Li Junxian

Who would have expected that this white-clothed Confucian that seemed to lack even a sliver of martial arts ability was actually the person hiding behind the curtains, controlling everything, commanding the Grand Preceptor, King Qi, Li Linfu, and the First Prince, the schemer who had succeeded in recalling Wang Chong from Khorasan and stripping him of his military authority?

Although Wang Chong was only eighteen years old, his cultivation was exceptional. Merely the fact that he was a Great General greatly reduced the number of people that could compare to him, and he had even been able to kill a powerful existence like the Governor of War, Qutaybah.

Wang Chong had never imagined that there would be someone at the same level of cultivation who was on equal footing with him. Although the exchange just now had only been a minor probe, Wang Chong sensed that this white-robed Confucian was on the same level of cultivation, and his Psychic Energy was also extremely bizarre.

Wang Chong was a grandmaster when it came to Psychic Energy, even having successfully killed someone like Masil. But this white-robed Confucian had the same mastery over Psychic Energy, and he was even somehow able to alter the nature of his Psychic Energy, something that was simply unheard of.

Wang Chong had been able to attain his level of cultivation at the age of eighteen entirely because he had two lives’ worth of experience and because he had the miraculous art that was the Great Yinyang Heaven Creation Art, allowing him to absorb the energy of powerful foes. But this adversary was only twenty-six or twenty-seven, yet his cultivation was so formidable that he could sit on the same level as Wang Chong. This was not something that could be achieved merely through diligent effort.

Behind his adversary was an unimaginably powerful faction!

The Confucian Sect!

Others had no idea that they were not dealing with one person, but a faction of unprecedented power. A young man of twenty-six or twenty-seven would be incapable of controlling the Grand Preceptor, King Qi, the Prime Minister, and the First Prince through his own powers. An even greater power was hidden behind him. Li Junxian was only the leader that they had chosen. Killing him would solve nothing, as that faction would simply choose a new leader.

After suffering a devastating defeat, Li Junxian and his Confucian Sect realized there was only one chance to redeem themselves to the Great Tang and the people of the realm. They marched alongside Wang Chong in the war against the Arabian Empire. (ch-1822)

In the militarist-Confucian conflict, the Confucian Sect had committed a grievous mistake. Even though Wang Chong had forgiven them, even though the empire had forgiven them, they could not forgive themselves.

## Items

Noble Sage Sword - chapter 1588

Crown of Confucius - chapter 1809

## Belief

“I was raised by the Confucian school. At three, I learned of propriety and righteousness, and at five, I studied the classics. At six, I had already read all the books, the ancient records of states and countries, private books, histories and classics, unofficial histories. I knew them all. By the age of seven, there was no book that I had not read, nor any teacher that could teach me. It was at that time that I came into contact with the concept of the Harmonious World for the first time!

“At the time, I also did not have a very great understanding of the Harmonious World, but one day, on one of my excursions, I saw two antelopes locking horns. My teacher at the time told me that antelopes were this way because they were beasts, so they did not understand benevolence or humility. If they understood benevolence and humility, understood that they were of the same kind, they would not have fought like this. In the end, the two antelopes both suffered lethal injuries and died from blood loss. This was the first time I experienced death, and it left an incredibly deep impression on me. For the first time, I understood why this world needed benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom, why a Harmonious World was required!”

It was precisely because I experienced the cruelty of war that I regarded benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom with even more importance, and approved even more of the ideal of the Harmonious World. A death can be as heavy as Mount Tai or as light as a goose feather. To fulfill a long-cherished wish, ending all calamities and wars in the world; having all people, whether Tang or foreigner, accept each other and acknowledge each other; realizing the ideals of the sages and carrying on their spirit… is this not more important than any sort of honor or wealth? Only with this is a life not lived in vain!

“Everything has its price to pay. In the war between Qin and Zhao, both sides lost more than four hundred thousand soldiers while dragging in countless common people. In the Battle of the Fei River, an army of more than eight hundred thousand soldiers was wiped out. And when the former Sui went to war against the Goguryeo Empire, casualties reached one million while more than five million peasants were affected, and in the end, the war led to the end of the Great Sui1. Such examples throughout history are too numerous to mention.

“If war is not brought to an end, such losses will also never come to an end. Ever since ancient times, the number of people lost because people could not share the same thoughts and warred against each other could number in the tens of millions. If the Harmonious World can be realized and all wars brought to an end, any price is worth it,” Li Junxian sternly said, his voice extremely calm. It was so emotionless that it seemed like he was discussing some daily trifle.