Maiden Galaxy

Chapter 535: Rites, Music, And Expeditions Come From The Son Of Heaven

School Of Mind Pavilion.

Chen Qinghan sat upright as she drank "Junshan Silver Needle" tea. Sitting across from her was none other than the founder of the School Of Mind, Wang Yangming. As one of Confucianism's Four Sages, Wang Yangming declared herself outside of these affairs. Later, she left Confucianism to found the "School Of Mind," making Dong Zhongshu and her faction view Wang Yangming as a traitor. In the Central Star Field, although Wang Yangming had the support of Dream In A Millennium, the School Of Mind's growth was restricted.

Wang Yangming had continued to try to develop and promote the School Of Mind. For this reason, she sought out Magnificent Army Avoids The White Robe Chen Qinghan for collaboration.

Although Chen Qinghan cultivated the School Of Mind, nobody could have imagined that the one who was more outstanding in the School Of Mind was actually her nephew, Chen Mo.

"Your nephew now bears the reputation of the Without Ultimate Star Emperor, and he will even challenge the Four Lords Of the Warring States during tomorrow's Feng and Shan Sacrifice? It would be better for you to advise your nephew, have him bear the reputation of the School Of Mind. Would you be willing?" Wang Yangming calmly said. 

"You should know that Mo'er is already a disciple of Mount Hua and that he even obtained Zhuangzi's legacy. Even if he spoke as you wish, would people believe him?" Chen Qinghan was calm.

Wang Yangming sighed. If she had known earlier that this child's talent was so abnormal, she should have raised him with more care back then. But even Yuan Tiangang, who clearly understood heavenly mysteries, could not display the mastery a Star Warrior had. 

"Does the Central Star Field not have some sort of plan for this Feng and Shan Sacrifice?" Chen Qinghan asked.

Wang Yangming came and went through Central around the year and was considered a character assisted by Su Mian. She understood much more about Central's political information than Chen Qinghan. Chen Qinghan felt something was not right at all in this Feng and Shan Sacrifice, as if there was an undercurrent, a great calamity no one knew about.

Wang Yangming charmingly smiled. The lotus flower on her fingertip bloomed then withered: "The time has come for the Star Era to transition. A great calamity is naturally present, and in the midst of it is the great way. If you are afraid, then take your nephew and leave the Central Star Field as soon as possible."

"What of my Elder Sister? Why has the Central Star Field shown no activity at all?" Chen Qingzhi wrinkled her brow.

"Most likely the search is without prospects. Now that Xiang Yu encroaches upon Central Her Majesty Mian is in no mood for distractions." Wang Yangming disagreed. Ou Yezi had never been that important.

"Is that so?" Chen Qinghan's heart had some vague unsteadiness.

"Wait until tomorrow's Feng and Shan Sacrifice. Today, the two of us will enjoy our last session of tea together." Wang Yangming raised her porcelain cup and gracefully sipped the tea. Her eyes shifted about, her thoughts unclear.

"If This One personally appears, could This One forcefully make your nephew make full use of the School Of Mind right now?"

"You are no match for him right now."

Chen Qinghan expressionlessly evaluated.

Wang Yangming recalled that moment she met Chen Mo back in the Outer Star Fields, that cave, that stunning and fleeting moment of the School Of Mind – "A man that can be manipulated in my hand is cuter after all…"

…

Purple Rose Star Palace, Xi Yue Pagoda.

"Delta Ursae Majoris Stone."

Its starlight was resplendent.

Four cultured and well-dressed women stood at the pagoda's four cardinal directions. Su Mian walked atop the pagoda. Other than "God Of Slaughter" Bai Qi's lofty attitude, the other three very reverently conducted themselves with noble etiquette.

They were the Four Lords Of The Warring States, defenders of heaven-bestowed authority.

"Bai Ling, you and the others should have heard that the Without Ultimate Star Emperor intends to challenge the Four Lords Of The Warring States during the Feng and Shan Sacrifice." Su Mian said.

"Lord Xinling" Wei Wuji, "Sword Hidden In The Box" Jian Shu, and "Stern Lord" Chu Liji were all silent.

Given the current Chen Mo's skyrocketing reputation, they did not dare underestimate him.

Only the God Of Slaughter scoffed: "A man is so impudent. I will kill him to make him pay the price, Your Majesty has no need of him."

