The Great Confucian Scholar Yuan Gu

There has never been a shortage of unpredictable events in Chang'an City, whether they occur within the thick, imposing walls of the imperial palace or in ordinary courtyards.

Some people died, and some were forced to back down and leave.

Dong Zhongshu was not the only loser to leave Chang'an City, nor was it limited to Yuan Gu and Gongsun Hong.

In this upheaval, too many people are destined to meet their end.

"The real risk doesn't stem from Shen Pei, but from Immortal Court!"

As Yuan Gu gazed at the receding Chang'an City from his carriage, he let out a deep sigh.

"I feel like he's a little different," Rong Tianding asked Zhang Xuezhou in a low voice.

"They've changed players!"

Yao Yuanguang was impersonating Yuan Gu, but the person standing before him was the real Confucian scholar Yuan Gu.

Given Yao Yuanguang's abilities, persuading Yuan Gu would not be a problem; he could even get the other party to cooperate without paying any price.

"The old gentleman seems to know something about the Immortal Court?"

Zhang Xuezhou glanced around the carriage, then looked at the two elderly men sitting outside driving it, and realized that Yao Yuanguang didn't seem to be among them.

This piqued his interest, so he asked the learned scholar before him a question.

Zhang Xuezhou's words brought Yuan Gu back to his senses. He glanced at Zhang Xuezhou and Rong Tianding, his eyes filled with envy.

The gates to immortality are difficult to cross; even as a renowned scholar in a region, he still lacks the qualifications. Yet, the fact that Yao Yuanguang arranged for two people to ride in the carriage clearly shows that these two have at least come into contact with the path to immortality.

Whether things are good or bad, this at least proves that these two people have value.

He, however, lacks value.

At Yao Yuanguang's low reminder, Yuan Gu also gave up his idea.

But he was genuinely envious.

No one wants to live a long life, especially as they age and their wealth and status increase. In such cases, extending lifespan is a way to enjoy life.

"The Immortal Court, a place longed for by mortals, a fairyland in dreams," Yuan Gu replied after a few seconds of deliberation.

"You are an elder of the Confucian School school, do you also yearn for the Immortal Court?" Zhang Xuezhou asked curiously.

"When I was young, I didn't yearn for immortals and gods, but the older I get, the more I yearn for them. This thought burns my heart like the venom of a snake or scorpion," Yuan Gu said. "Perhaps this is my obsession, and also my inner demon!"

"Is it in pursuit of longevity?" Zhang Xuezhou asked.

"Immortals can live for hundreds or even thousands of years," Yuan Gu said. "Even if we reincarnate ten times, we cannot compare to an immortal's single lifetime. It's like looking at the pigs in the pigsty. When the pigs are ignorant, they are content with a mouthful of food every day, but once their minds are awakened, they also want to be human!"

Yuan Gu muttered to himself, describing the differences between humans and immortals, his expression filled with a sense of loss.

This made it difficult for Zhang Xuezhou to comfort the other party.

If Zhang Xuezhou were to say something like, "As long as one lives happily, that's enough; as long as one has had a glorious life, that's enough," that would undoubtedly be the thinking of other idiots.

Zhang Xuezhou wanted the other party to search for the immortal's whereabouts, but he couldn't do that.

If Zhang Xuezhou were to provide a method to extend the other Zhang Xuezhou capabilities.

"Elder, you said that pigs have developed intelligence and want to be human. Is this a common occurrence in our Great Han Dynasty?" Rong Tianding asked.

"I wouldn't dare say eight or nine out of ten, but two or three out of ten is definitely possible," Yuan Gu replied.

Is it the same in the imperial court?

"That's inevitable; it's a matter of human nature!"

Yuan Gu pointed to himself, then to Chang'an City, indicating that there was no difference between the imperial court and the academic schools.

Although there is a flourishing of diverse schools of thought, the Immortal Court was, after all, a dynasty that had controlled the country for hundreds of years, and its powerful ideology was deeply ingrained in people's minds.

After the Immortal Court released some of the blessings from the lands of longevity, it shifted its Immortal Court from bloodthirsty killings to lands of longevity and immortality, thus achieving the final transformation of this power.

