NOVEL NEXT Chapter 206 – Yao Guang’s Victory
One person delivered a sermon; two engaged in a discourse. But discourse, in this case, was also a contest, a battle of ideologies.
Sage Ruler Yao Guang’s voice resonated throughout the Great Chu, reaching every corner of the kingdom. Lu Chunqiu, with his newly attained Great Vehicle realm cultivation, matched her feat.
Great Vehicle—vast, boundless, encompassing all things. To achieve this realm was to become a vessel for the universe, capable of guiding all sentient beings towards enlightenment.
Yao Guang, gazing at Lu Chunqiu hovering in mid-air, maintained her benevolent façade; that of a compassionate empress.
“Excellent.”
In terms of pure cultivation, Wu Gang surpassed Lu Chunqiu. However, Lu Chunqiu was the master of Confucianism, revered by countless scholars throughout the land. He was the only one who could challenge Yao Guang.
"Do you think… Father can win?" Lu Fubao asked anxiously from within the Rivers and Mountains Pavilion.
Fan Li, gently patting her shoulder, reassured her. “Marquis Lu’s participation is what matters. Victory or defeat is irrelevant.”
Lu Fubao was confused. Was he merely trying to comfort her? How could victory or defeat be irrelevant? Sage Ruler Yao Guang was the strongest female cultivator in the world. Perhaps only Emperor Jiajing of the Great Ming could claim to surpass her. Lu Chunqiu, despite his status as a renowned scholar, faced a significant cultivation disadvantage. Defeat was expected; victory would be a miracle.
If defeat was inevitable, was there even a point in participating?
Had Fan Li and her father devised a strategy, a way to outmaneuver Yao Guang in this discourse? Lu Fubao hoped so, but seeing Fan Li’s silence, she refrained from pressing him further.
Fan Li, for his part, listened intently, as if an ordinary spectator, absorbing the profound teachings of the two masters.
"Harmony between Yin and Yang, the natural order of the Dao—these are the fundamental truths of the universe."
Lu Chunqiu guided his listeners towards enlightenment. He spoke like a wise elder, sharing his life's experience and wisdom.
“Cultivation is defying Heaven’s decree. Seek the extremes of Yin to achieve ultimate power and transcend limitations. Through this path, you can attain true freedom and bliss!”
Yao Guang contradicted Lu Chunqiu’s gentle teachings. As she spoke, her aura intensified.
Great Vehicle—Manifestation of Heaven and Earth!
A beam of golden light descended from the sky, bathing Yao Guang in a divine radiance. Countless birds flocked towards her, circling overhead, their chirps resembled a chorus of praise, like a hundred birds paying homage to a phoenix.
Behind Yao Guang, a phantom image manifested, growing larger with each breath, towering over the platform. Within moments, it had transformed into a colossal figure, a hundred feet tall. The giant shared Yao Guang's features, but she was dressed in imperial robes, a five-clawed golden dragon emblazoned on her chest, a twelve-beaded crown adorning her head—the attire of an emperor.
“Harmony between Yin and Yang? Unfettered Yin is also a path! Natural order of the Dao? Extreme measures can also lead to success! Women of the world, why remain shackled? Why bind yourselves? I the Emperor am proof!”
For the first time in the Great Chu, before millions of citizens, Yao Guang addressed herself as Emperor!
Countless women of the Great Chu would forever remember this moment. A woman could also claim the title of Emperor?!
“Long live the Sage Ruler! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand ten thousand years!”
A woman in the audience, overcome with emotion, cried out, prostrating herself before Yao Guang, her face bathed in tears.
A ripple of excitement spread through the crowd. More and more women joined in the chant, kneeling and bowing, pledging their allegiance to Yao Guang.
As citizens of the Great Chu, to bow before anyone other than their Emperor and hail them as “ten thousand years” was an act of treason.
“Fan Li, what do we do now?!” Lu Fubao asked urgently.