Su Mian was noncommittal. "Then This Palace will trouble everyone to release the array for now."

The Four Lords glanced at each other. The Delta Ursae Majoris Stone acted as the Central Star Field and the Purple Rose Star Palace's most important object. If this was before, even if Su Mian personally requested to take it, they could not possibly acquiesce. However, with an ostensible challenge this time the four of them could not easily refuse.

The four halos surrounding the stone faded. Dream In A Millennium reached out and removed the most resplendent gem of authority from the Central Star Field's crown. Her limpid gaze seemed to glitter with starlight.

The Four Lords vaguely felt that Su Mian had some indescribably mysterious feeling now that she obtained the Delta Ursae Majoris Stone.

"Tomorrow's Feng and Shan Sacrifice will certainly be very interesting." God Of Slaughter Bai Qi Bai Ling sneered.

"Yes, very interesting."

Su Mian smiled.

…

Su Xing Star Era year 999. End of the year, fine weather across ten thousand li, with moderate wind and beautiful sun.

Star World's million Star Names treated the "Xuannü Of The Nine Heavens" as surpreme, nine as an end. The Book Of Changes said that "Undivided nines appear in all manifestations of Qian, and what follows is the model of Heaven."¹ The ancient Songs of Chu also had "the nine, the multitude of Yang, and the order of the Dao," and the Guanzi's Five Elements also mentioned "the Heavenly Dao follows nine."

In Star World, "nine" held important significance.

The 999th year of the era was said to be the moment that the Xuannü Of THe Nine Heavens' Maiden Mountain and Star World were closest. In the past, there were inevitably great calamities at the end of the era.

In great calamity there was also the great Dao.

Thus, countless Star names viewed it as sacred, a solemn day.

Central Star Field, Feng and Shan Sacrifice.

Chen Mo was currently sitting in an imperial carriage, riding towards the Purple Rose Star Palace, the streams of people around him endless. Because this was the sacrifice for Heaven, the Purple Rose Three Enclosures would activate against everyone. In the sky above Yanhuang City's Purple Rose Star Palace, Chen Mo saw that the Three Enclosures moving around the Purple Rose Star Palace's surroundings, much like a star trail.

Each star trail was comparable to a city in scope, sufficient to contain several hundred thousand people.

Now, it was already packed.

There were the common masses and some relatively unknown Star Names. Cultivators at the "Heavenly Market Enclosure" quietly watched the ceremony. This enclosure's people were numerous, and the Inner Star Fields' cultivators, Star Genreals, and commoners were all mixed together, jostling each others' shoulders, a sea of people.

The Purple Rose Three Enclosures' second was the "Supreme Palace Enclosure." This level's population was somewhat less in comparison.

Only the disciples of the Ten Great Sects and some Star Generals of minor repute were able to enter.

"As expected of the Purple Rose Star Palace that is the head of the Nine Palaces, it's so vast. It's not like a palace hall, more like strolling amongst the stars." After entering the Purple Rose Star Palace, Chen Mo leaned outside the carriage window, sizing up this magnificent palace hall, everything neat and tidy along his route.

Many buildings could be seen everywhere between the Three Enclosures. He could hear the clear and resonant voices of readers; they all recited Confucian classics.

Dong ZHongshu's policy to dismiss the Hundred Schools and revere only Confucianism could be said to be very successful. The entire Central Star Field was immersed in a Confucian atmosphere.

In the middle of the Supreme Palace Enclosure, Chen Mo spotted the figures of Huang Tingjian and Miracle Brush Famous Concubine Lady Wei.

Arriving at the Purple Rose Star Palace's last "Purple Forbidden Enclosure," it was filled with tall red walls, glazed tiles, and a floor like black iron. There was even an honor guard gripping banners, sounding horns, beating drums, and tolling bells. Everyone around them kept distance, for there were fully armed bodyguards standing ramrod straight. These bodyguards were clad in Black Iron Armor, and they held spears of Essence Steel. They seemed to carry Mount Tai on their backs, yet they stood high and mighty.

The Beiwei Army!

Star World's most famous Star Soldiers.

Standing watch at the center of the Purple Forbidden Enclosure was a female general. Her countenance was stern, and she held a resplendent sword. The sword was like an aurora, unfathomable.

