Chapter 18: Heaven to Heaven, Man to Man; The Great Divine Power of Confucianism, the Separation of Heaven and Humanity

What is in the State of Zhao?
There is the future ruler of the world.
There is the future Supreme Human Emperor.
But Lu Ge did not say this, as no one would likely believe it anyway.
Even though the Taoist school now honors him as their founding master.
If such a thing were true, why would neither Laozi nor Confucius have known, yet you do?

"You all seem very reluctant to see me leave," Lu Ge said, getting straight to the point.
Yin Wenzi’s face flushed slightly, but he nodded.
"Since the Founding Master has spoken plainly, I shall not conceal my thoughts."
"To be honest, life for the Taoists is difficult these days."
"Although the various states still use the Tao of the Yellow Emperor and Laozi to govern, over the last century, the Confucian school has gradually risen, while the Taoist school has increasingly declined."
Yin Wenzi sighed, filled with bitterness and helplessness.
"First, there was Mencius of the Confucian school, who attained the great divine ability of 'Haoran Zhengqi' (the Vast Noble Spirit), suppressing the Hundred Schools of Thought so that they could hardly lift their heads."
"Now there is Xunzi, who has served as the libationer of the Jixia Academy for three generations and possesses the great divine ability of 'Separation of Heaven and Humanity'."
"That ability dictates that Heaven belongs to Heaven, and humanity belongs to humanity."
"Once unleashed, it can isolate us from the Great Tao of Heaven and Earth, rendering us unable to use our own divine abilities."
"The abilities we have realized are truly no match for his."
"Now that the Founding Master has descended, we disciples are incompetent and can only hope that the Founding Master will uphold the reputation of our Taoist school."

Lu Ge was stunned.
"Ah?"
"Me?"
"Uphold the reputation of the Taoist school?"
Lu Ge pointed at himself.
"You all must be overestimating me."
"We are all family, so I don't mind telling you."
"I have indeed attained a great divine ability, known as 'Immortality'."
"But it has no combat capability."
"If you rely on me to uphold your reputation, how am I supposed to do that?"
"Should I wait them out until they die? See who lives longer?"

The path of cultivation that Lao Dan spoke of previously encompassed the past, present, and future. In the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, methods like refining Qi or tempering the body had not yet emerged. The mainstream of cultivation was still relying on sensing the Great Tao of Heaven and Earth and realizing one’s own divine abilities.
The greatest weakness of divine ability cultivation is that if one has not achieved immortality, once one's lifespan is exhausted, one must die.
However, it does have an advantage: strong combat power.
Later generations of cultivation, such as alchemy and Qi refining, could steadily extend lifespan and even reach immortality, but if one were to fight against a practitioner of divine abilities, they would undoubtedly lose.
Even if you have thousands of spells and infinite magical artifacts, your magical power will eventually run dry.
But divine ability cultivation is about using the heart to control the Great Tao of Heaven and Earth. As long as the heart does not die, the divine ability is vast and endless, never-ending.

Now, the Taoists were counting on Lu Ge to hold the line, but Lu Ge knew his own limits. Although he possessed the great divine ability of Immortality and his lifespan was no longer restricted, this ability had no combat power whatsoever.
The only trick he could pull off was a strand of "Big Dipper Death-Marking Sword Qi," but that was merely a minor divine ability. It would not be enough to block Xunzi’s "Separation of Heaven and Humanity."

"So, you had better think of another way."
"What you are asking for is something I truly cannot help with," Lu Ge said, spreading his hands.
He was a student of Lao Dan, and he would certainly help the Taoists if he could. But he was powerless in this instance, and there was nothing he could do.
The Five Elders of Taoism looked at each other, momentarily bewildered.
Is this Founding Master powerful?
Certainly.
In the last five hundred years, no one had ever heard of anyone attaining the divine ability of Immortality. Perhaps Laozi and Confucius had, but they had long since vanished, their fates unknown. He was likely unique.
But was this power useful to them right now?
Er, it didn't seem particularly useful.
The courtyard fell into a heavy silence.