This was only the first day, and Yao Guang’s sermon was already having a terrifying effect. They had four more days to endure. Would Fan Li simply stand by and watch?
Her father's performance seemed unremarkable. It was clear he had no hidden strategies. This discourse would undoubtedly end in his defeat.
“Marquis Lu has worked hard," Fan Li replied, seemingly changing the subject. "His opponent is formidable. We must reward him handsomely for his efforts.”
He added thoughtfully, “Perhaps we should deduct one-tenth of the Great Chu’s tax revenue this year and send it to Lu City."
Lu City, a haven for Confucian scholars, was a place Fan Li wouldn't hesitate to invest in. After all, he considered it his own personal asset.
Lu Fubao couldn't help but feel a surge of both anger and amusement. Did Fan Li have no plan at all? Was he simply resigning himself to her father’s defeat?
A beam of green light descended from the sky, enveloping Lu Chunqiu. Above his head, a book materialized, its title clearly visible: Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals.
With the appearance of this Confucian treasure, Lu Chunqiu’s aura surged, momentarily matching Yao Guang’s intensity.
However, Lu Fubao felt no joy. She knew this was her father’s last resort. He had summoned all his strength to stand against Yao Guang, but had she truly exerted her full power? Judging by Yao Guang’s calm and composed demeanor, the answer was clearly no.
“Excellent. To achieve such a level of power with a mere first-rank Great Vehicle cultivation… The Lu clan, the most esteemed family of the pre-Qin era, is indeed remarkable.”
She was praising Lu Chunqiu, but her tone was that of an adult commending a child, highlighting the vast difference in their power and experience.
With those simple words, the outcome of the discourse was clear. Lu Chunqiu was destined to lose.
However, Lu Chunqiu didn't act like a defeated man. His gaze was steady, his expression serene, betraying no hint of despair.
“The Sage Ruler will deliver her sermon for five days. This Marquis shall accompany you until the very end. Nothing more, nothing less,” he declared calmly.
“Hmph!” Yao Guang’s displeasure was evident.
She had a clear advantage, yet this victory brought her no satisfaction. It was a frustrating sensation.
“Very well. I shall ensure your defeat is even more thorough!”
Her manifestation of Heaven and Earth expanded, towering over the platform. She resembled not an earthly emperor, but a celestial deity descending upon the mortal world.
Lu Chunqiu, despite wielding the Confucian treasure, swayed unsteadily, like a withered leaf caught in a strong wind, on the verge of falling.
No one expected what happened next.
Five days.
For five full days, Lu Chunqiu, though clearly outmatched, held his ground. His discourse on the Dao fell on deaf ears among the three thousand women in the audience, but he persevered, refusing to allow Yao Guang to dominate the stage.
“Fan Li, why is Father so insistent?” Lu Fubao asked.
Fan Li’s expression was solemn, but his voice held a deep respect.
“Fubao, you should be happy. Marquis Lu, with his first-rank cultivation, is challenging Yao Guang, who is at the eighth rank of the Great Vehicle realm. He doesn’t seek victory; he seeks to secure a share of fortune for the mortal world—a fortune called ‘diversity’.”
Diversity?
Lu Fubao was confused.
“To prevent a single voice from dominating the narrative, that is diversity,” Fan Li explained. “Marquis Lu, worthy of his title as master of Confucian scholars, his actions today are a great service to the world.”
So, this was diversity? To sacrifice face and dignity, to willingly accept defeat before the eyes of the world, simply to ensure that people retained their ability to think for themselves—this was indeed something her father would do.
However, her heart ached even more for him.
“You have lost,” Yao Guang finally declared.
The golden light emanating from her manifestation intensified, completely eclipsing the green light surrounding Lu Chunqiu.
With a groan, Lu Chunqiu coughed up blood and collapsed, falling heavily to the ground.
Among the three thousand women who had listened to Yao Guang’s sermon, not a single one spared him a glance…
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