou’s Death-Infused Sword Qi. Originally, he thought it was just a minor divine ability of starlight. But now he realized that while it is a minor ability, it is backed by the Beidou Seven Stars, granting it a lofty status.

A thought stirred in his mind, recalling something the Blue Ox once said long ago: The Big Dipper infuses death, the Southern Dipper infuses life—these are laws of the Great Way. The sword qi is merely a vessel.

Lu Ge pondered that if this minor divine ability were comprehended to its utmost limit, breaking free from the sword qi vessel, it could evolve into a great divine ability.

Beidou Infused Death.

A divine power embodying rules and laws is indeed a great divine ability.

“By the way,” Lu Ge looked at Yin Wenzi. “I just beat Xunzi and even consumed twenty-five years of his lifespan.”

“So don’t bother me with matters of supporting the Daoist sect anymore.”

“After all, you could say I’ve already helped you.”

Yin Wenzi nodded. “Rest assured, Patriarch.”

“Xunzi has been defeated and humiliated by you.”

“Just wait and see how I spread the word.”

“This time, Daoism will surely surpass Confucianism.”

Lu Ge nodded but said no more. He truly had no interest in these sectarian disputes. If he had the time, he would rather observe the heavens, the earth, and the Daoist scriptures.

He aimed to comprehend the nine divine powers and crystallize the path fruit of the human immortal.

According to Lao Dan, crystallizing the path fruit of the human immortal means becoming a true immortal. Then, one would be qualified to enter the Great Luo Heaven.

As he spoke, they had already arrived at the entrance of the Academy.

Lu Ge stopped and looked at Yin Wenzi and the others.

“All right, no need to see me off.”

“Stay here.”

They bowed respectfully. “We wish the Patriarch a smooth journey.”

“If you truly unify the world and bring peace to all living beings, it would be a boundless merit.”

Lu Ge waved his hand. “I don’t care about merits.”

“I only ask that if the time comes, you don’t help me, but also don’t meddle in this mess.”

“I do not wish to strike you.”

With that, his long sleeves fluttered as he strode away.

Shen Dao hurriedly followed a few steps behind.

“Patriarch, Patriarch, slow down.”

“You’re going the wrong way.”

Lu Ge’s face remained unchanged. He twisted his body and smoothly changed direction.

…

Linzi, West Market.

“Patriarch, although Qi and Zhao border each other, the road to Handan is quite far.”

“We need to buy horses and carts first.”

Shen Dao said with practiced ease.

Lu Ge patted his pocket honestly. “I have no money.”

Shen Dao lifted his head. “No problem, I do.”

When he said he had money, he truly did. Shen Dao didn’t even haggle—he spent money without batting an eye.

Soon, horses and carts were ready.

“Patriarch, please.”

“I will drive the cart.”

Before long, the carts rumbled off, heading west.

However, just as they left the West Market, Lu Ge was blocked again.

“What’s going on?” Lu Ge pulled aside the cart curtain and popped his head out to ask.

Shen Dao looked helpless and pointed ahead.

“Patriarch, your disciples and followers have arrived.”

Lu Ge waved his hand. “You’re one of the Five Elders of Daoism. Just tell them to leave.”

He was about to withdraw his head.

Shen Dao hurriedly grabbed his sleeve.

“Patriarch, they are not Daoist disciples.”

“I have no authority over them.”

Lu Ge was stunned.

“Huh?”

“Not Daoist disciples?”

“Then whose disciples am I?”

Looking out, he saw a group of Confucian scholars standing with hands clasped, blocking the road.

Each wore an intense expression, looking far from friendly.

“They are disciples of the Lu school of Confucianism,” Shen Dao explained.

“All regard you as their Patriarch.”

“Among Confucians, Yan Hui is honored as the Restored Sage.”

“But they believe you are the true Restored Sage of Confucianism.”

Lu Ge was dumbfounded.

What the heck? I just snatched old Yan’s saintly position?

“Originally, Yan recorded Confucius’s words and deeds, compiling them into the Analects.”

“But you debated with Yan and put forward different views.”

“These views were passed down generation to generation and revered by some Confucian disciples as classics, forming the Lu school.”

“Therefore, they all regard you as their Patriarch.”

“However, they have long been labeled heretics by the Confucian mainstream and rejected.”

“Now that they’ve heard you descended from a painting, they’ve come to pay homage.”

“They likely hope you will lead the Lu school to greatness.”

Listening to Shen Dao, Lu Ge thought the world had turned upside down.

He had only been joking with old Yan.

How did this turn into a whole school of thought?

And one that studies the Analects, no less.

“Why not go out and meet them?”

“At least get them to clear the way.”

Shen Dao suggested softly.

Lu Ge sighed, nodded, and got off the cart.

The disciples brightened further.

“Disciples of the Lu school of Confucianism, greetings to the Patriarch!”

Hundreds of Confucian scholars gathered, already attracting attention.

Now, each called out their salutations, their voices echoing to the skies, drawing many passersby to turn and look.

Lu Ge covered his face, feeling utterly mortified.

Social death!