This is the most crucial difference between the Immortal Court and other major schools of thought.

No matter how powerful a technique or method, neither can withstand the ravages of time; after a few decades of glory, they will fade into obscurity.

Humans envy the longevity of demons, and countless people have conducted various experiments on demons. However, humans who graft Demon Power onto demons have never achieved longevity; instead, it has led to sudden death, shortened lifespan, or mental breakdown.

The fact that the Immortal Court extends lifespan to humans undoubtedly opens up a path that everyone yearns for.

From the very beginning of humankind, people have been Struggle to survive and live one more day. This idea is almost ingrained in humankind and is an obsession that no one can escape.

Yuan Gu muttered in a low voice, mentioning that he only had one year and two months left to live.

As he aged, his speech became increasingly incoherent, eventually making it difficult for Zhang Xuezhou and Rong Tianding to recognize him.

"Cousin, will we become like this when we get old?" Rong Tianding asked.

I wish I could grow old someday!

Zhang Xuezhou responded with a wry smile.

He has never thought about longevity or immortality since his debut. He has always been struggling in danger, striving to escape the extraterrestrial demons.

Even if he were given some life-extending elixir right now, adding a hundred years to his life, Zhang Xuezhou felt it wouldn't make much difference.

As long as he remains in danger, this extension of life is meaningless to him.

"What you've said makes me a little uneasy!"

The thought of the Immortal Court taking his blood sent a chill down Rong Tianding's spine.

Zhang Xuezhou's words seemed to imply that he wouldn't live to old age, which made Rong Tianding uneasy, worried that he would die young.

But he was guilty of possessing a valuable treasure, and this trip was clearly unavoidable.

As he pondered the scriptures, he couldn't help but think about the content that Shi Wudao had been reciting.

This prompted Rong Tianding to chant softly, seeking peace of mind.

When a slight clattering sound came from inside the carriage, Rong Tianding snapped out of his daze and quickly helped Zhang Xuezhou up.

He's lost in thought!

Yuan Gu also snapped out of his rambling.

He looked at Zhang Xuezhou, whose breathing had slowed and who lay down, and then at Rong Tianding, who seemed used to it all.

This prompted Yuan Gu to point.

"My cousin has a health problem; he needs to have this happen every now and then," Rong Tianding replied dryly.

"It's not an illness, it's daydreaming, and daydreaming isn't an illness!"

Yuan Gu corrected Rong Tianding's statement.

"But when he was in a trance, it didn't seem to be voluntary; rather, he was taken away out of thin air," Yuan Gu said. "He was very likely controlled by some powerful cultivator!"

"I don't quite understand what you're saying," Rong Tianding said, struggling to comprehend.

"You don't understand, but he should," Yuan Gu said, pointing at Zhang Xuezhou. "He's already deeply mired in disaster. If he can't break free from this control, even with his affinity for immortality, he'll find it difficult to live a long life!"

"Could you explain this more clearly, sir?" Rong Tianding asked, seeking clarification.

I want to make a deal with you!

Yuan Gu did not explain to Rong Tianding, but instead turned his gaze to these two people who might have a destiny to become immortals.

He didn't know what their fate was in the immortal realm, or whether they would be destined for longevity.

But Yuan Gu was willing to give it a try; this might be the closest he had to a chance to become an immortal in the remaining year and two months of his lifespan.

Although this chance encounter with the divine was only possible through the help of others, it was still a near-chance encounter for him.

"I have a scroll of ancient poems; binding it can ward off evil and ensure his safety for a time!"

Yuan Gu reached into his sleeve and felt around, then took out a foot-long, black bamboo scroll and placed it on Zhang Xuezhou's waist.

"If you obtain a divine opportunity and are willing to pass it on to me, I hope you will come to Xi'an County in Qi Prefecture to find me. I will then give you another gemstone to stabilize your soul and avert disaster!"

Yuan Gu's skills were not top-notch, and he was already old and frail, but as the most respected Confucian scholar in Qi, he held some of the Confucian treasures.

These treasures are no longer of any use to him, but they might be of some help to Zhang Xuezhou.

If they could gain some affinity with immortals in return, it would be a win-win situation for both parties.