Chapter 60: The Haotian Gambit

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North Star, Heavenly Principle Ziwei Enclosure, Taiyi Palace.

The Jade Emperor Haotian used all his divine power to assist in observing the future. With his eyes tightly closed, he captured the information flowing through the long river of time.

After a long time, the Jade Emperor Haotian slowly opened his eyes. "Even I cannot stem the grand trend of the ancient gods passing into twilight..."

He sighed. "Since immortals are destined to replace the ancient gods in ruling the heavens of the Huaxia realm, I must make preparations early."

With that, Haotian scanned the entire Huaxia realm, finally resting his gaze upon the North Sea.

At this moment, Queen Mother Houtu and the Heavenly Concubine arrived by his side. Houtu asked, "Your Majesty, what is the reason for summoning us here?"

Haotian contemplated for a few moments before deciding to reveal what he had learned.

***

North Sea.

Haotian came here in person. Looking at the boundless ocean, he produced his supreme treasure, the Myriad Origin Cauldron, and said calmly, "The Myriad Origin Cauldron will absorb the stellar essence of the Central Pole Star right here. When the cauldron is filled with this stellar essence, my heritage secret realm shall open."

Indeed, Haotian intended to carve out a secret realm in this place, leaving behind his supreme heritage within it.

Thus, wielding his supreme and boundless divine power, Haotian chose a specific location in the North Sea to begin creating the entrance and the realm of the secret realm itself, designating the Myriad Origin Cauldron to govern it.

Two and a half years later, Haotian finally finished his work and departed from the North Sea.

Later, just as the Heavenly Emperor Dijun had left his heritage on Mount Kunlun, which attracted countless living beings to explore, Haotian's heritage left in the North Sea likewise drew innumerable seekers.

***

North Star, Heavenly Principle Ziwei Enclosure, Taiyi Palace.

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The Jade Emperor Haotian sat high upon the True Dragon Imperial Throne, looking down at the six sages standing beneath the steps.

The Prime Sage, the Literary Sage, the Second Sage, the Latter Sage, the Sage of Principle, and the Sage of Heart gathered here to await Haotian's commands.

"Prime Sage, Literary Sage, Second Sage, Latter Sage, Sage of Principle, Sage of Heart, from this day forth, you shall hold my imperial edict and descend to the mortal realm to support a faction capable of influencing the decisions of the Master of the Land."

"Your task is to have this faction propagate my philosophy and make the upper echelons of humankind believe in your doctrines."

"When necessary, the six of you may manifest as mortals to spread education, so that the wise among humanity will regard your knowledge as classics."

"Can you fulfill my requirements?"

"We shall strictly obey His Majesty's instructions and successfully fulfill the imperial edict!"

The six sages proclaimed their vow to Haotian in unison.

Nodding in satisfaction, Haotian dismissed the six sages to the mortal realm.

Departing from the Heavenly Principle Ziwei Enclosure, the six sages—Prime Sage, Literary Sage, Second Sage, Latter Sage, Sage of Principle, and Sage of Heart—remained among the Yanhuang human race forever.

Later, under the guidance and influence of the six sages, the Four Books, the Six Classics, and the Six Arts emerged among the Yanhuang people, becoming an essential component of their traditional culture.

The Four Books and Six Classics served as the core carrier of Confucian ideology. The Four Books were *The Great Learning*, *The Doctrine of the Mean*, *The Analects of Confucius*, and *Mencius*; the Six Classics were *The Classic of Poetry*, *The Book of Documents*, *The Book of Rites*, *The Classic of Music*, *The Book of Changes*, and *The Spring and Autumn Annals*. The Six Arts consisted of Rites (etiquette), Music (music), Archery (shooting and riding), Charioteering (driving), Calligraphy (writing), and Mathematics (arithmetic).

The Four Books and Six Classics became the enduring classics of the Yanhuang people, cultivating countless Confucian scholars. The Six Arts emphasized the combination of civil and military virtues, leaving a profound impact on the Yanhuang race.

The eternal presence of the six sages among humanity laid the foundation for the later creation of Confucianism, the establishment of Confucian studies, and the founding of the Confucian religion, providing the backing for Confucianism to become the state religion throughout successive imperial dynasties of humankind.

In days to come, the Daoist and Buddhist religions were blocked from becoming state religions in the mortal world precisely because of the chokehold maintained by Confucianism.

As Confucianism existed long-term as the official ideology of successive imperial dynasties, it occupied the dominant position in the ideological system. Regarding the Daoist and Buddhist religions, Confucianism viewed Daoism as contrary and Buddhism as foreign; thus, to consolidate its own status, Confucianism undertook actions to suppress both.

Confucianism's highest title is Sage, Daoism's highest is Immortal, and Buddhism's highest is Buddha. Thus, the three teachings of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism harmonized and clashed in history, constructing the subsequent cultural history of the Huaxia human race.

***

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Mount Tian, Primordial Pavilion.

Mu Changge quietly watched Haotian's maneuvers, then clapped in praise. "As expected of the supreme god of Confucianism, Haotian's vision and planning are truly top-notch."

"Some people die, yet they live on forever. Some people live, yet they are already dead."

"For Confucianism to remain strong long after Haotian's departure, one cannot do without the decisive actions he took at this very moment."

"Furthermore, Heavenly Origin Yinglong arranged for Yellow Dragon to protect the human supreme being, who possessed heavenly mandate and great fortune."

"These two conditions determined Confucianism's absolute supremacy among the three teachings in the future. With Confucianism as the mainstay, and the essence of Daoism and Buddhism absorbed while discarding the dross, a culture unifying the three teachings was formed."

"Even if Yellow Dragon eventually left the human race, Confucianism had long since deeply embedded itself within the upper echelons of humanity. By then, I'm afraid Daoism and Buddhism would have been powerless to reverse the tide."

Standing nearby, the black rabbit looked at the chattering Mu Changge with green eyes full of curiosity and asked, "Master, what are you talking about?"

Mu Changge smiled at the black rabbit. "Never mind that. I was merely praising Haotian's far-reaching foresight."

The black rabbit blinked. "It's really rare for Master to praise someone like this. I thought you would start by criticizing Haotian."

"Ahem, Black Rabbit, how can you view me like that? Haotian and I aren't particularly close—I only rejected him once in the past. Why would I criticize him first?"

"Yet I feel like Master harbors no favorable impression of Haotian. Just now, although your words were praising him, I saw no trace of praise in your eyes."

"Because Haotian and I are strangers, and I am viewing this from the perspective of a bystander, naturally I won't genuinely develop a fondness for his actions."

The black rabbit tilted its head in confusion. "Then perhaps I was just biased?"

Mu Changge patted the black rabbit's head. "It doesn't matter. Black Rabbit is very smart. If you just think about it a little, when you see how influential Haotian remains even after his absence, you will understand his actions today."

While enjoying the head pats, the black rabbit replied, "Mm."

"Well, never mind what Haotian did for now. Black Rabbit, come here, I want a lap pillow."

"Understood, Master!"

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