"Ahem."
After a long while, Lu Ge gave a light cough, breaking the silence.
"I feel that your desire to win is a bit too strong."
"It is said: 'It is precisely because of non-contention that no one in the world can contend with you.'"
"There is also the saying that 'at the height of prosperity, decline begins'."
"You only need to diligently pass on the teachings and ensure the Taoist tradition remains unbroken."
"Eventually, there will come a time when the eastern wind prevails over the western one."
"Why concern yourselves with the disputes of the moment?"

Yin Wenzi remained silent for a moment before saying, "How could we not understand what the Founding Master says?"
"Before Mencius and Xunzi, our Taoist school had Zhuangzi."
"At that time, our Taoist school was unrivaled in prominence, just like the Confucian school is now."
"However, we are not the Founding Master; we are not destined for immortality."
"Life is short, and we are naturally unwilling to be suppressed by others throughout our lifetimes."
"We also wish to exalt our Taoist school, just as Zhuangzi did."

Lu Ge was momentarily speechless.
Principles are easy to state and simple to understand, but putting them into practice is incredibly difficult.

"Very well, very well." Lu Ge waved his hand.
"In any case, I certainly cannot help with what you are asking for."
"According to what you say, I definitely cannot fight Xunzi’s 'Separation of Heaven and Humanity'."
"If you want to take my advice and keep a low profile, then do so."
"If you are unwilling, I cannot help it."
"How you wish to struggle or fight has nothing to do with me."
"I have important matters to attend to."
"If you are unwilling to send someone to guide me, I shall find the way myself."
"There are thousands of roads in this world, and as long as I am willing to ask, I will surely find the path to the State of Zhao."

Lu Ge was tired of bickering with them. Having said this, he turned to leave.
"Founding Master, Founding Master."
"Please do not be angry."
"We will send someone to guide you."
Yin Wenzi hurriedly grabbed Lu Ge’s sleeve. Regardless of whether Lu Ge could help them, he was still the Founding Master of the Taoist school; they could not show him disrespect.
Shen Dao stepped forward and said, "I am a native of the State of Zhao."
"Why don't I lead the Founding Master there?"
Lu Ge nodded. "Very well, let us set off."
Shen Dao was stunned. "Is it that urgent?"
"Does the Founding Master not wish to rest for a few days?"
Lu Ge raised an eyebrow. "Rest?"
"Only those who are useless need to rest."
"Let’s go, let’s go."
With that, he pulled Shen Dao toward the exit. Yin Wenzi and the others had no choice but to follow to see him off.

"Founding Master, perhaps you could tell us why you are in such a hurry to go to the State of Zhao."
"Although we cannot defeat the Confucians, we could still provide some assistance," Yin Wenzi asked from behind Lu Ge.
Lu Ge thought for a moment, then stopped and looked at the Five Elders of Taoism.
"Do you consider the importance of the state you were born in, or the peace and tranquility of all living beings in the world?"
Yin Wenzi did not hesitate. "Naturally, the people of the world are of greater importance."
Lu Ge asked again, "If there were a state capable of settling the world and unifying the universe, but the state you were born in would be destroyed by it, what would you do?"
At this, the five men frowned and fell silent.
"Can the various states not stop their wars and bring peace to the world?" Tian Pian asked.
Lu Ge glanced at him. "Confucius thought exactly the same way back then."
"He traveled to the various states and tried to persuade their rulers."
"But more than two hundred years have passed—has anything changed in this world?"
Tian Pian was speechless.
Lu Ge continued, "Back then, Confucius invited my teacher to travel to the various states to persuade the rulers and realize the scene you speak of."
"But the teacher refused."
"At that time, I said that if the world wants peace, it can only be achieved by using force to curb force."
"There must be a state that arises to unify this world."
"Otherwise, with states rising together, the chaos of war will never end."