"This sword feels formidable, much more perfect than us." Ganjiang and Moye's blade transformations already reached the peak, but they still fell far behind compared to this woman. This woman's sword seemed to be one with her, absolutely flawless.

"She is Heavenly Dang Star ‘Conferred Sword Saint' Chong Da. Her swordsmanship is the pinnacle of perfection and cannot be underestimated." Chen Qinghan recognized her as an adept of the "Ten Permanent Functionaries."

"Chong Da, huh. No wonder." Chen Mo recognized that this character was called the Western Han Sword Saint in Chinese history. Ruan Ji's "Singing My Cares" once praised him: "The youth learned to stab, a talent wonderful beyond Qu City." That he was made Marquis of Qu posthumously was also a very famous anecdote.

Everyone entering the Purple Forbidden Enclosure were Star Marquis-level existences. Even exceptional existences among the Ten Great Sects, like Li Bai, could only stay at the Supreme Palace Enclosure without the invitation of Central's master.

Chong Da looked at the invitation, and after a search of the Chen Mo's person, nodded.

Only then did the gate to the Purple Forbidden Enclosure's passage slowly appear.

The Purple Forbidden Passageway became a magnificent flying eave with an gate adorned with ancient reliefs. The gates alternated, and after entering the passage, it was like entering a vortex. Starlight scattered, and he was already inside the Purple Forbidden Enclosure.

There was another scene in the Purple Forbidden Enclosure.

The altar to Heaven rose high in the center.

The surrounding seats were open, and each Star Marquis sat at their individual positions. The "Kingdom-guarding Star Names" subordinate to a Star Marquis also took their seats in a very orderly fashion.

The maids were as numerous as the clouds in the sky, and musicians played their bells, producing wonderful music.

Etiquette and performer reflected one another, forming a great power under heaven.

"Rites, music, and expeditions come from the Son of Heaven!"

Chen Mo immediately understood what this feeling was. This was a saying from the Confucian classics: When all under Heaven follow the way, rites, music, and expeditions come from the Son of Heaven. When there is no way under Heaven, rites, music, and expeditions come from the marquis. When they come from the marquis, then the Son of Heaven has lost authority, the beginning of great turmoil in the world.

Back then, although Su Mian's Feng and Shan Sacrifice conformed with Confucianism, it was far from comparison in grandeur and prestige of the prior.

Upon careful inspection, the only ones of the Sixteen Star Marquis who were actually able to join were Heavenly Qilin Star "Qilin Martial Emperor" Liu Che, Heavenly Regard Star "Son Of Heaven" Liu Xiu, and Heavenly Zong Star "Eternal Divine Warrior" Li Shimin. Furthermore, Liu Che and Liu XIu stood on the Central Star Field's side. The one truly capable of commanding authority was "Eternal Divine Warrior" Li Shimin.

In the Star Marquis Banquet back then, Li Shimin, Zhu Yuanzhang, Tuoba Tao, and others left the rites and music in disarray, forcing the issuance of expedition orders to make them set out. Now, only Li Shimin barely prevailed.

But Chen Mo was surprised to discover that Li Shimin was very calm, leisurely and content. The Lingyan Pavilion officers crowding behind her were all absolutely silent. Chen Mo smelled an unfathomable plot from this woman.

Under the maids' guidance, Chen Mo sat down.

His appearance immediately drew the attention of hundreds of Star Names.

…

Yanhuang City outskirts.

A tyrannical figure ripped opened space with force and touched down upon the center of Star World with insufferable arrogance.

Xiang Yu looked into the distance, the swelling tide of people, the Purple Rose Star Palace suspended in the sky, the shimmering ten thousand stars, the revolving Three Enclosures, the vast architecture of it all.

"Feng and Shan Sacrifice. Ha, perfect, allow This Hegemon King to take in everything all at once." Xiang Yu stared distantly and coldly said: "Today, the Central Dynasty changes eras."

Her generals' gazes were resolute. Only King Of Bronze Yu Ziyu was glancing all around. She did not know where her little sister had run off to, but not joining in this "Feast at Hongmen" was fine as well.

"Are you ready to give the master of Central a pleasant surprise?" Xiang Yu casually said.

Everyone glanced to the side. Black fog swirled in space, assuming the form of an alluring girl who chuckled sinisterly.

1. https://ctext.org/book-of-changes/wen-yan/ens#n81904 ↩