Chapter 125: The Confucian Statue

Upon reaching the shore, Chen Jianchen transferred to a carriage and headed straight back to the Hu estate. Sitting inside, he calmed his mind and focused on sensing the spiritual world within his Niwan Palace. Ever since that Confucian figure had emerged under the resonance of the bell, it had remained standing there, seemingly motionless and imposing. Even though he could only see the figure from behind, he could still appreciate its noble demeanor. It lacked the ethereal, otherworldly detachment of a Daoist patriarch, nor did it carry the serene, compassion-filled expression of a Buddha. Instead, it was a figure in a simple azure robe, standing solitary and aloof, gazing into the distance with a heart full of unspoken anxieties, leaving Chen Jianchen with a silhouette that appeared both lean and unyielding.

With the presence of this Confucian image, the "Hao-Ran Yang-Wu Sword," which had been shattered by the bell’s toll, quickly restored itself, floating within the void, though its color remained somewhat dimmed. Chen Jianchen was convinced that if the Confucian figure had not appeared in time, he would have suffered grievous injuries from the tolling of the Flying Bell, and it would have taken at least three months for his sword to recover.

To have his inner sanctuary guarded by such a figure felt profound and mystical—a sense of companionship that banished the isolation and helplessness he had felt before.

Chen Jianchen’s understanding of the "True Chapters of the Three Accomplishments" had deepened a level further. Previously, characters along the text had lit up one by one; now, a significant portion of the vast script was glowing brightly.

One hundred and fifteen characters!

Upon careful count, there were now one hundred and fifteen characters, each one a gleaming pearl, shining with such brilliance that they resembled stars in the night sky.

His progress was rapid—a speed that surprised even Chen Jianchen himself, though upon reflection, he found it understandable. Whether cultivating the Dao or Buddhism, an elevation in one’s realm could not be achieved through meditation alone; it required real-world trials or the catalyst of extraordinary circumstances to break through bottlenecks.

The "True Chapters of the Three Accomplishments" was surely no different.

He had been struck by the toll of the Flying Bell, suffering damage to his spirit and even coughing up blood. Yet, precisely because of this, the bell’s sound had startled the hidden Confucian figure into manifesting.

Where the Confucian image appears, righteous energy is born!

Directly condensing sixty-five strands of righteous energy, the form of the Hao-Ran Yang-Wu Sword had now thickened to the size of an infant’s finger.

"Young Master, we have arrived at the Hu estate," the coachman called out from outside.

Chen Jianchen emerged from his meditation, paid the fare, and entered the estate.

"Sir, why have you returned so soon?" the servants of the Hu estate asked in surprise upon seeing him.

"I lost interest, so I returned," Chen Jianchen replied.

Hearing the news, Master Huangfu and Jiaona came out to meet him. Jiaona asked curiously, "Sir, were you denied entry? Why are you back at the estate after such a short time?"

Chen Jianchen dismissed the question with a smile, then suddenly said, "Master, I have something to discuss with you."

Master Huangfu, a man of caution and experience, immediately sensed the gravity of the situation and invited Chen Jianchen into his study, with Jiaona following close behind.

"Master, I did not enter Jinshan Temple. I only heard a few tolls of the temple's bell before turning back."

Master Huangfu raised his eyebrows. "And how did it feel?"

"Very noisy—quite detestable!"

Hearing this, Master Huangfu was stunned for a moment before bursting into hearty laughter. Chen Jianchen’s definition of the Flying Bell’s toll as detestable noise was remarkably apt; from his perspective, it was a sentiment worthy of a celebratory drink.

Chen Jianchen continued, "Master, Monk Fuxiao must have long been aware of your true identities. Although I do not know why he has not yet come knocking, this place is no longer safe to stay."

Master Huangfu stroked his beard and said in a low voice, "I am aware. I had already decided to move; I believe that once you leave, we shall follow shortly after."

Chen Jianchen pondered for a moment and said, "I have decided to return to Jiangzhou tomorrow."

Master Huangfu’s eyes brightened, though he remained composed, understanding the implication. "In that case, Nao’er and I shall also depart tomorrow."

Jiaona asked, "Sir, Father, why such a hurry?"

Master Huangfu replied, "The trees desire stillness, but the wind will not cease. Nao’er, in this world, many things are beyond our control."

Jiaona tilted her head, thinking. "Father, are you afraid that the monk will come to attack us?"

Master Huangfu sighed. "That is the first reason. Secondly, I have been feeling restless lately, as if some great event is about to occur. I have thought it over carefully, and if a calamity is looming, it must be the one you are destined to face."

When demonic beings reach the Golden Core stage and attempt to take human form, they trigger a heavenly tribulation, undergoing a baptism by the power of thunder. In the past, fearing his daughter’s shallow cultivation and lack of understanding of the world, Master Huangfu had sacrificed his own cultivation to seal her aura with a secret technique, delaying the arrival of the tribulation.

There was no fixed time for this; if influenced by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, or by changes within Jiaona herself, the timing of the tribulation could fluctuate unpredictably.

Master Huangfu no longer held anything back, explaining the situation to Chen Jianchen in full.

Chen Jianchen was a layman regarding heavenly tribulations, but thanks to Master Huangfu’s detailed explanation, he gained his first glimpse of understanding. A heavenly tribulation is, in essence, a law of heaven and earth. It is a double-edged sword: if the one facing it survives, their Yin Spirit receives a surge of the vigorous, sunny energy of thunder, strengthening them like a child receiving a potent tonic, allowing them to grow stronger in a short time. However, failure means the soul is scattered and reduced to ashes.

It is important to note that heavenly tribulations only target the methods of cultivating the Yin Spirit in the Daoist tradition; the "Immeasurable Tribulation" spoken of by the Buddhists is a different concept entirely. The "True Chapters of the Three Accomplishments" that Chen Jianchen studied also alluded to a tribulation for Confucian scholars, known as the "Human Tribulation."

Humanity suffers three declines: the decline of the body, the decline of the family, and the decline of fortune. This serves as the inverse proof of the famous motto: "Cultivate the self, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world." Combined, these three declines constitute the "Human Tribulation."

After listening to Master Huangfu, Chen Jianchen realized that the master’s cultivation had once been far superior to its current state. It was only through pouring his own power into his daughter—a "direct infusion of wisdom"—and exhausting his energy to suppress her aura that his own cultivation had regressed, his magical power had waned, and his vitality had been severely damaged, leaving him unable to return to his peak state even after years of recuperation.

The heavenly tribulation—Chen Jianchen had faintly sensed its power during that winter storm. If Jiaona’s tribulation were to arrive while they were still at the Hu estate, the situation would truly spiral out of control.

With their decision made, they agreed to leave the Hu estate the following day, each going their separate ways.

The dinner was lavish, as it was likely their final meal together before departing. As for the aftermath, Master Huangfu had long since made arrangements, and as a mere guest, Chen Jianchen had no such concerns.

They exchanged toasts and sang songs; even Jiaona, contrary to her usual habits, joined them at the table and drank even more than Chen Jianchen.

BOOM!

Just as the three were enjoying themselves, a thunderbolt rent the sky, deafeningly loud. Master Huangfu’s chopsticks fell from his hand, and his expression changed drastically: "Oh no!"