My Dreams Connect to Ancient Times

Lü Niangrong stared blankly as the middle-aged man bowed deeply in her direction.

Purple qi, principles, and the very benevolence and righteousness he preached all took form as a splendid, radiant flame. It rose from behind him, blooming, swirling, and intertwining in an absolutely magnificent display. It cast his shadow downward, accompanied by a surging tide of lotuses that cascaded layer by layer, landing squarely in the very space beside her.

She glanced to the side. In the space beside her, lotuses of benevolence and flowers of righteousness bobbed and sank, while the Dao and its principles intertwined, all blooming beside the cyan bull.

Master Kong bowed again.

Who was he bowing to?

The same question arose in different people’s minds at the very same moment.

Lü Buwei’s scalp prickled. He pulled Lü Niangrong aside, for they too were in the direction of Master Kong’s deep bow.

The nearby crowd suddenly came to their senses, parting to either side like a receding tide in perfect unison. Even Zhao Zheng had the presence of mind to walk away, silently retreating to one side.

At this point, the only ones remaining in the direction of the Master’s formal bow were a farmer, a cyan bull, a Daoist, and Jiangling City behind them.

Lü Buwei’s heart suddenly began to race. His lips trembled as he asked:

"Master, is he bowing to Jiangling City?"

"I fear... I fear not!" the old servant replied, his voice also trembling.

The two fell silent, an utterly terrifying thought dawning in both their minds. ’No, it can’t be, can it?’

It wasn’t just them. Lü Niangrong and the nearby crowd were also plunged into immense confusion and horror, their gazes shifting between the bowing Kongzi and the Daoist on the bull’s back.

Why wasn’t the Daoist moving aside?

Was he scared stiff, or...

The Master held his bow for ten breaths. After ten breaths, he straightened up, his face filled with joy, a million lotuses at his feet.

The Master spoke in a clear, placid voice, yet it caused heaven and earth to resonate in sympathy. A canopy of purple qi descended, roiling three feet above his head and suffusing the air with a hallowed glow.

"Teacher, it has been thirty-seven years."

CRACK!!

A dazzling bolt of lightning erupted from within the purple-tinged clouds. This great thunderclap cracked in the heavens, but it also exploded in Lü Buwei’s mind, in everyone’s hearts!!

Amidst the ROARING thunder, Lü Buwei felt the back of his head go numb, his spine tremble, and the hair on his body stand on end.

He was like this, and so was everyone else.

Tea... Teacher?

In perfect unison, everyone turned to look at the farmer, the cyan bull, and the old, world-weary Daoist.

The Daoist now raised his head. His eyes were unclear, but they could see a smile on his face—one of sentiment, of sighing, of reminiscence.

"Yes, it has been a long time. I have often heard of your travels through the various states these past years, cultivating the masses, spreading benevolence and righteousness. Your actions match your words. It is most excellent."

The surroundings fell silent, save for the frantic heartbeats and chaotic breaths rising and falling. Kongzi, smiling, performed the rite once more, bowing deeply again:

"In Luoyang City, Teacher taught me of Heaven, Earth, and Nature, and I gained some enlightenment. At the border of the Qi Kingdom, Teacher taught me to follow Nature, and I entered the station of Virtue. Thirty-seven years have passed since then. In those thirty-seven years, this student has been diligent and conscientious, not daring to be neglectful, devoted to the Dao and striving in its principles."

’In Luoyang City, at the border of the Qi Kingdom...’

Lü Buwei’s chest tightened. How could he not know who Daoist Lu was now?

Lu Zi.

Lu Zi!!!

Lü Niangrong, beside him, was in no better state. Her eyes were wide and her mouth was slightly agape. She wanted to speak but didn’t know what to say. Her heart pounded violently, and her vision went dark.

Scene after scene from the past few months flashed through her mind: their meeting in the great wilderness, taking shelter in the city, the danger they faced on the main street...

’Thinking back now, from beginning to end, Daoist Lu had always worn that same serene expression. Not a single ripple had ever disturbed his composure...’

’Lu Zi.’

She swallowed hard, her legs weakening. At the same time, a profound sense of loss washed over her. ’If the Daoist is the legendary Lu Zi, then Brother Zhao...’

Lü Niangrong was in a daze, Lü Buwei’s breath came in ragged gasps, a mixture of ecstasy and terror filling him. And the crowd to the side—they all erupted in an uproar!

The world praised the Master’s benevolence and righteousness, but they also knew of Lu Zi’s might and virtue!

He beheaded Duke Huan of Qi, enumerated his sins to the heavens, judged the gods, and deposed the Celestial Court!

His Great Might was absolute!

He cultivated all living things, saved people from disaster and hardship, spread the Dao throughout the world, and bestowed grace upon all of creation!

He was the embodiment of Great Virtue!

This Lu Zi of Great Virtue and Great Might—in terms of reputation, he even surpassed Kongzi by a fair measure!

Under the gaze of countless fervent eyes, Old Nong led the cyan bull, beaming as he sized up the Master who was filled with principles and brimming with benevolence and righteousness.

Meanwhile, the old Daoist on the bull’s back lifted his eyelids, revealing eyes of utmost clarity.

He said with a smile:

"Decades have passed since we parted. I’ve heard of your travels through the various states, spreading benevolence, lecturing on righteousness, and cultivating virtue. Seeing you again now, I am greatly gratified."

Kongzi bowed and said:

"This student is untalented and still has doubts in his heart. I have been searching for Teacher’s whereabouts all this time. To see you today fills me with immense joy."

"What doubts do you have?" Lu Xuan asked with a smile.

Kongzi said, "Though this student has thought deeply and studied diligently, I have wandered the states for decades in vain. I may have gained worldwide fame, but I have still not entered the gate of the Great Dao."

As the two spoke, the purple qi in the Celestial Vault surged, more than doubling in size to form a magnificent expanse stretching twenty thousand li. Heaven and Earth hummed at this moment, shaking all eight directions. Immortal Flowers fell from the sky as divine springs gushed forth from the ground, flowing without end.

Then, Cultivators appeared from all directions, settling quietly in the surroundings.

A hundred li away, the Earth split open. The Yellow Springs surged forth, and the Ghost Gate manifested and opened. Behind the gate, all the Ghost Gods paid their respects.

High in the Celestial Vault, amidst swirling clouds and mist, the Celestial Gate faintly appeared. A Divine Mountain stood majestic, its palaces and jade towers silhouetted indistinctly, and the Immortal Gods listened quietly from the heavens.

Those in Heaven, the Human World, and the underworld had all heard of Kongzi’s name and knew even better of Lu Zi’s might and virtue. Now that the two greatest Great Powers of the Human World were discussing the Dao, it had startled the Immortals, Buddhas, Gods, and Ghosts. They had all arrived in silence, wanting to hear the Dao of Lu Zi and Kongzi.