Chapter 12: Xiao Lu, Are You Willing to Officially Join My Sect?

Meanwhile, on the other side, Confucius and Lao Dan, taking a break midway, had been watching all along.

“No wonder this young Lu can grasp the teacher’s words so well; he truly possesses something extraordinary,” Confucius said.

“To be misunderstood is the fate of any true expression,” Lao Dan remarked.

“Anyone who can say such things clearly has already formed a personal understanding of the Great Way,” Confucius mused softly.

Lao Dan’s expression was peculiar. Others might not have noticed, but he certainly did. Lu Ge was someone capable of such insight? Yet, in front of outsiders, Lao Dan could not undermine Lu Ge’s standing and could only respond vaguely.

“Not bad, just so-so,” he said.

Confucius then looked at Yan Hui. “Recording my words and actions is your concern.”

“How they are understood is the affair of future generations.”

“How could those before us control how those after us think?”

“If misunderstood, so long as the intent to understand is righteous rather than evil, that suffices.”

“Of course, if someone deliberately twists the meaning for selfish gain or to commit wrongdoing—” Confucius paused slightly, then smiled gently, “the myriad beings of the world are countless; not all can be fooled.”

“There will always be those who uphold the righteous path and reshape the heavens and earth.”

Lu Ge nodded repeatedly. “Exactly, exactly.”

“Just keep the record.”

“If those in later times benefit from your account, that will be your merit.”

“If anyone consciously distorts the meaning, that is their own misdeed and has nothing to do with you.”

“They will face retribution in due course.”

Yan Hui gradually recovered, his face faintly flushed, bowing respectfully to Confucius and Lu Ge.

“I lost my composure,” he admitted.

Lao Dan laughed, “Your mindset needs work; you explode at the slightest touch. You must train more.”

Lu Ge was momentarily taken aback. Hadn’t he said that to Li Da before? How did Lao Dan still remember?

No wonder the man was a sage—even at his age, his memory was impeccable.

“Your disciple will heed the sage’s instruction,” Yan Hui said solemnly, bowing again to Lao Dan.

Inwardly, he reflected on his poor mindset—today, even with no ill intent from Brother Lu, his resolve nearly shattered.

If enemies acted similarly or worse in the future, how could he possibly resist?

For three days, Confucius and Lao Dan debated the Way.

When the discussion ended, Confucius repeatedly requested to accompany Lao Dan on his journey, but Lao Dan firmly declined.

Left with no choice, Confucius led his disciples to bid farewell.

Lu Ge led the green ox and waved to Yan Hui.

In those three days, the two had grown familiar.

Watching Lu Ge leave with Lao Dan, Yan Hui felt reluctant.

Had it not been for meeting Brother Lu this time, he might never have discovered the weakness in his heart’s resolve.

...

Time passed as sun and moon alternated and seasons changed.

Lu Ge felt as if he were on a journey to the Western Paradise.

Well, after all, they were heading west.

At last, after crossing many states and enduring wars, the formidable mountain pass loomed ahead like a coiled dragon.

Hangu Pass.

The pass lay deep within a valley, perilous as a box.

Departing from the State of Chu, they traveled west, then detoured southward, eastward, and finally north.

Nearly a year later, they arrived.

Hangu Pass was not far from Chu, but with the wars raging, a direct route was impossible.

They had to circle all the way around.

Lu Ge calculated carefully and realized they had essentially circled around Chu.

“By the way, who’s at Hangu Pass?” he asked.

“Why must you go there?” he wondered, puzzled.

He used to think that beyond Hangu Pass lay the Western Regions.

Later he learned that Hangu Pass was located in what would become Henan province.

And Lao Dan’s home was in Chu, roughly modern-day Hubei—almost adjacent.

“The Way of Zi Qiu has disciples who recorded it and passed it on,” Lao Dan said calmly.

“And naturally, someone may inherit my Way.”

“You were a good candidate,” he continued.

“But you ultimately do not belong here, so I must find another.”

“Yin Xi, the warden of Hangu Pass, is quite suitable.”

Lu Ge was surprised.

He had thought Lao Dan merely passed through Hangu Pass and transmitted the Tao Te Ching at Yin Xi’s request.

It wasn’t so.

Lao Dan had deliberately come here.

Without Lu Ge, Yin Xi would be Lao Dan’s sole legitimate successor and direct disciple in this world.

Yin Xi was indeed impressive.

The Lüshi Chunqiu mentioned:

Lao Dan values softness, Confucius values benevolence, Mo Di values impartiality, Guan Yin values clarity,

Liezi values emptiness, Chen Pian values harmony, Yang Sheng values self, Sun Bin values power,

Wang Liao values precedence, Er Liang values succession.

These ten were all illustrious figures of their age.

By the time they spoke, they had arrived at the pass.

From afar, a man stood with hands clasped, seemingly having waited long.

Judging by his attire, Lu Ge guessed this must be Yin Xi.

Indeed—

“Yin Xi pays respects to the sage,” he greeted hurriedly with a bow.

Lao Dan smiled warmly. “I am but an old man; why call me sage?”

Yin Xi bowed his head. “Your disciple is skilled in observing omens.”

“A few days ago, I saw purple qi rising in the east, vast and stretching three thousand miles.”

“This is the sign of the sage’s arrival.”

“Above the purple qi, white clouds cap the sky.”

“Therefore, the sage must be an elderly man with white hair.”

“I have waited here many days and finally see the sage today—it is truly a blessed event of three lifetimes.”

Yin Xi’s excitement grew with each word.

He was clearly a devoted follower of Lao Dan.

Lu Ge listened intently, glancing up at the sky.

Strange.

He could see no purple qi himself.

There were plenty of white clouds, though.

The green ox whispered, “Don’t bother looking—you don’t know how to read qi.”

“Even if you stare until the sky breaks, you won’t see anything.”

The ox spoke human words, yet Yin Xi showed no reaction.

Of course, one who can observe qi would hardly be an ordinary man.

Lao Dan stroked his beard. “Let us enter the pass.”

Yin Xi quickly led the way, guiding Lao Dan and Lu Ge inside.

They arrived at the pass warden’s residence.

Yin Xi greeted them warmly, bustling about cheerfully.

Three days passed.

Lu Ge returned, leading the green ox after grazing.

“Little Lu,” Lao Dan called out, stopping him.

Lu Ge paused, patted the ox’s horns, letting it go on its own.

“What is it?”

Lao Dan’s gaze was gentle as he looked at Lu Ge.

“We have known each other sixteen years.”

“I wonder if you are willing to formally join my sect?”

Though Lu Ge had been learning the Way from Lao Dan, their relationship was more mentor and companion.

When he previously told Confucius that Lu Ge was his disciple, it was merely in words, more of a nominal disciple.

Now, Lao Dan’s question clearly meant to accept him as a personal disciple.

Lu Ge was momentarily stunned by the sudden proposal.

“Wait, wait,” he stammered.

“So, I have passed the probation and you are willing to accept me as a disciple?”

Joy surged in his heart.

But after the happiness came a trace of melancholy.

Lao Dan’s acceptance meant full recognition.

And once recognized, his task would be complete.

When the task was done, wouldn’t that mean he must depart?

He had anticipated this day but when it truly arrived, Lu Ge still found it hard to bear.